[Mid-term analysis of prospective cohort study of rivaroxaban in preventing CRT in breast cancer]

Objective: To explore the efficacy and safety of Rivaroxaban in preventing catheter related thrombosis (CRT) in patients with breast cancer who are undergoing central venous catheter chemotherapy, and provide basis for making standardized prevention and treatment strategies. Methods: In this research, a prospective cohort study was adopted, and breast cancer patients who received central venous catheter chemotherapy in Sanhuan Cancer Hospital during September 2020 to March 2022 were selected as a treatment group to take the rivaroxaban anticoagulation therapy with 10 mg.po.qd for one month. The control group got no preventive anticoagulation therapy. Vascular ultrasound examination was taken to confirm the occurrence of CRT, and a chi-square test was done for comparison the disparity between the groups. Logistic regression was applied to analyze the univariate and multivariate factors for the formation of CRT. Results: In the research, a total of 235 patients were selected, and there were a total of 19 035 days of catheterization with 81 days of catheterization on average. While in the control group, the incidence of CRT was 28.0% (33/118), the incidence of CRT in the treatment group was 20.5% (24/117), the difference was no significant (P=0.183). Subgroup analysis results showed that the peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) was performed in 165 cases with the CRT incidence of 18.2% (30/165) and thrombosis was mostly seen around axillary vein, accounting for 63.3%. Subclavian vein catheterization was performed in 63 cases with the CRT incidence of 39.7% (25/63), and thrombosis was mostly seen around subclavian vein, accounting for 88.0% (22/25). Implantable venous access port was implanted in 7 cases around subclavian vein and internal jugular vein with the CRT incidence of 28.6% (2/7). The patients who developed CRT within 30 days after catheterization accounted for 54.4% (31/57), 22.8% (13/57) in a period during 30 days and 60 days) and 22.8% (13/57) in a period during 60 days and 180 days). The diagnosed CRT patients had been treated with rivaroxaban 15 mg.bid.po for 3 months. During the 3 months, 100.0% of the thrombosis waned, 71.9% (41/57) of the thrombosis waned within 30 days, 19.3% (11/57) in a period during 30 and 60days and 8.8% (5/57) in a period during 60 days and 90 days. Univariate and multivariate analysis indicated that the risk of CRT in subclavian vein catheterization was higher than that in PICC, respectively (OR=2.898, 95% CI:1.386-6.056 P=0.005), and the type of catheterization was an independent factor for the formation of thrombosis. Safety analysis result showed that in the prevention of CRT, rivaroxaban treatment did not induce drug-related bleeding, liver function damage, bone marrow suppression or any other side effects. While CRT diagnosed patients were treated with anticoagulation, they kept the central venous catheter, and the infusion was smooth. These patients all finished the anti-tumor treatment as planned, and no abnormalities like new thrombosis or pulmonary embolism were observed. Conclusions: In the mid-term analysis, the proportion of Rivaroxaban in preventing anticoagulant CRT decreases, but it don't reach statistical significance. The sample size should be further increased for observation. Rivaroxaban is proved effective and very safe in the treatment of CRT, and does not affect the concurrent chemotherapy. Medical personnel should carry out the policy of "early prevention, early detection and early treatment" for CRT so as to improve the patients' quality of life.

Preparation and Peculiar Magnetic Properties at Low Temperatures of La1.85Sr0.15CuO4 Nanofibers

Herein, the preparation process, morphology, structure, and magnetic properties of La1.85Sr0.15CuO4 (LSCO) cobweb-like nanofibers are reported. LSCO nanofibers with a regular grain size distribution are successfully prepared via electrospinning, followed by calcination. We conducted morphology analysis and elemental distribution using electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), respectively. Additionally, magnetic property testing was performed using a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) to confirm the superconducting properties of the samples. Interestingly, our samples exhibited a superconducting transition temperature, Tc, of 25.21 K, which showed some disparity compared to similar works. Furthermore, we observed a ferromagnetic response at low temperatures in the superconducting nanofibers. We attribute these phenomena to the effects generated by surface states of nanoscale superconducting materials.

[The association between cortical venous outflow and futile recanalization in patients with acute ischemic stroke due to large vessel occlusion in the anterior circulation]

Objective: To explore the association of baseline venous outflow (VO) profile with futile recanalization in patients with acute ischemic stroke due to large vessel occlusion in the anterior circulation. Methods: The clinical and imaging data of patients presented with large vessel occlusion in the anterior circulation and underwent emergency endovascular treatment at Huashan Hospital from March 2015 to December 2021 were retrospectively included in the study. All patients were assessed by the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) at baseline.Baseline VO profile was determined by a 0-6 semi-quantitative scoring system which assessed opacification of the ipsilateral superficial middle cerebral vein, vein of Labbé and vein of Trolard on single-phase CT angiography (CTA) images. A 90-day telephone follow-up was performed and functional outcome was evaluated by 90 d modified Rankin scale (mRS). Successful recanalization of the occluded artery, defined as final modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction scale (mTICI) 2b-3, was considered to be futile if patients failed to achieve functional independence (90 d mRS 0-2). Univariate analysis and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis were used to explore the optimal cutoff predicting functional indendence. The associations between cortical VO in ischemic area and futile recanalization were evaluated using binary logistic regression analysis and backward linear regression based on Akaike information criterion (AIC). Results: A total of 150 patients met the inclusion criteria, with 92 males (61.3%) and 58 females (38.7%). The median age [M(Q1, Q3)]was 71 (61, 78) years and the median baseline National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score [M(Q1, Q3)]was 15 (11, 18). Univariate logistic regression analysis showed that baseline VO was associated with 90-day functional independence (OR=1.587, 95%CI: 1.185-2.1873). After classifying VO into two categories based on the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, VO≥4 showed an independent association with functional independence (OR=5.133, 95%CI: 1.530-9.361) after adjusting for age, baseline glucose, NIHSS score, baseline infarct core volume, modified Tan (mTan) score, hypoperfusion intensity ratio (HIR), etiological classification, recanalization, presence of any hemorrhagic transformation and final infarct volume. Futile recanalization was observed in 44 (48.4%) of the 91 patients who achieved successful recanalization. Stepwise logistic regression revealed that VO≥4 was an independent protective factor for futile recanalization (OR=0.234, 95%CI: 0.054-0.878). Moreover, in patients with mTICI 2c-3, VO≥4 showed a stronger association with futile recanalization (OR=0.018, 95%CI: 0-0.255). Conclusion: A favorable VO profile at onset protects against futile recanalization in patients with large vessel occlusion in the anterior circulation, and provides a simple and feasible auxiliary method for predicting the prognosis of endovascular therapy in such patients.

Corrigendum: Association between diagnostic efficacy of acoustic radiation force impulse for benign and malignant thyroid nodules and the presence or absence of non-papillary thyroid cancer: A meta-analysis

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1007464.].

Nomograms for Predicting Survival Outcomes in Patients with Neuroendocrine Neoplasms of the Gallbladder Undergoing Primary Tumor Resection: A Population-Based Study

Background: Neuroendocrine neoplasms of the gallbladder (GB-NENs) are a rare group of histologically heterogeneous tumors, and surgical resection of the primary tumor is the mainstream treatment at the moment. The current study aimed to establish and validate novel nomograms for patients with GB-NENs undergoing primary tumor resection to predict the 6-, 12-, and 18-month overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS). Methods: Clinicopathological information of patients with GB-NENs undergoing primary tumor resection between 2004 and 2018 was derived from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. Candidate prognostic factors were selected by Cox regression analyses, and the nomograms were constructed. Finally, concordance index (C-index), calibration plot, area under the curve from the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), and decision curve analysis (DCA) were utilized to assess the effective performance of the nomograms. Results: A total of 221 patients with GB-NENs undergoing resection were enrolled in this retrospective study. Using the Cox regression analyses, age, pathological classification, tumor size, and SEER stage were identified as the independent prognostic factors of patients with GB-NENs undergoing resection, and nomograms were constructed. The C-indexes of OS and CSS in training dataset were 0.802 (95% CI: 0.757–0.848) and 0.846 (95% CI: 0.798–0.895), while those of internal validation dataset were 0.862 (95% CI: 0.802–0.922) and 0.879 (95% CI: 0.824–0.934), respectively. Conclusions: Taken together, the nomograms are accurate enough to predict the prognostic factors of GB-NEN patients undergoing resection, allowing for treatment decision-making and clinical monitoring for future clinical work.

Association between diagnostic efficacy of acoustic radiation force impulse for benign and malignant thyroid nodules and the presence or absence of non-papillary thyroid cancer: A meta-analysis

Purpose

The aim of this study was to investigate the diagnostic efficacy of Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse (ARFI) for benign and malignant thyroid nodules in the presence and absence of non-papillary thyroid cancer (NPTC) and to determine the cut-off values of Shear Wave Velocity (SWV) for the highest diagnostic efficacy of Virtual Touch Quantification (VTQ) and Virtual Touch Tissue Imaging and Quantification (VTIQ).

Methods

The diagnostic accuracy of ARFI for benign and malignant thyroid nodules was assessed by pooling sensitivity, specificity and area under the curve (AUC) in each group in the presence and absence of both non-papillary thyroid glands, using histology and cytology as the gold standard. All included studies were divided into two groups according to VTQ and VTIQ, and each group was ranked according to the magnitude of the SWV cutoff value to determine the SWV cutoff interval with the highest diagnostic efficacy for VTQ and VTIQ.

Results

A total of 57 studies were collected on the evaluation of ARFI for the diagnosis of benign and malignant thyroid nodules. The results showed that the presence of non-papillary thyroid carcinoma led to differences in the specificity of VTIQ for the identification of benign and malignant thyroid nodules, and the differences were statistically significant. In addition, the diagnostic efficacy of VTQ was best when the cutoff value of SWV was in the interval of 2.48-2.55 m/s, and the diagnostic efficacy of VTIQ was best when the cutoff value of SWV was in the interval of 3.01-3.15 m/s.

Conclusion

VTQ and VTIQ have a high diagnostic value for benign and malignant thyroid nodules; however, when the malignant nodules in the study contain non-papillary thyroid carcinoma occupying the thyroid gland, the findings should be viewed in a comprehensive manner.

[Cost-effectiveness prediction of AIDS interventions among men who have sex with men in Ningbo]

Objective: To provide information reference for resource allocation and decision-making in related fields, the cost-effectiveness of HIV input among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Ningbo. Different intervention coverages were compared. Methods: Taking MSM as the target population, data were collected and modeled by Optima HIV for the corresponding HIV health output and the budget under different intervention coverages. Results: According to the estimated size of the MSM population, which was 19 584 in Ningbo in 2020, if the coverage of 2020 baseline intervention is maintained in the next ten years, the number of HIV cases, new HIV infections, and HIV-related deaths among this population will show an upward trend. It is estimated that from 2021 to 2030, 7.9% of new infections and 1.7% of deaths can be avoided and the relevant funding investment comed to 2.4 time the baseline if the intervention coverage rate expanded to 3.0 times the 2020 baseline. After the coverage rate of intervention expanded to 3 times the baseline, it continued to grow, the health effect did not increase. Conclusions: At present, expanding the baseline coverage of HIV-related intervention projects among MSM in Ningbo and increasing capital investment will still reverse HIV-related death and reduce new infections. Moreover, there is a saturation point of the intervention effect. Researchers and policymakers must explore more effective interventions/combinations to obtain more significant health outcomes.

Ultrasound-based deep learning using the VGGNet model for the differentiation of benign and malignant thyroid nodules: A meta-analysis

Objective

The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of deep learning using the convolutional neural network VGGNet model in distinguishing benign and malignant thyroid nodules based on ultrasound images.

Methods

Relevant studies were selected from PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and Wanfang databases, which used the deep learning-related convolutional neural network VGGNet model to classify benign and malignant thyroid nodules based on ultrasound images. Cytology and pathology were used as gold standards. Furthermore, reported eligibility and risk bias were assessed using the QUADAS-2 tool, and the diagnostic accuracy of deep learning VGGNet was analyzed with pooled sensitivity, pooled specificity, diagnostic odds ratio, and the area under the curve.

Results

A total of 11 studies were included in this meta-analysis. The overall estimates of sensitivity and specificity were 0.87 [95% CI (0.83, 0.91)] and 0.85 [95% CI (0.79, 0.90)], respectively. The diagnostic odds ratio was 38.79 [95% CI (22.49, 66.91)]. The area under the curve was 0.93 [95% CI (0.90, 0.95)]. No obvious publication bias was found.

Conclusion

Deep learning using the convolutional neural network VGGNet model based on ultrasound images performed good diagnostic efficacy in distinguishing benign and malignant thyroid nodules.

Systematic Review Registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.nk/prospero, identifier CRD42022336701.

Prognostic significance of SPARC expression in non‑small cell lung cancer: A meta‑analysis and bioinformatics analysis

The aim of the present study was to elucidate the significance of secreted protein acidic and cysteine rich (SPARC) expression in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in terms of clinicopathology, immune-cell infiltration and survival prognosis. A meta-analysis and bioinformatics analysis were performed using studies retrieved with PubMed, Web of Science, Wanfang Data and the Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure databases. The meta-analysis suggested that, compared with normal tissues, SPARC expression was elevated in NSCLC tissues. The expression of SPARC was not significantly associated with TNM stage and lymph-node metastasis, and was positively associated with patient gender. Regarding the differential expression of SPARC and the relationship between expression levels and survival, the Oncomine database was consulted and Kaplan-Meier curves were drawn. It was indicated that SPARC mRNA expression levels were higher in NSCLC tissues than in normal tissues. Low expression of SPARC mRNA was negatively associated with overall survival, first progression survival and post-progression survival of patients. Further exploration of the relationship between SPARC expression and survival by univariate analysis indicated that TNM stage, lymph node metastasis, distant metastasis and depth of infiltration of lung cancer were negatively associated with patient prognosis. Cox multifactorial analysis suggested that SPARC expression levels and TNM stage were risk factors significantly affecting the prognosis of patients with NSCLC. Analysis with the GEPIA and UALCAN databases further indicated that the mRNA expression level of SPARC in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) and lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) was higher than that in normal lung tissue, and the SPARC expression levels were affected by factors such as the TNM stage of lung cancer. A lower the level of SPARC mRNA expression was associated with a better relative survival prognosis of patients. In the Human Protein Atlas database, the expression level of SPARC protein was higher in LUAD and LUSC than in normal lung tissue. In the Timer database, the expression level of SPARC was closely linked to immune cells related to the occurrence of lung cancer, and the degree of immune-cell infiltration and SPARC protein expression were closely related to the prognosis of patients with lung cancer. Immune cells were indicated to exhibit significant inhibition of DNA proliferation mutation mechanisms in lung cancer (P<0.05). In summary, SPARC expression may be used as a valuable indicator of prognosis in patients with NSCLC, which may provide new approaches for preventative treatment.

[Hepatitis C elimination among drug users in China: challenges, strategies and experiences]

The prevalence of hepatitis C among drug users in China is high, and thus it is one of the populations that needs attention to achieve hepatitis C elimination. However, due to the complexities of this population's situation, hepatitis C elimination still faces many challenges, such as difficult screening, low cure rate, poor compliance, and high reinfection rates. Therefore, the existing diagnostic and therapeutic system cannot meet the needs of this population. China has pledged to establish a unified system for drug users that will integrate drug treatment programs, education, medical care, and rehabilitation, creating favorable conditions for integrating hepatitis C diagnosis and treatment and improving the accessibility of drug users. Starting with the current situation and challenges of eliminating hepatitis C among drug users in China, in combination with cases from other countries, this paper discusses the strategy for eliminating hepatitis C and introduces what Hainan Province did to eliminate hepatitis C among drug users.

[The prognostic value of dynamic minimal residual disease after autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in patients with multiple myeloma in novel-agent era]

Objective: To investigate the clinical prognostic value of dynamic minimal residual disease (MRD) after autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT) in patients with multiple myeloma (MM). Methods: Patients with MM who underwent AHSCT in Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital from February 2016 to December 2019 were enrolled in this study. All the patients in the study had complete baseline data at the diagnosis. AHSCT was performed after induction chemotherapy. Response evaluation was performed after induction therapy. All the patients were assessed at approximately 100 days after AHSCT. Bone marrow MRD by NGF was performed every three months and dynamically monitored for at least 12 months. All the patients were divided into different groups according to cytogenetics and MRD status. Survivals in different groups were analyzed by IBM SPSS 22.0 statistical software. Results: A total of 150 patients with MM were enrolled in this study at last, including 66 patients in the cytogenetic standard risk group and 84 patients in the cytogenetic high-risk group. The median age was 54 years (range 30-68 years) and 87 male patients (58.0%) was in the study. The median follow-up was 36 months (range 16-72 months). Patients in the standard-risk group had better clinical prognosis than those in the high-risk group [median PFS in the standard-risk group was not achieved, and median PFS in the high-risk group was 45 months (P<0.001); median OS of both groups was not reached, and the estimated 3-year OS rate of the standard-risk group and the high-risk group was 95.2% and 78.9%, respectively (P=0.001)]. According to MRD status of patients, patients in each group were divided into three subgroups: persistent positive (Ppos), transient negative (Tneg) and persistent negative (Pneg). The median OS and median PFS of all subgroups in the standard-risk group was not reached (P=0.324 and P=0.086). In high-risk group, the median OS of MRD Pneg subgroup was not reached, and the estimated 3-year OS rate was 100%; The median OS of MRD Ppos subgroup was 52 months, and MRD Tneg subgroup only 31 months (P=0.002); the median PFS of MRD Pneg group was not reached, and the estimated 3-year PFS rate was 85.4%; median PFS of MRD Ppos subgroup was 40 months, and MRD Tneg subgroup only 17 months (P=0.001). Conclusions: MRD Pneg might overcome the adverse prognosis of MM patients with high-risk cytogenetics. However, MRD Tneg might be a poor prognostic factor for the patients with cytogenetic high-risk MM.

[Tokyo Bones Find and human experiments by the army medical school in Tokyo]

More than 100 human bones, known as the Tokyo Human Bones, were found at the previous site of the Army Medical School in Tokyo, Japan, on July 22, 1989. They were located on the northern side of the previous location of the epidemic prevention research unit of the Army Medical School, with the discovery drawing a great deal of international attention. It was suggested that these bones might be from the victims of human experiments during World War II. It was found, in 1991, by Professor Sakura Shuo in Sapporo University, that the time and location of the burial of these bones was consistent with the existence of the Army Military Medical School. Most of these bones were Chinese, Korean and Mongolian races, and they were indeed closely related to the war. At the time they had not been found to be directly related to the human experiments of the Army Medical School, but the evidence left behind on the bones did not indicate gunshot or other war wounds, but evidence of medical experiments. This incident was known as the "Tokyo Bone Incident". Based on the research data on the Tokyo Human Bones internationally in the past 30 years, in particular, the testimony from the staff of the previous Army Medical School in Tokyo and members of the previous Army Medical School in Harbin (Unit 731), it can be concluded that some relationship exists between the Tokyo Human Bones and human experiments. This suggested that the nature of research related to these human bones conducted by the Army Medical School in Tokyo was consistent with those conducted at the Army Medical School in Harbin (Unit 731).

[Identification of Synthetic Cannabinoid New Psychoactive Substances 4F-MDMB-BUTINACA and MDMB-4en-PINACA]

Abstract

Objective To establish a method that combines a series of techniques including Fourier transform infrared spectrum （FTIR）, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry （GC-MS）, high resolution mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy （NMR） for identification of unknown substances. Methods The unknown samples （off-white powder and yellow crystal） seized in the actual cases were detected by FTIR, GC-MS （methanol as solvent）, high resolution mass spectrometry （methanol as solvent） and NMR （deuterated methanol as solvent）. Results The mass spectrum characteristic ions m/z of the main components in the samples measured by GC-MS were 219 （base peak）, 363, 307, 304, 275, 145, 131 and 213 （base peak）, 357, 301, 298, 269, 185, 171, 145 and 131, respectively. The accurate mass numbers [M+H]⁺ measured by high resolution mass spectrometry were 364.203 61 and 358.212 34, respectively. The unknown samples were identified as synthetic cannabinoid new psychoactive substances 4F-MDMB-BUTINACA and MDMB-4en-PINACA after data consultation and database retrieval and comparison, combined with infrared analysis and mass spectrometry data analysis, and their structures were confirmed by ¹H-NMR. Conclusion The established multi-technology joint identification method can be used to identify 4F-MDMB-BUTINACA and MDMB-4en-PINACA in unknown samples. This method is fast, convenient, accurate, reliable and practical, and can provide reference for the identification of cases involving such substances in the future.

THBS4/integrin α2 axis mediates BM-MSCs to promote angiogenesis in gastric cancer associated with chronic Helicobacter pylori infection

Background: BM-MSCs contribute to Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori)-induced gastric cancer, but their mechanism is still unclear. The aim of our study was to investigate the specific role and mechanism of BM-MSCs in H. pylori-induced gastric cancer.

Main methods: Mice received total bone marrow transplants and were then infected with H. pylori. BM-MSCs were extracted and transplanted into the gastric serosal layer of mice chronically infected with H. pylori. Hematoxylin and eosin staining, immunohistochemistry staining and immunofluorescence were performed to detect tumor growth and angiogenesis in mouse stomach tissues. Chicken chorioallantoic membrane assays, xenograft tumor models, and human umbilical vein endothelial cell tube formation assays were used for in vivo and in vitro angiogenesis studies. THBS4 was screened from RNA-seq analysis of gastric tissues of BM-MSCs transplanted into H. pylori-infected mice.

Results: BM-MSCs can migrate to the site of chronic mucosal injury and promote tumor angiogenesis associated with chronic H. pylori infection. Migration of BM-MSCs to the site of chronic mucosal injury induced the upregulation of THBS4, which was also evident in human gastric cancer and correlated with increased blood vessel formation and worse outcome. The THBS4/integrin α2 axis promoted angiogenesis by facilitating the PI3K/AKT pathway in endothelial cells.

Conclusions: Our results revealed a novel proangiogenic effect of BM-MSCs in the chronic H. pylori infection microenvironment, primarily mediated by the THBS4/integrin α2 axis, which activates the PI3K/AKT pathway in endothelial cells and eventually induces the formation of new tumor vessels.

[A real-world study of sofosbuvir-based drug treatment for hepatitis C virus genotype 6 infection in Hainan region of China]

Objective: To explore the real-world effectiveness and safety of sofosbuvir-based regimen for patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 6 infection in Hainan Island. Methods: Fifty-three cases with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 6 infection who were initially treated with a sofosbuvir (SOF)-based regimen [sofosbuvir/velpatasvir (SOF/VEL) for 12 weeks or sofosbuvir combined with ribavirin (SOF+RBV) for 24 weeks], followed by 24 weeks of follow-up after discontinuation of the drug from January 2018 to March 2020 were selected. The primary outcome measures were incidence of sustained virological response at 12 weeks (SVR12) after the drug withdrawal. The secondary outcome measures were adverse drug events with sustained virological response at the end of treatment and 24 weeks after the end of treatment. The occurrence of adverse events was observed during the treatment. An intragroup comparison was performed by t-test. Intention-to-treat and modified intention-to-treat analysis was used for sustained virological respons. Results: The subtype distribution of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 6 in 53 cases of chronic hepatitis C infection were as follows: 22 cases of type 6a, 5 cases of type 6w, 5 cases of type 6xa, 3 cases of type 6v, 2 cases of type 6e, 2 cases of type 6r, 1 case of type 6xh, and 13 cases of special virus strains with undetermined genotype. The overall sustained virological response rate at 12 weeks after the drug withdrawal was 100%. Furthermore, HCV RNA was undetectable during the treatment period (4 weeks), at the end of treatment and after the treatment (24 weeks). There were seven cases of adverse events, mainly including fatigue, anorexia, and mild anemia; however, no serious adverse events were reported. Conclusion: Sofosbuvir-based regimen combined with ribavirin or velpatasvir cannot only achieve high response rate to HCV subtype 6a, but also obtain a good sustained virological response to the rare prevalent sub-genotypes and special virus strains of HCV genotype 6, with mild adverse reactions and acceptable safety profile.

[Analysis of the incidence of pneumoconiosis in Hunan province]

Objective: To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of pneumoconiosis in Hunan Province. Methods: In November 2018, we collected the type of work, pneumoconiosis type, pneumoconiosis stage, length of service, age of onset and complications of pneumoconiosis cases diagnosed by Hunan occupational disease prevention and control hospital from January 2017 to October 2018. A total of 3 325 cases of pneumoconiosis were collected, including 651 cases (19.58%) of occupational pneumoconiosis and 2674 cases (80.42%) of clinically diagnosed pneumoconiosis. The measurement data were expressed by x±s. The comparison between groups was performed by independent sample t test and one-way ANOVA. Results: The age of 651 patients with occupational pneumoconiosis was 35.59-85.15 years old, the average age of onset was (54.27±8.29) years, and the average exposure to dust was (14.74±8.60) years. 2 674 cases of clinically diagnosed pneumoconiosis were 26.85~87.02 years old. The average age of onset was (55.26±7.38) years, and the average exposure time was (18.83±9.35) years. Compared with silicosis patients, coal workers' pneumoconiosis patients had longer exposure time, the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05) , and the difference was statistically significant (F=3.678, P<0.05) . There were no complications in 651 cases of occupational pneumoconiosis. Among 2 674 cases of clinically diagnosed pneumoconiosis, 710 cases (26.55%) had complications. Conclusion: Further attention should be paid to the clinical diagnosis of pneumoconiosis in Hunan Province.

[Human experiment study of Unit 731, Japan: take the report "The Research Report on Epidemic Prevention of Army Medical School Ⅱ: Vol.1, No.36 " as an example]

"The Research Report on Epidemic Prevention of Army Medical School Ⅱ: Vol.1, No.36" , the report named "various symptoms and serological responses of human body after receiving ultrasonic cholera vaccine" is one of the declassified materials of Japanese biological warfare. The author is M. D. Watanabe Be. Through detailed analysis of its contents, such as institute of report, test method, test results, and so forth, conclusion is reached that Unit 731 did conduct scientific research based on human-subject experiment to launch biological warfare on human beings. The report mentioned above is one of the most important evidence of crime that Japan conducts biological warfare which violates international convention and contempt bottom line of human basic morals and ethics.

[Comparison of minimal residual disease in multiple myeloma patients detected by 8-color panels and next generation flow cytometry]

Objective: To compare the sensitivity of 8-color panels and next generation flow cytometry (NGF) for detecting minimal residual disease of multiple myeloma patients. Methods: 8-color-membrane antigens (8C-Mem) panel was built including CD45, CD38, CD138, CD19, CD56, CD81, CD27 and CD117 to identify the plasma cells, while 8-color-cytoplasmic antigens (8C-Cyto) panel was built including CD45, CD38, CD138, CD19, CD56, CD81, cKappa (cK) and cLambda (cλ) , and 8-color-two-tubes (8C-2tubes) panel were built including 8C-Mem and 8C-Cyto panels, the data of three groups was analyzed by Diva software. NGF uses Infinicyt software to fuse 8C-2tubes data to further analyze the expression of plasma antigens. Bone marrow aspiration obtained from 20 controls and 76 multiple myeloma patients who achieved complete remission were measured and analyzed. Results: Positive MRD samples were discriminated in 88.2% of the specimen evaluated through either abnormal plasma cells (aPCs) or clonal plasma cells (cPCs) by NGF antigens panel, Among of them, consistency was 94.7%. The median percentage of cPCs was 0.3530%, The lowest sensitivity of NGF was 0.0003%. In 8-color panels, the positive MRD rates of 8C-Mem, 8C-Cyto and 8C-2tubes panels were 84.2%, 85.5% and 86.8%, respectively, which lower than that of NGF (P<0.001) . The positive MRD rate of 8C-Mem and 8C-Cyto panels were lower than that of 8C-2tubes panel (P<0.001) , and the positive MRD rate of 8C-Mem panel was lower than that of 8C-Cyto panel (P<0.001) . Sensitivity and specificity of NGF was higher than that of 8-color panels. 8C-2tubes panel has the best sensitivity, accuracy, negative predicted value, positive predicted value and specificity than other 8-color panels. However, huge data and low efficiency for analysis is the disadvantage. 8C-Cyto panel was the second choice, and 8C-Mem panel was the last. Conclusions: Membrane and cytoplasmic light chain is a better method for multiple myeloma-MRD detection and NGF panel is an ideal approach. 8C-Cyto panel is recommended in 8-MFC groups.

Design and synthesis a mitochondria-targeted dihydronicotinamide as radioprotector

Radiation-induced damage to the mitochondrial macromolecules and electron transfer chain (ETC), causing the generation of primary and secondary reactive oxygen (ROS) species. The continuous ROS production after radiation will trigger cell oxidative stress and ROS-mediated nucleus apoptosis and autophagy signaling pathways. Scavenging radiation-induced ROS effectively can help mitochondria to maintain their physiological function and relief cells from oxidative stress. Nicotinamide is a critical endogenous antioxidant helping to neutralize ROS in vivo. In this study, we designed and synthetized a novel mitochondrial-targeted dihydronicotinamide (Mito-N) with the help of mitochondrial membrane potential to enter the mitochondria and scavenge ROS. According to experiment results, Mito-N significantly increased cell viability by 30.75% by neutralizing the accumulated ROS and resisting DNA strands breaks after irradiation. Furthermore, the mice survival rate also improved with the treatment of Mito-N, by effectively ameliorating the hematopoietic system infliction under lethal dose irradiation.

Features of the volume change and a new constitutive equation of hydrogels under uniaxial compression

For high-water content hydrogels in compression, the water inside of hydrogels contributes to the response of hydrogels to external loads directly, but part of the water is expelled from hydrogels in the meantime to change the volume of the hydrogel and reduce the contribution. In order to consider the contribution of the water in the constitution equation, PVA (polyvinyl alcohol) hydrogels with high-water content were used as examples, and compressive experiments were carried out to measure both the stress-strain relation and the change of the volume in the meantime. By considering the effect of the difference of the contribution of water in different directions of the hydrogel, we deduced a new constitutive equation, which can pretty well depict the stress-strain of hydrogels with different water contents. The results showed that the contribution of water to the total stress increases with the compression strain and even exceed that of the polymer, although the expelled water reduces the contribution at the early loading stage, which well explains the difference of elastic moduli of hydrogels in compression and tension.

[Current status and prospects of integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine for treatment of portal hypertension]

Portal hypertension refers to a series of clinical manifestations caused by elevated pressure of the portal vein system, which can cause portal hypertension by causing portal venous obstruction and / or increased blood flow. A typical clinical manifestation in patients with decompensated cirrhosis is portal hypertension. A severe complication of portal hypertension is esophagogastric varices bleeding, refractory ascites, and hepatic encephalopathy. The effective reduction of portal pressure can reduce the incidence of complications, improve the prognosis and reduce the mortality. At present, the commonly used clinical methods for reducing portal hypertension include drug therapy, minimally invasive interventions, surgical treatment, and liver transplantation. This article reviews the current status of integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine for portal hypertension.

Synthesis and Characterization of a Rosmarinic Acid Derivative that Targets Mitochondria and Protects against Radiation-Induced Damage In Vitro

Mitochondrial dysfunction plays an important role in gamma-radiation-induced mediating oxidative stress. Scavenging radiation-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) can help mitochondria to maintain their physiological function. Rosmarinic acid is a polyphenol antioxidant that can scavenge radiation-induced ROS, but the structure prevents it from accumulating in mitochondria. In this study, we designed and synthesized a novel rosmarinic acid derivative (Mito-RA) that could use the mitochondrial membrane potential to enter the organelle and scavenge ROS. The DCFH-DA assay revealed that Mito-RA was more effective than rosmarinic acid at scavenging ROS. DNA double-strand breaks, chromosomal aberration, micronucleus and comet assays demonstrated the ability of Mito-RA to protect against radiation-induced oxidative stress in vitro. These findings demonstrate the potential of Mito-RA as an antioxidant, which can penetrate mitochondria, scavenge ROS and protect cells against radiation-induced oxidative damage.

Autophagy inhibition increased the anti-tumor effect of cisplatin on drug-resistant esophageal cancer cells

The sensitivity of tumor cells to treatment can be affected by autophagy. The drug resistance of esophageal cancer cells against cisplatin occurs during the long period of chemotherapy drug treatment. This study was designed to observe the effect autophagy has on the occurrence of esophageal cancer cell drug resistance against cisplatin and investigate its molecular mechanism in order to provide new details and strategies for the clinical treatment of esophageal cancer, especially cisplatin treatment. The detection methods used in this study were 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazd-2-yl)-2,5-dipheny-ltetrazolium bromide (MTT) colorimetric assay, clone survival technique, small interfering RNA (siRNA) transfection, and Western blot. Autophagy is a protection mechanism of drug-resistant cells processed by cisplatin, and maintains the cell clone survival ability. Autophagy activation requires the involvement of Atg5 and Atg7.

Influence of Treg cells and HBV genotype on sustained response and drug resistance in the treatment with nucleoside drugs

We aimed to investigate the influence of regulatory T cells including CD4+CD25+, CD8+CD28- and hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotype on sustained virological response and tolerance of nucleoside drugs. One hundred and thirty-seven patients were enrolled. Lamivudine was administered to 84 patients. Entecavir was administered to the other 53 patients. Before treatment, biochemical tests, HBV DNA load, HBV serum level, HBV genotype, PB CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD4+CD25+/CD3+, and CD8+CD28-/CD3+ frequencies were measured. Based on HBV DNA loads after 4 weeks of therapy, patients were divided into response group and suboptimal response group. The lamivudine group received treatment continuously, and then patients were categorized into non-resistance group and resistance group. Compared with the suboptimal response and resistance groups for lamivudine, CD4+CD25+/CD3+ levels were higher in the response and non-resistance groups (t=4.372, P=0.046; t=7.262, P=0.017). In the non-resistance group, CD8+CD28-/CD3+ frequency was lower than in the resistance group (t=5.527, P=0.037). Virus load and hepatitis B E antigen (HBeAg)-positive rate were significantly lower than in the response and resistance group (t=2.164, P=0.038; X2=4.239, P=0.040; t=2.015, P=0.044; X2=16.2, P=0.000). Incidence of drug resistance was high in patients with virogene type C. For the virological response to entecavir, CD8+CD28-/CD3+ level was significantly lower than that of the suboptimal response group (t=6.283, P=0.036). Response and suboptimal response groups were compared in CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD4+CD25+/CD3+ and virus genotype, and differences were not statistically significant (P>0.05). Baseline regulatory T cells including CD4+CD25+/CD3+ and CD8+CD28-/CD3+ frequencies have a relationship with the incidence of rapid virological response and the resistance to nucleoside drugs. Patients with HBV genotype C receiving lamivudine more often underwent drug resistance. Antiviral efficacy and the resistance to lamivudine were closely correlated with baseline factors; the same cannot be found for entecavir.

[Research Progress on Abused Drugs Metabolic in vivo]

Under the catalysis of a variety of metabolic enzymes in vivo, such as UDP-glucuronyl transferases, cytochrome P450, carboxylesterase, sulfotransferase, butyrylcholinesterase, catechol-O-methyl transferase and 6-morphine dehydrogenase, the drugs perform glucuronidation, hydrolysis, oxidation, sulfonation and other reactions, then translate into active or inactive metabolites, which are excreted through urination, bile or the other pathways at last. Different drugs own their different metabolic pathways. This paper introduces the studies about the metabolism of drugs in human and animal in recent years, such as morphine-like drugs, amphetamine, ketamine, cannabis and cocaine, and reviews the research progress about the sites of metabolism, metabolic enzymes, metabolites and physiological activity of those drugs metabolic in vivo.

Efficient construction of recombinant adenovirus expression vector of the Qinchuan cattle LYRM1 gene

In this study, we cloned the coding DNA sequence (CDS) region of Qinchuan cattle LYR motif-containing 1 (LYRM1) and constructed a recombinant adenovirus expression vector to examine the function of LYRM1 on the cellular level. Total RNA was extracted from the adipose tissue of Qinchuan cattle, cDNA was obtained by reverse transcription, and polymerase chain reaction was used to amplify the CDS region of the LYRM1 gene. The CDS-containing fragment was inserted into the shuttle vector pAdTrack-CMV to construct pAdTrack-CMV-LYRM1 vector. After linearization of pAdTrack-CMV-LYRM1 and the negative control vector pAdTrack-CMV by restriction endonuclease PmeI, the vectors were transformed into Escherichia coli BJ5183 containing pAdEasy-1 to obtain the recombinant adenovirus vector pAd-LYRM1 and pAd-CMV through homologous recombination. pAd-LYRM1 and pAd-CMV were then digested by PacI and transfected into the 293A cell line. The recombinant adenovirus Ad-LYRM1 and Ad-CMV was obtained at a concentration of 7 x 108 and 1.3 x 109 green fluorescent units/mL, respectively. Preadipocytes derived from Qinchuan cattle were separately infected with Ad-LYRM1 and Ad- CMV. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction demonstrated that the expression of LYRM1 was increased by approximate 28,000-folds after the infection with recombinant adenovirus for 48 h. In conclusion, we successfully cloned the CDS region of the Qinchuan cattle LYRM1 gene, constructed the recombinant adenovirus expression vector, and obtained the adenovirus with high titer, providing valuable materials for studying the function of LYRM1 at the cellular level.

Effects of tryptophan supplementation on growth performance, antioxidative activity, and meat quality of ducks under high stocking density

High stocking density (STD) could affect duck welfare and production. The objective of our study was to investigate whether dietary tryptophan (TRP) supplementation could alleviate the detrimental effects of high STD on ducks. White Pekin ducks at 4 to 6 wk of age were raised at 11 birds/m(2) and fed diets containing 0.18, 0.48, 0.78, or 1.08% TRP for 21 d. Growth performance, concentrations of TRP and metabolites in the blood and hypothalamus, antioxidative activities in serum and tissue, meat quality, serum uric acid, and urea nitrogen were measured. Weight gain and feed efficiency were significantly improved by TRP supplementation at ≥ 0.48 and ≥ 0.78% (P < 0.05 and P < 0.001, respectively). Serum TRP, hypothalamic TRP, 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), 5-hydroxyindoleacitic acid (5-HIAA), and 5-HIAA/5-HT were also increased significantly (P < 0.01). These increases plateaued at 0.48% TRP, and no further improvement was obtained by adding more TRP to the diet. Dietary TRP supplementation significantly increased levels of total antioxidant capacity, glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and catalase (CAT) in serum; GSH-Px in liver; and GSH-Px and CAT in breast muscle (P < 0.05). Malondialdehyde levels in breast muscle decreased (P < 0.001). Drip loss of breast muscle and pH decline at 45 min postmortem were reduced by TRP supplementation (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively). Meat color was similar among different treatments (P > 0.05). Breast muscle shear force was increased significantly when dietary TRP level increased to 1.08% (P < 0.01). For ducks raised at 11 birds/m², dietary TRP supplementation could alleviate stress and improve growth performance, antioxidative activity, and meat quality.

Urinary modified nucleosides as novel biomarkers for diagnosis and prognostic monitoring of urothelial bladder cancer

AIMS AND BACKGROUND

To ascertain the value of the detection of urinary modified nucleosides in the early diagnosis and prognostic monitoring of urothelial bladder cancer.

METHODS

One hundred seventeen patients with urothelial bladder carcinoma and 66 healthy volunteers were included in the study. High-performance liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (HPLC/ESI-Q-TOF-MS) was used to measure the levels of urinary modified nucleosides in the bladder cancer and control groups. Postoperative monitoring was done every 3 months in patients with noninvasive carcinoma; 85 patients attended the 1-year follow-up visit.

RESULTS

The levels of m1A, ac4C, O6-MeG and 1-MeI were significantly higher in cases than controls (P < 0.05). The highest sensitivity (92.45%) and specificity (87.50%) were obtained when 1-MeI detection was combined with m1A detection. The m1A and 1-MeI levels 3 months after operation in both patient groups were significantly lower than the preoperative levels (P < 0.01). The no-recurrence group subsequently maintained low levels, but in the recurrence group the levels rose again almost to preoperative values. At 6, 9 and 12 months after operation, the m1A and 1-MeI levels of the recurrence group were higher than those of the no-recurrence group and the control group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Urinary modified nucleosides might become novel tumor markers that will facilitate the clinical management and will be helpful in the diagnosis and follow-up of urothelial bladder cancer. m1A and 1-MeI appear to be most promising for clinical use and be worthy of further study in the near future.

Effects of bovine SMO gene polymorphisms on the body measurement and meat quality traits of Qinchuan cattle

Beef cattle breeding programs focus on improving important economic traits, including growth rates, and meat quantity and quality. Molecular marker-assisted selection based on genetic variation represents a potential method for breeding genetically improved livestock with better economic traits. Smoothened (SMO) protein is a signal transducer that contributes to the regulation of both osteogenesis and adipogenesis through the hedgehog pathway. In this study, we detected polymorphisms in the bovine SMO gene of Qinchuan cattle, and we analyzed their associations with body measurement traits (BMTs) and meat quality traits (MQTs). Using DNA sequencing and polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism, 3 novel single nucleotide polymorphisms were identified in the SMO gene of 562 cattle: 1 G > C mutation on exon 9 (G21234C) and 2 C > T mutations on exon 11 (C22424T and C22481T). Association analysis showed that polymorphisms on both the G21234C and C22424T loci significantly affected certain BMTs and MQTs (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), whereas those on the C22481T locus did not (P > 0.05). Therefore, the SMO gene could be used as a candidate gene to alter BMTs and MQTs in Qinchuan cattle or for marker-assisted selection to breed cattle with superior BMTs and MQTs.

Metabolic syndrome and risk for ED: a meta-analysis

There are many recent observational studies on metabolic syndrome (MS) and the risk for ED, and it is still inconclusive whether MS increases the risk for ED. This meta-analysis aims to detect a relationship between MS and ED. We identified eligible studies by searching PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Library for articles published before August 2013. Adjusted relative risks (RR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated using random-effects or fixed-effects models. A total of 10 studies involving 4092 participants were included in the meta-analysis. MS was associated with an increased incidence of ED (RR=1.60, 95% CI=1.27-2.02, P<0.001), with significant evidence of heterogeneity among these studies (P for heterogeneity <0.001, I(2)=92.9%). The subgroup and sensitivity analyses confirmed the stability of the results and no publication bias was detected. The present meta-analysis suggests that MS is significantly associated with the risk for ED. Large-scale and well-designed prospective studies are required to further investigate the association between MS and risk for ED.

Development and characterization of novel microsatellite markers in the rock bream fish Oplegnathus fasciatus

The rock bream fish Oplegnathus fasciatus is one of the most popular aquaculture species in China. In the present study, 15 novel polymorphic microsatellite loci were isolated and characterized from a wild population of O. fasciatus from the Zhoushan coast of China. The number of alleles per polymorphic locus ranged from 4 to 9 in a sample of 30 individuals. Observed and expected heterozygosities per locus varied from 0.267 to 0.767 and from 0.395 to 0.859, respectively. Eleven of the 15 microsatellite loci conformed to Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. No significant linkage disequilibrium between pairs of loci was detected. The present microsatellite markers could provide a useful tool for the genetic analyses of O. fasciatus.

Isolation and characterization of novel microsatellite loci in Nibea albiflora

Eleven novel microsatellite loci were isolated from a (CA)10-enriched genomic DNA library of Nibea albiflora. The characteristics of these microsatellites were determined in a sample of 48 N. albiflora individuals. The number of alleles at the 11 microsatellite loci ranged from 5 to 25, with an average of 13.5 per locus. The observed and expected heterozygosities varied from 0.583 to 0.917 and from 0.568 to 0.964, respectively. Eight of the 11 microsatellite loci conformed to the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. No significant linkage disequilibrium was found among all 11 loci. These polymorphic microsatellites will be useful for population genetic analyses of N. albiflora.

Two new mutations in the keratin 4 gene causing oral white sponge nevus in Chinese family

OBJECTIVE

We investigated white sponge nevus (WSN) in a Chinese family, and tried to find new mutation and demonstrated that this mutation is the causative mutation for WSN in this family and this condition affects a functionally important segment of the keratin 4 protein.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We studied the affected family with the 32-year-old female patient, her mother, her younger sister and her daughter. Pathologic examinations were performed. DNA was extracted from peripheral blood lymphocytes, K4 and K13 genes were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequenced.

RESULTS

Direct sequencing of PCR products revealed two new mutations in the keratin 4 gene, the heterozygous missense mutation 1829G-->A in exon 2B, and 2324A-->G in non-coding region. No any mutation was found in the keratin 13 gene.

CONCLUSIONS

We found two new mutations in the keratin 4, which may be related with the development of WSN.

Copper transportion of WD protein in hepatocytes from Wilson disease patients in vitro

AIM

To study the effect of copper transporting P-type ATPase in copper metabolism of hepatocyte and pathogenesis of Wilson disease (WD).

METHODS

WD copper transporting properties in some organelles of the cultured hepatocytes were studied from WD patients and normal controls.These cultured hepatocytes were incubated in the media of copper 15 mg x L(-1) only, copper 15 mg x L(-1) with vincristine (agonist of P-type ATPase) 0.5mg x L(-1), or copper 15 mg x L(-1) with vanadate (antagonist of P-type ATPase) 18.39 mg x L(-1) separately. Microsome (endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus), lysosome, mitochondria, and cytosol were isolated by differential centrifugation. Copper contents in these organelles were measured with atomic absorption spectrophotometer, and the influence in copper transportion of these organelles by vanadate and vincristine were comparatively analyzed between WD patients and controls. WD copper transporting P-type ATPase was detected by SDS-PAGE in conjunction with Western blot in liver samples of WD patients and controls.

RESULTS

The specific WD proteins (M(r)155,000 lanes) were expressed in human hepatocytes, including the control and WD patients. After incubation with medium containing copper for 2 h or 24 h, the microsome copper concentration in WD patients was obviously lower than that of controls, and the addition of vanadate or vincristine would change the copper transporting of microsomes obviously. When incubated with vincristine, levels of copper in microsome were significantly increased, while incubated with vanadate, the copper concentrations in microsome were obviously decreased. The results indicated that there were WD proteins, the copper transportion P-type ATPase in the microsome of hepatocytes. WD patients possessed abnormal copper transporting function of WD protein in the microsome, and the agonist might correct the defect of copper transportion by promoting the activity of copper transportion P-type ATPase.

CONCLUSION

Copper transportion P-type ATPase plays an important role in hepatocytic copper metabolism. Dysfunction of hepatocytic WD protein copper transportion might be one of the most important factors for WD.

[Application of molecular markers-assisted selection of wx genes in breeding the waxy wheat]

Chinese Spring and its null-tetrasomic lines were used to identify the specific bands of STS-marker and microsatellites (SSR) marker of wx genes. Twelve varieties and five waxy wheat lines were screened with these two markers, and the results are in agreement with those from Wx subunits SDS-PAGE. A F2 segregating population from cross Jiangsu Baihuomai x Kanto 107 was also detected by molecular markers, not only eight wx genotypes were developed while three genotypes did not exist in the nature, but also the first batch of waxy wheat lines were bred. The Jiangsu Bainuomai improvement population was screened, and six 7D momosomic plants with wx-D1b were obtained, which could provide materials for waxy wheat breeding. Application molecular markers of wx genes will improve the selection procedure for the waxy wheat and good noodle-quality wheat.

Expectancy of working life of mine workers in Hunan province

From demographic mortality and disability of, in total, 424965 y from workers in 29 coal or coloured/metal mines in Human province of China during the period 1980-1984, we calculated the length of expected working life (EWL) as well as the life expectancy (EL) of the workers in the different types of mines and between those working on the surface and those working underground. The average life expectancy in the coal mines for those starting work at 15 y was found to be 58.91 y and 49.23 y for surface and underground workers respectively. In the coloured/metal mines they were 60.24 y and 56.55 y respectively. If only the mortality data was taken into account; for the coal mines, the EWL at the age of 15 y of surface workers and underground workers was 48.46 and 45.10 y respectively; whilst in the coloured/metal mines the figures were 48.25 and 45.99 y respectively. If both mortality and morbidity data is used the EWL at the same age and in the same population is for the coal mines 39.42 (surface workers) 25.54 (underground workers) and for the coloured/metal mines 42.05 (surface workers) and 30.02 (underground workers). The main causes of the lowered EWL of the underground workers were industrial accidents and pneumoconiosis which indicates that safety measures need to be increased and working conditions improved to protect underground workers.

[Effects of ranitidine on ventricular refractory period and fibrillation threshold of normal and ischemic ventricle in rabbits]

Effects of ranitidine (Ran) on ventricular refractory period and fibrillation threshold of normal and ischemic ventricle were investigated in pentobarbitone anesthetized rabbits. In saline-treated rabbits, relative refractory period (RRP) and effective refractory period (ERP) were shortened from 132 +/- 24 to 126 +/- 25 ms (n = 10, P < 0.05) and from 118 +/- 22 to 108 +/- 27 ms (n = 10, P < 0.05) in boundary zone of ventricular ischemic regions, respectively. The ventricular fibrillation threshold (VFT) was decreased from 5.5 +/- 1.4 to 2.8 +/- 1.1 V (n = 10, P < 0.01) after coronary artery ligation (CAL). Ran (25 mg.kg-1, i.v.) not only prevented these changes, but also lengthened RRP from 123 +/- 14 to 136 +/- 10 ms (P < 0.05) and ERP from 111 +/- 16 to 126 +/- 12 ms (P < 0.05), and increased VFT from 4.7 +/- 0.8 to 7.4 +/- 1.8 V (P < 0.01) in normal ventricle. The results suggest that Ran may have anti-arrhythmic effects in rabbits.

Platelet-activating factor and lipid metabolism in acute malaria

Platelet-activating factor (PAF) contributes to a range of pathophysiological responses in severe illness. To examine PAF metabolism in acute malaria, venous blood was drawn from 10 untreated adults with falciparum malaria, from 8 with untreated vivax malaria, and from 10 controls. Plasma lyso-PAF, produced from PAF through the enzyme acetylhydrolase (AH), was bioassayed, after acetylation to PAF, by platelet [14C]-serotonin release. AH activity was measured by hydrolysis of [3H]-acetyl-PAF. Amounts of plasma lyso-PAF were lower in falciparum (median [range] 24 [9-221] ng/ml) and vivax (35 [7-236] ng/ml) infected patients than in controls (399 [212-504] ng/ml; P < 0.01), and correlated significantly with serum total and HDL-cholesterol (P < 0.001). Plasma AH activities were similar in the control, falciparum and vivax malaria groups. These data suggest that in malaria plasma lyso-PAF values fall together with other blood lipids, but independently of changes in AH activity. This may reflect a generalised decrease in lipid and phospholipid synthesis. However, the reduction of plasma lyso-PAF concentrations in our patients was much greater than that of serum lipoproteins. This is consistent with conversion of lyso-PAF to PAF or with increased PAF-receptor interactions. These two possibilities would have pathophysiological implications.

[Localization of the origin of ventricular arrhythmia by means of Frank's vectorcardiogram]

Frank's lead system vectorcardiogram (VCG) was used to record the ventricular arrhythmias (VA) of different areas induced by pacing in 22 canines and by stimulating the epicardium of different areas in 8 patients of mitral stenosis during operation. The results showed that VCG can localize the origin of VA of 13 areas in canines and 9 areas in human. To localize the VA at or near ventricular septum VCG is more accurate than ECG (94% vs 70%).