BACKGROUND: China and the United States (US) ranked first and third in terms of new liver cancer cases and deaths globally in 2020. Therefore, a comprehensive assessment of trends in the incidence of primary liver cancer with four major etiological factors between China and the US during the past 30 years with age-period-cohort (APC) analyses is warranted. METHODS: Data were obtained from the Global Burden of Disease 2019, and period/cohort relative risks were estimated by APC modeling from 1990 to 2019. RESULTS: In 2019, there were 211,000 new liver cancer cases in China and 28,000 in the US, accounting for 39.4% and 5.2% of global liver cancer cases, respectively. For China, the age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR) consecutively decreased before 2005 but increased slightly since then, whereas the ASIR continuously increased in the US. Among the four etiological factors of liver cancer, the fastest reduction in incidence was observed in hepatitis B virus-related liver cancer among Chinese women, and the fastest increase was in nonalcoholic steatosis hepatitis (NASH)-related liver cancer among American men. The greatest reduction in the incidence of liver cancer was observed at the age of 53 years in Chinese men (-5.2%/year) and 33 years in Chinese women (-6.6%/year), while it peaked at 58 years old in both American men and women (4.5%/year vs . 2.8%/year). Furthermore, the period risks of alcohol- and NASH-related liver cancer among Chinese men have been elevated since 2013. Simultaneously, leveled- off period risks were observed in hepatitis C viral-related liver cancer in both American men and women. CONCLUSIONS Currently, both viral and lifestyle factors have been and will continue to play an important role in the time trends of liver cancer in both countries. More tailored and efficient preventive strategies should be designed to target both viral and lifestyle factors to prevent and control liver cancer.
Male ; Humans ; United States/epidemiology* ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Incidence ; Global Burden of Disease ; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease/complications* ; Cohort Studies ; Liver Neoplasms/etiology* ; China/epidemiology*

Objective: To analyze the correlations between intraoperative ultrasound and MRI metrics of the spinal cord in degenerative cervical myelopathy and identify novel potential predictive ultrasonic indicators of neurological recovery for degenerative cervical myelopathy. Materials and Methods: Twenty-two patients who underwent French-door laminoplasty for multilevel degenerative cervical myelopathy were followed up for 12 months. The Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) scores were assessed preoperatively and 12 months postoperatively. Maximum spinal cord compression and compression rates were measured and calculated using both intraoperative ultrasound imaging and preoperative T2-weight (T2W) MRI. Signal change rates of the spinal cord on preoperative T2W MRI and gray value ratios of dorsal and ventral spinal cord hyperechogenicity on intraoperative ultrasound imaging were measured and calculated. Correlations between intraoperative ultrasound metrics, MRI metrics, and the recovery rate JOA scores were analyzed using Spearman correlation analysis. Results: The postoperative JOA scores improved significantly, with a mean recovery rate of 65.0 ± 20.3% (p < 0.001). No significant correlations were found between the operative ultrasound metrics and MRI metrics. The gray value ratios of the spinal cord hyperechogenicity was negatively correlated with the recovery rate of JOA scores (ρ = -0.638, p = 0.001), while the ventral and dorsal gray value ratios of spinal cord hyperechogenicity were negatively correlated with the recovery rate of JOA-motor scores (ρ = -0.582, p = 0.004) and JOA-sensory scores (ρ = -0.452, p = 0.035), respectively. The dorsal gray value ratio was significantly higher than the ventral gray value ratio (p < 0.001), while the recovery rate of JOA-motor scores was better than that of JOA-sensory scores at 12 months post-surgery (p = 0.028). Conclusion For degenerative cervical myelopathy, the correlations between intraoperative ultrasound and preoperative T2W MRI metrics were not significant. Gray value ratios of the spinal cord hyperechogenicity and dorsal and ventral spinal cord hyperechogenicity were significantly correlated with neurological recovery at 12 months postoperatively.

Objective: To analyze the correlations between intraoperative ultrasound and MRI metrics of the spinal cord in degenerative cervical myelopathy and identify novel potential predictive ultrasonic indicators of neurological recovery for degenerative cervical myelopathy. Materials and Methods: Twenty-two patients who underwent French-door laminoplasty for multilevel degenerative cervical myelopathy were followed up for 12 months. The Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) scores were assessed preoperatively and 12 months postoperatively. Maximum spinal cord compression and compression rates were measured and calculated using both intraoperative ultrasound imaging and preoperative T2-weight (T2W) MRI. Signal change rates of the spinal cord on preoperative T2W MRI and gray value ratios of dorsal and ventral spinal cord hyperechogenicity on intraoperative ultrasound imaging were measured and calculated. Correlations between intraoperative ultrasound metrics, MRI metrics, and the recovery rate JOA scores were analyzed using Spearman correlation analysis. Results: The postoperative JOA scores improved significantly, with a mean recovery rate of 65.0 ± 20.3% (p < 0.001). No significant correlations were found between the operative ultrasound metrics and MRI metrics. The gray value ratios of the spinal cord hyperechogenicity was negatively correlated with the recovery rate of JOA scores (ρ = -0.638, p = 0.001), while the ventral and dorsal gray value ratios of spinal cord hyperechogenicity were negatively correlated with the recovery rate of JOA-motor scores (ρ = -0.582, p = 0.004) and JOA-sensory scores (ρ = -0.452, p = 0.035), respectively. The dorsal gray value ratio was significantly higher than the ventral gray value ratio (p < 0.001), while the recovery rate of JOA-motor scores was better than that of JOA-sensory scores at 12 months post-surgery (p = 0.028). Conclusion For degenerative cervical myelopathy, the correlations between intraoperative ultrasound and preoperative T2W MRI metrics were not significant. Gray value ratios of the spinal cord hyperechogenicity and dorsal and ventral spinal cord hyperechogenicity were significantly correlated with neurological recovery at 12 months postoperatively.

Objective To compare the value of ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (FNA) and core needle biopsy (CNB) in diagnosing benign and malignant cervical lymph nodes.Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on 88 patients who received biopsy for cervical lymph node enlargement from January 2015 to May 2017.FNA (n =39) or CNB (n =49) were performed respectively to compare the sensitivity,specificity and accuracy of the two methods in diagnosing benign and malignant cervical lymph node enlargement.Results 84.6％ (33/39) of FNA cases were successfully collected,and 98％ (48/49) of FNA cases were successfully collected for definite pathological diagnosis (P =0.000).The sensitivity,specificity and accuracy of FNA and CNB in diagnosing malignant cervical lymph nodes were 90.9％ and 97.2％,94.1％ and 100％,92.3％ and 98％,respectively.Compared with FNA,there were statistically significant differences in sensitivity,specificity and accuracy in differentiating benign and malignant lymphatic lesions in cervical enlargement (P ＜0.01).The sensitivity and specificity of FNA and CNB in diagnosing cervical lymph node metastatic carcinoma were 100％ and 100％,95.2％ and 100％.Compared with FNA,there was no statistically significant difference in the sensitivity to the diagnosis of cervical lymph node metastatic carcinoma (P =0.102).Conclusions CNB is superior to FNA in sensitivity,specificity and accuracy in diagnosing cervical lymphadenopathy.However,when metastatic cancer was diagnosed,FNA was not significantly different from CNB in sensitivity (P =0.102),and FNA was recommended as the first choice.

Objective To investigate the value of CEUS in differential diagnosis of benign and malignant renal focal hyperechoic lesions.Methods Data of conventional ultrasound (US) and CEUS of 56 patients with single renal focal hyperechoic lesion were retrospectively analyzed,and differential diagnosis of benign and malignant lesions was performed with US and CEUS,respectively.Taking pathological diagnosis as golden standard,the diagnostic efficacy of US and CEUS were calculated and compared.Results The sensibility,specificity,positive predictive value (PPV),negative predictive value (NPV) and accuracy of US was 70.00％ (14/20),75.00％ (27/36),60.87％ (14/23),81.82％ (27/33) and 73.21％ (41/56),while of CEUS was 80.00％ (16/20),94.44％ (34/36),88.89％ (16/18),89.47％ (34/38) and 89.29 ％ (50/56),respectively.The accuracy,specificity and PPV of CEUS were higher than those of US (all P＜0.05).The consistency of CEUS and pathology was good (Kappa=0.761),while of US and pathology was ordinary (Kappa=0.435).Conclusion CEUS can improve differential diagnostic efficacy of renal focal hyperechoic lesions.

Mendelian randomization (MR) approach is based on the Mendelian genetic law,which is called "Parental alleles that randomly assigned to the offspring".MR refers to the use of genetic variants to develop causal inferences from observational data,if the variant genotype isassociated with the phenotype and the variant genotype associated with the risk of disease of interest through the phenotype.Hence,the genotype can be used as Instrumental Variable (IV) to infer the causal relation between the phenotype and the risk of diseases.In recent years,MR approach is widely used in causal inference between the exposure factors and the risks of disease,along with the rapid development of statistical methods,big datasets of GWAS,epigenetics and the various "omics" techniques.This paper provides an overview of the MR strategies and addresses the related assumptions and implications,with reliability and limitations included.

Objective To evaluate the application value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in the diagnosis of vascular complication (VC) of transplanted kidney. Methods Imaging data of conventional ultrasound and CEUS in 28 patients suspected with VC of transplanted kidney were analyzed retrospectively.The results of computed tomography angiography (CTA)or digital subtraction angiography (DSA)were served as the diagnostic standard. The value of CEUS in diagnosing VC of transplanted kidney was analyzed. Results No adverse reaction related to contrast agent was observed in 28 patients during the CEUS examination. And 22 cases with VC were confirmed. VCs were detected correctly by CEUS in 17 cases,but 5 cases with transplant renal artery stenosis (TRAS ) were missed and 1 case with focal infarction in transplanted kidney was misdiagnosed. The diagnostic sensitivity,specificity,positive predictive value (PPV),negative predictive value (NPV)and accuracy of CEUS for VC of transplanted kidney were 0.77,1.00,1.00,0.55 and 0.82, respectively. The diagnostic sensitivity,specificity,PPV,NPV and accuracy of conventional ultrasound and CEUS for TRAS were 0.37 and 0.74,0.89 and 1.00,0.88 and 1.00,0.40 and 0.64,0.54 and 0.82, respectively. There were significant differences in the sensitivity and accuracy between conventional ultrasound and CEUS (both in P<0.05 ). Conclusions CEUS is an effective method for detecting VC of transplanted kidney.

Tanshinone ⅡA is one of the main effective components in Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma. It plays a role in the resistance to atherosclerosis by participating in anti-inflammatory in vascular wall, such as the regulating endothelial cell apoptosis and correcting lipid metabolism disorder. This article summarized recent researches of the basic role of tanshinone ⅡA in the resistance to atherosclerosis and provided references for clinical application of antiatherosclerotic effect of tanshinone ⅡA.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of P38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (P38 MAPK) signaling pathway in regulating the expression of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in the substantia nigra (SN) of a mouse model of Parkinson's disease (PD).

METHODSC57BL/6N mice were treated with 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) to establish an subacute PD model, and the behavioral changes of the mice were observed. Immunohistochemistry and Western blotting were employed to detect the expressions of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), NF-κB, iNOS and phosphorylated P38 (p-P38) in the midbrain before and after treatment with SB203580.

RESULTSCompared with the control mice, the PD mouse models presented with typical symptoms of PD and showed significantly increased number of p-P38-, NF-κB-, and iNOS-positive cells in the SN area (P<0.01) with significantly reduced number of TH-positive neurons (P<0.01). After SB203580 treatment, the number of p-P38-, NF-κB-, and iNOS-positive cells was reduced obviously (P<0.01) and the number of TH-positive neurons in the SN increased significantly in the PD model mice (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONP38 MAPK signaling pathway may play an important role in modulating NF-κB and iNOS expression in the SN in the early stage of MPTP-induced subacute PD, and SB203580 can inhibit P38 signaling pathway to protect the DA neurons in PD model mice.

1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine ; Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Imidazoles ; MAP Kinase Signaling System ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; metabolism ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Neurons ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II ; metabolism ; Parkinson Disease ; metabolism ; Phosphorylation ; Pyridines ; Substantia Nigra ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo explore the significance of laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) and gastroesophageal reflux (GER) in patients with vocal cord leukoplakia and early glottic cancer.

METHODSPatients with vocal cord leukoplakia and early glottic cancer encountered in Nanfang Hospital between December 2012 to January 2014 were included in this study. Ambulatory 24 hour multichannel intraluminal impedance-pH monitoring (MII-pH) was applied to obtain LPR and GER events, as well as the reflux properties of substances. Tobacco and alcohol history was also evaluated. Sixteen healthy volunteers were recruited as normal controls.

RESULTSThere were 26.3% (5/19) LPR patients in glottic cancer group, 35.3% (6/17) LPR patients in vocal cord leukoplakia group and 12.5% (2/16) LPR volunteers in normal controls. There was no statistically significant difference in the positive rate of LPR between early glottic cancer patients and normal controls as well as between vocal cord leukoplakia patients and normal controls (P > 0.05). There was statistically significance in numbers of acid reflux events, time of acid exposure, and time of acid clearance between vocal cord leukoplakia patients and normal controls as well as between glottic cancer patients and normal controls (P < 0.05). GER was found in 26.3% (5/19) patients in glottic cancer group and 23.5% (4/17) patients in vocal cord leukoplakia group and 6.3% (1/16) volunteer in normal controls. There was no statistically significant difference in the positive rate of GER between early glottic cancer patients and normal controls as well as between vocal cord leukoplakia patients and normal controls (P > 0.05). However, there was statistically significance in DeMeester scores between glottic cancer patients and normal controls (P < 0.05), while no statistically significance between vocal cord leukoplakia patients and normal controls (P > 0.05). Reflux events were dominated by acid and weakly acidic reflux in upright position. Weakly alkaline reflux events in upright position, acid reflux events in supine position, and weakly alkaline reflux events in supine position in vocal cord leukoplakia patients were significantly more than those in normal controls (P < 0.05). No statistically significant difference existed in positions and contents between early glottic cancer patients and normal controls (P > 0.05). There was also no statistically significant correlation between happening LPR and GER, smoking and drinking in patients with vocal cord leukoplakia and early glottic cancer (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSReflux events are more in vocal cord leukoplakia patients and early glottic cancer patients, however, the relationship between laryngopharyngeal reflux and canceration of the vocal cord is still needed to be investigated. The significance of mucosal injury induced by nonacid refluxes is needed to be further studies.

Adult ; Aged ; Case-Control Studies ; Esophageal pH Monitoring ; Female ; Humans ; Laryngeal Diseases ; complications ; Laryngeal Neoplasms ; complications ; Laryngopharyngeal Reflux ; complications ; Leukoplakia ; complications ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Vocal Cords ; pathology