Postoperative lenvatinib + PD-1 blockade reduces early tumor recurrence in hepatocellular carcinoma with microvascular invasion (Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage 0 or A): a propensity score matching analysis.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of postoperative adjuvant lenvatinib + PD-1 blockade for patients with early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with microvascular invasion (MVI). METHODS: A total of 393 patients with HCC (Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage 0 or A) who underwent curative hepatectomy with histopathologically proven MVI were enrolled according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria and assigned to 2 groups: surgery alone (surgery-alone group) and surgery with lenvatinib and PD-1 blockade (surgery + lenvatinib + PD-1 group) to compare recurrence-free survival (RFS), overall survival (OS), recurrence type, and annual recurrence rate after the application of propensity score matching (PSM). The Cox proportional hazards model was used for univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: Overall, 99 matched pairs were selected using PSM. Patients in the surgery + lenvatinib + PD-1 group had significantly higher 3-year RFS rates (76.8%, 65.7%, and 53.5%) than patients in the surgery-alone group (60.6%, 45.5%, and 37.4%) (P = .012). The 2 groups showed no significant difference in recurrence types and OS. Surgery alone, MVI-M2, and alpha-fetoprotein of ≥200 ng/mL were independent risk factors for RFS (P < .05), and history of alcohol use disorder was an independent risk factor for OS (P = .022). CONCLUSION: Postoperative lenvatinib + PD-1 blockade improved the RFS in patients with HCC with MVI and was particularly beneficial for specific individuals.

Identification of ecological security patterns of alpine wetland grasslands based on landscape ecological risks: A study in Zoigê County.

Climate change and human activities have increased ecological risks and degraded ecosystem functions in alpine wetland grassland regions, where ecological security remains largely unexplored. The construction of ecological security patterns (ESP) can help to synchronize regional ecological security and sustainable development and provide ideas to address these challenges. This article determines the current ESP of Zoigê County, China, by analyzing the spatial and temporal characteristics of landscape ecological risk (LER) and generating an ecological network by combining the InVEST model, the landscape connectivity index, and the circuit theory model. Management zoning and targeted conservation recommendations are proposed. The results indicate that the region has significant spatial heterogeneity in IER. Ecological risk exposure is increasing, with high values mainly concentrated in the central part of the region. Meanwhile, ecological protection areas were identified, which included 2578.44 km2 of ecological sources, 71 key ecological corridors, 25 potential ecological corridors, 4 river ecological corridors, 66 pinch points, and 58 barriers. This study provides a valuable reference for the ecological development of Zoigê County, as well as insights into the formation of ESP in other alpine wetland grassland regions.

Effects of Apple Polyphenols and Taurine on Growth Performance, Tissue Morphology, and Lipid and Glucose Metabolism in Rice Field Eel (Monopterus albus) Fed High Oxidized Fish Oil.

The aim of this trial was to investigate the effects of apple polyphenols (AP) and taurine (TA) on the growth performance, tissue morphology, and lipid and glucose metabolism in rice field eel fed diets with high oxidized fish oil (OFO). A 10-week feeding experiment was conducted using juveniles (initial body weight 16.66 ± 0.02 g) fed five different diets. Three diets were formulated with various levels of OFO at 9.5, 600, and 800 meq·kg-1 and named as Control, POV600, and POV800 diet, respectively. The other two diets were POV600 and POV800 supplemented with 0.5% AP and 0.2% TA, respectively. Compared to the Control group, only the eels fed POV800 exhibited an increase in weight gain and specific growth rate along with a reduction in feed conversion ratio. AP and TA did not affect growth performance; juveniles fed AP, however, showed a decrease in liver weight. Both POV600 and POV800 decreased nuclei number and increased vacuoles size in the liver. POV800 damaged the intestinal structure integrity and reduced goblet cells number. AP repaired the liver damage on nuclei number and vacuoles size in fish fed with POV600 diet, while TA mitigated intestinal histopathological damage on intact structure and goblet cells number. The mRNA expression level of liver ampkα in fish fed AP was upregulated, while dietary TA upregulated the mRNA expression levels of liver ampkα and accα. In the muscle, POV600 downregulated mRNA expression levels of accα, cpt1, and lipin, whereas POV800 upregulated mRNA expression levels of accα, pparα, and lipin. Dietary AP and TA could counteract the effects of POV600 and POV800 diet on muscle lipid metabolism. Both POV600 and POV800 diets upregulated mRNA expression levels of liver pck1 and gsk3α. AP and TA both downregulated mRNA expression level of liver pck1, while only TA downregulated the expression of liver gsk3α. AP increased the mRNA expression level of gsk3α in muscle. In summary, inclusion of AP and TA did not affect growth performance but showed a potential to alleviate liver or intestinal damages induced by a high OFO diet. Dietary AP and TA were also found to regulate mRNA expression of genes related to lipid and glucose metabolism.

Does inclusion of bioactive n-3 PUFAs in parenteral nutrition benefit postoperative patients undergoing liver surgery? A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised control trials.

OBJECTIVES: This meta-analysis aims to evaluate the effect of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) as a part of parenteral nutrition in patients undergoing liver surgery. DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-analysis. DATA SOURCES: PubMed, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Springer link, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure and VIP Database. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and evaluated the outcomes of liver function, inflammatory reaction, the influence of certain markers of the immune system, and specific clinical indexes for patients undergoing liver surgery and receiving parenteral nutrition with n-3 PUFAs. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS: The Cochrane Collaboration's tool was used to assess the risk of bias for each study. Findings were summarised in Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development and Evaluation evidence profiles and synthesised qualitatively. RESULTS: Eight RCTs, including 748 patients (trial: 374; control: 374), were included in the meta-analysis. Compared with patients in the control group, the patients in the n-3 PUFA group who underwent liver surgery had significantly lower aspartate aminotransferase (mean difference, MD -42.72 (95% CI -71.91 to -13.52); p=0.004), alanine aminotransferase (MD -38.90 (95% CI -65.44 to -12.37); p=0.004), white cell count (MD -0.93 (95% CI -1.60 to -0.26); p=0.007) and IL-6 (MD -11.37 (95% CI -14.62 to -8.13); p<0.00001) levels and a higher albumin level (MD 0.42 (95% CI 0.26 to 0.57); p<0.00001). They also had fewer infection complications (OR 0.44 (95% CI 0.28 to 0.68); p=0.0003) and a shorter duration of hospital stay (MD -2.17 (95% CI -3.04 to -1.3); p<0.00001) than the controls. However, there were no significant differences in terms of total bilirubin, TNF-α, IL-2, IgA, IgG, IgM and CD3, biliary leakage and mortality between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: We found that n-3 PUFAs can benefit patients undergoing liver surgery by improving liver function and certain clinical indexes and decreasing related inflammation factors. However, there are limited RCTs on the application of n-3 PUFAs for patients undergoing liver surgery. Further evidence of the benefit of n-3 PUFAs in these patients warrants further exploration.

The state of female hepato-pancreato-biliary (HPB) surgeons in China: see us in operation theater with great prospects.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate the proportion and distribution of female HPB surgeons in China, describe their current status, and analyze the possible barriers and challenges in their careers. METHOD: Tertiary hospitals with the division of HPB in mainland China in 2021 were enrolled and surgeon demographic information was collected through the review of official websites and/or telephone interviews. RESULTS: The majority of female HPB surgeons (72.92%) were located in the first or second-tier cities in mainland China, with an increasing number of new female HPB surgeons entering the field annually, particularly after 2005 (from 27 to 52 per 5 years). Despite no significant difference in academic backgrounds, female HPB surgeons initiated their careers at an earlier age and took a longer time to obtain chief titles (P < 0.05). Interestingly, female HPB surgeons performed laparoscopic complex HPB cases at a similar rate (95.42%) to their male counterparts and were more likely to specialize in endoscopic surgery (P = 0.021), with a similar ratio of obtaining administrative positions. CONCLUSION: Minimally invasive surgery may provide females with unprecedented opportunities in the HPB surgery field. However, despite the increasing numbers of female HPB surgeons, the proportion remains low in China.

Effects of Dietary Bile Acids on Growth Performance, Lipid Deposition, and Intestinal Health of Rice Field Eel (Monopterus albus) Fed with High-Lipid Diets.

The purpose of this trial was to study the positive effects of bile acids (BAs) on growth performance and intestinal health of rice field eel fed with high-lipid diets (HLDs). Rice field eels (initial weight 17.00 ± 0.10 g) were divided into four groups, each group containing four repetitions and feeding with different isonitrogenous diet: control diet containing 7% lipid content, HLDs containing the lipid content increased to 13%, HLDs supplementing with 0.025% BAs and 0.05% BAs, respectively. After 8 weeks, compared control group, the fish fed HLDs had no significant effect on weight gain rate and specific growth rate (P > 0.05), but increased the lipid deposition in tissues and intestinal lipase activity, and damaged to intestinal oxidative stress, inflammatory response, physical barrier, and structural integrity (P < 0.05). Dietary BAs significantly increased weight gain rate and specific growth rate in fish fed with HL diets (P < 0.05) and reduced feed conversation rate (P < 0.05). Further, the eels fed with BAs reduced the total lipid content in liver, muscle, and whole body (P < 0.05). Dietary BAs decreased the activity of intestinal lipase (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, BAs supplemented in HLDs improved intestinal antioxidant capacity through increasing the activities of T-SOD (total superoxide dismutase), GSH-PX (glutathione peroxidase), CAT (catalase), T-AOC (total antioxidant capacity), whereas reducing MDA (malondialdehyde) content (P < 0.05). Moreover, dietary BAs regulated the mRNA expression related to inflammatory response, oxidative stress, and physical barrier in intestine, such as tnf-α, il-8, tlr-8, il-10, nrf2, keap1, claudin12, and claudin15 (P < 0.05). Dietary BAs supplementation also enhanced the intestinal structural integrity characterized by increased fold height and lamina propria width (P < 0.05). This study showed that dietary BAs supplemented in HLDs (13% lipid) could increase the growth performance of rice field eel, reduce lipid deposition in tissues and whole body, and enhance intestinal health.

Regularities of element migration based on rock spectral features: a case study of the Liwu copper deposit.

The Liwu copper-zinc mining area has a complex topographical environment. Using traditional prospecting methods, it is difficult and costly to carry out traditional prospecting research on a large scale. This study used portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) spectrometry and hyperspectral imaging for analysing rock samples in the B2 ore body of the Liwu copper-zinc deposit. The hyperspectral imaging data and the measured indoor spectral characteristic curve of the same lithological rock have a certain similarity. The absorption or reflection characteristics in the same waveband were similar. The main elements were Cu and Zn in the ore body, Pb which was obviously brought out, and Cd, Sn and Sb which were brought in. It is believed that the mass migration of Cd, Sn, Sb and Pb elements plays an important role in the precipitation and enrichment of Cu and Zn elements. This method can be used to quickly determine element migration. The combination of the two analytical methods of pXRF and hyperspectral analysis, the low requirements of the work site and the fast and efficient characteristics, mean this method has unique advantages in analysing and monitoring environmental pollution, rock and mineral analysing and prospecting.

Effects of grazing patterns on grassland biomass and soil environments in China: A meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Grazing has important influences on the structures and functions of grassland ecosystems, but the effects of grazing patterns on grassland biomass and soil environments in China remain unclear. OBJECTIVE: We employed a meta-analysis to identify the response of biomass and soil environments to different grazing patterns in China. METHODS: Peer-reviewed journal articles were searched using the Web of Science and China National Knowledge to compile a database. A total of 1011 sets of sample observations satisfied the sampling standards; these were derived from 140 study sites and were obtained from 86 published articles. We conducted random effects meta-analyses and calculated correlation coefficients with corresponding 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: Grazing significantly decreased the total biomass, aboveground biomass (AGB), belowground biomass (BGB), soil organic matter, soil total nitrogen, soil total phosphorus and soil water content but increased the root-to-shoot ratio, soil available nitrogen, soil pH and bulk density. Generally, increasing grazing intensity and duration significantly increased the effects of grazing on the biomass and soil environment. Additionally, the smallest effects of grazing on the biomass and soil environments were observed under light grazing and cattle grazing alone. Moreover, non-growing season grazing significantly increased AGB, while annual grazing and growing-season grazing significantly reduced AGB. Furthermore, AGB was positively correlated with soil organic matter, soil available phosphorus and bulk density, while BGB was negatively correlated with pH. CONCLUSIONS: These findings highlight the importance of grazing patterns in the biomass and soil environment response to grazing and suggest that cattle grazing alone and grazing during the non-growing season are beneficial for improving the quality of grassland in China.

The spatial relationship between human activities and C, N, P, S in soil based on landscape geochemical interpretation.

The development and formation of chemical elements in soil are affected not only by parent material, climate, biology, and topology factors, but also by human activities. As the main elements supporting life on earth system, the C, N, P, S cycles in soil have been altered by human activity through land-use change, agricultural intensification, and use of fossil fuels. The present study attempts to analyze whether and how a connection can be made between macroscopical control and microcosmic analysis, to estimate the impacts of human activities on C, N, P, S elements in soil, and to determine a way to describe the spatial relationship between C, N, P, S in soil and human activities, by means of landscape geochemical theories and methods. In addition, the disturbances of human activities on C, N, P, S are explored through the analysis of the spatial relationship between human disturbed landscapes and element anomalies, thereby determining the diversified rules of the effects. The study results show that the rules of different landscapes influencing C, N, P, S elements are diversified, and that the C element is closely related to city landscapes; furthermore, the elements N, P, and S are shown to be closely related to river landscapes; the relationships between mine landscapes and the elements C, N, P, S are apparent; the relationships between the elements C, N, P, S and road landscapes are quite close, which shows that road landscapes have significant effects on these elements. Therefore, the conclusion is drawn that the response mechanism analysis of human disturbance and soil chemical element aggregation is feasible, based on the landscape geochemical theories and methods. The spatial information techniques, such as remote sensing and geographic information systems, are effective for research on soil element migration.

[Spectral Response and Inversion Models for Prediction of Total Copper Content in Soil of Xifanping Mining Area].

In order to solve the problem of high cost and low efficiency by using the traditional soil geochemical survey methods, this paper studied the simple detection method of soil heavy metal content with visible and near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy. The study collected visible and near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy of soil samples in Xifanping mining area; then treated the reflectance spectroscopy with six mathematic changes such as differentials and continuum removal in advance; the next step was to select characteristic wavelengths that were sensitive to soil copper content by using stepwise regression method and Pearson correlation coefficient as set of comprehensive characteristic variables; finally, utilized different methods and parameters of characteristic variable selection to build the soil total copper content models and tested them. Results showed that: to extract the information of copper content in soil, the performance of different spectral transform methods varied, and each spectrum transform method corresponded to its certain sensitive spectral ranges; the inversion models based on the integrated spectrum transform information were better than that based on only one kind of spectrum transform information; as for establishing the prediction model of soil copper content by using the integrated spectrum transform information, backward elimination was better than forward selection and stepwise selection, and when the Removal is 0.20, the optimum model was obtained, its coefficients of determination(R(2))and determination coefficients of prediction(R(2)(pre))reached 0.851 and 0.830, root mean square error of calibration(RMSEC)and root mean square error of prediction(RMSEP)were 0.349 and 0.468 mg·kg(-1). The model has a good precision, and it provides a train of thought for the detection of other soil heavy metal elements with visible and near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy.

Application of scenario analysis and multiagent technique in land-use planning: a case study on Sanjiang wetlands.

Land-use planning has triggered debates on social and environmental values, in which two key questions will be faced: one is how to see different planning simulation results instantaneously and apply the results back to interactively assist planning work; the other is how to ensure that the planning simulation result is scientific and accurate. To answer these questions, the objective of this paper is to analyze whether and how a bridge can be built between qualitative and quantitative approaches for land-use planning work and to find out a way to overcome the gap that exists between the ability to construct computer simulation models to aid integrated land-use plan making and the demand for them by planning professionals. The study presented a theoretical framework of land-use planning based on scenario analysis (SA) method and multiagent system (MAS) simulation integration and selected freshwater wetlands in the Sanjiang Plain of China as a case study area. Study results showed that MAS simulation technique emphasizing quantitative process effectively compensated for the SA method emphasizing qualitative process, which realized the organic combination of qualitative and quantitative land-use planning work, and then provided a new idea and method for the land-use planning and sustainable managements of land resources.