Aim To investigate the biological function and molecular mechanisms of piRNA-823 in the phenotypic transformation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVEC)induced by high glucose.Methods HUVEC were incubated in high glucose(33.3 mmol/L)culture medium for 72 h.The relative expression levels of piR-NA-823 were detected by RT-qPCR,the expression changes of endothelial cell markers,mesenchymal cell markers and proteins related to transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1)signaling pathway were detected by Western blot,the changes of cell migration ability were evaluated by scratch and Transwell assays,the formation of new angiogenesis were assessed through angiogenesis experiments.piRNA-823 mimic(overexpression of piRNA-823)were transfected into HUVEC to analyze their effects on high glucose induced endothelial-mesenchymal transition(EndMT)and angiogenesis.Further in-tervention was performed using TGF-β1 activator(SRI011381)and inhibitor(SB525334)to verify whether piRNA-823 ex-erts its effect by regulating the TGF-β1/Smad2/3 signaling pathway.Results piRNA-823 mimic significantly inhibited the viability,proliferation,migration and angiogenesis of HUVEC induced by high glucose.The piRNA-823 mimic inhibited high glucose induced EndMT in HUVEC,characterized by upregulation of endothelial cell markers and downregulation of mesenchymal cell markers.Scratch experiments,Transwell experiments and angiogenesis experiments further confirmed that piRNA-823 mimic could effectively reverse high glucose induced HUVEC proliferation,migration a-bility enhancement,and increase in the number of new angiogenesis.Mechanistic studies revealed that the TGF-β1 acti-vator partially reversed the protective effect of piRNA-823 mimic,whereas the TGF-β1 inhibitor enhanced its effect,sug-gesting that piRNA-823 exerts its regulatory role by suppressing the activation of the TGF-β1/Smad2/3 signaling pathway.Conclusion piRNA-823 significantly inhibits high glucose induced EndMT,proliferation,migration and angiogenesis in HUVEC by suppressing the activation of TGF-β1/Smad2/3 signaling pathway.

Objective To investigate the application value of spectral CT multi-quantitative parameters combined with clinical characteristics in predicting high-risk gastroesophageal varices(GOV)in patients with liver cirrhosis.Methods The results of upper abdominal spectral CT enhancement and electronic gastroscopy in 112 patients diagnosed with liver cirrhosis were analyzed retrospec-tively,and the clinical data were collected.According to the gastroscopic manifestations,the patients were divided into high-risk GOV group(n=74)and low-risk GOV group(n=38).Univariate analysis was used to compare the spectral CT quantitative parameters and clinical characteristics between the two groups.Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to screen the independent risk factors for high-risk GOV.R software was used to construct a nomogram model for predicting high-risk GOV,and the differentia-tion,calibration and clinical practicability of the prediction model were evaluated.Results The normalized iodine concentration(NIC)of liver left lobe,prothrombin time(PT),albumin(ALB)and liver function grading were independent risk factors for high-risk GOV(P＜0.05).The area under the curve(AUC)of receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve of predicting high-risk GOV in nomo-gram model was 0.893.Calibration curve showed that the predicted results were basically consistent with the actual results.Decision curve analysis(DCA)showed that the prediction model had good clinical practicability.Conclusion The nomogram model based on NIC of liver left lobe,PT,ALB and liver function grading is helpful to predict patients with high-risk GOV in liver cirrhosis,and pro-vides a reference for clinical prevention and treatment of esophagogastric variceal bleeding(EVB).

Aim To investigate the biological function and molecular mechanisms of piRNA-823 in the phenotypic transformation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVEC)induced by high glucose.Methods HUVEC were incubated in high glucose(33.3 mmol/L)culture medium for 72 h.The relative expression levels of piR-NA-823 were detected by RT-qPCR,the expression changes of endothelial cell markers,mesenchymal cell markers and proteins related to transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1)signaling pathway were detected by Western blot,the changes of cell migration ability were evaluated by scratch and Transwell assays,the formation of new angiogenesis were assessed through angiogenesis experiments.piRNA-823 mimic(overexpression of piRNA-823)were transfected into HUVEC to analyze their effects on high glucose induced endothelial-mesenchymal transition(EndMT)and angiogenesis.Further in-tervention was performed using TGF-β1 activator(SRI011381)and inhibitor(SB525334)to verify whether piRNA-823 ex-erts its effect by regulating the TGF-β1/Smad2/3 signaling pathway.Results piRNA-823 mimic significantly inhibited the viability,proliferation,migration and angiogenesis of HUVEC induced by high glucose.The piRNA-823 mimic inhibited high glucose induced EndMT in HUVEC,characterized by upregulation of endothelial cell markers and downregulation of mesenchymal cell markers.Scratch experiments,Transwell experiments and angiogenesis experiments further confirmed that piRNA-823 mimic could effectively reverse high glucose induced HUVEC proliferation,migration a-bility enhancement,and increase in the number of new angiogenesis.Mechanistic studies revealed that the TGF-β1 acti-vator partially reversed the protective effect of piRNA-823 mimic,whereas the TGF-β1 inhibitor enhanced its effect,sug-gesting that piRNA-823 exerts its regulatory role by suppressing the activation of the TGF-β1/Smad2/3 signaling pathway.Conclusion piRNA-823 significantly inhibits high glucose induced EndMT,proliferation,migration and angiogenesis in HUVEC by suppressing the activation of TGF-β1/Smad2/3 signaling pathway.

Objective To investigate the application value of spectral CT multi-quantitative parameters combined with clinical characteristics in predicting high-risk gastroesophageal varices(GOV)in patients with liver cirrhosis.Methods The results of upper abdominal spectral CT enhancement and electronic gastroscopy in 112 patients diagnosed with liver cirrhosis were analyzed retrospec-tively,and the clinical data were collected.According to the gastroscopic manifestations,the patients were divided into high-risk GOV group(n=74)and low-risk GOV group(n=38).Univariate analysis was used to compare the spectral CT quantitative parameters and clinical characteristics between the two groups.Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to screen the independent risk factors for high-risk GOV.R software was used to construct a nomogram model for predicting high-risk GOV,and the differentia-tion,calibration and clinical practicability of the prediction model were evaluated.Results The normalized iodine concentration(NIC)of liver left lobe,prothrombin time(PT),albumin(ALB)and liver function grading were independent risk factors for high-risk GOV(P＜0.05).The area under the curve(AUC)of receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve of predicting high-risk GOV in nomo-gram model was 0.893.Calibration curve showed that the predicted results were basically consistent with the actual results.Decision curve analysis(DCA)showed that the prediction model had good clinical practicability.Conclusion The nomogram model based on NIC of liver left lobe,PT,ALB and liver function grading is helpful to predict patients with high-risk GOV in liver cirrhosis,and pro-vides a reference for clinical prevention and treatment of esophagogastric variceal bleeding(EVB).

Aim The effect of miR-223-3p on H9c2 cells in high glucose environments was investigated through bioinformatics and its role in the mechanism of development of diabetic cardiomyopathy was analyzed in conjunction with transcriptomic sequencing results.The objective was to identify novel therapeutic targets at the molecular level and explore the specific mechanisms of action of miR-223-3p.Methods In high glucose-cultivated H9c2 cells,miR-223-3p inhibition and control were transfected,respectively.RT-qPCR was used to detect the differences in miR-222-3p expression between the two cell groups.Differential mRNA was identified through high-throughput sequen-cing.GO functional analysis was conducted using TopGO software.DESeq2 software(v1.16.1)filtered differentially expressed genes and analyzed them using a miR-223-3p target gene database.This process predicted the target genes of miR-223-3p and validated the changes in their expression through RT-qPCR.Results The activity of H9c2 cells trea-ted with high glucose decreased significantly.Significant differences in gene expression between the control group and the inhibitor group had been indicated by transcriptomic sequencing results.GO function enrichment analysis showed that the predicted target gene set was significantly enriched in G protein-coupled receptor activity,glycerol ether monooxygenase ac-tivity,cellular anion homeostasis,and chloride ion homeostasis,among others.KEGG pathway enrichment analysis fur-ther showed that these genes were mainly involved in the TNF signaling pathway and the IL-17 signaling pathway.In ad-dition,they were related to type 1 diabetes,cytochrome P450 metabolism of exogenous drugs,and other diseases and phys-iological processes.Target gene prediction suggested that miR-223-3p may be associated with the expression changes of Cxcl10,Creb313,Mmp3,and Bc13,among others.Conclusion The prediction of miR-223-3p and its downstream target genes in high glucose induced H9c2 cell injury may provide new targets for the treatment of diabetic cardiomyopa-thy,which is of great significance for revealing the pathogenesis of diabetic cardiomyopathy and developing new treatment strategies.

Objective:To investigate the characteristics of subtype diversity and transmission on HIV-1 among 12 to 30 years old student MSM in Zhejiang province.Methods:A total of 290 newly diagnosed HIV infected student MSM were selected as the research objects for molecular studies on HIV, in Zhejiang province during 2013 to 2015. Data on epidemiology and plasma samples of these people were collected. HIV-1 nucleotide sequences of pol gene regions were amplified using the RT-PCR/nested PCR method and sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis was performed to determine the HIV-1 genotypes. Characteristics of transmission mode among these cases were also analyzed. Results:A total of 290 cases, 50.3 % were diagnosed in Hangzhou and 81.0 % had college or above degrees. 178 sequences including 10 subtypes, were obtained, with the main subtypes as CRF01_AE (49.4 %, 88/178) and CRF07_BC (39.3 %, 70/178). A total of 18 molecular transmission clusters were formed (42 cases, cluster size from 2 to 4), with the proportions of clusters as 23.6 % (42/178). 61.9 % (26/42) of student MSM with their schools located in the same district within the transmission clusters. Their sexual partners would include both student MSM and non-student MSM. The proportion of clusters among middle school students was 38.2 % (13/34), higher than that of college students (20.1 %, 29/144) ( χ2=4.996, P<0.05). Conclusions:The HIV-1 subtypes of student MSM in Zhejiang province appeared diversity, which indicated with the diversity of sources of infection. The geographical distribution of cluster cases is relatively centralized. In order to effectively control the spread of AIDS, more attention should be paid to the sexual partners involved and to specific programs on intervention.

Objective To evaluate the kidney safety of tenofovir (TDF) as a first-line antiretroviral drug in patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) and to analyze the risk factors for TDF nephrotoxicity.Methods Clinical data of treatment-naive adult HIV/AIDS patients were retrospectively collected from Longtan Hospital,Guangxi from September 2010 to June 2013.The estimated glomerular filtration rates (eGFR) between adults HIV/AIDS patients who maintained antiretroviral therapy (TDF/Lamivudine[3TC]/Efavirenz[EFV] and AZT/3TC/EFV groups) for one year or more were compared.The incidences of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and renal insufficiency were compared between the two groups.The categorical variables were described with the percentage (％) and compared with the chi-square test.Normal distribution data were described with mean±standard deviation and compared with Student t test.Non-normal distribution data were described with M (P25,P75) and compared with nonparametric test.The Cox hazard model was used to determine the risk factors for CKD in uni-and multivariate analyses.Results Among 441 patients enrolled in this study,232 were in TDF group,while 209 in AZT group.At baseline,the median age was 42 (32,51) years;the median weight was 55 (50,60) kg;the mean time of follow-up was (18.5±5.0)months.Eighty-three patients (18.8％) suffered from mild renal dysfunction.During the course of 24-month treatment,eGFR level in TDF group was lower than that in AZT group,with statistical significant difference (all P＜0.05).The cumulative incidences of renal hypofunction in the TDF group and AZT group were 18.8％ and 5.8％,respectively.The difference between the two groups was statistically significant (x2 =8.017,P=0.001).The cumulative incidences of CKD in the TDF and AZT groups were 3.4％ and 0.0％,respectively,with statistically significant difference (x2 =4.544,P =0.022).Age (HR=1.148,P＜0.01),the baseline eGFR (HR=4.193,P=0.002) were independent risk factors for renal toxicity.The subgroup analysis of TDF group of age ＜40,40-49,50-59,≥60 years old showed that the cumulative incidences of CKD in the four subgroups were 0,1.9％,5.4％ and 11.1％,respectively.The difference among groups was statistically significant (x2 =10.627,P =0.014).Conclusions As the first-line antiretroviral therapy,TDF can cause renal insufficiency in patients with HIV/AIDS,but the incidence of CKD is low.Age and the baseline eGFR are the independent risk factors for TDF-induced renal toxicity.The CKD incidence is significantly elevated among patients over 50 years old who exposed to TDF,especially in patients over 60 years old.

Objective To study the real-time gait behavioral changes in rat models of experimental diabetic peripheral neuropathy.Methods Twenty-five SPF Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into experimental group ( 6 males and 7 females) and control group (6 males and 6 females).Diabetes was induced in rats by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin ( STZ ) in a dose of 45 mg/kg.The gait behavior in all rats was tested at 12 weeks after diabetes modelling.Results Compared with the control group, the rats with diabetic peripheral neuropathy showed statistically significant different walk cycle extension, walk speed, average print intensity, balance and coordination.The abnormal gait behavior of the rat models was mainly reflected in the increased average and each foot walk cycle extension ( P<0.01 ) , average intensity (P<0.05), absolute average body rotation (P<0.01),and shortened both homologous coupling and homolateral coupling( P <0.05 ) .Conclusions Experimental rat models of diabetic peripheral neuropathy can exhibit obvious changes of gait behavior, and may provide a reference for related clinical and basic research.

Objective To search for a more effective method for the treatment of traumatic tatoo. Methods According to the depth and pattern of tatoo in the skin, the ultra high frequency elecxosurgical technique was applied to make no bleeding incision. Then the particles of tatoo were exposed and removed thoroughly under a surgical microscope.Results Nine cases was treated with this method,and the degree of the particles was decreased remarkablly.Conclusion The ultra high frequeney electrosurgical technique is an ideal option in removing traumatic tatoo.

Objective To explore the relationship betwween the location and efficiency of skin expansion. Methods Total 218 expanders were used in 115 patients between 1994 and 2002. According to the different location of skin expansion, they were divided into 5 groups:face, scalp, neck, chest and posterior auricular skin. Comparison of the location of expanders with expanding time and its complications was performed. Results Incidence of complications in posterior auricular groups was significatnly higher than that in scalp groups ( P