Objective To investigate the toxic effects of combined yttrium and lead exposure on liver and kidney functions in male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Methods Adult male specific pathogen-free SD rats were randomly divided into four groups. Rats in the low-, medium-, and high-dose groups were co-administered with yttrium acetate (10.0, 50.0, and 100.0 mg/kg body weight, respectively) and lead acetate (4.0, 20.0, and 40.0 mg/kg body weight, respectively) by intragastric gavage, once per day for 28 consecutive days. Rats in the control group received an equal volume of deionized water. Yttrium and lead levels in whole blood, liver, and kidney tissues of the rats were measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Serum index of liver and kidney function were measured by a double reagent method, and histopathological changes in the liver and kidney were observed. Results The body weights of rats in all the three exposure groups were lower than those in the control group from day 14 of exposure until the end of exposure (all P<0.05). Body weight gain of rats was observed only in the low-dose group at day 28, whereas no body weight gain was observed throughout the exposure period in the medium- and high-dose groups. Histopathological examination showed dose-dependent liver and kidney injuries in rats of the three exposure groups compared with the control group. Specifically, the liver exhibited widening of intercellular spaces and increased inflammatory cell infiltration, while the kidney showed increased tissue hemorrhage and increased damage to glomeruli and renal tubules. Lead levels in whole blood, liver, and kidney tissues of the rats were higher than yttrium levels in all the three exposure groups (all P<0.05). Blood yttrium levels in rats of the high-dose group were higher than those in the other three groups (all P<0.05), and yttrium levels in the liver and kidney tissues of the three exposure groups were higher than those in the control group (all P<0.05). Lead levels in whole blood, liver, and kidney tissues of the rats increased with increasing exposure dose (all P<0.05). At the end of exposure, the kidney organ coefficient of rats in the high-dose group was higher than those in the other three groups (all P<0.05). The serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT)/aspartate aminotransferase (AST) ratio of rats in the high‑dose group was lower than that in the control group (P<0.05). The serum urea and uric acid levels in the medium‑ and high‑dose groups were lower than those in the control group (both P<0.05). The serum cystatin C level in the high‑dose group was higher than that in the control group (P<0.05). Blood yttrium and blood lead levels were each negatively correlated with serum ALT/AST ratio, serum urea nitrogen, and uric acid levels (both P<0.05). Both yttrium and lead levels in liver tissue were each negatively correlated with serum ALT/AST ratio (all P<0.05). Both yttrium and lead levels in kidney tissue were each negatively correlated with both serum urea nitrogen and uric acid levels (all P<0.05), and each positively correlated with serum cystatin C levels (both P<0.05). Conclusion Co-exposure to yttrium and lead induces dose‑dependent hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity in male SD rats. Lead exhibits a more pronounced accumulation effect and contributes more substantially to the observed toxicity.

Objective:To explore the clinical outcome of bilobed free peroneal artery perforator flap to repair the postoperative defect of maxillofacial malignant tumors.Methods:A total of 47 patients with maxillofacial malignant tumor with postoperative defects in the Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University from January 2018 to December 2021 were included. They were treated with bilobed free peroneal artery perforator skin flap. After the tumor was removed, the left leg was used as donor site. Based on the defect area of maxillofacial region, a bilobed perforator flap was designed and harvested. After surgery, the survival of the flap, recovery of voice, swallowing function, and flap appearance were evaluated. Speech and swallowing function were scored on a scale of 10.Results:A total of 47 patients were included, 27 males and 20 females, aged 43-79 years.There were 19 cases of buccal malignant tumors, 19 cases of tongue malignant tumors, 9 cases of gingival malignant tumors, 40 cases of squamous-cell carcinoma, 5 cases of adenoid cystic carcinoma and 2 cases of mucoepidermoid carcinoma. The area of maxillofacial defects ranges from (54-84) cm 2, the area of the flap ranges from (50-81) cm 2. During the operation, 17 cases were repaired and the mandibular was reconstructed with vascularized fibula flap. All 47 patients were followed up for an average of 12 months. All patients’ postoperative defects were effectively covered, the flaps survived, the appearance was satisfactory, the flap donor area is well restored, and the speech and swallowing functions were good. The scores of speech function and swallowing function were (8.15±1.35) and (7.43±1.19) respectively. Conclusions:The bilobed free peroneal artery perforator skin flap can be applied to repair the defects of maxillofacial malignant tumors. The flap appearance is acceptable, the recovery time is short. The defective skeletal tissue can be repaired at the same time. with concealed the donor site.

Objective:To explore the clinical outcome of bilobed free peroneal artery perforator flap to repair the postoperative defect of maxillofacial malignant tumors.Methods:A total of 47 patients with maxillofacial malignant tumor with postoperative defects in the Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University from January 2018 to December 2021 were included. They were treated with bilobed free peroneal artery perforator skin flap. After the tumor was removed, the left leg was used as donor site. Based on the defect area of maxillofacial region, a bilobed perforator flap was designed and harvested. After surgery, the survival of the flap, recovery of voice, swallowing function, and flap appearance were evaluated. Speech and swallowing function were scored on a scale of 10.Results:A total of 47 patients were included, 27 males and 20 females, aged 43-79 years.There were 19 cases of buccal malignant tumors, 19 cases of tongue malignant tumors, 9 cases of gingival malignant tumors, 40 cases of squamous-cell carcinoma, 5 cases of adenoid cystic carcinoma and 2 cases of mucoepidermoid carcinoma. The area of maxillofacial defects ranges from (54-84) cm 2, the area of the flap ranges from (50-81) cm 2. During the operation, 17 cases were repaired and the mandibular was reconstructed with vascularized fibula flap. All 47 patients were followed up for an average of 12 months. All patients’ postoperative defects were effectively covered, the flaps survived, the appearance was satisfactory, the flap donor area is well restored, and the speech and swallowing functions were good. The scores of speech function and swallowing function were (8.15±1.35) and (7.43±1.19) respectively. Conclusions:The bilobed free peroneal artery perforator skin flap can be applied to repair the defects of maxillofacial malignant tumors. The flap appearance is acceptable, the recovery time is short. The defective skeletal tissue can be repaired at the same time. with concealed the donor site.

PURPOSE: Long noncoding RNA 00703 (LINC00703) was found originating from a region downstream of Kruppel-like factor 6 (KLF6) gene, having 2 binding sites for miR-181a. Since KLF6 has been reported as a target of miR-181a in gastric cancer (GC), this study aims to investigate whether LINC00703 regulates the miR-181a/KLF6 axis and plays a functional role in GC pathogenesis.MATERIALS AND METHODS: GC tissues, cell lines, and nude mice were included in this study. RNA binding protein immunoprecipitation (RIP) and pull-down assays were used to evaluate interaction between LINC00703 and miR-181a. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blot were applied for analysis of gene expression at the transcriptional and protein levels. A nude xenograft mouse model was used to determine LINC00703 function in vivo.RESULTS: We revealed that LINC00703 competitively interacts with miR-181a to regulate KLF6. Overexpression of LINC00703 inhibited cell proliferation, migration/invasion, but promoted apoptosis in vitro, and arrested tumor growth in vivo. LINC00703 expression was found to be decreased in GC tissues, which was positively correlated with KLF6, but negatively with the miR-181a levels.CONCLUSIONS: LINC00703 may have an anti-cancer function via modulation of the miR-181a/KLF6 axis. This study also provides a new potential diagnostic marker and therapeutic target for GC treatment.
Animals ; Apoptosis ; Binding Sites ; Blotting, Western ; Cell Line ; Cell Proliferation ; Gene Expression ; Heterografts ; Immunoprecipitation ; In Vitro Techniques ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; RNA, Long Noncoding ; RNA-Binding Proteins ; Stomach Neoplasms

Objective: To investigate the current status and psychosocial determinants of health behavior among primary and middle school students in Henan province,and to provide a reference for the direction and priority of the health education in primary and middle schools. Methods: Through cluster sampling method, 3 603 primary school students age 9 to 15 and 2 791 secondary school students in Henan Province were investigated with Chinese version of the Adolescent Lifestyle Questionnaire(C-ALQ), General Self-efficacy Scale(GSES), Perceived Social Support Scale(PSSS), Resilience Scale for Chinese Adolescents(RSCA), Self-Esteem Scale(SES) during January to June in 2016. Results: The total score of health behavior among primary and middle school students was (80.30±16.36).There were significant differences in health behaviors among students with different gender(P<0.05), age(P<0.01), family income(P<0.01), body mass index(P<0.01), father’s education level (P<0.01) and mother’s education level(P<0.01). Health behaviors were significantly correlated with self-efficacy(r=0.26-0.42, P<0.01), social support(r=0.23-0.39, P<0.01), mental resilience(r=0.26-0.37, P<0.01), and self-esteem(r=-0.28--0.18, P<0.01). Gender, age, family monthly income, BMI, parents’ education level, self-efficacy, psychological resilience, social support and self-esteem was psychosocial determinants of healthy behaviors(P<0.05). Conclusion The engagement in health behaviors among primary and middle school students in Henan province is acceptable. Demographic and psychosocial determinants of health behaviors among primary and middle school students should be considered in health education curriculum planning.

Objective To study the effect of mitogen-activated protein kinas/extracellular signalregulated kinase (MAPK/ERK) signaling pathway on cell proliferation modulated by Sonic Hedgehog (Shh) signaling in fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) isolated from patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA).Methods The synovial tissue were collected by the synovial arthroscopic debridement or arthroscopic synovectomy of RA patients with active disease activity [disease activity score(DAS)28 ≥3.2].The RA-FLS were primarily cultured by the explanted culture,and then were treated with Shh agonist purmorphamine,inhibitor cyclopamine or MAPK/ERK signaling pathway inhibitor U0126,respectively.Western blotting was used to examine the phosphorylation level of ERK 1/2 (p-ERK1/2),which was the critical protein of MAPK/ERK signaling.The cell proliferation activity was detected using cell proliferation and cytotoxicity kit-8 (CCK8),and the cell proliferation rate was detected using a flow cytometry.Analysis of variance and Kruskal-Wallis H(K) test were used for statistical analysis.Results Compared with the control group,purmorphamine transiently increased p-ERK1/2 protein at the concentration of 1 μmol/L,and the peak activations of p-ERK1/2 took place at 15 min (P＜0.01).Cyclopamine and U0126 decreased the expression ofp-ERK1/2 protein (P＜0.01).After the RA-FLS treated with purmorphmine(1 μmol/L)for 48 hours,the cell proliferation activity was (114±4)％ and the percentage of S phase cells was (8.39±0.60)％,which was significantly higher than those of the control group (100±0)％ (P＜0.01) and (3.29±0.69)％ (P＜0.01).After treated with cyclopamine (10 μmol/L) for 48 hours,the cell proliferation activity of RA-FLS was (89±1)％ (P＜0.05) and the percentage of S phase cells was (1.53±0.22)％ (P＜0.05).When co-treated with purmorphamine (1 μmol/L) and U0126 (10 μmol/L),the cell proliferative activity was (89±2)％ (P＜0.05) and the percentage of S phase cells was(1.07±0.25)％(P＜ 0.05).Conclusion Shh may promote proliferation of RA-FLS via modulating MAPK/ERK signaling,which in turn contributes to hyperplasia of synovium and ultimately leading to RA.

Objective To explore the relationship between quality life and TCM constitutions of elderly patients with hypertension in a community in Shanghai; To provide the basis for the suitable and feasible community elderly hypertension management method. Methods Through multistage stratified sampling method, 808 elderly patients with hypertension in the community were investigated for their life quality and TCM constitutions on the basis of inform consent and voluntary participation. The life quality and TCM constitution characteristics as well as the relationship were analyzed by applying the statistic analysis software. Results Among the investigated elderly patients with hypertension in the community, 97.28% cases’ overall life quality was above the middle level and 91.46% cases’ self-evaluated health and quality of life scores were above the middle level. 54.70% cases were gentleness type, and the biased constitution was dominated by qi deficiency, yang asthenia, yin asthenia and phlegmatic hygrosis. The relationship between life quality and TCM constitutions may be existent. If TCM constitutions tended to be gentleness type, the physical score and the psychological score would be higher, which leaded to better quality of life. Conclusion TCM constitution characteristics are associated with quality life of elderly hypertension patients in the community. Intervention targeted on the results of TCM constitution identification would be better to prevent and control hypertension and improve health level and quality of life.

BACKGROUND: Apolipoprotein(a) [Apo(a)] plays some role in promoting the formation of atherosclerotic plaque, and contains pentanucleotide repeats(PNR), which has a key value in genic research and in forecast on the increased risk of early atherosclerosis cerebral infarction (ACI). But the relationship between ACI and Apo(a) PNR in different races needs to be further investigated.OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between the Apo(a) PNR polymorphism and ACI.DESIGN: A case-control study based on the ACI patients and normal people of Han nationality in Hubei.SETTING: Department of Laboratory in a hospital of a university.PARTICIPANTS: From February 1998 to March 1999, 82 ACI patients (ACI group) and 153 healthy controls(control group) were selected from the Department of Neurology, Central South Hospital and Yatai Hospital of Wuhan University. All patients were Han nationality in Hubei without any relatives.METHODS: Serum lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a) ], total cholesterol(TC), high density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-c), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), triglyceride (TG), apolipoprotein A Ⅰ (ApoA Ⅰ) and apolipoprotein B (Apo B) were tested respectively. Meanwhile, the PNR in the 5' control region of the Apo(a) was detected with polymerase chain reaction(PCR) and high voltage polyacrylamide gels electrophoresis. The results were analyzed with controlled analysis.RESULTS: The levels of serum Lp(a) [ (239.9 ±225.4) mg/L], TC [(4.76±0.74) nmol/L], TG[(1.74±0.60) mmol/L] and LDL-C [ (2.84 ± 0. 63) mmol/L] were remarkably higher in ACI group than those in control group, which were(133.5 ±97.7) mg/L in serum Lp(a), (4. 29±0.72) mmol/L in TC, (1.05±0.52) mmol/L in TG and(2.84±0.63) mmol/L in LDL-C, however, the level of HDL-C[ (0.88± 0.17) mmol/L] was remarkably lower in ACI group than that in control group [ ( 1.03 ± 0. 35 ) mmol/L], the differences were all significant( t = 3.65to9.18, P ＜ 0.01) . The levels of ApoA Ⅰ [(1.13±0.15) mmol/L,(1.25±0.19) mmol/L] and ApoB[(0.93±0.12) mmol/L, (0.89± 0. 15 ) mmol/L] were no significant difference compared with those in control group. The duplicated frequency of the allele(TTTTA) 5(0. 098) in the ACI was remarkably higher than that in control(0. 026) (x2 = 5.62, P＜ 0. 05), The frequency of the allele(TTTTA) 9 in the ACI(0. 073) was remarkably lower than that in control (0. 213 ) (x2 = 7.83, P ＜ 0.01 ), The frequency of the allele(TTTTA) 5 was also associated with low TC and high Lp(a) levels.CONCLUSION: It is suggested that the Apo(a) PNR polymorphism are associated with the susceptibility to ACI, and involved in the development of ACI.