ObjectiveThe U6 promoter is an essential element for driving sgRNA expression in the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat sequences/CRISPR-associated protein 9（CRISPR/Cas9）gene editing system in dicotyledonous plants. Endogenous U6 promoters typically exhibit higher transcriptional activity， which can significantly improve gene editing efficiency. This study aims to identify endogenous U6 promoters in Artemisia annua to optimize its CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing system， which holds significant importance for its molecular breeding. MethodsOn the basis of the highly conserved U6 snRNA sequences in Arabidopsis thaliana， endogenous U6 promoters were screened in the A. annua genome. Expression vectors were constructed with candidate AaU6 promoter driving the firefly luciferase （LUC） reporter gene， and then transiently transformed into Nicotiana benthamiana. Transcriptional activities of the promoters were measured and compared by in vivo imaging and the Dual Luciferase Reporter assay. ResultsEight endogenous U6 promoters were successfully cloned from A. annua. Sequences alignment revealed that all these promoters contained the two conserved cis-acting elements， upstream sequence element （USE） and TATA-box， which affected their transcriptional activity. Dual-luciferase activity assays indicated that the transcriptional activities of AaU6-3， AaU6-1， and AaU6-5 were significantly higher than that of the Arabidopsis AtU6-26 promoter， with AaU6-3 exhibiting the highest activity. ConclusionThis study identified three endogenous AaU6 promoters with high transcriptional activity in A. annua， providing key functional elements for establishing an efficient gene editing system in A. annua. These findings will contribute to advancing precision molecular breeding and high-quality germplasm innovation in A. annua.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of Liu Zi Jue Qigong (LQG)-based breathing training on the curvature and range of motion (ROM) of the thoracic and lumbar spines in different positions. Methods: Forty-seven college students were selected as subjects and randomly divided into an observation group and a control group. In the observation group, 27 subjects received regular LQG-based breathing training for 12 weeks, while 20 subjects in the control group did not receive any intervention. The spine measuring instrument Spinal Mouse was adopted to detect the curvature and ROM of the thoracic and lumbar spines. Results: In the observation group, the changes in the curvatures of thoracic spine in the upright and forward-bending positions showed statistical significance after LQG exercise (P<0.05), while there was no notable difference in the control group. The comparison of ROM of the thoracic spine from the upright position to the forward-bending and load-bearing positions showed statistically significant difference in the observation group (P<0.05), while there was no significant difference in the control group. There was no significant difference in the lumbar curvature and ROM in the two groups after LQG exercise. Conclusion: LQG-based breathing training improves the curvature and ROM of the thoracic spine.

Objective To construct an intervention program for diabetic retinopathy(DR)patients undergoing surgery based on the theory of'Timing It Right'.Methods Guided by the theory of'Timing It Right',based on literature review and semi-structured interview,the first draft of the intervention program was formulated.From December 2022 to February 2023,15 medical and nursing experts in ophthalmology and endocrinology from 5 provinces(cities)in Zhejiang,Sichuan,Shanxi,Chongqing and Shanghai were interviewed by Delphi expert for 2 rounds to seek their advice and revision,and the final draft was formed.Results The effective recovery rate of 2 rounds of expert consultations was 93.75％and 100％.The authority coefficients were 0.87.The importance and feasibility of Kendall'W coordination coefficients were 0.325,0.138 and 0.193,0.141 in 2 rounds,respectively(P＜0.001).The finalized intervention program consisted of 6 months,which included 5 first-level items,18 second-level items and 43 third-level items.Conclusion The intervention program for DR patients undergoing surgery based on the theory of'Timing It Right'is reliable,scientific,feasible and practical,and it can meet the needs of such patients,providing a reference for improving their self-management ability,improving their negative emotions and delaying disease progression.

Focal cortical dysplasia (FCD) is one of the most common causes of drug-resistant epilepsy. Dysmorphic neurons are the major histopathological feature of type II FCD, but their role in seizure genesis in FCD is unclear. Here we performed whole-cell patch-clamp recording and morphological reconstruction of cortical principal neurons in postsurgical brain tissue from drug-resistant epilepsy patients. Quantitative analyses revealed distinct morphological and electrophysiological characteristics of the upper layer dysmorphic neurons in type II FCD, including an enlarged soma, aberrant dendritic arbors, increased current injection for rheobase action potential firing, and reduced action potential firing frequency. Intriguingly, the upper layer dysmorphic neurons received decreased glutamatergic and increased GABAergic synaptic inputs that were coupled with upregulation of the Na⁺-K⁺-Cl^- cotransporter. In addition, we found a depolarizing shift of the GABA reversal potential in the CamKII-cre::PTEN^flox/flox mouse model of drug-resistant epilepsy, suggesting that enhanced GABAergic inputs might depolarize dysmorphic neurons. Thus, imbalance of synaptic excitation and inhibition of dysmorphic neurons may contribute to seizure genesis in type II FCD.
Animals ; Drug Resistant Epilepsy/surgery* ; Epilepsy/pathology* ; Malformations of Cortical Development/pathology* ; Malformations of Cortical Development, Group I ; Mice ; Neurons/pathology* ; Seizures/pathology*

Objective:To explore the role of SUMOylaiton of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) in diabetes mellitus prompted inflammation and atherosclerosis in vascular and endothelial cells.Methods:From September 2014 to January 2017, 32 Sprague-Dawley rats in 14 weeks-old were divided into sham operated group, artery injured without diabetes group, artery injured with diabetes group and ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme 9 (UBC9) transfection group (Group D) by random digits table method with 8 rats each. Model of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and rat carotid artery balloon injury was made in the assigned group. One rat was excluded because of model failure in each group. Systolic and diastolic common carotid artery diameter and intimal thickness of injured and healthy common carotid artery were evaluated by vascular ultrasound, and the standardized common carotid artery diastolic diameter (sCADD) was calculated. Histological tests and immunohistochemical staining were performed to evaluate intimal hyperplasia, and the ratio of intimal area to media area was calculated when the media area was equal. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were cultured 24 h in high glucose medium with different duration and concentration, and the expression levels of interleukin (IL)-8 and IL-1β mRNA were determined by real time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), the expression level of UBC9 was determined by Western blot method, SUMOylation assay kit was used to evaluate SUMOylation of PPARγ. HUVEC was cultured in vitro and PPAR was stimulated by high glucose at different concentrations and different times PPARγ SUMOylation level. UBC9 was overexpressed by lentivirus in vivo and in vitro, and the PPARγ SUMOylation level was detected.Results:The intimal thickness, intimal area and ratio of intimal area to media area 8 weeks after carotid artery injuring in sham operated group, artery injured without diabetes group and artery injured with diabetes group were increased respectively: (0.026 ± 0.018), (0.084 ± 0.007) and (0.264 ± 0.022) mm; (0.18 ± 0.09) × 10 6, (0.32 ± 0.06) × 10 6 and (1.64 ± 0.22)×10 6 μm 2; 0.345 ± 0.073, 0.570 ± 0.080 and 2.710 ± 0.220, the sCADD was decreased respectively: 0.903 ± 0.084, 0.800 ± 0.071 and 0.330 ± 0.036, and there were statistical differences ( F = 10.40, 9.40, 8.20 and 8.60; P<0.05). After HUVEC was cultured in high glucose for 24 h, the IL-8 mRNA at sugar concentrations of 10, 20 and 40 mmol/L was 1.00 ± 0.11, 3.57 ± 0.22 and 4.07 ± 0.40, the IL-1β mRNA was 1.00 ± 0.07, 3.32 ± 0.29 and 5.13 ± 0.19, and there were statistical differences ( F = 73.05 and 205.80, P<0.05). The level of PPARγ SUMOylation and UBC9 in artery injured with diabetes group were significantly lower than those in artery injured without diabetes group (0.46 ± 0.25 vs. 1.00 ± 0.21 and 0.45 ± 0.02 vs. 1.00 ± 0.07), and there were statistical differences ( P<0.05); there was no statistical difference in PPARγ between 2 groups (0.94 ± 0.07 vs. 1.00 ± 0.04, P>0.05). The UBC9 and PPARγ SUMOylation at sugar concentrations of 0, 10, 20 and 40 mmol/L were decreased respectively (0.99 ± 0.05, 0.80 ± 0.06 and 0.62 ± 0.05; 1.00 ± 0.05, 0.57 ± 0.13 and 0.55 ± 0.08), and there were statistical differences ( F = 21.02 and 14.31, P<0.05); there was no statistical difference in PPARγ (1.00 ± 0.03, 0.90 ± 0.04 and 0.91 ± 0.05; F = 3.11, P>0.05). In HUVEC cultured in high glucose medium (20 mmol/L) for 6, 12, 24 and 48 h, the UBC9 and PPARγ SUMOylation were downregulated progressively (1.00 ± 0.09, 0.75 ± 0.05, 0.70 ± 0.08, 0.38 ± 0.04 and 0.35 ± 0.03; 1.00 ± 0.03, 0.86 ± 0.01, 0.59 ± 0.01, 0.51 ± 0.11 and 0.35 ± 0.08), and there were statistical differences ( F = 36.06 and 33.13, P<0.05); but there was no statistical difference in PPARγ (1.00 ± 0.03, 1.14 ± 0.02, 1.18 ± 0.17, 0.98 ± 0.01 and 1.04 ± 0.05; F = 1.90, P>0.05). After overexpression of UBC9 in rats with diabetes, histological analysis showed that UBC9 in artery injured without diabetes group, artery injured with diabetes group and UBC9 transfection group was 1.53 ± 0.18, 1.00 ± 0.22 and 3.62 ± 0.35, there was statistical difference ( F = 5.64, P<0.05). Ultrasonic test results show that in artery injured without diabetes group, artery injured with diabetes group and UBC9 transfection group intimal thickness was increased respectively: (0.077 ± 0.015), (0.216 ± 0.007) and (0.125 ± 0.014) mm, and there was statistical difference ( F = 27.18, P<0.05). Histological analysis showed that intimal area in artery injured without diabetes group, artery injured with diabetes group and UBC9 transfection group was (0.335 ± 0.066) ×10 6, (1.053 ± 0.103) ×10 6 and (0.544 ± 0.040) ×10 6 μm 2, the ratio of intimal area to media area was 0.63 ± 0.063, 2.03 ± 0.052 and 0.93 ± 0.100, there were statistical differences ( F = 13.58 and 53.96, P<0.05). Conclusions:Diabetes mellitus could inhibit the PPARγ SUMOylaiton and prompt inflammation and atherosclerosis in vascular and endothelial cells. Upregulation of PPARγ SUMOylaiton though UBC9 overexpressioncould play a protecting role in diabetes mellitus prompted atherosclerosis.

Objective:To study the effects of conservative treatment versus percutaneous interventional treatment(PCI)on symptoms and prognosis of chronic coronary syndrome patients aged over 75 years with fractional flow reserve(FFR)in the grey zone(0.75≤FFR≤0.80).Methods:A total of 96 coronary heart disease(CHD)patients aged over 75 years undergone FFR examination in our hospital from January 2011 to December 2017 were retrospectively selected.All patients showed stenosis of 50%-90% in at least one main coronary artery and had FFR values within the range of 0.75-0.80(0.75≤FFR≤0.80). According to the treatment, patients were divided into the optimized medication group(OMT group, n=35)and the PCI group(n=61). The degree of angina alleviation assessed by the Seattle Angina Questionnaire(SAQ)and the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular endpoints(death, myocardial infarction, stroke, and repeated revascularization)were recorded during the one-year follow-up after treatment.Results:There was no significant difference in baseline data including age, gender and comorbidities between the OMT and PCI groups( P>0.05). The incidence of previous myocardial infarction, and the basal level of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C)were higher in the PCI group than in the OMT group( P<0.05). One-year follow-up showed that there was no significant difference between the OMT and PCI groups in the score of SAQ(77.6 ± 19.5 vs. 83.1 ± 22.8, P>0.05)and the incidence of composite MACEs(11.4% or 4 / 35 vs. 9.8% or 6/61, P>0.05). However, the incidence of repeated target vessel revascularization was lower in the PCI group than in the OMT group(1.6% or 1 case vs. 5.8% or 2 cases, P<0.05). Conclusions:In elderly CHD patients aged over 75 years with FFR values between 0.75-0.8 in the grey zone, optimal medication treatment has similar effects as the PCI on symptom alleviation, and no significant increase in composite MACEs is found at one-year follow-up.

Objective To analyze the clinical characteristics and prognosis of patients with rectal gastrointestinal stromal tumor ( GIST) . Methods We collected the data of 31 rectal GIST patients definitely demonstrated by pathology and immunohistochemistry in the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, and Suzhou Wuzhong People′s Hospital from January 2008 to December 2016. The clinical characteristics, therapeutic modalities, and prognoses were retrospectively analyzed. Results Among the 31 rectal GIST patients, 16 underwent local resection and 15 underwent radical surgery. There was no significant difference on the three-year survival rate between the two groups [ 93. 8％ ( 15/16 ) VS 73. 3％ ( 11/15 ) , P=0. 135 ] . There was no significant difference on the survival rate between the oral imatinib patients and non-oral imatinib patients in the local resection group [ 75. 0％ ( 3/4) VS 100. 0％ ( 12/12) , P=0. 083] and the radical surgery group[ 77. 8％ ( 7/9) VS 66. 7％(4/6), P=0. 579]. The postoperative recurrence and metastasis rate of the two groups was no significantly different[31. 3％ (5/16) VS 53. 3％ (8/15), P=0. 213]. Conclusion The choice of surgical procedure has no significant effects on the survival rate and postoperative recurrence for rectal GIST patients, and whether oral imatinib or not has no significant effects on the survival of patients.

Objective To investigate the clinicopathological characteristics and the expression of related molecular markers of heterotopic pancreas for better understanding and avoiding overtreatment of this disease.Methods From 24th March 2009 to 10th November 2016,92 patients with heterotopic pancreas in upper digestive tract diagnosed after endoscopic submucosal dissection(ESD),were collected. Tissues were sectioned and pathologically classified by Heinrich classification.The expressions of seven different molecular markers including cytokeratin(CK)19,insulin,trypsin,Ki-67,p53,CD133 and CD56 were detected by immunohistochemistry staining. Clinical features, pathological features and immunohistochemical results were retrospectively analyzed.Analysis of variance and Kruskal-Wallis test were used.Results According to Heinrich classification,the percentages of type Ⅰ,Ⅱ,and Ⅲ of heterotopic pancreas were 27.2%(25/92),63.0%(58/92)and 9.8%(9/92),respectively.There was no type Ⅳ patients.The heterotopic pancreas mainly located in stomach with proportion being about 91.3%(84/92)of the total heterotopic pancreas.CK19(the marker of pancreas ducts),insulin(as marker of endocrine function)and trypsin(as the marker of exocrine function)were all expressed in heterotopic pancreas.The positive rate of CD56,a pancreatic neuroendocrine marker,was 66.3%(61/92).The umbilicus like depression was the typical endoscopic appearance of heterotopic pancreas,which only found in 29 patients(31.5%).The average rate of Ki-67,cell proliferation index,was(2.08 ± 1.41)%.The expression of mutant p53 was negative in all 92 cases of heterotopic pancreas.The average staining area of CD133,a marker of pancreatic cancer stem cell,was(2.53 ± 2.43)%.The average follow-up period of 92 patients was(43.6 ± 27.5)months.No relapse and malignant change were found and all patients survived after ESD.Conclusions Heterotopic pancreas has normal pancreatic construction and function.The cell proliferation index is low in heterotopic pancreas and no mutant p53 expression is found.The expression of CD133 is also low.Heterotopic pancreas is a congenital benign disease which requires a long-term follow-up rather than overtreatment.

Objective To evaluate the potential malignancy, prognosis and risk factors for intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm(IPMN), which were classified into different risk levels based on Fukuoka guideline. Methods A retrospective analysis of patients with IPMN diagnosed at Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital from 2009 to 2016 was conducted. Clinical characteristics,treatment and prognosis of IPMNs were analyzed. Results A total of 94 IPMN patients were included and divided into 3 groups according to Fukuoka guideline,46 patients in high-risk(HR)group,30 in group of worrisome features(WF), and 18 in low-risk(LR)group. For patients undergoing surgery treatment, there were 5 cases(19.2%,5/26)in HR group and 2 cases(12.5%,2/16)in WF group whose postoperative pathological findings were malignant (P=0.690). The 5-year survival rates after operations were 73.9% and 77.0% in HR and WF group, respectively(P=0.830). For patients without surgery treatment, in a 5-year follow-up, there were 6 cases (33.3%,6/18),2 cases(16.7%,2/12)and 0(0.0%,0/18)progressing into pancreatic cancers in HR, WF and LR groups,respectively(P<0.05). In addition,among the three groups,the 5-year survival rates were 49.5%,85.7% and 100.0%(P=0.025). Jaundice was significantly related to prognosis(P<0.01) and the hazard ratio was 8.883(95%CI:2.953-26.721). Conclusion Jaundice is a predictive risk factor for survival of IPMN. As for the treatment to IPMN, patients in HR group should receive surgery treatment while those in LR group can be followed up. For patients in WF group,the treatment should be customized, with evaluation of predictive risk factors,and operations can be performed when needed.

PurposeTo evaluate the effect of tube current on the pseudo-enhancement of renal cyst by simulating the phantom model of simple renal cyst.Materials and Methods 10% glucose and iodine solution with a certain concentration was used to simulate the renal parenchymal background concentration in plain scan, moderate enhancement and maximum enhancement respectively. The diameters of the cysts were 6 mm, 10 mm and 15 mm, respectively, and the cysts were divided into three groups according to different tube current: 119 mAs (group A), 178 mAs (group B) and 297 mAs (group C) while the tube voltage were all 120 kV. Whether pseudo-enhancement exists in cyst under different conditions was determined using an increase of CT value of 10 HU as the critical value. Results In group A, there was pseudo enhancement at the 240 HU background, and it was most significant with the diameter of 6 mm, which was 21 HU. In group B, pseudo-enhancement occurred in cysts with diameter of both 10 mm and 6 mm under the background of 180 HU and 240 HU, moreover, the biggest difference was 20.4 HU and it occurred in cyst with diameter of 6 mm under the background of 240 HU. In group C, pseudo-enhancement only occurred in cyst with diameter of 6 mm under the condition of 125 HU and 240 HU background concentration. Background concentration (F=17.587, P<0.01) and cyst diameter (F=4.214,P<0.05) had greater impact on cyst pseudo-enhancement, the higher the background concentration and smaller the diameter, more significantly the pseudo-enhancement would occur. With the increase of the tube current, the CT volume dose index increased, and the pseudo enhancement value was smaller, but there was no obvious regularity of pseudo-enhancement occurrence rate in cysts with different background concentration and diameter in each group.Conclusion The increase of tube current cannot completely eliminate cyst pseudo-enhancement. High background concentration and small diameter cyst are important factors in pseudo-enhancement. However, increasing the tube current can reduce the probability of occurrence of pseudo-enhancement to some extent. For those with heavier body weight, it might be necessary to increase the tube current to improve image quality and reduce the occurrence of renal cyst pseudo-enhancement.