[Epidemiological characteristics of human brucellosis in Tongliao city of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, 2004-2018].

Objective: To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of human brucellosis (HB), evolution and origin feature of Brucella strains in Tongliao city, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region during 2004-2018, and to provide evidence for strategy development against the disease. Methods: Data from the reports on HB in Tongliao during 2004-2018 were extracted from the China Information System for Disease Control and Prevention before being analyzed with software Excel 2016. Epidemiologic feature was described, using the number of cases, constituent ratio and related rates. Conventional biotypes methods were used for identification of species/biovars strains while species of six Brucella strains were further verified by AMOS-PCR. Cluster analyze on six Brucella strains were performed with Bio-Numerics 5.0 software and for examining and revealing the genetic characteristics of the related strains. Results: During 2004-2018, a total of 16 704 HB cases were reported, with the incidence rate as 35.41/100 000. The incidence rates appeared as 110.51/100 000 in Jarud Banner and 67.84/100 000 in Kulun flag, which were both higher than the other areas. Most of the cases were reported in the 40-54 year olds, which accounted for 48.75% (8 143/16 704). The number of HB in farmers appeared as 14 873, which counted for 89.04% (14 873/16 704) of all the cases. Male to female ratio of incidence was 2.40∶1. Most of the reported cases appeared between March to May, which accounted for 56.30% (9 405/16 704). Peak of the disease was seen in April. Using the conventional identification method, results showed that the available six strains all belonged to B. melitensis, including three of them as B. melitensis bv.1 and others three strains as B. melitensis bv. 3. Results from the amplified AMOS-PCR showed that all the strains were B. melitensis. The six strains clustered in two MLVA-11 genotypes (111 and 116) and all belonged to the Eastern Mediterranean lineage. Based on the MLVA-16 cluster analysis, results suggested that strains from this study were having close genetic relationship with B. melitensis strains that were from Jilin and Heilongjiang provinces. Conclusions: Human brucellosis identified in Tongliao area was with greater risk in spreading the disease to the vicinity. Our findings indicated that the programs on detection and control of the disease should be strengthened.

Cobalt disulfide-modified cellular hierarchical porous carbon derived from bovine bone for application in high-performance lithium-sulfur batteries.

Improving the insulating nature of sulfur and retaining the soluble polysulfides in sulfur cathodes are crucial for realizing the practical application of lithium-sulfur batteries (LSBs). Biomass-based carbon is becoming increasingly popular for fabricating economical and efficient cathodes for LSBs owing to its unique structure. Herein, we report a facile strategy to transform bovine bone with an organic-inorganic structure into cellular hierarchical porous carbon via carbonization and KOH activation, followed by CoS2 modification through hydrothermal treatment. The synthesized composite can load abundant sulfur and produce a dual effect of "physical confinement and chemical entrapment" on polysulfides. The conductive carbon frame with the developed porous structure provides adequate space to accommodate sulfur and physically suppress the shuttle effect of polysulfides. The embedded half-metallic CoS2 sites can chemically anchor the polysulfides and enhance the electrochemical reaction activity as well. Owing to the multifunctional structure and dual restraint effect, the designed electrode exhibits enhanced electrochemical properties including high initial capacity (1230.9 mAh g-1 at 0.2 C), improved cycling stability and enhanced rate capability.

Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Analogues Inhibit Proliferation and Increase Apoptosis of Human Prostate Cancer Cells in vitro.

Background: Research has shown that the incidence of prostate cancer is increased in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) 1. Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is a gastrointestinal hormone that enhances glucose-dependent insulin secretion and suppresses glucagon release. Method: Here, we examined the effect of exenatide and liraglutide, 2 types of GLP-1 analogues, on prostate cancer cells growth by CCK-8 assay, Hoechst33258 staining assay, and western blot analysis of apoptosis-related proteins Bax and Bcl-2. Also the kinase pathways maybe involved and the expression of GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1 R) in LNCap cells was detected. Results: In our experiments, exenatide and liraglutide significantly inhibited the proliferation of the LNCap cell lines and induced the cell apoptosis. Exenatide (1-100 nmol/L) increased the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 in a dose-dependent manner, whereas liraglutide increased Bax/Bcl-2 ratio only at concentrations of 10 nmol/L. And we found that GLP-1 analogues activate p38 but not ERK1/2 or AKT in LNCap cells. And classical GLP-1 receptor was detected in LNCap cells. Conclusion: These data suggest that exenatide and liraglutide attenuate prostate cancer growth through regulating P38 pathway by binding with GLP-1R.

Bioinformatic analyses of GRAS genes in Betula kirghisorum based on transcriptome data.

The transcriptomes of salt-stressed and unstressed Betula kirghisorum plants were analyzed using high throughput sequencing technology. A total of 52,239,804 and 51,772,998 clean reads were obtained from the two libraries, respectively, and de novo assembled into 60,545 all-unigenes. A total of 39,997 unigenes were annotated using public databases. Overall, 7206 genes were differentially expressed in unigenes and were involved in 127 pathways. Thirteen transcription factor families were identified in B. kirghisorum, including GRAS proteins, which are plant-specific transcription factors. By using bioinformatic methods to predict and analyze physicochemical properties, structural data were obtained on the 19 potential GRAS proteins. The results revealed that these proteins are hydrophilic, with significant differences in their length and molecular weight. The main secondary structures were alpha helices and random coils. BkGRAS proteins possess typical GRAS domains: LHR I; VHIID motif; LHR II; PFYRE motif; and SAW motif. In the majority of BkGRAS proteins, AGG, AGA, UCU, GCU, GGG, CCA, GUU, GUG, AUU, GAU, and AAG codons were used preferentially. Aside from the BkGRAS17 gene (relative synonymous codon usage (RSCU) = 1.20), usage of the UUA codon by other BkGRAS genes was low (RSCU < 1.0). The effective number of codons showed that BkGRAS genes have low codon bias. Subcellular localization analysis that predicted these proteins are found in the nucleus, cytoplasm, or chloroplast. BkGRAS proteins were divided into six subfamilies: SCR, LISCL, SCL3, DELLA, HAM, and PAT1. These results provide important information for the further functional study of GRAS genes in B. kirghisorum.

Genes and pathways identified in thyroid carcinoma based on bioinformatics analysis.

The objective of this study was to investigate the key genes and pathways associated with thyroid carcinoma. Based on the microarray data of GSE27155, we identified the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between four types of thyroid carcinoma samples (papillary carcinoma (PTC), oncocytic carcinoma (OTC), follicular carcinoma (FTC) and anaplastic carcinoma (ATC)) and normal controls. With the obtained DEGs, we performed gene functional interaction (FI) network analysis. Then we conducted Venn diagram analysis to identify the intersection and specific DEGs of the four types of thyroid carcinomas. The intersections DEGs were performed by functional enrichment and transcription factor (TF) prediction analyses. These specific DEGs were performed by pathway enrichment analysis. There were respectively 323, 318, 118 and 1005 DEGs identified in PTC, OTC, FTC and ATC. Twelve sub-network modules were extracted based on gene FI network analysis and eight thyroid carcinoma-associated DEGs were involved in the network, such as TIMP1. Based on the Venn diagram analysis, 27 common DEGs were identified, such as HMGB3 which was regulated by TF of NKX3-1. There were 149 PTC-specific DEGs (like CLDN1), 160 OTC-specific DEGs, 94 FTC-specific DEGs (like PPARG), and 789 ATC-specific DEGs (like CDK1). They were enriched in some pathways, such as Cell cycle, Citrate cycle, and Oxidative phosphorylation. TIMP1, HMGB3, CLDN1, CDK1 and PPARG as well as pathways of Cell cycle, Citrate cycle, and Oxidative phosphorylation may play important roles in the progression of thyroid carcinoma.

[Correlation between type D personality and cognitive fusion in 388 employees of state-owned enterprises].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the correlation between type D personality and cognitive fusion in 388 employees from state-owned enterprises, and to provide a theoretical basis for psychological intervention for type D personality. METHODS: In May 2014, cluster random sampling was used to randomly select 400 employees from two state-owned enterprises who underwent physical examination and were willing to participate in the test. The test was performed with Cognitive Fusion Questionnaire(CFQ) and Type D Personality Scale(DS-14). RESULTS: The social inhibition group and the group without negative affectivity and social inhibition had a significantly lower mean cognitive fusion score than the type D personality group(25.62±8.92/20.58±8.26 vs 32.38±9.66, P <0.01). The group without negative affectivity and social inhibition had a significantly lower mean cognitive fusion score than the negative affectivity group(31.96±10.20) and the social inhibition group(P<0.01). The social inhibition group had a significantly lower mean cognitive fusion score than the negative affectivity group (P<0.05). In the employees with type D personality, the subscales negative affectivity and social inhibition were positively correlated with cognitive fusion(r=0.599 and 0.392, P<0.01). Negative affectivity(ΔF= 211.484, P<0.05) played a role in explaining cognitive fusion. CONCLUSION: In the employees of state-owned enterprises, cognitive fusion is different between those with type D personality and those without type D personality. In the employees with type D personality, social inhibition and negative affectivity are correlated with cognitive infusion, and negative affectivity plays a role in explaining cognitive fusion.

[Efficacy and mechanism of local delivery of rapamycin and rapamycin-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid nanoparticles on coronary restenosis of injury-stenosis model of minipigs].

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether intramural administration of rapamycin (RPM)-loaded polylactic-polyglycolic acid (PLGA) nanoparticles (NPs) can reduce intimal thickening and affect the mRNA expressions of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-2 and p27(kipl) in a coronary injury-stenosis model of minipigs. METHODS: Twenty eight minipigs were randomly separated into four groups: saline group (n=7), blank PLGA NPs group (5.0 mg/ml)(n=7), RPM group (1.0 mg/ml)(n=7), and RPM-PLGA NPs(5.0 mg/ml)group (n=7), respectively. Different treatments were intracoronary locally delivered via a Dispatch™ catheter for 10 minutes. Serial angiography was performed pre-and post-modeling 30 days and the percent stenosis degree was assessed. Hematoxylin-Eosin (HE) staining, Weigert's resorcin fuchsin staining and picric acid-sirius red staining were used for morphometric analysis. Immunohistochemistry was performed to assess the levels of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), MMP-2, and TIMP-2 at early and late time points, respectively. The expression of p27(kip1) mRNA was detected by in situ hybridization staining. RESULTS: Data from 21 minipigs had been collected at the end of the experiment with 6, 4, 5, and 6 from the former mentioned 4 groups, respectively. For the instant injury index, there was no significant difference among the four groups. The percent stenosis degree of RPM-PLGA NPs group was significantly lower than that of the other three groups respectively (all P< 0.05). The neointima area, net external elastic lamina area to external elastic laminal area ratio, and proliferative index of RPM-PLGA NPs group were significantly less than those of the other three groups, with all the P values less than 0.05. The mean value of integral optical density of p27(kip1)mRNA expression of RPM-PLGA group was 0.35 ± 0.06, higher than that of blank PLGA NPs group (0.12 ± 0.05, P< 0.01), saline group (0.16 ± 0.03, P< 0.05), and RPM group (0.15 ± 0.03, P< 0.05), respectively. The MMP-2/TIMP-2 ratio and the positive expression index of PCNA in RPM-PLGA group were lower than that of the other groups (P< 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Locally delivered rapamycin-loaded PLGA NPs significantly reduces MMP-2/TIMP-2 ratio and PCNA expression, increases p27(kip1) mRNA expression and significantly relieves percent stenosis degree and shows excellent acute procedural results in the minipig interventional coronary artery oversized balloon injury model. The results from minipig model further support that this approach could be a potential clinical procedure for vascular proliferative disease.

Analysis of upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) response to Verticillium dahliae inoculation by transcriptome sequencing.

Verticillium wilt is one of the main diseases in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum), severely reduces yield and fiber quality, and is difficult to be con-trolled effectively. At present, the molecular mechanism that confers resistance to this disease is unclear. Transcriptome sequencing is an important method to detect resistance genes, explore metabolic pathways, and study resistance mechanisms. In this study, the transcriptome of a disease-resistant inbred cot-ton line inoculated with Verticillium dahliae was sequenced. A total of 126,402 unigenes were obtained using de novo assembly and data analysis, 99,712 (78.88%) of which were annotated into the Nr, Nt, Swiss-Prot, KEGG, COG, and GO databases. The expression patterns of 16 candidate disease-resis-tance genes showed that some genes were upregulated soon after V. dahliae inoculation and others were upregulated later, which may indicate instanta-neous basal defense and lagged specific defense, respectively. We conducted a preliminary analysis of the transcriptome database, which will contribute to further research regarding the cloning of disease-resistance genes.

Genipin is active via modulating monoaminergic transmission and levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in rat model of depression.

Genipin, an important bioactive component from Gardenia jasminoides Eills, was demonstrated to possess antidepressant-like effects in a previous study. However, the molecular mechanism of antidepressant-like effects on genipin was not clear. The present study aimed to investigate the possible mechanism of antidepressant-like effects on genipin with a chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS)-induced depression model in rats. In CUMS-induced depressive rats, bodyweight and 1% sucrose consumption decreased significantly compared with the normal control group. Furthermore, these changes could be significantly reversed by genipin application. The levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), norepinephrine (NE) in the hippocampus decreased and the level of 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid (5-HIAA) increased in the CUMS-induced depressive rats. However, pre-treatments with genipin significantly increased the levels of 5-HT, NE and decreased the level of 5-HIAA in the hippocampus. The concentration of cAMP in the hippocampus was increased by genipin compared to the CUMS-exposed model group. The mRNA expressions of 5-hydroxytryptamine 1A receptor (5-HT1AR), cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in rats were decreased exposed to CUMS, which were reversed by genipin-treated rats exposed to CUMS. Compared to the CUMS-exposed model group, the mRNA expression of 5-hydroxytryptamine 2A receptor (5-HT(2A)R) was decreased significantly by genipin-treated rats. The mRNA and protein expression of CREB, BDNF were increased in genipin-treated rats compared to the CUMS-exposed model group. Moreover, the levels of corticosterone in serum were decreased by genipin-treated compared to the CUMS-exposed model group. These results suggest that the possible mechanism of antidepressant-like effects on genipin, at least in one part, resulted from monoaminergic neurotransmitter system and the potential dysfunctional regulation of the post-receptor signaling pathway, which particularly affected the 5-HT(1A)R, 5-HT(2A)R and BDNF levels in the hippocampus.

Utilization of excess NADH in 2,3-butanediol-deficient Klebsiella pneumoniae for 1,3-propanediol production.

AIMS: To utilize excess NADH for 1,3-propanediol production by 2,3-butanediol-deficient mutants, the effect of dhaT overexpression in two distinct 2,3-butanediol-deficient mutants was investigated. METHODS AND RESULTS: Two 2,3-butanediol-deficient mutants, KG1-3 (blocking of the 2,3-butanediol pathway only) and KG1-5 (blocking of both of 2,3-butanediol and lactate pathways) were constructed. Our results showed that although the intracellular redox balance (NADH/NAD(+)) was extremely high at the end of fermentation for both mutants, the status of intracellular redox in KG1-5 was maintained at a normal level following the first stage of fermentation. Analysis of cell growth and metabolite formation confirmed the inhibition of excess lactate in 2,3-butanediol pathway-deficient mutants. Furthermore, dhaT was overexpressed in two 2,3-butanediol-deficient mutants (KG1-3T and KG1-5T). In KG1-5T, the intracellular redox balance was restored to normal and 1,3-propanediol production increased. The yield of 1,3-propanediol from glycerol in KG1-5T was also restored to a normal level of 0·6. CONCLUSIONS: The excess NADH in both the 2,3-butanediol- and lactate-deficient mutants can be used by overexpresstion of dhaT. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF STUDY: The metabolic flux tended to increase lactate production by the abolishment of the 2,3-butanediol pathway in Klebsiella pneumoniae, and the high accumulation of lactate prevented the cell from using excess NADH, thereby inhibiting cell growth and 1,3-propanediol production.

Seroprevalence of hepatitis B virus markers in individuals for physical examination in West China Hospital, China.

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is the major cause of chronic hepatitis,cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. The global epidemiological scenario of HBV infection has been changing rapidly over the last two decades due to an effective immunization programme initiated by the World Health Organization. The objective of this study is to estimate the prevalence of HBV in apparently adult people who were taken health examination in our Hospital. METHODS: A cross-sectional seroprevalence analysis of hepatitis B virus infection was performed in 12037 adult residents (aged > or =18 years) in Chengdu, who visited Health Examination Center of West China Hospital of Sichuan University for routine medical check-up during the period from March to December 2008. A structured medical form was used to collect data on demographic characteristics and risk factors. ELISA was used to test sera for HBV markers. Descriptive and logistic regression models were used for analysis. RESULTS: A total of 12,037 urban residents were involved. Prevalence of positive HBsAg was 6.1%, lower than the level of national seroepidemiological survey in (7.18%). Among HBsAg negative people, anti-HBs and anti-HBc was 60.2% and 13.6% respectively. There was a maximum between 18 to 29 years of age (61.8%) in anti-HBs positive people. Multivariate conditional logistic regressive analysis showed that, except for blood and vertical transmission, factors of male gender (OR, 1.876; 95% CI, 1.519-2.316; P < 0.001) and alcohol intake (OR, 0.689; 95% CI, 0.571-0.832; P < 0.001) were associated with a higher risk of positive HBsAg. CONCLUSIONS: Among the medical examination people in Chengdu, HBsAg positive rate was lower than the national general population, the epidemiological characteristics of hepatitis B has been changed, because of vacination policies to the newborn; therefore, the necessity to continue to carry on the vaccination program.

Cross-modal interactions of auditory and somatic inputs in the brainstem and midbrain and their imbalance in tinnitus and deafness.

PURPOSE: This review outlines the anatomical and functional bases of somatosensory influences on auditory processing in the normal brainstem and midbrain. It then explores how interactions between the auditory and somatosensory system are modified through deafness, and their impact on tinnitus is discussed. METHOD: Literature review, tract tracing, immunohistochemistry, and in vivo electrophysiological recordings were used. RESULTS: Somatosensory input originates in the dorsal root ganglia and trigeminal ganglia, and is transmitted directly and indirectly through 2nd-order nuclei to the ventral cochlear nucleus, dorsal cochlear nucleus (DCN), and inferior colliculus. The glutamatergic somatosensory afferents can be segregated from auditory nerve inputs by the type of vesicular glutamate transporters present in their terminals. Electrical stimulation of the somatosensory input results in a complex combination of excitation and inhibition, and alters the rate and timing of responses to acoustic stimulation. Deafness increases the spontaneous rates of those neurons that receive excitatory somatosensory input and results in a greater sensitivity of DCN neurons to trigeminal stimulation. CONCLUSIONS: Auditory-somatosensory bimodal integration is already present in 1st-order auditory nuclei. The balance of excitation and inhibition elicited by somatosensory input is altered following deafness. The increase in somatosensory influence on auditory neurons when their auditory input is diminished could be due to cross-modal reinnervation or increased synaptic strength, and may contribute to mechanisms underlying somatic tinnitus.

Protective effect of a multiantigenic DNA vaccine against Toxoplasma gondii with co-delivery of IL-12 in mice.

In this study, we constructed a multiantigenic DNA vaccine, pSAG1-ROP2-SAG2 and examined its effect with co-delivery of a plasmid encoding IL-12 (pIL-12) as an adjuvant in BALB/c mice against Toxoplasma gondii. After a lethal challenge of T. gondii RH strain, survival of the mice immunized with this pSAG1-ROP2-SAG2 vaccine was significantly prolonged in comparison to the control groups. Furthermore, the protection was significantly augmented by pIL-12 co-delivery. As demonstrated by lymphocyte proliferation assay, cytokine and antibody level determinations, the humoral and Th1-type cellular responses elicited by this multiantigenic DNA vaccine were significantly stronger than those elicited by double-antigenic, or single-antigenic DNA vaccines. Our data suggest that multiantigenic DNA vaccine with pIL-12 co-delivery is a very effective approach in the protection against T. gondii.

Deafness associated changes in two-pore domain potassium channels in the rat inferior colliculus.

Two-pore potassium channels can influence neuronal excitability by regulating background leakage of potassium ions and resting membrane potential. The present study used quantitative real time PCR and in situ hybridization to determine if the decreased activity from deafness would induce changes in two-pore potassium channel subunit expression in the rat inferior colliculus (IC). Ten subunits were assessed with quantitative real-time PCR at 3 days, 3 weeks and 3 months following bilateral cochlear ablation. TASK-1, TASK-5 and THIK-2 showed significant decreases in expression at all three times assessed. TASK-5, relatively specific to auditory neurons, had the greatest decrease. TWIK-1 was significantly decreased at 3 weeks and 3 months following deafness and TREK-2 was only significantly decreased at 3 days. TASK-3, TWIK-2, THIK-1, TRAAK and TREK-1 did not show any significant changes in gene expression. In situ hybridization was used to examine TASK-1, TASK-5, TWIK-1 and THIK-2 in the central nucleus, dorsal cortex and lateral (external) cortex of the IC in normal hearing animals and at 3 weeks following deafening. All four subunits showed expression in neurons throughout IC subdivisions in normal hearing rats, with TASK-5 having the greatest overall number of labeled neurons. There was no co-localization of subunit expression with glial fibrillary acidic protein immunostaining, indicating no expression in glia. Three weeks following deafening there was a significant decrease in the number of neurons expressing TASK-1 and THIK-2 in the IC, while TASK-5 had significant decreases in the central nucleus and dorsal cortex and TWIK-1 in the lateral and dorsal cortices.

Efficacy of postoperative transarterial chemoembolization and portal vein chemotherapy for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma complicated by portal vein tumor thrombosis--a randomized study.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this single, randomized study was to explore the efficacy of postoperative transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) and portal vein chemotherapy (PVC) for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) complicated by portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT) and to evaluate prognostic factors. METHODS: The study cohort consisted of 112 patients with HCC and PVTT randomly divided into three groups: Group A (37 patients), operation only; Group B (35 patients), operation plus TACE; Group C (40 patients), operation plus TACE and PVC. Disease-free survival rates and prognostic factors were analyzed. RESULTS: Most of the side effects and complications were related to the operation, catheters, and local chemotherapy and included liver decompensation (15.0%), catheter obstruction (11.6%), and nausea and loss of appetite (22.1%). The disease-free survival curve was significantly different among the three groups, as estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method (both P < 0.05). Group C showed a significantly higher disease-free survival rate than Group A (P < 0.05), but no statistical differences were found between group A and group B, and group B and group C (both P > 0.05). Tumor size, tumor number, PVTT location, and treatment modalities were independent prognostic factors (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Postoperative TACE combined with PVC may benefit the survival of patients with HCC complicated by PVTT in the short-term (less than 60 months), but long-term efficacy is not yet certain and needs to be confirmed by further studies.

Postoperative transhepatic arterial chemoembolization and portal vein chemotherapy for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: a randomized study with 131 cases.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the value of postoperative transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) and portal vein chemotherapy (PVC) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in the prevention of recurrence, and to evaluate prognostic factors in a randomized study. METHOD: 131 patients with HCC were randomly divided into 3 groups: operation only (group A, n = 45); operation plus TACE (group B, n = 39), and operation plus TACE and PVC (group C, n = 47). Disease-free survival rates as well as prognostic factors were analyzed. RESULTS: Most of the side effects and complications related to the operation, catheters and local chemotherapy were liver decompensation (16.1%), catheter obstruction (12.9%), and nausea and loss of appetite (25.8%), respectively. The disease-free survival curves were significantly different between the 3 groups as estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method (p < 0.05). Group C had a significantly higher disease-free survival rate compared to group A (p < 0.05). But no statistical differences were found between groups A and B and groups B and C (both p > 0.05). Tumor number and treatment modalities were independent prognostic factors for HCC patients (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Postoperative TACE combined with PVC may benefit the survival of patients with HCC. In specialized medical centers, aggressive methods such as TACE and PVC should be attempted on HCC patients without contraindications.

12-O-Tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced increase in depressed white blood cell counts in patients treated with cytotoxic cancer chemotherapeutic drugs.

Fifty-two patients with solid tumors had depressed white blood cell and neutrophil counts because of prior treatment with cytotoxic cancer chemotherapeutic drugs. These patients were given one or more i.v. infusions of 0.125-0.25 mg of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), and this treatment increased the low white blood cell and neutrophil counts toward the normal range. The average white blood cell and neutrophil counts were 2.55 x 10(9)/liter and 1.76 x 10(9)/liter, respectively, before treatment with TPA. After one or more i.v. infusions of TPA, the white blood cell and neutrophil counts increased to peak values of 5. 92 x 10(9)/liter and 4.76 x 10(9)/liter, respectively, within a few days. Most patients had increased levels of white blood cells and neutrophils by 24 hr after a single i.v. infusion of 0.25 mg TPA. Elevated levels were observed for at least 3 days. This study demonstrates that treatment with parenteral TPA is feasible with useful biological activity. Only mild and reversible side effects were observed.