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Abstract: Inhalation of 131I is the main route for internal doses to nuclear medicine workers. This study aimed to establish a simple analysis method for determining 131I activity in carbon cartridges, explore the activity concentration of 131I in nuclear medicine departments, and evaluate the internal dose of workers. A total of 21 nuclear medicine departments in the hospital conducted air sampling using a high-volume air sampler equipped with carbon cartridges and glass fiber filters to collect gaseous 131I and aerosol 131I, respectively. Furthermore, a mathematical model was developed to analyze the 131I activity with inhomogeneous distribution in cartridges. Based on the 131I activity measured by the HPGe γ spectrometer, the personal annual inhalation effective dose was estimated. The results showed that there is a significant difference in the activity of gaseous 131I and aerosol 131I, with the activity ranging from 1.5±0.08 Bq m-1 to 3,944.23±197.21 Bq m-3 and ND (not detectable) to 842.11±42.11 Bq m-3, respectively. The activity of aerosol 131I is about 1% to 7% of that of gaseous 131I. The annual committed effective dose caused by inhalation of 131I for workers is 3.6 μSv to 8.23 mSv, which is lower than the dose limit of 20 mSv y-1. In general, the 131I contamination in the nuclear medicine department cannot be ignored, and the concentration of 131I should be regularly monitored to prevent and control the internal radiation to which workers may be exposed., (Copyright © 2025 Health Physics Society.)

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are pivotal in the tumor microenvironment (TME) of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), influencing various stages from initiation to metastasis. Understanding the role of TAMs in HCC is crucial for developing novel therapeutic strategies. Macrophages exhibit plasticity, resulting in M1 and M2 phenotypes, with M1 macrophages displaying antitumor properties and M2 macrophages promoting tumor progression. Targeting TAMs to alter their polarization could offer new avenues for HCC treatment. β,β-dimethylacrylalkannin (DMAKN), a natural naphthoquinone, has gained attention for its antitumor properties. However, its impact on TAMs modulation remains unclear. This study investigates DMAKN's modulation of TAMs and its anti-HCC activity. Using an in vitro model with THP-1 cells, we induced M1 macrophages with LPS/IFN-γ and M2 macrophages with IL-4/IL-13, confirming polarization with specific markers. Co-culturing these macrophages with HCC cells showed that M1 cells inhibited HCC growth, while M2 cells promoted it. Screening for non-toxic DMAKN concentrations revealed its ability to induce M1 polarization and enhance LPS/IFN-γ-induced M1 macrophages, both showing anti-HCC effects. Conversely, DMAKN suppressed IL-4/IL-13-induced M2 polarization, inhibiting M2 macrophages' promotion of HCC cell viability. In summary, DMAKN induces and enhances M1 polarization while inhibiting M2 polarization of macrophages, thereby inhibiting HCC cell growth. These findings suggest that DMAKN has the potential to regulate TAMs in HCC, offering promise for future therapeutic development.

Large quantities of organic dyes are discharged into the environment, causing serious damage to the ecosystem. Therefore, it is urgent to develop inexpensive adsorbents to remove organic dyes. A novel cellulose-based aerogel (MPPA) with 3D porous structure was prepared by using cassava residue (cellulose) as basic construction blocks, doping ferroferric oxide (Fe 3 O 4 ) for magnetic separation, and applying polyethyleneimine (PEI) as functional material for highly efficient and selective capture of Congo red (CR). MPPA exhibited porous network structure, numerous active capture sites, nontoxicity, high hydrophilicity, and excellent thermal stability. MPPA showed superior adsorption property for CR, with an equilibrium adsorption capacity of 2018.14 mg/g, and still had an adsorption property of 1189.31 mg/g after five recycling procedures. In addition, MPPA has excellent selectivity for CR in four binary dye systems. The adsorption behavior of MPPA on CR was further explored using a multilayer adsorption model, EDR-IDR hybrid model and AOAS model. Electrostatic potential and independent gradient models were used to further verify the possible interaction between MPPA and CR molecules. In conclusion, MPPA is a promising adsorbent in the field of treating anionic dyes., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Objective: To establish a inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry method for the determination of trace cobalt and tungsten in human urine. Methods: The authors used 1% nitric acid solution as diluent in October-December 2021, the sample dilution factor and internal standard element were optimized by single factor rotation experiment, and the difference between the working curve and the standard curve was compared. Results: The method uses working curve to determine cobalt and tungsten in urine, the linear range of this method was 0.0~10.0 μg/L, the correlation coefficient was 0.999 9, the detection limits respectively were 0.005 μg/L (cobalt) and 0.09 μg/L (tungsten), the recoveries of samples respectively were 87.0%~100.2% (cobalt) and 89.4%~104.8% (tungsten), the relative standard deviations respectively were 0.4%~4.4% (cobalt) and 0.6%~3.8% (tungsten) . Conclusion: A simple and rapid method for determination of cobalt and tungsten in urine has been established. This method has the advantages of simple operation, high sensitivity, low detection limit and good stability. It is suitable for determination of cobalt and tungsten in urine of all kinds of people.

Objectives: Patients with advanced ampullary carcinoma (AC) who are unsuitable for surgery are most likely to have poor outcomes. The role of endoscopic radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in this population has not been fully defined. We aimed to assess the short- and long-term outcomes of RFA in a large cohort of AC patients., Methods: In this retrospective study, data of consecutive patients with pathologically proven AC who underwent successful endobiliary RFA and/or stent placement were collected. All patients did not undergo surgical resection. The primary outcome was overall survival (OS). The secondary outcomes included clinical success and adverse events., Results: A total of 85 patients, 50 in the RFA plus stenting group and 35 in the stenting alone group, were identified. The median OS was significantly longer in the RFA group than in the stenting alone group (16.9 vs. 9.8 months, P < 0.001). In multivariable Cox analysis, RFA (hazards ratio 0.408; 95% confidence interval 0.235-0.706; P = 0.001) was the only independent OS predictor. Eight patients with stage II tumors, exclusively from the RFA group, survived for more than 3 years. Clinical success was comparable between the two groups (96% vs. 100%, P = 0.231). Early adverse events between the two groups were similar (10% vs. 2.9%, P = 0.206); however, late biliary/pancreatic stenoses occurred in three RFA patients who were successfully managed with endoscopic interventions., Conclusions: Endoscopic RFA appears to prolong patients' survival with acceptable safety; it may therefore be a feasible treatment option for patients with inoperable ampullary cancers., (© 2021 Japan Gastroenterological Endoscopy Society.)

Background: Distinguishing between benign and malignant bile duct strictures has long been a diagnostic challenge in clinical practice., Objective: This study aimed to discover novel biomarkers in bile to improve the diagnostic accuracy of malignant biliary strictures., Methods: Bile samples were collected from 6 patients with malignant or benign biliary stricture, respectively. Protein profiles of the bile were analyzed with a semi-quantitative human antibody array of 440 proteins. Then the differential expressed proteins were screened by Venn diagram analysis. Following this, the accuracy of these potential biomarkers for discriminating between malignant and non-malignant biliary strictures was validated in a larger (n= 40) group of patients using ROC analysis and the best biomarker combination was further selected by lasso analysis., Results: Twenty proteins were found differentially expressed in malignant versus benign biliary strictures, 6 of which were identified by Venn diagram analysis to be up-regulated regardless of the location of biliary strictures. Among the 6 biomarkers, bile lipocalin-2, P-cadherin, and adipsin showed better diagnostic utility than that of bile CA19-9. Lasso analysis identified that lipocalin-2, P-cadherin and CA19-9 as a group of makers best distinguished malignant from benign strictures., Conclusions: Lipocalin-2 and P-cadherin measurements in bile could be clinically useful for the detection of malignant biliary strictures.

Objective: To select and optimize the conditions of urine cobalt determination by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy and establish a method for urine cobalt determination. Methods: In April 2020, the matrix modifier and spectrum wavelength were selected by mathematical statistics method, the heating procedure of graphite furnace was optimized, the variance of orthogonal test results was analyzed, and the working curve was quantified by external standard method. Results: The results showed that the diammonium hydrogen phosphate was a matrix modifier with a wavelength of 240.7 nm, and the optimized graphite furnace heating procedure showed a good linear relationship at 5-80 μg/L. The correlation coefficient was 0.9991. The detection limit was 0.9 μg/L, the lowest detection concentration was 1.8 μg/L. The recovery was 94.0%-101.4%, and the precision was 2.6%-5.8%. Conclusion: The orthogonal design method can efficiently and scientifically optimize the optimal combination of the various factor levels of graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. The determination method established based on this has high precision and good accuracy, and can be applied to the determination of cobalt in urine.

Oreocharis flavovirens is a new species of Gesneriaceae from Gansu, China and is described and illustrated here. It is morphologically similar to O. glandulosa , O. humilis and O. farreri , but those congeners of this new taxon can be distinguished by several salient characters. A description of O. flavovirens , together with illustrations and photos, are presented., (Wei-Hua Qin, Dong-Dong Ding, Zhong-Lin Li, Yun-Feng Gao, Shu Li, Xin Hong.)

A new species of Petrocodon , P. wenshanensis from Yunnan province of southwestern China, is described and illustrated here. P. wenshanensis morphologically closely resembles P. jingxiensis and P. lithophilus , but differs in vegetative and generative characters. Differences between the new species and others Petrocodon species occurring in Yunnan Province are also shown in the identification key., (Zheng-Long Li, Wei-Hua Qin, Fang Wen, De-Ming He, Xin Hong.)

Objective: To find the risk assessment model of [di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, DEHP] fitting well for producing companies. Methods: The Cluster Sampling method was used in selecting a DEHP producing company in the occupational health and workplace environment monitoring study conducted between July and August in 2017. Data was collected by site evaluating and workplace environment monitoring. According to GBZ/T 298-2017《Technical Guidelines for Occupational Health Risk Assessment of Chemical Hazards in the Workplace》, a qualitative assessment method and a semi-quantitative comprehensive index method were chosen as the models and were compared. Results: The occupational health risk of the two methods rated 4 (high risk) and 2 (negligible risk) . Conclusion: The semi-quantitative comprehensive index method is more comprehensive and accurate when used to assess the occupational health risk caused by DEHP.

Background and Aims: The relationship between serum cholesterol level and development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains unclear. We investigated the effects of serum cholesterol level on development of liver tumors in mice., Methods: We performed studies with C57BL/6J mice, mice with disruption of the low-density lipoprotein receptor gene (Ldlr -/- mice), and mice with conditional deletion of nature killer (NK) cells (NK dele mice). Some C57BL/6J and NK dele mice were given injections of diethylinitrosamine to induce liver tumor formation. Mice were placed on a normal diet (ND) or high-cholesterol diet (HCD) to induce high serum levels of cholesterol. We also studied mice with homozygous disruption of ApoE (ApoE -/- mice), which spontaneously develop high serum cholesterol. C57BL/6J and NK dele mice on the ND or HCD were implanted with Hep1-6 (mouse hepatoma) cells and growth of xenograft tumors and lung metastases were monitored. Blood samples were collected from mice and analyzed by biochemistry and flow cytometry; liver and tumor tissues were collected and analyzed by histology, immunohistochemistry, and RNA-sequencing analysis. NK cells were isolated from mice and analyzed for cholesterol content, lipid raft formation, immune signaling, and changes in functions. We obtained matched tumor tissues and blood samples from 30 patients with HCC and blood samples from 40 healthy volunteers; levels of cholesterol and cytotoxicity of NK cells were measured., Results: C57BL/6J mice on HCD and ApoE -/- mice with high serum levels of cholesterol developed fewer and smaller liver tumors and lung metastases after diethylinitrosamine injection or implantation of Hep1-6 cells than mice on ND. Liver tumors from HCD-fed mice and ApoE -/- mice had increased numbers of NK cells compared to tumors from ND-fed mice. NK dele mice or mice with antibody-based depletion for NK cells showed similar tumor number and size in ND and HCD groups after diethylinitrosamine injection or implantation of Hep1-6 cells. NK cells isolated from C57BL/6J mice fed with HCD had increased expression of NK cell-activating receptors (natural cytotoxicity triggering receptor 1 and natural killer group 2, member D), markers of effector function (granzyme B and perforin), and cytokines and chemokines compared with NK cells from mice on ND; these NK cells also had enhanced cytotoxic activity against mouse hepatoma cells, accumulated cholesterol, increased lipid raft formation, and immune signaling activation. NK cells isolated from HCD-fed Ldlr -/- mice did not have increased cholesterol content or cytotoxic activity against mouse hepatoma cells compared with ND-fed Ldlr -/- mice. Serum levels of cholesterol correlated with number and activity of NK cells isolated from human HCCs., Conclusions: Mice with increased serum levels of cholesterol due to an HCD or genetic disruption of ApoE develop fewer and smaller tumors after injection of hepatoma cells or a chemical carcinogen. We found cholesterol to accumulate in NK cells and activate their effector functions against hepatoma cells. Strategies to increase cholesterol uptake by NK cells can be developed for treatment of HCC., (Copyright © 2020 AGA Institute. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: This study was aimed to explore the mechanism of Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata (ALRP) and Zingiberis Rhizoma (ZR) on doxorubicin (DOX)-induced chronic heart failure (CHF) in rats by integrated approaches., Methods: Effects of ALRP and ZR on cardiac function, serum biochemical indicators and histopathology in rats were analysed. Moreover, UHPLC-Q-TOF/MS was performed to identify the potential metabolites affecting the pathological process of CHF. Metabolomics and network pharmacology analyses were conducted to illustrate the possible pathways and network in CHF treatment. The predicted gene expression levels in heart tissue were verified and assessed by RT-PCR., Key Findings: ALRP-ZR demonstrated remarkable promotion of hemodynamic indices and alleviated histological damage of heart tissue. Metabolomics analyses showed that the therapeutic effect of ALRP and ZR is mainly associated with the regulation of eight metabolites and ten pathways, which may be responsible for the therapeutic efficacy of ALRP-ZR. Moreover, the results of RT-PCR showed that ALRP-ZR could substantially increase the expression level of energy metabolism-related genes, including PPARδ, PPARγ, Lpl, Scd, Fasn and Pla2g2e., Conclusions: The results highlighted the role of ALRP-ZR in the treatment of CHF by influencing the metabolites related to energy metabolism pathway via metabolomics and network pharmacology analyses., (© 2019 Royal Pharmaceutical Society.)

Objective: Improvement the method of nitrogen oxide sampling, analysis and detection in workplace air. Methods: Absorption and collection with sodium carbonate-sodium bicarbonate buffer solution, analysised by ion chromatography, anion column AS23, column temperature 30 ℃. Results: The linearity of the nitrite ion in the corresponding mass concentration range 0~90.0 μg/ml was good (Nitrogen dioxide in 0~120.0 mg/m(3)) , correlation coefficient>0.999 5. The detection limit was 0.16 μg/ml, The minimum detection concentration was 0.11 mg/m(3) with the sampling volume 7.5 L. Conclusion: The method has good accuracy, high sensitivity, with directing injection and no pre-treatment, and can popularize in general laboratories, and can satisfy the determination of nitrogen oxides in the air of workplace.

A new variety of Didymocarpus , D.heucherifoliusvar.gamosepalus from Guangdong, China, is described and illustrated with photographs. It closely resembles the more widespread D.heucherifolius within a number of morphological characters. However, it can be easily distinguished from the latter according to the new taxon: calyx base connate, 5-lobed from middle to above middle, larger flowers (up to 5 cm long) and glabrous corolla.

To build up an identification method on cardiac glycosides in Taxillus chinensis and its Nerium indicum host, and evaluate the influence on medicine quality from host to T. chinensis, ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole-time-of-flight tandem mass-mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS)was applied. The samples of T. chinensis(harvested from N. indicum)and its N. indicum host were collected in field. The samples of T. chinensis(harvested from Morus alba)and its M. alba host was taken as control substance. All samples were extracted by ultrasonic extraction in 70% ethanol. Chromatographic separation was performed on an ACQUITY UPLC HSS T3 C&#95;(18)(2.1 mm×100 mm,1.8 μm)column at 40 ℃. Gradient elution was applied, and the mobile phase was consisted of 0.1% formic acid water and acetonitrile. The 0.5 μL of sample solution was injected and the flow rate of the mobile phase was kept at 0.6 mL·min~(-1) in each run. It was done to identify cardiac glycosides and explore the chemical composition correlation in T. chinensis and its N. indicum host by analyzing positive and negative ion mode mass spectrometry data, elemental composition, cardiac glycoside reference substance and searching related literatures. A total of 29 cardiac glycosides were identified, 28 of it belonged to N. indicum host, 5 belonged to T. chinensis(harvested from N. indicum host), none of cardiac glycoside was identified in T. chinensis(harvested from M. alba host). The result could provide a reference in evaluating the influence in T. chinensis medicine quality from host. It was rapid, accurate, and comprehensive to identify cardiac glycosides in T. chinensis and its N. indicum host by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS.

Objective: To assess psychological acceptance and occupational stress of medical staff, analyze the relationship among personality, psychological acceptance and occupational stress and discuss the direct or indirect effects of personality to occupational stress. Methods: The gaseous four kinds of carboxylic acids in the workplace air were simultaneously collected by silica gel tube, and then desorbed by deionized water and eluted by ion chromatograph. The the content was detected by conductivity detector. Results: The linear relationship was good in the concentration range of about 0~140 mg/L. The correlation coefficient r>0.999, and the maximum detection limit was 4.5 μg/mL. The sampling efficiency of the four carboxylic acids ranges from 96.10%~100.27%. Through the sample added recovery experiments, the low and high content of the silicone tube samples were detected; and the range of desorption efficiency was 82.18%~100.12%; the range of precision was 0.70%~3.71%. Conclusion: This method adopts deionized water to desorb samples, and the application of ion chromatography detection have reached the requirements of《Guidelines for the establishment of occupational health standards, Part 4: Determination of chemical substances in workplace air》, which can be used in four kinds of workplace air detection of carboxylic acid compounds.

Objective: To establish an HPLC method for determining p-Anisidine in workplace air. Methods: An C(18) capillary column was used with the detection wavelength of 240 nm, the methanol solution (v/v=62:38) as mobile phase, the flow rate was 0.9 ml/min, and the injection volume was 20 μl. Results: The linear range (μg/ml) for p-Anisidine was 0~100; correlation coefficient was 0.999 7; the detection limit was 0.15 μg/ml; the average precision of RSD was 4.4%. The sampling efficiency was more than 95% using silicone tube as sampling filter. Sample can be stored at room temperature for more than 7 d. Conclusion: the method appered to be accurate, simple, sensitive and reliable, also have a high sampling efficiency, and can be usd to determine p-anisidine in workplace air simultaneously.

The limestone karst area of South China is a major biodiversity hotspot of global terrestrial biomes. During extensive field work on the Guangxi limestone formations, two unknown species of Gesneriaceae were collected. After conducting a comprehensive study of the literature and herbarium specimens, Primulina davidioides and P. hiemalis are recognized as two species new to science, and described and illustrated here. P. davidioides is morphologically close to P. lunglinensis based on the shape of the leaf and flower, but it can be easily distinguished by the shape of the bracts, corolla and stigma, indumentum of peduncles, pedicels and pistil and number of staminodes. P. hiemalis is closely relate to P. luzhaiensis in vegetative appearance, but differs in the shape of the calyx and stigma, number of bracts and staminodes, indumentum of the leaf blade and peduncle, and position of stamens in the corolla tube. Considering that not enough is known about their populations, it is proposed that their conservation statuses should currently be classed as data deficient (DD) according to the IUCN Red List Category and Criteria., Competing Interests: The authors declare there are no competing interests.

Objective: To observe the effect of low dose naloxone combinewith ropivacaine for supraclavicular brachial plexus block. Methods: Seventy patients undergoing elective upper limb surgery were randomly divided into two groups, ropivacaine group (Group R, n =35) and naloxone group (Group N, n =35). An ultrasound guided technique was used in both two groups.The onset and duration time of sensory and motor blockade, visual analog score(VAS)of 3, 6, 12, 18, 24 h postoperatively, time of first request fordezocine, total amount of dezocine needed, incidence of nausea and vomiting postoperatively(PONV) and patients' satisfaction score for analgesia in 24 h after surgery were measured.At the same time, blood samples were taken before anesthesia, 6 h, 24 h after operation for inspecting the concentration of β-endorphin(β-EP)in plasma. Results: The duration of sensory and motor blockade, time of first request for dezocine in Group N were 736.0(713.5, 836.5), 514.5(491.3, 572.8), 708.5(683.2, 877.0)min, which were all prolonged compared to Group R(522.0(469.5, 606.5), 401.0(370.0, 458.5), 570.0(435.0, 618.5)min)( Z =-6.844, -6.758, -6.700, all P <0.01). The 6, 12, 18 h postoperatively VAS of Group N were 0, 5.0(3.0, 5.8), 5.0(5.0, 6.0)point. Among which the 6, 12 h postoperatively VAS of Group N were lower than that of Group R(1.0(1.0, 3.5), 6.0(6.0, 7.0)point)( Z =-6.596, -4.864, all P <0.01), while the 18 h postoperatively VAS was higher than that of Group R (5.0(4.0, 5.0)point)( Z =-2.603, P <0.01). Total amount of dezocine needed in Group N in 24 h after surgery was 7.5(5.0, 10.0)mg, which was lower than that of Group R(10.0(10.0, 15.0)mg)( Z =-3.449, P <0.01). The incidence of PONV after surgery in Group N was 21.9%, which was lower than that of Group R(45.5%)(χ(2)=4.034, P <0.05). Ptients' satisfaction score for analgesia in 24 h after surgery in Group N was 8.0(7.0, 8.0)point, which was higher than that of Group R(7.0(6.0, 7.0)point)( Z =-3.509, P <0.01). At 6 h postoperatively , the concentration of plasma β-EP in Group N was(113.34±12.36)μg/L, lower than that of Group R((147.14±11.65)μg/L)( t =-7.694, P <0.01). Conclusion: Low dose naloxone combine with ropivacaine for supraclavicular brachial plexus block, prolong the duration of sensory and motor blockade without affecting the onset time.

Objective: To establish a method for the determination of 1-hydroxy-2-butanone in urine by gas chromatography. Methods: Urine samples were acidified with hydrochloric acid, and then stored in the refrigerator . After thawing under natural conditions, urine volume of 2.0 ml was extracted by C 18 solid phase, using methanol volume of 2.0 ml elution, detected by gas chromatography with FID detector and quantified by external standard method. Results: The measurement range of method is 0.986 ~32.88 μg/ml, correlation coefficient ( r ) =0.999 7, detection limit is 0.13 μg/ml; The recovery is 88.1% ~92.2% ; The precision is 1.4% ~3.2%. Conclusion: This method has a high sensitivity and simple processing. All technical indicators can meet the requirements of the determination method.

Caffeine and its metabolic products play an important role in clinical applications. An ultra-high performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF MS/MS) method was applied to systemically study the caffeine metabolism in liver microsomes of rats and mice, and comprehensively evaluate caffeine metabolites in vitro and metabolism differences between species. The caffeine metabolites and metabolism differences between species in liver microsomes of rats and mice were analyzed by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS high resolution mass spectrometry system and metabolitepolite software. The results showed that in addition to the demethylated and oxidized products in previous analysis, methylated, double oxidized, dehydrated and decarbonylated metabolites were also found in caffeine metabolism in liver microsomes of rats and mice, with significant difference in metabolism in vitro between rats and mice. The demethylated metabolite M2(C7H8N4O2) and decarbonylated metabolite M6(C7H10N4) in metabolism in vitro of mice were not found in rats, and the in vitro metabolite M7(C8H12N4O5) in rats were not found in mice. There was significant species difference in caffeine metabolism in vitro between rats and mice, providing important reference value for the further metabolism study and safety evaluation of caffeine., Competing Interests: The authors of this article and the planning committee members and staff have no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose., (Copyright© by the Chinese Pharmaceutical Association.)

Chronic inflammation in liver tissue is an underlying cause of hepatocellular carcinoma. High levels of inflammatory cytokine IL18 in the circulation of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma correlates with poor prognosis. However, conflicting results have been reported for IL18 in hepatocellular carcinoma development and progression. In this study, we used tissue specimens from hepatocellular carcinoma patients and clinically relevant mouse models of hepatocellular carcinoma to evaluate IL18 expression and function. In a mouse model of liver fibrosis that recapitulates a tumor-promoting microenvironment, global deletion of the IL18 receptor IL18R1 enhanced tumor growth and burden. Similarly, in a carcinogen-induced model of liver tumorigenesis, IL18R1 deletion increased tumor burden. Mechanistically, we found that IL18 exerted inflammation-dependent tumor-suppressive effects largely by promoting the differentiation, activity, and survival of tumor-infiltrating T cells. Finally, differences in the expression of IL18 in tumor tissue versus nontumor tissue were more predictive of patient outcome than overall tissue expression. Taken together, our findings resolve a long-standing contradiction regarding a tumor-suppressive role for IL18 in established hepatocellular carcinoma and provide a mechanistic explanation for the complex relationship between its expression pattern and hepatocellular carcinoma prognosis. Cancer Res; 76(8); 2394-405. ©2016 AACR., (©2016 American Association for Cancer Research.)

The Myanmar-China border appears to be the "hot spot" region for the occurrence of HIV-1 recombination. The majority of the previous analyses of HIV-1 recombination were based on partial genomic sequences, which obviously cannot reflect the reality of the genetic diversity of HIV-1 in this area well. Here, we present a near full-length characterization of a novel HIV-1 CRF01&#95;AE/B/C recombinant isolated from a long-distance truck driver in Northern Myanmar. It is the first description of a near full-length genomic sequence in Myanmar since 2003, and might be one of the most complicated HIV-1 chimeras ever detected in Myanmar, containing four CRF01&#95;AE, six B segments, and five C segments separated by 14 breakpoints throughout its genome. The discovery and characterization of this new CRF01&#95;AE/B/C recombinant indicate that intersubtype recombination is ongoing in Myanmar, continuously generating new forms of HIV-1. More work based on near full-length sequence analyses is urgently needed to better understand the genetic diversity of HIV-1 in these regions.

Association between vitamin D receptor (VDR) BsmI (rs1544410) gene polymorphism and the risk of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) from the published reports are still conflicting. This study was conducted to evaluate the relationship between VDR BsmI gene polymorphism and the risk of T1DM using meta-analysis method. The association studies were identified from PubMed, and Cochrane Library on 1 December 2013, and eligible investigations were included and synthesized using meta-analysis method. Twenty-three reports were recruited into this meta-analysis for the association of VDR BsmI gene polymorphism with T1DM susceptibility. In overall populations, bb genotype was associated with T1DM, but the B allele and BB genotype were not. In Asians and Latino population, B allele and bb genotype were associated with TIDM risk, but BB genotype was not. In Caucasians, VDR BsmI gene polymorphism was not associated with the T1DM risk. In Africans, B allele and BB genotype were associated with T1DM risk, but the bb genotype was not. However, the sample size for Latino population and Africans was small. In conclusion, VDR BsmI B allele, bb genotype was associated with T1DM risk in Asians, and bb genotype was associated with T1DM risk in overall populations. However, more studies should be conducted to confirm it.

Background: The China-Myanmar border is a particularly interesting region that has very high prevalence of and considerable diversity of HIV-1 recombinants. Due to the transient nature of their work, long-distance truck drivers (LDTDs) have a comparatively high potential to become infected with HIV-1 and further spread virus to other individuals in the area they travel within. In this study, we hypothesized that Burmese LDTDs crossing the China-Myanmar border frequently may potentially be involved in the cross-border transmission of HIV, and contribute to the extremely high prevalence of HIV-1 inter-subtype recombinants in this border region., Methods: A molecular epidemiology study was conducted among 105 Burmese LDTDs between 2008 and 2010. HIV-1 genetic fragments including p17, pol, vif-vpr, vpr-env, and C2V3 were amplified and sequenced. The subtype characterization and HIV-1 transmission were determined by both phylogenetic and phylogeographic analyses., Results: Diverse forms of HIV-1, including subtypes CRF01&#95;AE (41.9%), C (8.6%), B (4.8%), CRF02&#95;AG (1.0%), and inter-subtype recombinants (33.3%), as well as dual infection (10.5%), were detected among the tested LDTDs. Phylogeographic analyses based on pure subtype revealed that 77.8% Burmese LDTDs acquired HIV-1 infection in Yunnan, and the others in Myanmar. Both the C-related and CRF01&#95;AE-related recombinants from these LDTDs appeared to have close genetic relationship with those from IDUs in Myanmar and Dehong., Conclusions: Burmese LDTDs may contribute to HIV-1 transmission along the China-Myanmar border. The results may provide some new perspective for understanding the on-going generation and prevalence of HIV-1 recombinants in the border region.

Objective: To obtain the baseline data and decision of quantitative analysis for the allocation of scarce health care resources,and for the health policymaking about easing the disease burden, to provide estimation of the economic costs and the disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) loss of the coal worker's pneumoconiosis (CWP) and to explore the influencing factors of the disease burden., Methods: The CWP inpatients from the Institute of Occupational Diseases Prevention and Control of a Coal Mining Group for 2011 were recruited in the study. Multiple dimensions of the disease burden were measured in the inception cohort of the 194 CWP inpatients: the direct economic burden, the indirect economic burden and the DALYs loss. The direct economic burden of the inpatients included hospitalization expenses and food allowances and nutritional supplements. The indirect economic burden was estimated using the DALYs and human capital approach,and the influencing factors of hospitalization expenses were analyzed in this study., Results: The estimated direct economic burden for the 194 CWP inpatients for 2011 was approximately 4.68 million yuan and direct burden per capita was 24 108.05 yuan, and their indirect burden about 6.98 million yuan and indirect burden per capita 35 977.36 yuan. The study discovered that 1 681.53 health years were lost for the CWP inpaitents and per capita health years loss (8.67±3.65) years., Conclusion: The medical cost, the indirect cost and the DALYs loss of CWP are all sizable. Age and length of stay in the hospital are the major influencing factors for high hospitalization expenses. The hospitalization expenses of the CWP inpatients increase with their age and length of stay in the hospital. Taking effective measures to reduce the morbility is the key point to reduce the CWP burden.

Current status and intake risk of heavy metal pollution in aquatic products were studied in Yancheng, Jiangsu Province. Twenty-two kinds of aquatic products were sampled in May 2012, and the concentrations of Cd, Cu, Zn, Pb and Cr in muscles were measured using atomic absorption spectroscopy. Single factor pollution index (Pg) and metal pollution index (MPI) were used to evaluate the degree of pollution, and provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) and carcinogenic risks were used to assess the edible safety and health risk, respectively. We found all the aquatic products were contaminated, and the pollutions by Cd, Pb and Cr were more serious, with the exceeding rates of 31.8% , 31.8% and 40.9% , respectively. Pi indices indicated the contents of Cd, Pb and Cr exceeded the allowable criteria of " Light Pollution", while Cd and Pb in freshwater fish, Pb and Cr in shellfish, and Cr in cephalopoda reached the criteria of " Heavy Pollution". The MPI results showed that heavy metal pollution in shellfish was the most severe, followed by crustacean, freshwater fish, and cephalopoda, while it was slight in marine fish. At present, the edible safety of heavy metals in aquatic products was acceptable in Yancheng, but the Cr intake of shellfish and cephalopoda was approaching PTWI and that of a minority of marine fishes even exceeded the PTWI value. The model estimation for health risk indicated that the health risk value of heavy metal ingestion was still below the maximal acceptable level (5.0 x 10(-5) a-1), recommended by International Commission on Radiation Protection (ICRP) , but the values of Cr for shellfish and cephalopoda were approaching the criterion. In summary, heavy metal pollution in aquatic products in Yancheng is rather severe, especially for Cr pollution, and more attention should be paid to the pollution status, edible safety and health risk.

Objective: To study the biological exposure index of carbon disulfide in China., Methods: High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to detect the levels of 2-thiothiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid (TTCA) in the urine of the workers after working shift end, Gas chromatography was used to detect the concentrations of the carbon disulfide in the workplace air. The relationship between the urine TTCA levels and the concentrations of the carbon disulfide was analyzed, the biological exposure index and judgement result from PC-TWA were compared., Results: The levels of TTCA in urine of workers occupationally exposed to carbon disulfide were closely and positively related with the concentrations of the carbon disulfide in the workplace air. The regression equation was Y = 0.265X - 0.165, The biological exposure index of carbon disulfide were calculated by regression equation according to occupational exposure limits of carbon disulfide in China., Conclusion: The biological exposure index of CS(2) in China might be revised for 1.2 mg/g Cr.

Objective: Establishment of determination method of carbon disulfide in charcoal tube with low toxicity solvents desorption-gas chromatography., Methods: Four types of solvent with low toxicity are applied respectively as substitution of benzene to desorb the carbon disulfide in samples of charcoal tube. The signal strength and desorption efficiency of the detector are compared by using different solvents., Results: Chloroform has been considered as the best alternative solvent of benzene. Carbon disulfide has a good linearity (R = 0.9997) over the concentration of 0 ∼ 54.7 µg/ml, detection limit can reach 0.2 µg/ml. When the sampling volume is 3.0 L, the minimum detectable concentration is 0.07 mg/m(3)., Conclusion: With the use of chloroform, the health hazard to laboratory personnel and environment pollution as well as the costs of experiments are reduced.

Objective: Establishment of determination method of 2-thiothiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid (TTCA) in urine with HPLC., Methods: A volume of 0.5 ml hydrochloric acid (2 mol/L) and 0.5 ml pure water was added into 1 ml urine, and then extracted by 4 ml of diethyl ether by shaking for 2 min. Remove the water phase in a tube with plug and extract again, mix the two extraction diethyl ether together, take 4 ml by adding 2 ml borax-monopotassium phosphate buffer and shaking for 2 min to extract, then take the water phase to detect. A C(18) column and UV detector were used for separating and detecting. The wavelength was 273 nm, the flow rate was 1.0 ml/min, and the injection volume was 20 µl., Results: TTCA has a good linearity (r = 0.9995) over the concentration of1 1 ∼ 10 µg and the minimum detectable concentration of TTCA in urine was 0.1 µg/ml. The within-day precision (RSD) were 8.4%, 3.0% and 1.7%, the between-day precision (RSD) were 11%, 3.8%, 1.9%, respectively. The extraction recovery were between 80% ∼ 102%., Conclusion: The method was accurate and sensitive to detect TTCA in urine.

Objective: To develop determination of dimethyl ether in workplace air by GC., Methods: Dimethyl ether were sampled with solvent desorption active carbon tube. The sampled carbon tube were desorbed by carbon tetrachloride, Elite-WAX column was used with temperature programmed from 40 to 90 degrees C, and the carrier gas programmed from 1.4 - 2.5 ml/min., Results: There was a good linearity (r = 0.9999) over the concentration of 0-63.91 microg/L, detection limit can reach 0.75 microg/ml., Conclusion: This method proved to be accurate and sensitive, to meet the determination of the dimethyl ether in workplace air.

Objective: To determined hydrogen selenide in workplace air with atomic fluorescence., Method: Hydrogen selenide were sampled with 0.1 mol/L sodium hydroxide solution in multi-hole absorbing tubes. The sampled absorbing solution were digested with (9+1) nitric acid/perchloric acid. The selenide in sample were reduced by potassium borohydride in 5.0% hydrochloride solution and determined with atomic fluorescence., Results: There was a good linearity (r=0.9999) over the concentration of 0-150 microg/L, The precision of low, middle and high concentration were 3.1%, 7.4% and 6.7%, respectively. The sample collection rate can reach 99%., Conclusion: The method was accurate and sensitive to detect hydrogen selenide in workplace air.

Objective: To explore the significance of intercellular adhesion molecule -1 (CD54 or ICAM-1), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and platelet-derived factor (PDGF) in sputum cells of workers exposed to dust and patients with pneumoconiosis for the early diagnosis of pneumoconiosis., Methods: The subjects included 62 workers exposed to dusts, 51 workers not exposed to dusts, 22 patients with pneumoconiosis and 10 healthy controls. The respiratory sputum technique was used to collect the sputum samples and the biomarkers (ICAM-1, EGFR and PDGF) of the sputum samples were detected with the sputum samples., Results: When the exposure group was compared with non-exposure group, there were no significant differences of surface biomarkers (ICAM-1, EGFR and PDGF) in sputum cells (neutrophil leucocytes, macrophages, lymphocytes and acidophilic/basophil leucocytes). As compared with other workers exposed to dusts, the surface CD54 and EGFR expression levels increased significantly and the surface PDGF expression level decreased significantly in workers exposed to dusts for 10 years (P<0.05). As compared with controls, the CD54 and EGFR expression levels of sputum cells increased significantly and the PDGF expression level of sputum cells decreased significantly in patients with pneumoconiosis at the stages of I and II + mI (P<0.05)., Conclusion: The expression levels of the surface CD54, EGFR and PDGF of sputum cells in workers exposed to dusts and patients with pneumoconiosis changed, which may be useful for early detecting pneumoconiosis.and patients is changed, which may be meaningful for early detection of pneumoconiosis.

It is difficulties for the computer simulation method to study radiation regime at large-scale. Simplified coniferous model was investigated in the present study. It makes the computer simulation methods such as L-systems and radiosity-graphics combined method (RGM) more powerful in remote sensing of heterogeneous coniferous forests over a large-scale region. L-systems is applied to render 3-D coniferous forest scenarios, and RGM model was used to calculate BRF (bidirectional reflectance factor) in visible and near-infrared regions. Results in this study show that in most cases both agreed well. Meanwhile at a tree and forest level, the results are also good.

Objective: To investigate the clinical feature, treatment and outcome of respiratory failure in patients with 2009 influenza A H1N1 infection in critically ill adults., Methods: A prospective observational study of 18 patients with respiratory failure suffering from 2009 influenza A H1N1 infection admitted between November 22, 2009 and January 16, 2010. Their clinical data were analyzed., Results: Respiratory failure occurred in 18 patients with confirmed (n=9) or probable (n=9) 2009 influenza A H1N1. Among the 18 patients 8 patients were male, 10 patients were female (7 were pregnant or postpartum). Eight patients had pre-existing medical conditions. Twelve patients were between 20 and 40 years of age, the mean age was 37.1 years. Three were obese with body mass index over 30 kg/m (2). The 28-day mortality was 33.3% (6/18) with 1 additional late death. The median duration from the onset of the illness to hospital admission was 4.1 days (1-5 days) and from the onset to first dose of oseltamivir was 5.5 days (2-12 days), from onset to mechanical ventilation initiation was 6.8 days (4-12 days). Seventeen patients had primary viral pneumonia and 1 patient had an asthma exacerbation and 3 patients experienced multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS). Twelve patients received corticosteroids, 10 patients required vasopressors. All patients were mechanically ventilated, 1 patient underwent extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Patients who died had higher acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II score compared to survivors (29.2 + or - 7.3 vs. 18.6 + or - 6.4, P=0.02). All deceased patients received high-level ventilation settings [peak inspiratory pressure > or = 35 cm H(2)O (1 cm H(2)O=0.098 kPa) and positive end-expiratory pressure > or = 18 cm H(2)O] within the first 7 days of ventilation, and the hypoxemia [oxygenation index < or = 60 mm Hg (1 mm Hg=0.133 kPa)] lasted 24 hours. In contrast only 1 among survivors did (9.1% vs. 100.0%, P<0.01). Compared with survivors, acute kidney injury and barotrauma occurred more frequently in non-survivors (42.9% vs. 27.3%, 28.6% vs. 9.1%, both P<0.05). Whereas all deceased patients received vasopressors, only 4 survivors required vasopressor support (100.0% vs. 36.4%, P<0.05)., Conclusion: Severe acute respiratory distress syndrome is the most common manifestation in critically ill patients with 2009 influenza A H1N1 infection in adult. Failure to obtain satisfactory oxygenation with high-level ventilation settings within the first 7-days, onset of acute kidney injury and barotrauma, and continuous need for vasopressors portend a poor prognosis.

Objective: To investigate the effectiveness of low-stretch as compared with low-tidal-volume strategy in the treatment of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)., Methods: Eighty-five cases of ARDS patients were randomly divided into low-stretch group (42 cases) and low-tidal-volume group (43 cases). The former group of patient received pressure assist control mode with not higher than 35 cm H(2)O (1 cm H(2)O=0.098 kPa) of peak pressure or pressure support mode ventilation with not higher than 30 cm H(2)O of Pplateau, while in low-tidal-volume group tidal volume of no more than 6 ml/kg of predicted body weight was given. The mortality rate within 28 days, the incidence of hypercapnia, the duration of using sedatives and neuromuscular blockade agents, the time of ventilation and the length of intensive care unit (ICU) stay were compared between two groups. According to the monitored expiratory tidal volume (V(T)e), the low-stretch group was divided into low-tidal-volume subgroup (V(T)e < or =6 ml/kg, 11 cases) and non-low-tidal-volume subgroup (V(T)e >6 ml/kg, 31 cases). The mortality within 28 days and the incidence of hypercapnia were compared between two subgroups., Results: There was no significant difference in the 28-day mortality rate between two groups (34.0% vs. 37.0%, P>0.05), but patients of low-stretch group had lower incidence of hypercapnia than low-tidal-volume group (10.6% vs. 40.7%, P<0.05), and also the duration of using sedatives [(4.5+/-1.2) days vs. (8.7+/-2.3) days] and neuromuscular blockade agents [(8.4+/-2.1) days vs. (10.7+/-1.2) days], and the length of ventilation and ICU stay [(10.2+/-2.2) days vs. (13.7+/-3.1) days, all P<0.05] were less. Low tidal volume occurred in 26.2% of low-stretch group, and the low-tidal-volume subgroup had higher 28-day mortality rate (40.8%) and incidence of hypercapnia (65.7%) than non-low-tidal-volume subgroup (13.2% and 8.6%, both P<0.05)., Conclusion: Compared with low-tidal-volume strategy, low-stretch strategy can reduce the incidence of hypercapnia, the length of ventilation and ICU stay for ARDS patients, but have similar mortality rate. When low-stretch strategy is exercised, an inappropriate low tidal volume may be associated with poor outcome of ARDS.

During spermiogenesis, round spermatids are converted into motile sperm in mammals. The mechanisms responsible for sperm morphogenesis are poorly understood. We have characterized a novel protein, RIM-BP3, with a specialized function in spermatid development in mice. The RIM-BP3 protein is associated with the manchette, a transient microtubular structure believed to be important for morphogenesis during spermiogenesis. Targeted deletion of the RIM-BP3 gene resulted in male infertility owing to abnormal sperm heads, which are characterized by a deformed nucleus and a detached acrosome. Consistent with its role in morphogenesis, the RIM-BP3 protein physically associates with Hook1, a known manchette-bound protein required for sperm head morphogenesis. Interestingly, RIM-BP3 does not interact with the truncated Hook1 protein characterized in azh (abnormal spermatozoon head) mutant mice. Moreover, RIM-BP3 and Hook1 mutant mice display several common abnormalities, in particular with regard to the ectopic positioning of the manchette within the spermatid, a presumed cause of sperm head deformities. These observations suggest an essential role for RIM-BP3 in manchette development and function through its interaction with Hook1. As the occurrence of deformed spermatids is one of the common abnormalities leading to malfunctional sperm, identification of RIM-BP3 might provide insight into the molecular cue underlying causes of male infertility in humans.

The paper advanced the theoretical procedures for quantitative design on selective stacking of zwitterions in full capillary sample matrix by a cathodic-direction moving reaction boundary (MRB) in capillary electrophoresis (CE) under control of electroosmotic flow (EOF). With the procedures, we conducted the theoretical computations on the selective stacking of two test analytes of L-histidine (His) and L-tryptophan (Trp) by the MRB created with 30 mM pH 3.0 formic acid-NaOH buffer and 2-80 mM sodium formate. The results revealed the following three predictions. At first, the MRB cannot stack His and Trp plugs if less than 12.5 mM sodium formate is used to form the MRB and prepare the sample matrix. Second, the MRB can stack His and/or Trp sample plugs completely if higher than 50 mM sodium formate is chosen to form the MRB. Third, the MRB can only focus His plug completely, but stack Trp plug partially if 20-50 mM sodium formate is used; this implied the complete MRB-induced selective stacking to His rather than Trp. All the three predictions were quantitatively proved by the experiments. With great dilution of sample matrix and control of EOF, controllable, simultaneous and MRB-induced selective stacking and separation of zwitterions were achieved. The theoretical results hold evident significances to the quantitative design of selective stacking conditions and the increase of detection sensitivity of zwitterions in CE. In addition, the control of EOF by cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) can evidently improve the stacking efficiency to both His and Trp.

This paper develops a novel procedure of quantitative predictions for the on-column stacking conditions of a zwitterionic analyte by a moving chemical reaction boundary (MCRB) in capillary electrophoresis (CE). The procedure concerns the choice of the weak acidic running and alkaline sample buffers and the velocity design of MCRB created with the two buffers. Based on the theory of MCRB, the theoretical computations are performed. From the computations, the following two predictions are refined for the stacking conditions of zwitterion. (1) The zwitterion velocity in the acidic buffer should be greater than that of MCRB moving toward the cathode, or the zwitterion cannot be well stacked by the MCRB. (2) The gap between pH values of the acidic and alkaline sample buffers ought to comprise the isoelectric point (pI) of zwitterion to be stacked; namely, there exists the relation of pH (acidic buffer) < pI < pH (sample). The predictions are quantitatively proved by the experiments of zwitterionic stacking with two kinds of MCRBs. In addition, the experiments also show the tightly stacked peak of zwitterion existing in the process of MCRB, but not after the MCRB. The theoretical and experimental results hold obvious significances to other zwitterion (such as peptide and protein) on-column stacking in CE.

Objectives: A cross sectional study was performed to find the concentrations of elements contained in the semen of workers exposed to trinitrotoluene (TNT)., Subjects and Methods: Semen of exposed workers in two TNT plants located in He-Nan Province in 1992 were examined., Results: The average TNT concentrations in the workplace, except the packing site, were found to have exceeded the maximal allowable concentration (MAC, 1 mg/m3); skin contaminations of male workers exposed to TNT were higher after a shift than in controls, and correlated with the total blood concentrations of TNT, 4-amino-2, 6-dinitrotoluene (4A), and 2-amino-4, 6-dinitrotoluene (2A). Cu, Zn, Na, Mg, and Se concentrations were significantly decreased, but K, Ca, Co, Mn and Li contents were not significantly changed in the semen of workers exposed to TNT. Compared with the control group, the percentage of liquifying time of semen, the sperm malformation incidence, and viability in the men exposed to TNT were all significantly changed., Conclusions: Men exposed to TNT have decreased concentrations of some elements is semen and altered semen physiology.