High-glucose promotes proliferation of human bladder cancer T24 cells by activating Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVE: Bladder cancer is the most prevalent genitourinary malignant disorder worldwide. We aimed to observe effects of high-glucose on bladder cancer proliferation and explore the associated mechanisms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Human bladder cancer cell line, T24, was divided into Blank, Control (Ctrl), 10 mmol/l, 20 mmol/l and 30 mmol/l group. T24 cell proliferation was evaluated by using multiple table tournament (MTT) assay and colony formation analysis, respectively. Quantitative Real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) assay was employed to examine mRNA expression of Wnt-5a and ß-catenin. Meanwhile, Western blot assay was used to evaluate expression of Wnt-5a and ß-catenin protein. The linear regression analysis was utilized to analyze correlation between Wnt-5a/ß-catenin expression and T24 cell proliferation. RESULTS: High-glucose significantly enhanced proliferation of T24 cells compared to that of Blank and Ctrl group (p < 0.05). High-glucose significantly promoted colony formation of T24 cells compared to that of Blank and Ctrl group (p < 0.05). High-glucose significantly up-regulated Wnt-5a mRNA and protein expression compared to that of Blank and Ctrl group (p < 0.01). High-glucose significantly increased ß-catenin mRNA and protein expression compared to that of Blank and Ctrl group (p < 0.01). Effects of high-glucose on T24 cell proliferation were increased following with the enhanced glucose concentration. Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway molecules were correlated with colony formation of T24 cells (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: High-glucose promoted the proliferation of T24 cells by activating the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway. This study would provide the novel targets for bladder cancer therapy.

[Epidemiological characteristics of outbreaks of norovirus-Gâ ¡.2, Gâ ¡.17 and Gâ ¡.4/Sydney in Guangdong province, 2013-2017].

Objective: To understand the epidemiologic characteristics of outbreaks, caused by norovirus-GⅡ.2、GⅡ.17 and GⅡ.4/Sydney in Guangdong Province from 2013 to 2017 and to provide scientific evidence for epidemic prevention and control. Methods: Incidence data of norovirus outbreaks in Guangdong from January 1(st) 2013 to November 30(th) 2017 were collected from Public Health Emergency Management Information System. RT-PCR was performed for every case of each outbreak to detect norovirus nucleic acid and gene sequencing was conducted to identify the genotype of norovirus. Characteristics of norovirus GⅡ.2, GⅡ.17 and GⅡ.4/Sydney outbreaks were analyzed. Directly standardized method was used to calculate the proportion of symtoms as diarrhea and vomitting. Results: From January 1(st) 2013 to November 30(th) 2017, a total of 167 norovirus outbreaks were reported in Guangdong, and 115 outbreaks were caused by norovirus GⅡ.2, GⅡ.17 and GⅡ.4/Sydney respectively. The outbreaks caused by norovirus GⅡ.2 accounted for 39.68% (25/63) in primary schools, 28.57% (18/63) in child care settings, 25.40% (16/63) in middle schools and 6.35% (4/63) in universities. Outbreaks caused by norovirus GⅡ.17 accounted for 41.03% (16/39) in middle schools, 20.51% (8/39) at workplaces, 15.38% (6/39) in primary schools, 12.82% (5/39) in universities, 5.13% (2/39) in communities and child care settings respectively. The outbreaks caused by norovirus GⅡ.4/Sydney accounted for 53.85% (7/13) in universities, 15.38% (2/13) in child care settings and at workplaces respectively, 7.69%(1/13) in primary schools and middle schools respectively. The outbreaks caused by norovirus GⅡ.2 had 77.78% (49/63) of contact transmission, 17.46% (11/63) of food-borne transmission. The outbreaks caused by norovirus GⅡ.17 showed 53.85% (21/39) of food-borne transmission, 15.38% (6/39) of contract transmission, 12.82% (5/39) of water-borne transmission. The outbreaks caused by norovirus GⅡ.4/Sydney had 53.85% (7/13) of food-borne transmission, 38.46% (5/13) of the contact transmission. In terms of the clinical manifestations, the standardized proportion of vomit was 73.76% and the proportion of diarrhea was 42.85% in cases infected with norovirus GⅡ.2, the proportion of standardized of vomit was 76.37% and the proportion of diarrhea was 51.40% in cases infected with norovirus GⅡ.17, with the standardized proportion of vomit was 54.10% and the proportion of diarrhea was 55.95% in cases infected with norovirus GⅡ.4/Sydney. Conclusions: The outbreaks caused by norovirus GⅡ.2 through contact transmission mainly occurred in primary schools, child care settings and middle schools. The outbreaks caused by norovirus GⅡ.17 through food-borne transmission mainly occurred in middle schools and at workplaces. The outbreaks caused by norovirus GⅡ.4/Sydney food-borne transmission and contact mainly occurred in universities.

Scalable and cost-effective Ag nanowires flexible transparent electrodes.

Flexible transparent electrodes (TEs) are important for new electronic devices. This paper reports a scalable, cost effective Ag nanowires (AgNWs) TE, which is made of a SnO2·xH2O and AgNWs composite layer and a flexible polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottom layer by a solution method at room temperature. The AgNWs/SnO2·xH2O composite TEs reveal a significant reduction of four orders in magnitude of sheet resistance, from 90 kΩ sq-1 to 12 Ω sq-1, while retaining transmittance of about 92% at 550 nm. This could be owing to the significant reduction of contact resistance for the weld-like junction of bound AgNWs. Compared with others, this method is characterized by filling gaps of the silver nanowire network with SnO2·xH2O. In addition, the adhesive forces between the AgNWs and the substrate are improved. This could be attributed to strong adhesion of SnO2·xH2O with the substrate. Moreover, this foldable transparent electrode is applicable for any non-planar surfaces and ultimately for future wearable optoelectronic devices.

[Analysis on risk factors for norovirus outbreaks in Guangdong province, 2008-2015].

Objective: To analyze transmission factors of norovirus outbreaks in Guangdong province during 2008-2015 and provide evidence for the prevention and control of norovirus infection. Methods: Epidemiological analysis was performed on the data of norovirus outbreaks reported in Guangdong from January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2015, which were obtained from the Public Health Emergency Management Information System of Guangdong province. The samples collected from the norovirus outbreaks were detected for norovirus by RT-PCR and the gene sequencing of the positive PCR products were performed. Results: A total of 96 norovirus outbreaks were reported in Guangdong during 2008-2015. Sixteen outbreaks were reported during 2008-2012 and 80 outbreaks were reported during 2013-2015 (83.3%). Eighty-two outbreaks (85.4%) occurred in schools. The infection routes included foodborne transmission in 39 outbreaks (40.6%), person to person transmission in 23 outbreaks (24.0%) and waterborne transmission in 8 outbreaks (7.3%). The gene sequencing results showed that variant GⅡ.4/Sydney2012 was the predominant pathogen for 6 of the 20 outbreaks (30.0%) during 2012-2013. Variant GⅡ.17 was the predominant pathogens for 33 of the 53 outbreaks (62.3%) during 2014-2015. Conclusion: The norovirus outbreaks in Guangdong during 2008-2015 were caused by foodborne and person to person transmissions of two emerging variant: GⅡ.4/Sydney2012 and GⅡ.17.

Posttraumatic stress disorder in co-workers following exposure to a fatal construction accident in China.

To assess the mental disturbances induced by accidents at work, 41 male workers who had witnessed a fatal work accident were evaluated utilizing the criteria for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from the ICD-10 Classification of Mental and Behavioral Disorders. The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) was also administered to the exposed workers, as well as to 47 non-exposed construction-worker controls. The two groups were well matched with respect to age, years of employment, and years of education. They were all of Han sect; and lifestyles, incomes, and living conditions were similar. The exposed workers had a high rate of PTSD: 11 of 41 (26.8%) at one month and five of 39 (12.9%) four months after the fatal accident. The exposed groups' scores for depressive symptoms were significantly higher than those of the controls, including: 1) depressed mood, 2) guilt, 3) initial insomnia, 4) middle insomnia, 5) delayed insomnia, 6) decreased interest in work and other activities, 7) anxiety, 8) somatization, and 9) gastrointestinal symptoms (p < 0.05, p < 0.01, p < 0.001). Fatal work accidents, a major hazard in the construction industry, affect not only the victims but also the mental health of other workers. PTSD and associated emotional disorders related to exposure to serious work accidents deserve more attention for clinical and research purposes.