Objective:To explore the role and mechanism of Talin-1 in mouse aortic dissection.Methods:Sixty male FVB mice were evenly divided into groups of blank, model, Talin-1 up-regulation, Talin-1 up-regulation control, Talin-1 down-regulation, and Talin-1 down-regulation control. Except mice in the blank group, mice were treated with β-aminopropionitrile (BAPN) combined with angiotensin to construct a mouse aortic dissection model. Hematoxylin-eosin and vascular elastic fiber staining (EVG) were used to observe the aorta and elastic fiber morphology and structure. Western blot was used to detect the phosphorylation levels of FAK and ERK1 / 2 in mouse aortic tissue.Results:The success rate of aortic dissection in model mice was 70%, and there was no aortic dissection appeared in the blank group.No mice died during the experiment. The incidence of aortic dissection in the Talin-1 down-regulated group was 100%, which was significantly higher than that in the Talin-1 down-regulated control group( P<0.05). The incidence of aortic dissection in the Talin-1 up-regulated group was 20%, significantly lower than that in the Talin-1 up-regulated control group. The wall thickness of the aorta of mice in the Talin-1 down-regulated group was accompanied by hematoma or pseudocavity formation. The median elastic fiber content was higher than that in the Talin-1 downregulation control group( P<0.05). The content of elastic fibers in the blood vessel wall of mice in the Talin-1 up-regulation group was significantly higher than that in the Talin-1 up-regulation control group.The down-regulation of Talin-1 significantly inhibited FAK phosphorylation, and instead promoted ERK1/2 phosphorylation( P<0.05). Conclusions:Down-regulation of Talin-1 may reduce the elastic fiber content in the aorta of mice by activating the ERK1/2 signaling pathway, leading to vascular remodeling of the aortic wall and promoting the occurrence of aortic dissection.

Objective To explore the effect ofhypoxic preconditioning (HPC) on the expression of sphingosine kinase-1 (SphK-1) and blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability in rats after traumatic brain injury (TBI).Methods Two hundred and four SD rats were randomly assigned into TBI group (n=96),HPC group (giving HPC and TBI,n=96) and blank control group (n=12).The rats in the TBI group were subjected to TBI with freefall impact method,while the rats of HPC group were treated with the same methods after HPC (50.47 kpa,3 d,3 h/d).And then,they were sacrificed at each time point (1,4,8 and 12 h,and 1,3,7 and 14 d after injury).RT-PCR and Western blotting were employed to detect the mRNA and protein expression changes of SphK-1 in brain contusion area at each time points after injury.Immumohistochemical staining (IgG method) was used to detect the BBB permeability changes of the rats.Results IgG scores and Sphk-1 mRNA and protein expressions in rats of TBI group and HPC group began to increase at 1 h after injury and reached the highest level 1 d after injury; they were still higher than the normal levels,with significant differences (P＜0.05); SphK-1 mRNA and protein expressions in all the three groups had the same increased trend at all the time points excepted on the 14th d of injury,with significant differences (P＜0.05).IgG scores showed that the BBB permeability in the TBI group at each time point was significantly higher than that in the HPC group (P＜0.05).Conclusion Hypoxic preconditioning can increase SphK-1 expressions after TBI to promote sphingosine 1-phosphate sphingosine transformation so as to protect of the integrity of BBB.

PURPOSE: The long non-coding RNA H19, a conservatively imprinted gene, acts as a molecular sponge for the let-7 family, which has been identified as a set of tumor suppressors. However, the combined prognostic value of H19 and let-7a signature in breast cancer patients remains unclear. METHODS: In this research we assessed the prognostic value of the combined H19 and let-7a signature in breast cancer patients by retrospectively reviewing that data of 79 patients who underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy; we also investigated the expression and function of H19 in breast cancer cell lines in vitro. Survival data were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared using the log-rank test. Univariate and multivariate survival analyses were conducted using the Cox proportional hazards regression method. As determined using X-tile, the optimal cutoff value for the risk score to assess progression-free survival (PFS) based on the combined signature was –0.1. RESULTS: Patients with an overall positive treatment response had higher let-7a and lower H19 levels. In addition, let-7a expression was negatively correlated with H19 expression. Patients with a risk score of >–0.1 had shorter overall survival and PFS. In vitro data showed that chemoresistant cell lines exhibit higher H19 and lower let-7a levels and knockdown H19 restores paclitaxel sensitivity. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that the combined let-7a and H19 signature is a novel prognostic factor for breast cancer patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy.
Breast Neoplasms* ; Breast* ; Cell Line ; Disease-Free Survival* ; Drug Therapy ; Humans ; In Vitro Techniques ; Methods ; Neoadjuvant Therapy ; Paclitaxel ; Porifera ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; RNA, Long Noncoding

Objective: Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) and insomnia symptoms are common in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD), which might lead to a poor prognosis and an increased risk of depression relapse. The current study aimed to investigate the prevalence, and sociodemographic and clinical correlates of EDS and insomnia symptoms among adolescents with MDD. Methods: The sample of this cross-sectional study included 297 adolescents (mean age=15.26 years; range=12–18 years; 218 females) with MDD recruited from three general and four psychiatric hospitals in five cities (Hefei, Bengbu, Fuyang, Suzhou, and Ma’anshan) in Anhui Province, China between January and August, 2021. EDS and insomnia symptoms, and clinical severity of depressive symptoms were assessed using Epworth sleepiness scale, Insomnia Severity Index, and Clinical Global Impression-Severity. Results: The prevalence of EDS and insomnia symptoms in adolescents with MDD was 39.7% and 38.0%, respectively. Binary logistic regression analyses showed that EDS symptoms were significantly associated with higher body mass index (odds ratio [OR]=1.097, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.027–1.172), more severe depressive symptoms (OR=1.313, 95% CI=1.028–1.679), and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors use (OR=2.078, 95% CI=1.199–3.601). And insomnia symptoms were positively associated with female sex (OR=1.955, 95% CI=1.052–3.633), suicide attempts (OR=1.765, 95% CI=1.037–3.005), more severe depressive symptoms (OR=2.031, 95% CI=1.523–2.709), and negatively associated with antipsychotics use (OR=0.433, 95% CI=0.196–0.952). Conclusion EDS and insomnia symptoms are common among adolescents with MDD. Considering their negative effects on the clinical prognosis, regular screening and clinical managements should be developed for this patient population.

Objective:To investigate the outcomes of surgical treatment for carotid body tumor(CBT) without preoperative embolization at our institution.Methods:101 patients undergoing surgical treatment for CBT without preoperative embolization from 2011 to 2016 were followed-up for 2 years.Results:Complete resection of the CBT was achieved in all 101 cases(100%). Post-operative adverse events(AEs) mostly observed during hospitalization were as tongue bias(Ⅰ: 4, 36.4%; Ⅱ: 8, 19.5%; Ⅲ: 13, 26.5%), hoarseness(Ⅰ: 1, 9.1%; Ⅱ: 4, 9.8%; Ⅲ: 7, 14.3%), dysphagia (Ⅰ: 0; Ⅱ: 2, 4.9%; Ⅲ: 7, 14.3%) and local hematoma(Ⅰ: 0; Ⅱ: 0; Ⅲ: 1, 2.0%). No other serious AEs were observed. The total incidence of AEs was 5(45.5%) in type Ⅰ patients, 14(34.1%) in type Ⅱ, and 28(57.1%) in type Ⅲ. At the end of 2 years of follow-up, there was no AEs in type Ⅰ patients. The number of patients with adverse events in type Ⅲ was greater than that in type Ⅱ ( P>0.05). Three most frequently injured cranial nerves were hypoglossal nerve(21.9%), vagus nerve(20.3%), and recurrent laryngeal nerve(18.8%). Conclusion:Surgical management without preoperative embolization for CBT patients does not increase the risk of complications nor is it related to prognosis.

Objective:To explore the effect and value of the active learning mode based on mind mapping in the teaching of medical service support for major disasters.Methods:A total of 90 undergraduate students of 2016 Clinical Medicine of Naval Medical University were randomly selected as research objects, and they were randomly divided into observation group and control group. The 45 students in the control group used the traditional teaching mode, and the 45 students in the observation group used the mind mapping-based active learning mode for major disaster rescue and medical survice. The teaching time of the two groups was 12 h. The theoretical examination of knowledge and practical skills of the two groups of students were compared after teaching, and the students' satisfaction with the application of mind mapping-based teaching model in the teaching of medical service support for major disaster rescue was investigated. EmpowerStats and R softwares were used for t test and Chi-square test. Results:There were 24 males and 21 females in the observation group, with an average age of (21.40±0.69) years old. There were 22 males and 23 females, with an average age of (21.71±0.55) years old. The theoretical performance of the observation group (91.38±4.37) was significantly higher than that of the control group (84.91±3.98) ( P<0.001), and the practical skill performance of the observation group (92.98±3.24) was significantly higher than that of the control group (87.38±3.80) ( P<0.001). At the same time, the students' satisfaction with teaching effect in the observation group was 82.2% (37/45), which was significantly higher than that in the control group (37.8%, 17/45). Conclusion:The active learning mode based on mind mapping focuses on cultivating students' independent learning, interactive exploration and clinical thinking ability, and has a broad application prospect in the teaching of medical service support for major disasters.

To evaluate the effects of abdominal belts in colonoscopy for patients with low body mass index (BMI) (BMI<18.5 kg/m2) or a history of abdominal surgery, a prospective, randomized, single-blind study was conducted on colonoscopy outpatients. Patients with low BMI or a history of abdominal surgery who underwent colonoscopy at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from January 2018 to January 2022 were enrolled. The patients were divided into the abdominal belts group and non-abdominal belts group according to whether they used abdominal belts. Differences between the two groups were compared in terms of cecal intubation time, length of colonoscope intubation into the cecum, patient repositioning, abdominal pressure, and degree of abdominal distension. A total of 296 patients (98 low BMI patients and 198 patients with a history of abdominal surgery) were enrolled, 148 in each group. The results showed that cecal intubation time (4.35±1.85 min VS 7.99±3.86 min, t=35.624, P<0.001) and length of colonoscope intubation into the cecum (72.03±10.35 cm VS 86.42±17.71 cm, t=38.442, P<0.001) were lower in the abdominal belts group, compared with those of the non-abdominal belts group. The percentage of patients requiring repositioning [18.9% (28/148) VS 71.6% (106/148), χ2=82.959, P<0.001] and abdominal pressure [6.1% (9/148) VS 52.7% (78/148), χ2=77.504, P<0.001] in the abdominal belts group were significantly lower than those in the non-abdominal belts group. There were significant differences in the degree of abdominal distension during and after colonoscopy ( P<0.001). In conclusion, the use of abdominal belts significantly improves the efficiency and effects of colonoscope intubation in difficult colonoscopy patients with low BMI and a history of abdominal surgery.

OBJECTIVEThe purpose of this study was to investigate the blood lead level of 3 - 5 year old children living in the cities in China and to provide scientific data for making policy on environmental lead pollution for children health protection.

METHODSSix thousand five hundred and two vein blood samples from 3 - 5 year old children in nineteen cities of nine provinces were sampled. Inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) were employed to determine lead level in whole blood after microwave digestion for sample preparation and questionnaire survey was also performed. Data were analyzed with multiple regression on factors which affecting blood lead levels.

RESULTSResults showed that mean blood lead level was 88.3 micro g/L for 3 - 5 year old children living in the cities in China and mean blood lead level of boys (91.1 micro g/L) was higher than that of girls (87.3 micro g/L). Twenty-nine point nine one per cent of the children's blood lead level exceeded 100 micro g/L. The research finding showed: (1) higher blood lead levels had negative effects on children's physical growth, language ability etc. (2) behavior of parents had certain effects on children's blood lead levels. (3) blood lead levels of children were affected by unhealthy habits.

CONCLUSIONSProblem of childhood lead poisoning in China has become more serious. During the past ten years, blood lead levels of children has been increased in China while decreasing in developed countries. Blood lead levels of children in China are higher than that of developed countries, which called for special concern by government and society.

Child, Preschool ; China ; Environmental Pollutants ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; Lead ; blood ; Male ; Mass Spectrometry ; Sex Factors ; Urban Health ; Urban Population

Objective To study mechanical properties of the anisotropy for pig trachea and main bronchi, and determine the constitutive model of trachea deformation by finite element numerical simulation. Methods The pig tracheas were collected and cut through in their axial directions and expanded into two-dimensional planes. Then, by setting the length direction of the trachea aortas as 0°, each planar trachea was anticlockwisely cut into 6 samples with orientation of 30°,60°,90°,120°,150° and 180°, respectively. Uniaxial tensile tests were applied on the specimen in 6 angular directions by using the electronic universal test machine, to obtain stress and strain of the specimen in different directions. Nonlinear fitting to the experimental data was performed by using the Mooney-Rivilin hyperelastic model, in order to obtain the material characteristic parameters. Finite element models of the trachea and the main bronchi were established, and tensile numerical simulation was carried out.Results Samples at different angles showed different stress-strain curves. In the trachea, the stresses of samples with angle of 30°, 120° and 150° were in the range of 1.0-1.5 MPa, the stresses of samples with angle of 60° and 90° were in the range of 0.5-1.0 MPa, and the stresses of samples with angle of 180° were in the range of 2.5-3.0 MPa. In the main bronchi, the stresses of samples with angle of 30°, 120° and 150° were in the range of 0.8-1.0 MPa, the stresses of samples with angle of 90° and 180° were in the range of 1.4-1.8 MPa, and the stresses of samples with angle of 120° were in the range of 0.4-0.6 MPa. There was an obvious difference between the trachea and the main bronchi. The finite element simulation verified that the Mooney-Rivilin constitutive model was suitable for describing small deformation behavior of the trachea. Conclusions The pig trachea exhibits strong anisotropy. Meanwhile, the Mooney-Rivilin model can characterize small tracheal deformations. The results provide theoretical references for tracheal resection and reconstruction in clinical treatment and intervention with surgical instruments such as bronchoscopy.

The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 has rapidly spread globally. Cancer patients are at a higher risk of being infected with the coronavirus and are more likely to develop severe complications, as compared to the general population. The increasing spread of COVID-19 presents challenges for the clinical care of patients with gynecological malignancies. Concerted efforts should be put into managing gynecological malignancies in an orderly manner by strictly implementing the measures that are specifically developed for controlling the spread of COVID-19. We have drafted Recommendations on Management of Gynecological Malignancies during the COVID-19 Pandemic based on our experience on controlling COVID-19 pandemic in China. We recommend that patients with gynecological malignancies should be managed in hierarchical and individualized manners in combination with local conditions related to COVID-19. Medical care decision should be balanced between controlling COVID-19 pandemic spread and timely diagnosis and treatment for gynecologic oncology patients.