[Purpose]To analyze the incidence and mortality of malignant tumors in cancer regis-tration areas of Heilongjiang Province in 2019 and the trend from 2013 to 2019.[Methods]The incidence and mortality data of malignant tumors reported by the Heilongjiang provincial cancer registries from 2013 to 2019 were collected,and the quality of data was assessed.The crude in-cidence/mortality rate,age-standardized incidence/mortality rate by Chinese standard population(ASIRC/ASMRC)and world standard population(ASIRW/ASMRW),0～74 years old cumulative rate were calculated.Joinpoint 4.6.0 software was used to calculate the average annual percentage change(AAPC)of ASIRC/ASMRC for the trend analysis from 2013 to 2019.[Results]In 2019,there were 16 732 new cases of malignant tumors in the cancer registration areas of Heilongjiang Province,including 8 639 males and 8 093 females.The crude incidence rate was 295.37/105,with an ASIRC and ASIRW of 167.10/105 and 164.18/105,respectively.There were 10 988 malig-nant tumor deaths,including 6 540 males and 4 448 females.The crude mortality rate was 193.97/105,with an ASMRC and ASMRW of 101.22/105 and 101.66/105,respectively.The inci-dence and mortality of malignant tumors increased rapidly after the age of 55,and the incidence and mortality of males were slightly higher than those of females.The top five malignant tumors of high incidence were lung cancer,female breast cancer,colorectal cancer,liver cancer and thy-roid cancer,and the top five malignant tumors of high mortality were lung cancer,liver cancer,colorectal cancer,stomach cancer and female breast cancer.From 2013 to 2019,the ASIRC of malignant tumors in cancer registration areas increased from 153.08/105 in 2013 to 167.10/105 in 2019,and the ASMRC increased from 92.22/105 in 2013 to 101.22/105 in 2019,but there was no statistical difference in the change trend.[Conclusion]The incidence and mortality of malignant tumors in Heilongjiang Province remain high.Lung cancer,female breast cancer,colorectal can-cer,liver cancer and stomach cancer should be the focus of cancer prevention and control.

[Purpose]To analyze the incidence and mortality of malignant tumors in cancer regis-tration areas of Heilongjiang Province in 2019 and the trend from 2013 to 2019.[Methods]The incidence and mortality data of malignant tumors reported by the Heilongjiang provincial cancer registries from 2013 to 2019 were collected,and the quality of data was assessed.The crude in-cidence/mortality rate,age-standardized incidence/mortality rate by Chinese standard population(ASIRC/ASMRC)and world standard population(ASIRW/ASMRW),0～74 years old cumulative rate were calculated.Joinpoint 4.6.0 software was used to calculate the average annual percentage change(AAPC)of ASIRC/ASMRC for the trend analysis from 2013 to 2019.[Results]In 2019,there were 16 732 new cases of malignant tumors in the cancer registration areas of Heilongjiang Province,including 8 639 males and 8 093 females.The crude incidence rate was 295.37/105,with an ASIRC and ASIRW of 167.10/105 and 164.18/105,respectively.There were 10 988 malig-nant tumor deaths,including 6 540 males and 4 448 females.The crude mortality rate was 193.97/105,with an ASMRC and ASMRW of 101.22/105 and 101.66/105,respectively.The inci-dence and mortality of malignant tumors increased rapidly after the age of 55,and the incidence and mortality of males were slightly higher than those of females.The top five malignant tumors of high incidence were lung cancer,female breast cancer,colorectal cancer,liver cancer and thy-roid cancer,and the top five malignant tumors of high mortality were lung cancer,liver cancer,colorectal cancer,stomach cancer and female breast cancer.From 2013 to 2019,the ASIRC of malignant tumors in cancer registration areas increased from 153.08/105 in 2013 to 167.10/105 in 2019,and the ASMRC increased from 92.22/105 in 2013 to 101.22/105 in 2019,but there was no statistical difference in the change trend.[Conclusion]The incidence and mortality of malignant tumors in Heilongjiang Province remain high.Lung cancer,female breast cancer,colorectal can-cer,liver cancer and stomach cancer should be the focus of cancer prevention and control.

Objective:To investigate the association between triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index and all-cause mortality in elderly patients with hypertension and coronary artery disease.Methods:This was a retrospective cohort study, a total of 5 640 elderly inpatients (≥65 years) with hypertension and coronary artery disease who were admitted to the Department of Cardiology, Liberation Army General Hospital from August 2008 to July 2018 were enrolled in this study. The baseline clinical data of the patients were collected and the TyG index was calculated. Patients were divided into four groups according to their TyG index quartiles: TyG index<8.31 ( Q1 group, n=1 392), 8.31≤TyG index<8.67 ( Q2 group, n=1 417), 8.67≤TyG index<9.07 ( Q3 group, n=1 427), and TyG index≥9.07 ( Q4 group, n=1 404). All patients were followed up by obtaining outpatient/rehospitalization records or by telephone. The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality. Log-rank test was used to compare the cumulative all-cause mortality among groups. Cox proportional hazard regression model was used to analyze the risk of all-cause mortality in each group (the Q2 group with the lowest all-cause mortality was used as a reference), after adjusting for confounding factors, Restricted cubic spline analysis (RCS) was used to determine the association between TyG index and risk of all-cause mortality. Results:During a follow-up of 6.44 (4.70, 8.85) years, 1 037 all-cause deaths (18.39 %) were documented. The cumulative all-cause mortality in Q1- Q4 groups was 16.52%, 16.51%, 17.59% and 22.93%, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant ( χ2=26.49, P<0.01). In the Cox regression model, compared with Q2 group (reference), the HR (95% CI) for all-cause mortality was 1.06 (0.88-1.28) in the Q1 group, 1.23 (1.02-1.48) in the Q3 group and 1.48 (1.23-1.77) in the Q4 group, respectively ( P for trend<0.01). RCS curve analysis showed that when the TyG index was greater than 8.67, the risk of all-cause mortality increased with the TyG index, and there was a linear relationship between TyG index and all-cause mortality in this patient cohort (non-linearity P=0.31). Conclusion:The elevated TyG index is significantly associated with a higher risk for all-cause mortality in elderly hypertension and coronary artery disease patients.

Background::Heterotaxy (HTX) is a thoracoabdominal organ anomaly syndrome and commonly accompanied by congenital heart disease (CHD). The aim of this study was to analyze rare copy number variations (CNVs) in a HTX/CHD cohort and to examine the potential mechanisms contributing to HTX/CHD.Methods::Chromosome microarray analysis was used to identify rare CNVs in a cohort of 120 unrelated HTX/CHD patients, and available samples from parents were used to confirm the inheritance pattern. Potential candidate genes in CNVs region were prioritized via the DECIPHER database, and PNPLA4 was identified as the leading candidate gene. To validate, we generated PNPLA4-overexpressing human induced pluripotent stem cell lines as well as pnpla4-overexpressing zebrafish model, followed by a series of transcriptomic, biochemical and cellular analyses. Results::Seventeen rare CNVs were identified in 15 of the 120 HTX/CHD patients (12.5%). Xp22.31 duplication was one of the inherited CNVs identified in this HTX/CHD cohort, and PNPLA4 in the Xp22.31 was a candidate gene associated with HTX/CHD. PNPLA4 is expressed in the lateral plate mesoderm, which is known to be critical for left/right embryonic patterning as well as cardiomyocyte differentiation, and in the neural crest cell lineage. Through a series of in vivo and in vitro analyses at the molecular and cellular levels, we revealed that the biological function of PNPLA4 is importantly involved in the primary cilia formation and function via its regulation of energy metabolism and mitochondria-mediated ATP production. Conclusions::Our findings demonstrated a significant association between CNVs and HTX/CHD. Our data strongly suggested that an increased genetic dose of PNPLA4 due to Xp22.31 duplication is a disease-causing risk factor for HTX/CHD.

As a highly differentiated haploid germ cell in male body, sperm is an important carrier of life genetic information transmission, and its structural integrity is the condition of normal insemination, and also the basis of normal metabolism to produce energy and complete epigenetic inheritance. Sperm metabolism is considered to be the "energy supply station" of sperm movement, which ensures the normal life activities such as spermatogenesis, maturation, over-activation and sperm-egg union. Abnormal metabolism will directly affect the sperm vitality and cause male infertility. Sperm epigenetic inheritance is a process that affects the embryonic development and reproduction of offspring through paternal inheritance, including DNA methylation, chromatin remodeling and small RNA carried by sperm and other regulatory modes, which can also affect energy production to a certain extent, thereby leading to the decline of sperm motility and male fertility. Therefore, sperm metabolism and epigenetics are inextricably related to the maintenance of sperm motility. In this paper, the structure, metabolism and epigenetic regulation of human sperm are reviewed in order to provide theoretical reference for the research on male infertility caused by abnormal sperm motility.

As a highly differentiated haploid germ cell in male body, sperm is an important carrier of life genetic information transmission, and its structural integrity is the condition of normal insemination, and also the basis of normal metabolism to produce energy and complete epigenetic inheritance. Sperm metabolism is considered to be the "energy supply station" of sperm movement, which ensures the normal life activities such as spermatogenesis, maturation, over-activation and sperm-egg union. Abnormal metabolism will directly affect the sperm vitality and cause male infertility. Sperm epigenetic inheritance is a process that affects the embryonic development and reproduction of offspring through paternal inheritance, including DNA methylation, chromatin remodeling and small RNA carried by sperm and other regulatory modes, which can also affect energy production to a certain extent, thereby leading to the decline of sperm motility and male fertility. Therefore, sperm metabolism and epigenetics are inextricably related to the maintenance of sperm motility. In this paper, the structure, metabolism and epigenetic regulation of human sperm are reviewed in order to provide theoretical reference for the research on male infertility caused by abnormal sperm motility.

Background::The clinical characteristics of patients with the comorbidities of hypertension and coronary artery disease (HT-CAD) and atrial fibrillation (AF) are largely unknown. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of AF in patients with HT-CAD and clinical characteristics of patients with both HT-CAD and AF.Methods::This cross-sectional study was conducted in Chinese People’s Liberation Army General Hospital in Beijing, China, and included 20,747 inpatients with HT-CAD with or without AF from August 2008 to July 2018. We examined the overall prevalence, clinical characteristics, comorbidity profiles, treatment patterns, and blood pressure (BP) control of patients with both HT-CAD and AF. Multivariate logistic regression was used to investigate the associations of cardiovascular risk factors with AF in patients with HT-CAD.Results::The overall prevalence of AF in patients with HT-CAD was 4.87% (1011/20,747), and this increased with age; to be specific, the prevalence in women and men increased from 0.78% (2/255) and 1.02% (26/2561) at the age of <50 years to 8.73% (193/2210) and 10.28 % (298/2900) at the age of ≥70 years, respectively. HT-CAD patients who had AF had a higher prevalence of cardiovascular-related comorbidities than those without AF. Multivariate logistic regression showed that age, gender (male), body mass index, heart failure, and chronic kidney disease were independently associated with the risk of AF in patients with HT-CAD. For those with both HT-CAD and AF, 73.49% (743/1011) had a CHA 2DS 2-VASc score of ≥4, and only about half of them had the BP controlled at <140/90 mmHg, which indicated a high risk of thromboembolism and stroke. The use of oral anticoagulation increased during the study period (10.00% [20/200] in 2008 to 2011 vs. 30.06% [159/529] in 2015 to 2018, P < 0.01), but remained at a relatively low level. Conclusions::AF is highly prevalent among patients with HT-CAD. Patients with both HT-CAD and AF have a higher prevalence of cardiovascular-related comorbidities, lower BP control rate, and lower use of oral anticoagulation.

Objective To prepare 4-sulfonylcalix[6]arene-modified cotton fibers for adsorption and removal of uranium based on the specific complexation of calix[6]arene with uranium (VI). Methods Chemical grafting was used for the modification of cotton, which reacted with α-bromoisobutyryl bromide, glycidyl methacrylate, and 4-sulfonylcalix[6]arene. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were used to characterize the structure of 4-sulfonylcalix[6]arene-modified cotton (Cotton S-C[6]a). A Franz diffusion cell was used to simulate uranium-contaminated skin. Laser fluorimetry was used to determine the uranium content. Results SEM, XPS, and FTIR showed that cotton fibers were successfully grafted with 4-sulfonylcalix[6]arene. The optimal conditions of Cotton S-C[6]a for the adsorption of uranium (VI) was pH 4.0, duration of 20 min, and 20 mg of adsorbent. The adsorption process fitted well with pseudo-secondary-order kinetics. The uranium removal efficiency of Cotton S-C[6]a was up to 78.46% in aqueous solution and 81.72% on skin. Conclusion The synthesized Cotton S-C[6]a is highly efficient in the removal of uranium (VI) in solution and on contaminated skin.

Objective To analyze the mortality characteristics and trends and the cause-eliminated life expectancy of gastric cancer in Harbin City from 1987 to 2019. Methods Mortality data of residents with gastric cancer from 1987 to 2019 in Harbin was analyzed to describe the mortality characteristics and trends of gastric cancer. Abridged life table and cause-eliminated life table were applied to calculate life expectancy and cause-eliminated life expectancy. Average annual percentage change (AAPC) was calculated with Joinpoint 4.2 software to evaluate the trends of mortality and cause-eliminated life expectancy of gastric cancer. Results From 1987 to 2019, the crude mortality, ASMRC and ASMRW and the truncated rate (35-64) were 14.3/10⁵, 10.9/10⁵, 10.9/10⁵, and 13.5/10⁵, respectively. The ASMRC showed an obvious decreasing trend at an average annual rate of 2.9% from 1987 to 2019 (95%CI: -4.4%--1.4%). Significant decreasing trends were observed for males (AAPC=-3.0%, 95%CI: -4.4%--1.7%) and females (AAPC=-3.1%, 95%CI: -5.3%--0.9%). An obvious decreasing trend in the ASMRW was also observed. The truncated rate (35-64) showed a downward trend (AAPC=-2.8%, 95%CI: -3.1%--2.5%). The average life expectancy of residents from 1987 to 2019 in Harbin were 76.78 years (male: 74.41 years, female: 79.33 years). After eliminating the causes of death of gastric cancer, the life expectancy increased by 0.25 years (male: 0.31 years, female: 0.18 years). Significant decreasing trends were found in the proportion of gastric cancer in all malignant cancer cases (AAPC=-0.18%, 95%CI: -2.0%--1.7%). Conclusion The mortality of gastric cancer decreases gradually from 1987 to 2019 in Harbin. After eliminating the causes of death of gastric cancer, the life expectancy increases by 0.25 years. Therefore, prevention and control should be strengthened.

Objective To explore dendritic cells (DCs)-mediated antigen presentation for radiation-injured cells by using the in vitro cell co-culture technology to simulate the in vivo microenvironment of the lung tissue. Methods ⁶⁰Co γ-irradiated mouse lung epithelial cells (MLE-12) were cultured with bone marrow-derived DCs and/or splenic T lymphocytes for 48 hours. Flow cytometry was used to measure the expression levels of costimulatory molecules (CD80/86) and antigenic peptide recognition complexes (the major histocompatibility complex [MHC] class Ⅰ/Ⅱ) on DCs and T cell activation markers (CD69/28/152) as well as the numbers of CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells. Results ⁶⁰Co γ irradiation significantly increased the apoptosis rate of MLE-12 cells in a dose-dependent manner, and significantly stimulated the expression of CD80/86 and MHC Ⅱ on DCs, without direct activation of T cells. After γ (6 Gy)-irradiated MLE-12 cells were co-cultured with DCs and T lymphocytes for 48 h, there were significant increases in the expression of CD69 and CD28 on T cells, the numbers of CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells, and the expression of CD86 and MHC I on DCs, as compared with the control groups. Conclusion Radiation-injured cells can stimulate antigen presentation by DCs and activate T cells.