Objective To investigate the role of the pituitary tumor-transforming gene 3(PTTG3P)/microRNA-146a-3p(miR-146a-3p)/pituitary tumor-transforming gene 1(PTTG1)pathway in the castration-resistant transformation of prostate cancer(PCa).Methods Real-time quantitative PCR(qPCR)was used to detect the differences in PTTG3P mRNA expression between androgen-dependent PCa cells LNCaP and cas-tration-resistant PCa(CRPC)cells PC3 and DU145,as well as between primary PCa tissues and CRPC tis-sues.PTTG3P overexpression vectors and PTTG1 interference vectors(shPTTG1)were constructed and transfected into LNCaP cells.The cells were divided into the LNCaP group(control),LNCaP/PTTG3P group(transfected with PTTG3P overexpression vector),and LNCaP/PTTG3P/shPTTG group(transfected with PTTG3P overexpression vector and shPTTG).Under castrated conditions,qPCR was used to detect the ex-pression levels of PTTG3P mRNA and miR-146a-3p in each group of LNCaP cells.Cell viability assays in vitro were conducted to assess the growth status of each group of LNCaP cells,colony formation assays were performed to evaluate the tumorigenic ability of each group of LNCaP cells,and Western blotting was used to detect PTTG1 protein expression levels in each group of LNCaP cells.To investigate the role of miR-146a-3p in the PTTG3P/PTTG1 pathway,LNCaP cells were transfected with a miR-146a-3p mimic to establish a miR-146a-3p mimic cell line,and then transfected with the PTTG3P overexpression plasmid to create a miR-146a-3p mimic+PTTG3P cell line.A luciferase reporter assay was conducted to verify the relationship between miR-146a-3p and PTTG1.Results Compared with androgen-dependent PCa cells LNCaP and treatment-naive PCa tissues,PTTG3P mRNA expression was higher in CRPC cells PC3,DU145,and tissues(P<0.05).Un-der castration conditions,the cell viability and colony formation ability of the LNCaP/PTTG3P group were higher than those of the LNCaP group(P<0.05);cell viability and colony formation ability in the LNCaP/PTTG3P/shPTTG group were lower than those in the LNCaP/PTTG3P group(P<0.05);miR-146a-3p ex-pression was lower in CRPC than in treatment-naive PCa tissues(P<0.05).Overexpression of miR-146a-3p inhibited PTTG1 expression in LNCaP cells,and overexpression of PTTG3P reversed this effect(P<0.05).Conclusion Overexpression of PTTG3P promotes the progression of PCa to CRPC through the miR-146a-3p/PTTG1 pathway.The mechanism may involve PTTG3P competitively binding to miR-146a-3p,thereby upreg-ulating PTTG1 expression.

A local context fusion based segmentation model which uses a local context attention mechanism to filter out irrelevant feature information and enhance the attention to important regions is presented for accurate polyp segmentation. The features at different scales are captured by multi-kernel dilated convolution for improving the accuracy of polyp boundary segmentation. Pyramid context selection module utilizes shallow encoder features to compensate for the low-level information lost by the deeper encoder,enabling the model to adapt to polyps of various sizes. The proposed model achieves accuracies of 97.67％,97.19％ and 99.23％ on Kvasir-SEG,EndoScene and CVC-ClinicDB datasets,respectively,with mIoU of 91.20％,88.31％ and 94.75％,respectively,exhibiting higher accuracy and generalizability than the existing classical methods and validating its superior performance in polyp segmentation. The proposed model can improve polyp segmentation accuracy and provide a more accurate aid for polyp segmentation.

A local context fusion based segmentation model which uses a local context attention mechanism to filter out irrelevant feature information and enhance the attention to important regions is presented for accurate polyp segmentation. The features at different scales are captured by multi-kernel dilated convolution for improving the accuracy of polyp boundary segmentation. Pyramid context selection module utilizes shallow encoder features to compensate for the low-level information lost by the deeper encoder,enabling the model to adapt to polyps of various sizes. The proposed model achieves accuracies of 97.67％,97.19％ and 99.23％ on Kvasir-SEG,EndoScene and CVC-ClinicDB datasets,respectively,with mIoU of 91.20％,88.31％ and 94.75％,respectively,exhibiting higher accuracy and generalizability than the existing classical methods and validating its superior performance in polyp segmentation. The proposed model can improve polyp segmentation accuracy and provide a more accurate aid for polyp segmentation.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical efficacy and adverse effects of Shugan Hewei prescription combined with vonoprazan in the treatment of refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease （RGERD） due to qi depression and phlegm obstruction. MethodEighty RGERD patients who met the inclusion criteria underwent 24-hour pH impedance and high-resolution esophageal manometry and electronic gastroscopy. The 80 patients were randomly assigned to an observation group （Shugan Hewei prescription， one bag each time， twice a day + vonoprazan， 20 mg each time， once a day） and a control group （vonoprazan， 20 mg each time， once a day） by the random number table method. The treatment in both groups lasted for 4 weeks. The clinical efficacy was examined. The scores of TCM symptoms （pharyngeal discomforts such as phlegm obstruction， retrosternal discomfort， and belching）， somatic symptoms， quality of life， and improvement of esophageal mucosa under gastroscopy were observed in both groups before treatment and after treatment for 2 and 4 weeks. ResultSeventy-five patients completed the trial were included in this study， including 38 patients in the observation group and 37 patients in the control group. The total response rate in the observation group was 89.47%（34/38）， which was higher than that （62.16%，23/37） in the control group （χ²=13.014， P<0.01）. After treatment， the scores of esophageal mucous membrane， reflux disease symptoms， TCM symptoms， gastroesophageal reflux disease health-related quality of life scale （GERD-HRQL）， and somatic self-rating scale （SSS） decreased in both groups（P<0.05）. Moreover， the observation group outperformed the control group in alleviating heartburn， acid reflux， throat discomforts， midnight coughing， nausea and dry vomiting， mucousy mouth， and insomnia in the patients with GERD （P<0.05，P<0.01）. However， the two groups showed no statistically significant differences in the improvement of esophageal mucosa after treatment. ConclusionThe combination of Shugan Hewei prescription with vonoprazan was superior to vonoprazan alone in treating RGERD regarding clinical symptoms， physical signs， quality of life， and somatic symptoms， without causing obvious adverse effects.

Objective: To explore the association between dietary pattern which benefit for normal kidney function and the risk of cognitive decline or impairment in the elderly. Methods: In 2015, subjects aged 60 and over from four counties in the Nutrition and Chronic Disease Family Cohort project, were followed up in 2017. Cognitive function was repeatedly assessed, using the Mini Mental State Evaluation (MMSE) scale. Dietary pattern that benefit for normal kidney function was extracted, using the reduced rank regression method and followed by logistic regression models to explore the associations between scores that showing the kidney function on dietary patterns and the risk of cognitive deterioration and impairment in two years among those who were with normal cognition in 2015. Results: Dietary pattern that benefit for normal kidney function, was characterized by high consumption of cereal, vegetables, legume and fruits but with less meat and soy products. Comparing with the group with lowest score quartile on this dietary pattern, the risk of cognitive deterioration in the highest quartile group was significantly low (P<0.01) in two years, with an odds ratio as 0.57 (95%CI: 0.37-0.85). Linear trend was also obviously visible (P=0.007) in this group. The ones at the highest quartile group among the normal cognition ones in 2015, the risk of cognitive impairment also significantly reduced (P<0.05) in two years time, with an odds ratio as 0.52 (95%CI: 0.29-0.93). Also, linear trend could obviously be seen (P=0.01). Conclusion Dietary pattern that benefit for normal kidney function was both inversely associated with cognitive deterioration and impairment, in two years.

Objective: To assess the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and mortality in adults of Shanxi, China. Methods: Baseline data were from the '2002 China Nutrition and Health Survey’ in Shanxi province. All the death-related investigation and follow-up visits were carried out from December 2015 to March 2016. The follow-up program covered 5 360 people from all the 7 007 participants aged 18 years and over that having complete core information, with a rate as 76.5%. Participants of this study were divided into eight groups, according to the appearance of BMI. Taking the group with the lowest mortality density as the reference group, Cox regression model was used to estimate the hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of deaths by the whole population, gender and age groups (≥60 years, <60 years). Results were then adjusted by age, gender, smoking, alcohol use and education level from the baseline survey. Sensitivity analysis was also conducted. Results: Results from the study showed that among the total number of 67 129 person- years from the average period of 12.5 years, there were 615 deaths occurred, with the mortality density as 916 per 100 000 person-years. Taking the BMI range of 26.0-27.9 kg/m² as the reference, the aHRs of death increased to 1.90 (95%CI: 1.26-2.86), 1.68 (95%CI: 1.15-2.45), 1.49 (95%CI: 1.08-2.06) and 1.72 (95%CI: 1.07-2.76) after the multivariate adjustment, in these four groups (BMI<18.5, 18.5-19.9, 22.0-23.9 and ≥30.0 kg/m²), respectively. Low body weight (BMI<18.5 kg/m²) was associated with higher risks of death in the elderly of ≥60 years, with the aHR of death as 1.94 (95%CI: 1.20-3.15). Conclusions When BMI appeared as ≤19.9 kg/m², 22.0-23.9 kg/m² and ≥30.0 kg/m², the risks of death would increase. In addition to programs that focusing on obesity, special attention should be paid to the high risk of mortality which was caused by low-weight and malnutrition in the elderly.

Objective: To analyze the longitudinal change of serum total cholesterol concentration in 733 rural residents in Shanxi province. Methods: Based on the residents of five rural areas in Shanxi province who participated in China nutrition and health survey in 2002, a follow-up survey was conducted in 2015. Fasting venous blood of the participants was collected and serum TC concentration was tested by cholesterol oxidase method. Results: Of 733 participants, 332 were male and 401 were female. In 2002 baseline survey, the age of the participants was (42.6±9.5) years old, 76.2% of male and 83.8% of female had junior middle school education or below. Proportion of smoking were 65.7% and 1.2%, drinking were 26.8% and 4.0%, obesity were 6.3% and 12.0%, and central obesity were 27.1% and 31.9%, respectively in male and female. The follow-up age of participants in 2015 was (55.8±9.5) years old, proportion of smoking changed to 48.2% and 1.5%, drinking were 49.7% and 3.0%, obesity increased to 11.8% and 18.2% and central obesity increased to 41.6% and 53.6%, respectively in male and female. The overall serum TC level increased from (3.82±0.89) mmol/L to (4.72±0.97) mmol/L with an average increase of 27.2%, which increased from (3.84±0.94) mmol/L to (4.54±0.93) mmol/L in male with an average increase of 22.7%, and increased from (3.81±0.84) mmol/L to (4.86±0.98) mmol/L in female with an average increase of 30.9%. The serum TC levels in 18-, 30-, 40-, and 50-59 years old group increased from (3.42±0.83), (3.72±0.77), (3.90±0.83) and (4.00±1.03) mmol/L to (4.38±1.01), (4.79±0.92), (4.73±0.99) and (4.76±0.96) mmol/L, with average increase range of 31.4%, 32.1%, 25.2% and 22.6%, respectively. The mean serum TC levels between two years all had statistically significant difference among groups of gender, age, education, marital status, family history of cardiovascular disease, smoking, drinking, BMI and waist circumference after paired t-test and ANOVA analysis (P<0.01). Conclusion The longitudinal serum TC level of rural residents in Shanxi province increased rapidly.

Objective: To analyze the blood pressure changes of adults aged 18-59 years in rural area of Shanxi province based on a cohort study, and provide reference for the study of the blood pressure level of rural residents and hypertension prevention and control in rural areas in China. Methods: Data were obtained from Shanxi Nutrition and Chronic Disease Family Cohort from 2002 to 2015. Subjects aged <18 years or ≥60 years and individuals with hypertension at baseline survey in 2002, and those who had taken antihypertensive drugs for nearly two weeks during the follow-up survey in 2015 were excluded from the study. A total of 1 629 subjects aged 18-59 years were included in the analyses of the blood pressure level and its change from the baseline survey in 2002 to follow-up survey in 2015. Results: The systolic blood pressure (SBP) of the subjects increased from (122.7±10.4) mmHg in 2002 to (132.8±17.6) mmHg in 2015 and the diastolic pressure (DBP) increased from (72.7±6.9) mmHg in 2002 to (78.8±10.3) mmHg in 2015. The SBP in men and women increased with growth rates of 6.7% and 9.5%. While DBP in men and women increased with growth rates of 9.3% and 7.8%. The SBP levels of those aged 18-, 30-, 40- and 50-59 years increased with growth rates of 5.0%, 6.7%, 9.4% and 11.8%. While the DBP of these age groups increased with growth rates of 12.2%, 8.2%, 8.2% and 6.5%. Conclusions The blood pressure of adults aged 18-59 years old in rural area of Shanxi showed a substantially increasing trend. The mean increase level of SBP in women was higher than that in men, and increased with age. While the mean increase level of DBP in men is higher than that in women, and decreased with age.

Objective to provide the evidence for inducing the SAP model in rats with proper concentration of sodium taurocholate.Methods 60 SD rats were divided into sham operated group, group of 1.5% in concentration, group of 3.5% in concentration and group of 5% in concentration randomly, while the SAP model was induced by the sodium taurocholate concentration of 1.5%,3.5% and 5% with the method of retrograde injection into the biliopancreatic duct.To calculate the mortality of different groups, measure the serum amylase, tumor necrosis factor -α(TNF -α) and interleukin -6 (IL -6),and to observe the pancreatic pathological scores of HE staining in rats.Results The mortality in group of 5% in concentration has a significant ascending compared with group of 1.5% in concentration, while the serum amylase, tumor necrosis factor -α(TNF -α) , interleukin -6( IL -6), pathological score of hemorrhage and acinar necrosis in group of 5% in concentration have a significant ascending compared with group of 1.5% in concentration and group of 3.5% in concentration.Conclusions A better SAP model may be induced by sodium taurocholate with the concentration of 5% by the method of retrograde injection into the biliopancreatic duct, which may accord with the physiological and pathological manifestation of SAP.

Objective To investigate the effects of epigenetic drugs on 2D- and 3D-cultured cholangiocarcinoma cells in vitro.Methods In this study,we have built compact and round TFK-1 spheroid in poly-HEMA coated 96-well plate and determined the effects of epigenetical drugs on 2D and 3D cultured cholangiocarcinoma cells:TFK-1.Viability of 2D and 3D cells model was examined by WST assay and FDA/PI staining. Using methylation-specific PCR analysis,we demonstrated the changes of methylation status of promoters regarding three tumor suppressor genes APC,E-Cadherin,and p16 INK4A.Results The average diameters of compact and round TFK-1 spheroids were in the range of 350-400 μm.The TFK-1 spheroid cells were more resistant to the epigenetic drugs and demonstrated a 11.2155-fold higher IC50 values for hydralazine and valproic acid than the same cells grown as monolayer. Higher doses of epigenetic drugs were needed to reverse the hypermethylation status in 3D cultured cells than 2D cells; however,the parallel dosage - dependent characteristic did not show in the 3D spheroid group.Conclusions Taken together,we established a 3D culture model of human cholangiocarcinoma epithelial spheroid.The 3D spheroid cells are more complex than the 2D monolayer cells and their unique characteristics are able to affect the consequences of epigenetic therapy.The 3D spheroid is a promising model for the research of epigenetic therapy.