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Objective: The prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has been increasing worldwide, and the risk of infection has increased due to the use of immunosuppressive and biologic medications. Some of these infections can be prevented with vaccinations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the vaccination practices of Chinese gastroenterologists for patients with IBD. Methods: Questionnaires based on quick response codes were sent using email and the WeChat platform to gastroenterologists at 20 hospitals in China. The vaccination practices of the gastroenterologists, including vaccinating for hepatitis B, hepatitis A, and varicella, were assessed. Results: Of the 468 gastroenterologists who received the questionnaire, 307 (65.6%) completed it. Of the gastroenterologists who were most concerned about hepatitis B; 83.4% always or frequently asked about an infection history, 53.7% took an immunization history, and 73.6% tested patients for hepatitis B infection. However, few gastroenterologists did so for hepatitis A or varicella. The proportion of patients who were asked about an infection and immunization history and tested for varicella infection was 16.0%, 15.0%, and 9.4%, respectively. Only a few gastroenterologists recommended vaccination for patients without an infection before IBD medical treatment (26.7% for hepatitis A, 45.6% for hepatitis B, and 28% for varicella vaccination). Conclusion: Vaccination practices for patients with IBD used by Chinese gastroenterologists vary greatly, suggesting that education about immunization is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prognostic value and clinical relevance of tertiary lymphoid structures (TLSs) in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) remain unclear. Thus, we aimed to investigate the prognostic value and functional involvement of TLSs in iCCA. We retrospectively included 962 patients from 3 cancer centers across China. The TLSs at different anatomic subregions were quantified and correlated with overall survival (OS) by Cox regression and Kaplan-Meier analyses. Multiplex immunohistochemistry (mIHC) was applied to characterize the composition of TLSs in 39 iCCA samples. A quaternary TLS scoring system was established for the intra-tumor region (T score) and peri-tumor region (P score) respectively. T scores positively correlated with favorable prognosis (p < 0.001), whereas a high P score signified worse survival (p < 0.001). mIHC demonstrated that both T follicular helper and regulatory T cells were significantly increased in intra-tumoral TLSs compared to peri-tumoral counterparts (p < 0.05), and regulatory T cell frequencies within intra-tumoral TLSs were positively associated with P score (p < 0.05) rather than T score. Collectively, the combination of T and P scores stratified iCCAs into 4 immune classes with distinct prognoses (p < 0.001) that differed in the abundance and distribution pattern of TLSs. Patients displaying an immune-active pattern had the lowest risk, with 5-year OS rates of 68.8%, whereas only 3.4% of patients with an immune-excluded pattern survived at 5 years (p < 0.001). The C-index of the immune class was statistically higher than the TNM staging system (0.73 vs. 0.63, p < 0.001). These results were validated in an internal and 2 external cohorts. The spatial distribution and abundance of TLSs significantly correlated with prognosis and provided a useful immune classification for iCCA. T follicular helper and regulatory T cells may play a critical role in determining the functional orientation of spatially different TLSs. Tertiary lymphoid structures (TLSs) are associated with favorable prognosis in a number of cancers. However, their role in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) remains unclear. Herein, we comprehensively evaluated the spatial distribution, abundance, and cellular composition of TLSs in iCCA, and revealed the opposite prognostic impacts of TLSs located within or outside the tumor. This difference could be mediated by the different immune cell subsets present within the spatially distinct TLSs. Based on our analysis, we were able to stratify iCCAs into 4 immune subclasses associated with varying prognoses. [Display omitted] • Tertiary lymphoid structures (TLSs) within and outside the tumor have opposite prognostic impacts on patients with iCCA. • The heterogeneous distribution of Tfh and Treg cells within distinct TLSs might be a determinant of their functional state. • The geographic integration of TLSs stratified iCCAs into 4 immune subclasses with distinct clinical outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The robotic liver resection (RLR) has been increasingly applied in recent years and its benefits shown in some aspects owing to the technical advancement of robotic surgical system, however, controversies still exist. Based on the foundation of the previous consensus statement, this new consensus document aimed to update clinical recommendations and provide guidance to improve the outcomes of RLR clinical practice. The guideline steering group and guideline expert group were formed by 29 international experts of liver surgery and evidence-based medicine (EBM). Relevant literature was reviewed and analyzed by the evidence evaluation group. According to the WHO Handbook for Guideline Development, the Guidance Principles of Development and Amendment of the Guidelines for Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment in China 2022, a total of 14 recommendations were generated. Among them were 8 recommendations formulated by the GRADE method, and the remaining 6 recommendations were formulated based on literature review and experts' opinion due to insufficient EBM results. This international experts consensus guideline offered guidance for the safe and effective clinical practice and the research direction of RLR in future., Competing Interests: Conflict-of-interest statement: The authors declare no conflict of interest in the development of consensus guidelines., (©The Author(s) 2023. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.)

We examined the effects of Spartina alterniflora invasion on phosphorus forms of marsh soils, based on the method of space-for-time substitution by selecting S. alterniflora marshes with different invasion years (SA 1 , 5-6 years; SA 2 , 8-10 years; and SA 3 , 12-14 years) in Shanyutan of the Minjiang River estuary. The results showed that in marsh soils of different invasion years, the proportion of hardly decomposable phosphorus (HCl-Pi and Residual-P) was the highest (46.4%-46.7%), followed by moderately decomposable phosphorus (NaOH-Pi, NaOH-Po and Sonic-Pi) (40.0%-44.0%), and the easily decomposable phosphorus (Resin-Pi, NaHCO 3 -Pi and NaHCO 3 -Po) was the lowest (9.5%-13.3%). With increasing invasion years of S. alterniflora , soil phosphorus forms and their spatial distributions were greatly altered. The contents of moderately decomposable phosphorus, hardly decomposable phosphorus, and total phosphorus (TP) generally increased, while easily decomposable phosphorus content generally decreased. Compared with SA 1 , the contents of moderately decomposable phosphorus, hardly decomposable phosphorus and TP in SA 2 increased by 11.5%, 9.7% and 10.5%, while those in SA 3 increased by 24.8%, 13.2% and 13.5%, respectively. The distribution of phosphorus forms was greatly altered with increasing invasion years, which was dependent on the variations of key factors such as EC, pH value and grain composition. The implementation of regular mowing activities for S. alterniflora in the Minjiang River estuary in recent years, to some extent, reduced the return of phosphorus from residues to soils and decreased the availability of the easily decomposable phosphorus in soils.

Clarifying the differences of maize yield and its stability under long-term no-tillage with different stover mulching amounts can provide theoretical and technical supports for establishing and evaluating long-term conservation tillage pattern and promoting grain production. Based on a long-term conservation tillage field experiment in the mollisol area of Northeast China since 2007, we analyzed the interannual variation, variation coefficient and stability of maize yield during 2013 and 2019 across five treatments, i.e ., no-tillage stover-free mulching (NT 0 ), no-tillage with 33% stover mulching (NT 33 ), no-tillage with 67% stover mulching (NT 67 ) and no-tillage with 100% stover mulching (NT 100 ), with the traditional ridge cropping (RT) as the control. The results showed that compared with RT, long-term no-tillage with stover mulching treatments could increase maize yield. NT 100 had the highest increasing rate of 11.4%, followed by NT 67 and NT 0 , with the increasing rate of 11.0% and 10.4%, respectively. Maize yield exhibited a nonlinear relationship with the amount of stover mulch. The variation coefficient of maize yield under multi-year no-tillage with different stover mulching could be sorted as NT 67 100 33 0 , and the yield sustainability index was NT 67 >NT 0 >NT 100 >RT>NT 33 , indicating that NT 67 treatment could significantly reduce the interannual fluctuation of maize yield and had better sustainability of yield. No-tillage stover mulching significantly increased soil total carbon and total nitrogen contents, which were significantly positively correlated with maize yield. In conclusion, compared with traditional tillage, no-tillage stover mulching could increase maize yield and soil carbon and nitrogen contents. Appropriate stover mulching (NT 67 )had the potential to improve the stability and sustainability of maize yield.

Background: Delivery room resuscitation assists preterm infants, especially extremely preterm infants (EPI) and extremely low birth weight infants (ELBWI), in breathing support, while it potentially exerts a negative impact on the lungs and outcomes of preterm infants. This study aimed to assess delivery room resuscitation and discharge outcomes of EPI and ELBWI in China., Methods: The clinical data of EPI (gestational age [GA] <28 weeks) and ELBWI (birth weight [BW] <1000 g), admitted within 72 h of birth in 33 neonatal intensive care units from five provinces and cities in North China between 2017 and 2018, were analyzed. The primary outcomes were delivery room resuscitation and risk factors for delivery room intubation (DRI). The secondary outcomes were survival rates, incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), and risk factors for BPD., Results: A cohort of 952 preterm infants were enrolled. The incidence of DRI, chest compressions, and administration of epinephrine was 55.9% (532/952), 12.5% (119/952), and 7.0% (67/952), respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed that the risk factors for DRI were GA <28 weeks (odds ratio [OR], 3.147; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.082-4.755), BW <1000 g (OR, 2.240; 95% CI, 1.606-3.125), and antepartum infection (OR, 1.429; 95% CI, 1.044-1.956). The survival rate was 65.9% (627/952) and was dependent on GA. The rate of BPD was 29.3% (181/627). Multivariate analysis showed that the risk factors for BPD were male (OR, 1.603; 95% CI, 1.061-2.424), DRI (OR, 2.094; 95% CI, 1.328-3.303), respiratory distress syndrome exposed to ≥2 doses of pulmonary surfactants (PS; OR, 2.700; 95% CI, 1.679-4.343), and mechanical ventilation ≥7 days (OR, 4.358; 95% CI, 2.777-6.837). However, a larger BW (OR, 0.998; 95% CI, 0.996-0.999), antenatal steroid (OR, 0.577; 95% CI, 0.379-0.880), and PS use in the delivery room (OR, 0.273; 95% CI, 0.160-0.467) were preventive factors for BPD (all P < 0.05)., Conclusion: Improving delivery room resuscitation and management of respiratory complications are imperative during early management of the health of EPI and ELBWI., (Copyright © 2021 The Chinese Medical Association, produced by Wolters Kluwer, Inc. under the CC-BY-NC-ND license.)

Background: With the advancement of endoscopic technology, laparoscopic liver resection has become the standard procedure for left lateral segmentectomy. The aim of this study was to compare perioperative and oncological outcomes between laparoscopic and open left lateral segmentectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) >5 cm., Patients and Methods: A total of 66 patients underwent left lateral segmentectomy for HCC (>5 cm) during the period spanning between 2013 and 2015. To overcome selection bias, 1:3 match using propensity score-matched analysis was performed between laparoscopic and open liver resection., Results: Relatively smaller tumor size (6.0 vs. 7.0 cm; P=0.030) and more frequent incidence of complete tumor capsule (93.3% vs. 58.8%; P=0.013) were observed in the laparoscopic group compared with the open group before matching. Although the longer operation time (195 vs. 150 min; P=0.022) was consumed in the laparoscopic procedure after matching, the laparoscopic group had shorter postoperative hospital stay (6 vs. 7 d; P=0.002) and less blood loss volume (50 vs. 100 mL; P=0.022). The Pringle maneuver for hepatic inflow occlusion was more likely to be applied in patients who underwent open surgery. The incidence of postoperative complication seemed to be lower in the laparoscopic group (6.7%) compared with that in the open group (11.8%) before matching. On the basis of propensity score-matched analysis, the complication rates were comparable between the 2 groups (7.1% vs. 6.7%, P=0.953). No difference in the 1-year and 3-year overall and recurrence-free survival rates was found between the laparoscopic and open groups., Conclusion: Laparoscopic left lateral segmentectomy for large HCC patients showed better perioperative outcomes and equivalent oncologic outcomes as the open procedure, providing evidence for considering as a standard laparoscopic practice through careful selection.

A rod-shaped, endospore-forming, facultative anaerobic bacterium, designated FJAT-45385 T , was isolated from soil collected from Devil City in the Xinjiang Autonomous Region in China. Growth was observed at 20-40 °C (optimum, 30 °C), pH 7.0-11.0 (pH 9.0) and in 0-10.0 % NaCl (4 %), respectively. The cell-wall peptidoglycan contained meso-diaminopimelic acid and the isoprenoid quinone was MK-7. The main fatty acids were anteiso-C15 : 0 (37.4 %), iso-C15 : 0 (15.1 %) and C16 : 0 (12.6 %). The main polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylethanolamine. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences affiliated strain FJAT-45385 T to the genus Bacillus, and showed the highest sequence similarity to Bacillus wakoensis DSM 2521 T (96.0 %). The average nucleotide identity and in silico DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain FJAT-45385 T and its closest related species were 67.8 and 35.5 %, respectively, which were much lower than the thresholds commonly used to define species (96 and 70 %, respectively) indicating that it belong to a different taxon. The DNA G+C content was 38.1 mol%. The phenotypic characters and taxono-genomics study revealed that strain FJAT-45385 T represents a novel Bacillus species, for which the name Bacillus urbisdiaboli sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is FJAT-45385 T (=DSM 104651 T =CCTCC AB 2016263 T ).

A new polyoxygenated abietane diterpenoid, bauchampine A (1), together with seven known compounds (2-8), were isolated from the rattans of Bauhinia championii (Benth.) Benth. The structure of 1 was elucidated by extensive spectroscopic methods and the known compounds were identified by comparison with the data reported in the literature. New compound 1 was evaluated for its anti-rheumatoid arthritis activity via examining its anti-proliferative effect on synoviocytes in vitro. Compound 1 exhibited inhibitory effect on the proliferation of synoviocytes with IC 50 value comparable to that of methotrexate.

A rod-shaped, endospore-forming, aerobic bacterium, designated FJAT-45347 T , was isolated from rhizosphere soil collected from the Taklamakan desert in Xinjiang (PR China). Growth was observed at 15-35 °C (optimum 25 °C), in 0 % and 20.0 % NaCl (optimum 8.0 %) and at pH 7.5-12.0 (optimum 8.0), respectively. The cell-wall peptidoglycan contained meso-diaminopimelic acid and the isoprenoid quinone was MK-7. The main fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C15 : 0 and anteiso-C17 : 0. The main polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylethanolamine. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences affiliated FJAT-45347 T to the genus Bacillus, and it showed the highest sequence similarities to Bacillus clarkii DSM 8720 T (96.1 %). The average nucleotide identity and in silico DNA-DNA hybridization values between FJAT-45347 T and the most closely related species were 68.5 and 26.2 %, respectively, which were lower than the thresholds commonly used to define species (96 and 70 %, respectively), indicating that it represented a member of a different taxon. The DNA G+C content was 40.6 mol%. The phenotypic characters and taxono-genomics study revealed that FJAT-45347 T represents a novel species of the genus Bacillus, for which the name Bacilluspopuli sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is FJAT-45347 T (=DSM 104632 T =CCTCC AB 2016257 T ).

Objective: This case-control study investigated the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms in the PTPN1 gene with susceptibility to esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) in Inner Mongolia, China., Methods: A total of 302 patients living in Inner Mongolia China who were pathologically diagnosed with ESCC between April 2012 and 2016 were selected for the ESCC group; 373 healthy individuals were selected for the control group. The rs2904268 C>G, rs2230605 A>G, and rs16995309 C>T polymorphisms in the PTPN1 gene were detected by bidirectional polymerase chain reaction amplification of specific alleles. The haplotype frequencies were analyzed by SHEsis software. Binary logistic regression analysis was conducted to analyze risk factors associated with ESCC., Results: Statistical differences between the ESCC and control groups were observed for history of smoking, drinking, and poor eating habits (all p < 0.05). Both the rs2904268 C>G CG and GG genotype frequencies were markedly higher in the ESCC group relative to the control group (both p < 0.05). However, the genotype frequencies of rs2230605 A>G and rs16995309 C>T were similar between the ESCC and control groups (all p > 0.05). Compared with the control group, the ESCC group had notably elevated frequencies of the GGC and GAT haplotypes and significantly reduced frequencies of CGC and GGT haplotypes (all p < 0.05). A history of smoking, drinking, poor eating habits, the rs2904268 C>G CG+GG genotypes, and the GAT haplotype were all identified as risk factors for ESCC (all p < 0.05)., Conclusion: These results indicated that the PTPN1 gene polymorphism rs2904268 is associated with susceptibility to ESCC in Inner Mongolia.

Background & Aims: Controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) is a non-invasive method for evaluating hepatic steatosis. However, larger skin capsular distance (SCD) can affect the accuracy. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of SCD on the diagnostic performance of CAP and liver stiffness measurement (LSM)., Methods: Of 101 patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and 280 patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) who underwent liver biopsy were prospectively recruited. CAP, LSM and SCD were performed using FibroScan with M probe. The areas under receiver operating characteristics curves (AUROCs) were calculated to determine the diagnostic efficacy. The optimal thresholds were defined by the maximum Youden index., Results: SCD (B 30.34, P < 0.001) and hepatic steatosis (B 23.04, P < 0.001) were independently associated with CAP by multivariate analysis. The AUROCs were slightly higher for SCD <25 mm compared to those for SCD ≥25 mm for steatosis ≥5% (0.88 vs. 0.81), >33% (0.90 vs. 0.85) and >66% (0.84 vs. 0.72). For SCD <25 mm, the optimal CAP cut-offs for differentiating steatosis ≥5%, >33% and >66% were 255.0 dB/m, 283.5 dB/m and 293.5 dB/m. However, cut-offs were elevated by approximately 60-70 dB/m for SCD ≥25 mm. When stratified by fibrosis grade, LSM was significantly affected by SCD ≥25 mm for advanced fibrosis (≥F3) in NAFLD, but not in CHB., Conclusion: CAP is a promising tool for detecting and quantifying hepatic steatosis. SCD ≥25 mm may cause overestimation of steatosis. Similarly, SCD ≥25 mm affects the detection of advanced fibrosis by LSM in NAFLD patients., (© 2015 The Authors. Liver International Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Aim: To evaluate the performance of a novel non-invasive controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) to assess liver steatosis., Methods: This was a multi-center prospective cohort study. Consecutive patients (aged ≥ 18 years) who had undergone percutaneous liver biopsy and CAP measurement were recruited from three Chinese liver centers. Steatosis was categorized as S0: < 5%; S1: 5%-33%; S2: 34%-66%; or S3: ≥ 67%, according to the nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) activity score. The FibroScan(®) 502 equipped with the M probe (Echosens, Paris, France) was used to capture both CAP and liver stiffness measurement values simultaneously. Receiver operating characteristic curves were plotted, and the areas under the curves were calculated to determine the diagnostic efficacy. The accuracy of the CAP values at the optimal thresholds was defined by maximizing the sum of sensitivity and specificity (maximum Youden index)., Results: A total of 152 patients were recruited, including 52 (34.2%) patients with NAFLD and 100 (65.8%) with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) virus infection. After adjustment, the steatosis grade (OR = 37.12; 95%CI: 21.63-52.60, P < 0.001) and body mass index (BMI, OR = 6.20; 95%CI: 2.92-9.48, P < 0.001) were found independently associated with CAP by multivariate linear regression analysis. CAP was not influenced by inflammation, fibrosis or aetiology. The median CAP values and interquartile ranges among patients with S0, S1, S2 and S3 steatosis were 211 (181-240) dB/m, 270 (253-305) dB/m, 330 (302-360) dB/m, and 346 (313-363) dB/m, respectively. The cut-offs for the CAP values in all patients with steatosis ≥ 5%, ≥ 34% and ≥ 67% were 253 dB/m, 285 dB/m and 310 dB/m, respectively. The areas under the curves were 0.92, 0.92 and 0.88 for steatosis ≥ 5%, ≥ 34% and ≥ 67%, respectively. No significant differences were found in the CAP values between the NAFLD group and the CHB group in each steatosis grade., Conclusion: CAP appears to be a promising tool for the non-invasive detection and quantification of hepatic steatosis, but is limited by BMI.

In order to understand the present situation of rice fertilization and the existing problems in the farmers' nutrient resources input in the Qin-Ba mountainous area of southern Shaanxi, the survey data from 2854 households in 11 counties of this area in the project "soil testing and formulated fertilization in 2006-2009" were analyzed and evaluated, and the countermeasures for the existing problems in the farmers' nutrient resources input were proposed. In the study area, the average rice yield was 7822 kg x hm(-2) per year, and the ratio of the households obtained the medium level yield was up to 50.9%. The input of the total fertilizers N, P2O5, K2O was 169, 68, and 54 kg x hm(-2), and the chemical fertilizer rate was 159, 62, and 45 kg x hm(-2), with the partial factor productivity (PFP) of the N, P2O5, and K2O being 51.52, 135.69, and 158.26 kg x kg(-1), respectively. According to the nutrient fertilization level, the proportion of the households fertilized with rational level of chemical N, P2O5, and K2O occupied 48.0%, 42.4%, and 7.2%, that of the households fertilized with excessive level was 22.6%, 11.2%, and 0.6%, and the proportion of the households fertilized with insufficient level occupied 29.4%, 46.5%, and 92.2%, respectively. The rice yield in the Qin-Ba mountainous area could be increased by 77 thousand tons if the households fertilizing with insufficient level of chemical NPK fertilizers increased the fertilization rate to a rational level. The existing problems in the farmers' nutrient resources input were mainly the coexistence of excessive and insufficient application of nitrogen and phosphate fertilizers and the insufficient input of potassium fertilizer and organic manure. In the rice fertilization in this area, the focus would be the balanced application of nitrogen and phosphate fertilizers, the increase of the fertilization rates of potassium fertilizer and organic manure, and the increase of top dressing, especially potassium.

A questionnaire survey was performed for the first time to assess the prevalence of visual symptoms and G-induced loss of consciousness (G-LOC) due to +Gz exposure in the Chinese Air Force (CAF) to determine the effectiveness of current G tolerance training. Responses were received from 594 individuals. Among them, 302 reported at least one episode of some sort of symptoms related to +Gz, including 110 (18.5%) with visual blurring, 231 (38.9%) with greyout, 111 (18.7%) with blackout, and 49 (8.2%) with G-LOC. Incidences were most common in aircrew with 250-1,000 flying hours (53.6%) and were more prevalent in those with fewer on type flying hours (p < 0.001). The most common situation was reported between +5 and 5.9 Gz. The results indicate a fairly high prevalence of visual symptoms and G-LOC among Chinese Air Force aircrew. There remains considerable scope for +Gz education, particularly in the early centrifuge training and selection of rational physical exercises.

Background: Low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 (LRP1) is a multifunctional receptor involved in receptor-mediated endocytosis and cell signaling. The aim of this study was to elucidate the expression and mechanism of LRP1 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)., Methods: LRP1 expression in 4 HCC cell lines and 40 HCC samples was detected. After interruption of LRP1 expression in a HCC cell line either with specific lentiviral-mediated shRNA LRP1 or in the presence of the LRP1-specific chaperone, receptor-associated protein (RAP), the role of LRP1 in the migration and invasion of HCC cells was assessed in vivo and in vitro, and the expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 9 in cells and the bioactivity of MMP9 in the supernatant were assayed. The expression and prognostic value of LRP1 were investigated in 327 HCC specimens., Results: Low LRP1 expression was associated with poor HCC prognosis, with low expression independently related to shortened overall survival and increased tumor recurrence rate. Expression of LRP1 in non-recurrent HCC samples was significantly higher than that in early recurrent samples. LRP1 expression in HCC cell lines was inversely correlated with their metastatic potential. After inhibition of LRP1, low-metastatic SMCC-7721 cells showed enhanced migration and invasion and increased expression and bioactivity of MMP9. Correlation analysis showed a negative correlation between LRP1 and MMP9 expression in HCC patients. The prognostic value of LRP1 expression was validated in the independent data set., Conclusions: LRP1 modulated the level of MMP9 and low level of LRP1 expression was associated with aggressiveness and invasiveness in HCCs. LRP1 offered a possible strategy for tumor molecular therapy.

The monthly, annual, and inter-decade variations of heat island effect in inner and outer suburbs of Shenyang and their relationships with urbanization were analyzed, based on the air temperature data from 1961 to 2008. It was indicated that the monthly and annual heat island effect was higher in inner suburb than in outer suburb, and decreased from inner suburb to outer suburb. The variation trend of monthly heat island effect in inner and outer suburbs was similar from March to November, but in contrary from December to next February, possibly due to the effects of heating in winter. The annual heat island effect in both inner and outer suburbs had an increasing trend before 2000 but a decreasing trend after 2000, and was significantly positively correlated with the green land area, population, and established construction area before 2000 (P < 0.05), but significantly negatively correlated with them after 2000 (P < 0.05), the correlation degree being 0.43, 0.52, and 0.26, respectively.

Objective: To molecularly analyze in Han and Li individuals of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency in Hainan, China., Methods: The amplification refractory mutation system (ARMS) was employed to detect G1376T, G1388A and A95G mutations. The coding regions and flanking intronic regions from the second to the thirteenth exons of G6PD gene was analyzed by DNA sequencing to characterize the gene mutations in samples without G1376T, G1388A and A95G mutations., Results: Among 29 Han cases of G6PD deficiency, 11 had G1376T (37.9%), 2 G1388A (6.9%), 1 G1376T and G1388A (3.4%) and 1 G1376T and A95G (3.4%) were identified. Mutations of G1376T, G1388A, A95G and their complex accounted for 51.7% of G6PD deficiency in the Han individuals. Among 42 Li cases of G6PD deficiency, 25 had G1376T (59.5%), 6 G1388A (14.3%), 2 A95G (4.8%), 4 G1376T and G1388A (9.5%), 1 G1376T and A95G (2.4% )were identified. These mutations accounted for 90.5% of the Li individuals. Gene mutation of 18 cases (14 Han and 4 Li individuals) remained unknown. Sequencing results of the 18 samples indicated that one case had a single base of T deletion at nucleotide 636 or 637 in the 5th intron (IVS-5 636 or 637 T del) and two cases had C1311T with IVS-11 T93C mutation., Conclusion: G6PD G1376T and G1388A are the most common mutations in the populations of the Han and Li nationalities in Hainan. The IVS-5 636 or 637 T del mutation is first reported in Chinese, and the complex mutation of G1376T/A95G is first found in the Li nationality.

Objective: To evaluate the variation of clinical data and referred purpose of prostate magnetic resonance (MR) examination in the past 12 years in Peking University First Hospital., Methods: One thousand and sixty-six patients underwent prostate MR examination (1,296 exams) from May 1992 to Sept. 2004. The clinical data of the patients were retrospectively analyzed. The number of patients was counted and three groups were classified (diagnosing group, staging group and follow-up group) according to the purpose of prostate MR examination per year. For the diagnosing group, the clinical data of patient's age, symptom, level of serum prostate specific antigen (PSA), and the result of ultrasound or digital rectal examination (DRE) were evaluated., Results: (1)The number of patients increased year by year in the past 12 years, and the majority of the increased patients required differential diagnosis. (2) Diagnosing group: the percentage of patients with the symptom of BPH increased year by year. The average level of serum PSA dropped and the percentage of patients with elevated PSA or with nodules detected by ultrasound or DRE referred for detection of prostate cancer or with the symptom of metastasis decreased., Conclusion: With the widespread screening of prostate cancer, more patients of early prostate carcinoma and non-tumoral lesion in prostate gland are examined by MR imaging.

Objective: To investigate the allelic frequencies of polymorphisms of alpha Taq I and beta Bcl I, Hinf I A/C, 448 G/A, beta BsmA I G/C, +1689T/G, -148C/T, -249C/T, -455G/A in Hainan Han population and their association with plasma fibrinogen level., Methods: Turbidmetric assay was used to measure plasma fibrinogen level of two hundred and thirty-eight healthy individuals. The genotypes were characterized by PCR-RFLP and sequence analysis. The relationships between the genotypes and plasma fibrinogen levels were analyzed by t test and ANOVA., Results: The frequencies of the rare alleles of alpha Taq I and beta Bcl I, Hinf I A/C, 448 G/A, beta BsmA I G/C, +1689T/G, -148C/T, -249C/T, -455G/A polymorphisms were 0.445, 0.239, 0.134, 0.235, 0.273, 0.241, 0.265, 0.441, 0.254 respectively. In the general population, the plasma fibrinogen level is significantly higher in the groups of genotypes -455GA and AA, -148CT and TT, alpha Taq I T1T1 than in the group of wild types(P=0.004, 0.015 and 0.043 respectively). In the men, plasma fibrinogen level is significantly higher in the groups of genotypes -455GA and AA, -148CT and TT, alpha Taq I T1T1, alpha Taq I T1T2 than in the group of wild types(P=0.001, 0.023, 0.003 and 0.032 respectively). In the women, no significant genotype association with plasma fibrinogen level was detected., Conclusion: There was linkage disequilibrium between the fibrinogen gene loci. The beta -455G/A beta 448G/A, alpha Fg Taq I polymorphisms were associated with the difference in plasma fibrinogen in men. A(-455), T(-148) and alpha Taq I T1 alleles were associated with higher fibrinogen levels.

Objective: To study the relationship between fumonisin biosynthesis gene and toxicity of Fusarium moniliforme isolated in China., Methods: The toxigenic gene of 29 Fusarium moniliforme isolated from different provinces and varied food samples were determined. Eighteen fum5-positive strains were selected for biosyhesizing fumonisin and determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)., Results: Twenty-six isolates were identified as fum5 gene positive strains. And all of these strains produced FB(1), FB(2) and FB(3). The amount of FB(1), FB(2) and FB(3) was ranging from 0.41-140.20 mg/kg, 0.06-14.30 mg/kg to 0.30-58.00 mg/kg, except one strain produced a lower level of FB(1) only. It wight be the first report showing a high level fumonisin-producing strain isolated from the sesame sample and identified in the world. The amount of FB(1), FB(2) and FB(3) produced by the isolate was 128.84 mg/kg, 11.80 mg/kg and 14.88 mg/kg., Conclusions: It should have a close relationship between fumonisins biosynthesis gene and toxicity of Fusarium moniliforme isolated in China. The study demonstrated that strain of Fusarium moniliforme might contaminate the sesame sample and produce a high level of fumonisins.