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Silicon was once considered a biologically inert element, but recent research has shown its value for human health.Soluble silicic acid is the available form of silicon in human body. This paper reviews the absorption, distribution and metabolic characteristics of dietary soluble silicic acid in human body, as well as its relationship with human health.Available data show that it has lots of supporting evidences that dietary soluble silicic acid can prevent osteoporosis, maintain vascular health, improve the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease and multiple sclerosis.Its unique crosslinking ability and antagonism to toxic aluminum play a crucial role. In the early stage of human life, there is a strong demand for silicon, and the level of silicon in the aged is generally reduced, suggesting that pregnant women and old people should pay attention to the intake of soluble silicic acid. It is suggested to strengthen the basic and applied research on dietary soluble silicic acid,and gradually establish the relevant nutrition and hygiene standards.

Objective: To evaluate the clinical outcomes of on-pump total arterial revascularization with bilateral radial artery (BRA) and left internal mammary artery (LIMA) as conduits in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) patients with left ventricular dysfunction (LVD). Methods: All the perioperative medical records and follow-up results of coronary artery disease patients with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤ 40% undergoing CABG from 24 heart centers of 15 provinces and autonomous regions in China between July 2015 and December 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Results: A total of 87 consecutive patients (55 males and 32 females) underwent on-pump CABG with BRA and LIMA, with a mean age of (57.5±9.1) years old. There were 22 patients complicated with primary hypertension, 12 with diabetes mellitus, 8 with peripheral vascular disease, 7 with chronic obstructive lung disease, 12 with mild renal injury and 3 with partial aortic calcification. There were 43 cases with in-stent stenosis, and 21 had left main disease. The mean LVEF and left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD) was (35.5±7.3)% and (65.5±2.6) mm, respectively. The mean graft number, aortic cross-clamp time and cardiopulmonary bypass duration was 3.2±0.9, (90.5±22.7) min and (113.4±19.2) min, respectively. There were 32 mitral and 9 aortic valve replacements, and 5 tricuspid annuloplasties. Prophylactic intra-aortic balloon pumps were implanted in 27 patients. There were 2 operative deaths from acute heart failure. After surgery, there were 15 cases of atrial fibrillation, 1 case of acute kidney injury, 1 case of acute myocardial infarction, and 1 cases of stroke. All the patients fulfilled the follow-up, with a mean time of (39.5±7.7) months. At 3 months after surgery, LVEDD was decreased and LVEF was improved significantly compared with pre-operative indicators [(53.0±1.5) mm vs (65.5±2.6) mm, t= 9.51 P= 0.02; (45.2±3.3)% vs (35.5±7.3)%, t= 13.79, P= 0.001]. No major cardiac events were reported during the follow-up. At (30.5±7.4) months after surgery, 62.4% of patients (53/85) underwent coronary CT angiography examination, and the results indicated that the graft patency was 98.8%, with only one case of RA occlusion occurred. Conclusion: In selected patients of LVD, on-pump total arterial revascularization with BRA and LIMA conduits was proved to be safe and effective.

Objective: To explore the effect of alprostadil in early wound healing of rats with deep partial-thickness scald. Methods: Ninety specific pathogen free healthy Sprague-Dawley rats (half males and half females) were divided into sham scald group, simple scald group, and alprostadil group using the random number table with 30 rats in each group. Rats in sham scald group were sham injured, and rats in the other 2 groups were inflicted with deep partial-thickness scald of 30% total body surface area on the back. Immediately after scald, rats in the 3 groups received anti-shock treatment. Two hours post scald, rats in sham scald group and simple scald group were injected intraperitoneally with 1 mL normal saline, and rats in alprostadil group were injected intraperitoneally with 1 mL alprostadil injection, once a day and continued for 14 days. On post scald day (PSD) 3, 7, and 14, 10 rats in each group were collected for observing the general wound conditions and the wound healing rates of rats in 2 scald groups were calculated, abdominal aortic blood of 2 mL from each rat were collected to detect serum thromboxane B2 by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and wound tissue on the back was collected to examine pathomorphological change by hematoxylin-eosin staining and to detect wound microvessel density (MVD) by immunohistochemical staining. Data were statistically analyzed with analysis of variance of factorial design, t test, Kruskal-Wallis H test, Mann-Whitney U test, and Bonferroni correction. Results: (1) There was no scald wound in rats in sham scald group. On PSD 3, wounds of rats in simple scald group and alprostadil group formed dry eschar. On PSD 7 and 14, wound areas of rats in alprostadil group were significantly smaller than those of rats in simple scald group, and with less exudation. (2) On PSD 3, the wound healing rates of rats in simple scald group and alprostadil group were similar ( t =1.167, P >0.05). On PSD 7 and 14, the wound healing rates of rats in alprostadil group were significantly higher than those in simple scald group ( t =8.657, 33.050, P <0.01). (3) On PSD 3, 7, and 14, the levels of serum thromboxane B2 of rats in simple scald group and alprostadil group were (541±22), (607±47), (688±21), (326±25), (271±21), (135±27) pg/mL, significantly higher than (17±6), (16±4), (16±4) pg/mL of rats in sham scald group ( t =72.977, 39.685, 102.076, 37.033, 37.253, 13.845, P <0.01). On PSD 3, 7, and 14, the levels of serum thromboxane B2 of rats in alprostadil group were significantly lower than those in simple scald group ( t =20.637, 20.651, 51.680, P <0.01). (4) Normal epidermis and dermis were seen in rats in sham scald group. On PSD 3, a large number of necrotic tissue and inflammatory cells infiltration were seen in wounds of rats in simple scald group, while a little new epithelium formation and some inflammatory cells infiltration were seen in wounds of rats in alprostadil group. On PSD 7 and 14, the new epithelium of rats in alprostadil group was significantly thicker than that in simple scald group, and epidermis formed gradually in alprostadil group. (5) On PSD 3, 7, and 14, the wound MVD of rats in simple scald group and alprostadil group were significantly higher than those in sham scald group ( Z =-3.780, -3.781, -3.780, -3.780, -3.781, -3.780, P <0.01). On PSD 3, the wound MVD of rats in simple scald group and alprostadil group were similar ( Z =-1.965, P >0.05). On PSD 7 and 14, the wound MVD of rats in alprostadil group were significantly higher than those in simple scald group ( Z =-3.780, -3.780, P <0.01). Conclusions: The early intervention with alprostadil can significantly improve microcirculation of deep partial-thickness scald wound, reduce inflammatory cell infiltration, promote the formation of new blood vessels, thus promoting wound healing.

Objective: To explore the blood lead level and its relationship with behavior in school-age children from rural areas of Chongqing. Methods: A total of 697 students from grades 3 to 6 in the fall semester of 2014 from 14 rural townships in one district of Chongqing was selected by using the random cluster sampling method. Blood were sampled to analyze the lead level. Neurobehavioral tests were performed to determine their personal cognitive and memory ability. Questionnaires and physical examinations were administered to obtain the information of confounding factors. All students were divided into Q 1 - Q 4 groups according to the quartile of their blood lead level. The relationship between the blood lead level and behavior was analyzed by multivariate logistic regression model and restricted spline regression model. Results: The mean age of 697 students was (10.07±1.36) years old, and the median (interquartile range) of their blood lead level was 44.31 (35.42) μg/L. Multivariate logistic regression model showed that after adjusting for age, gender, body mass index and maternal culture level, compared with Q 1 group, the OR (95 %CI ) values of high digit symbol substitution test (DSST) scores and high overall memory quotient (MQ) scores in Q 3 group were 1.65 (1.01-2.70) and 2.10 (1.21-3.62), and the OR (95 %CI ) value of high long term memory (LTM) scores in Q 4 group was 0.53 (0.31-0.92). The results of the restricted spline regression model showed that the dose-response curves between the blood lead level and MQ/LTM test scores were both parabolic ( P< 0.05). Conclusion: The blood lead level of school-age children from rural areas of Chongqing is the same as that from other areas of China, but slightly higher than that from other areas of Chongqing. Children with higher blood lead level have poor long-term memory ability.

Objective: To explore effect of alprostadil on wound healing of scalded rats and the mechanism. Methods: According to random number table method, forty-eight Sprague Dawley rats were divided into sham scald group, simple scald group, lithium chloride group, and alprostadil group, with 12 rats in each group. Rats in sham injury group were sham injured on the back, and rats in the other three groups were inflicted with 30% total body surface area deep partial thickness scald on the back.Immediately after scald, rats in sham scald group and simple scald group were injected with 1 mL saline through caudal vein, and rats in lithium chloride group and alprostadil group were injected respectively with 1 mL lithium chloride and alprostadil through caudal vein. Saline, lithium chloride, and alprostadil were injected once in a day and lasted for 14 days. General wound appearance and wound healing rate on post scald day (PSD) 7, 10, 14 were observed and calculated. Expressions of protein and mRNA of Wnt1 and β-catenin on PSD 14 were detected. Data were processed with analysis of variance of factorial design, one-way analysis of variance, Student Newman Keuls q test, t test, and Bonferroni correction. Results: (1) On PSD 7, wounds of scalded rats in each group formed dry eschar and had little exudation. On PSD 10, wounds of rats in simple scald group were covered with eschar, with little exudation, and wounds of rats in lithium chloride group were covered with eschar, and partial wounds healed under the eschar. On PSD 10, partial eschar of rats in alprostadil group desquamated; partial wounds healed; newly burned skin was ruddy. On PSD 14, partial wounds of rats in simple scald group were healed under eschar with little exudation. On PSD 14, most of the eschar of rats in lithium chloride group were desquamated with patial wounds healed and little exudation. On PSD 14, wounds of rats in alprostadil group were basically healed with vigorously growing hair on the back. (2) On PSD 7, the wound healing rates of rats in simple scald group, lithium chloride group, and alprostadil group were close ( F =0.41, P >0.05). On PSD 10 and 14, wound healing rate of rats in lithium chloride group and alprostadil group were significantly higher than that in simple scald group ( q =5.73, 17.45, 26.30, 11.28, P <0.05), and wound healing rate of rats in alprostadil group was significantly higher than that in lithium chloride group ( q =32.03, 28.73, P <0.05). (3) On PSD 14, the mRNA expressions of Wnt1 and β-catenin of rats in lithium chloride group and alprostadil group were significantly higher than those in simple scald group ( q =65.40, 19.16, 66.79, 18.41, P <0.05), and the mRNA expressions of Wnt1 and β-catenin of rats in simple scald group was significantly higher than those in sham scald group ( t =14.86, 4.46, P <0.05). (4) On PSD 14, the protein expressions of Wnt1 and β-catenin of rats in lithium chloride group and alprostadil group were 0.98±0.05, 0.98±0.06, 0.97±0.06, and 1.00±0.06, which were significantly higher than 0.49±0.04 and 0.66±0.04 of rats in simple scald group ( q =34.62, 22.38, 33.61, 23.47, P <0.05). On PSD 14, the protein expressions of Wnt1 and β-catenin of rats in simple scald group was significantly higher than 0.29±0.03 and 0.31±0.03 of rats in sham scald group ( q =14.73, 23.88, P <0.05). Conclusions: Alprostadil can accelerate wound healing through activating Wnt/β-catenin signal pathway and upregulating the expressions of Wnt1 and β-catenin.

Objective: To investigate the effects of astragalus polysaccharide (AP) on cardiac dysfunction in rabbits with severe scald injury. Methods: Sixty-four New Zealand white rabbits were divided into pure scald group and AP group according to the random number table, with 32 rabbits in each group. Rabbits in the two groups were all inflicted with 30% total body surface area full-thickness scald on the back. Immediately after injury, rabbits in two groups were intraperitoneally injected with lactated Ringer's solution once for antishock. Rabbits in AP group were intraperitoneally injected with 10 mL AP solution with the dosage of 200 mg/kg 10 min after injury and the following 6 days respectively, once a day. Rabbits in pure scald group were injected with 10 mL normal saline instead. Eight rabbits of each group were respectively selected before injury hour (BIH) 1 and on post injury day(PID) 1, 3, 7, and 14 to collect blood samples from ear marginal vein, and then sacrificed immediately to collect hearts at each time point post injury. The morphology of myocardium was observed after HE staining. The serum content of cardiac troponin I (cTnI) was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The serum content of aspartate transaminase (AST), creatine kinase (CK), CK isoenzyme-MB (CK-MB), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was detected by fully automatic chemistry analyzer. The content of angiotensin Ⅱ (Ang Ⅱ) in serum and myocardium was detected with radioimmunoassay and the content of endothelin 1 (ET-1) in serum and myocardium was detected by ELISA. Another 8 normal rabbits were sacrificed to detect the content of Ang Ⅱ and ET-1 in the myocardium as the value of the two groups of scalded rabbits at BIH 1. The serum content of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) was detected by ELISA. The values of whole blood viscosity (ηb), reductive viscosity of whole blood (ηr), plasma viscosity (ηp), hematocrit (HCT), erythrocyte rigidity index (TK), erythrocyte aggregation index (EAI), and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were detected by fully automatic hematology analyzer. Data were processed with analysis of variance of factorial design, independent sample t test, and Dunnett test. Results: (1) Compared with those in pure scald group, the degrees of cardiomyocyte swelling, steatosis, necrosis and rupture of muscle fiber were significantly alleviated in rabbits of AP group on PID 1 and 3. There was no obvious increase in cell size, no breakage of muscle fiber or infiltration of inflammatory cells in myocardial interstitium on PID 7. The myocardial tissue structure and muscle fiber arrangement returned to normal condition on PID 14, with no interstitial fibroblast hyperplasia or excessive extra cellular matrix deposition. (2) Serum content of cTnI, CK, and LDH of rabbits in AP group was significantly lower than that in pure scald group on PID 1, 3, and 7 (with t values from 2.69 to 13.99, P <0.05 or P <0.01), while there was no significant difference between the two groups on PID 14 (with t values from -0.32 to 0.68, P values above 0.05). Serum content of AST and CK-MB of rabbits in AP group was significantly lower than that in pure scald group on PID 1 and 3 (with t values from 2.21 to 12.65, P <0.05 or P <0.01), while there was no significant difference between the two groups on PID 7 and 14 (with t values from 0.03 to 1.67, P values above 0.05). (3) Serum content of Ang Ⅱ of rabbits in AP group was significantly lower than that in pure scald group from PID 1 to 14 (with t values from 3.38 to 32.58, P values below 0.01). Serum content of ET-1 of rabbits in AP group was significantly lower than that in pure scald group from PID 3 to 14 (with t values from 3.54 to 11.02, P values below 0.01), while there was no obvious difference on PID 1 ( t =0.39, P >0.05). Content of Ang Ⅱ and ET-1 in myocardial tissue of rabbits in AP group was significantly lower than that in pure scald group from PID 1 to 7 (with t values from 1.27 to 13.79, P values below 0.01), while there was no obvious difference on PID 14 (with t values respectively 0.07 and 0.81, P values above 0.05). (4) Serum content of SOD of rabbits in AP group was respectively (15.65±2.64), (14.67±0.74), and (8.43±0.56) ng/mL on PID 1, 3, and 7, which was significantly higher than (6.35±0.83), (2.62±0.75), and (2.84±0.41) ng/mL in pure scald group (with t values from -29.79 to -9.10, P values below 0.01); while there was no obvious difference on PID 14 [with (4.02±0.26) ng/mL in pure scald group and (4.11±0.52) ng/mL in AP group, t =-0.01, P >0.05]. Serum content of MDA of rabbits in AP group was respectively (1.31±0.61), (1.72±0.64), and (0.65±0.42) μmol /mL on PID 1, 3, and 7, which was significantly lower than (1.68±0.57), (2.34±0.79), and (1.06±0.32) μmol/mL in pure scald group (with t values from 1.63 to 3.16, P <0.05 or P <0.01), while there was no obvious difference on PID 14 [with (0.31±0.09) μmol/mL in pure scald group and (0.24±0.08) μmol/mL in AP group, t =2.11, P >0.05]. (5) Values of ηb1 and EAI of rabbits in AP group were significantly lower than those in pure scald group from PID 1 to 7 (with t values from 2.718 to 11.170, P <0.05 or P <0.01), while there were no obvious differences on PID 14 (with t values respectively 2.078 and -1.423, P values above 0.05). Values of ηb2 and ηr2 of rabbits in AP group were significantly lower than those in pure scald group on PID 3 and 7 (with t values from 2.178 to 19.205, P <0.05 or P <0.01), while there were no obvious differences on PID 1 and 14 (with t values from -0.730 to 1.320, P values above 0.05 ). Values of ηr1 and ESR of rabbits in AP group were significantly lower than those in pure scald group on PID 3, 7, and 14 (with t values from 3.021 to 8.058, P values below 0.01), while there were no obvious differences on PID 1 (with t values respectively 1.200 and 1.263, P values above 0.05 ). Value of ηp of rabbits in AP group was significantly lower than that in pure scald group on PID 1 ( t =2.430, P <0.05), while there were no obvious differences on PID 3, 7, and 14 (with t values from 0.002 to 1.446, P values above 0.05 ). Value of HCT of rabbits in AP group was close to that in pure scald group on PID 1 ( t =1.079, P >0.05), and the values were significantly lower than those in pure scald group on PID 3 and 14 (with t values respectively 3.849 and 4.208, P values below 0.01), while the value was significantly higher than that in pure scald group on PID 7 ( t =-4.925, P <0.01). Value of TK of rabbits in AP group was lower than that in pure scald group on PID 7 ( t =2.847, P <0.05), while there were no obvious differences on PID 1, 3, and 14 (with t values from -1.102 to 0.875, P values above 0.05). Conclusions: AP can alleviate the damage of myocardium of rabbits with severe scald by reducing the production of vasoactive substances Ang Ⅱ and ET-1, decreasing oxidative stress injury by increasing the content of SOD and decreasing the production of MDA, improving blood flow performance and microcirculation perfusion.

Objective: To investigate the association between aflatoxin exposure and primary hepatocellular carcinoma (PHC) development. Methods: From December 2013 to May 2016, we selected 214 patients newly diagnosed with PHC as cases, and 214 patients as controls from three hospitals in Chongqing. Cases were confirmed with PHC diagnosis standard. And cases caused by clear reasons such as drug-induced liver injury, alcoholic liver damage, fatty liver and gallstones etiology, were excluded. Controls were included with no cancer and no digestive system disease, and recruited simultaneously with cases. Cases and controls were frequency-matched (1∶1) by same gender and age (±3 years). Peripheral blood and random urine samples were collected and analyzed for serum HBsAg status by biochemistry analyzer, and serum AFB(1)-ALB adduct and urinary AFB(1)-N(7)-GUA adduct by ELISA. Basic information, living habits and history of disease for patients were obtained by questionnaires. We used wilcoxon rank sum test to compare the median of serum AFB(1)-ALB adduct and urinary AFB(1)-N(7)-GUA adduct in cases and controls. Logistic regression analyses were performed to assess risk factors for PHC, and synergism index ( S ) of aflatoxin with other factors was estimated by the method of Andersson. Results: There was no significant difference in age between PHC cases (50.74±9.67) years and controls (51.15±9.90) years. Logistic regression showed that the odds ratio of HBV infection for PHC development was 46.3 (95 % CI: 23.3-88.0). There was a significant difference in median concentrations of serum AFB(1)-ALB adduct (cases vs controls: 146.23 vs 74.42 ng/g albumin, P< 0.001), but no difference in median concentrations of urinary AFB(1)-N(7)-GUA adduct was observed (cases vs controls: 0.17 vs 0.14 ng/mg creatinine, P< 0.210). The odd ratios for PHC risk after adjustment were 1.9 (95 %CI: 1.1-3.4) for AFB(1)-ALB adduct, and 2.1 (95 %CI: 1.0-4.2) for AFB(1)-N(7)-GUA adduct. Moreover, we observed a positive interaction of aflatoxin exposure with HBV, alcohol drinking, and diabetes. The S was 4.7 (95 %CI: 2.8-7.9), 3.5 (95 %CI: 1.0-12.0), and 12.4 (95 %CI: 1.8-84.2), respectively for serum AFB(1)-ALB adduct with each of the three factors mentioned, and was 1.9 (95 %CI: 1.1-3.1), 2.0 (95 %CI: 1.1-3.6), and 2.0 (95 %CI: 1.1-3.6), respectively for urinary AFB(1)-N(7)-GUA adduct with each of the three factors mentioned. Conclusion: HBV was still the main risk factor, and AFB(1) exposure was also an independent risk factor for PHC in Chongqing. There was a positive interaction of aflatoxin with HBV, alcohol drinking, and diabetes.

Objective: To evaluate the association of sleep quality with hypertension in the elderly population aged 60 years and older of Jino nationality. Methods: In August 2015, a cross-sectional population-based survey was conducted to investigate the prevalence of hypertension in 805 subjects sampled by multistage stratified and cluster sampling from the elderly population of Jino nationality, the sleep quality was assessed by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI, a poor sleep group was defined as having a global PSQI score>7, a good sleep group was with a score of 7 or less), and the multilevel Logistic regression model was applied to analyze the association of sleep quality with hypertension. Results: A total of 793 eligible participants were available for analysis. Overall, 118 participants (14.9%) were in the poor sleep group, and 675 participants (85.1%) were in the good sleep group. The prevalence of hypertension, prevalence of isolated systolic hypertension, average systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) of the poor sleep group were significantly high than those of the good sleep group[73.7%, 22.0%, (139.2±17.7) and (82.5±10.6) mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) vs 33.0%, 9.0%, (131.2±15.0) and (78.5±8.9) mmHg, all P <0.05]. The results of covariate-adjusted multilevel Logistic regression model indicated that subjective sleep quality ( OR =2.64, 95% CI: 1.08-6.44), sleep latency ( OR =2.98, 95% CI: 1.52-5.86), sleep disturbance ( OR =2.93, 95% CI: 1.06-8.10), daytime dysfunction ( OR =3.86, 95% CI: 1.74-8.58) and poor sleep ( OR =3.98, 95% CI: 2.05-7.73) had the positive correlation with hypertension. Conclusions: The elderly population of Jino nationality with poor sleep have high SBP and DBP. There are positive associations of PSQI and its components with hypertension in the elderly population of Jino nationality.

Objective: To compare brain lead accumulation and neurotoxicity induced by lead under drinking purified water and tap water on rat., Methods: All 104 male weaning SD rats were randomly divided into eight groups, matched-four pairs according to drinking water: tap water, purified water, tap water with lead 50 mg/L(lead acetate water-solution), purified water with lead 50 mg/L, tap water with lead 200 mg/L, purified water with lead 200 mg/L, tap water with lead 800 mg/L. All were fed with normal food and environmental cognitions kept consistent Morris water maze(including Place Navigation, Spatial Probe Test, Visible Platform Trial) was measured to test rat spatial learning at the 12 and 24 week. At the end of the experiment (28 week), rats were killed and the lead of brain and blood was measured by Graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometric method; the NR1, NR2A, NR2B of NMDAR (N-methyl-D-aspartame receptor) in hippocampus were analyzed by RT-PCR., Results: Under the same lead exposure, no significant differences were observed in blood lead, however, brain lead level showed higher in drinking purified water group than that in tap water group. Expression of NR1, NR2A and NR2B in hippocampus of the rats drinking purified water was lower than those drinking tap water, especially at low lead exposure (50 mg/L) (P < 0.05). In the 24 week Morris water maze, place navigation test's escape latency showed significantly prolonged at the rats drinking purified water as compared with those drinking tap water on the pairs of 50 mg/L and 200 mg/L pb2+ groups (P < 0.05), and the differences occurred in early 1-2 days., Conclusion: Compared with drinking tap water, drinking purified water might increase the accumulation of brain lead, lower NR1, NR2A, NR2B expression and delay the spatial learning and memory ability under chronic lead exposure in water.

Objective: To investigate the protein expression of p21-activated kinase 1 gene (PAK1) in bladder transitional cell carcinoma (BTCC) and its clinico-pathological significance., Methods: Immunohistochemistry and TUNEL were used, in combination with tissue microarray technique, to examine the protein expression of PAK1 and status of cell apoptosis in 100 BTCC tissue specimens obtained during operation and 30 specimens of adjacent normal bladder mucosa., Results: All adjacent normal bladder mucosa specimens were negative in PAK1 protein expression or only with a low-level expression of PAK1 protein, while 58% of the BTCC specimens showed over-expression of PAK1. PAK1 expression was significantly associated with tumor pathological grade and tumor size (both P < 0.05). The PAK1 overexpression rate of the poorly-differentiated BTCC specimens (at the G3 stage) was 78%, significantly higher than that of the well-differentiated specimens (at the stage G1/G2, 47%, P = 0.05). The PAK1 overexpression rate of the large-sized BTCC specimens (>or= 3 cm in diameter) was 73%, significantly higher than that of the small-sized BTCC specimens (< 3 cm in diameter, P = 0.034). The PAK1 protein expression was negatively correlated with the apoptotic index of the cells (P < 0.05)., Conclusion: Overexpression of PAK1 protein may via its anti-apoptotic function to play an important role in the development and progression of BTCC. Overexpression of PAK1 in BTCC is associated closely with tumor malignant histological phenotype and it may be used as a molecular marker to predicate the malignant potential of BTCC.

Objective: To investigate the amplification and expression of FGF3 in bladder transitional cell carcinoma (BTCC) and its clinical significance., Methods: Immunohistochemistry (IHC) and Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization (FISH) methods were used to examine the protein expression and amplification of FGF3 in a tissue microarray (TMA) of 100 BTCCs and 30 adjacent normal bladder mucosas, so as to analyze their correlation and association with patient's clinico-pathological features., Results: In this study, none of the normal bladder mucosas were detected FGF3 positivity, while in 89 informative BTCCs, 20 (22%) cases were observed positive expression of FGF3 protein, and it was significantly more frequently to occur in BTCCs of poor-differentiation (Grade 3), later clinical stage (T2-4) and tumor in >or= 3 cm in diameter (P < 0.05). In FISH study, 10 of the 63 (16%) informative BTCCs were observed amplification of FGF3 and it was significantly associated with BTCC's tumor size and clinical stage (P < 0.05). In addition, 10 BTCCs with amplification of FGF3 in this study were all detected positive expression of FGF3 protein, while in the remaining 53 BTCCs without amplification of FGF3, only 3 (6%) cases were observed FGF3 protein positivity., Conclusion: The up-regulated expression of FGF3 in BTCC was associated closely with tumor's malignant clinical phenotypes, and it might be involved in the malignant progression of parts of BTCC. The amplification of FGF3 gene might be a predominant mechanism of increased expression of FGF3 protein in BTCC.

Objective: To investigate the mechanisms of human GAD65 DNA vaccine preventing insulitis and diabetes in NOD mice., Methods: Female NOD mice at 4 weeks of age were randomly divided into PBS (n = 21), pcDNA (n = 20), and hGAD65 (n = 21) groups. Mice in each group received two intramuscular injections of 0.05 ml PBS alone, 50 microg pcDNA3.1 and 50 microg DNA vaccine emulsified in 0.05 ml PBS 7 days apart respectively. The accumulative diabetes incidence was followed-up to 30 weeks of age in each group of NOD mice. Pancreas was removed from NOD mice at 12 weeks of age in each group (n = 10) to score insulitis severity by routine H-E staining. The apoptotic beta cells in islets were observed with double-labeling technique of TUNEL in situ combined standard sensitive avdin-biotin complex (sABC) immunohistochemical method. Their spleens were for cell culture and total RNA extraction. Spleen IL-4, IFN-gamma, NF-ATc and NF-ATp mRNA levels were tested by RT-PCR. IL-4 and IFN-gamma levels in sera and supernatants of spleen cells were measured by ELISA., Results: (1) At 30 weeks of age, the diabetes incidence was 95.2%, 80.0% and 61.9% in PBS, pcDNA and hGAD65 group respectively. The diabetes incidence in the PBS group was higher than that in hGAD65 group (P = 0.008). (2) At 12 weeks of age, the insulitis scores in hGAD65 group was lower than that in PBS group (P = 0.001) and pcDNA group (P = 0.027) respectively. (3) The apoptotic beta cell rates in hGAD65 group was lower than that in PBS group (P = 0.014) and pcDNA group (P = 0.023). (4) IL-4 levels in sera, spleen IL-4 and NF-ATc mRNA level in hGAD65 group were higher than those in PBS group (all P < 0.05) and pcDNA group (all P < 0.05) respectively, NF-ATp mRNA level in hGAD65 group was lower than that in PBS group (P < 0.05)., Conclusion: Human GAD65 DNA vaccine via downregulating NF-ATp and upregulating NF-ATc and IL-4, makes Th cells deviate to Th2, and sequently prevents insulitis, beta-cell apoptosis and diabetes onset in NOD mice.

Objective: To explore the effects of pioglitazone on insulitis and diabetes and relevant mechanism., Methods: Seventy-three female non-obese diabetic (NOD)/Lt mice aged 4 weeks were randomly divided into 3 groups, control group (n = 25, fed with regular diet), low dosage pioglitazone group (n = 23, pioglitazone of the concentration of 0.01% was added into the feed) and high dosage pioglitazone group (n = 25, pioglitazone of the concentration of 0.04% was added into the feed). The mice were killed when diabetes developed or they reached the age of 30 weeks. The body weight and amount of food intake were measured every week and the amount of drug intake was calculated. Urine glucose was checked weekly from week 10 to week 30. When urine glucose was positive and relevant symptoms appeared, blood glucose was measured. The criterion of diagnosis of diabetes was the consecutive blood glucose level > or = 16.7 mmol/L for 2 times. At the 12th week 4-7 mice from the 3 groups respectively were killed and their pancreases were removed to be scored on insulitis by HE staining, the spleen cells were cultured. The IL-4 and IFN-r levels in serum and supernatants of spleen cell cultures were measured by ELISA. The pancreatic IFN-r mRNA level was tested using RT-PCR method., Results: (1) At the age of 30 weeks, the diabetes incidence rates was 80% (20/25) in the control group, 60.9% (14/23) in the low dose group, and 60% (15/25) in the high dose group (P > 0.05). At the following time points the diabetes incidence rates of the 2 treated groups were lower than that of the control group (all P < 0.05): (1) 0% in the low dose group vs 16%: of the control group at the age of 100 days, and 39% vs 68% at the age of 185 days; and (2) 0% in the high dose group vs 16% in the control group at the age of 110 days, 4% vs 24% at the age of 120 days, and 12%vs 36% at the age of 135 days. (2) There was no difference in insulitis scores between the control group and low dose or high dose groups at the age of 12 weeks (1.99 +/- 0.75 vs 1.01 +/- 0.68 and 1.19 +/- 0.84, both P > 0.05), however, the score of the combined pioglitazone group (low dose group + high dos group) was significantly higher than that of the control group (1.12 +/- 0.75 vs 1.99 +/- 0.75, P < 0.05). (3) There was no differences in the IL-4/IFN-r ratios in serum and splenocyte culture supernatant and pancreatic IFN-r mRNA levels among the three groups (all P > 0.05)., Conclusion: Pioglitazone, to some extent, lessens the insulitis severity and delays the diabetes onset. Its mechanism may be unrelated to immune deviation of Th1 to a Th2.