【Objective】 To statistically analyze the relationship between homologous recombination repair deficiency (HRD) score and clinicopathological characteristics, genomic mutations in patients with high-risk and metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC) and the prognostic predictive value in mHSPC. 【Methods】 A total of 127 patients diagnosed with high-risk prostate cancer and mHSPC, treated at the Department of Urology of Chinese PLA General Hospital during Dec.2021 and Nov.2023 were enrolled.Homologous recombination repair (HRR) gene sequencing was performed, and the genomic scar score (GSS) algorithm were conducted to calculate the HRD score.The relationship between HRD scores and clinicopathological features, genomic alterations, and prognosis were analyzed. 【Results】 The median HRD score was 1.6(0.8, 5.2), 30(23.6%) patients’ HRD scores ≥10, and 11(8.7%) patients’ HRD scores ≥20.Clinicopathological features, including ISUP classification ≥4 (P=0.044) and metastatic status (P=0.008) were associated with high HRD score.Patients with mutations in the BRCA, TP53 and MYC systems had significantly higher HRD score than those with wild-type genes (P<0.05).In mHSPC, the risk of biochemical recurrence was 12.836 times higher in patients with HRD score ≥20 than in those with <20 [OR:12.836 (1.332-124.623), P=0.028]. 【Conclusion】 Baseline HRD score was lower in patients with high-risk prostate cancer and mHSPC.Patients with high HRD score may have higher histological grading (ISUP≥4) and later clinical stage.Further investigation is needed to determine the threshold of HRD scores as biochemical markers suggestive of a poor prognosis.

Background A variety of substances in drinking water are hazardous to human health and there are health risks associated with ingestion of these substances via drinking water. Objective To assess the carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic health risks of drinking water in Shijiazhuang from 2014 to 2021. Methods The collection, preservation, and testing of 10529 drinking water samples (including finished water and tap water) in Shijiazhuang were conducted from 2014 to 2021 and followed the Standard examination methods for drinking water (GB/T 5750—2006). The health risks of 15 chemicals in drinking water by oral exposure were assessed using the US Environmental Protection Agency's four-step method combined with Monte Carlo simulation. Results Among the 15 chemicals in drinking water assessed for their health risks at general exposure levels and high exposure levels via oral route in Shijiazhuang from 2014 to 2021, the leading three chemicals and related values of carcinogenic risks for adults were cadmium (1.11×10⁻⁴, 2.98×10⁻⁴), arsenic (5.88×10⁻⁵, 1.56×10⁻⁴), and chromium (5.48×10⁻⁵, 2.41×10⁻⁴), and the leading three chemicals and related values of non-carcinogenic risks were fluoride (3.57×10⁻¹, 6.57×10⁻¹), arsenic (1.31×10⁻¹, 3.47×10⁻¹), and nitrate (1.14×10⁻¹, 5.98×10⁻¹). The health risk values of trichloromethane and aluminum were elevated but still in acceptable ranges. Drinking water-associated health risk values were higher in males than in females, such as the cancer risk for general exposure levels of arsenic in men was 5.76×10⁻⁵, compared to 5.72×10⁻⁵ in women. The health risk values of cadmium, chromium, fluoride, nitrate, and other chemicals in ground water were higher than those of surface water, and the health risk values of trichloromethane and carbon tetrachloride were lower than those in surface water, such as the non-carcinogenic risk value for general exposure levels of fluoride in groundwater was 3.61×10⁻¹, compared to 2.27×10⁻¹ in surface water. Factors such as water transmission and distribution links, water period, and season affected the health risks of drinking water. The general exposure levels of trichloromethane in tap water had a higher carcinogenic risk of 1.75×10⁻⁷ compared with 8.17×10⁻⁸ in finished water. The general levels of arsenic exposure was higher in the dry season at 1.36×10⁻¹, compared with 1.26×10⁻¹ in the wet season. Conclusion Except that the carcinogenic risk of cadmium at general exposure levels in Shijiazhuang exceeds the maximum acceptable range recommended by US Environmental Protection Agency, the health risk values of the remaining 14 chemicals are below the maximum acceptable risk. The carcinogenic risk values of arsenic and chromium and the non-carcinogenic risk values of fluoride, arsenic, and nitrate are relatively high, but do not exceed the maximum acceptable ranges. The emphasis should be on the management of drinking water in highly exposed areas and populations.

Objective:To evaluate the role of silent information regulator-1 (SIRT1)/nucleotide-binding domain (NOD)-like receptor protein-3 (NLRP3) signaling pathway in sevoflurane postconditioning-induced attenuation of oxygen-glucose deprivation and restoration (OGD/R) injury in mouse hippocampal neuronal cell line (HT22) cells.Methods:The HT22 cells were seeded in a culture plate (96-well plate, 100 μl/well; 6-well plate, 2 ml/well) at the density of 5×10 4 cells/ml or in a culture dish (6 cm in diameter) and then divided into 4 groups ( n=24 each) using a random number table method: control group (Control group), OGD/R group, sevoflurane postconditioning group (SPC group), and SIRT1 small interfering RNA group (si-SIRT 1 group). In Control group, cells were cultured at 37 ℃ in normal culture atmosphere. In OGD/R group, the culture medium was replaced with glucose-free serum-free culture medium, and cells were exposed to 95% N 2+ 5% CO 2 for 4 h in an incubator at 37 ℃, and then the glucose-free serum-free culture medium was replaced with the primary culture medium, and cells were cultured for 24 h at 37 ℃ in normal culture atmosphere. In SPC group, the glucose-free serum-free culture medium was replaced with the primary cell culture medium after 4-h oxygen and glucose deprivation, the cells were put into the hypoxia incubator chamber which was filled with 2% sevoflurane immediately after start of reoxygenation, then the chamber was placed in an incubator and the cells were cultured for 1 h at 37 ℃ in normal culture atmosphere, and finally the cells were removed from the chamber and cultured for 23 h at 37 ℃ in normal culture atmosphere. In si-SIRT1 group, SIRT1 small interfering RNA 150 pmol was added at 24 h before surgery, cells were then incubated, and the other procedures were the same as those previously described in group SPC. The cell survival rate was determined using MTT assay. TUNEL assay was used to detect cell apoptosis, and the apoptosis rate was calculated. The expression of SIRT1, NLRP3, IL-1β and IL-18 mRNA was determined using polymerase chain reaction. The expression of SIRT1, NLRP3, interleukin-1beta (IL-1β) and IL-18 was detected using Western blot. Results:Compared with Control group, the cell survival rate was significantly decreased, the apoptosis rate was increased, the expression of SIRT1 protein and mRNA was down-regulated, and the expression of NLRP3, IL-1β and IL-18 protein and mRNA was up-regulated in OGD/R group ( P<0.05). Compared with OGD/R group, the cell survival rate was significantly increased, the apoptosis rate was decreased, the expression of SIRT1 protein and mRNA was up-regulated, and the expression of NLRP3, IL-1β and IL-18 protein and mRNA was down-regulated in SPC group ( P<0.05). Compared with SPC group, the cell survival rate was significantly decreased, the apoptosis rate was increased, the expression of SIRT1 protein and mRNA was down-regulated, and the expression of NLRP3, IL-1β and IL-18 protein and mRNA was up-regulated in si-SIRT1 group ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Activation of SIRT1-NLRP3 signaling pathway is involved in sevoflurane postconditioning-induced attenuation of OGD/R injury in HT22 cells.

Objective:To evaluate the relationship between methyltransferase-like 3(METTL3)-mediated RNA N6-Methyladenosine (m6A) methylation modification and silent information regulator factor 1 (SIRT1) during sevoflurane post-conditioning-induced mitigation of cognitive impairments in a mouse model of hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation(HSR).Methods:Forty clean-grade healthy male C57BL/6 mice, aged 8-10 weeks, with a body weight ranging from 22-26 g, were assigned into 5 groups ( n=8 each) using a random number table method: sham operation group, HSR group, sevoflurane post-conditioning + HSR group (SP+ HSR group), over-expression of METTL3 gene rAAV + sevoflurane post-conditioning + HSR group (METTL3+ SP+ HSR group), and over-expression of METTL3 gene rAAV negative control + sevoflurane post-conditioning + HSR group (NC+ SP+ HSR group). The HSR model was established by withdrawing 40% of the total blood volume from mice through the right carotid artery within 30 min, followed by reinfusion of the withdrawn blood over 30 min 1 h later. The SP+ HSR group underwent HSR modeling first and then inhaled sevoflurane (end-tidal concentration 2.4%) for 30 min starting from the time point immediately after blood transfusion. The Sham group and HSR group inhaled a mixture of 70% O 2 and 30% CO 2 for 30 min at the corresponding time points. In METTL3+ SP+ HSR group and NC+ SP+ HSR group, the corresponding virus 450 nl was injected into bilateral hippocampus at 4 weeks before establishing the model.Morris water maze and novel object recognition tests were conducted at 72 h after developing the model to assess the learning and memory abilities. After the end of behavioral tests, the expression of METTL3 and SIRT1 in hippocampal tissues was detected using Western blot, the expression of SIRT1 mRNA was measured using qRT-PCR, and the methylation of RNA m6A was detected using Dot blot. Results:Compared to Sham group, the escape latency was significantly prolonged at 1-6 days, the time spent in the target quadrant was shortened, the number of crossing the original platform was decreased, the novel object recognition index was decreased, the expression of METTL3 was up-regulated, the expression of SIRT1 protein and mRNA was down-regulated, and the methylation of RNA m6A was increased in HSR group( P<0.05). Compared to HSR group, the escape latency was significantly shortened at 1-6 days, the time spent in the target quadrant was prolonged, the number of crossing the original platform was increased, the novel object recognition index was increased, the expression of METTL3 was up-regulated, the expression of SIRT1 protein and mRNA was down-regulated, and the methylation of RNA m6A was increased, the novel object recognition index was increased, the expression of METTL3 was down-regulated, the expression of SIRT1 protein and mRNA was up-regulated, and the methylation of RNA m6A was decreased in SP+ HSR group( P<0.05). Compared to SP+ HSR group, the escape latency was significantly prolonged at 2-6 days, the time spent in the target quadrant was shortened, the number of crossing the original platform was decreased, the novel object recognition index was decreased, the expression of METTL3 was up-regulated, the expression of SIRT1 protein and mRNA was down-regulated, and the methylation of RNA m6A was increased in METTL3+ SP+ HSR group( P<0.05), and no significant change was found in the aforementioned indicators in NC+ SP+ HSR group ( P>0.05). Conclusions:The mechanism by which sevoflurane post-conditioning alleviates cognitive dysfunction is associated with down-regulation of METTL3 expression, reduction of RNA m6A methylation, and up-regulation of SIRT1 expression in HSR mice.

Objective:To investigate the correlation between vitamin D deficiency and the severity of symptoms in children with vasovagal syncope (VVS).Methods:A prospective study was conducted. One hundred and twenty-two children diagnosed with VVS by head up tilt test in Department of Pediatric Cardiology and 130 healthy children without symptoms who underwent physical examination in the outpatient department of Child Healthcare Department of Second Hospital of Lanzhou University from December 2019 to May 2021 were selected and assigned to VVS group and control group, respectively. According to the diagnostic criteria of vitamin D deficiency, children in the VVS group were assigned to three subgroups: non-vitamin D deficiency, vitamin D deficiency, and severe vitamin D deficiency. All children underwent detailed history taking, physical examination, and level determination of serum 25 (OH) D. Children in the VVS group were scored for orthostatic intolerance (OI) symptoms including 10 symptoms: syncope, dizziness, nausea, palpitation, headache, tremor, chest tightness, blurred vision, profuse perspiration, and attention deficit. The differences in the age, gender, body mass index, blood pressure, and serum 25 (OH) D levels between VVS group and control group, and the differences regarding the age, gender, body mass index, blood pressure, serum 25 (OH) D levels and symptom scores among the three VVS subgroups were compared. Comparisons were performed using independent sample t test, ANOVA analysis, Chi square test and rank sum test. Pearson correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between serum 25 (OH) D levels and OI symptom scores in children with VVS. Results:The serum 25 (OH) D levels were significantly lower in the VVS group than those in the control group ((31±11) vs. (46±10) nmol/L, t=10.89, P<0.001). Vitamin D deficiency was more frequent in the VVS group (73.0% (89/122) vs. 24.6% (32/130), χ2=58.91, P<0.001). There were significant differences among the severe vitamin D deficiency subgroup, vitamin D deficiency subgroup, and non-vitamin D deficiency subgroup regarding the serum 25 (OH) D levels ((9.8±0.4) vs. (26.6±6.5) vs. (45.8±5.9) nmol/L, F=142.77, P<0.001) and the OI symptom scores ((14±1) vs. (10±2) vs. (7±2) scores, F=44.97, P<0.001). The scores of syncope, nausea, profuse perspiration, blurred vision and dizziness among the severe vitamin D deficiency subgroup, vitamin D deficiency subgroup, and non-vitamin D deficiency subgroup were statistically significant ( H=9.01, 7.52, 12.11, 7.07 and 9.54, respectively, all P<0.05). Pearson correlation analysis showed that the serum 25 (OH) D levels were negatively correlated with OI symptom scores in children with VVS ( r=-0.769, P<0.001). Conclusions:VVS children have significant vitamin D deficiency. The severity of symptoms increases with decreasing of vitamin D level. Syncope, nausea, and profuse perspiration are more likely to occur in children with severe vitamin D deficiency, and dizziness and blurred vision are more likely to occur in children with vitamin D deficiency.

Objective To evaluate the effect and mechanism of tribulus terrestris in kidney calcium oxalate stone in rats.Methods Sisty healthy male Wistar rats were divided into control group,model group,low-dose prevention group,high-dose prevention group,low-dose treatment group,high-dose treatment group by random number table method,each group of 10 rats.The control group was had free access to water,the model group was given 1％ ethylene glycol had free access to water,and the low-dose prevention group was given 1％ ethylene glycol had free access to water while was added in Tribulus terrestris extract 250 mg/(kg · d) treated by gavage,the high-dose prevention group was given 1％ ethylene glycol had free access to water while was added in Tribulus terrestris extract 500 mg/(kg · d) treated by gavage.The low-dose treatment group received 1％ ethylene glycol had free access to water while was added in tribulus terrestris extract 250 mg/(kg · d) treated by gavage on the 15th day.The high-dose treatment group received 1％ ethylene glycol had free access to water while was added in tribulus terrestris extract 500 mg/(kg · d) treated by gavage on the 15th day.At the end of the experiment on the 28th day,the body weight,blood urea nitrogen,creatinine,P,Ca2+,Mg2+ content,24 h urine volume,24 h urine Ca2+,Mg2 +,P,oxalic acid secretion,renal tissue homogenate detection of superoxide dismutase (SOD),glutathione peroxidase (GPX),malondialdehyde content of each group were detected.The crystal deposition and pathological changes of calcium oxalate were observed under the microscope.Measurement data were expressed as mean ± standard deviation (Mean ± SD),multiple comparisons between groups were performed using LSD-t test,and comparison between groups was performed by one-way anova analysis of variance.Results Compared with the control group,the rats in the model group had blood urea nitrogen (28.93 ±3.37) mmol/L,creatinine (162.31 ± 34.08) μmol/L,24 h uric acid (132.67 ± 27.96) μmol,Ca2+ (18.24 ± 1.94) μmol/24 h,the content of malondialdehyde (191.04 ± 20.56) nmol/mgprot in kidney homogenate was significantly increased,blood Ca2+ (2.01 ±0.28) mmol/L,renal GPX (479.82 ± 136.97) μmol/gprot,SOD(1.54 ±0.21) U/mgprot decreased significantly,these differences were statistically significant (P ＜ 0.05).Renal histopathology showed low-dose and high-dose prevention and treatment groups kidney calcium oxalate crystals and kidney damage were less than the model group.Conclusion The extract of Tribulus terrestris has a beneficial effect against calcium oxalate urinary stone formation induced by ethylene glycol.

Objective: To observe the effect of different expression levels of USP28 on the radiosensitivity of ECA109 cells by gene transfection method, aiming to provide theoretical basis for comprehensive treatment of esophageal cancer. Methods: The expression levels of USP28 and c-Myc in the esophageal epithelial cells Het-1A, ECA109 and ECA109R were quantitatively measured by qRT-PCR. The specific siRNA sequences were designed according to the USP28 and c-Myc genes. The pcDNA-USP28 and pcDNA-c-Myc plasmids were constructed. The esophageal cancer cell ECA109 was transfected with Lipofectamine 2000 to observe the transfection effect and related protein expression. ECA109 and ECA109R cells were exposed to 6 Gy X-ray radiation. The cell apoptosis in each group was detected by flow cytometry. The radiosensitivity was evaluated by clone formation assay. Results: The expression levels of USP28 and c-Myc in ECA109 were significantly higher than those in Het-1A (both P<0.05), and the expression levels of USP28 and c-Myc in ECA109R were remarkably higher than those in ECA109(both P<0.05). The pcDNA-USP28 and pcDNA-c-Myc recombinant plasmids were successfully constructed. Compared with the negative control group, the expression of USP28 at the protein and mRNA levels in the si-USP28 group was significantly down-regulated, whereas those in the pcDNA-USP28 group were remarkably up-regulated. Similar results were obtained in terms of c-Myc. Compared with the control group, the expression level of c-Myc protein was significantly up-regulated in the pcDNA-USP28 group, whereas considerably down-regulated in the si-USP28 group. After 6 Gy irradiation, the apoptosis rate and radiosensitivity of ECA109 cells were significantly declined. The apoptosis rate and radiosensitivity of ECA109R cells were increased in the si-USP28 group. Conclusions The expression of USP28 protein is closely correlated with the radiosensitivity of esophageal cancer cells. The underlying mechanism may be related to the regulation of c-Myc expression by USP28.

Objective:To determine the correlations of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with atrial fibrillation (AF) in the Chinese Han population from the central plains.Methods:A total of 168 hospitalized patients,including 56 AF and 112 controls,were recruited in this case-control study.The clinical data were obtained from the medical records.All 5 SNPs,rs337711 in KCNN2,rs11264280 near KCNN3,rs17042171 near PITX2,rs6771157 and rs6795970 in SCN10A,were genotyped using amplification refractory mutation system-polymerase chain reaction or direct sequencing.The x2 test was used to compare categorical variables and preliminarily examine correlations between the genotype frequencies and AF.Subsequently,a logistic regression model was constructed to determine the associations between the SNPs and AF based on the above screened results.Odds ratios (ORs) and 95％ confidence interval (CI) were calculated to assess the strength of the correlations.Moreover,we downloaded the genotype data from the HapMap Project for linkage disequilibrium analysis ofrs17042171.Results:AF patients were likely to be of older age and longer left atrial diameter and had more coronary artery disease and higher hypertension compared with the control group (P＜0.05).Among the 5 SNPs,the frequency distribution of genotype AA for rs17042171 was significantly different between the AF and control groups (P＜0.05).After adjusting for several covariates,there was still a high risk ratio in patients with the AA genotype compared with the AC+CC genotype (OR:5.591,95％CI 2.176 to 14.365,P-B＜0.008).Similarly,stratification analysis on the AA genotype demonstrated significant differences between rs17042171 and persistent AF.However,there were not significant correlations between AF and the control groups for the other 4 SNPs (P＜0.05).Conclusion:Rs17042171,near PITX2 on chromosome 4q25,is associated with AF susceptibility in the Chinese Han population from the central plains,suggesting that this SNP can provide a new strategy for clinical diagnosis in AF patients.

Objective To explore the clinical characteristics,diagnosis and treatment of polycythemia vera(PV) transforming to acute myeloid leukemia(AML).Methods The clinical features and process of diagnosis and treatment in 4 cases of PV transforming to AML were analyzed.Results The case 1 had 10 years history of PV,after experiencing PV,had myelofibrosis and transformed to AML at the end stage of natural disease course;the case 2 had 7 years history of PV,orally took hydroxyurea(HU) treatment in recent 2 years and transformed to AML at present,his chromosome karyotype analysis showed 46,XY,del(7)(q31q36),del (18) (q22)[10],which was considered as treatment-related AML;the case 3 and 4 orally took H U for a long time after diagnosing HU,and respectively turned into AML during the pathologic polyemia stage after 6 and 7 years.Conclusion PV can be transformed to AML,the safety of HU in treatment should by paid attention to.

Objectives: To evaluate the tumor-infiltrating PD-1 positive lymphocytes and regulatory T cells (Treg) as prognosis predic-tors of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC), and investigate the expression of PD-1 and Treg cells in mRCC and elucidate their corre-lation with clinicopathological parameters and prognosis. Methods: A total of 269 mRCC patients from June 2007 to June 2017 in Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, were included in the study. The expression of PD-1 and Tregs in mRCC samples were detected by immunohistochemistry. The relationship between the expression of PD-1 and Tregs was analyzed. Results: PD-1 positive expression in mRCC was 31.60% (85/269) and it was positively correlated with the tumor Fuhrman grade and negatively correlated with progno-sis. Tumor infiltration of Tregs in mRCC was 36.80% (99/269), and it was also positively correlated with the tumor Fuhrman grade and negatively correlated with prognosis. Univariate analysis showed that PD-1 positive lymphocytes and high Treg infiltration numbers were negatively correlated with overall survival (OS) and progression free survival (PFS) rates. Thus, PD-1 positive lymphocytes and high Treg infiltration numbers are independent prognostic indicators of OS and PFS and when combined, they can render a better pre-diction for prognosis. Conclusions: Intra-tumoral infiltration of PD-1 positive lymphocytes and Tregs can be used as significant prognos-tic indicators of mRCC, and the combined predictive effect is better than the individual predictive effect. Therefore, evaluating the number of PD-1 positive lymphocytes or infiltrating Tregs in mRCC is helpful in clinically estimating mRCC prognosis in patients.