[Retrospective analysis of clinical characteristics of patients with metabolic-associated fatty liver disease at high and low altitude areas].

Objective: To explore differences in clinical characteristics and hemoglobin levels between different age groups in patients with metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) at high and low altitude areas, so as to provide a basis for further research on the effect of chronic hypoxia on MAFLD. Methods: Liver function indexes, non-invasive fibrosis indexes, metabolic indexes, and routine blood test of 1 458 (Xining area of Qinghai province) and 1 633 cases (Huzhou area, Zhejiang province) with MAFLD who underwent physical examination were retrospectively analyzed. The total population of the two places were compared and analyzed with the hemoglobin reference limit of 180 g/L. The population of Xining was divided into high and low hemoglobin groups for comparative analysis. The population of the two places was divided into five groups according to age stratification (≤30 years old, 31-40 years old, 41-50 years old, 51-60 years old, ≥61 years old). After multivariate adjustment, the characteristics of high and low hemoglobin groups and MAFLD were compared between the two groups. Statistical analysis was performed with t-test or χ2 test. Results: The detected indexes values observed were higher in Xining than Huzhou area population [fibrosis indexes (FIB4, 1.08±0.02 vs. 1.19±0.02), erythrocyte (5.14±0.13 vs. 5.30±0.13), hemoglobin (156.82±0.37 vs. 164.19± 0.39), alanine aminotransferase (ALT, 33.70±0.66 vs. 43.68±0.70), aspartate aminotransferase (AST, 24.34±0.28 vs. 29.23±0.30), γ-glutamyltransferase (42.40±1.02 vs. 51.82±1.53), alkaline phosphatase (77.92±0.56 vs. 84.63±0.85), triglyceride (TG, 2.07±0.04 vs. 2.74±0.05), uric acid (UA, 383.42±2.15 vs. 406.44±2.36)]. The detected indexes values observed were higher in Huzhou than Xining area population [platelet count (220.54±1.32 vs. 181.62±1.40), total cholesterol (TC, 5.10±0.02 vs. 5.04±0.03), fasting blood glucose (FBG, 5.67±0.04 vs. 5.29±0.04)]. The differences were statistically significant (P<0.01). Xining population UA and body mass index were increased in high hemoglobin group than low hemoglobin group, and the other parameters difference were not statistically significant. After the population in Xining was grouped by age, high and low FIB4, ALT, and AST and UA levels were detected in the age group of 31-40 and 51-60 years old, >61 years old, 31-40 years old, and the difference between hemoglobin groups were statistically significant (P<0.01). Conclusion: Patients with MAFLD are more likely to develop fibrosis, liver function impairment, metabolic disorders and so on under high-altitude hypoxic environment. Additionally, there is certain correlation with disease severity and age changes, suggesting that chronic hypoxia can accelerate MAFLD progression.

[Clinical efficacy and safety analysis of camrelizumab combined with apatinib as a second-line therapy for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma: a multicenter retrospective study].

Objective: To analyze the clinical efficacy and safety of camrelizumab combined with apatinib as a second-line therapy for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods: Ninety-four cases with mid-and advanced-stage HCC who received camrelizumab combined with apatinib as second-line treatment were enrolled. Routine blood test, blood biochemical indexes, tumor stage, tumor imaging characteristics, previous treatment strategies and other clinical data before treatment were documented. Imaging examination follow-up results and adverse reactions during treatment were followed up until the end of follow-up or loss of follow-up or death. Kaplan-Meier method was used to analyze the clinical efficacy. Results: As of the last follow-up, 94 cases with mid-and advanced-stage HCC had received camrelizumab combined with apatinib as second-line treatment. Among them, 15 cases were lost to follow-up, 31 cases died, and 48 cases survived. The overall remission rate was 31.9%. The overall disease control rate was 71.3%. The median time to disease-free progression was 6.6 months. The median time to disease progression was not yet available. The 1-year cumulative survival rate was 62.3%. Grade 3 and above adverse reactions mainly included were thrombocytopenia (7.4%), abdominal pain (4.3%), active hepatitis (4.3%), leukopenia (4.3%), diarrhea (3.2%), hand-foot syndrome (3.2%). All adverse reactions were effectively controlled. Conclusion: Camrelizumab combined with apatinib can effectively prolong the survival period of patients with mid-and advanced-stage HCC, and it is well tolerated.

[Liver histological status and clinic outcome in HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B with low viral load].

Objective: To retrospectively analyze the serological, virological, biochemical, liver histological status and clinical outcomes in HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients with low HBV viral load, and to explore the necessity of antiviral therapy for these patients. Methods: A total of 99 HBeAg-negative CHB patients with HBV DNA level < 4 lg copies/ml who performed liver biopsy at the baseline were enrolled from the follow-up cohort. Among them, 23 cases received the second liver biopsy during follow-up. The relationships among the degree of inflammation and fibrosis of liver tissues, the status of HBsAg and HBcAg, age, gender, family history, HBV DNA load, serological markers and other indicators were analyzed. The pathological differences between two liver biopsy examinations were compared. The effect of nucleos(t)ide analogues (NAs) treatment on patient's clinical outcomes were analyzed. For multivariate analysis, a binary logistic regression model was performed. Log-rank test was used to compare the cumulative incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in NAs-treated and non-NA streated patients. Results: Baseline liver histology status showed that 58.6% (58/99) patients had obvious liver tissue damage in their baseline liver tissue pathology (G≥2 and /or S≥2). Univariate logistic regression analysis showed that a liver cirrhosis (LC) family history, a HBsAg-positive family history, baseline alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels were positively correlated factors for liver tissue damage. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that a LC family history was the main risk factor for liver tissue damage. Twenty-three cases had received a second liver biopsy after an interval of 4.5 years. In 10 untreated cases, the second liver biopsy results showed the rate of obvious liver tissue damage (G≥2 and/ or S≥2) increased from 50.0% to 90.0%. In the other 13 cases who received NAs treatment, the second liver biopsy showed improvement in liver histology, and the rate of obvious liver tissue damage decreased from 61.5% to 46.2%. The 5-year HCC cumulative incidence in non-NAs-treated patients was significantly higher than that of in NAs-treated patients (17.7% vs. 3.8%, P = 0.046). Conclusion: For most HBeAg-negative CHB patients with low viral load, liver tissue pathology result suggests that it meets the indications for antiviral therapy, especially in patients with a LC familial history. Without antiviral therapy, liver tissue damage for these patients will progressively worse with the high incidence of HCC. Therefore, it is suggested that antiviral therapy should be started as soon as possible for the HBeAg-negative CHB patients with low viral load regardless of the alanine aminotransferase level, especially in patients over 30 years-old with a LC or HCC family history.

Assessing the association between EFEMP1 rs3791679 polymorphism and risk of glioma in a Chinese Han population.

In this study, we assessed the association between the EFEMP1 rs3791679 polymorphism and glioma risk in a Chinese Han population. A total of 94 glioma patients and 206 healthy controls who conformed to the inclusion and exclusion criteria were recruited from Baogang Hospital between March 2012 and October 2014. The EFEMP1 rs3791679 gene polymorphism was assessed using a polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism assay and the results were statistically analyzed using SPSS Statistics 17.0. The results of unconditional logistic regression analysis revealed that the GG genotype of EFEMP1 rs3791679 was positively correlated with increased susceptibility to glioma (adjusted OR = 2.09, 95%CI = 1.21-7.81). Moreover, the GG genotype of EFEMP1 rs3791679 was correlated with higher risk of glioma compared to the AA+GA genotype (OR = 2.60, 95%CI = 1.08-6.28) in the regressive model. In conclusion, we report that the EFEMP1 rs3791679 polymorphism influences glioma susceptibility in the Chinese Han population.

Expression profile of tumor suppressor gene RASSF1 in lacrimal gland carcinoma.

We examined the expression pattern of the tumor sup-pressor gene RAS association domain family gene 1 (RASSF1) in lacri-mal gland carcinoma and analyzed its relationship with the oncogenesis and progression of tumors. Sixty-two patients (30 males, 32 females, average age = 47 ± 3.5 years) admitted with lacrimal gland carcinoma to the Department of Ophthalmology of our hospital between January 2012 and January 2014 were enrolled in this study. Based on tumor ma-lignancy, patients were classified into a malignant group (N = 25) and benign group (N = 37). Healthy lacrimal gland resections from trauma surgery (N = 35) were recruited as a healthy control group. Expres-sion profiles of RASSF1 in all groups were quantified using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and western blotting. Recur-rence of lacrimal gland carcinoma was surveyed through postopera-tive follow-up. Expression levels of RASSF1 in samples from the ma-lignant and benign groups were significantly lower than those in the healthy group (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the malignant group showed lower RASSF1 expression than the benign group (P < 0.05). Postopera-tive follow-up identified 22 cases of recurrence in the malignant group, with a recurrence rate of 88%, while 15 cases in the benign group had a recurrence rate of 40.5%. A direct relationship exists between RASSF1 expression levels and the malignancy grade of lacrimal gland carci-noma. Patients with lower RASSF1 expression showed a higher recur-rence probability, indicating unfavorable prognosis. Therefore, measur-ing RASSF1 expression can be used as a diagnostic method for lacrimal gland carcinoma.

Physical connection decreases benefits of clonal integration in Alternanthera philoxeroides under three warming scenarios.

Physical connection between ramets usually allows clonal plants to perform better but can have the opposite effects in some cases. Clonal integration and the effects of climate warming have been extensively studied, but to date little is known about how climate warming affects the benefits of clonal integration. We conducted a field experiment in which Alternanthera philoxeroides segments with connected and severed stolons were subject to four climate regimes (ambient, day warming, night warming and daily warming), and measured final biomass, number of ramets and total length of stolons. Across the three warming treatments, temperature rise suppressed growth of clonal fragments with connected stolons but increased growth of fragments with severed stolons; temperature rise affected the biomass of distal ramets but not proximal ramets, and had similar effects on the numbers of proximal and distal ramets. When the three warming treatments were considered separately, they had contrasting consequences for the benefits of clonal integration. Specifically, when fragments were exposed to day and night warming, physical connection evened out the advantages of clonal integration that occur under ambient conditions; when fragments were exposed to daily warming, physical connection led to smaller clonal plants. These findings suggest that physical connection between ramets may be disadvantageous to overall performance of A. philoxeroides fragments under climate warming, and also indicate that the net consequences of daily warming outweigh those of day or night warming.

Brushing effects on the growth and mechanical properties of Corispermum mongolicum vary with water regime.

High water availability and mechanical stress can induce opposite responses in plants. In arid areas of Northern China the occurrence of high wind and high water availability tend to be negatively correlated. Since turgor pressure is a determinant of the mechanical stability of annuals, it is hypothesised that the effects of mechanical perturbation (MP) on annuals may depend on soil water availability. To test this proposal, we conducted an experiment in which a pioneering annual Corispermum mongolicum was subjected to two levels of MP and water supply, and then determined its growth and mechanical traits. Brushing had no effect on plant height and total biomass, but stimulated leaf and branch production. Water supply affected plant height, basal diameter, total biomass and stem rigidity, but not leaf and branch number, root/shoot ratio or flexibility. With high water availability, brushing stimulated the production of stiffer stems (thicker and with a higher Young's modulus) and more roots relative to shoot mass, but with low water availability MP induced the opposite response. This shows that both the degree and direction of plant responses to MP depend on the presence of other factors. We discuss how the interactive effects of MP and water availability on growth and mechanical properties may help C. mongolicum to establish in windy and arid environments.

Clonal integration supports the expansion from terrestrial to aquatic environments of the amphibious stoloniferous herb Alternanthera philoxeroides.

Effects of clonal integration on land plants have been extensively studied, but little is known about the role in amphibious plants that expand from terrestrial to aquatic conditions. We simulated expansion from terrestrial to aquatic habitats in the amphibious stoloniferous alien invasive alligator weed (Alternanthera philoxeroides) by growing basal ramets of clonal fragments in soils connected (allowing integration) or disconnected (preventing integration) to the apical ramets of the same fragments submerged in water to a depth of 0, 5, 10 or 15 cm. Clonal integration significantly increased growth and clonal reproduction of the apical ramets, but decreased both of these characteristics in basal ramets. Consequently, integration did not affect the performance of whole clonal fragments. We propose that alligator weed possesses a double-edged mechanism during population expansion: apical ramets in aquatic habitats can increase growth through connected basal parts in terrestrial habitats; however, once stolon connections with apical ramets are lost by external disturbance, the basal ramets in terrestrial habitats increase stolon and ramet production for rapid spreading. This may contribute greatly to the invasiveness of alligator weed and also make it very adaptable to habitats with heavy disturbance and/or highly heterogeneous resource supply.

Investigation of stimulated Brillouin scattering media perfluoro-compound and perfluoropolyether with a low absorption coefficient and high power-load ability.

The correlations between stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) characteristics of perfluoro-compound (PFC) and perfluoropolyether (PFPE) and their chemical structure are analyzed in detail and a series of new PFC and PFPE are reported. In the Nd:YAG laser system, the absorption coefficient, optical breakdown threshold (OBT), SBS threshold, and Brillouin frequency shift of new media such as FC-87, FC-43, HT-55, and DET are measured. Parameters such as gain coefficient, Brillouin linewidth, and phonon lifetime are calculated. The results demonstrate their good SBS properties: the absorption coefficients are below 10(-3)cm(-1) and OBTs are above 100 GW/cm(2). These media also exhibit a series of unique physicochemical properties, i.e., high heat-resistance, high oxidation stability, good chemical inertness, and insulation properties. The discovery of new media not only diversifies SBS medium, but also improves the performance of the SBS system, thereby laying a good foundation for the application of a SBS phase conjugation mirror in a high-power laser system.

Generation of flat-top waveform by double optical limiting based on stimulated Brillouin scattering.

A method of generating flat-top waveform by double optical limiting based on stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) is proposed. The waveforms are numerically simulated by the theoretic model of double optical limiting based on SBS, and the experimental results are in good agreement with the theoretical simulations. There is a peak in the front and a platform in the back of the waveform by single optical limiting, while the top is almost a platform by double optical limiting.

Spectrophotometric determination of microamounts of scandium with o-chlorophenylfluorone and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide.

The reaction of scandium(III) with o-chlorophenylfluorone (o-CIPF) in the presence of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTMAB) has been studied. In an acetate buffer at pH 4.4, a red-purple complex is obtained, with maximum absorption at 569 nm and a molar absorptivity of 1.31 x 10(5)1.mole(-1).cm(-1). The composition of the complex is found to be 1:2:2 Sc-o-CIPF-CTMAB. Beer's law is obeyed over the range 0-12 mug/25 ml scandium. The proposed method has been used for determination of trace scandium in tungsten ores after its prior separation by solvent extraction.