Objective : To analyze the differential expression profile of miRNAs in amniotic fluid exosomes of fetu- ses with Down syndrome (DS) and provide insights for identifying novel biomarkers for the prenatal diagnosis of DS . Methods : Amniotic fluid samples were collected from fetuses with DS and chromosomally normal fetuses . Exo- somes were isolated from the amniotic fluid and subjected to high-throughput sequencing. Differentially expressed miRNAs were identified , and target genes were predicted using TargetScan and miRanda. Target genes located on chromosome 21 were selected , and their biological functions and associated diseases were analyzed using Gene- Cards , HGNC , NCBI Gene , UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot , Ensembl , and OMIM databases . GO and KEGG enrichment analyses were performed to investigate the biological functions of the enriched genes . Results : A total of 59 differ- entially expressed miRNAs were identified , including 31 upregulated and 28 downregulated miRNAs . Based on a fold change > 2 and P < 0. 05 , 10 upregulated and 9 downregulated miRNAs with the highest expression levels were selected . Key miRNAs included hsa-let-7b-5p , hsa-let-7c-5p , hsa-let-7b-3p _ 1ss22CT , and hsa-miR-199b-5p , with BACH1 and IFNAR1 identified as their shared target genes . GO analysis revealed that the enriched target genes were primarily involved in protein binding , metal ion binding , transferase activity , DNA binding , transcriptional regulation by RNA polymerase Ⅱ , and nucleotide binding. KEGG pathway analysis indicated that the target genes were mainly associated with metabolic pathways , cancer-related pathways , the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway , and the Rap1 signaling pathway . Conclusion Differential expression of miRNAs in amniotic fluid exosomes was ob- served between DS fetuses and those with normal karyotypes . Combined analysis with placental miRNAs revealed hsa-miR-199b-5p as a common differentially expressed miRNA in both DS amniotic fluid and placenta. It is hypoth- esized that BACH1 and IFNAR1 , shared target genes of hsa-miR-199b-5p , hsa-let-7b-5p , hsa-let-7c-5p , and hsa- let-7b-3p_1ss22CT , may play a role in the pathogenesis of DS .

Objective Some colorectal cancer patients still face high recurrence rates and poor prognoses even after they have undergone the surgical treatment of radical resection.Identifying potential biochemical markers and therapeutic targets for the prognostic evaluation of patients undergoing radical resection of colorectal cancer is crucial for improving their clinical outcomes.Recently,it has been reported that the T cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain protein 3(Tim-3)and its ligand galactose lectin 9(galectin-9)play crucial roles in immune dysfunction caused by various tumors,such as colorectal cancer.However,their expressions,biological functions,and prognostic value in colorectal cancer are still unclear.This study aims to investigate the relationship between Tim-3 and galectin-9 expression levels and the clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of patients undergoing radical resection of colorectal cancer.Methods A total of 171 patients who underwent radical resection of colorectal cancer at Chengdu Fifth People's Hospital between February 2018 and March 2019 were selected.Immunohistochemistry was performed to assess the expression levels of Tim-3 and galectin-9 in the cancer tissue samples and the paracancerous tissue samples of the patients.The relationship between Tim-3 and galectin-9 expression levels and the baseline clinical parameters of the patients was analyzed accordingly.Kaplan-Meier analysis was performed to assess the association between Tim-3 and galectin-9 expression levels and the relapse-free survival(RFS)and the overall survival(OS)of colorectal cancer patients.Cox regression analysis was conducted to identify factors associated with adverse prognosis in the patients.Results The immunohistochemical results showed that the high expression levels of Tim-3 and galectin-9 were observed in 70.18%(120/171)and 32.16%(55/171),respectively,of the colorectal cancer tissues,whereas the low expression levels were 29.82%(51/171)and 67.84%(116/171),respectively.Furthermore,the expression score of Tim-3 was significantly higher in colorectal cancer tissues than that in the paracancerous tissues,while the expression score of galectin-9 was lower than that in the paracancerous tissues(P＜0.05).Further analysis revealed that the expression of Tim-3 and galectin-9 was associated with the depth of tumor infiltration,vascular infiltration,and clinical staging(P＜0.05).During the follow-up period of 14-63 months,7 out of 171 patients were lost to follow-up.Among the remaining patients,49 and 112 cases presented abnormally low expression of Tim-3 and galectin-9,respectively,whereas 115 and 52 cases presented high expression of Tim-3 and galectin-9,respectively.Kaplan-Meier survival analysis demonstrated that patients with high Tim-3 expression in colorectal cancer tissues had significantly lower RFS and OS than those with low expression did(RFS:log-rank=22.66,P＜0.001;OS:log-rank=19.71,P＜0.001).Conversely,patients with low galectin-9 expression had significantly lower RFS and OS than those with high expression did(RFS:log-rank=19.45,P＜0.001;OS:log-rank=22.24,P＜0.001).Cox multivariate analysis indicated that TNM stage Ⅲ(HR=2.26,95%CI:1.20-5.68),high expression of Tim-3(HR=0.80,95%CI:0.33-0.91),and low expression of galectin-9(HR=1.80,95%CI:1.33-4.70)were independent risk factors affecting RFS and OS in patients(P＜0.05).Conclusion Aberrant expression of Tim-3 and galectin-9 is observed in colorectal cancer tissues.High expression of Tim-3 and low expression of galectin-9 are closely associated with adverse clinico-pathological characteristics and prognosis.They are identified as independent influencing factors that may trigger adverse prognostic events in patients.These findings suggest that Tim-3 and galectin-9 have potential as new therapeutic targets and clinical indicators.

Radiotherapy is an important treatment for malignant tumors. However, it is also one cause of damage to local normal tissues, such as radiation nephropathy, which is frequently induced during the radiotherapy of abdominal and pelvic tumors. The exact pathogenesis of radiation nephropathy is still unclear and is believed to be related mainly to factors including oxidative stress, cell aging, and gene changes presently. Moreover, there is a lack of effective treatments for radiation nephropathy. With an increase in the survival of tumor patients, radiation nephropathy has received increasing attention. This article mainly reviewed the research progress of radiation nephropathy from the aspects of pathogenesis and treatments, aiming to provide a reference for the research and clinical diagnosis and treatment of radiation nephropathy.

Objective: To standardize the occupational health management of radiation workers and raise the management level and technical content for the supervision of occupational health of radiation workers. Methods: The information system for radiation worker passbook was established and applied in Hebei province for practice. Results: Until December 2018, 4 339 passbooks have been issued to radiation workers from 140 medical institutions. Through the establishment and operation of the radiation worker passbook information system, the basic information and distribution characteristics of the provincial registered medical institutions and their radiation workers in Hebei province were obtained. The efficiency of the examination and approval and issuance of radiation worker certificates by the health administrative departments was improved by reducing the intermediate procedure. Conclusions Data are obtained and provided for the discussion of electronic card management of occupational health of radiation workers, real-time query of information such as medical institutions of radiation workers, education and training, individual dose monitoring, occupational health examinations, and diagnosis and identification of occupational radiological diseases. Reference basis is provided for health administrative departments to carry out radiation worker supervision.

Objective To investigate the influence of co-culture of microglia and neural stem cells (NSCs) on differentiation from NSCs into dopaminergic neurons in vitro.Methods (1) The microglia from neonatal SD rats was purified and identified.After the NSCs were isolated from 14-day pregnant SD rats,the cells were cultured and identified.(2) The identified NSCs were randomly divided into 2 groups:simple NSCs culture group and NSCs+microglia co-culture group.After the cells in both groups were cultured for 6 days,immunofluorescence assay and Westem blotting were performed to detect the protein expression of TH,DAT and Pitx3,the factors associated with the differentiation and maturity of dopaminergic neurons.(3) PCR was used to detect the gene transcription of TH,DA T and Pitx3 in the cells from the 2 groups and differences were compared between the 2 groups.Results (1)The staining of CD1 1b/c in the microglia mixed cultured in the neonatal SD rats was positive,with a purity of above 95％;the staining of NSCs identified via nestin was positive in the 14-day pregnant SD rats.(2) The immunofluorescence assay showed that the amounts of positive proteins of TH,DAT and Pitx3 in the NSCs+microglia co-culture group were significantly larger than in the simple NSCs culture group (P＜0.05).The Western blotting showed that the protein expression levels ofTH,DAT and Pitx3 in the NSCs+microglia co-culture group were significantly higher than in the simple NSCs culture group (P＜0.05).(3) The PCR detection showed that the gene transcription levels of TH,DA T and Pitx3 in the NSCs+microglia co-culture group were significantly higher than in the simple NSCs culture group (P＜0.05).Conclusion Co-culture of NSCs and microglia via Transwell may promote differentiation from NSCs into dopaminergic neurons.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the therapeutic effect of transplantation of mesencephalic neural stem cells (mNSCs) genetically modified by glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) gene in a rat model of Parkinson disease.

METHODSmNSCs isolated from the lateral component of the midbrain of fetal rats at gestational age of 14 or 15 days were cultured for 5 days before genetic modification with GFP or GDNF gene. Rat models of Parkinson disease established by stereotactic injection of 6-hydroxy dopamine in the ventral area of the midbrain and the medial forebrain bundle were randomized into 3 groups to receive PBS injection, GFP gene-modified mNSCs transplantation, or GDNF gene-modified mNSCs transplantation into the right stratum. The behavioral changes of the rats were evaluated by observing rotations induced by intraperitoneal injection of apomorphine after the transplantation, and the survival, migration and differentiation of the transplanted cells were identified by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSTransplantation with GDNF gene-modified mNSCs significantly improved the behavioral abnormalities of the rat models as compared with PBS injection and GFP gene-modified mNSCs transplantation. At 56 days after the transplantation, a greater number of the transplanted cells survived in the rat brain and more differentiated dopaminergic neurons were detected in GDNF gene-modified mNSCs transplantation group than in GFP gene-modified mNSCs transplantation group.

CONCLUSIONGDNF gene-modified mNSCs transplantation can significantly improve dyskinesia in rat models of Parkinson disease, but the molecular mechanism needs further clarification.

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; genetics ; therapeutic use ; Mesencephalon ; cytology ; Neural Stem Cells ; transplantation ; Parkinson Disease ; therapy ; Rats ; Stem Cell Transplantation

Objective To optimize the treatment process of patients in Ophthalmology Outpatient, so as to enhance patient′s satisfaction and quality of care service. Methods The nurse manager of Department of Ophthalmology experienced treatment process in other hospital with team and summarized the feeling of other hospital′s treatment process, and improve the treatment process according to the existed problems including reconstruction of Outpatient work process, the implementation of registration system in Outpatient, building up Office of Returning Visit, doing extended nursing, developing “I am patient” activity, training communication ability and skills for constructing doctor-patient relationship, strengthening health education and other nursing services. Results 2014 and 2015 in Ophthalmology Outpatient of our hospital, the patients′ waiting time for treatment became short after carrying out the experience of nurses′transposition experience ( P<0.05) , and the patients′satisfaction were significantly improved after exchanging ( P<0. 05 ) , as well as the reduction of effective complaint rate (P<0.05).Conclusions To optimize the treatment process of patients in Department of Ophthalmology can shorten the time of treatment waiting time, improve the satisfaction of outpatients, so as to improve the quality of nursing service.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the changes in aorta morphology and Ca(2+)-activated K(+) (KCa) channel expression in the diabetic rats.

METHODSA diabetic rat model was established by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (30 mg/kg) after a modified high fat and glucose diet for 8 weeks. Pathological changes in the aorta were observed with HE staining, elastic fiber staining, Masson's trichrome staining and immunohistochemistry. Both the mRNA and protein levels of KCa channels in the aorta were measured by RT-PCR and Western blotting.

RESULTSEarly atherosclerotic changes were observed in the aorta wall of the diabetic rats. The mRNA and protein levels of KCa1.1 channel α- and β-subunits were significantly decreased, while the expression of KCa3.1 channels was obviously enhanced in the middle layer of the aorta in the diabetic rats.

CONCLUSIONKCa channel switching in smooth muscles may play a role in the development of atherosclerosis in diabetic rats.

Animals ; Aorta ; pathology ; Atherosclerosis ; pathology ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; pathology ; Intermediate-Conductance Calcium-Activated Potassium Channels ; metabolism ; Large-Conductance Calcium-Activated Potassium Channel alpha Subunits ; metabolism ; Male ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Objective To investigate the changes in aorta morphology and Ca2+-activated K+ (KCa) channel expression in the diabetic rats. Methods A diabetic rat model was established by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (30 mg/kg) after a modified high fat and glucose diet for 8 weeks. Pathological changes in the aorta were observed with HE staining, elastic fiber staining, Masson's trichrome staining and immunohistochemistry. Both the mRNA and protein levels of KCa channels in the aorta were measured by RT-PCR and Western blotting. Results Early atherosclerotic changes were observed in the aorta wall of the diabetic rats. The mRNA and protein levels of KCa1.1 channel α- and β-subunits were significantly decreased, while the expression of KCa3.1 channels was obviously enhanced in the middle layer of the aorta in the diabetic rats. Conclusion KCa channel switching in smooth muscles may play a role in the development of atherosclerosis in diabetic rats.

Objective To investigate the changes in aorta morphology and Ca2+-activated K+ (KCa) channel expression in the diabetic rats. Methods A diabetic rat model was established by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (30 mg/kg) after a modified high fat and glucose diet for 8 weeks. Pathological changes in the aorta were observed with HE staining, elastic fiber staining, Masson's trichrome staining and immunohistochemistry. Both the mRNA and protein levels of KCa channels in the aorta were measured by RT-PCR and Western blotting. Results Early atherosclerotic changes were observed in the aorta wall of the diabetic rats. The mRNA and protein levels of KCa1.1 channel α- and β-subunits were significantly decreased, while the expression of KCa3.1 channels was obviously enhanced in the middle layer of the aorta in the diabetic rats. Conclusion KCa channel switching in smooth muscles may play a role in the development of atherosclerosis in diabetic rats.