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Xi-Hu Yang,1,* Liang Ding,2,* Yong Fu,1 Sheng Chen,3 Lei Zhang,3 Xiao-Xin Zhang,2 Xiao-Feng Huang,3 Zhan-Yi Lu,1 Yan-Hong Ni,2 Qin-Gang Hu1 1Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Nanjing Stomatological Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210000, China; 2Central Laboratory of Stomatology, Nanjing Stomatological Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210000, China; 3Department of Oral Pathology, Nanjing Stomatological Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210000, China *These authors contributed equally to this work Purpose: This was a retrospective analysis of the impact of the expression of p53 in the dysplastic surgical margins of early oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) (pT1-2, N0). Patients and methods: Seventy-two patients with early oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) were recruited. Margin characteristics were abstracted from the pathology report. Expression of p53 in dysplastic surgical margins was examined with the immunohistochemical method and was correlated with clinicopathological parameters and clinical outcomes. Results: Patients with moderate/severe dysplasia had poor local relapse-free survival (RFS) compared to those with mild dysplasia. Thirty-two (44.4%) had at least one p53-positive margin, and there was a significant association between the expression of p53 and tumor recurrence (P

Objective: To investigate the expression and role of programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) in a mouse model of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC)., Methods: A total of 20 wild-type C 57 BL /6 J mice were randomly assigned to the control and the model groups. Mice in the control group were breastfed, while mice in the model group were given lipopolysaccharide, formula feeding, hypoxia, and cold stimulation for NEC induction. Then, the intestines of the mice were collected in order to assess the pathological changes through HE staining, to examine PD-L1 expression and localization with immunofluorescence co-localization, and to evaluate intestinal PD-L1 expression with Western blot. Peripheral blood was collected for flow cytometry to examine leukocyte subpopulations and their PD-L1 expression. On the other hand, 14 PD-L 1 (+/+) mice and 14 PD-L 1 (-/-) mice were randomly divided into their respective genotype control groups and model groups. The same induction method as was already mentioned was adopted for the model groups. The intestines of the mice were collected for HE staining to evaluate the pathological change and peripheral blood was collected to examine the expression of inflammatory factors., Results: The NEC mouse model was successfully constructed. PD-L1 was widely expressed in enterocytes and inflammatory cells in the mouse intestines and in T cells, monocytes, and neutrophils in peripheral blood. The expression of PD-L1 in NEC mouse intestines increased in comparison with that of the control group. In the peripheral blood of NEC mice, the proportion of T cells and monocytes and their PD-L1 expression showed no significant changes compared with those of the control group, while the proportion of neutrophils and their PD-L1 expression increased by about 140% and 150%, respectively, in comparison with those of the control group ( P <0.05). According to the results of the PD-L 1 gene mouse experiment, the control groups of PD-L 1 (+/+) mice and PD-L 1 (-/-) mice showed no significant difference in their intestinal conditions and serum inflammatory factor levels, while the PD-L 1 (-/-) NEC mouse had worse intestinal pathological changes and increased mean pathological scores compared with those of PD-L 1 (+/+) NEC mouse ( P <0.05). In addition, serum interleukin (IL)-10 in PD-L 1 (-/-) NEC mouse decreased by about 44% compared with that of PD-L 1 (+/+) NEC mice, and chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 1/IL-6/IL-1β all increased by more than 25% (all P <0.05)., Conclusion: PD-L1 is widely expressed in inflammatory cells and enterocytes in mice. Knocking out PD-L 1 aggravates the degree of NEC inflammation and intestinal pathological changes. PD-L1 plays a protective role by reducing inflammation in the pathogenesis of NEC, the mechanism of which may be related to the regulation of neutrophils/enterocytes., (Copyright© by Editorial Board of Journal of Sichuan University (Medical Sciences).)

Clarifying the absorption dynamics of heavy metal(loid)s by crops under different cultivation methods is critical for risk management and control for heavy metal pollution. Here, taking carrots as an example, the pH, cation exchange capacity (CEC), and contents of heavy metals in soil and carrots were analyzed. We compared the absorption and transport characteristics of six metal(loid)s (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, and Zn) during the three key growth periods under greenhouse and open-field cultivation methods. In addition, the effects of planting methods on carrot biomass and heavy metal content over time were studied, and a health risk assessment was conducted. The results showed that the greenhouse and open-field cultivation methods had the following in common:① As the carrots continuously grew, the metal uptake and biomass in the belowground part (edible part) and the metal(loid) concentrations in the aboveground and belowground parts both showed trends of increasing first and then decreasing or stabilizing. ② The absorption of As, Cd, Cr, and Pb in carrots was mostly accumulated in the aboveground part. ③ The content of Cd in the edible part exceeded the standard, and the total target hazard quotient was>1, indicating potential adverse health risks, most of which were contributed by As and Cd. Compared to that under open-field, the short-term greenhouse cultivation had a harvest time approximately 15 d earlier. The As, Cd, and Pb concentrations in the aboveground part during the seedling and fast-growing periods were significantly lower in the greenhouse than that in the open-field ( P <0.05) but did not differ between greenhouse and open-field (except As) at the mature stage. The concentrations of As and Cd in the belowground part of greenhouse carrots were lower in the greenhouse than those of carrots grown in the open-field at the seedling stage ( P <0.05). The absorption of As and Cd was decreased significantly from 0 to 95 d ( P <0.05), and there was no significant difference in the metal concentration and absorption in the rest of the growth stages. The bioconcentration factors (BCF) of As, Cd, and Pb in the aboveground part in all stages and those of As and Cd in the belowground part in the seedling stage were lower in the greenhouse than that in the open-field. This study emphasizes the possibility of short-term changes in cultivation mode to reduce the risks of metal(loid)s in contaminated farmland vegetables.

Objective: To investigate whether elevated levels of high sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hsCRP) and neutrophil (NE) at baseline are associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer in Kailuan male cohort. Methods: Since May 2006, males from Kailuan cohort were included in this study. Information on demographics, medical history, anthropometry, hsCRP and NE were collectedat baseline for all subjects. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to calculate hazard ratios ( HR ) of association between baseline hsCRP and NE and colorectal cancer risk. Results: By December 31, 2015, a total of 73 869 participants were enrolled in this study. During the follow-up, 336 incident colorectal cancer cases were identified. All participants were divided into three groups according to the level of hsCRP (<1 mg/L, 1-3 mg/L and >3 mg/L). The cumulative incidence of colorectal cancer were 456/10(5,) 510/10(5) and 746/10(5) in these 3 groups, respectively (χ(2)=10.79, P =0.005). Compared with participants with lower hsCRP levels (<1 mg/L), individuals with the highest hsCRP (>3 mg/L) levels had significant increased risks of colorectal cancer ( HR =1.38, 95% CI: 1.05-1.81, P =0.020)after adjusting for age, gender, smoking, drinking, BMI, diabetes and income. Furthermore, subjects were divided into two groups according to the level of NE (≤ 4.08×10(9)/L and > 4.08×10(9)/L). Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models indicated that there is no statistical significance of association between NE and colorectal cancer. Conclusions: Elevated levels of hsCRP at baseline might increase the risk of colorectal cancer in males.

Objective: To investigate the effect of steroid hormones on the growth and biofilm formation of S. epidermidis. Methods: In all experiments, two S. epidermidis standard strains (ATCC12228 and ATCC35984) and two S. epidermidis clinical strains (SE101 and SE40) were incubated on the surface of silica gel in estradiol concentrations of 0, 50, 125, 250 and 500 pmol/L at 4, 6, 12, 24, 48 and 72 hours. Growth curve were drawn by means of the OD value. Formed biofilms were assessed by crystal violet staining methods. In order to observe the processes and structures of biofilm, the confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) were used. Results: All of the four strains which were incubated with the concentrations of 125 pmol/L of estradiol had entered the logarithmic growth stage ahead of the blank control (3 h and 4 h). Crystal violet staining indicated that there was no biofilm for ATCC12228. Improved primary attachment abilities were found for ATCC35984 and SE101 in the presence of estradiol, and the OD values were 0 pmol/L (0.081±0.015 and 0.082±0.011), 50 pmol /L (0.087±0.013 and 0.088±0.010), 125 pmol/L (0.175±0.052 and 0.091±0.012), 250 pmol/L (0.153±0.036 and 0.090±0.006), 500 pmol/L (0.157±0.050 and 0.082±0.032), respectively. The thickness of biofilm reached the peak in 125 pmol/L estradiol at 24 h. CLSM and SEM found estradiol promoted the biofilm maturity and the biofilm of 125 pmol/L group was denser and thicker than that of the other concentration groups. Conclusions: Our in vitro experiments indicate that estradiol could promote the growth of S. epidermidis which exit on the surface of silica gel, and improve the ability of biofilm formation of S. epidermidis.

Objective: To explore the effects of cyclopamine on the proliferation and apoptosis of LNCaP cells and the expression of the PCA3 gene in human prostate cancer in vitro., Methods: LNCaP cells were treated with cyclopamine at the concentrations of 1, 5, 10 and 15 micromol/L for 24, 48 and 72 hours. The inhibitory effects of cyclopamine on the proliferation and apoptosis of the LNCaP cells were detected by MTT and flow cytometry respectively, the morphological changes of the cells observed by Hoechst 33258 staining, and the expression of the PCA3 gene determined by real-time fluorescence quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (FQ-RT-PCR)., Results: Compared with the blank control group, cyclopamine significantly inhibited the proliferation of the LNCaP cells at 5, 10 and 15 micromol/L (P <0.01), reaching IC50 at 10 micro mol/L at 48 hours. The apoptosis rates of the LNCaP cells at 24, 48 and 72 hours were 37.21%, 57.38% and 57.98% in the 10 micromol/L group and 21. 16% , 71.31% and 72.90% in the 15 micro.mol/L group, significantly different from those in the control (P <0. 01). The cell apoptosis showed a rising trend with the increase of cyclopamine concentration and acting-time, while the expression of the PCA3 gene was decreasing with the increased concentration of cyclopamine, significantly lower than that of the blank control group (P <0.01) , and extremely low in the 10 micromo/L group, Conclusion: Cyclopamine intervention at 10 and 15 micromol/L for 48 and 72 hours could significantly inhibit the at all time points. Proliferation and induce the apoptosis of LNCaP cells and reduce the expression level of PCA3.

In the present paper, bulk heterojunction polymer solar cells based on P3HT:PCBM and P3HT:PCBM:QDs active layer were fabricated and measured respectively. The experimental result showed that the addition of QDs can broaden the spectral response and enhance photoinduced electron transfer. The conversion efficiency of device with QDs is about 25% higher than that without QDs.

Background: The ideal post-gastrectomy reconstruction procedure should maintain the normal digestive function and restore intestinal transit to improve the patient quality of life. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of integral continual jejunal interposition after subtotal gastrectomy on the nutritional status, glucose levels, and gastric-intestinal motility., Methods: The study investigated the effects of the integral continual jejunal interposition, the Billroth I and Billroth II operations, and the isolated jejunal interposition following subtotal distal gastrectomy on the blood glucose, insulin, routine blood parameters, liver function, and myoelectrical activity in Beagle dogs., Results: The weights of the dogs decreased during the first post-operative weeks. Dogs in the integral continual jejunal interposition, Billroth I, and Billroth II groups gained significantly more weight by 8 weeks. The prognosis nutrition index of the dogs decreased in the first 2 post-operative weeks and increased significantly by 4 weeks in the integral continual jejunal interposition and Billroth I groups. The group with duodenal exclusion (Billroth II) had significantly higher glucose levels compared to the normal control group. The insulin curve was much higher in dogs that underwent the Billroth I, continual jejunal interposition, and isolated jejunal interposition than the Billroth II and normal groups. The frequencies of fasting and postprandial jejunal pacesetter potentials (PPs) were greater in the continual jejunal interposition and Billroth I groups than that in the isolated jejunal interposition and Billroth II groups. The percentage of aboral propagation of PPs was greater in the continual jejunal interposition group than the Billroth I, isolated jejunal interposition, and Billroth II groups., Conclusion: Continual jejunal interposition after subtotal gastrectomy avoids jejunal transection, maintains the duodenal passage and food storage bags, and reduces the influence of blood glucose and insulin.

n-butanol and hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin (HPCD) were used to extract polyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from 9 aged agricultural fields and to assess the PAHs bioavailability to earthworm (Eisenia fetida). It was demonstrated that the high molecular weight (HMW) PAHs (> or = 4 rings) contribute the largest proportions (4-ring PAHs: 34.06%, 5-6 rings: 34.09%) to the contaminants in long-term aged field soils. Moreover, the light molecular weight PAHs were easily accumulated in the earthworm,while the high molecular weight PAHs were hard to accumulate. The extraction by mild solvent correlated well with the 3 ring PAHs (r2 0.77-0.79) but not for the other rings PAHs (r2 <0.35), indicating that mild extraction may not serve as a good predictor of PAHs bioavailability to earthworm.

By using an ultrathin 5, 6, 11, 12-tetraphenylnaphthacene (rubrene) layer deposited on the top of host materials, the influence of rubrene layer position on the electroluminescence (EL) spectra of organic light-emitting devices (OLEDs) was stud ied. When the rubrene layer is located at the interface between N,N'-diphenyl-N,N'-bis(1-naphthyl)-(1,18-biphenyl)-4,4'-di-amine (NPB) and tris(8-hydroxyquinoline) aluminum (AlQ) layer, EL luminescence of the device is nearly coming from rubrene emission. From the analysis of the EL spectra of the devices with different rubrene layer position, the solely contribution of rubrene and AlQ, respectively, to the luminescence of the devices is determined by spectra unmixing. Based on the analysis, the exciton length in AlQ layer is determined to be about 15-20 nm. The exciton transport and recombination characteristics are also discussed in this work.

Objective: To explore an ideal procedure of alimentary tract reconstructions after subtotal distal gastrectomy., Methods: Thirty-two healthy adult beagle dogs were randomly divided into experimental groups A, B, C and control group (n=8). Groups A, B, C operated by subtotal distal gastrectomy underwent 3 different reconstruction methods: continual jejunal interposition (CJI), Billroth II and Roux-en-Y. The control group received a sham operation. Dogs were observed for 12 weeks post-operation. The different parameters of body weight, food intake, PNI (prognostic nutritional index) and peripheral blood concentration of ghrelin were measured in 4 groups., Results: The body weight, food intake and PNI in Groups A, B, C decreased significantly at post-operation versus pre-operation. There was a slow elevation of body weight, food intake and PNI at Week 12. Group A was significantly better than Groups B and C (P<0.05) while there was no significant difference between Groups B and C. The plasma ghrelin concentrations in Groups A, B, C were significantly reduced at Day 1 post-operation versus pre-operation. But no difference was observed among Groups A, B and C. However an elevated ghrelin concentration was observed at Week 1 post-operation. At Week 12 post-operation, the plasma ghrelin concentration in Group A increased significantly versus Groups B and C (both P<0.05). However, the plasma ghrelin concentration, food intake and PNI were not significantly changed in control group (P>0.05)., Conclusions: The CJI reconstruction procedure is ideally suited for the preservation of duodenal passage after subtotal distal gastrectomy. Subsequently it leads to a significant elevation of circulating ghrelin concentration and a rapid post-operative recovery of food intake, body weight and PNI.

Objective: To compare the accuracy and precision of measurements on marginal bone levels in differently processed digital radiographs and in film-based radiographs., Methods: Twenty-one patients with a diagnosis of chronic periodontitis were included in this study. Periapical radiographs were exposed with the Dixi digital intraoral radiographic system (Planmeca Oy, Helsinki, Finland) and the F-speed Film (Insight, Eastman-Kodak Co., Rochester, NY), respectively. Digital radiographs were subsequently processed into two sets: (a) correction for attenuation and visual response and (b) the same correction but with an additional shift in grey levels. Patients had periodontal surgery immediately after the radiographs were exposed. The vertical distance from cementoenamel junction to the most apical part of the marginal bone was assessed. The measurements were then employed as reference standard and subtracted by the vertical distance from radiographs accordingly. Altogether, 47 sites were evaluated. Seven observers were employed for evaluation under the same viewing conditions. ANOVA was employed for statistical analysis., Results: No significant differences were found between the absolute differences of the vertical distance obtained from radiographs to their corresponding reference standards when comparing differently processed digital radiographs, but the absolute differences were significantly smaller in digital radiographs than in films. Interobserver variances were not significant., Conclusion: Digital radiographs have a favourable measurement accuracy compared with film radiographs when assessing marginal bone levels.

Aim: To search for colchicine derivatives which have high efficacy and low toxicity., Methods: Colchicine was firstly converted into thiocolchicine, and then it was hydrolyzed to get 7-(N-deacetylthiocolchicine). At last, 7-(N-deacetylthiocolchicine) was amidated to get the target compounds. The chemical structure of these new derivatives was confirmed with 1H NMR, IR, MS, and HR-MS. The cytotoxicity of the compounds was tested by MTT assay. Their in vivo antitumor activity was evaluated against mice tumor H22 and U14., Results: Twelve thiocolchicine derivatives are new compounds., Conclusion: In vitro antitumor activity has showed that some of these thiocolchicines possessed cytotoxic activity superior to colchicine. However, in vivo antitumor activity indicated that these derivatives have poor efficacy in mice.

Objective: To clone the full-length gene encoding succinate dehydrogenase iron-sulfur protein of Schistosoma japonicum (SjSDISP) Chinese strain and express it in Escherichia coli., Methods: According to the published incomplete EST (BU804141) of SjSDISP and the sequence of multiclone sites of lambda gt11 vector, 2 pairs of primers were designed and synthesized. Then the 3' and 5'ends of the EST of the SjSDISP from adult Schistosoma japonicum cDNA library were amplified by anchored PCR. After sequencing, a full-length cDNA sequence of the SjSDISP was obtained, and then it was cloned into prokaryotic expression vector pGEX-4T-1. Identified by agarosed gel electrophoresis, endonucleases digestion and PCR, the resultant recombinant plasmid was used for the expression under the temperature-dependent condition and Western blot analysis., Results: A 1,071 bp sequence was obtained. Sequence analysis showed that the fragment contained a complete open reading frame (ORF), encoding 278 amino acid residues. This target fragment was cloned into the prokaryotic expression vector pGEX-4T-1, and expressed in Escherichia coli. SDS-PAGE revealed that the molecular weight of the expressed fusion recombinant product was 56 kD. Western blot showed that the recombinant protein was recognized by polyclonal rabbit antiserum immunized with Schistosoma japonicum adult worm antigen., Conclusion: Cloning of the full-length gene encoding SjSDISP and its bacterial expression were successfully done.

Significant progress has been made over the past 50 years in the control of schistosomiasis japonica in China. However, recent data suggest that the disease is re-emerging. By the end of 2003, Schistosoma japonicum was still endemic in 110 counties in seven provinces in the southern part of China where the long-term reduction of the disease has been replaced by an increase in the number of people infected and areas infested by the intermediate host snail, i.e. Oncomelania hupensis. Explanations are multifactorial, including the construction of the Three Gorges dam, major flooding events, recovery of the Dongting Lake and the possible impact of climate change. An efficacious vaccine against S. japonicum would represent a significant addition to the current arsenal of control tools, particularly in the framework of an integrated control approach. The vaccine could be targeted either towards the prevention of infection or towards the reduction of parasite fecundity. Although progress in this field has been relatively slow, encouraging results have been obtained in recent years using defined native and recombinantly derived S. japonicum antigens. These findings suggest that development of a safe and efficacious vaccine is feasible. This paper reviews the progress in the development of a vaccine against S. japonicum in China, and includes also data from foreign researchers who are engaged in collaborative work with Chinese scientists.