Objective: To investigate the inhibitory effect of metformin on the proliferation of esophageal cancer KYSE450 cells, and to explore its possible mechanism. Methods: The human esophageal cancer KYSE450 cells were cultured in vitro and treated with different concentrations of metformin (5, 10, 20 and 40 mmol/L). The proliferation and apoptosis of KYSE450 cells after metformin treatment were detected by MTT and FCM method, respectively. The expression levels of 4E-binding protein 1 (4EBP1) and S6 kinase 1 (S6K1) mRNAs and proteins were detected by semi-quantitative RT-PCR and Western blotting, respectively. The subcutaneous tumor xenograft models of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma KYSE450 cells in nude mice were constructed, and were divided into two groups at the 7th day after injection with KYSE450 cells. In the two groups, metformin or 0.9% sodium chloride solution was separately used by intraperitoneal injection for 15 d. The size of tumor was measured every 3 days. The cell morphological characteristics of tumor xenografts were detected by HE staining. The expressions of S6K1 and 4EBP1 proteins in xenograft tumor tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry. Results: Different concentrations of metformin (5, 10, 20 and 40 mmol/L) could obviously inhibit the proliferation of KYSE450 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner (all P<0.0001). The apoptosis rates of KYSE450 cells treated with 5, 10 and 20 mmol/L metformin were increased in a concentration-dependent manner (all P<0.05). The expression levels of 4EBP1 and S6K1, two downstream molecules of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), in KYSE450 cells were significantly down-regulated with the increasing of concentrations or time of metformin treatment (all P<0.05). The growth of tumor xenografts in nude mice of metformin group was significantly suppressed (P < 0.0001). The expression levels of 4EBP1 and S6K1 proteins in tumor xenograft tissues were significantly down-regulated after metformin injection (both P<0.05). Conclusion: Metformin can inhibit the proliferation of esophageal cancer KYSE450 cells in vitro and in vivo, and its mechanism may be related to the down-regulation of 4EBP1 and S6K1 expressions in the downstream pathway of mTOR.

Objective:To explore the expression of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)and its relationgship with the prognosis of breast cancer,and to provide evidence-based basis for the using of mTOR inhibitor in the treatment of breast cancer.Methods: A systemical literature search was conducted based on the following databases:PubMed,EMBbase,Cochrane Library,ISI Web of Science,and CNKI up to November 24,2015.The outcome measures were hazard ratio (HR)with 95% confidence interval (CI) for the association between the mTOR expression and the prognosis of patients with breast cancer.The primary end points including disease-free survival (DFS ), and overall survival (OS ). STATA 12.0 was used to conduct the statistical analysis. Results:A total of seven cohort studies,1 758 patients were included. The risk of recurrence and metastasis of the breast cancer patients with positive expression of mTOR was 2.05 times of the patients with negative expression of mTOR (HR= 2.05, 95% CI: 1.01 - 4.13,P = 0.003);the risk of death in the breast cancer patients with positive expression of mTOR was 2.63 times of the patients with negative expression of mTOR (HR = 2.63, 95%CI:1.45-4.80,P = 0.736).Conclusion:The positive expression of mTOR can significantly increase the recurrence,metastasis and death risk of the patients with breast cancer.

Objective:To systematically review the efficacy and safety of dexmedetomidine and midazolam in procedural sedation. Methods: PubMed,EMBase,Cochrane Library,CNKI,CBM and WanFang databases were retrieved to collect the randomized controlled trials (RCT) about comparion of efficacy and safety between dexmedetomidine and midazolam in procedural sedation up to March, 2017. Based on the inclusion criteria, the data extraction and quality evaluation were performed, and then the systematic evaluation was carried out.The outcome measures for efficacy were the satisfaction scores and pain scores of the patients and clinicians;the outcome measures for safety comparison were hypotension, hypoxia, and circulatory and respiratory complications.Results:There were 14 RCT satisfied the inclusion criteria including 949 patients.Compared with midazolam group, the incidence of pain, delirium, and analgesia of the patients in dexmedetomidine group had significant differences (P<0.05);but the incidence of respiratory depression, low blood pressure had no significant differences (P>0.05).Conclusion:When the adult patients are sedated, dexmedetomidine can be used as an ideal alternative to midazolam sedation.

Objective To explore the effect of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) on inflammatory factors in rats with lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury (ALI) and the possible mechanism of anti-inflammatory. Methods Seventy male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into normal control group (n = 10), LPS model group (n = 30), and ADSCs intervention group (n = 30) by random number table. ALI model was reproduced by intraperitoneal injection of 8 mg/kg LPS, and the rats in ADSCs intervention group received tail vein injection of 300 μL ADSCs 30 minutes after the model reproduction, the samples of normal control group were harvested immediately without any intervention, and the specimens in remained two groups were taken at 6, 24, 72 hours respectively. Arterial partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) and lactate level in femoral artery were determined. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the serum myeloperoxidase (MPO) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) in the blood of left ventricle. Lung wet/dry weight (W/D) ratio was detected by thoracotomy, and the pathological changes of lung tissue were observed under an optical microscope. Western Blot was used to detect the protein expression of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) in lung tissue of rats. Results Compared with the normal control group, the damage degree of lung tissue of LPS model group was significantly heavier from 6 hours, and lung W/D ratio, blood lactate, MPO, IL-10 and expression level of NF-κB in lung tissue were significantly increased respectively, while PaO2 was decreased significantly. Compared with LPS model group, the damage degree of lung tissue of ADSCs intervention group was significantly reduced from 6 hours, and lung W/D ratio, blood lactate, MPO, and NF-κB expression in lung tissue were significantly decreased, while PaO2 was increased significantly, and it became normal at 72 hours [lung W/D ratio: 5.33±0.29 vs. 5.77±0.42 at 6 hours, 5.14±0.46 vs. 5.43±0.38 at 72 hours; blood lactate (mmol/L): 3.6±1.0 vs. 5.7±1.1 at 6 hours, 3.1±1.0 vs. 3.8±1.2 at 72 hours; blood MPO (μg/L): 1.50±0.90 vs. 2.70±1.85 at 6 hours, 0.46±0.30 vs. 0.71±0.22 at 72 hours; NF-κB (gray value): 0.40±0.11 vs. 0.50±0.09 at 6 hours, 0.24±0.03 vs. 0.33±0.06; PaO2 (mmHg, 1 mmHg = 0.133 kPa): 78.0±4.1 vs. 74.5±3.2 at 6 hours, 89.3±9.4 vs. 81.9±3.4 at 72 hours; all P < 0.05]. The IL-10 level was significantly higher than that of LPS model group only at 24 hours (ng/L: 27.75±15.49 vs. 17.52±6.56, P < 0.05). Conclusion ADSCs can effectively relieve the inflammatory response of ALI induced by LPS, probably by inhibiting the expressions of NF-κB and blocking the release of inflammatory cytokines.

Objective:To investigate the role of KLF4 in lipopolysaccharide induced cardiomyocyte injury.Methods:Primary rat cardiomyocytes were isolated and cultured, and randomly divided into 5 groups: control group, negative control (NC), LPS group, KLF4 overexpression group, KLF4 overexpression+LPS group. MTT method was used to detect cell activity, ROS, SOD 2, GPX and MDA were detected by kit, TNFa, IL-1 β and IL-6 were detected by ELISA. TUNEL staining was used to detect apoptosis. The protein levels of TLR4 and Nrf2 were detected by Western blot.Results:The expression of KLF4 in cardiomyocytes was significantly higher than that in the NC group ( P<0.001). The cell activity of LPS group was significantly lower than that of NC group ( P < 0.001), and that of KLF4 overexpression +LPS group was higher than that of LPS group ( P<0.001). The levels of TNFa, IL-1 β and IL-6 in LPS group were significantly higher than those in the NC group ( P<0.0001), and the levels of TNFa, IL-1 β and IL-6 in KLF4 overexpression +LPS group were lower than those in LPS group ( P<0.0001). The levels of ROS and MDA in LPS group were significantly higher than those in the control group, while the activities of SOD2 and GPX were lower than those in the NC group ( P<0.0001); the levels of ROS and MDA in KLF4 overexpression +LPS group were lower than those in LPS group, while the activities of SOD2 and GPX were higher than those in LPS group ( P<0.0001). The number of apoptosis in LPS group was significantly higher than that in the NC group, and that in KLF4 overexpression +LPS group was lower than that in LPS group ( P< 0.001). The level of TLR4 wan higher and Nrf2 protein in the nucleus of LPS group was lower than that of the NC group. The level of TLR4 was lower and Nrf2 protein in the nucleus of KLF4 overexpression+LPS group was significantly higher than that of LPS group ( P < 0.001). Conclusions:KLF4 can alleviate LPS induced cardiomyocyte injury by regulating TLR4 and NRF2 signals.

Objective:To investigate the effects of hematopoietic progenitor kinase 1 (HPK1) overexpression by construction of lentiviral vector on the proliferation and apoptosis of breast cancer MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells,and to elucidate its possible mechanism.Methods:The cells were infected with the lentivirus overxpressing HPK1,and the MCF-7-HPK1 and MDA-MB-231-HPK1 cell lines were stably expressed HPK1;each cell line was divided into three experimental groups:blank group (untreated),control group (empty vector) and HPK1-overexpression group.The expression levels of HPK1 mRNA and protein in breast cancer cells in each group were detected by RTPCR and Western blotting methods,respectively.The cell proliferation rate was detected by MTT assay.The cell cycle and apoptotic rate were detected by flow cytometry.Transwell assay was used to analyze the cell migration ability.Western blotting method was used to measure the expression levels of caspase 3,PTEN,MMP-9,MMP-2,Ki-67and HPK1 proteins.Results:Compared with blank groups and control groups,the expression levels of HPK1 mRNA and protein in the both cell lines in HPK1 overexpression groups were significantly up-regulated (P＜0.05),the proliferation rates were significantly decreased (P＜0.05) and the apoptotic rates were significantly increased (P＜0.05),the number of cells crossing matrigel was significantly reduced (P＜0.05),the cell cycle of MCF-7 was blocked in G1 phase (P＜0.05),the expression levels of caspase 3 and PTEN proteins in HPK1 overexpression group were significantly increased (P＜0.05),and the expression levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 proteins were significantly decreased (P＜0.05).Conclusion:HPK1 overexpression can inhibit the proliferation and migration of MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells and induce apoptosis,which may be related to the up-regulation of caspase 3 and PTEN and down-regulation of MMP-9,MMP-2 and Ki-67.

Objective To test the agreement between two new self-care-related instruments,the Chinese version of the Appraisal of Self-care Agency Scale-Revised (ASAS-R-CHI) and the Chinese version of the Self-care Ability Scale for the Elderly (SASE-CHI) among older stroke patients by Bland-Altman method.Methods A random sampling was used to conduct this study in Neurology Department in a tertiary referral hospital in Henan Province,during November 2016 to October 2017.The sample consisted of 500 older stroke patients.Data were collected by a demographic questionnaire,SASE-CHI and ASAS-R-CHI.SPSS 21.0 was used to analyze the data.Results The mean total scores of ASAS-R-CHI and SASE-CHI were 54.98±5.06 and 61.92±7.34,respectively.Partial correlation coefficients between the total score of ASAS-R-CHI and SASE-CHI and their factors were from 0.217 to 0.953,showed significantly correlation (P＜0.01).The difference analysis and ratio analysis of Bland-Altman showed a good consistency of the two scales,with 5.0％ and 4.5％ of the points outside the 95％CI boundaries,separately.Conclusion There is a good agreement between the two instruments among older stroke patients.Each scale has its own characteristics,therefore the users should choose the most appropriate scale according to the specific situation.

Objective:To investigate the relationship between serum cholinesterase (SChE) level and the prognosis of patients with septic shock (SS).Methods:A total of 594 patients with SS admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from June 2013 to June 2017 were enrolled. General data such as gender, age, acute physiology and chronic health evaluation Ⅱ (APACHEⅡ) score were recorded as well as routine blood test, procalcitonin (PCT), hepatic function, renal function, coagulation function and blood gas analysis parameters within 48 hours of SS diagnosis. The patients were followed by telephone from September to October in 2019, and the outcome was recorded. The primary outcome was all-cause death 28 days after discharge. The secondary outcomes were all-cause death in intensive care unit (ICU) and 2 years after discharge, and the length of ICU stay. The patients were divided into two groups according to prognosis of 28 days: the survival group and the death group. The clinical data of the two groups were compared. Multivariate Cox regression analysis was used to screen prognostic risk factors of 28 days in patients with SS. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to explore predictive value of liver function parameter SChE for 28-day prognosis of patients with SS. The patients were divided into two groups according to the levels of SChE: the low SChE group (SChE ≤ 4 000 U/L) and the normal SChE group (SChE > 4 000 U/L). Kaplan-Meier survival curves were used to compare the cumulative survival rates without endpoint event of patients with different SChE levels.Results:A total of 385 patients with SS were enrolled according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, and a total of 356 patients were followed up successfully, with a follow-up rate of 92.5% (356/385). There were 142 survival patients and 214 death patients at 28 days, with a 28-day mortality rate of 60.1% (214/356). There were 116 survival patients and 240 death patients at 2 years, with a 2-year mortality rate of 67.4% (240/356). Compared with the 28-day survival group, the patients in the death group were older and had higher APACHEⅡ score, partial hepatic and renal function parameters, higher level of blood lactate (Lac) and lower levels of white blood cell count (WBC), platelet count (PLT) and SChE with statistically significant differences. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that the age [relative risk ( RR) = 1.444, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) was 1.090-1.914, P = 0.010], APACHEⅡ score ( RR = 2.249, 95% CI was 1.688-2.997, P = 0.000), SChE ( RR = 1.469, 95% CI was 1.057-2.043, P = 0.022), and Lac ( RR = 2.190, 95% CI was 1.636-2.931, P = 0.000) were independent risk factors for 28-day mortality of patients with SS. The ROC curve analysis showed that SChE had a weak prognostic value for 28-day prognosis of patients with SS [the area under ROC curve (AUC) was 0.574]. However, the combined predictive value of SChE, APACHEⅡ score and Lac was greater than APACHEⅡ score or Lac alone for prediction (AUC: 0.807 vs. 0.785, 0.697), with a sensitivity of 79.9% and a specificity of 68.5%. Compared with the normal SChE group ( n = 88), the 28-day mortality of patients in the low SChE group ( n = 268) was significantly increased [63.1% (169/268) vs. 51.1% (45/88), P < 0.05], but ICU mortality [59.7% (160/268) vs. 48.9% (43/88)], 2-year mortality [69.8% (187/268) vs. 60.2% (53/88)] or the length of ICU stay [days: 4 (2, 7) vs. 5 (2, 9)] between the two groups showed no statistical significance (all P > 0.05). Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis showed that the cumulative survival rate without endpoint event of patients in the low SChE group was significantly lower than that in the normal SChE group (Log-Rank test: χ 2 = 5.852, P = 0.016). Conclusions:Increased risk of 28-day mortality in patients with SS whose SChE is below normal. The level of SChE is an independent risk factor for 28-day death in SS patients, and it is one of the indicators to evaluate the short-term prognosis of patients with SS.

Objective To test the reliability and validity of the Chinese Version of the Student Nurse Stress Index Scale ( SNSI-CHI ) among Chinese nursing students. Methods A random sampling method was used to collect 1100 nursing students who were from two medical universities of Henan Province, China,and SPSS 17. 0 and AMOS 17. 0 software were used. Results The average total score of SNSI-CHI was 58. 46±13. 90. The Cronbach's α was 0. 886,the test-retest intra-class correlation coefficient( ICC) of SNSI-CHI was 0. 996 (95％CI:0. 992-1. 000,P<0. 01). The item-to-total correlations ranged from 0. 351 to 0. 664 ( all P<0. 01) . The content validity index( CVI) was 0. 954. The result of exploratory factor analysis ( EFA) was that three factors together explained 75. 013％ of the total variances,and the confirmatory factory analysis( CFA) also indicated a good fit (χ2/df=1. 347,GFI=0. 956,AGFI=0. 945,RMR=0. 032,RMSEA= 0. 025, NFI=0. 974, IFI=0. 993, TLI=0. 992, CFI=0. 993 ) . Criterion-related validity was between 0. 330 and 0. 903 ( all P<0. 01) . Conclusion The SNSI-CHI is proved to be reliable and valid in China, and it can be used to measure the stress of Chinese nursing students.

Objective:To investigate the clinical treatment and assess the knowledge and use of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) treatment plan issued by the nation.Methods:A nationwide questionnaire survey on line was administered to medical staffs involved in COVID-19 treatment on February 28th, 2020. The questionnaire included drug treatment, respiratory support therapy, sedation and analgesia, continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), etc.Results:There were 1 103 respondents, of whom 699 (504 doctors and 195 nurses) participated in the treatment of COVID-19. Finally, 432 doctors and 170 nurses from 9 provinces submitted valid questionnaires. The results of the questionnaire surveys of doctors and nurses were basically the same. Considering that doctors dominated in the diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19, the results of the questionnaires of doctors were mainly analyzed. The doctors participating in the survey were mainly from Hubei (29.2%), followed by Henan (24.5%), Guizhou (22.7%), and Guangxi (14.6%), etc. 55.4% of the doctors came from tertiary three hospitals, and most of them have senior titles (56.4%). 232 doctors (53.7%) participated in the treatment of mild COVID-19, and 200 doctors (46.3%) participated in the treatment of severe and critically ill patients. More than 95% of the doctors expressed that they would carry out antiviral treatment for patients with COVID-19 regardless of disease severity. The main antiviral drugs included α-interferon (69.5%), lopinavir/ritonavir (65.0%), abidol (60.0%), and ribavirin (55.7%). The choice of antiviral drugs was highly consistent with the national treatment programs of COVID-19. At the same time, 95.5% of doctors would routinely prescribe antibiotics to severe and critically ill patients. 94.0% of doctors agreed to prescribe low-dose glucocorticoid therapy to severe and critically ill patients. About 2/3 of doctors would perform lung recruitment or prone position treatment for critical patients with invasive ventilation. 79.0% of doctors preferred to use deep sedation for patients with invasive ventilation. About 1/3 of doctors believed that CRRT should be initiated early, and nearly 1/3 of doctors suggested that ECMO should be used more aggressively in critically ill patients.Conclusions:Medical staffs are familiar with the national treatment plan of COVID-19 and willing to follow it. However, as a new disease, we have limited knowledge about COVID-19 and there are still many controversies. Further practical training is needed to make clinicians more aware of the disease, and more evidence-based evidence is needed to guide clinical treatment.