Objective To investigate the awareness of radon exposure hazards among non-uranium miners in Chongqing, China. Methods A survey was conducted among 177 male miners from eight non-uranium metal mines in Chongqing to collect data on basic information, personal habits, and the rate of radon awareness. Factors affecting radon awareness were analyzed using chi-square test and logistic regression model. Results The awareness rate of radon among miners was 23.73%. The chi-square test indicated significant difference in the radon awareness rate among miners with different levels of education (χ² = 10.28, P < 0.05), while there was no significant difference across different ages, years of work, labor relations, job categories, and types of miners (P > 0.05). Binary logistic regression analysis showed that a college (junior college) or higher level of education, a high school level of education, and working in mines were factors affecting the radon awareness among miners (χ² = 4.030, 9.150, 11.776, P < 0.05). Conclusion Miners lack awareness of radon, and there is an urgent need to strengthen education and propaganda regarding the hazards of radon.

Objective:To study the effects of poly adenosine diphosphate ribose polymerase (PARP) inhibitors niraparib and pamiparib on the radiosensitivity of breast cancer cell lines MCF-7 and MDA-MB-436, and to explore its mechanism.Methods:MCF-7 and MDA-MB-436 cells were divided into control group, niraparib group, pamiparib group, radiation group, combination group treated with niraparib and radiation, and combination group treated with pamiparib and radiation, respectively. The effects of drugs on cell proliferation and radiosensitivity were measured by CCK-8 assay and colony formation assay, respectively. The effect of drugs combined with radiation on cell cycle and apoptosis were detected by flow cytometry. Immunofluorescence method was used to detect the changes of γ-H2AX focal number of cells. The expressions of FANCG, Bax and Bcl-2 mRNA and protein were detected by qPCR and Western blot, respectively.Results:Both niraparib and pamiparib inhibited the proliferation of breast cancer cells MCF-7 and MDA-MB-436 in a time-dose dependent manner. With the increase of irradiation dose, D0, Dq, SF2 value of MCF-7 and MDA-MB-436 cells decreased, and SER D0 and SER Dq value increased. Compared with control group, the percentages of cells in G 2/M phase were increased ( tMCF-7=41.66, 44.08, P<0.05; t436=24.69, 18.91, P<0.05), the percentage of cells in G 0/G 1 phase were decreased ( tMCF-7=8.67, 29.61, P<0.05; t436=26.39, 29.12, P<0.05), and the cell apoptosis rate was significantly increased ( tMCF-7=11.17, 11.71, P<0.05; t436=42.68, 15.89, P<0.05) in the combination group. Compared with control group, the number of γ-H2AX foci of MCF-7 cells in the radiation group and combination group treated with niraparib and radiation increased significantly at 2 h after irradiation ( t=8.89, 21.72, P<0.05). At 24 h after irradiation, the number of γ-H2AX foci basically returned to normal level in the radiation group but remained at a higher level in the combination group ( t=8.82, P<0.05). Compared with control group, the expressions of FANCG and Bcl-2 mRNA decreased ( tFANCG=14.07, P<0.05; tBcl-2=29.21, P<0.05), the expression of Bax mRNA increased ( t=8.90, P<0.05), and the expression of FANCG and Bcl-2 proteins decreased ( tFANCG=7.09, P<0.05; tBcl-2=10.24, P<0.05), while the expression of Bax protein increased ( t=2.90, P<0.05) in the combination group. Conclusions:PARP inhibitors niraparib and pamiparib can increase the radiosensitivity of breast cancer MCF-7 and MDA-MB-436 cells probably through down-regulating the expression of FANCG in FA-BRCA pathway, up-regulating apoptosis-related genes and inhibiting DNA damage repair.

Aberrant activation of oncogenic signaling pathways in tumors can promote resistance to the antitumor immune response. However, single blockade of these pathways is usually ineffective because of the complex crosstalk and feedback among oncogenic signaling pathways. The enhanced toxicity of free small molecule inhibitor combinations is considered an insurmountable barrier to their clinical applications. To circumvent this issue, we rationally designed an effective tumor microenvironment-activatable prodrug nanomicelle (PNM) for cancer therapy. PNM was engineered by integrating the PI3K/mTOR inhibitor PF-04691502 (PF) and the broad spectrum CDK inhibitor flavopiridol (Flav) into a single nanoplatform, which showed tumor-specific accumulation, activation and deep penetration in response to the high glutathione (GSH) tumoral microenvironment. The codelivery of PF and Flav could trigger gasdermin E (GSDME)-based immunogenic pyroptosis of tumor cells to elicit a robust antitumor immune response. Furthermore, the combination of PNM-induced immunogenic pyroptosis with anti-programmed cell death-1 (αPD-1) immunotherapy further boosted the antitumor effect and prolonged the survival time of mice. Collectively, these results indicated that the pyroptosis-induced nanoplatform codelivery of PI3K/mTOR and CDK inhibitors can reprogram the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment and efficiently improve checkpoint blockade cancer immunotherapy.

Objective: To study the active ingredients in the root bark of Aralia echinocaulis. Methods: Three triterpenoid saponins were separated from the 70% ethanol extracts and purified by column chromatography and their structures were determined by spectroscopic analysis. Compound 1 and 3 were evaluated for antioxidant activity by the in vitro DPPH free radical scavenging ability and the protective effect of OH

Objective:Constructing a physical fitness test index system for pregnant women to fully understand their physical fitness level and provide a reference for exercise prescription for this population.Methods:The system was established by way of literature review and Delphi survey, which was further validated on 60 pregnant women undergoing prenatal examination at Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Beijing Haidian District from November 7, 2019, to January 7, 2020. A questionnaire was used to evaluate the satisfaction of pregnant women with the process and results of the physical fitness test. The test and survey data adopted the descriptive analysis. Paired sample t test was used for statistical analysis. Results:The index system of maternal physical fitness test during pregnancy was established through three rounds of expert discussion, and consists of three first-level indexes, 11 second-level indexes, and 23 third-level indexes. All 60 subjects completed the test successfully and no complaints or discomfort were reported. There was no significant difference in the fetal heart rate before and after the test [(142.1±3.8) vs (142.1±4.5) bpm; t=－0.025, P=0.980]. The average test duration was (32.6±3.4) min, and the average load consumption was (300.1±41.2) kcal (1 kcal=4.184 kJ). The questionnaire showed that all subjects were satisfied with the test process and results. Conclusions:The index system of physical fitness test for pregnant women established in this study is scientific, practical, and safe, which is a potential evaluation tool of the physical fitness level for pregnant women.

Objective:To observe the effect and underlying mechanism of down-regulation of VEGFA on the radiosensitivity of esophageal cancer ECA-109 cells.Methods:Esophageal cancer cells were divided into four groups: sh-VEGFA group, vector control group, X-ray plussh-VEGFA group and X-ray plus vector group. The expressions of VEGFA gene and protein were detected by qPCR and Western blot, respectively. Cell proliferation and survival was measured by CCK8 assay and cloning formation, respectively. Cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry, and γ-H2AX foci were detected by immune-fluorescence assay.Results:Compared with the vector group, the expression of VEGFA gene was decreased in sh-VEGFA group ( t=11.98, P<0.05), and the expression of VEGFA protein was also reduced( t=12.38, P<0.05). After VEGFA being down-regulated, the cell proliferation( A450)was obviously inhibited( t=2.78, 7.25, 21.93, 13.21, P<0.05), and the cell clone formation of the sh-VEGFA group was significantly decreased so that D0, Dqand SF2 of sh-VEGFA group were decreased( t=5.83, 8.56, 7.68, P<0.05), and SERD0and SERDqwere increased. Compared with the vector group, the apoptosis rate in the sh-VEGFA group and the X-ray group was significantly increased and further increased in the sh-VEGFA plus X-ray group( t=17.63, 22.48, 33.87, P<0.05), and the number of γ-H2AX foci in both sh-VEGFA and vector groups were significantly increased within 2 h after X-ray irradiation. At 24 h after irradiation, the number of γ-H2AX foci returned to normal level in the vector group but remained at a higher level in the sh-VEGFA group ( t=7.00, P<0.05). Conclusions:Down-regulation of VEGFA inhibits the proliferation and colony formation, promotes apoptosis and hence increases the radiosensitivity of esophageal carcinoma cells via a pathway related to DNA damage repair.

Purpose: Titanium implants are widely used in the treatment of dentition defects; however, due to problems such as osseointegration failure, peri-implant bone resorption, and periimplant inflammation, their application is subject to certain restrictions. The surface modification of titanium implants can improve the implant success rate and meet the needs of clinical applications. The goal of this study was to evaluate the effect of the use of porous titanium with a chitosan/hydroxyapatite coating on osseointegration. Methods: Titanium implants with a dense core and a porous outer structure were prepared using a computer-aided design model and selective laser sintering technology, with a fabricated chitosan/hydroxyapatite composite coating on their surfaces. in vivo and in vitro experiments were used to assess osteogenesis. Results: The quasi-elastic gradient and compressive strength of porous titanium implants were observed to decrease as the porosity increased. The in vitro experiments demonstrated that, the porous titanium implants had no biological toxicity; additionally, the porous structure was shown to be superior to dense titanium with regard to facilitating the adhesion and proliferation of osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells. The in vivo experimental results also showed that the porous structure was beneficial, as bone tissue could grow into the pores, thereby exhibiting good osseointegration. Conclusions Porous titanium with a chitosan/hydroxyapatite coating promoted MC3T3-E1 cell proliferation and differentiation, and also improved osseointegration in vitro. This study has meaningful implications for research into ways of improving the surface structures of implants and promoting implant osseointegration.

Objective: To investigate the in vitro and in vivo effects of apatinib in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and the underlying mechanisms. Methods: The esophageal cancer cells, KYSE-150 and ECA-109, were divided into control group and apatinib treatment group at the concentrations of 2.5, 5, 10, 20 and 40 μmol/L respectively. All of experiments were performed in triplicate. MTT and colony formation assays were used to measure cell proliferation. Transwell assay was used to determine the migration capacity. The effect of apatinib on cell cycle and apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry. The expression of VEGF and VEGFR-2 was measured by real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR). The concentration of VEGF in the cell supernatant was assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The expression levels of MEK, ERK, p-MEK, p-ERK, JAK2, STAT3 and p-STAT3 after VEGF stimulation were detected by Western blot. Furthermore, the nude mice xenograft model was established. The tumor-bearing mice were randomly divided into control group, apatinib low dose treatment group (250 mg) and apatinib high dose treatment group (500 mg), respectively. Tumor inhibition rates of different groups were calculated. And then the expressions of VEGF and VEGFR2 were detected in xenograft tissues by immunohistochemical staining. Results: In the presence of 20 μmol/L and 40 μmol/L of apatinib for 24 hours, the migration cell numbers of KYSE-150 and ECA-109 were 428.67±4.16 and 286.67±1.53 as well as 1 123.67±70.00 and 477.33±26.84, respectively, that were significantly lower than control group (P<0.05 for all). In addition, after treatment with 10 μmol/L, 20 μmol/L and 40 μmol/L of apatinib for 7 days on KYSE-150 and ECA-109, the colony formation rates were (65.12±25.48)%, (58.19±24.73)% and (29.10±22.40)% as well as (70.61±15.14)%, (61.12±17.21)% and (43.09±11.13)%, respectively. The colony formation rates of 20 μmol/L and 40 μmol/L of apatinib treatment groups were significantly lower than control group (100.00±0.00, P<0.05). The cell cycle ratio of G₂/M phase and apoptosis rate of control group and 20 μmol/L apatinib group in KYSE-150 cells were (12.14±2.13)% and (3.49±0.74)% as well as (26.27±3.30)% and (15.65±1.54)%, respectively. The corresponding ratios in ECA-109 cells were (3.44±0.57)% and (6.31±1.43)% as well as (22.64±2.36)% and (49.26±1.62)%, respectively. The results show that apatinib suppressed cell cycle progression at G₂/M phase and induced cell apoptosis in both KYSE-150 and ECA-109 cells (P<0.05 for all). In the presence of 20 μmol/L and 40 μmol/L of apatinib in KYSE-150 cells, the relative levels of VEGF mRNA were (42.57±10.43)% and (25.69±1.24)%, and those of VEGF-2 mRNA were (36.09±10.82)% and (13.99±6.54)%, which were all significantly decreased compared to control group (100.00±0.00, P<0.05 for all). For ECA-109 cells, the relative expression of VEGF and VEGFR2 showed similar tendency (P<0.05 for all). Moreover, after treatment with 20 μmol/L and 40 μmol/L of apatinib in KYSE-150 cells, the VEGF concentrations were (766.48±114.27) pg/ml and (497.40±102.18)pg/ml, which were significantly decreased compared to control group [(967.41±57.75) pg/ml, P<0.05)]. The results in ECA-109 were consistent (P<0.05). Furthermore, after treatment with 40 μmol/L of apatinib in KYSE-150 and ECA-109, the relative expression of p-MEK and p-ERK were 0.49±0.05 and 0.28±0.03 as well as 0.63±0.03 and 1.22±0.15, which were significantly lower than control group (1.23±0.19 and 0.66±0.07 as well as 1.03±0.20 and 1.76±0.20; P<0.05). The relative expression of STAT3, p-STAT3 in control group and experimental group were 0.96±0.15 and 0.85±0.16 as well as 0.62±0.09 and 0.36±0.13, respectively. The results showed that the protein levels of STAT3 and p-STAT3 were significantly lower than the control group (P<0.05 for all). The inhibition rates of apatinib in xenograft nude mice were 29.25% and 19.96% for 250 mg and 500 mg treatment groups. The concentration of VEGF were (25.11±4.12) pg/ml, (16.40±2.81) pg/ml and (15.04±4.88)pg/ml for control, 250 mg and 500 mg treatment groups, respectively. Conclusions Apatinib can inhibit cell proliferation, induce apoptosis and suppress migration of esophageal cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. This effect was mainly mediated via the alterations of Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK pathway and JAK2/STAT3 pathway.

Objective: To investigate the differences in the intake of macronutrients between boarders and resident students in China, and to provide a scientific reference for relevant policies and preventive measures. Methods: The difference of macronutrients level between boarders and resident students were analyzed with the multilevel model (MLM) by using the data from Chinese Health and Nutrition Survey and the indicators of Chinese Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) 2013. Results: The daily intake of energy, carbohydrate, fat and protein were (1 597.59±557.15)kcal, (216.2±84.66)g, (57.88±31.96)g, (52.69±21.2)g respectively, with a rate of meeting DRIs of 17.32%, 84.17%, 50.30% for energy, carbohydrate and protein. There were significant differences in amount of energy, carbohydrate between boarders and resident students, but no significant difference in rate of meeting DRIs (15.09%, 87.28%, 17.54%, 83.86%, P>0.05 ). No difference in the amount of fat and protein intake between boarders and resident students, but the protein rate of meeting DRIs among resident students was significantly lower than that in boarders(34.91% vs 51.82%, χ2=4.45, P<0.01). Conclusion The results revealed an imbalanced intake of macronutrients among primary and secondary school students, which highlight the insufficiency in energy intake and the worse meeting rate of DRIs for protein among resident-student. The nutritional education targeting at boarder-students should be strengthened.

Objective To investigate the in vitro and in vivo effects of apatinib in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and the underlying mechanisms. Methods The esophageal cancer cells, KYSE?150 and ECA?109, were divided into control group and apatinib treatment group at the concentrations of 2.5, 5, 10, 20 and 40 μmol／L respectively. All of experiments were performed in triplicate. MTT and colony formation assays were used to measure cell proliferation. Transwell assay was used to determine the migration capacity. The effect of apatinib on cell cycle and apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry. The expression of VEGF and VEGFR?2 was measured by real?time quantitative PCR (qRT?PCR). The concentration of VEGF in the cell supernatant was assessed by enzyme?linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The expression levels of MEK, ERK, p?MEK, p?ERK, JAK2, STAT3 and p?STAT3 after VEGF stimulation were detected by Western blot. Furthermore, the nude mice xenograft model was established. The tumor?bearing mice were randomly divided into control group, apatinib low dose treatment group (250 mg) and apatinib high dose treatment group (500 mg), respectively.Tumor inhibition rates of different groups were calculated.And then the expressions of VEGF and VEGFR2 were detected in xenograft tissues by immunohistochemical staining. Results In the presence of 20 μmol／L and 40 μmol／L of apatinib for 24 hours, the migration cell numbers of KYSE?150 and ECA?109 were 428.67±4.16 and 286.67±1.53 as well as 1 123.67±70.00 and 477.33± 26.84, respectively, that were significantly lower than control group ( P＜0.05 for all). In addition, after treatment with 10 μmol／L, 20 μmol／L and 40 μmol／L of apatinib for 7 days on KYSE?150 and ECA?109, the colony formation rates were ( 65.12± 25.48)%, ( 58.19± 24.73)% and (29.10± 22.40)% as well as (70.61±15.14)%, (61.12±17.21)% and (43.09±11.13)%, respectively. The colony formation rates of 20 μmol／L and 40 μmol／L of apatinib treatment groups were significantly lower than control group (100.00±0.00, P＜0.05). The cell cycle ratio of G2／M phase and apoptosis rate of control group and 20 μmol／L apatinib group in KYSE?150 cells were (12.14±2.13)% and (3.49±0.74)% as well as (26.27±3.30)% and (15.65± 1.54)%, respectively. The corresponding ratios in ECA?109 cells were (3.44±0.57)% and (6.31±1.43)%as well as (22.64±2.36)% and (49.26± 1.62)%, respectively. The results show that apatinib suppressed cell cycle progression at G2／M phase and induced cell apoptosis in both KYSE?150 and ECA?109 cells (P＜0.05 for all). In the presence of 20 μmol／L and 40 μmol／L of apatinib in KYSE?150 cells, the relative levels of VEGF mRNA were (42.57± 10.43)% and ( 25.69± 1.24)%, and those of VEGF?2 mRNA were (36.09±10.82)% and (13.99±6.54)%, which were all significantly decreased compared to control group (100.00±0.00, P＜0.05 for all). For ECA?109 cells, the relative expression of VEGF and VEGFR2 showed similar tendency (P＜0.05 for all). Moreover, after treatment with 20 μmol／L and 40 μmol／L of apatinib in KYSE?150 cells, the VEGF concentrations were ( 766.48± 114.27) pg／ml and ( 497.40± 102.18) pg／ml, which were significantly decreased compared to control group [(967.41± 57.75) pg／ml, P＜0.05)]. The results in ECA?109 were consistent (P＜0.05). Furthermore, after treatment with 40 μmol／L of apatinib in KYSE?150 and ECA?109, the relative expression of p?MEK and p?ERK were 0.49±0.05 and 0.28±0.03 as well as 0.63±0.03 and 1.22±0.15, which were significantly lower than control group (1.23±0.19 and 0.66± 0.07 as well as 1.03±0.20 and 1.76±0.20; P＜0.05). The relative expression of STAT3, p?STAT3 in control group and experimental group were 0.96 ± 0.15 and 0.85 ± 0.16 as well as 0.62 ± 0.09 and 0.36 ± 0.13, respectively. The results showed that the protein levels of STAT3 and p?STAT3 were significantly lower than the control group (P＜0.05 for all). The inhibition rates of apatinib in xenograft nude mice were 29.25% and 19.96% for 250 mg and 500 mg treatment groups. The concentration of VEGF were (25.11±4.12) pg／ml, (16.40 ± 2.81) pg／ml and ( 15.04 ± 4.88) pg／ml for control, 250 mg and 500 mg treatment groups, respectively. Conclusions Apatinib can inhibit cell proliferation, induce apoptosis and suppress migration of esophageal cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. This effect was mainly mediated via the alterations of Ras／Raf／MEK／ERK pathway and JAK2／STAT3 pathway.