[LncRNA SNHG11 promotes malignant progression of colorectal cancer cells through the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway].

Objective: To investigate the effects of lncRNA SNHG11 on proliferation, migration, invasion and apoptosis of colorectal cancer cancer cells and possible mechanisms. Methods: qRT-PCR was performed to detect the expression level of lncRNA SNHG11 in colorectal cancer tissues and its related cell lines. The correlation between SNHG11 expression and clinical prognosis of patients was assessed by bioinformatics techniques. Cultured CRC cell lines were transfected with shCtrl (shCtrl group), shSNHG11#1 (shSNHG11#1 group), shSNHG11#2 (shSNHG11#2 group), Control cDNA (Control cDNA group), and SNHG11 cDNA (SNHG11 cDNA), respectively. Thiazolyl blue (MTT), clone formation assay, Transwell assay, cell scratch assay, and flow cytometry were used to detect the proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis of CRC cells in each group. Western protein blotting was used to detect the expression of relevant proteins in each group, and the effect of lncRNA SNHG11 knockdown on the growth of tumour cells in vivo was analysed by nude mice tumouring assay. Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signalling pathway inhibitor LY294002 was used for rescue experiments. Results: The expression of lncRNA SNHG11 was significantly higher in colorectal cancer cells and tissues than in normal tissues (P<0.05). Survival analysis showed that the expression level of SNHG11 was not statistically associated with CRC survival (P>0.05). shSNHG11#2 group compared with shCtrl group. MTT OD490/570 values decreased, the number of CRC cell clones decreased, the number of Transwell cells decreased, the area of cell scratch decreased, and the apoptosis rate increased (P<0.05). The mesenchymal markers matrix metalloproteinase (MMP9), N-cadherin and vimentin were significantly reduced, and the expression of the epithelial marker E-cadherin was upregulated. The expression of anti-apoptotic proteins Bcl-2 and Bcl-xl was decreased, and the expression of pro-apoptotic protein Bax was increased (P<0.05).In vivo experiments showed that lncRNA SNHG11 knockdown inhibited the growth of colorectal cancer cells, and the expression of Ki67 was reduced in tumours (P<0.05). LncRNA SNHG11 knockdown inhibited the expression of p-PI3K, p-Akt and p-mTOR.The PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway inhibitor LY294002 was able to restore the malignant cytological progression of colorectal cancer cells induced by the overexpression of lncRNA SNHG11. Conclusions: LncRNA SNHG11 is highly expressed in colorectal cancer. lncRNA SNHG11 can promote the malignant progression of colorectal cancer cells by regulating the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway, and this finding provides a new theoretical basis for targeted therapy of colorectal cancer.

[Role of brain and muscle ARNT-like protein 1 in the rat periodontitis-induced liver injury model].

Objective: Brain and muscle ARNT-like protein 1 (BMAL1) is a core component of hepatocyte molecular clock and plays an important role in the regulation of other related rhythmic genes in the body through a transcriptional-translational feedback loop in molecular circadian oscillations. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the role of BMAL1 in the rat periodontitis-induced liver injury. Methods: Twelve male Wistar rats were divided into the control group and the periodontitis group according to the random number table method. The rats in the control group were untreated. The periodontitis models were established by ligating the necks of the bilateral maxillary first molars in the periodontitis group rats. After 8 weeks, periodontal clinical indexes of rats in both groups were examined and executed. Micro-CT scans of the maxilla were performed and levels of the alveolar bone resorption were analyzed. Pathological changes in periodontal and liver tissue of rats in two groups were detected by HE and oil red O staining. Biochemical kits were used to detect glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (GPT), total cholesterol (TC) and triglycerides (TG) in serum. The gene and protein expression levels of BMAL1, nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in liver tissue were measured by real time fluorescent quantitative-PCR (qRT-PCR), immunohistochemistry (IHC) and Western blotting (WB) assays. Apoptosis was detected in liver tissues by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) kit staining. Results: The results of HE staining of maxillary first molars and micro-CT results of maxillary bones showed that alveolar bone resorption was significant in the periodontitis group of rats. The liver histopathology results showed infiltrated inflammatory cells in the liver tissue, disorganized liver cords and a large number of lipid droplets formed in the hepatocytes of the periodontitis group compared with the control group. The results of serum biochemical assay showed that the levels of GOT [(62.77±2.59) U/L], GPT [(47.54±1.04) U/L], TC [(3.19±0.23) mmol/L] and TG [(1.11±0.09) mmol/L] in the serum of rats with periodontitis were significantly higher than that in the control group respectively [GOT: (38.66±2.47) U/L, GPT: (31.48±1.57) U/L, TC: (1.60±0.05) mmol/L and TG: (0.61±0.09) mmol/L](P=0.003, P=0.001, P=0.002, P=0.038). qRT-PCR results showed that the mRNA expression level of BMAL1 was significantly decreased in liver tissue of the periodontitis group [(0.60±0.04)%] compared to the control group [(1.01±0.07)%] (t=4.80, P=0.009), while the mRNA expression levels of NF-κB and TNF-α [(1.62±0.12)%, (2.69±0.16)%] were significantly increased compared to the control group [(1.00±0.03)%, (1.03±0.16)%] (P=0.008, P=0.002); IHC results showed that the protein expression level of BMAL1 in liver tissue of the periodontitis group (averaged optical density, AOD) (11.58±2.15) was down-regulated compared to the control group (AOD) (22.66±1.67) (P=0.015), while NF-κB and TNF-α (AOD) (31.77±2.69, 24.31±2.32) were up-regulated compared to the control group (AOD) (19.40±1.82, 11.92±0.94) (P=0.019, P=0.008). WB results showed that the protein expression level of BMAL1 in liver tissue was down-regulated in the periodontitis group [(0.63±0.10)%] compared to the control group [(1.00±0.06)%] (t=3.19, P=0.033), while NF-κB and TNF-α [(1.61±0.12)%, (2.82±0.23)%] were up-regulated compared to the control group [(1.00±0.12)%, (1.00±0.11)%] (P=0.022, P=0.002). TUNEL staining showed increased apoptotic cells in the liver tissue of the periodontitis group of rats compared to the control group. Conclusions: Periodontitis may induce liver injury by down-regulating the BMAL1 expression levels in liver tissue, which in turn activates NF-κB signaling molecules, leading to the elevated levels of inflammation and apoptosis in rat liver.

Prognostic significance of lymph node ratio in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the floor of the mouth.

The lymph node ratio (LNR) has been proposed as an independent prognostic factor for survival in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). However, little attention has been paid to its role in the specific subsite of the floor of the mouth (FOM). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prognostic significance of the LNR in patients with FOM SCC. A retrospective analysis of 92 patients with FOM SCC who were treated with primary curative resection and neck dissection was conducted. Overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were used to evaluate the prognostic significance of the LNR. Both of these parameters were significantly worse (P < 0.001) in patients with neck metastases. The mean LNR was 0.145 in patients with positive lymph nodes. A LNR <0.145 was predictive of longer DFS, while the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis demonstrated that a LNR ≥0.175 indicated a significantly lower OS. This study confirms that metastatic cervical lymph nodes correlate with an adverse prognosis in patients with FOM SCC, and specifically, a LNR ≥0.145 is predictive. Therefore, the LNR in patients with FOM SCC may be a predictor of survival in these patients.

Prevalence of malnutrition and its associated outcomes in pediatric patients with scoliosis undergoing elective posterior spinal fusion or spine growth modulation - a retrospective review.

Recent attention within pediatric orthopedics focuses on the prevalence and prevention of post-operative complications, including surgical site infections (SSIs). While poor nutrition status has been noted as a risk factor, various definitions have been utilized. The aim of this retrospective chart review was to utilize the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) and the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN) diagnostic criteria to determine both the prevalence of malnutrition in pediatric patients undergoing spine deformity surgery and its influence on the prevalence of post-operative complications. A total of 2603 patients had a spine procedure between 2012 and 2018. Patients were excluded if they were less than 2 years of age or greater than 18 years of age and/or did not have their spine procedure completed at Children's Wisconsin. Patients who met inclusion criteria and had an irrigation and debridement (I&D) were selected for an I&D group. From the remaining charts, 127 patients were randomly selected for the non-I&D group. Patients in both groups were further divided into well-nourished and malnourished groups. T-tests and chi square tests were used to determine statistical significance. We found that 50% of patients who had an I&D had malnutrition during their clinical course. This is compared with 17% of patients who didn't require an I&D. Additionally, patients requiring multiple surgical interventions, had an increased prevalence of malnutrition. With the recent focus on reducing the prevalence of post-operative complications, the identification and treatment of malnutrition may be helpful in reducing post-operative complications.

[Application of endobronchial ultrasound in children: an analysis of 4 cases].

Objective: To investigate the feasibility, clinical efficacy and safety of endobronchial ultasound (EBUS) in children. Methods: The radiological features, EBUS images, pathological results and intraoperative and postoperative complications of 3 cases who underwent EBUS examination and 1 case who underwent EBUS guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) were retrospectively analyzed. Results: Among the 4 cases, 2 were males and 2 were females, with the onset age of 7.4-9.2 years. The child who underwent successful EBUS-TBNA was presented with fever and diagnosed with mediastinal lymphadenopathy before the operation, and the postoperative pathology indicated histiocytic necrotic lymphadenitis (HNL). The other 3 children diagnosed with primary airway tumors, whose pre-operative CT imaging found no infiltration in extra-bronchial structures, had the masses resected through EBUS. According to postoperative pathological findings, two were diagnosed with mucoepidermoid carcinoma and one with bronchial leiomyoma. The lesions were located at the opening of the right main bronchus in 1 case and at the main airway in 2 cases. EBUS showed abnormal echogenicity of the tracheal wall in the 3 cases, including hyperechoic area in the water capsule and mucous layer, relatively hypoechoic area in the submucosal smooth muscle layer, hyperechoic area in the inner cartilage layer, hypoechoic in the cartilage layer and hyperechoic in the outer cartilage layer. In one case, structural disorder of the submucosal smooth muscle layer and partial disruption of the cartilage layer of the tracheal wall were found at the lesion site, while the other 2 cases had intact tracheal wall structure. There were no postoperative complications such as pneumothorax or hemoptysis in the 4 children. Conclusion: EBUS is a safe and feasible technique for evaluating mediastinal lymph node enlargement and the degree of airway wall infiltration in primary airway tumor.

[Clinical features and interventional bronchoscopic treatment of primary airway tumor in 8 children].

Objective: To summarize the clinical manifestations and to evaluate the feasibility of therapeutic bronchoscopy in pediatric primary airway tumors. Methods: The clinical data of 8 children presented with airway tumors in Beijing Children's Hospital from November 2016 to March 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. Descriptive analysis was used to summarize the outcome and prognosis of these children after interventional bronchoscopy. Results: Among the 8 children, 5 were male and 3 were female, aged from 4 years and 8 months to 9 years and 2 months. The main clinical manifestations were cough and wheezing in 6 cases, hemoptysis in 3 cases and recurrent pulmonary infection in 2 cases, and none of them had lymph node metastasis and extra-pulmonary metastasis. All 8 children underwent bronchoscopic resection of the tumors, and the 4 children with blood-rich tumors had bronchial artery embolization at the blood supply site before the resection. No major bleeding or pneumothorax occurred during or after the operation. Four cases had low grade malignant bronchial mucoepidermoid carcinoma, 2 had inflammatory myofibroblastoma, and the rest two had pleomorphic adenoma and bronchial smooth muscle spindle cell tumor. Postoperative follow-up lasted 2 to 4 years, and 3 had tumor recured. Among the 3 cases, 2 had inflammatory myofibroblastoma who underwent surgical resection of the lesion and combined chemotherapy, respectively; and one had mucoepidermoid carcinoma who was under follow-up after interventional cryotherapy. Conclusions: The clinical manifestations of primary airway tumors in children are atypical. The main clinical manifestations are dry cough, wheezing, recurrent pulmonary infection and hemoptysis. Interventional bronchoscopy is a feasible choice for the treatment of pediatric airway tumors.

LINC00106 prevents against metastasis of thyroid cancer by inhibiting epithelial-mesenchymal transition.

OBJECTIVE: Thyroid cancer (TC) is a common malignant tumor of the endocrine system, and its morbidity and mortality are in the high places. Recent studies have focused on exploring biological markers and targeted therapy for TC. This research aims to elucidate the role of LINC00106 in the progression of TC and the regulatory mechanisms. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Differential level of LINC00106 in a downloaded profile containing TC and normal tissues from GEPIA database was analyzed. Subsequently, its level in TC tissues and cell lines was detected by quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR). The relationship between LINC00106 level and clinical data of TC patients was assessed, including age, tumor staging, lymphatic metastasis, and overall survival. After transfection of si-LINC00106, TC cell metastasis was evaluated by wound healing and transwell assay. Relative levels of E-cadherin, N-cadherin, ß-catenin, and Vimentin regulated by LINC00106 were determined using qRT-PCR and Western blot. RESULTS: LINC00106 was downregulated in TC tissues than normal ones. Its level was correlated to tumor staging, lymphatic metastasis and overall survival in TC patients. The knockdown of LINC00106 in BCPCP and TPC-1 cells enhanced migratory and invasive abilities and triggered the process of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). CONCLUSIONS: LINC00106 is lowly expressed in TC specimens, which attenuates migratory and invasive abilities in TC by inhibiting EMT as a tumor suppressor.

[Effect of human Wharton's Jelly or adipose derived mesenchymal stem cells culture supernatant on endothelial cells angiogenesis].

Objective: To compare the curative effect of mesenchymal stem cells derived from human Wharton's Jelly(WJ-MSC) or adipose(AD-MSC) culture supernatant on endothelial cells angiogenesis. Methods: WJ-MSC and AD-MSC were isolated, identified, and the culture supernatant of stem cells was collected.The WJ-MSC or AD-MSC supernatant co-cultured with the endothelial cells. The expression levels of pro-angiogenic and anti-angiogenic genes of endothelial cells were assessed using qRT-PCR analysis, and the effects of stem cell culture supernatant on angiogenesis were evaluated by performing a tube formation assay in vitro. Results: After adding WJ-MSC and AD-MSC culture supernatant, the expression levels of pro-angiogenic genes in endothelial cells were upregulated, and the expression levels of anti-angiogenic genes were downregulated significantly in both experimental groups compared to the control group (P<0.01), and tube formation of endothelial cells was also significantly increased in both experimental groups as determined by the increase of the tube length ((43.2±9.2) mm vs (94.3±13.2)mm, (86.1±7.2)mm, P<0.01). Conclusion: The results showed that AD-MSC culture supernatant can promote endothelial cells angiogenesis and its curative effect is similar to that of WJ-MSC.

[Application of radial artery in arterialized coronary artery bypass grafting in Chinese patients].

Objective: To summarize the application of radial artery (RA) as the second arterial graft in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Methods: From January 1, 2015 to June 11, 2019, the clinical data of all patients undergoing CABG in TEDA International Cardiovascular Hospital was retrospectively reviewed. The patients who underwent RA grafting were included. The application of RA, internal mammary artery (IMA) and the saphenous vein, their target vessels, and the operative results were analyzed. Results: A total of 2 901 patients underwent CABG. Of those, 208 patients (7.2%) had RA grafting, with 197 males and 11 females. The average age was (53±8) years old and the average grafts per patient was 3.79. The target vessel for RA was first obtuse marginal (OM, 102 cases), first diagonal (50 cases), right coronary artery (RCA) or posterior descending artery (PDA) (40 cases), intermediate (22 cases), respectively. Among those, 172 were single distal anastomosis with the proximal end anastomosed to the ascending aorta (168 cases), saphenous vein (SV) graft (3 cases) and IMA (1 case). Seventy-two patients accept sequential grafting with the proximal to the ascending aorta (58 cases), SV graft (13 cases) and IMA (1 case). The left IMA was mainly anastomosed to left descending artery (LAD) (188 cases) and diagonal (10 cases). The target vessels for SV were remaining coronary arteries when the IMA and RA were used. The operative time was (5.0±1.5) h. The hospital stay was (17.4±6.4) d. There were 6 cases undergoing exploratory thoracotomy for bleeding (5 cases) or hemodynamic instability due to ventricular arrhythmia (1 case). There was no death. All patients were successfully discharged. Conclusions: Use of the RA and IMA with additional SV for CABG exhibits good results in the Chinese patients. Currently available clinical protocols are effective and safe.

let-7i inhibits proliferation and migration of bladder cancer cells by targeting HMGA1.

BACKGROUND: Let-7 is one of the earliest discovered microRNAs(miRNAs) and has been reported to be down-regulated in multiple malignant tumors. The effects and molecular mechanisms of let-7i in bladder cancer are still unclear. This study was to investigate the effects and potential mechanisms of let-7i on bladder cancer cells. METHODS: Total RNA was extracted from bladder cancer cell lines. The expression levels of let-7i and HMGA1 were examined by quantitative real-time PCR. Cell viability was detected using the CCK-8 and colony formation assays, while transwell and wound healing assays were used to evaluate migration ability. Luciferase reporter assay and western blot were used to confirm the target gene of let-7i. RESULTS: Compared with the SV-40 immortalized human uroepithelial cell line (SV-HUC-1), bladder cancer cell lines T24 and 5637 had low levels of let-7i expression, but high levels of high mobility group protein A1 (HMGA1) expression. Transfection of cell lines T24 and 5637 with let-7i mimic suppressed cell proliferation and migration. Luciferase reporter assay confirmed HMGA1 may be one of the target genes of let-7i-5p. Protein and mRNA expression of HMGA1 was significantly downregulated in let-7i mimic transfected cell lines T24 and 5637. CONCLUSIONS: Up-regulation of let-7i suppressed proliferation and migration of the human bladder cancer cell lines T24 and 5637 by targeting HMGA1. These findings suggest that let-7i might be considered as a novel therapeutic target for bladder cancer.

Antiadipogenesis and Osseointegration of Strontium-Doped Implant Surfaces.

The decreased bone density and increased marrow adiposity that occur with aging may influence the outcome of dental implants. Strontium (Sr), an anabolic agent for the treatment of osteoporosis, has an inhibitory effect on adipogenesis but favors osteogenesis of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). However, little is known about the effects and mechanisms of local Sr release on adipogenesis during bone formation in aged bone. In this study, a potential dental implant material, Sr-doped titanium, was developed via a sandblasted, large-grit, and acid-etched (SLA) method combined with a hydrothermal process. The effects of Sr-SLA on initial adhesion, proliferation, intracellular redox state, and adipogenic differentiation of senescent BMSCs were investigated. The in vitro results showed that Sr-SLA promoted spreading of senescent BMSCs via upregulation of the gene and protein expression of integrin ß1. In addition, it was revealed that Sr-SLA could reduce intracellular oxidative stress by decreasing the levels of reactive oxygen species and oxygen radicals and increasing the content of glutathione peroxidase. More important, Sr-SLA suppressed lipid droplet production and adipokines expression via downregulation of transcription peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 1, thus inhibiting adipogenesis. Finally, the Sr-SLA implants were implanted in tibiae of aged (18-mo-old) Sprague-Dawley rats for 2 and 8 wk. Histomorphometric analysis demonstrated that Sr-SLA implants significantly enhanced osseointegration, and the inhibition effect on marrow adipose tissue formation was moderate. All these results suggest that due to the multiple functions produced by Sr, antiadipogenesis capability and rapid osseointegration were enhanced by the Sr-SLA coatings, which have potential application in dental implantation in the aged population.

Prevalence of suicidal behaviour and associated factors in a large sample of Chinese adolescents.

AIMS: Suicidal behaviour is prevalent among adolescents and is a significant predictor of future suicide attempts (SAs) and suicide death. Data on the prevalence and epidemiological characteristics of suicidal behaviour in Chinese adolescents are limited. This study was aimed to examine the prevalence, characteristics and risk factors of suicidal behaviour, including suicidal thought (ST), suicide plan (SP) and SA, in a large sample of Chinese adolescents. METHOD: This report represents the first wave data of an ongoing longitudinal study, Shandong Adolescent Behavior and Health Cohort. Participants included 11 831 adolescent students from three counties of Shandong, China. The mean age of participants was 15.0 (s.d. = 1.5) and 51% were boys. In November-December 2015, participants completed a structured adolescent health questionnaire, including ST, SP and SA, characteristics of most recent SA, demographics, substance use, hopelessness, impulsivity and internalising and externalising behavioural problems. RESULTS: The lifetime and last-year prevalence rates were 17.6 and 10.7% for ST in males, 23.5 and 14.7% for ST in females, 8.9 and 2.9% for SP in males, 10.7 and 3.8% for SP in females, 3.4 and 1.3% for SA in males, and 4.6 and 1.8% for SA in females, respectively. The mean age of first SA was 12-13 years. Stabbing/cutting was the most common method to attempt suicide. Approximately 24% of male attempters and 16% of female attempters were medically treated. More than 70% of attempters had no preparatory action. Female gender, smoking, drinking, internalising and externalising problems, hopelessness, suicidal history of friends and acquaintances, poor family economic status and poor parental relationship were all significantly associated with increased risk of suicidal behaviour. CONCLUSIONS: Suicidal behaviour in Chinese adolescents is prevalent but less than that previously reported in Western peers. While females are more likely to attempt suicide, males are more likely to use lethal methods. Multiple child and family factors are associated with suicidal behaviour. These findings highlight the importance of early screening and intervention of suicidal behaviour in Chinese adolescents.

GLI-1 facilitates the EMT induced by TGF-ß1 in gastric cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To explore how GLI-1 affects the EMT induced by TGF-ß1 in gastric cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Following 24 hours of culture of SGC-7901 cells in presence of TGF-ß1, we observed the changes in morphology as well as mRNA and protein expressions of GLI-1, E-cadherin and Vimentin by RT-PCR and Western blot. Transwell assay was conducted to evaluate the changes in invasion ability of SGC-7901 cells. Then, SGC-7901 cells were co-treated with TGF-ß1 and GANT 61, and changes of the above indexes were also detected using the corresponding methods. RESULTS: In presence of TGF-ß1, EMT was initiated in SGC-7901 cells EMT with increased cell invasion ability, and the mRNA and protein expressions of E-cadherin were downregulated, while those of the GLI-1 and Vimentin were upregulated. Conversely, the co-treatment of TGF-ß1 and GANT 61 suppressed the increased cell invasion ability induced only by TGF-ß1, and the changes in mRNA and protein expressions of these factors were abolished. CONCLUSIONS: We found that GLI-1 facilitates the EMT induced by TGF-ß1 in SGC-7901 cells, which may serve as a potential target in developing the clinical treatment of gastric cancer.

[The clinical safety and efficacy of low dose rituximab regimen on patients with Epstein-Barr virus infection after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation].

To retrospectively analyze the safety and efficacy of low dose rituximab regimen in patients with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). Among 12 cases, 11 achieved complete remission (CR), 1 with partial remission (PR). Patients received 15 infusions with a median of 2.5(1-4) in each. The EBV DNA negative transformation period was 5-25 days with median 12 days. Low dose rituximab could be an alternative choice in patients with EBV infection after allo-HSCT.

Impact of UVA pre-radiation on UVC disinfection performance: Inactivation, repair and mechanism study.

Ultraviolet (UV) light emission diode (LED), which is mercury free and theoretically more energy efficient, has now become an alternative to conventional UV lamps in water disinfection industry. In this research, the disinfection performance of a novel sequential process, UVA365nm LED followed by UVC265nm LED (UVA-UVC), was evaluated. The results revealed that the responses of different bacterial strains to UVA-UVC varied. Coupled with appropriate dosages of UVC, a 20 min UVA pre-radiation provided higher inactivations (log inactivation) of E. coli ATCC 11229, 15597 and 700891 by 1.2, 1.4 and 1.2 times, respectively than the sum of inactivations by UVA alone and UVC alone. On the contrary, the inactivation of E. coli ATCC 25922, the most UVC sensitive strain, decreased from 3 log to 1.8 log after UVA pre-radiation. A 30 min UVA pre-radiation did not affect the photo repair capacity of the four strains (n = 23, p > 0.1), but their dark repair ability was significantly inhibited (n = 14, p < 0.05). Mechanism study was conducted for two representative strains, E. coli ATCC 15597 and 25922 to understand the observed effect. The hypothesis that UVA pre-radiation promoted the yield of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was rejected. ELISA results indicated that 18% more cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPD) were formed in E. coli ATCC 15597 with UVA pre-radiation (n = 3, p < 0.01), however, the CPD levels of E. coli ATCC 25922 was the same with or without UVA pre-radiation (n = 3, p > 0.01). Considering the results of both dark repair and CPD formation, it was concluded that the increased UV sensitivity of E. coli 15597 was originated from the increased CPD. For E. coli ATCC 25922, the enhanced UV resistance was attributed to the strain's adoption of a survival strategy, translesion DNA synthesis (TLS), when triggered by UVA pre-radiation. The study on UmuD protein, which is a key protein during TLS, confirmed this hypothesis.

[Clinical significance of lymphatic metastasis between sternocleidomastoid and sternohyoid muscle in papillary thyroid cancer].

Objective: To explore the clinical significance of metastasis of lymph nodes between sternocleidomastoid and sternohyoid muscle (LNSS) in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). Methods: A total of 175 patients with PTC who underwent thyroidectomy with LNSS dissection were retrospectively analyzed. Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analyses were used to determine the independent risk factors for LNSS metastasis in PTC. Results: The rate of detectable LNSS was 70.9% (124/175) and metastasis rate was 7.4% (13/175). Of 13 cases with LNSS metastasis, 10 with the coexistence of cervical lymph node metastasis. Univariate Logistic regression analysis showed that multiple focal cancer, tumor located in the lower pole of thyroid, belt-shaped muscle invasion, lateral cervical lymph node metastasis, cN+ , the number of cervical lymph nodes with metastasis and the number of lymph nodes with metastasis in level Ⅳwere the risk factors for LNSS metastasis (P<0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis suggested that tumor located in the lower pole of thyroid and the number of cervical lymph nodes with metastasis >6 were the independent risk factors for LNSS metastasis (P<0.05). Given the number of cervical lymph nodes with metastasis as a predictor for the LNSS metastasis, the sensitivity was 92.3%, the specificity was 66.7% and the accuracy rate was 68.6%. Conclusions: LNSS metastasis is commom in PTC, with a metastasis rate of 7.4%. PTC in the lower pole of thyroid and the number of cervical lymph nodes with metastasis > 6 are independent risks for LNSS metastasis.