Description: Background: Our previous studies have suggested that the primary impact of immune cell infiltration into the normal or pre-invasive tissue component is associated with the physical destruction of epithelial capsules, which may promote tumor progression and invasion. Our current study attempted to further verify our previous observations and determine the primary type(s) of infiltrating immune cells and the possible mechanism associated with physical destructions of the epithelial capsules. Methods: In total, the study was conducted with 250 primary breast and prostate tumors, the primary immune cell of cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTL), Natural killer cells (NK) and Mast cells were analyzed by immunohistochemistry, fluorescent labeling and apoptosis assay. qRT-PCR was used for gene expression analysis. Our current study assessed the physical disruption of these immune cells and potential impact on the epithelial capsule of human breast and prostate tumors. Results: Our study yield several clinically-relevant findings that have not been studied before. (1) A vast majority of these infiltrating immune cells are distributed in the normal-appearing or pre-invasive tissue components rather than in invasive cancer tissues. (2) These cells often form rings or semilunar structures that either surround focally-disrupted basal cell layers or physically attach to the basal cells. (3) Basal cells physically associated with these immune cells generally displayed distinct signs of degeneration, including substantially elevated apoptosis, necrosis, and reduced tumor suppressor p63 expression. In contrast, luminal cells overlying focally disrupted basal cell layers had a substantially increased proliferation rate and elevated expression of stem cell markers compared to their adjacent morphologically similar counterparts that overlie a non-disrupted capsule. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that at the early stage of tumor invasion, CTL, NK and Mast cells are the main types of tumor infiltrating immune cells involved in focal degenerative products in the tumor capsules. The primary impact of these infiltrating immune cells is that they are associated with focal disruptions of the tumor capsule, which selectively favor tumor stem cells proliferation and invasion.

Description: Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) combined with transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) in treating pediatric hepatoblastoma. Methods: 12 patients with initially unresectable hepatoblastoma were enrolled in the study. All patients received chemotherapy, TACE and HIFU ablation. Follow-up materials were obtained in all patients. The tumor response, survival rate and complication were analyzed. Results: Completely ablation was achieved in 10 patients (83.3%), and the AFP level was also decreased to normal in these patients. The mean follow-up time was 13.3±1.8 months (range, 2-25 months). At the end of follow-up, 2 patients died from tumor progression, the rest 10 patients were alive. One patient was found to have lung metastasis after HIFU and had an operation to remove the lesion. The median survival time was 14 months, and the survival rates of 1, 2-year were 91.7% and 83.3%, respectively. Complication included fever, transient impairment of hepatic function and mild malformation of rib. Conclusion: HIFU combined with TACE is a safe and promising method with a low rate of severe complications. As a non-invasive approach, it may provide a novel locally therapy for patients with unresectable hepatoblastoma. (H EPATOLOGY 2013.)

Description: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) recurs frequently after minimally invasive therapy. This study was to observe the efficiency and safety of the combined treatment of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) with cellular immunotherapy (CIT) for HCC patients. In this study, sixty-two patients with HCC who were treated with radical RFA were divided into two groups: RFA alone (32 patients) and RFA/CIT (30 patients). Autologous mononuclear cells were collected from the peripheral blood and separated by apheresis, and then induced into natural killer (NK) cells, γδT cells and cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells. These cells were identified by flow cytometry with their specific antibodies and then were infused intravenously to RFA/CIT patients for 3 or 6 courses. The tumor recurrent status of these patients was evaluated with computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) every 3 months after RFA. Progression-free survival (PFS), liver function, viral load, and adverse effects were examined. The results implied that PFS was higher in RFA/CIT group than that in RFA group. In RFA/CIT group, six courses had better survival prognosis than three courses. Viral load of hepatitis C was decreased in two of three patients without antiviral therapy in RFA/CIT group, but was increased in RFA group. No significant adverse reaction was found in the patients with CIT. In summary, these preliminary results suggest that combination of sequential CIT with RFA for HCC patients was efficient and safe, and may be helpful in the prevention of the recurrence for the patients with HCC after RFA. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Description: Background: Sika deer (Cervus nippon) have different dietary preferences to other ruminants and are tolerant to tannin-rich plants. Because the rumen bacteria in domestic Sika deer have not been comprehensively studied, it is important to investigate its rumen bacterial population in order to understand its gut health and to improve the productivity of domestic Sika deer. Results: The rumen bacterial diversity in domestic Sika deer (Cervus nippon) fed oak leaves- (OL group) and corn stalks-based diets (CS group) were elucidated using 16S rRNA gene libraries and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). Overall, 239 sequences were examined from the two groups, 139 clones from the OL group were assigned to 57 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) and 100 sequences from the CS group were divided into 50 OTUs. Prevotella-like sequences belonging to the phylum Bacteroidetes were the dominant bacteria in both groups (97.2% OL and 77% CS), and sequences related to Prevotella brevis were present in both groups. However, Prevotella shahii-like, Prevotella veroralis-like, Prevotella albensis-like, and Prevotella salivae-like sequences were abundant in the OL group compared to those in the CS group, while Succinivibrio dextrinosolvens-like and Prevotella ruminicola-like sequences were prevalent in the CS group. PCR-DGGE showed that bacterial communities clustered with respect to diets and the genus Prevotella was the dominant bacteria in the rumen of domestic Sika deer. However, the distribution of genus Prevotella from two groups was apparent. In addition, other fibrolytic bacteria, such as Clostridium populeti and Eubacterium cellulosolvens were found in the rumen of domestic Sika deer. Conclusions: The rumen of domestic Sika deer harbored unique bacteria which may represent novel species. The bacterial composition appeared to be affected by diet, and sequences related to Prevotella spp. may represent new species that may be related to the degradation of fiber biomass or tannins. Moreover, the mechanism and biological functions of Prevotella spp. in the rumen ecosystem, and synergistic interactions with other microorganisms should be noticed.

Description: Background: Dementia has been associated with an increased risk of hip fracture. However, little research has been conducted on the impact of dementia on wrist or vertebral fracture development. The aim of this study was to investigate whether dementia is a risk factor for different types of fracture in Taiwan. Methods: The study sample was drawn from Taiwan?s National Health Insurance Research Database of reimbursement claims, and comprised 1408 patients who visited ambulatory care centers or were hospitalized with a diagnosis of dementia. The comparison group consisted of 7040 randomly selected individuals. Cox proportional hazard regression model was used to examine associations between dementia and the risk of different types of fracture. Results: During a 3-year follow-up period, 264 patients with dementia (18.75%) and 1098 patients without dementia (15.60%) developed fractures. Dementia was independently associated with increased risk of hip fracture [adjusted hazard ratio (HR) 1.92, 95% CI 1.48?2.49]. Patients with dementia and osteoporosis had the highest risk of developing hip fracture (adjusted HR 2.27, 95% CI 1.28?4.01). Dementia did not increase wrist fracture or vertebral fracture risk when compared to the control group, even in patients with osteoporosis. Conclusions: Individuals with dementia are at greater risk of developing hip fracture, particularly if they also have osteoporosis. Early mental screening programs and health education should be initiated to decrease disability and dependence in patients with dementia.

Description: A new mixed laser crystal, Yb 0.005 Y 0.848 Lu 0.147 VO 4 , has been successfully grown using the Czochralski method. An ICP-OES was used to measure the concentrations of elements (Yb, Y, Lu, V) in the crystal, and the chemical formula was determined. X-ray powder diffraction analysis shows that the crystal has ZrSiO 4 structure. A pair of edge dislocations with certain orientation was observed by the HREM, and the orientation was confirmed by the calibration of the diffraction spots. The formation mechanism of this type dislocation was given by analysis on structure and thermal expansion of crystal. The suggestion to avoid these dislocations was also given. A Yb 0.005 Y 0.848 Lu 0.147 VO 4 mixed laser crystal was grown by the Czochralski method. HREM was firstly used to characterize the structure of dislocation in vanadates and observed a new morphology of dislocations. This pair of dislocation forms because of the anisotropy of thermal expansion, the weak connection and relatively big interplanar distance between the atom layers. Appropriately slow cooling rate should be used to avoid the dislocations.

Description: NF-κB is an important factor linking inflammation and tumorigenesis. In this study, we experimentally demonstrated through a high-throughput luciferase reporter screen that NF-κB signaling can be directly targeted by nearly 29 microRNAs (miRNAs). Many of these miRNAs can directly target NF-κB signaling nodes by binding to their 3′ UTRs. miR-195, a member of miR-15 family, is frequently downregulated in gastrointestinal cancers, especially in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Expression level of miR-195 is inversely correlated with HCC tumor size. We further show that miR-195 suppresses cancer cell proliferation and migration in vitro and reduces tumorigenicity and metastasis in vivo. Additionally, miR-195 may exert its tumor suppressive function by decreasing the expression of multiple NF-κB downstream effectors via the direct targeting of IKKα and TAB3. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that multiple miRNAs are involved in the NF-κB signaling pathway and that miR-195 plays important inhibitory roles in cancer progression and may be a potential therapeutic target. (H EPATOLOGY 2013.)

Description: In the title compound, {[Tb(C 12 H 8 NO 2 ) 3 (H 2 O) 2 ]·H 2 O} n , the Tb III cation is in an eight-coordinate environment, ligated by six carboxylate O atoms from five 3-(pyridin-4-yl)benzoate ( L ) ligands and by two O atoms from water molecules. The cations are bridged by the carboxylate O atoms of the L ligands to form a two-stranded polymeric chain which is assembled into a three-dimensional supramolecular network through regular interchain O—H...N hydrogen bonding. On excitation at 320 nm, the title compound displays a series of emissions, which were assigned to the characteristic electronic transitions of Tb III .

Description: Background: Primary care medical staffs' knowledge, attitude and behavior about health emergency and the response capacity are directly related to the control and prevention of public health emergencies. Therefore, it is of great significance for improving primary care to gain in-depth knowledge about knowledge, attitude and behavior and the response capacity of primary care medical staffs. The main objective of this study is to explore knowledge, attitude and behavior, and the response capacity of primary care medical staffs of Guangdong Province, China. Methods: Stratified clustered sample method was used in the anonymous questionnaire investigation about knowledge, attitude and behavior, and the response capacity of 3410 primary care medical staffs in 15 cities of Guangdong Province, China from July, 2010 to October 2010. The emergency response capacity was evaluated by 33 questions. The highest score of the response capacity was 100 points (full score), score of 70 was a standard. Results: 62.4% primary care medical staffs believed that public health emergencies would happen. Influenza (3.86 +/- 0.88), food poisoning (3.35 +/- 0.75), and environmental pollution events (3.23 +/- 0.80) (the total score was 5) were considered most likely to occur. Among the 7 public health emergency skills, the highest self-assessment score is "public health emergency prevention skills" (2.90 +/- 0.68), the lowest is "public health emergency risk management (the total score was 5)" (1.81 +/- 0.40). Attitude evaluation showed 66.1 % of the medical staffs believed that the community awareness of risk management were ordinary. Evaluation of response capacity of health emergency showed that the score of primary care medical staffs was 67.23 +/- 10.61, and the response capacity of senior physicians, public health physicians and physicians with relatively long-term practice were significantly better (P

Description: The level set method is combined with the concentration transformation method to solve the interphase mass transfer process. However, the artificial diffusion generated in the mass transfer convection term across the interface is inevitable, especially when large shape deformation is encountered at high Reynolds numbers. A semi-Lagrangian advection scheme is introduced to overcome this disadvantage. The methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK)-acetic acid-water system is adopted to study the unsteady mass transport process accompanied with the Marangoni effect of a single deformable drop ascending in the infinite continuous phase. The predicted overall mass transfer coefficients agree with experimental data very well. The configuration of Marangoni convection is revealed and its effect on the interphase mass transfer process is investigated. The solute-induced Marangoni effect on an ascending drop driven by buoyancy is numerically simulated based on the level set method. The semi-Lagrangian convection scheme is introduced to eliminate the artificial diffusion. Compared with literature data, the present algorithm with the semi-Lagrangian convection scheme significantly suppressed the numerical diffusion and achieved much better predictions.