Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is one of the most common malignant tumors worldwide.Transarterial chemoembolization(TACE)has been an important method for the treatment of advanced HCC.At present,drug-eluting beads chemoembolization(DEB-TACE)has been widely employed in the treatment of HCC,and different brands and different sized drug-eluting beads have been developed and used in DEB-TACE.In clinical practice,the particle size of drug-eluting beads is selected according to the HCC size and its blood supply,generally,＜300 μm drug-eluting beads are recommended.At present,100-300 μm drug-eluting beads have been frequently used.In recent years,smaller-sized drug-eluting beads have been employed in TACE.This article reviews the clinical effectiveness and safety of small-sized drug-eluting beads(＜150 μm)in DEB-TACE for HCC,so as to provide reference for clinical treatment.

Background Bisphenol compounds are non-persistent environmental endocrine disruptors and frequently detected in drinking water systems, indicating potential human health risks through drinking water. Objective To establish and optimize a simultaneous determination method for 16 BPs in drinking water by online solid-phase extraction-ultra high-performance liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry, in order to efficiently monitoring BPs in drinking water. Methods Candidate online solid-phase extraction conditions, chromatographic columns, mobile phase systems, mass spectrometry parameters, and other conditions were compared by chromatographic peaks of BPs, and processing conditions such as water sample preservation and pretreatment were optimized. The pH level of drinking water samples was adjusted and solid particles were removed. After extraction and purification by an online solid-phase extraction system, samples were detected by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry and quantified by isotope internal standard method. The proposed method was verified by pure water and terminal tap water, and evaluated by spiked recovery rate and relative standard deviation. Eighty-eight tap water samples from different regions of local pipeline network were collected for method application. Results For the 16 BPs, the calibration curves showed good linearity between 1.0 and 75 ng·L⁻¹ and the correlation coefficients were greater than 0.995. The detection limit of the method was less than 0.30 ng·L⁻¹, and the quantification limit of the method was less than 1.0 ng·L⁻¹. When the spiked concentrations for the 16 BPs were 5.0, 15, and 40 ng·L⁻¹, the average spiked recovery rates of the test substances were between (100 ± 10)%, and the relative standard deviations were all below 10%. In the method application to the local terminal water samples, the positive rates of bisphenol S (BPS), bisphenol A (BPA), and bisphenol AF (BPAF) were as high as 93.2%, 77.3%, and 29.5%, respectively. The concentrations of BPS were from not detected (N.D.) to 37.8 ng·L⁻¹, and the concentrations of BPA were from N.D. to 52.0 ng·L⁻¹. Conclusion The method using an online solid-phase extraction system is established, featuring simple pre-treatment, small sample volume, high degree of automation, low detection limit, and good accuracy and precision. This method can be applied to the quantitative monitoring of 16 BPs at ng·L⁻¹ level in drinking water.

Background Nitrosamines (NAms) are highly carcinogenic and frequently detected in drinking water systems in China, indicating potential human health risk through drinking water. Objective To analyze the distribution of NAms in drinking water in Shanghai and to evaluate relevant human health risk. Methods A total of 94 samples of source water and 120 samples of finished water were collected in February (dry period) and August (wet period) of 2021 from 30 drinking water plants in Shanghai, and eight NAms were quantitatively analyzed by gas chromatography tandem mass spectrometry after solid phase extraction. Cancer risks for different age groups caused by NAms exposure through water were evaluated using Monte Carlo probabilistic method and carcinogens risk assessment model recommended by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Results The concentrations of total NAms in source and finished water were 12.56-65.86 ng·L⁻¹ and 8.52-57.38 ng·L⁻¹, respectively. The average concentration of total NAms was higher in source water (33.50 ng·L⁻¹) than in finished water (22.07 ng·L⁻¹, P<0.05) during dry season, and lower in source water (16.90 ng·L⁻¹) than in finished water (21.02 ng·L⁻¹, P<0.05) during wet season. The average concentration of total NAms in source water during dry season was twice of that during wet season. The positive rate of N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) was the highest (100%) among the eight NAms. The cancer risk of exposure to NAms in finished water in Shanghai was mainly from the ingestion route, which was mostly caused by NDMA. The cancer risk from exposure to NAms in water for children (median=4.32×10⁻⁵) was slightly higher than that for adults (median=3.34×10⁻⁵) and adolescents (median=2.27×10⁻⁵). The cancer risks of exposure to NAms in water for people of different ages were mainly (80% - 95%) at an acceptable level (1×10⁻⁶ - 1×10⁻⁴). Conclusion NAms contamination is positive in Shanghai’s drinking water and NDMA is the main contaminant. The removal of NAms in water by current water treatment process is season-dependent. The cancer risk of children exposed to NAms in water was slightly higher than that of adults and adolescents, but all at acceptable levels.

Background Nitrosamines, especially N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), are highly carcinogenic and frequently detected in drinking water systems in China, indicating potential human health risk through drinking water. Objective This study aims to analyze the distribution of NDMA in urban drinking water around China and to evaluate relevant human health risk, thus providing recommendations for drinking water safety standards. Methods The database of China National Knowledge Infrastructure was searched using nitrosamines and drinking water as key words in Chinese, and PubMed was searched usingN-nitrosodimethylamine or nitrosodimethylamine or NDMA, drinking water, and China as key words in English for relevant literature published from January 1, 2000 to March 1, 2021. Eligible data were extracted to statistically analyze the spatiotemporal exposure levels of NDMA in raw and finished water serving Chinese cities. According to the health risk assessment model for carcinogens recommended by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), the cancer risk via drinking water of NDMA in finished water was evaluated for different age groups and different regions. Results A total of 102 studies were retrieved, 21 of which met the inclusion criteria and were finally included. The NDMA concentrations in 347 raw water samples and 276 finished water samples were extracted and studied, with positive rates of 82.4% and 67.0%, levels of not detected (ND)-141 and ND-67.1 ng·L⁻¹, and the 95th quantiles of 51.4 and 32.1 ng·L⁻¹, respectively. The level of NDMA in raw water was higher than that in finished water in cities of East and North China (P<0.05). East China had the highest average concentrations of NDMA in raw and finished water (21.4 and 9.0 ng·L⁻¹ respectively). In East China, the average concentrations of NDMA in raw and finished water from 2018 to 2019 (5.9 and 6.1 ng·L⁻¹ respectively) were significantly lower than those from 2015 to 2017 (28.7 and 16.5 ng·L⁻¹ respectively) (P<0.05). The average concentration of NDMA in rivers, lakes, ponds, and streams as drinking water sources (20.8 ng·L⁻¹) was significantly higher than that in groundwater sources (8.0 ng·L⁻¹) and in reservoir sources (6.5 ng·L⁻¹) (P<0.05). The average concentration of NDMA in finished water with pre-chlorination (9.4 ng·L⁻¹) was higher than that without (6.0 ng·L⁻¹) (P<0.05). The cancer risk of NDMA through drinking water for children over 1 year old in China decreased with older age, and the risk of infants aged 1~<2 years (2.52×10⁻⁴) was 23 times higher than that of adults (1.09×10⁻⁵) (P<0.05). Conclusion Raw water pollution is the main source of NDMA in urban drinking water in China, and current water treatment technology can partially remove NDMA. The NDMA level in finished water of East China shows a downward trend in recent two years. The carcinogenic risk of NDMA via drinking water for children is higher than that for adults, and their health risk management needs to be strengthened. The study findings recommend 35 ng·L⁻¹ as the limit of NDMA water quality safety standard in China.

Heat-shock protein gp96 associates with antigenic peptides derived from tumor and virus. Exogenous gp96-peptide complexes are taken up by antigen-presenting cells through interaction with its receptor CD91 on the cell surface, and cross-present antigenic peptides to MHC class I molecules by a peptide relay line in the endoplasmic reticulum for specific T-cell activation. Meanwhile, gp96 has been shown to initiate innate immune responses through interaction with toll-like receptor 2 and toll-like receptor 4. Recent studies have shown a gp96-mediated immune balance between CTL and Tregs. With the further understanding of counteracting immunosuppressive mechanisms in gp96-induced cellular immune responses, and establishment of high level production of recombinant gp96 by the yeast, gp96 appears to be a promising candidate for designing effective therapeutic vaccines against tumor and infectious diseases.
Animals ; Communicable Diseases ; therapy ; Heat-Shock Proteins ; immunology ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Immunotherapy, Active ; methods ; Neoplasms ; therapy ; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory ; immunology

While currently therapeutic vaccines for chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection are actively being developed to complement standard antiviral treatments, their immune activity, especially T cell activity, remains to be further improved. Here, we investigated the role of heat shock proteins HSP70 and gp96 on cellular and humoral immunity, using the main structure antigens of hepatitis core (HBcAg) and surface (HBsAg) as the DNA vaccine. By ELISPOT (enzyme linked immunospot assay), IFN-gamma intracellular staining, [3H]-thymidine incorporation and ELISA (enzyme linked immunosorbent assay) analyses, we showed that immunization with HBsAg/HBcAg DNA formulation along with HSP70 or gp96 induced significant increase of T-cell (about 1-6-fold) and antibody (about 20%-60%) immunity against HBsAg and HBcAg. These results may provide bases for designing HSP70- and gp96-based vaccines aimed at eliciting T-cell responses for therapeutic applications.
Adjuvants, Immunologic ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Female ; HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins ; immunology ; Hepatitis B Core Antigens ; immunology ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; immunology ; Hepatitis B Vaccines ; immunology ; Hepatitis B virus ; immunology ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; immunology ; therapy ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; immunology ; Membrane Glycoproteins ; immunology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; T-Lymphocytes ; immunology ; Vaccines, DNA ; immunology

Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy of Xingnao-Kaiqiao acupuncture("醒脑开窍"针法) on patients with cerebral infarction.Methods: Sixty-three patients with the disease were randomly divided into treatment group(n=32) treated with Xingnao-Kaiqiao acupuncture and control group(n=31) with(traditional) acupuncture.In addition,routine medicine therapies were given to the two groups(including(dehydration),(decrease) of intracranial pressure,enhancement of nerve nutrition and supportive treatment).(Xingnao-)(Kaiqiao acupuncture) was used and adjusted the number of points with different syndromes in the treatment group,main points were as follows: Neiguan(内关PC6),(Rengzhong)(人中GV26),Sanyinjiao((三阴交)SP6) and vice points were Jiquan(极泉HT1),Chize ((尺泽LU5)),Weizhong(委中BL40),Fengchi(风池GB20),Yintang (印堂EX-HN3),Shangxing((上星DU23)-through-Baihui)(百会GV20).Traditional acupuncture was used in the control group.Points at the upper limbs were Jianjing(肩井GB 21),Quchi(曲池LI 11),Waiguan(外关(S)51),Hegu(合谷LI 4) and at the lower limbs were Zusanli(足三里ST36),Yanglingquan(阳陵泉GB34),Huantiao(环跳GB30),Fenglong(丰隆ST40),Kunlun(昆仑BL60) etc..Acupuncture was given twice a day for 15 days in both groups.Before and after therapy,the hemorrheology,blood lipid,blood,urine,stool and biochemical routine examinations,white blood cell (WBC) count in(peripheral) blood and neurological deficit score(NDS) were(determined).Curative effects of two groups after treatment were observed.Results: After treatment,the total effective power was 93.75% in the treatment group,while it was 67.74% in the control group,the difference being significant (?~2=4.85,P