AIM:Tostudywhe ther theangiotens in-(1-7)[Ang-(1-7)]/Mas receptor axis protects cardio-myocytes against high glucose (HG)-induced injury by inhibiting nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) pathway.METHODS:The cell viability was measured by CCK-8 assay.The intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species ( ROS) were detected by DCFH-DA staining .The number of apoptotic cells was tested by Hoechst 33258 nuclear staining .Mitochondrial membrane potential ( MMP) was examined by JC-1 staining.The levels of NF-κB p65 subunit and cleaved caspase-3 protein were de-termined by Western blotting.RESULTS: Treatment of H9c2 cardiac cells with 35 mmol/L glucose (HG) for 30, 60, 90, 120 and 150 min significantly enhanced the levels of phosphorated ( p) NF-κB p65, peaking at 60 min.Co-treatment of the cells with 1 μmol/L Ang-(1-7) and HG for 60 min attenuated the up-regulation of p-NF-κB p65 induced by HG. Co-treatment of the cells with Ang-(1-7) at concentrations of 0.1~30μmol/L and HG for 24 h inhibited HG-induced cy-totoxicity, evidenced by an increase in cell viability .On the other hand, 1 μmol/L Ang-(1-7) ameliorated HG-induced apoptosis, oxidative stress and mitochondrial damage , indicated by decreases in the number of apoptotic cells , cleaved caspase-3 level, ROS generation and MMP loss .However, the above cardioprotective effects of Ang-(1-7) were markedly blocked by A-779, an antagonist of Ang-(1-7) receptor (Mas receptor).Similarly, co-treatment of H9c2 cardiac cells with 100 μmol/L PDTC ( an inhibitor of NF-κB) and HG for 24 h also obviously reduced the above injuries induced by HG.CONCLUSION:Ang-(1-7)/Mas receptor axis prevents the cardiomyocytes from the HG-induced injury by inhibiting NF-κB pathway .

Objective: To investigate the hospital employee satisfaction and trustworthiness in the background of the trusteeship mode and to find out the problems after trusteeship.Methods: Minnesota satisfaction questionnaire (MSQ) and the self-made questionnaire were used to conduct the survey.Results: The overall employee satisfaction (3.80±0.86) and trustworthiness (3.95±0.77)were higher.The highest level of trustworthiness concerned the cultural connotation (84.8%) followed by the management concept (82.8%) for overall satisfaction.The lowest level of employee satisfaction concerned income and workload (53.7%), followed by the working conditions and environment (55.3%).The administrative staff satisfaction was higher compared to that of medical staff (p=0.001), which showed significant statistical differences.Conclusions: The hospital has made some achievements after the trusteeship system reform, however, it still needs improvement and further strengthening in many aspects.The hospital must always keep abreast of the demands of workforce and improve the staff satisfaction so as to promote its continuous and sustainable development.

AIM:To investigate the roles of ATP-sensitive potassium ( KATP ) channels in high glucose-induced cardiac injury and the inhibitory effect of hydrogen sulfide ( H2 S) on the cardiomyocyte injury.METHODS:The expres-sion level of KATP channel protein was tested by Western blot.The cell viability was measured by CCK-8 assay.The number of apoptotic cells was observed by Hoechst 33258 nuclear staining.Mitochondrial membrane potential ( MMP) was exam-ined by JC-1 staining.RESULTS:After the H9c2 cells were treated with 35 mmol/L glucose ( high glucose, HG) for 1~24 h, the protein level of KATP channel was significantly reduced at 6 h, 9 h, 12 h and 24 h, reaching the minimum level at 12 h and 24 h.Pretreatment of the cells with 400μmol/L NaHS ( a donor of H2 S) prior to exposure to HG for 12 h con-siderably blocked the down-regulation of KATP channels induced by HG.Pretreatment of the cells with 100 μmol/L mito-chondrial KATP channel opener diazoxide, 50μmol/L non-selective KATP channel opener pinacidil or NaHS obviously inhibi-ted HG-induced injuries, leading to an increase in the cell viability, and decreases in the number of apoptotic cells and the MMP loss.Pretreatment with 100μmol/L mitochondrial KATP channel antagonist 5-hydroxydecanoic acid or 1 mmol/L non-selective KATP channel antagonist glibenclamide attenuated the above cardioprotective effects of NaHS.CONCLUSION:KATP channels mediate the inhibitory effect of H2 S on HG-induced cardiac injury.

Objective:To explore the incidence and mortality of esophageal cancer in the cancer registration areas of Heilongjiang province from 2013 to 2017 and their trends of change over time.Methods:The esophageal cancer incidence, mortality and population data reported by 12 cancer registration areas of Heilongjiang province were collected. Among them, the data of 11 areas met the check standards, including 7 cities above the prefecture level (abbreviated as urban area), 4 counties and county-level cities (abbreviated as rural area). The crude incidence and mortality rates of esophageal cancer in 11 cancer registration areas of Heilongjiang province from 2013 to 2017, and their standardized rates by Chinese population (adjusted according to the standard population composition of the 2000 census of China) and world population (adjusted using Segi world standard population composition), and the cumulative incidence or mortality rate from 0 to 74 years old (abbreviated as cumulative incidence or mortality rate) were calculated. Joinpoint regression was used to calculate the annual percentage change (APC) of the incidence and mortality rates, and the trend analysis was performed.Results:From 2013 to 2017, the crude incidence rate of esophageal cancer in the cancer registration areas of Heilongjiang province was 6.40/100 000, the standardized incidence rate by Chinese population was 3.63/100 000, and the cumulative incidence rate was 0.44%. The crude incidence rate of esophageal cancer in males (11.61/100 000) was higher than that in females (1.27/100 000). The crude incidence rate of esophageal cancer in rural area (6.27/100 000) was lower than that in urban area (6.71/100 000). From 2013 to 2017, the crude mortality rate of esophageal cancer in the cancer registration areas of Heilongjiang province was 5.32/100 000, the standardized mortality rate by Chinese population was 3.01/100 000, and the cumulative mortality rate was 0.35%. The crude mortality rate of esophageal cancer in males (9.56/100 000) was higher than that in females (1.15/100 000). The crude mortality rate of esophageal cancer in rural area (5.13/100 000) was lower than that in urban area (5.39/100 000). Joinpoint regression analysis showed that from 2013 to 2017, the incidence and mortality rates of esophageal cancer in the entire population and males had an increasing trend, but the differences were not statistically significant (all P > 0.05), and the standardized incidence rate by Chinese population in females had a downward trend, and the difference was statistically significant (APC = -7.92, 95% CI -11.52- -4.21, P < 0.01). Conclusions:The incidence and mortality rates of esophageal cancer in Heilongjiang province have been increasing in recent years, and the burden of disease is still heavy. In the male population, the primary prevention, early detection and early treatment of esophageal cancer should be paid more attention.

Objective To analyze the incidence, mortality and time trend of lung cancer in Heilongjiang Cancer Registries from 2013 to 2017. Methods We calculated the incidence (mortality) rate and age-standardized incidence (mortality) rate of lung cancer in Heilongjiang Cancer Registries from 2013 to 2017. Chinese population census in 2000 and World Segi's standard population were used for age-standardization. Annual percentage change (APC) was calculated using Joinpoint software. Results The incidence of lung cancer in Heilongjiang Cancer Registries from 2013 to 2017 was 63.44/10⁵ and ASR China was 36.14/10⁵. The incidence of lung cancer in males (78.08/10⁵) was higher than that in females (49.04/10⁵). The incidence of lung cancer in rural areas (65.54/10⁵) was higher than that in urban areas (58.20/10⁵). From 2013 to 2017, the mortality rate of lung cancer in Heilongjiang Cancer Registries was 57.02/10⁵, and ASR China was 32.53/10⁵. The mortality rate of lung cancer in males (69.92/10⁵) was higher than that in females (44.40/10⁵). The mortality rate of lung cancer in rural areas (60.68/10⁵) was higher than that in urban areas (48.02/10⁵). The incidence of lung cancer in the 55-year-old age group showed a downward trend (APC=-5.0%, t=-5.1, P < 0.05), and the mortality rate of lung cancer in the 70-year-old group showed a downward trend (APC=-4.9%, t=-5.0). Conclusion Heilongjiang Province is a high incidence area of lung cancer. The prevention and control of lung cancer should be further strengthened according to the epidemiological characteristics of lung cancer in this province.

Objective To investigate the association between the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of leukotriene C4 synthase(LTC4S) rs730012 in the childhood asthma.Methods Sequence specific primers-polymerase chain reaction was used to assess the genetic polymorphism of LTC4S rs730012 in 105 asthma children with different order of severity and 128 non-asthma children in our hospital in the northeast of China to analyse the association between the SNP of LTC4S rs730012 and susceptibility,clinical phenotype in asthma children.Results (1) In case group,genotype frequencies of A/C,A/A and C/C were 71.4％ 、25.7％ 、2.9％,allele frequencies for A,C were 84.3％,15.7％.In control group,the genotype frequencies of A/A,A/C,C/C,were 70.3％,28.9％,0.8％,allele frequencies for A,C were 84.8％,15.2％.No significant difference was found in AA genotype and C allele frequencies between case and control grouP(x2 =0.035、0.020,P both ＞0.05).(2) C/C genotype or C allele frequencies in moderate-severe asthma group were significantly higher than the mild asthma group(x2 =5.859、5.641,P both ＜ 0.05);(3) SaO2 of A/A group was significantly higher than A/C and C/C group (t =2.976,Pboth ＜ 0.05),and FeNO and obstructive ventilatory disorder incidence rate in A/C,C/C group were higher than A/A group,the differences were statistically significant (t =2.946、x2 =5.564,P both ＜ 0.05).Conclusion The SNP of LTC4S rs730012 is associated with the order of severity,SaO2,FeNO,pulmonary function in asthma children of northeast China.However,the rs730012 is not associated with the susceptibility for asthma.

Objective To explore the effect and mechanism of miR-581 on the autophagy of ovarian cancer SKOV3 cells. Methods miR-581 mimics and miR-581 NC were transfected into SKOV3 cells, and the transfection efficiency was detected by qRT-PCR. After successful transfection, Western blot was used to detect autophagy-related proteins expression in SKOV3 cells. TargetScanHuman database predicted miR-581 target genes, and Western blot verified the role of miR-581 and target genes. Results Overexpression of miR-581 significantly inhibited the expression of autophagy-related proteins LC3 Ⅱ and Beclin1 (P < 0.01); miR-581 negatively regulated FOXO1 expression (P < 0.01) and FOXO1 promoted autophagy of SKOV3 cells (P < 0.01). Conclusion miR-581 affects the autophagy of ovarian cancer SKOV3 cells by regulating the expression of FOXO1.

Objective:To compare the efficacy of radial forearm flap and anterolateral thigh flap in repairing soft tissue defects after oral cancer surgery and to explore their indications.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical data of patients with oral cancer treated at the Department of Stomatology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, from May 2019 to February 2023. Patients were divided into two groups based on the repair method: the radial forearm flap group and the anterolateral thigh flap group. The groups were compared in the following aspects. (1) Surgical parameters including defect area after oral cancer resection, flap area, flap preparation time, operation time, and length of hospital stay. (2) Inflammatory markers (interleukin-6 and C-reactive protein levels) measured 1 day before surgery and 1 day after surgery. (3) Flap survival rate was calculated. (4) Complication rates was calculated in the flap donor area and infection rates in the oral recipient area within 6 months postoperatively. (5) Six months postoperatively, the patient’s oral function was assessed by a physician using the University of Washington quality of life scale (UW-QOL). The evaluation included assessments of oral opening, speech, and eating functions. Each parameter was scored on a scale of 0 to 10 (higher scores indicated better recovery). (6) Quality of life was assessed using the 36-item short form health survey scale(SF-36) at 2, 4 and 6 months postoperatively, with scores ranging from 0 to 100 (higher scores indicated better quality of life). (7) Patient satisfaction was assessed at 6 months postoperatively, with satisfaction levels categorized as satisfied, basically satisfied, and dissatisfied. The satisfaction rate was calculated as (satisfied + basically satisfied ) cases / total cases in each group × 100%. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 22.0. Measurement data were expressed as Mean±SD, and comparisons between groups were conducted using t-tests. Count data were expressed as cases and (or) percentages, and comparisons were made using chi-square test. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results:The radial forearm flap group included 48 cases (32 males, 16 females), aged (49.3±5.0) years, with a body mass index (BMI) of (23.0±1.1) kg/m 2 and a disease course of (6.5±2.1) months. The group had 21 cases of tongue cancer, 12 of floor of mouth cancer, and 15 of buccal cancer, including 40 squamous cell carcinomas and 8 basal cell carcinomas. The anterolateral thigh flap group included 32 cases (20 males, 12 females), aged (50.1±5.0) years, with a BMI of (23.0±1.0) kg/m 2 and a disease course of (7.0±2.2) months. The group had 16 cases of tongue cancer, 7 cases of floor of mouth cancer, and 9 cases of buccal cancer, including 27 squamous cell carcinomas and 5 basal cell carcinomas. There were no significant differences in gender, age, BMI, disease course, tumor location, or pathological type between the two groups ( P>0.05). The defect area after oral cancer resection was smaller in the radial forearm flap group[ (39.0±1.3) cm 2 ] compared to the anterolateral thigh flap group[ (40.3±2.2) cm 2] ( t=3.32, P=0.001). There were no significant differences in flap area, flap preparation time, or length of hospital stay between the two groups ( P>0.05). The operation time was shorter in the radial forearm flap group [(5.1±1.1) h] compared to the anterolateral thigh flap group [(6.8±2.8) h] ( t=0.26, P<0.001). There were no significant differences in interleukin-6 and C-reactive protein levels between the two groups 1 day before surgery and 1 day after surgery ( P>0.05). The flap survival rates were 97.9% (47/48) in the radial forearm flap group and 93.8% (30/32) in the anterolateral thigh flap group, with no significant difference( P>0.05). Postoperative donor site complications mainly included infection, pigmentation, itching, etc. The overall incidence of complications in the donor site of the radial forearm flap [33.3% (16/48)] was higher than that in the anterolateral thigh flap group [12.5% (4/32)], and the difference was statistically significant ( χ2=4.44, P=0.035). There was no significant difference in infection rates in the oral recipient area between the two groups ( P>0.05). Six months postoperatively, the average scores for oral opening, speech, and eating functions were above 7 in both groups, with no significant differences ( P>0.05). Quality of life scores improved over time in both groups, with average scores above 90 at 6 months postoperatively, and no significant differences at any time point ( P>0.05). The patient satisfaction rate was 91.7% (44/48) in the radial forearm flap group and 90.6% (29/32) in the anterolateral thigh flap group, with no significant difference ( P>0.05). Conclusion:Both radial forearm flap and anterolateral thigh flap can effectively repair soft tissue defects after oral cancer resection, significantly improving patients’oral function. The anterolateral thigh flap provides sufficient tissue volume and is suitable for patients with larger defect areas. The radial forearm flap is suitable for patients with a smaller defect area after oral cancer resection. Its surgical procedure is relatively less complex and offers an advantage in reducing surgery time. However, the donor site complications are higher with the radial forearm flap compared to the anterolateral thigh flap.

Objective:To compare the efficacy of radial forearm flap and anterolateral thigh flap in repairing soft tissue defects after oral cancer surgery and to explore their indications.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical data of patients with oral cancer treated at the Department of Stomatology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, from May 2019 to February 2023. Patients were divided into two groups based on the repair method: the radial forearm flap group and the anterolateral thigh flap group. The groups were compared in the following aspects. (1) Surgical parameters including defect area after oral cancer resection, flap area, flap preparation time, operation time, and length of hospital stay. (2) Inflammatory markers (interleukin-6 and C-reactive protein levels) measured 1 day before surgery and 1 day after surgery. (3) Flap survival rate was calculated. (4) Complication rates was calculated in the flap donor area and infection rates in the oral recipient area within 6 months postoperatively. (5) Six months postoperatively, the patient’s oral function was assessed by a physician using the University of Washington quality of life scale (UW-QOL). The evaluation included assessments of oral opening, speech, and eating functions. Each parameter was scored on a scale of 0 to 10 (higher scores indicated better recovery). (6) Quality of life was assessed using the 36-item short form health survey scale(SF-36) at 2, 4 and 6 months postoperatively, with scores ranging from 0 to 100 (higher scores indicated better quality of life). (7) Patient satisfaction was assessed at 6 months postoperatively, with satisfaction levels categorized as satisfied, basically satisfied, and dissatisfied. The satisfaction rate was calculated as (satisfied + basically satisfied ) cases / total cases in each group × 100%. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 22.0. Measurement data were expressed as Mean±SD, and comparisons between groups were conducted using t-tests. Count data were expressed as cases and (or) percentages, and comparisons were made using chi-square test. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results:The radial forearm flap group included 48 cases (32 males, 16 females), aged (49.3±5.0) years, with a body mass index (BMI) of (23.0±1.1) kg/m 2 and a disease course of (6.5±2.1) months. The group had 21 cases of tongue cancer, 12 of floor of mouth cancer, and 15 of buccal cancer, including 40 squamous cell carcinomas and 8 basal cell carcinomas. The anterolateral thigh flap group included 32 cases (20 males, 12 females), aged (50.1±5.0) years, with a BMI of (23.0±1.0) kg/m 2 and a disease course of (7.0±2.2) months. The group had 16 cases of tongue cancer, 7 cases of floor of mouth cancer, and 9 cases of buccal cancer, including 27 squamous cell carcinomas and 5 basal cell carcinomas. There were no significant differences in gender, age, BMI, disease course, tumor location, or pathological type between the two groups ( P>0.05). The defect area after oral cancer resection was smaller in the radial forearm flap group[ (39.0±1.3) cm 2 ] compared to the anterolateral thigh flap group[ (40.3±2.2) cm 2] ( t=3.32, P=0.001). There were no significant differences in flap area, flap preparation time, or length of hospital stay between the two groups ( P>0.05). The operation time was shorter in the radial forearm flap group [(5.1±1.1) h] compared to the anterolateral thigh flap group [(6.8±2.8) h] ( t=0.26, P<0.001). There were no significant differences in interleukin-6 and C-reactive protein levels between the two groups 1 day before surgery and 1 day after surgery ( P>0.05). The flap survival rates were 97.9% (47/48) in the radial forearm flap group and 93.8% (30/32) in the anterolateral thigh flap group, with no significant difference( P>0.05). Postoperative donor site complications mainly included infection, pigmentation, itching, etc. The overall incidence of complications in the donor site of the radial forearm flap [33.3% (16/48)] was higher than that in the anterolateral thigh flap group [12.5% (4/32)], and the difference was statistically significant ( χ2=4.44, P=0.035). There was no significant difference in infection rates in the oral recipient area between the two groups ( P>0.05). Six months postoperatively, the average scores for oral opening, speech, and eating functions were above 7 in both groups, with no significant differences ( P>0.05). Quality of life scores improved over time in both groups, with average scores above 90 at 6 months postoperatively, and no significant differences at any time point ( P>0.05). The patient satisfaction rate was 91.7% (44/48) in the radial forearm flap group and 90.6% (29/32) in the anterolateral thigh flap group, with no significant difference ( P>0.05). Conclusion:Both radial forearm flap and anterolateral thigh flap can effectively repair soft tissue defects after oral cancer resection, significantly improving patients’oral function. The anterolateral thigh flap provides sufficient tissue volume and is suitable for patients with larger defect areas. The radial forearm flap is suitable for patients with a smaller defect area after oral cancer resection. Its surgical procedure is relatively less complex and offers an advantage in reducing surgery time. However, the donor site complications are higher with the radial forearm flap compared to the anterolateral thigh flap.

Objective To investigate the difference of niacin skin flush response between patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) and healthy controls (HCs), and its sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of MDD. Methods Twenty-one untreated patients with MDD and 28 age- and gender-matched HCs were enrolled in this study. The severity of depressive symptoms was assessed mainly by using the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS-17). Methyl Nicotinate (MN) solution at 8 different concentrations (10-5 mol/L, 10-4 mol/L, 10-3.5 mol/L, 10-3 mol/L, 10-2.5 mol/L, 10-2 mol/L, 10-1.5 mol/L, 10-1 mol/L) were applied on subjects' forearms. Signals of blood flow were collected using the Doppler Laser Flowmetry to detect the skin flushing of the test. Results Under the concentrations of 10-2.5 mol/L, 10-2 mol/L, 10-1.5 mol/L and 10-1 mol/L MN solution, the blood flow was significantly higher in depressive patients than in HCs (P<0.01). The MN sensitivity (logEC50) was inversely correlated to the severity of depressive symptoms (r=-0.57, P<0.05). ROC curve analysis implied that the maximum blood flow (MBF) caused by the niacin skin flush response, could efficiently discriminate MDD from HCs (AUC=0.90, P<0.01). Conclusion The presence of enhanced niacin skin flush response may be helpful in the diagnosis of MDD.