OBJECTIVETo determine the relationship between the serum hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA and the risk of primary liver cancer (PLC).

METHODSFarmers aged 30 to 55 years in Long An county were recruited in this study Blood samples were collected and the sera were tested for HBsAg using Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay (ELISA), and the HBsAg-positive sera were further tested for viral DNA using nested polymerase chain reaction (nPCR). The study subjects were divided into three groups. The first group was positive for both HBsAg and HBV DNA. The second group was positive for HBsAg but negative for HBV DNA. Age-, sex-, residence-matched HBsAg negative controls for group 1 and group 2 were enrolled in the third group. The cohort was followed up for four years.

RESULTSThe positive rate of HBsAg in these farmers was 14.52% (3975/27,379), and the HBV DNA positive rate in HBsAg positive subjects was 40.35% (1604/3975). The total PLC incidence rate in Group 1 and 2 was 672.45 /100,000 person-years (PY), significantly higher than that in Group3 (17.19 /100,000 PY). The relative risk (RR) was 39.123, and the 95% confidence interval (CI) was 9.018-159.146. The PLC incidence rate of Group 1 (984.03/100,000 PY) was significantly higher than that of Group2 (324.38 /100,000 PY). The RR was 3.034, and the 95% CI was 1.795-5.125. Multivariate analyses of Group1 and 2 with Cox model showed that sex, age, serum HBV DNA, and family history of PLC were independent risk factors of PLC.

CONCLUSIONHBV DNA and HBsAg positive subjects have a higher chance to develop PLC than HBV DNA negative-, HBsAg positive subjects.

Adult ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; epidemiology ; virology ; China ; epidemiology ; DNA, Viral ; blood ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hepatitis B ; complications ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; blood ; Hepatitis B virus ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; epidemiology ; virology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Prospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Viral Load ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study the status of loss of heterozygosity (LOH) of chromosome 1p/19q and p53 protein expression in oligodendroglioma, as compared to astrocytoma.

METHODSOne hundred and ninety-one cases of glioma of different histologic types and grades, including 116 cases of low-grade of oligodendroglioma (86 paraffin-embedded and 30 fresh tissues), 45 cases of anaplastic oligodendroglioma (all paraffin-embedded tissues) and 30 cases of astrocytoma of various grades (all paraffin-embedded tissues), were enrolled into the study. The LOH of chromosome 1p/19q was investigated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based microsatellite analysis. The p53 protein expression was demonstrated by immunohistochemical staining.

RESULTSThe rates of 1p loss, 19q loss and 1p/19q loss were 69.8%, 64%, and 57.0% respectively in the 86 paraffin-embedded low-grade oligodendroglioma samples, as compared to 71.1%, 60.0% and 55.6% respectively in the 45 paraffin-embedded anaplastic oligodendroglioma samples. There was no difference of LOH of 1p/19q between low-grade oligodendroglioma and anaplastic oligodendroglioma (P>0.05). In the 30 cases of low-grade oligodendroglioma with fresh tissues available, the rates of 1p loss, 19q loss and 1p/19q loss were 70.0%, 63.3% and 60.0% respectively. The LOH of 1p/19q between paraffin-embedded and fresh samples was not statistically significant (P>0.05). In the 30 cases of astrocytoma, the rates of 1p loss, 19q loss and 1p/19q loss were 23.3%, 33.3% and 20.0% respectively, which were significantly less than those in oligodendroglioma (P<0.05). The expression of p53 protein was significantly lower in low-grade oligodendroglioma (8.1%) than in anaplastic oligodendroglioma (31.1%, P=0.007). The expression of p53 protein in oligodendroglioma was also lower than in astrocytoma (P=0.001). Furthermore, p53 protein expression negatively correlated with 1p/19q loss in anaplastic oligodendroglioma (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSBoth paraffin-embedded and fresh tissues are suitable for analysis of LOH of chromosome 1p/19q. Oligodendroglioma demonstrates a higher frequency of LOH of chromosome 1p/19q and lower expression of p53 protein than astrocytoma. The LOH of chromosome 1p/19q negatively correlates with the expression of p53 protein. These parameters have both diagnostic and prognostic values.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Astrocytoma ; genetics ; metabolism ; Brain Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Child ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 1 ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 19 ; Female ; Humans ; Loss of Heterozygosity ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Oligodendroglioma ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Paraffin Embedding ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 ; metabolism ; Young Adult

BACKGROUND: Activation of CD40 pathway negatively regulates the therapeutic effect of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), while inhibition of this pathway can enhance the biological function of the cells. OBJECTIVE: To compare the therapeutic effects of CD40-silenced EPCs (EPCs shRNA-CD40) and conventional EPCs transplantation in an animal model of pulmonary hypertension, and to explore the interventional effect of astragalosides on EPCs transplantation in the treatment of pulmonary hypertension. METHODS: Ninety SD rats were randomly divided into five groups: normal control group (n=24), model group (n=24), lentivirus transfection group (n=18), conventional transplantation group (n=18) and astragaloside group (n=6). Except the normal control group, the remaining four groups were given monocrotaline to induce pulmonary hypertension. Rats in the lentivirus transfection and conventional transplantation groups were given intravenous injection of Lv-shRNA-CD40-transfected EPCs and conventional EPCs respectively at 7, 14, 21 days after modeling (n=6 at each time point). Rats in the astragaloside group were given daily intraperitoneal injection of 80 mg/(kg?d) astragaloside within 1-21 days after modeling, and then Lv-shRNA-CD40-transfected EPCs were intravenously injected at 21 days after modeling. Hemodynamics, plasma endothelin-1 level and right ventricular hypertrophy index were detected at 28 days after modeling. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) After modeling, right ventricular pressure, mean pulmonary arterial pressure and right ventricular hypertrophy index were all increased compared with the normal control group (P < 0.05), while these indices were then decreased significantly after EPCs transplantation (P < 0.05). With the increasing of transplantation time, there was an increasing trend in the right ventricular pressure, mean pulmonary arterial pressure and right ventricular hypertrophy index in the two EPCs transplantation groups, but this trend was not remarkable in the lentivirus transfection group. (2) After modeling, the level of endothelin-1 was increased significantly compared with the normal control group (P < 0.05), and then decreased after EPCs transplantation (P < 0.05). The level of endothelin-1 in the lentivirus transfection group was significantly lower than that in the conventional transplantation group at the same time point (P < 0.05). (3) A significant improvement in hemodynamics, plasma endothelin-1 level and right ventricular hypertrophy index was observed in the astragaloside group as compared with the lentivirus transfection group (P < 0.05). Given the above findings, CD40-silenced EPCs transplantation is more effective and durable than the conventional transplantation in the treatment of pulmonary hypertension, and moreover, astragaloside can enhance the therapeutic effect.

BACKGROUNDIn order to improve the clinical treatment level of urinary system injury, it is necessary to build up an animal model of urinary system wound, which is not only analogous to real clinical practice, but also simple and practical.

METHODSWe have developed the third generation of firearm fragment wound generator based on the first and the second producer. The best explosive charge of the blank cartridge was selected by gradient powder loading experiments. The firearm fragment injuries were made to the bulbous urethra of 10 New Zealand male rabbits. One week preoperatively and 2, 4 and 8 weeks postoperatively, all the animals underwent urethroscopy and urethrography. At 2, 4 and 8 weeks postoperatively, two animals were randomly selected and killed, and the urethra was cut off for pathological examination.

RESULTSThe shooting distance of the third generation of firearm fragment wound generator is 2 cm. The best explosive charge of the blank cartridge is 1 g of nitrocotton. All rabbits survived the procedures and stayed alive until they were killed. Injuries were limited to bulbous urethra and distal urethra. Round damaged areas, 1-1.5 cm in length, on the ventral wall were observed. Ureteroscopy results showed that canal diameter gradually shrank by over 50% in 9 rabbits. The rate of success was 90%. Urethrography result noted that a 1-1.3 cm stricture was formed at the bulbous urethra. Histology results of injured stricture urethra showed that fibrous connective tissue hyperplasia and hyaline degeneration caused further stricture in the canal.

CONCLUSIONSThe third generation of firearm fragment wound generator imitates the bullet firing process and is more accurate and repeatable. The corresponding rabbit model of traumatic complex urethral stricture simulates the real complex clinical conditions. This animal model provides a standardized platform for clinical researches on treating traumatic injuries to the urinary system.

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Male ; Penis ; surgery ; Rabbits ; Urethra ; surgery ; Urethral Stricture ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo study the epidemic pattern and trend of HBV infection in the area where the people had been immunized by HBV vaccine for 20 years.

METHODSThe whole sampling method was applied in combination with cross-sectional investigation. Blood samples were taken from every member of families. Markers of HBV infection were determined by using solid-phase radioimmunoassay (SPRIA).

RESULTS(1) The average HBsAg positive rate was 7.5%. The positive rate of markers for HBV infection of 0-19 years old subjects were lower than those of > or = 20 years old subjects. (2) The positive rate of HBsAg of 0-19 years old subjects in 1985 was higher than that in 2005. The anti-HBs positive rate in 1985 stemmed to be higher with age. It was 12.4% in 1- age group to 53.8% in >60 years age group. While the result of 2005 showed that the anti-HBs positive rate of 0-19 years old subjects dropped with age. The anti-HBc positive rate in 1985 also tended to be higher with age. But the result of 2005 showed that the rate of 0-19 years old subjects was just 1.4% to 16.8%.

CONCLUSIONThe epidemic patterns of HBV infection have had significant variations in the target population. HBV vaccine immunization has obtained excellent efficacy.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Hepatitis B ; blood ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; Hepatitis B Vaccines ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Immunization ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Seroepidemiologic Studies ; Time Factors ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study the epidemiological pattern and trends of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in the area where people had been immunized by HBV vaccine for long time.

METHODSThrough cluster sampling and cross-sectional study, relative information and blood samples from people in Long-an county by families were collected. Signals of HBV infection were tested by solid-phase reverse immunosorbent test.

RESULTS(1) The average HBsAg positive rate was 7.5% with anti-HBs as 44.5 %, and anti-HBc as 47.8%. The positive rates of HBsAg and anti-HBc among 0-19 year-olds were lower than those of > or = 20 year-olds. (2) The positive rates of HBsAg, anti-HBc and HBV infection among HBV vaccine immunized group were 2.8%, 12.0% and 12.5% respectively, comparing with which among the un-immunized group as 10.2%, 69.8% and 71.2% respectively. (3) The HBsAg positive rate of male was higher than the female's but with no significant difference of anti-HBs and anti-HBc between different sexes. (4) The average HBsAg positive rate of 0-19 years old group was only 2.4%, while that of 20-30 years old group was 13.6%-17.7% and dropped from 60 years old group and on. The anti-HBs positive rate of 0-19 years old people started to drop significantly by age. The anti-HBs and anti-HBc positive rates of > or = 20 years people were showing a rising trend by ages.

CONCLUSIONIt seemed obviously that the HBV epidemiological patterns had changed after HBV vaccine had been universally used for long time in newborns. The age peak of infection had been pushed backward for nearly 20 years. It had been proved that the HBV vaccine immunization program had obtained excellent efficacy.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Age Distribution ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Hepatitis B ; epidemiology ; immunology ; prevention & control ; Hepatitis B Antibodies ; immunology ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; immunology ; Hepatitis B Vaccines ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

Emotional information is critical for our social life, in which attentional bias is now a focus in the study on attention. However, the attentional bias processing mechanism of emotional faces still arouses huge controversy. Using similar experimental paradigms and stimuli, the published studies have yielded contradictory results. Some studies suggest that angry faces could automatically stimulate attention, that is, there is an anger superiority effect. On the contrary, lines of growing evidence support the existence of a happiness superiority effect, suggesting that the superiority effect is shown in happy faces rather than angry faces. In the present paper, the behavioral and neuroscience studies of anger and happiness superiority effects are combined. It is found that there are three major reasons for the debate over the two types of effects, which include the choice of stimulus materials, the difference of paradigm setting, and the different stages of emotional processing. By comparatively integrating the previous published results, we highlight that the future studies should further control the experimental materials and procedures, and investigate the processing mechanism of anger and happiness superiority effects by combining cognitive neurobiology means to resolve the disputes.
Anger ; Attentional Bias ; Facial Expression ; Happiness ; Humans

Visual memory, mainly composed of visual long-term memory (VLTM) and visual working memory (VWM), is an important mechanism of human information storage. Since Baddeley proposed the multicomponent working memory model, the idea that VWM is independent of the VLTM system has been widely accepted. However, the new theoretical evidence suggested a close connection between VLTM and VWM. For instance, the three embedded components model describes the VLTM and VWM in the same framework, which suggests that VWM is only a distinct state of VLTM. On the one hand, the operating function of VWM is supported by the persistence of VLTM. On the other hand, the evidence from neuroimaging studies shows that VWM and VLTM tasks activate some same brain areas. In addition, the whole visual memory system shows a trend of processing from early visual cortex to prefrontal cortex. The present article not only reviews the current studies about the relationship between VLTM and VWM but also gives some forecasts for future studies.
Brain ; physiology ; Humans ; Memory, Long-Term ; Memory, Short-Term ; Visual Cortex ; physiology ; Visual Perception

Hypoxic preconditioning could improve the survival of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in ischemic or hypoxic environments, but its exact mechanism remains to be further explored. This study aims to determine the role of lysine crotonylation (Kcr) in regulating the survival and proliferation of peripheral blood mesenchymal stem cells (PBMSCs) in the hypoxic culture. PBMSCs were isolated and cultured from rat peripheral blood mononuclear cells, and their surface markers were identified by flow cytometry. PBMSCs were first subjected to hypoxic/ normoxic preconditioning: hypoxic (1% O

ObjectiveTo explore the practical value of environment-friendly sample release agent combined with ultrasound in the preparation of pathological tissue sections. MethodsFrom February 2013 to December 2022， 2 518 pathological specimens submitted by Foshan Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine were selected as the study objects. Two samples of the same specimen were randomly divided into two groups： the environment-friendly fast group， in which the pathological tissue sections were made by using the environment-friendly sample release agent combined with ultrasound； and the traditional group， in which formaldehyde， ethanol and xylene were used to make slices in the conventional way. The differences of hematoxylin （HE） staining effect， immunohistochemistry （IHC） staining effect and MDM2 gene detection result of atypical lipomatous tumor/highly differentiated liposarcoma （ALT/WDL） tissue sections between the two groups were compared. Results① The wax of the two groups' pathological tissues was dehydrated well and the tissue hardness was moderate. After HE staining， the sections of the two groups were intact， without cracks and tremor marks， and the contrast between nucleus and cytoplasm was appropriate， with good transparency， uniform staining， and no tissue loss. The excellent rate and score of HE staining in the environmental fast group were higher than those in the traditional group， but the difference was not statistically significant （χ² = 3.125，P₁ = 0.070；t = 0.965，P₂ = 0.334）. ②After IHC staining of the two groups of sections， the positive location of the cells was accurate， the staining was specific and uniform， the staining intensity was moderate， the staining sensitivity was good， and there was no tissue loss. The excellent rate of IHC staining and the positive rate of IHC staining in the environmental fast group were lower than those in the traditional group， but the difference was not statistically significant （χ₁² = 2.769，P₁ = 0.092；χ₂² = 0.800，P₂ = 0.375）. ③The background and outline of the two groups of WDL tissue sections were clear， the staining was uniform， the cells were clear and visible， the nuclear boundary was clear， the hybridization signal was clear and bright under the background fluorescence， and there was no miscellaneous signal. The two groups of sections were hybridized successfully， and MDM2 showed positive amplification. The number of cells successfully hybridized in the environment-friendly fast group was lower than that in the traditional group， but the difference was not statistically significant （t = 1.414，P = 0.230）. ConclusionsThe tissue treatment method of using environment-friendly sample release agent combined with ultrasound can ensure the detection effect of HE staining， IHC staining and MDM2 gene detection of pathological tissue sections， and is more efficient and environment-friendly， suitable for promotion and use in hospitals at all levels.