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Predation is one of the most important extrinsic factors acting upon animal populations and is a strong selective force in the evolution of form and function. Understanding the impact of predation on bird population dynamics is crucial for understanding the predation pressure of bird populations and implementing conservation strategies, especially for threatened or endemic bird species. In this paper, we sorted the predation events in the wild Crested Ibis population in Yangxian County, Shaanxi Province, from 1981 to 2021 and in the reintroduced Crested Ibis population in Ningshan from 2008 to 2021. With the use of age‐classified Leslie matrix models to simulate Crested Ibis populations under different predation pressures, the random population growth rate was estimated, and the impact of predation on population dynamics was evaluated. The results showed that snakes and raptors were the main predators of Crested Ibis in the wild and reintroduced populations, and the number of dead individuals was unevenly distributed within the three age classes in both the wild population (df = 2, χ2 = 13.236, p < 0.05) and reintroduced population (df = 2, χ2 = 49.273, p < 0.01). Predation caused a reduction in the potential annual population growth rate of 2.37% (confidence interval [CI]: 2.29–2.45) in the wild population and 2.88% (CI: 2.82–2.94) in the reintroduced population. The overall average growth rates of the wild and reintroduced populations derived from population model simulations were 12.84 and 18.13%, respectively, which suggested that the wild and reintroduced populations was increasing under the current predation pressure and that the impact of predation on the population was acceptable and sustainable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reintroduction projects aim to reestablish a self-sustaining population of an endangered species within its historical range. Adequate post-release monitoring by gathering demographic data is important to evaluate the success of a reintroduction. Survival and reproduction rates of a reintroduced population can be compared with a self-sustaining wild population to evaluate the success of a reintroduction. In early 2007, Nipponia nippon (Crested Ibis) was reintroduced into the Qinling Mountains (Shaanxi, Central China). In this study, we attempt to evaluate the demographic status of the reintroduced population. Age-specific survival rates of 56 released adults and 77 wild-born fledglings were estimated using mark-recapture data obtained from 2007 to 2014. Survival rates for the yearlings (0.599, with 95% confidence interval [ CI]: 0.467-0.719) were lower than the estimates from a wild population in Yangxian County, but the survival rates of the adults (0.678, with 95% CI: 0.603-0.745) were similar. The number of breeding pairs gradually increased since 2008, although breeding success (52.5%) was somewhat less than that of the wild population (67.6%). The stochastic estimation of population growth rate (1.084 with 95% CI: 1.069-1.098) and population size (5-fold increase) estimated from an age-classified Leslie matrix indicate that the reintroduced population of the Crested Ibis is more likely in regulation phase over the next 25 years. We conclude that the reintroduction of the Crested Ibis in Qinling Mountains has great promise, and progress toward a self-sustaining population has been made under some interventions. Governments, local communities, and scientists need to facilitate habitat restoration for the long-term survival of this endangered species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cytochrome P450 2C8 (CYP2C8) gene is one of the members of the cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYPs) gene family. The aim of this study was to reveal the function of CYP2C8 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and its effect on the sorafenib resistance., Methods: Differential expression analysis in multiple HCC datasets all suggested that CYP2C8 expression was significantly decreased in HCC tissues, compared with para-carcinoma liver tissues. The expression level of CYP2C8 was subsequently compared between HCC tissues and para-carcinoma liver tissues of 70 patients form Guangxi, China, with the result consistent with the above. Survival analysis and ROC analysis indicated that CYP2C8 was equipped with satisfactory diagnostic and prognostic value in HCC. To examine the effect of CYP2C8 on the malignant phenotype of HCC cells, stable transcriptional cell lines with CYP2C8 over-expression were established, and then Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK8) assay, colony formation assay, cell cycle assay, cell invasion assay and wound healing assay were performed., Results: The results of aforementioned assays suggested that CYP2C8 over-expression restricted the proliferation, clonality, migration, invasion and cell cycle of HCC cells but had no significant effect on cell apoptosis. The enrichment analysis in terms of sequencing data of HCC cell lines with stable CYP2C8 over-expression suggested that CYP2C8 might be related to PI3K/Akt/p27 Kip1 axis. The inhibition of CYP2C8 over-expression on PI3K/Akt/p27 Kip1 axis was subsequently demonstrated with Western blot assay. In the rescue experiment, it was observed that both P27 inhibitor and PI3K agonist counteracted the repressed malignant phenotype caused by CYP2C8 over-expression, which further demonstrated that CYP2C8 played a role in HCC cells via PI3K/Akt/p27 Kip1 axis., Discussion: The results demonstrated that CYP2C8 enhances the anticancer activity of sorafenib in vitro assays and in tumor xenograft model, with Ki-67 down-regulation and PI3K/Akt/p27Kip1 axis inhibition. In conclusion, these findings hinted that CYP2C8 restricted malignant phenotype and sorafenib resistance in HCC via PI3K/Akt/p27 kip1 axis., Competing Interests: The authors declared that they have no competing interests., (© 2021 Zhou et al.)

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a worldwide malignancy with high morbidity and mortality. In this study, ubiquitin conjugating enzyme E2I ( UBE2I ), a small ubiquitin-like modifier E2 enzyme reportedly expressed in tumors, was examined for its potential effects in HCC. Bioinformatics analysis was performed based on HCCDB, TIMER, and Kaplan-Meier plotter databases to explore the clinical implications in HCC. An siRNA kit was used to downregulate UBE2I, and in vitro experiments-including migration, invasion and proliferation assays-were performed to examine UBE2I expression in HCC. Western blot (WB) was used to determine whether downregulated UBE2I expression influenced the prognosis of HCC via autophagy pathways. Finally, RNA-sequencing was performed to explore candidate molecular mechanisms underlying the effect of UBE2I. Bioinformatics analysis including stratification by alcohol ingestion and hepatitis status in HCC showed that highly expressed UBE2I was not only correlated with poor prognosis, but was also associated with immune infiltrates. In vitro experiments showed that high expression of UBE2I was associated with increased migration, invasion and proliferation of HCC cells. WB results indicated that downregulated expression of UBE2I was associated with higher levels of autophagy-related proteins including LC3A/B, Beclin-1 and ATG16L1. Moreover, RNA-sequencing results suggested that UBE2I was involved in hepatocarcinogenesis, non-alcohol fatty liver disease, steatohepatitis, liver fibrosis, inflammation, hepatoblastoma, tumor angiogenesis, type 2 mellitus diabetes, biliary tract disease and other diseases. We conclude that oncogene UBE2I is associated with poor prognosis of HCC via autophagy pathways and may be involved in hepatocarcinogenesis, tumor angiogenesis, non-alcohol fatty liver disease and inflammation., Competing Interests: None., (AJCR Copyright © 2020.)

Background and Objective: Multinodular hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) might originate from multicentric occurrence (MO) or intrahepatic metastasis(IM). This study was to find out proteins which play important roles in clonal origin of multinodular hepatocellular carcinoma bt screening the differentially expressed proteins between the MO and IM tissues using comparative proteomic analysis., Methods: Total protein extracted was separated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Comparative analyses of the 2-DE protein patterns between the two groups were carried out using computerized imaging techniques. Proteins exhibiting significant alternations were subsequently isolated and identified by mass spectrometry., Results: A total 1025+/-52 and 900+/-98 spots were detected in the protein profile in IM and MO, respectively. Twenty-five protein spots were statistically different at expression levels between the two groups. Twenty of them were identified by MALDI-TOF-MS and bioinformatics., Conclusions: The protein profile of MO HCC tissues is different from that in IM HCC tissues. The twenty differentially expressed proteins might play a key role in the carcinogenesis and progression of multinodular HCC. These newly identified proteins might be potential and valuable biomarkers for identifying the multinodular HCC of clonal origin.

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathological features, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of primary clear cell carcinoma of the liver (PCCCL)., Methods: The clinicopathological data of 24 cases with pathologically proven PCCCL in the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University from May 1996 to December 2003 were collected and analyzed., Results: There were 21 males and 3 females in this group, with an average age of 46 years (range: 30 approximately 78 years). HBV infection was detected in 83.3%, and AFP expression was found in 75.0% of them. Of the 24 cases, 28 tumors were found with an average size of (6.64 +/- 5.54) cm. Liver cirrhosis was found in 75.0% of the patients. Macroscopic and microscopic tumor thrombi were found in 20.8% and 29.2%, respectively. Lymph node metastasis was found in 4.2% of the patents. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival rates of the 24 cases were 75.0%, 41.7% and 27.8%, respectively, with a median survival time of 29 months., Conclusion: The clinical characteristics of primary clear cell carcinoma of the liver are similar to that of common hepatocellular carcinoma. It is difficult to be diagnosed preoperatively and final diagnosis depends on pathological examination. Surgical resection is an effective way to achieve favorable treatment outcome and even long-term survival.

Objective: To study the distribution of aldehyde dehydrogenase-2 (ALDH2) polymorphisms between healthy Zhuang and Han ethnic individuals in Guangxi Autonomous Region and its influence to the behaviors of alcohol consumption., Methods: Polymerase chain reaction with confronting two-pair primers (PCR-CTPP) and polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) techniques were used to genotype ALDH2, respectively, and alcohol consumption was recorded in a constructed questionnaire., Results: The frequencies of ALDH2 alleles (ALDH2(1)/ALDH2(2)) among Zhuang and Han ethnics were 0.511, 0.489 and 0.508, 0.492 respectively (chi2 = 0.001, P > 0.05). The ALDH2 genotypes were verified with PCR-RFLP method. The frequencies of ALDH2(1) genotype in alcoholics (> or = 3 times drinking per week) were 35.59% and 15.67% in Zhuang and Han groups respectively (chi2 = 5.800, P = 0.016)., Conclusion: There was no significant different distribution of ALDH2 genotype among healthy Zhuang and Han ethnic people. The genotype of ALDH2 in different ethnicity might influence individual behavior of alcohol consumption.

Hepatocellualr carcinoma is one of the most malignancy, and the pathogenesis has not been clarified yet. The individual variation in the capacity of xenobiotic metabolizing and DNA repair was the genetic susceptibility to malignancies. Studies on polymorphisms of metabolic enzymes (CYP, NAT, GST, EH, ALDH) and DNA repair genes (XRCC1,hOGG1,XPD), and susceptibility to hepatocellular carcinoma are reviewed in this paper.