ObjectiveTo explore the effect of serum containing Zhenwutang on myocardial mast cell apoptosis induced by angiotensin Ⅱ （AngⅡ） and the mechanism of the correlation between apoptosis and mitochondrial autophagy. MethodsIn this experiment， AngⅡ and serum containing Zhenwutang with different concentrations were used to interfere with H9C2 cardiomyocytes for 24 h， and the survival rate of H9C2 cardiomyocytes was detected by cell counting kit-8 （CCK-8） to screen the optimal concentration for the experiment. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to detect the content of B-type natriuretic peptide （BNP） in cell culture supernatant， and immunofluorescence was used to detect the cell surface area to verify the construction of the myocardial mast cell model. Subsequently， the experiment was divided into a blank group （20% blank serum）， a model group （20% blank serum + 5×10^-5 mol·L^-1 AngⅡ）， low-， medium-， and high-dose （5%， 10% and 20%） serum containing Zhenwutang groups， an autophagy inhibitor group （1×10^-4 mol·L^-1 3-MA）， and autophagy inducer group （1×10^-7 mol·L^-1 rapamycin）. The apoptosis level of H9C2 cells and the changes of mitochondrial membrane potential were detected by flow cytometry. The lysosomal probe （Lyso Tracker） and mitochondrial probe （Mito Tracker） co-localization was employed to detect autophagy. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was used to detect Caspase-3， Caspase-9， B-cell lymphoma 2 （Bcl-2）， Bcl-2-related X protein （Bax）， and cytochrome C （Cyt C） in apoptosis-related pathways and the relative mRNA expression of ubiquitin ligase （Parkin）， phosphatase and tensin homolog （PTEN）-induced kinase 1 （PINK1）， and p62 protein in mitochondrial autophagy-related pathways. Western blot was used to detect cleaved Caspase-3， cleaved Caspase-9， Bax， Bcl-2， and Cyt C in apoptosis-related pathways， phosphorylated ubiquitin ligase （p-Parkin）， phosphorylated PTEN-induced kinase 1 （p-PINK1）， p62， and Bcl-2 homology domain protein Beclin1 in mitochondrial autophagy-related pathways， and the change of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 （LC3） Ⅱ/Ⅰ ratio. ResultsCCK-8 showed that when the concentration of AngⅡ was 5×10^-5 mol·L^-1， the cell activity was the lowest， and there was no cytotoxicity. At this concentration， the surface area of cardiomyocytes was significantly increased （P<0.01）， and the content of BNP in the supernatant of culture medium was significantly increased （P<0.05）. Therefore， AngⅡ with a concentration of 5×10^-5 mol·L^-1 was selected for the subsequent modeling of myocardial mast cells. Compared with the blank group， the model group and the autophagy inhibitor 3-MA group had a significantly increased apoptosis rate （P<0.01） and significantly decreased mitochondrial membrane potential （P<0.01）. The results of immunofluorescence co-localization showed that compared with the blank group， the model group had a significantly decreased number of red and green fluorescence spots. The results of Real-time PCR showed that compared with that in the blank group， the relative mRNA expression of Bax， Caspase-3， Caspase-9， Cyt C， and p62 in the model group was significantly up-regulated （P<0.01）， while the relative mRNA expression of Bcl-2， Parkin， and PINK1 was significantly down-regulated （P<0.01）. In addition， the relative protein expression of Bax， cleaved Caspase-3， cleaved Caspase-9， Cyt C， and p62 was significantly up-regulated （P<0.01）. The LC3Ⅱ/Ⅰ was significantly decreased， and the relative protein expression of Bcl-2， p-Parkin， p-PINK1， and Beclin1 was significantly down-regulated （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the serum containing Zhenwutang groups and the autophagy inducer group had significantly decreased apoptosis rate （P<0.01）， and the decrease ratio of mitochondrial membrane potential is significantly lowered （P<0.01） in a dose-dependent manner. Additionally， both red and green fluorescence spots became more in these groups. In the 3-MA group， the number of red and green fluorescence spots decreased significantly. The relative mRNA expression of Bax， Caspase-3， Caspase-9， Cyt C， and p62 was significantly down-regulated （P<0.05， P<0.01）， while that of Bcl-2， Parkin， and PINK1 was significantly up-regulated （P<0.01）. In the serum containing Zhenwutang groups， the relative protein expression levels of Bax， cleaved Caspase-3， cleaved Caspase-9， Cyt C， and p62 were significantly down-regulated （P<0.05，P<0.01）. The LC3Ⅱ/Ⅰ was significantly increased， and the relative protein expression levels of Bcl-2， p-Parkin， p-PINK1， and Beclin1 were significantly up-regulated （P<0.01）. ConclusionThe serum containing Zhenwutang can reduce the apoptosis of myocardial mast cells and increase mitochondrial autophagy. This is related to the inhibition of intracellular Bax/Bcl-2/Caspase-3 apoptosis pathway and regulation of Parkin/PINK1 mitochondrial autophagy pathway.

Objective:To investigate the status of leisure crafting and post competence and their correlation among anesthesia specialist nurses.Methods:A convenience sampling method was used to conducted a questionnaire survey on 280 anesthesia specialist nurses at grade A tertiary hospitals in 19 provinces of China. Data were collected using a general information questionnaire, the Chinese version of Leisure Crafting Scale, and the Post Competency Scale for Anesthesia Specialist Nurses. SPSS 24.0 was used for t test and one-way analysis of variance. A Pearson correlation analysis was used to assess relationships between variables. Results:The total score of leisure crafting was (30.41±6.69) and the average score was (3.38±0.74). The total score of post competency was (141.76±21.76) and the average score was (3.73±0.57). A positive correlation was observed between leisure crafting and post competency ( r=0.215, P<0.01). Conclusions:Managers should encourage anesthesia specialist nurses to actively engage in leisure crafting and provide diverse opportunities for leisure crafting to improve their post competence and ultimately the quality of anesthesia nursing.

BACKGROUND:Apoptosis and autophagy imbalance in the hippocampal region of perimenopausal depressed rats are closely related to cognitive decline.Whether aerobic exercise can reduce apoptosis by promoting hippocampal autophagy and thus improve the learning and memory abilities of perimenopausal depressed rats is not clear.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the possible mechanism by which 4-week moderate-intensity treadmill exercise improves learning memory ability in ovariectomized stressed rats.METHODS:Forty Sprague-Dawely rats were randomly divided into four groups,namely,sham operation group(n=10),ovariectomized group(n=10),ovariectomized stress group(n=10)and ovariectomized stress exercise group(n=10).Except for the sham operation group,the ovaries were removed in the other three groups to establish a perimenopausal rat model,and then a depressed rat model was established by chronic unpredictable stress in the latter two groups.The rats in the ovariectomized stress exercise group underwent a 4-week moderate-intensity treadmill exercise.Tail suspension test and sucrose preference test were performed to text depression-like behaviors in rats after exercise and stress.The eight-arm maze experiment was used to test the learning and memory behaviors of rats after exercise and stress.Western blot was used to detect the protein levels of AMP-activated protein kinase/UNC-51 like autophagy activating kinase 1/mammalian target of rapamycin(AMPK/mTOR/ULK1),hippocampus apoptotic factor Caspase-3 and the protein expression of autophagy markers LC-3II/Beclin-1 in the hippocampus.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Compared with the sham operation group,rats in the ovariectomized and ovariectomized stress groups had prolonged resting time in the tail suspension test and decreased sugar-water intake and sugar-water preference in the sucrose preference test.(2)Ovary removal reduced the learning memory capacity of rats,as evidenced behaviorally by a significant increase in the number of working memory errors,the number of reference memory errors,and the completion time,and an even more pronounced increase in the above measures in the ovariectomized stress group.(3)Compared with the ovariectomized group,there was a significant reduction in the number of working memory errors,the number of reference memory errors,and the completion time in the ovariectomized stress group.(4)Compared with the sham operation group,in the ovariectomized and ovariectomized stress groups,the expression of hippocampal apoptotic factor Caspase 3 protein was significantly elevated,the expression of autophagy-related factors proteins Beclin-1 and LC3II,as well as the protein expression of AMPK and ULK1,was decreased,whereas the expression of mTOR protein was elevated.Changes in the above indicators were more significant in the ovariectomized stress group.(5)Compared with the ovariectomized stress group,in the ovariectomized stress exercise group,the protein expression of Caspase 3 was significantly decreased,the protein expression of Beclin-1 and LC3II was significantly increased,the protein expression of AMPK and ULK1 was significantly increased,and the protein expression of mTOR was significantly reduced.To conclude,4-week moderate-intensity treadmill exercise may promote cellular autophagy and reduce apoptosis through the AMPK/mTOR/ULK1 autophagy signaling pathway,thereby enhancing the learning and memory capacity of rats with ovariectomized depression

Objective To observe the effects of electroacupuncture on IL-4/STAT6/SPDEF pathway-related protein expressions in model mice of ulcerative colitis(UC);To explore the mechanism of electroacupuncture improving the intestinal mucus barrier.Methods Totally 48 BALB/c mice were randomly divided into blank group(12 mice)and modeling group(36 mice).The UC models were established in the modeling group using 3%dextran sulfate sodium free drinking.After successful modeling,mice were further randomly divided into model group,electroacupuncture group and sulfasalazine(SASP)group,with 12 mice in each group.The electroacupuncture group received electroacupuncture at"Guanyuan","Tianshu","Zusanli"and"Shangjuxu"acupoints for 20 minutes per day,the SASP group was administered sulfasalazine enteric-coated tablet suspension(500 mg/kg)by gavage,the blank group received no intervention,the model group was only confined for continuous 7 days.The general conditions were observed and disease activity index(DAI)score were recorded,HE staining was used to observe the morphology of colonic tissue and evaluate the colonic mucosal damage index(CMDI)score,AB-PAS staining was used to observe the number of goblet cells in colonic tissue,and immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the expression of mucin 2(MUC2)protein in colonic tissue,ELISA was used to detect the contents of serum tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)and γ interferon(IFN-γ),and Western blot was used to detect the protein expressions of interleukin(IL)-4,signal transducer and activator of transcription(STAT)6 and epithelial specific transcription factor(SPDEF)in colonic tissue.Results Compared with the blank group,the model group showed mucous stool,bloody stool,reduced intake of food and water,reduced body mass,increased DAI and CMDI scores(P<0.01),with intestinal villi shedding and necrosis,destruction of colonic crypt villi structure,accompanied by severe neutrophil infiltration,thinning of mucus layer,atrophy and reduction of goblet cells(P<0.01),the expression of MUC2 in colonic tissue significant decreased(P<0.01),the contents of TNF-α and INF-γ in serum significantly increased(P<0.01),while the protein expressions of IL-4,STAT6 and SPDEF in colonic tissue significantly decreased(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,both the electroacupuncture group and SASP group showed improved mucous stool,bloody stool,increased body mass,decreased DAI and CMDI scores(P<0.05),the morphology of the intestinal epithelium was basically normal,the glandular structure has improved,there was a small amount of inflammatory cell infiltration and slight edema,the thickness of the mucus layer was restored,the atrophy reduced and number of goblet cells increased(P<0.05),the expression of MUC2 in colonic tissue significantly increased(P<0.05),while the contents of TNF-α and IFN-γ in serum significantly decreased(P<0.05),the expressions of IL-4,STAT6 and SPDEF protein in colonic tissue significantly increased(P<0.05).Conclusion Electroacupuncture can facilitate the repair of the intestinal mucus barrier and inhibit inflammation,potentially through the activation of IL-4/STAT6/SPDEF pathway-related protein expressions.

Objective:To explore the mediating effect of intrinsic motivation of nurses between empowering leadership and job performance, with the aim of providing a reference basis for managers to develop a scientific and effective intervention programme to improve nurses′ job performance.Methods:Convenience sampling method was used to select 1 213 clinical nurses from four tertiary general hospitals in Shandong Province, Henan Province, Yunnan Province, and Fujian Province from November to December 2023, and General Information Questionnaire, Empowering Leadership Scale, Intrinsic Motivation Scale, and Job Performance Scale were used to conduct a cross-sectional survey. AMOS26.0 software was used to test the mediating effect of intrinsic motivation of nurses between empowering leadership and job performance.Results:A total of 1 100 nurses completed the survey finally. Among them, there were 58 males and 1 042 females, 474 under 31 years old, 448 between 31-40 years old, and 178 over 40 years old.The total scores of the Empowering Leadership Scale, Intrinsic Motivation Scale, and Job Performance Scale were 49.44 ± 10.04, 82.35 ± 13.54 and 46.27 ± 6.20 in that order. Nurses' job performance were positive correlation with the empowered leadership and intrinsic motivation ( r=0.486, 0.703, both P<0.01), there was a positive correlation between nurse empowerment leadership and intrinsic motivation ( r=0.452, P<0.01). Nurses′ intrinsic motivation partially mediates the relationship between empowering leadership and job performance, accounting for 62.69% of the total effect. Conclusions:Intrinsic motivation of nurses is a mediating variable between empowered leadership and job performance. Nursing managers should focus on nurses' participation in autonomous decision-making to enhance nurses′ sense of competence and meaning at work, and mobilise their motivation to improve job performance.

Objective:To apply mass spectrometry as well as bioinformatics techniques to analyze HBV peptides derived from Pol and X proteins presented by human immortalized B lymphocytes(BLCLs),and to screen for effective T-cell epitopes,which lays the foundation for the development of therapeutic vaccines.Methods:The group has constructed a genome-wide expression plasmid containing 1.2-fold HBVC2 isoforms and transfected it into BLCLs by electro-transfection,isolated and identified HBV peptides by LC-MS/MS,bioinformatically predicted peptide sequences in terms of sensitization,antigenicity,toxicity,HLA molecular affinity,and the ability of peptide HLA-class Ⅰ complex to bind to specific T cells,and retrieved reported sequences.Results:HBV peptides from lysates of five immortalized B cells(BLCLs-1 to BLCLs-5)carrying HBVC2 subtype-expressing recombinants were analyzed,and 141 peptides with sequence lengths of no less than 8 amino acid residues(≥8 aa)were successfully isolated and identified,of which 133 were derived from Pol,and 8 from X proteins.The 141 HBV peptides were analyzed for sensitization,antigenicity and toxicity,and 50 antigenic,non-toxic and sensitizing HBV peptides(47 from Pol and 3 from X protein)were screened for affinity analysis with HLA-class Ⅰ and Ⅱ molecules and for prediction of the binding ability of the peptide HLA-class Ⅰ complexes to specific T cells.Among these peptides,37 had affinity to the corresponding genotypes of HLA-class Ⅰ and Ⅱ molecules.Finally,we obtained 37 peptides with antigenic,nontoxic,and sensitizing properties with IC50<500 nmol/L to HLA-class Ⅰ and Ⅱ molecules,which have affinitied to the corresponding genotypes but have not been reported,and can be continued to be explored as potential epitopes.Finally,15 HBV peptide hotspot core regions were formed by intra-and inter-strain common,contained,overlapping or neighboring sequence analysis of 141 peptides,with 7 core region sequences with antigenic,nontoxic,and sensitizing properties restricted to the corresponding geno-types.Peptides with affinity IC50<500 nmol/L had an affinity core sequence overlap of no less than 8 amino acids,and can be priori-tized for candidate T cell epitopes for subsequent studies.Conclusion:Peptides derived from Pol and X proteins have been successfully isolated and identified,and potential T cell epitopes have been screened.

Objective To observe the effects of electroacupuncture on IL-4/STAT6/SPDEF pathway-related protein expressions in model mice of ulcerative colitis(UC);To explore the mechanism of electroacupuncture improving the intestinal mucus barrier.Methods Totally 48 BALB/c mice were randomly divided into blank group(12 mice)and modeling group(36 mice).The UC models were established in the modeling group using 3%dextran sulfate sodium free drinking.After successful modeling,mice were further randomly divided into model group,electroacupuncture group and sulfasalazine(SASP)group,with 12 mice in each group.The electroacupuncture group received electroacupuncture at"Guanyuan","Tianshu","Zusanli"and"Shangjuxu"acupoints for 20 minutes per day,the SASP group was administered sulfasalazine enteric-coated tablet suspension(500 mg/kg)by gavage,the blank group received no intervention,the model group was only confined for continuous 7 days.The general conditions were observed and disease activity index(DAI)score were recorded,HE staining was used to observe the morphology of colonic tissue and evaluate the colonic mucosal damage index(CMDI)score,AB-PAS staining was used to observe the number of goblet cells in colonic tissue,and immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the expression of mucin 2(MUC2)protein in colonic tissue,ELISA was used to detect the contents of serum tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)and γ interferon(IFN-γ),and Western blot was used to detect the protein expressions of interleukin(IL)-4,signal transducer and activator of transcription(STAT)6 and epithelial specific transcription factor(SPDEF)in colonic tissue.Results Compared with the blank group,the model group showed mucous stool,bloody stool,reduced intake of food and water,reduced body mass,increased DAI and CMDI scores(P<0.01),with intestinal villi shedding and necrosis,destruction of colonic crypt villi structure,accompanied by severe neutrophil infiltration,thinning of mucus layer,atrophy and reduction of goblet cells(P<0.01),the expression of MUC2 in colonic tissue significant decreased(P<0.01),the contents of TNF-α and INF-γ in serum significantly increased(P<0.01),while the protein expressions of IL-4,STAT6 and SPDEF in colonic tissue significantly decreased(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,both the electroacupuncture group and SASP group showed improved mucous stool,bloody stool,increased body mass,decreased DAI and CMDI scores(P<0.05),the morphology of the intestinal epithelium was basically normal,the glandular structure has improved,there was a small amount of inflammatory cell infiltration and slight edema,the thickness of the mucus layer was restored,the atrophy reduced and number of goblet cells increased(P<0.05),the expression of MUC2 in colonic tissue significantly increased(P<0.05),while the contents of TNF-α and IFN-γ in serum significantly decreased(P<0.05),the expressions of IL-4,STAT6 and SPDEF protein in colonic tissue significantly increased(P<0.05).Conclusion Electroacupuncture can facilitate the repair of the intestinal mucus barrier and inhibit inflammation,potentially through the activation of IL-4/STAT6/SPDEF pathway-related protein expressions.

Objective:To observe the effects of moxibustion at Shenshu(BL23)and Zusanli(ST36)on Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4)-myeloid differentiation factor 88(Myd88)signaling pathway-mediated inflammatory factors in the synovial tissue of ankle joints of rats with rheumatoid arthritis(RA),and to explore the molecular and biological mechanisms underlying the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects.Methods:A total of 24 male Sprague-Dawley(SD)rats were randomly divided into a normal group,a model group,and a moxibustion group,with 8 rats in each group.The RA model was established with exposure to wind,cold,and damp environmental factors,along with Freund's complete adjuvant.After three days of modeling,mild moxibustion was applied to bilateral Shenshu(BL23)and Zusanli(ST36)in the moxibustion group using moxa sticks of 0.9 cm in diameter for 30 min each time,once a day for 14 d.Structural changes in the synovial tissue and cells were then observed using hematoxylin-eosin staining and transmission electron microscopy,while immunohistochemistry analysis was used to detect tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α,interleukin(IL)-17,IL-1β,and IL-6 levels.Moreover,the protein expression levels of Myd88,TLR4,and transient potential receptor vanilloid type 1(TRPV1)in the synovial tissue were detected using Western blotting,while their mRNA expression levels were detected using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction.Finally,the levels of IL-1β,IL-2,IL-6,IL-17A,and TNF-α in rat serum were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Results:Compared to the normal group,the model group exhibited notable pathological synovial tissue damage,along with significantly higher IL-1β,IL-6,and TNF-α levels(P<0.01)and a slightly higher IL-17 content(P>0.05).Furthermore,the Myd88,TLR4,and TRPV1 protein and mRNA expression levels and serum IL-1β,IL-2,IL-6,IL-17A,and TNF-α levels were all significantly higher in the model group than in the normal group(P<0.01).Compared to the model group,the moxibustion group exhibited a lower degree of synovial tissue pathological damage,along with significantly lower IL-1β,IL-6,and TNF-α levels(P<0.05 or P<0.01)and a lower IL-17 content without statistical significance(P>0.05).Moreover,the Myd88,TLR4,and TRPV1 protein and mRNA expression levels,and serum IL-1β,IL-2,IL-6,IL-17A,and TNF-α levels were all significantly lower in the moxibustion group than in the model group(P<0.01 or P<0.05).Conclusion:Mild moxibustion at Shenshu(BL23)and Zusanli(ST36)can effectively inhibit TLR4-MyD88 signaling pathway-mediated inflammatory factor expression in the synovial tissue of ankle joints of RA rats.Furthermore,the effect of moxibustion on synovial tissue inflammation in RA rats may be attributed to TRPV1 channel activation.

Objective:To investigate the value of transrectal shear-wave elastography(SWE)quantitative parameters and Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System(PI-RADS)v2.1 scores in combined diagnosis for clinically significant prostate cancer(csPCa).Methods:A total of 80 patients with suspected PCa who admitted to Affiliated Santai Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College from January to December 2023 were prospectively enrolled,who were divided into csPCa group(52 cases)and non-csPCa group(28 cases)based on the results of pathological diagnosis.All patients underwent combined examination of SWE and magnetic resonance imaging(MRI),and pathological validation with systematic puncture.The SWE was used to quantitatively obtain the maximum value(Emax),mean value(Emean),and standard deviation(SD)of Young's modulus of lesions,and the MRI morphologic assessment was conducted according to PI-RADS v 2.1 standard.A multivariate logistic regression was used to construct a combined diagnostic model,which stability was verified by Bootstrap resampling.The area under curve(AUC)values of the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves were compared between single parameters and the combined diagnosis.Results:In the 80 patients with suspected prostate cancer,pathological confirmation showed 52 cases(65.0%)were csPCa,and 28 cases(35.0%)were non-csPCa.SWE-Emax values of the csPCa group and the non-csPCa group were respectively 68.5 kPa and 32.4 kPa,and csPCa group was significantly higher than non-csPCa group,with statistically significant differences(Z=6.731,P<0.001).The PI-RADS scores of csPCa group was 4.5 points,and that of non-csPCa group was 2.9 points,and the points of csPCa group was significantly higher than that of non-csPCa group,and the difference was significant(t=9.782,P<0.05).Spearman analysis revealed a strongly positive correlation between SWE-Emax and PI-RADS scores(r=0.83,P<0.001),and a negative correlation between SWE-Emax and apparent diffusion coefficient(ADC)values(r=-0.71,P<0.001).The AUC value of combined diagnosis reached to 0.943(95%CI:0.898-0.988),which was significantly better than 0.891 of single SWE-Emax or 0.854 of single PI-RADS(Delong test P<0.05),and the sensitivity and specificity of combined diagnosis were respectively 96.2%and 85.7%.In addition,the diagnostic specificity increased to 93.8%when the combined threshold was set at PI-RADS≥4 and Emax≥48.5 kPa.Conclusion:SWE quantitative parameters and PI-RADS scores have significant complementary value in diagnosing csPCa.The combined diagnosis can effectively enhance the discriminative efficacy for PCa lesions with Gleason scores≥3+4 by integrating tumor stiffness and morphological heterogeneity features,which can provide an innovative imaging fusion strategy for precise stratification of patients in the gray zone of prostate-specific antigen(PSA).

Purpose To analyze the expression of SNAP23 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC)and its influence on invasion of ESCC cells.Methods A total of 41 cases of ESCC and paired normal adjacent tissue(NAT)were collected.The expression and localization of SNAP23 were detected by immunohistochemical EnVision method.The differences of SNAP23 expression levels between ESCC tissues and NAT tissues were compared to analyze the relationship between SNAP23 expression and clinicopathological characteristics.The expression level of SNAP23 in human immortalized esophageal epithelial cells SHEE and ESCC cell lines TE-1,TE-13 and KYSE150 were detected by Western blot.Lentiviral vector transfection technique was used to construct stable transfection cell lines with knock-down and overexpression of SNAP23 gene.The effect of SNAP23 on invasion of ESCC cell line TE-13 was evaluated by cell invasion experiment.Results The expression of SNAP23 in ESCC was significantly higher(53.7％,22/41)than that in the NAT group(19.5％,8/41),the difference was statistically significant(x2=10.303,P＜0.01).The expression level of SNAP23 in ESCC tissues was significantly correlated with maximum tumor diameter(x2=4.193,P＜0.05)and invasion depth(x2=7.264,P＜0.05),but was not correlated with patient gender,age,tumor site,tumor type,pathologic grade,vascular embolus,nerve invasion and lymph node metastasis(P＞0.05).Compared with human immortalized esophageal epithelial cells SHEE,SNAP23 was highly expressed in ESCC cell lines(P＜0.000 1).Compared with the sh-NT group,the invasion of ESCC cell line TE-13 was inhibited when SNAP23 expression was knocked down(P＜0.000 1);compared with the Vector group,the invasion of ESCC cell line TE-13 was enhanced after overexpression of SNAP23(P＜0.000 1).Conclusion SNAP23 is highly expressed in ESCC tis-sue and cell lines,and its expression level in ESCC tissues is positively correlated with tumor maximum diameter and invasion depth;SNAP23 promotes the invasion of ESCC cells.