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In order to investigate the influence of antifreeze peptide properties on its protective effect on myofibrillar proteins in frozen surimi, the present study was conducted to characterize the properties of three antifreeze peptides (sericin peptides, collagen peptides and silver carp hydrolysates), and we analyzed the changing pattern of myofibrillar protein properties under different freezing conditions, and constructed a correlation model between myofibrillar protein properties and frozen storage parameters and antifreeze peptide properties using least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (Lasso) regression. The results showed that all antifreeze peptides used in the study were “hyperactive” antifreeze peptides with thermal hysteresis activity (THA) (> 0.60 ℃), low molecular mass (< 10 000 Da), high hydrophilicity (θ < 30°) , and polar amino acid content of more than 60%; the antifreeze peptides were able to significantly mitigate the negative effects of frozen storage on myofibrillar proteins. The mean content of myofibrillar proteins in frozen surimi with added antifreeze peptides was 50.44–54.47 mg/g, the mean Ca2+-ATPase activity was 1.61–1.67 U/mg, the mean surface hydrophobicity index increased only by 39.91%–42.40% when compared with that of fresh surimi, and the rate of myofibrillar protein denaturation was much lower than that of the control group without antifreeze peptides. The Lasso regression model explained the effects of antifreeze peptide properties on changes in the properties of myofibrillar protein in frozen surimi, demonstrating that antifreeze peptides with lower molecular mass and higher THA contributed to slowing down the decline in myofibrillar protein content, Ca2+-ATPase activity, surface hydrophobicity, and characteristic indexes. The differences in the hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity of antifreeze peptides resulted in differences in their interactions with ice crystals and proteins, and consequently caused different effects on surimi myofibrillar proteins. This study provides a theoretical basis for the application of antifreeze peptides and the quality regulation of surimi products and also provides a direction for the development of novel efficient antifreeze agents.

Fermentation is a traditional way of fish storage. During the fermentation process, microorganisms in raw materials or the environment can promote the decomposition and utilization of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats through metabolism, thereby generating rich flavor substances. People in different regions make different types of fermented fish products with different flavors by using different raw materials and ingredients and controlling conditions such as salt content, fermentation temperature, and fermentation time. The differences in the microbial community composition in various types of fermented fish products result in different compositions of characteristic flavor substances. Therefore, the microbial community composition in different fermented fish products and the correlation between microbial metabolism and the formation of characteristic flavor compounds are current research hotspots. This review summarizes recent studies on the fermentation process, microbial community composition, characteristic flavor substances and their formation mechanisms in different types of fermented fish products in China, and analyzes the impact of fermentation conditions on the microbial community composition and flavor formation. Besides, this review compares the characteristics of research methods for the correlation between different microorganisms and flavor substances. This review will provide a reference and direction for exploring the formation mechanism of the flavor of fermented fish and for the precise regulation of fermented fish flavor in the future.

Objective: Explore the cryoprotective mechanism and structure-activity relationship of antifreeze peptides derived from silver carp parvalbumin. Methods: Using differential scanning calorimetry and molecular dynamics simulation to compare activity, structure and mode of action of two typical peptides. Results: Pv-AFP 1 （KAADSFNH KAFFAKVG） had a stable α-helix structure, while Pv-AFP 2 （KAADSFNHKAF） tended to exhibit random coil. The thermal hysteresis activity of Pv-AFP 1 was 0.87 ℃, which was higher than Pv-AFP 2 （0.74 ℃）. Molecular dynamics simulations showed that Pv-AFP 1 could interact with 53 water molecules, and could form 16 hydrogen bonds to adsorb onto the surface of ice crystals, with a binding energy of -1 514 kJ/mol, all were greater than Pv-AFP 2 （can bind 50 water molecules, adsorb on ice surface by forming 11 hydrogen bonds, with a binding energy of -805 kJ/mol）. Despite the similarity of the two peptide sequences, their major sites and modes of interactions with water molecules and ice crystals were somewhat different. In addition, both peptides could interact with ice/water interface and altered the curvature of the ice surface, thereby inhibiting water freezing. But Pv-AFP 1 showed a better inhibitory effect on ice surface growth than Pv-AFP 2, which was consistent with their thermal hysteresis activity. Conclusion: The activities of antifreeze peptides derived from silver carp parvalbumin might be related to their structural characters and their affinities, sites and modes of interaction with water molecules and ice crystals.

Objective To investigate the clinical outcome of 9 very preterm infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD)-associated pulmonary hypertension (PH) and patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) after PDA ligation. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed for the clinical data of 9 very preterm infants with BPD-associated PH and PDA, and all infants underwent PDA ligation and were followed up regularly after surgery. Results After surgical treatment, 7 infants had normal pulmonary artery pressure and were discharged after successful ventilator weaning, and all these infants were regularly followed up to June 2022 at the outpatient service, among whom the oldest infant was aged 4 years; echocardiography showed that all infants had normal heart structure and function, pulmonary artery pressure, and growth and development, without recurrent respiratory infection. Two infants died. Conclusion Very preterm infants with BPD-associated PH and PDA often have critical situations, and in case of failed pharmacotherapy, timely PDA ligation is an important method to improve prognosis.

Objective: To solve the problems of an uncertain fermentation process, a long fermentation period, and the unstable quality of traditional naturally fermented preserved fish. Methods: The lactic acid bacteria were isolated from low-salt preserved red fish, and the inhibition ability, salt tolerance, and acid production ability of the strains were investigated. The lactic acid bacteria suitable for fermentation were screened out, and the fermentation of preserved red fish was intensified by inoculation. The amount of red rice flour added, the amount of salt added during curing, and the fermentation temperature were optimized in the fermentation process. Results: There were 22 strains of Pediococcus with inhibitory effect on Escherichia coli or Staphylococcus aureus were isolated, among which Pediococcus pentosaceus P-56 had the best inhibitory effect on Escherichia coli and higher tolerance to bile salt and acid; After inoculation fermentation and process optimization. The pH value of the Zhayu decreased to 4.42 at 4 days of fermentation, the TCA-soluble peptide content was 434.99 μmol/g and the sensory score reached 45.7. Conclusion: The optimal process conditions for the fermentation of preserved red fish with lactic acid bacteria were: 4% salt addition for curing, 4% red yeast rice flour addition and fermentation temperature of 32 ℃.

In this study, the effects of soybean oil addition (1%, 3%, 5% and 7%) on the structure of surimi gels during freeze-thaw were investigated, and the first-order Ogden model was used to describe the relationship between the true stress and the true strain of surimi gels with different mass fractions of soybean oil under large compression deformation (stretch ratio of 0.4–1). The results showed that the addition of soybean oil to fresh surimi reduced the gel strength and enlarged the pores of the gel network. It was found that the addition of 5% and 7% soybean oil had a protective effect on the gel network structure of surimi after six freeze-thaw cycles. The gel strength of surimi with 5% and 7% soybean oil (319.30 and 338.64 g · cm, respectively) was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than that (286.04 g · cm) of the control group (without soybean oil), and the gel network structure was more complete than that of the latter. The Ogden model was fitted well to the true stress-strain compression response curves of fresh and freeze-thawed surimi gels with the addition of soybean oil (R2 = 0.916–0.998). The model fitting results showed that the initial shear modulus changes of fresh and freeze-thawed surimi gels were consistent with the gel strength results. This study suggested that the addition of soybean oil at 5% and 7% can reduce the damage caused to the surimi gel structure by freeze-thaw cycles. The Ogden model can well describe the effect of soybean oil addition on the large deformation behavior of fresh and frozen-thawed surimi gels. These findings may provide theoretical and technical support for the quality improvement of surimi products and the control of transportation and storage conditions.

Silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) surimi was heated after freeze-thaw cycles at different freezing temperatures, and the changes of nonanal, 1-octene-3-alcohol, endogenous fluorescent substances, protein subunits, lysine, α-dicarbonyl compounds (glyoxal, GO and methylglyoxal, MGO), Nε-carboxylmethyl-lysine (CML) as an advanced glycation end product (AGE) and fluorescent AGEs in surimi during freeze-thaw and heating treatment were determined. The results showed that freezing temperature had no significant effect on any of the parameters measured (P > 0.05). As the number of freeze-thaw cycles increased, the levels of nonanal, 1-octene-3-ol, endogenous fluorescent substances, CML and fluorescent AGEs in surimi increased significantly, the content of lysine increased, and the levels of GO and MGO decreased significantly (P < 0.05). The levels of 1-octene-3-ol, GO, MGO, CML and fluorescent AGEs increased significantly during heat processing, the content of lysine increased at first and then decreased, the level of endogenous fluorescent substances decreased significantly (P < 0.05), and the myosin heavy chain was gradually degraded into smaller proteins. The above results showed that freeze-thaw treatment provided a large number of precursors for the formation of AGEs in surimi. Thermal processing promoted fat oxidation and protein degradation, stimulating the formation of AGEs in surimi through various pathways, which could in turn affect the safety of surimi.

Objective To investigate the clinical features of neonates with enterovirus encephalitis, and to prevent the outbreak of enterovirus infection by improving the early identification of this disease. Methods A total of 12 neonates with enterovirus encephalitis who were admitted to our hospital from June 2019 to June 2022 were enrolled and analyzed in terms of clinical features and laboratory examination. The key points of treatment were summarized, and their prognosis was assessed. ResultsAmong the 12 neonates, 7 were preterm infants, with the clinical manifestations of nonspecific sepsis-like symptoms and normal or mildly elevated inflammatory markers. All neonates tested positive for enterovirus nucleic acid in cerebrospinal fluid. All neonates were given standard isolation, intravenous injection of human immunoglobulin, and symptomatic supportive treatment and achieved a good prognosis after treatment. Conclusion Neonates with enterovirus encephalitis often have atypical clinical manifestations and thus require early identification and targeted strategies for the prevention and control of infection.

Objective: To investigate the expression of long noncoding RNA linc00261 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and its correlation with the clinicopathological features and postoperative outcomes of the patients., Methods: Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) was used to detect the expression of linc00261 in surgical specimens of HCC and adjacent tissues from 74 patients. The correlation of the expression level of linc00261 in HCC with the clinicopathological parameters of the patients was analyzed using Chi-square test. The Cox's proportional hazards regression model was used to assess the value of linc00261 in predicting the prognosis of HCC patients after operation. The expression of linc00261 was also examined in 5 HCC cell lines using qRT-PCR. The HCC cell lines MHCC-LM3 and SNU-449 were transfected with small interfering RNAs targeting linc00261 for linc00261 knockdown, and the changes in the cell proliferation, migration and invasion abilities were observed using CCK-8 assay and Transwell assay., Results: The expression level of linc00261 in HCC was significantly correlated with AFP ( P =0.032), tumor size ( P =0.007), microscopic vascular invasion (MVI; P =0.01), and TNM stage ( P =002). The patients with lowered expressions of linc00261 in HCC tissues had a significantly shortened tumor-free survival time ( P &lt; 0.05), and a lowered expression of linc00261 was identified as an independent risk factor affecting postoperative recurrence-free survival time of the patients ( P &lt; 0.05). In HCC cell lines MHCC-LM3 and SNU-449 cells, linc00261 knockdown obviously promoted the cell migration and invasion ( P &lt; 0.01) but did not significantly affect cell proliferation ( P &gt; 0.05)., Conclusions: Linc00261 may serve as a new prognostic biomarker for predicting the postoperative outcomes of the patients with HCC.

Objective: To study the clinicopathologic features of Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) occurring in northern China, association with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection and concordance between EBV protein immunohistochemistry (IHC) and in-situ hybridization (ISH)., Methods: Two hundred and thirty-five cases were collected and their HE and IHC slides were reviewed to confirm the diagnosis and sort of HLs. All cases were performed with IHC staining for LMP-1 protein and ISH of EBV-encoded RNAs (EBER) was done in 101 cases to detect the existence of EBV., Results: The incidence peak was between age 25 and 35 years, followed by another peak between age 56 to 60 years. There were 135 males and 100 females. The tumor involved lymph nodes in 217 cases, and extranodal sites in 18 cases. There were 3 cases of nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin lymphoma (NLPHL) and 232 cases of classical Hodgkin lymphoma. All tumors were stained for CD30, CD20, CD3. CD30 was expressed in 227 cases (96.6%), CD20 was expressed in 53 cases (22.5%) with different level of intensity. CD3 was expressed only in 1 case (0.4%). CD15 staining was performed in 224 cases and 117 (52.2%) cases were positive. PAX-5 were performed in 213 cases and 160 (75.1%) cases showed weak to moderate expressions. Two hundred and thirty-five cases were immunohistochemically stained with LMP1 and 72 (30.6%) cases were positive. Meanwhile, EBER ISH were applied in 101 cases, and 40 cases (39.6%) were found positive. LMP1 was expressed in 30 cases among those EBER-positive cases, while LMP1 was only detected in 5 cases of the EBER-negative cases. There was no statistically significantce between LMP1 IHC and EBER ISH by pared chi-square test (P = 0.3), the overall concordance rate was 85.2%., Conclusions: There was a bimodal age distribution in our group of HL cases from the northern part of China, with slight male predominance and mainly nodal involvement. Nodular sclerosis (NS) and mixed cellularity (MC) were major histologic subtypes. When it was compared with the EBER ISH method in detection EBV infection of HL, the more economical and convenient LMP1 IHC showed both high degree of consistency and overall concordance rate.

Objective: To evaluate the value of flow cytometry (FCM) in the diagnosis of bone marrow involvement in patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL)., Methods: The cytomorphology, biopsy and FCM tests were performed concurrently on bone marrow samples from 206 patients who were consecutively diagnosed as NHL from March 2013 to August 2013 at Peking University Cancer Hospital. The results were analyzed and compared., Results: Totally bone marrow involvement occurred in 25.7% (53/206) patients. The detection positivity of bone marrow involvement by cytomorphology, biopsy and flow cytometry were 6/14, 6/14 and 9/14 respectively in 14 T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma and T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-LBL/ALL) patients; 9.2% (14/152) , 19.1% (29/152) and 23.7% (36/152) respectively in 152 mature B-cell NHL patients; 0 (0/40) , 15.0% (6/40) and 2.5% (1/40) in 40 cases of mature T/NK-cell NHL. The overall rate of concordance of biopsy and flow cytometry was 88.3%., Conclusions: FCM has a high sensitivity in detecting bone marrow involvement in NHL patients, especially those with T-LBL/ALL and B-cell NHL. And a combination of morphology, biopsy and FCM may improve the sensitivity and accuracy in the detection of bone marrow involvement in NHL patients.

Objective: To investigate the approaches to diagnosis, treatment and prevention of the biliary complications after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT)., Methods: The clinical data were collected from 258 adult patients receiving orthotopic liver transplantation between August, 2004 and December, 2011, among whom 56 patients with biliary complications were identified to analyze the diagnosis and treatment of the complications., Results: The incidence of biliary complication was 22.13% in the 258 recipients of secondary liver transplantation. Of the 56 patients with biliary complication, 32 (57.14%) had biliary stricture and 24 (42.86%) had bile leakage; 36 (64.29%) patients presented a simple type of biliary complication and 20 (35.71%) had a composite type, including bile leakage, biliary obstruction, biliary calculi, biliary tract infections, biliary sludge formation, and biliary tract bleeding. Thirty-one patients (55.36%) underwent routine endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreato- graphy (ERCP), percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC) and other endoscopic or interventional treatments, and 23 (74.19%) were cured or showed improvement, while 3 died due to multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS)., Conclusion: Appropriate surgical approaches and skills in bile duct anastomosis are crucial to reduce the incidence of biliary complications following liver transplantation. Non-surgical treatment (including ERCP) is the primary option, followed by surgical bile duct exploration, for the management of biliary complications; liver retransplantation is the most effective life-saving means for patients with liver graft non-function. But still, prevention of biliary complications is of pivotal importance to improve the outcome of liver transplantation.

Objective: To investigate the evaluation of lymphatic emboli by D2-40/CKpan dual immunostain and its prognostic significance in advanced primary gastric adenocarcinoma., Methods: Tissue samples of 108 cases of advanced gastric adenocarcinoma with radical gastrectomy were collected from Chinese PLA General Hospital in 2001. Lymphatic emboli were evaluated by D2-40/CKpan dual immunostain on consecutive sections, and compared with routine HE staining. The correlation of lymphatic emboli with lymph node metastasis and overall survival was analyzed by Pearson Chi-squared test and univariate survival analysis, respectively., Results: Lymphatic emboli were detected in 73/108 (67.6%) cases by D2-40/CKpan staining, compared to 57/108 (52.8%) by HE staining. There was significant difference (P=0.007). Lymphatic emboli on HE staining revealed false negative in 24/108 cases and false positive in 8/108 cases. A significant correlation was found between lymphatic emboli and lymph node metastasis on HE staining (P=0.024), while it was not found on D2-40/CKpan staining (P=0.422). The overall survival rate was significantly different between lymphatic emboli positive and negative cases on HE staining (P=0.043). The overall survival rate was lower in lymphatic emboli positive cases on HE staining. Lymphatic emboli evaluated on D2-40/CKpan staining had no prognostic value (P=0.402)., Conclusion: D2-40/Ckpan dual immunostaining is more sensitive for lymphatic emboli in gastric adenocarcinoma but may not predict lymph node metastasis and survival, while HE staining may.

Objective: To investigate the surgical techniques and appropriate perioperative management for ensuring successful orthotopic liver transplantation (ROLT) in rats., Methods: Based on the double-cuff technique of Kamada, we modified the surgical techniques of separation, perfusion and cold preservation of the donor liver, shearing and anastomosis of the suprahepatic vena cava with optimized postoperative infusion protocols and animal care., Results: Two hundred and seventy rats underwent ROLT and a learning curve of the success rate was built to reflect the improvement of techniques. The learning curve showed steep improvements over the exploration stage, breakthrough stage and maturation stage, and the success rates increased sharply over time (0%, 71.1%, and 94.5%, respectively) until finally reaching over 90%. The shearing and anastomosis of the suprahepatic vena cava remained the most critical and difficult techniques in ROLT modeling., Conclusion: Proficient microsurgical techniques and meticulous nursing can reduce postoperative complications, enhance operational success rate and extend the survival time after ROLT.

Objective: To study the expression of cellular inhibitor of apoptosis protein-2 (C-IAP2) mRNA and protein in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and its relationship with the clinical outcomes., Methods: Quantitative PCR and immunohistochemical staining were used to detect the expression of C-IAP2 mRNA and protein in the tumor tissues and corresponding adjacent non-cancerous tissues from HCC patients., Results: The expression of C-IAP2 mRNA in HCC tissues was 2.70 folds higher than that in the non-cancerous tissues (P<0.001). The expression rate of C-IAP2 protein in HCC tissues was 70.8%, significantly higher than that in the non-cancerous tissues (27.8%, P=0.001). The expression of C-IAP2 mRNA and protein was associated with the tumor emboli, lymph node metastasis, AFP level, histological differentiation, TNM stage, postoperative recurrence and metastasis (P<0.05), but not with the patients' gender, age, HbsAg positivity, number of tumors, cirrhosis or the presence of tumor encapsulation (P>0.05)., Conclusion: The expression of C-IAP2 in HCC is associated with tumor recurrence and metastasis, and can be a biological marker for prognostic evaluation of HCC.

Objective: To study the expression of special AT-rich sequence binding protein 1 (SATB1) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell lines with different invasive capacities., Methods: SATB1 expression was detected using real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR, RT-PCR, Western blotting and immunofluorescence in immortalized liver cell line HL-7702, noninvasive HCC cell lines HepG2 and SMMC-7721, MHCC97L cells with low invasiveness, and highly invasive cell lines MHCC97H and HCCLM3., Results: In comparison with HL-7702 cells, all the 5 HCC cell lines showed overexpression of SATB1 mRNA, which was the highest in the highly invasive HCCLM3 and MHCC97H cells, followed by MHCC97L cell line, and then by SMMC-7721 and HepG2 cell lines (P<0.001). The relative expression quantity of SATB1 protein in HepG2, SMMC-7721, MHCC97L, MHCC97H, and HCCLM3 cell lines was 0.271±0.002, 0.351±0.023, 0.621±0.026, 0.878±0.026, and 1.236±0.006, respectively. SATB1 expression level in HCCLM3 cell line was 4.6-fold higher than that in HepG2 cell line (P<0.001). SATB1 was found to localize in the cytoplasm and cell nuclei of the 5 HCC cell lines, and the highly invasive HCCLM3 and MHCC97H cell lines showed a strong positive staining for SATB1 in immunofluorescence assay., Conclusion: SATB1 expression levels differ distinctly between the HCC cell lines with different invasive capacities and are possibly associated with the metastatic potentials of the cells.

Background: A debate has been ongoing whether non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC) with neuroendocrine(NE) differentiation likely indicates malignant behavior, poor prognosis, and sensitivity to chemotherapy. In response to this issue, we retrospectively investigated NE differentiation in NSCLC patients who underwent anatomical pulmonary surgery., Methods: A total of 274 patients who met the inclusion criteria through January 2000 to December 2008 were enrolled in this study because they had the detailed material and enough paraffin tumor samples for tissue microarray. The recommended antibody panel consisted of CgA, Syn, NCAM, Leu-7, PGP9.5, and MAP-2. We also counted Ki-67 in the tissues to present the nuclear proliferation index. The Kaplan-Meier estimator and the Cox proportional hazard model multivariate analysis were applied to observe the relationship between NE differentiation and postoperative survival of the patients., Results: The Cox analysis of different NE score combinations on the prognosis of NSCLC after surgical treatment did not reach statistical significance (score 1, score 2, and score≥3 vs score 0, P=0.527; score 0 vs score ≥1, P=0.791; score<2 vs score≥2, P=0.163; score<3 vs score≥3, P=0.293). The Kaplan-Meier estimator did not give significant difference in the survival of NE score combinations in each pTNM layer. In the perioperative chemotherapy group, we also did not find a positive correlation for the survival analysis of NE score combinations (score 1, score 2, and score≥3 vs score 0, P=0.692; score 0 vs score≥1, P=0.922; score<2 vs score ≥2, P=0.264; score<3 vs score≥3, P=0.484)., Conclusions: The NE differentiation of NSCLC reflects some structure and functional characteristics of NELT, although it cannot be used as an independent factor of biological behavior and survival for NSCLC patients who underwent surgery in our group.

Background: Patients with adenocarcinoma of the lung have disproportionately response to the epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI). The aim of this study is to analyze the difference of EGFR gene amplification in bronchioloalveolar carcinoma (BAC), adenocarcinma mixed subtype and conventional adenocarcinoma of the lung and provide some information to clinical therapies., Methods: Lung cancer cases were collected and reviewed from the archives of the Department of Pathology, Chinese PLA General Hospital during the time period from 2004 to 2006. The definite diagnosis of BAC based on 2004 WHO classification of lung tumors was made by two pathologists. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was performed to detect EGFR gene amplification in pure BAC, adenocarcinma mixed subtype and conventional adenocarcinoma., Results: Conventional adenocarcinoma had higher EGFR amplification compared with pure BAC and adenocarcinma mixed subtype (Chi-square=11.632, P<0.05). EGFR gene amplification was found in 45.45% of conventional adenocarcinoma, 14.81% in pure BACs, and 22.58% in adenocarcinma mixed subtype. EGFR gene amplification was observed as scattered signals in most cases., Conclusions: EGFR gene amplification was seen more frequently in the invasive components than in BAC. EGFR gene amplification might be associated with the development of adenocarcinoma of the lung.

Background: bcl-2 and bax are main regulators of cell apoptosis, both are downstream genes of wild-type p53 gene. This study is to investigate the expression of bcl-2, bax, P53, C-erbB-2 and nm23-H1 in neuroendocrine carcinomas of the lung (NEC) and their relationship to tumor biological characteristics and survival time of patients., Methods: Hematoxylin-eosin staining and SP immunohistochemical staining were performed on paraffin embedded tissues of 59 patients with NEC. The relationship between the expression of p53, bcl-2, bax and the clinicopathological factors was analyzed by Chi-square test, multivariate analysis and Kaplan-Meier method., Results: The following positive expression rates were observed in cancer tissue: bax 56%, bcl-2 46%, P53 27%, C-erbB-2 14%, nm23-H1 90%. Of them bcl-2 related to pathological type (P=0.037), TNM stage (P=0.011), and lymph node metastasis (P=0.020), bax didn't relate to these biological characteristics. Both bcl-2 and P53 showed negative correlation to prognosis in Kaplan-Meier survival analysis (P=0.0338 and 0.0375 respectively), the expression of which linked to poor prognosis and short survival time, while nm23-H1 showed positive correlation to prognosis (P=0.0021), but Cox survival analysis demonstrated that only bcl-2 was associated with survival time of patients (P=0.011)., Conclusions: bcl-2 is an independent prognostic factor in NEC.

Objective: To analyze the influence of prelaboratory and intralaboratory factors on the turnaround time of the reports in order to develop a reference database for continuous quality improvement, a retrospective study of the timeliness was reported., Methods: Using cluster sampling of a total of 5,979 pathology reports selected by sampling a single month's reports from each quarter of the year 2000, of which there were 5,250 cases from routine biopsy and 729 cases from operative specimen. The timeliness and the factors that influence the turnaround time of the two types of surgical pathology reports were analyzed., Results: 4,872 pathology reports of 5,250 routine biopsy cases were completed in 3 working days, and 613 of 729 cases of the operative specimens were completed in 4 working days. The percentage was 92.8% and 84.1% respectively. Factors that significantly contributed to the increase in turnover time of biopsy reports included request of immunohistochemical staining, delayed arrival of the operative specimen at the laboratory after frozen section, additional recutting, intradepartment consultation and decalcification etc. As for the operative cases, several factors were associated with delayed report: second day arrival of the operative specimen at the laboratory after frozen section, lack of the adequate clinical history, request for immunohistochemical staining etc., Conclusions: The majority of surgical pathology reports in the department can be completed timely and the timeliness meets the general standard. Only about 10 percent of the reports were delayed because of some prelaboratory and intralaboratory factors, for which there were 33.5% and 66.5% respectively for routine biopsy, and 50.9% and 49.1% respectively for operative specimen.

Objective: To study the clinicopathological features of epithelioid angiosarcoma (EA) and to propose its differential diagnosis., Methods: 15 EAs were observed by means of HE staining, immunohistochemical staining (ABC method) and in part by electron microscopy., Results: Twelve cases occurred in men and three in women. Clinical symptoms included a focal mass with pain, weight loss and weakness. The tumors were located in the retroperitoneum (n = 3), extremities (n = 3), femur (n = 4), thyroid (n = 2), supraobit (n = 1), soft tissue of thorax (n = 1), soft tissue of neck (n = 1). Radiographic evaluation demonstrated solid to cystic neoplasms ranging from 3 to 20 cm in diameter. Histologically, the epithelioid cells were arranged diffusely or in nests with hemorrhage and focal necrosis. Atypical tumor cells lined the irregular spaces and single or small nests of cells grouped around a lumen containing red blood cells. FVIII, CD34, CD31,CK and EMA were positive in tumor cells and SMA was positive in pericytes. Ultrastructurally, intracytoplasmic vacuoles, Weibel-Palades, intermediate filaments and basal lamina could be seen. Surgical resection was the treatment of choice, occasionally with adjuvant chemotherapy. Follow-up. Two patients are presently alive 19 months and 7 years following diagnosis. Twelve died from 2 weeks to 38 months with a median interval of 19 months after lumpectomy. One patient was lost to follow up. There were 8 cases which had metastases to lungs, bones, lymph nodes and abdominal cavity., Conclusions: EA is a high-grade sarcoma. Endothelial derivation can be confirmed by immunohistochemical staining and ultrastructural findings. The differential diagnosis of EA includes metastatic carcinoma, epithelioid hemangioendothelioma, melanoma, epithelioid sarcoma etc.

Objective: To evaluate the role of Gallyas silver staining in the diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases., Method: Modified Gallyas-Braak staining method was used to investigate samples of the brain and spinal cord of 22 cases with neurodegenerative disease including Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's diseas (PD), Pick's disease, diffuse Lewy body disease (DLBD), progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), diagnosed by clinical and routine pathologic method. 10 cases without clinical symptoms and pathologic abnormalities of the nervous system served as control., Result: As compared with Bodian staining, Gallyas-Braak staining demonstrated clearly neurofibrillary tangles in the hippocampus and the cortex of frontal and temperal lobe in all the cases with Alzheimer's disease, 6 cases with dementia of other causes and 3 normal aged. However, global neurofibrillary tangles in the midbrain and the basal ganglia were found only with Gallyas-Braak staining in 4 cases with both dementia and extrapyramidal features. In addition, tuft-shaped astrocytes were shown with this method in the motor cortex, basal ganglia, midbrain of the above 4 cases and astrocytic plaques in the same area in 2 cases of the 4 cases. In this connexion, pathologic findings in 2 of the 4 cases corresponded to PSP and those of the other two cases fufiled the diagnostic criteria of corticobasal degeneration (CBD) Oligodendroglial cytoplasmic inclusions in the white matter of the brain and the spinal cord were founded in 3 of the 4 cases with multiple system atrophy (MSA). This silver staining demonstrated as well a lot of argyrophilic grains in the neuropil of the temporal lobe and the hippocampus in one case with AD., Conclusion: Gallyas silver staining could better reveal not only Alzheimer-like neurofibrillary tangles but also different glial inclusions in other neurodegenerative diseases such as PSP, CBD and MSA. Consequently, it is of great value in the pathologic diagnosis and study of such degenerative diseases.