Spectral measurement of electron antineutrino oscillation amplitude and frequency at Daya Bay

A measurement of the energy dependence of antineutrino disappearance at the Daya Bay reactor neutrino experiment is reported. Electron antineutrinos (ν¯(e)) from six 2.9  GW(th) reactors were detected with six detectors deployed in two near (effective baselines 512 and 561 m) and one far (1579 m) underground experimental halls. Using 217 days of data, 41 589 (203 809 and 92 912) antineutrino candidates were detected in the far hall (near halls). An improved measurement of the oscillation amplitude sin(2)2θ(13)=0.090(-0.009)(+0.008) and the first direct measurement of the ν¯(e) mass-squared difference |Δm(ee)2|=(2.59(-0.20)(+0.19))×10(-3)  eV2 is obtained using the observed ν¯(e) rates and energy spectra in a three-neutrino framework. This value of |Δm(ee)2| is consistent with |Δm(μμ)2| measured by muon neutrino disappearance, supporting the three-flavor oscillation model.

Cardiac peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor δ (PPARδ) as a new target for increased contractility without altering heart rate

Background and Aims

Agents having a positive inotropic effect on the heart are widely used for the treatment of heart failure. However, these agents have the side effect of altering heart rate. It has been established that peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor δ (PPARδ) is mediated in cardiac contraction, however the effect on heart rate is unknown. Thus, we used an agonist of PPARδ, GW0742, to investigate this issue in the present study.

Methods and Results

We used isolated hearts in Langendorff apparatus and hemodynamic analysis in catheterized rats to measure the actions of GW0742 extra-vivo and in vivo. In diabetic rats with heart failure, GW0742 at a dose sufficient to activate PPARδ reversed cardiac contraction without changes in heart rate. In normal rats, PPARδ enhanced cardiac contractility and hemodynamic dP/dt_max significantly more than dobutamine. Both actions were diminished by GSK0660 at a dose enough to block PPARδ. However, GW0742 at the same dose failed to modify heart rate, although it did produce a mild increase in blood pressure. Detection of intracellular calcium level and Western blotting analysis showed that the intracellular calcium concentration and troponin I phosphorylation were both enhanced by GW0742.

Conclusion

Activation of PPARδ by GW0742 increases cardiac contractility but not heart rate. Thus, PPARδ may be a suitable target for the development of inotropic agents to treat heart failure without changing heart rate.

Bacterial diversity in antibiotic wastewater treatment

The bacterial diversity of an antibiotic industrial wastewater treatment system was analyzed to provide the information required for further optimization of this process and for identification of bacterial strains that perform improved degradation of antibiotic industrial wastewater. The total bacterial DNA of samples collected at three stages (aeration, precipitation, and idle) during the sequencing batch reactor (SBR) process were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE) of the 16 s rDNA V3 regions. Community analysis was conducted in terms of the richness value (S), the dominance degree and the Shannon-Wiener diversity index (H). Rich bacterial diversity was apparent in the aeration stage of the SBR process, and the number of bands in the aeration stage was more abundant than that in the precipitation and idle stages. The DGGE analysis showed 15 bands, six of which were uncultured bacteria, and included one anaerobic and five aerobic bacteria. The microbial community in the aeration stage was the most complex of the whole SBR process, while the dominant bacteria differed in each reaction stage. These results demonstrate the cyclical dynamic changes in the bacterial population during the SBR process for the treatment of antibiotic industrial wastewater.

A new technology for separation and recovery of materials from waste printed circuit boards by dissolving bromine epoxy resins using ionic liquid

Recovery of valuable materials from waste printed circuit boards (WPCBs) is quite difficult because WPCBs is a heterogeneous mixture of polymer materials, glass fibers, and metals. In this study, WPCBs was treated using ionic liquid (1-ethyl-3-methylimizadolium tetrafluoroborate [EMIM+][BF4-]). Experimental results showed that the separation of the solders went to completion, and electronic components (ECs) were removed in WPCBs when [EMIM+][BF4-] solution containing WPCBs was heated to 240 °C. Meanwhile, metallographic observations verified that the WPCBs had an initial delamination. When the temperature increased to 260 °C, the separation of the WPCBs went to completion, and coppers and glass fibers were obtained. The used [EMIM+][BF4-] was treated by water to generate a solid-liquid suspension, which was separated completely to obtain solid residues by filtration. Thermal analyses combined with infrared ray spectra (IR) observed that the solid residues were bromine epoxy resins. NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance) showed that hydrogen bond played an important role for [EMIM+][BF4-] dissolving bromine epoxy resins. This clean and non-polluting technology offers a new way to recycle valuable materials from WPCBs and prevent environmental pollution from WPCBs effectively.

Phylogeny of 16S rRNA and nifH genes and regulation of nitrogenase activity by oxygen and ammonium in the genus Paenibacillus

All Paenibacillus 16S rDNA sequences, except for that of Paenibacillus massiliensis T7, formed a coherent cluster, distinct from Gram-positive nitrogen-fixing Clostridium pasteurianum and Heliobacterium chlorum. All Paenibacillus NifH sequences formed two main clusters. Cluster I encompassing the NifH sequences from most of members of Paenibacillus spp., such as Paenibacillus azotofixans NifH1 and NifH2, Paenibacillus polymyxa and Paenibacillus macerans. Cluster II including only P. azotofixans NifH3. Curiously, three copies of nifH genes of Paenibacillus sabine T27 clustered within P. azotofixans cluster I (NifH1 and NifH2). The effect of O2 and ammonium on nitrogenase activity was studied with 14 different nitrogen-fixing Paenibacillus strains. The optimal oxygen concentration level for all Paenibacillus strains is in the 0 to 0.05% range, similar to that for Klebsiella pneumoniae. In all Paenibacillus strains, the highest nitrogenase activity is obtained in the condition of 0-0.1 mM NH4Cl and the increase of NH4CI from 0.1 to 5 mM caused a rapid inhibition of nitrogenase activity. However, the inhibition was reversible in the presence of 200 mM NH4Cl in some Paenibacillus strains. It is the first time to use almost all of the recognized nitrogen-fixing Paenibacilus spp. to investigate the phylogeny of 16S rRNA and nifH genes. The data that the inhibition of O2 and ammonium on nitrogenase acitivity will provide a base for studying the molecular regulatory mechanism of nitrogen fixation in the genus Paenibacillus.

Treatment of waste printed circuit board by green solvent using ionic liquid

Recycling of waste printed circuit boards (WPCBs) is an important subject not only for the protection of environment but also for the recovery of valuable materials. A feasibility study was conducted to dissolve bromine epoxy resins of WPCBs using ionic liquid (IL) of 1-ethyl-3-methylimizadolium tetrafluoroborate [EMIM(+)][BF(4)(-)] (nonaqueous green solvent) for recovering copper foils and glass fibers. Experimental results indicated that the initial delamination had seen from the cross-section of the WPCBs by mean of metallographic microscope and digital camera when WPCBs were heated in [EMIM(+)][BF(4)(-)] at 240°C for a duration of 30 min. When temperature was increased to 260°C for a duration of 10 min, the bromine epoxy resins of WPCBs were throughout dissolved into [EMIM(+)][BF(4)(-)] and the separations of copper foils and glass fibers from WPCBs were completed. This clean and non-polluting technology offers a new way to recycle valuable materials from WPCBs and prevent the environmental pollution of WPCBs effectively.

Genetic polymorphisms influence the steroid treatment of children with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome

BACKGROUND

Idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS) is the most frequent type of nephrotic syndrome that occurs in children. Its response to treatment with steroids varies. The aim of this study was to analyze the correlation between steroid metabolism-related genes and the response to steroid treatment.

METHODS

The patient cohort comprised 74 children with INS, of whom were 58 steroid-sensitive (SS) cases and 16 steroid-resistant (SR) cases. The genetic polymorphisms analyzed were those of the CYP3A5 gene (A6986G) and ABCB1 gene (C1236T, G2677T/A, and C3435T), and the polymorphisms between SS and SR children were compared.

RESULTS

C1236T in ABCB1 was associated with steroid resistance in INS children [odds ratio (OR) 2.65, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.01-6.94; p = 0.042] The frequency of the T allele was significantly higher in SR subjects than in SS subjects (0.81 vs. 0.62, respectively). A6986G in CYP3A5 showed a trend of association, but this association did not reach statistical significance (OR 2.63, 95 % CI 0.94-7.37; p = 0.059). No significant correlation was found between treatment response and G2677T/A or C3435T in ABCB1.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicate that among our pediatric patients with INS the C1236T polymorphism in the ABCB1 gene was associated with steroid resistance, while the A6986G polymorphism in the CYP3A5 gene showed a trend of association, but did not reach statistical significance, requiring further analysis.

Age differences in clinical characteristics, health care, and outcomes after ischemic stroke in China

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Little information is available on the effects of age on health care and outcomes of ischemic stroke (IS) in China. Our aim was to evaluated risk factors, health care, and outcomes among age groups including ≤ 45, 46-65, 66-79, and ≥ 80 years and to find whether the outcome was affected by age and health care.

METHODS

CNSR is a nationwide prospective registry for patients admitted with acute stroke and prospectively followed up 12-month outcomes. Demographics, socioeconomics, risk factors, health care, and outcomes were analyzed among age groups, and multivariate regression analysis was used to determine the association of outcome and age and health care.

RESULTS

We identified 12,415 acute IS patients for analysis. Of 1179 (9.50%) were aged ≥ 80 years. In terms of risk factors, cardiac diseases were significantly more frequent in patients ≥ 80 years, behavioral risk factors were more common in younger patients, and hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes were more seen in 46-79 patients. The use of health care varied among groups and was significantly lower in ≥ 80 years especially in secondary prevention. The very old patients had the worst outcomes even after adjusting by prognostic factors; however, adjusting forward by health care, the extent of differences decreased.

CONCLUSIONS

In CNSR, differences in stroke clinic characteristics and health care were observed among various age groups, and the old patients, receiving lower levels of stroke care, had the worst outcomes. Knowledge of the age differences in ischemic stroke may be helpful to appropriately allocate the limited health resources and to improve stroke outcomes.

Stable expression and integrated hepatitis B virus genome in a human hepatoma cell line

HepG2.2.15 cell is a widely used cell model for studying HBV (hepatitis B virus) in vitro. In these cells, the HBV genome is integrated in several sites of HepG2 cellular DNA. These multiple copies may have some influence on the cellular processes. We constructed a new plasmid, pSEH-Flag-HBV, and transfected it into HepG2 cells, and then screened it with hygromycin. We then used ELISA, PCR, and RT-PCR to detect the expression of HBV in these cell lines. A cell line that stably expressed hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) was established. Using Southern blotting analysis, we found that the HBV genome was integrated as a single copy in the cellular DNA. This cell line will be a useful alternative model for HBV studies.

Observation of electron-antineutrino disappearance at Daya Bay

The Daya Bay Reactor Neutrino Experiment has measured a nonzero value for the neutrino mixing angle θ(13) with a significance of 5.2 standard deviations. Antineutrinos from six 2.9 GWth reactors were detected in six antineutrino detectors deployed in two near (flux-weighted baseline 470 m and 576 m) and one far (1648 m) underground experimental halls. With a 43,000 ton-GWth-day live-time exposure in 55 days, 10,416 (80,376) electron-antineutrino candidates were detected at the far hall (near halls). The ratio of the observed to expected number of antineutrinos at the far hall is R=0.940±0.011(stat.)±0.004(syst.). A rate-only analysis finds sin(2)2θ(13)=0.092±0.016(stat.)±0.005(syst.) in a three-neutrino framework.

Cisplatin disrupts the latency of human herpesvirus 8 and induces apoptosis in primary effusion lymphoma cells

Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV8) is the etiologic agent for primary effusion lymphoma (PEL). The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of cisplatin on the PEL cells. Cisplatin treatment induced apoptosis and inhibited the growth of PEL cells, and the effect was more profound in the HHV8-positive lymphoma cells compared with the EBV-positive lymphoma cells. Cisplatin treatment decreased the expression of HHV8 latent genes and activated p53 at serine 15 in PEL cells. Our results indicate that cisplatin can disrupt HHV8 latency and induce reactivation of p53 and highly selective treatment modality for this virally induced lymphoma.

Long-term variations of water quality in a reservoir in China

To study the spatial and temporal trends of water quality in the Yuqiao Reservoir (Ji County, Tianjin) in China, water quality data for ten physical and chemical parameters from three monitoring stations (S1, S2 and S3) was collected from 1989 to 2007 and from an other three stations (S4, S5 and S6) during the period of 1999-2007. A one-way ANOVA was employed to evaluate the spatial variation of water quality for each station. The results showed that there were statistically significant spatial differences for most water quality parameters except temperature and dissolved oxygen in the entire reservoir, and the concentrations of most parameters were higher in the uppermost part of the reservoir. The temporal trend study was conducted using the Seasonal-Kendall's test. The results revealed improving trends of water quality from 1989 to 2007, including a reduction of total phosphorous, temperature and biochemical oxygen demand and an increase of dissolved oxygen. High N:P ratios, ranging from 52.61 to 78.75, indicated that the reservoir was a phosphorous-limited environment. This study suggests long-term spatial and temporal variations of water quality in the Yuqiao Reservoir, which could be informative for water quality managers and scientists.

OX40 Ligand Levels and High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein Levels in Blood from Local Coronary Plaque and the Femoral Artery in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome or Stable Angina

OX40 ligand (OX40L) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) play important roles in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. In this study, consecutive patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS; n = 90) or stable angina (SA; n = 40) and healthy control subjects ( n = 50) were evaluated to assess plasma OX40L and serum hs-CRP levels in local coronary plaque and the femoral artery. OX40L and hs-CRP levels in the femoral artery were significantly higher in patients with ACS compared with controls. OX40L and hs-CRP levels in local coronary plaque (OX40Lc and hs-CRPc, respectively) were significantly higher in ACS than in SA patients. OX40L and hs-CRP levels were positively correlated with each other and were also correlated with fibrinogen levels. The number of complex lesions was correlated with OX40Lc and hs-CRPc levels. It is concluded that the OX40Lc level was highly sensitive for evaluating the inflammatory response in ACS and elevated levels of OX40Lc may be a valuable predictive marker for increased risk of atherosclerotic progression in ACS patients.

Response of phytochelatins and their relationship with cadmium toxicity in a floating macrophyte Pistia stratiotes L. at environmentally relevant concentrations

An indoor experiment was undertaken to investigate the response of phytochelatins and their relationship to cadmium toxicity in Pistia stratiotes L., a free-floating macrophyte, exposed to low concentrations of cadmium typically found in realistic environments. Cadmium concentrations of 0.01 to 0.08 microM had no toxic effects on the growth of this plant, as indicated by no significant changes in the fresh weights of leaves and roots and the slight induction of phytochelatins in plant tissues, whereas cadmium concentrations of 0.16 to 1 microM were toxic, and cadmium toxicity increased with the increase of cadmium concentrations in solutions, accompanied by the dramatic production of phytochelatins in plant tissues, especially in roots. There was a positive correction between root phytochelatin levels and cadmium toxicity, as measured by the growth inhibition rate of the root fresh weight. The results suggested that phytochelatins in aquatic macrophytes can serve as sensitive biomarkers for heavy metal toxicity in a moderately polluted water environment.

Analysis and occurrence of typical endocrine-disrupting chemicals in three sewage treatment plants

Seven typical endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), including bisphenol A (BPA), 4-tert-octylphenol (OP), estrone (E1), estradiol (E2), 17α-estradiol (17α-E2), estriol (E3) and 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2) in wastewater, were simultaneously determined with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Samples, including influents, effluents and wastewater of different unit processes, were taken seasonally from three different sewage treatment plants. The result showed that BPA and EE2 were the two main types of EDCs in all the samples. The average concentration of BPA were in the range of 268.1-2,588.5 ng l⁻¹ in influents and 34.0-3,099.6 ng l⁻¹ in effluents, while EE2 ranging from 133.1 to 403.2 ng l⁻¹ and from 35.3 to 269.1 ng l⁻¹, respectively. Seasonal change of EDCs levels in effluents was obvious between wet season and dry season. Besides, BPA and E3 could be effectively removed by the biological treatment processes (oxidation ditch and A²/O) with the unit removal of 64-91% and 63-100% for each compound, while other five EDCs had moderate or low removal rates. The study also proved that physical treatment processes, including screening, primary sedimentation and pure aeration, had no or little effect on EDCs removal.

Synthesis and performance of colloidal silica nano-abrasives with controllable size for chemical mechanical planarization

Under the analysis of particle growth mechanism, the monodisperse colloidal silica abrasives for chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) slurry were synthesized by the modified ion-exchanged and hydrothermal step-polymerization process. After the colloidal silica with controllable size was synthesized, its microstructure, stability and CMP performance was characterized and tested by SEM, HRTEM, Zeta potential Analyzer and CMP tester. Results show that the spherical, high stable (Zeta potential: -52.8 mV) colloidal silica with controllable size was achieved. About its CMP performance, the polishing rate for silicon double-side CMP is increased to be 317 nm/min and the polished surface roughness (RMS) was reduced to 0.32 nm.

Preparation of silica microspheres encapsulating phase-change material by sol-gel method in O/W emulsion

Spherical silica microcapsules containing phase-change material (PCM) were prepared by the sol-gel method in O/W emulsion. This is the first time that inorganic encapsulation of PCM with core/shell structure has been studied. The results of this synthesis revealed that micron size (4 - 8 microm) silica microspheres encapsulating n-pentadecane can be successfully created from acidic solutions ([H+] > or = 1.44 N) by using cationic surfactants as the emulsifiers. The identification of the mechanisms for the formation of silica shell at the oil-water interface indicates that it should be the charge-controlled mechanism through S+X-I+ (positively charged surfactant-halide ion-positively charged silica species) electrostatic interactions or the reaction rates-controlled mechanism working on cationic emulsifiers.

A stable isotope method for the simultaneous measurement of vitamin K1 (phylloquinone) kinetics and absorption

OBJECTIVES

To measure uptake and disposal kinetics and absolute absorption of vitamin K(1) using two stable isotope-labelled forms of vitamin K(1).

SUBJECTS

Ten subjects (nine women and one man) aged between 22 and 31 years, with a mean (+/-standard deviation) body mass index of 22.5+/-2.4 kg/m(2). Subjects took capsules containing 3 microg of methyl-(13)C vitamin K(1), three times a day for six days to reach a steady state for plasma vitamin K(1) isotopic enrichment. On day seven, subjects were given an intravenous dose of Konakion MM to measure disposal kinetics and at the same time, a capsule containing 4 microg of ring-D(4) vitamin K(1) to measure absorption. Plasma vitamin K(1) concentration was measured by high-performance liquid chromatography and isotopic composition by gas chromatography mass spectrometry.

RESULTS

The disposal kinetics of the intravenous dose of vitamin K(1) were resolved into two exponentials with half-times of 0.22 (+/-0.14) and 2.66 (+/-1.69) h. Absorption of oral, deuterated vitamin K(1) was 13 (+/-9)%.

CONCLUSIONS

Two-compartmental kinetic parameters observed in this study are similar to those obtained previously using radioactive tracers, but there may be additional slow-turnover body pools acting as stores of vitamin K(1). The kinetic parameters determined from the intravenous dose allowed determination of the absolute absorption of vitamin K(1) from a bolus oral dose.

Recurrent neonatal group B streptococcal disease associated with infected breast milk

Group B streptococcus (GBS) is a major cause of severe systemic infections among the newborn. Both recurrent and maternal mastitis-associated, group B streptococcus diseases are uncommon. Persistence of GBS colonization of infants' mucous membrane is postulated to influence the pathogeneses of recurrent GBS infection. The authors describe a term infant who was treated for GBS sepsis and meningitis and then later developed recurrent GBS sepsis, without meningitis, due to feeding of infected breast milk. Randomly amplified polymorphic DNA polymerase chain reaction assay was performed to demonstrate that the GBS isolates from the first and second episode of infection and the maternal milk are identical. The authors conclude that transmission of GBS through breast milk should be considered in cases of recurrent neonatal GBS infection and bacterial culture of breast milk should be routinely performed in such cases.

Spin Hall effect on edge magnetization and electric conductance of a 2D semiconductor strip

The intrinsic spin Hall effect on spin accumulation and electric conductance in a diffusive regime of a 2D electron gas has been studied for a 2D strip of a finite width. It is shown that the spin polarization near the flanks of the strip, as well as the electric current in the longitudinal direction, exhibit damped oscillations as a function of the width and strength of the Dresselhaus spin-orbit interaction. Cubic terms of this interaction are crucial for spin accumulation near the edges. As expected, no effect on the spin accumulation and electric conductance have been found in case of Rashba spin-orbit interaction.

A seroepidemiology study of varicella among children aged 0-12 years in Taiwan

The epidemiology pattern of varicella appears to vary among regions with different climates, population densities, and degrees of development. This study investigated the age-specific varicella zoster virus (VZV) seroprevalence in children aged 0 to 12 years in Taiwan and compared these seroprevalences between free and private vaccination areas. Residual sera were collected from 13 hospitals with 1,401 valid samples. Immunoglobulin G antibodies to VZV were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Parents of 656 children answered questions about the varicella incidence and varicella vaccination history of their children. In the 8-12 year-olds, the seroprevance ranged between 88.0-93.8% in northern, central, and eastern, while it was only 76.1% in southern Taiwan. The seroprevalence of children 0-5 years old were significantly different between free and private vaccination areas. Seropositive children who reported no history of varicella or receiving varicella vaccine accounted for 26.1-59.3% of the total positive cases. Our findings suggest the possible effects of climate, geographical conditions, and lifestyle on the seroepidemiology of VZV in Taiwan. The efforts of implementing a varicella vaccination program in Taiwan should focus on reaching high levels of coverage.

Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome with initial manifestation of abdominal pain and cholecystitis

Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome with the initial manifestation of abdominal pain and cholecystitis is rare. We report the case of a 10-year-old boy who presented with abdominal pain, cholecystitis and shock initially. Acute respiratory distress syndrome, renal and hepatic insufficiency and disseminated intravascular coagulation developed soon after admission. Skin rash and desquamation were found subsequently during the recovery phase. The blood and sputum cultures were sterile. Acute and convalescent plasma from the patient showed increased anti-streptolysin O titer (ASLO titer). Measurement of the ASLO titer on Day 11 after the onset of disease had an ASLO titer of 242 IU/ml (N Latex ASL, Dade Behring Marburg GmbH, USA), and the ASLO titer on Day 21 after the onset of disease showed an increase to 875 IU/ml. These clinical findings and the plasma analysis were consistent with streptococcal toxic shock syndrome.

cAMP response element-binding protein activation in ligation preconditioning in neonatal brain

Perinatal hypoxic-ischemic (HI) brain injury is a major cause of permanent neurological dysfunction in children. An approach to study the treatment of neonatal HI encephalopathy that allows for neuroprotection is to investigate the states of tolerance to HI. Twenty-four-hour carotid-artery ligation preconditioning established by delaying the onset of hypoxia for 24 hours after permanent unilateral carotid ligation rats markedly diminished the cerebral injury, however, the signaling mechanisms of this carotid-artery ligation preconditioning in neonatal rats remain unknown. Ligation of the carotid artery 24 hours before hypoxia provided complete neuroprotection and produced improved performance on the Morris water maze compared with ligation performed 1 hour before hypoxia. Carotid artery ligation 6 hours before hypoxia produced intermediate benefit. The 24-hour carotid-artery ligation preconditioning was associated with a robust and sustained activation of a transcription factor, the cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB), on its phosphorylation site on Ser133. Intracerebroventricular infusions of antisense CREB oligodeoxynucleotides significantly reduced the 24-hour carotid-artery ligation-induced neuroprotection effects by decreasing CREB expressions. Pharmacological activation of the cAMP-CREB signaling with rolipram 24 hours before hypoxia protected rat pups at behavioral and pathological levels by sustained increased CREB phosphorylation. This study suggests that 24-hour carotid-artery ligation preconditioning provides important mechanisms for potential pharmacological preconditioning against neonatal HI brain injury.

Serum insulin-like growth factor-II as a serologic marker of small hepatocellular carcinoma

OBJECTIVE

Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is not a useful tumor marker for diagnosis of small hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). There is over-expression of insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-II in HCC tissue. This study investigates the diagnostic application of IGF-II in small HCC.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Serum levels of IGF-II and AFP were determined in 41 patients with small cirrhotic HCC (< or = 3 cm), 41 sex- and age-matched patients with cirrhosis alone (LC), and 41 healthy adults. The optimal cut-off values for diagnosing HCC were determined with receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve.

RESULTS

Both IGF-II and AFP levels in HCC were higher than those in LC patients or controls (each p = 0.0001). The IGF-II levels in LC patients were lower than those in controls (p = 0.001). In HCC patients, multivariate analysis indicated that that both IGF-II (odds ratio, 4.54; 95% confidence interval, 2.15-9.55; p = 0.0001) and AFP (odds ratio, 1.05; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-1.08; p = 0.003) were found to be associated with an increased risk of presence of HCC. The optimal cut-off values of IGF-II (4.1 mg/g prealbumin) and AFP (50 ng/ml) were determined with ROC curves. The sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy values for IGF-II were 63%, 90%, and 70%, respectively. Those for AFP were 44%, 95%, and 70%, respectively. Determination of both markers in parallel significantly increase the diagnostic accuracy (88%) and sensitivity (80%), with a high specificity (90%).

CONCLUSIONS

Serum IGF-II level can be used as an independent serologic marker or a complementary tumor marker to AFP for diagnosis of small HCC.