[Long-term trend analysis of liver cancer survival rate in Qidong region, Jiangsu Province, 1972-2019]

Objective: To analyze the incidence and survival rate of liver cancer cases in the entire population in the Qidong region from 1972 to 2019, so as to provide a basis for prognosis evaluation, prevention, and treatment. Methods: The observed survival rate (OSR) and relative survival rate (RSR) of 34 805 cases of liver cancer in the entire Qidong region population from 1972 to 2019 were calculated using Hakulinen's method with SURV3.01 software. Hakulinen's likelihood ratio test was used for statistical analysis. Age-standardized relative survival (ARS) was calculated using the International Cancer Survival Standard. The Joinpoint regression analysis was performed with Joinpoint 4.7.0.0 software to calculate the average annual percentage change (AAPC) of the liver cancer survival rate. Results: 1-ASR increased from 13.80% in 1972-1977 to 50.20% in 2014-2019, while 5-ASR increased from 1.27% in 1972-1977 to 27.64% in 2014-2019. The upward trend of RSR over eight periods was statistically significant (χ (2) = 3045.29, P < 0.001). Among them, male 5-ASR was 0.90%, 1.80%, 2.33%, 4.92%, 5.43%, 7.05%, 10.78%, and 27.78%, and female 5-ASR was 2.33%, 1.51%, 3.35%, 3.92%, 3.84%, 7.18%, 11.45%, and 29.84%, respectively. There was a statistically significant difference in RSR between males and females (χ (2) = 45.68, P < 0.001). The 5-RSR for each age group of 25-34 years old, 35-44 years old, 45-54 years old, 55-64 years old, 65-74 years old, and 75 years old were 4.92%, 5.29%, 8.17%, 11.70%, 11.63%, and 9.60%, respectively. There were statistically significant differences in RSR among different age groups (χ (2) = 501.29, P < 0.001). The AAPC in Qidong region from 1972 to 2019 for 1-ARS, 3-ASR, and 5-ARS were 5.26% (t = 12.35, P < 0.001), 8.10% (t = 15.99, P < 0.001), and 8.96 % (t = 16.06, P < 0.001), respectively. The upward trend was statistically significant in all cases. The AAPC of 5-ARS was 9.82% in males (t = 14.14, P < 0.001), and 8.79% in females (t = 11.48, P < 0.001), and the upward trend was statistically significant in both. The AAPC of 25-34 years old, 35-44 years old, 45-54 years old, 55-64 years old, 65-74 years old, and 75 years old were 5.37% (t = 5.26, P = 0.002), 5.22% (t = 5.66, P = 0.001), 7.20% (t = 6.88, P < 0.001), 10.00% (t = 12.58, P < 0.001), 9.96% (t = 7.34, P < 0.001) and 8.83% (t = 3.51, P = 0.013), and the upward trend was statistically significant. Conclusion: The overall survival rate of registered cases of liver cancer in the Qidong region's entire population has greatly improved, but there is still much room for improvement. Hence, constant attention should be paid to the study on preventing and treating liver cancer.

Global survival trends for brain tumors, by histology: analysis of individual records for 556,237 adults diagnosed in 59 countries during 2000-2014 (CONCORD-3)

BACKGROUND

Survival is a key metric of the effectiveness of a health system in managing cancer. We set out to provide a comprehensive examination of worldwide variation and trends in survival from brain tumors in adults, by histology.

METHODS

We analyzed individual data for adults (15-99 years) diagnosed with a brain tumor (ICD-O-3 topography code C71) during 2000-2014, regardless of tumor behavior. Data underwent a 3-phase quality control as part of CONCORD-3. We estimated net survival for 11 histology groups, using the unbiased nonparametric Pohar Perme estimator.

RESULTS

The study included 556,237 adults. In 2010-2014, the global range in age-standardized 5-year net survival for the most common sub-types was broad: in the range 20%-38% for diffuse and anaplastic astrocytoma, from 4% to 17% for glioblastoma, and between 32% and 69% for oligodendroglioma. For patients with glioblastoma, the largest gains in survival occurred between 2000-2004 and 2005-2009. These improvements were more noticeable among adults diagnosed aged 40-70 years than among younger adults.

CONCLUSIONS

To the best of our knowledge, this study provides the largest account to date of global trends in population-based survival for brain tumors by histology in adults. We have highlighted remarkable gains in 5-year survival from glioblastoma since 2005, providing large-scale empirical evidence on the uptake of chemoradiation at population level. Worldwide, survival improvements have been extensive, but some countries still lag behind. Our findings may help clinicians involved in national and international tumor pathway boards to promote initiatives aimed at more extensive implementation of clinical guidelines.

[Long-term trend of colorectal cancer survival rate in Qidong, 1972-2016]

Objective: The survival of colorectal cancer in Qidong City, Jiangsu Province from 1972 to 2016 was analyzed to provide a basis for the evaluation of prognosis and the formulation of prevention and control measures. Methods: Colorectal cancer data were obtained from the Qidong Cancer Registration and Reporting System, and the follow-up was up to December 31, 2021. The observed survival rate (OSR) and relative survival rate (RSR) were calculated by SURV 3.01 software, and the trend test was performed by Hakulinen's likelihood ratio test. The Joinpoint regression model was used to calculate the average annual percentage change (AAPC) of survival, and the ARIMA model was used to predict the trend of colorectal cancer survival. Results: There were 8 637 new cases of colorectal cancer in Qidong from 1972 to 2016. Dividing 1972-2016 into 9 periods at 5-year intervals, the 5-year OSR from 1972-1976 to 2012-2016 increased from 21.86% to 48.86%, and the 5-year RSR increased from 26.45% to 59.91%. The increasing trend of RSR was statistically significant (χ(2)=587.47, P<0.001). From 1972 to 2016, the survival rates of colorectal cancer in different sexes in Qidong were similar, and the 5-year RSR was 44.63% for men and 44.07% for women. Since the 1990s, the 5-year OSR and RSR for men have been lower than those for women. From 1972 to 2016, the 5-year RSR of colorectal cancer in Qidong was significantly improved in the 65-74 and ≥75-year-old groups, but the survival rate of the ≥75-year-old group was still the lowest (36.78%), followed by the 35-44-year-old group ( 43.04%). The time trend showed that the overall AAPC of colorectal cancer 5-year RSR in Qidong from 1972 to 2016 was 2.50% (t=16.45, P<0.001). The upward trend of different sexes was consistent, and the increase was greater in women (AAPC for males=2.18%, AAPC for females=2.54%, both P<0.05). The 5-year RSR of colorectal cancer in each age group showed an upward trend, and the AAPCs of the 35-44, 45-54, 55-64, 65-74, and ≥75-year-old groups were 1.54%, 1.83%, 2.00%, 3.51% and 4.35%, respectively (all P<0.05). The prediction results of colorectal cancer survival rate showed that the 5-year RSR of colorectal cancer in Qidong will increase to 71.62% by 2026. Conclusions: The overall survival rate of colorectal cancer patients in Qidong has been greatly improved, but there is still room for improvement. We should continue to pay attention to the early diagnosis and early treatment of colorectal cancer.

[Long-term trend of gastric cancer survival rate in Qidong, 1972-2016]

Objective: The survival rate of gastric cancer cases in the whole population of Qidong City of Jiangsu Province from 1972 to 2016 was analyzed to provide a data basis for prevention and control of gastric cancer. Methods: The observed survival rate (OSR) was calculated by the life table method, the relative survival rate (RSR) was calculated by SURV 3.01 software, and the trend test was performed by Hakulinen's likelihood ratio test. Age-standardized relative survival rate (ARSR) was calculated using the International Cancer Survival Standard (ICSS). The Joinpoint regression model was used to calculate the average annual percentage change (AAPC) of survival rate, and the trend analysis of the overall survival rate of gastric cancer and the survival rates of different sexes and ages was conducted. The ARIMA model was used to predict the survival rate. Results: From 1972 to 2016, there were 18 067 new cases of gastric cancer in Qidong City. The OSRs at 1, 5, and 10 years were 37.12%, 17.16%, and 12.86%, respectively, and the RSRs at 1, 5, and 10 years were 38.83%, 21.73%, and 21.20%. Dividing 1972-2016 into 9 periods at 5-year intervals, compared with 1972-1976, the 5-year RSR in 2012-2016 increased from 12.53% to 36.26%, and the RSR in the 9 periods increased with statistical significance (χ(2)=747.19, P<0.001). Both OSR and RSR were slightly higher in men than in women, and decreased with age. The AAPC results showed that the AAPC of the 5-year RSR of gastric cancer in Qidong was 2.88%, 2.75% in males and 3.05% in females, and the upward trend was statistically significant (P<0.001). From 1972 to 2016, the 5-year RSR of gastric cancer in all age groups showed an upward trend. Except for the 35-44-year-old group (AAPC=1.07%, t=2.16, P=0.067), the age groups had statistical significance ( AAPC=2.59% in the 45-54-year-old group, AAPC=3.19% in the AAPCs of other 55-64-year-old group, AAPC=3.99% in the 65-74-year-old group, and AAPC=2.97% in the 75-year-old group, all P<0.05). The prediction results of the ARIMA model showed that in 2026, the 5-year OSR of gastric cancer in Qidong will increase to 39.82%, and the 5-year RSR will increase to 49.23%. Conclusion: The overall survival rate of registered gastric cancer cases in Qidong has been greatly improved, but there is still large room for improvement. More attention should be paid to the prevention and treatment of gastric cancer.

[Long-term trend of esophageal cancer survival rate in Qidong, 1972-2016]

Objective: To analyze the survival of esophageal cancer cases in Qidong, Jiangsu Province from 1972 to 2016, and provide a basis for the prognosis evaluation and prevention of esophageal cancer patients. Methods: The data of esophageal cancer were obtained from the Qidong Cancer Registration and Reporting System, and the follow-up date ended December 31, 2021. Observed survival rate (OSR) and relative survival rate (RSR) were calculated by SURV 3.01 software, and Hakulinen's likelihood ratio test was used for statistical difference comparison. Joinpoint regression model was used to conduct the average annual percentage change (AAPC) in esophageal cancer survival rate, and the ARIMA model was used to predict the trend of esophageal cancer survival rate. Results: During 1972 to 2016, there were 5 112 new cases of esophageal cancer in Qidong. The OSR of esophageal cancer at 1, 5 and 10 years were 24.43%, 6.93% and 4.43%, and the RSR at 1, 5 and 10 years were 25.88%, 9.35% and 8.34%, respectively. Dividing 1972-2016 into 9 periods, compared with 1972-1976, the 5-year RSR from 2012-2016 increased from 4.47% to 17.85%, and the RSR trend of the 9 periods was statistically significant (χ(2)=263.43, P<0.001). The survival rate of female with esophageal cancer was slightly higher than that of male, however, there was no significant difference in RSR between male and female (χ(2)=9.40, P=0.401). The 5-OSR and 5-RSR for male were 6.73% and 9.11%, and for female were 7.37% and 9.87%, respectively. The 5-RSR for the age groups of 45-54, 55-64, 65-74, and over 75 years old were 11.99%, 11.21%, 8.17% and 7.08%, respectively. There was a statistically significant difference in RSR among different age groups (χ(2)=98.19, P<0.001). The time trend results showed that the overall AAPC of the 5-RSR of esophageal cancer in Qidong from 1972 to 2016 was 3.89% (t=11.98, P<0.001). The 5-RSR uptrend was consistent among different genders, and the uptrend was greater in female (AAPC=4.25% for male, and AAPC=5.72% for female, P<0.05). Furthermore, the 5-RSR of esophageal cancer in all age groups showed an upward trend, and the upward trend was statistically significant in the 55-64-year-old group (AAPC=4.23%, P<0.05) and the 65-74-year-old group (AAPC=6.82%, P<0.05), there was no statistical significance in the 45-54-year-old group (AAPC=2.17%, P>0.05) and more than 75 years old group (AAPC=1.82%, P>0.05). Survival rate prediction of esophageal cancer showed that by 2026, 5-RSR will increase to 24.79%. Conclusions: During 1972 to 2016, the overall survival rate of esophageal cancer in the whole population of Qidong has improved to a certain extent, but there is still a large room for improvement. More emphasis should be continued to strengthen on the early diagnosis and early treatment of esophageal cancer.

[Epidemic characteristics of esophageal cancer mortality in Qidong, 1972-2016]

Objective: To describe the epidemic characteristics of esophageal cancer mortality in Qidong from 1972 to 2016, and to provide baseline for making control measures and strategies for prevention. Methods: The cancer registry data were collected and analyzed on mortality of oesophagus cancer during 1972-2016 in Qidong in different sex, age and time. Indices of statistics included crude mortality rate (CR), China age-standardized rate (CASR), world age-standardized rate (WASR), 35-64 years truncated rate, 0-74 years cumulative rate, cumulative risk, average annual percentage change (AAPC), mortality by period and mortality in the birth cohort. Results: A total of 4 795 esophageal cancer cases (male: 3 315, female: 1 480) died during the 45 years, accounting for 4.85% of all cancer deaths. The crude mortality was 9.48/10(5) (CASR: 3.62/10(5,) WASR: 6.30/10(5)) from 1972 to 2016. The crude mortality was significantly increased with age. In 2016, the crude mortality was 11.61/10(5) (CASR: 2.64/10(5,) WASR: 4.89/10(5)), respectively. The average annual percentage change (AAPC) were 0.99%、-2.03%、-1.72%. The mortalities of esophageal cancer in all age groups from 35 to 74 have been decreasing since the 1980s. The age-birth cohort analysis showed a decline in mortality rates in age groups from 40 to 79. Conclusions: The crude mortality rate of esophageal cancer increases slightly in Qidong, while the China age-standardized rate and world age-standardized rate decrease significantly. However, esophageal cancer is still one of the malignant tumors that affects the health of residents and seriously threatens the people's lives and health. The situation of cancer prevention and control is still serious in Qidong.

[Correlation analysis of smell and taste loss with COVID-19 outbreak trend based on big data of internet]

Objective: To analyze the correlation between loss of smell/taste and the number of real confirmed cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) worldwide based on Google Trends data, and to explore the guiding role of smell/taste loss for the COVID-19 prevention and control. Methods: "Loss of smell" and "loss of taste" related keywords were searched in the Google Trends platform, the data were obtained from Jan. 1 2019 to Jul. 11 2021. The daily and newly confirmed COVID-19 case number were collected from World Health Organization (WHO) since Dec. 30 2019. All data were statistically analyzed by SPSS 23.0 software. The correlation was finally tested by Spearman correlation analysis. Results: A total of data from 80 weeks were collected. The retrospective analysis was performed on the new trend of COVID-19 confirmed cases in a total of 186 292 441 cases worldwide. Since the epidemic of COVID-19 was recorded on the WHO website, the relative searches related to loss of smell/taste in the Google Trends platform had been increasing globally. The global relative search volumes of "loss of smell" and "loss of taste" on Google Trends was 10.23±2.58 and 16.33±2.47 before the record of epidemic while 80.25±39.81 and 80.45±40.04 after (t value was 8.67, 14.43, respectively, both P<0.001). In the United States and India, the relative searches for "loss of smell" and "loss of taste" after the record of epidemic were also much higher than before (all P<0.001). The correlation coefficients between the trend of weekly new COVID-19 cases and the Google Trends of "loss of smell" in the global, United States, and India was 0.53, 0.76, and 0.82 respectively (all P<0.001), the correlation coefficients with Google Trends of "loss of taste" was 0.54, 0.78, and 0.82 respectively (all P<0.001). The lowest and highest point of loss of smell/taste search curves of Google Trends in different periods appeared 7 to 14 days earlier than that of the weekly newly COVID-19 confirmed cases curves, respectively. Conclusions: There is a significant positive correlation between the number of newly confirmed cases of COVID-19 worldwide and the amount of keywords, such as "loss of smell" and "loss of taste", retrieved in Google Trends. The trend of big data based on Google Trends might predict the outbreak trend of COVID-19 in advance.

Transmutation of long-lived fission products in an advanced nuclear energy system

Disposal of long-lived fission products (LLFPs) produced in reactors has been paid a lot attention for sustainable and clean nuclear energy. Although a few transmutation means have been proposed to address this issue, there are still scientific and/or engineering challenges to achieve efficient transmutation of LLFPs. In this study, we propose a novel concept of advanced nuclear energy system (ANES) for transmuting LLFPs efficiently without isotopic separation. The ANES comprises intense photoneutron source (PNS) and subcritical reactor, which consist of lead–bismuth (Pb-Bi) layer, beryllium (Be) layer, and fuel, LLFPs and shield assemblies. The PNS is produced by bombarding radioactive cesium and iodine target with a laser-Compton scattering (LCS) γ-ray beam. We investigate the effect of the ANES system layout on transmutation efficiency by Monte Carlo simulations. It is found that a proper combination of the Pb-Bi layer and the Be layer can increase the utilization efficiency of the PNS by a factor of ~ 10, which helps to decrease by almost the same factor the LCS γ-beam intensity required for driving the ANES. Supposing that the ANES operates over 20 years at a normal thermal power of 500 MWt, five LLFPs including ⁹⁹Tc, ¹²⁹I, ¹⁰⁷Pd, ¹³⁷Cs and ⁷⁹Se could be transmuted by more than 30%. Their effective half-lives thus decrease drastically from ~ 10⁶ to less than 10² years. It is suggested that this successful implementation of the ANES paves the avenue towards practical transmutation of LLFPs without isotopic separation.

[Epidemic characteristics of stomach cancer mortality in Qidong during 1972-2016]

Objective: To describe the epidemic characteristics of stomach cancer mortality in Qidong between 1972 and 2016. Methods: The cancer registry data of stomach cancer death and population during 1972-2016 in Qidong was collected. The mortality of crude rate (CR), China age-standardized rate (CASR), world age-standardized rate (WASR), 35-64 years truncated rate, 0-74 years cumulative rate, cumulative risk, percentage change (PC), annual percent change (APC) were calculated. Results: During 1972-2016, a total of 15 863 (male: 10 114, female: 5 749) deaths occurred attributed to stomach cancer, accounting for 16.04% of all cancers, with CR of 31.37/100 000 (CASR: 12.97/100 000, WASR: 21.39/100 000). The truncated rate of 35-64, cumulative rate of 0-74, and cumulative risk were 28.86/100 000, 2.54%, and 2.51%, respectively. For male, the CR, CASR, WASR were 40.53/100 000, 17.98/100 000, 30.13/100 000, respectively, and for female, the CR, CASR, WASR were 22.45/100 000, 8.52/100 000, 13.92/100 000, respectively. Age-specific mortality analysis showed that the mortality of each age group under 25-year-old group was less than 1/100 000. The CR increased with age. The 50-year-old group reached and exceeded the average mortality of the population, and more than 80-year-old group reached the peak of death. During 1972-2016 in Qidong, The PCs in CR, CASR, and WASR of stomach cancer were 55.43%, -52.02%, -43.60%. The APC were 0.54%, -2.30%, -2.08%, respectively. Period mortality analysis showed that except for the 75-year-old group, the mortality of stomach cancer decreased significantly. Conclusions: The crude mortality of stomach cancer increases slightly in Qidong, while the CASR and WASR decrease significantly. However, stomach cancer is still one of the malignant tumors that most affect health and seriously threat lives.

[An analysis of mortality trends for upper gastrointestinal neoplasms in Qidong, 1972-2016]

Objective: To describe the trend of upper gastrointestinal cancer mortality in Qidong between 1972 and 2016, and to provide guidelines for prevention and control measures and strategies. Methods: The upper gastrointestinal data was collected in Qidong cancer registration from 1972 to 2016. Crude mortality rate (CR), China age-standardized rate (CASR), world age-standardized rate (WASR), truncated rate (35-64 years old), cumulative rate (0-74 years old) and cumulative risk were calculated. Annual percent change (APC) was calculated by Joinpoint software. Age-period-cohort model was used to analyze the influence of age, period and birth cohort on the changes in the mortality trend of upper gastrointestinal cancer patients. Results: From 1972 to 2016, there were 20 658 deaths of upper gastrointestinal cancer in Qidong, accounting for 20.89% of all cancer deaths. The CR, CASR, WASR, truncated rate (35-64 years old), cumulative rate (0-74 years old) and cumulative risk were 40.85/100 000, 27.96/100 000, 27.69/100 000, 36.01/100 000, 3.30% and 3.25%, respectively. There were 13 429 male deaths, the CR, CASR, and the WASR were 53.81/100 000, 37.62/100 000, and 39.93/100 000; the female deaths were 7 229, and the CR, CASR, and WASR were 28.23/100 000, 18.87/100 000, 17.25/100 000, respectively. The APCs of the 45-year-old, 55-year-old and 65-year-old age groups were -2.94% (95% CI: -3.32%, -2.56%), -2.94% (95% CI: -3.22%, -2.66%) and -2.04% (95% CI: -2.39%, -1.69%), with significant difference (P<0.05), while without significance of 75-year-old group (P>0.05). From 1972 to 2016, the APCs of CR, CASR, and WASR in the gastrointestinal cancer were 0.65% (95%CI: 0.43%, 0.87%), -2.01% (95%CI: -2.24%, -1.77%) and -2.05% (95%CI: -2.28%, -1.81%). The age-period-cohort model showed that the mortality of upper gastrointestinal cancer was increased with age (P<0.05). Conclusions: The crude mortality of upper gastrointestinal cancer increases slightly in Qidong, while the CASR and WASR decrease significantly. However, with aged tendency of population, the early diagnosis and treatment of upper gastrointestinal cancer is still needed to be paid attention.

[Association of health-related physical fitness with kidney function and lipid profile among faculty in a university]

Objective: To study the association of health-related physical fitness (HPF) with kidney function and blood lipid to provide a basis to prevent chronic diseases and making exercise prescriptions. Methods: This study was conducted in December 2019 with 299 faculty members of a university in Shaanxi, testing HPF indicators (muscle mass, body fat percentage, grip, sit-and-reach, vital capacity) , kidney function indicators (creatinine, uric acid, urea) , and blood lipid indicators[triglyceride (TG) , total cholesterol (TC) , high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) ]. Spearman correlation analysis and binary logistic regression were used to analyze the association between HPF with kidney function and blood lipid indicators. Results: In men, muscle mass and grip strength were positively correlated with uric acid, body fat percentage was positively correlated with TG, sit-and-reach and vital capacity were negatively correlated with TG (r(s)=0.266, 0.337, 0.300, -0.339, -0.239, P<0.05) . In women, body fat percentage was positively correlated with uric acid, TG, TC and LDL-C, negatively correlated with creatinine and HDL-C, grip strength was positively correlated with creatinine, sit-and-reach was positively correlated with HDL-C and negatively correlated with TG, vital capacity was negatively correlated with urea (r(s)=0.240, 0.349, 0.214, 0.249, -0.254, -0.209, 0.186, 0.207, -0.255, -0.154, P<0.05) . Logistic regression showed that high body fat percentage was risk factor for abnormal uric acid and dyslipidemia in female faculty members (OR=1.114, 95%CI:1.023-1.213; OR=1.116, 95%CI: 1.034-1.208; P<0.05) . And high body fat percentage was risk factor for dyslipidemia in male faculty members (OR=1.129, 95%CI: 1.017-1.252, P<0.05) . Conclusion: High body fat percentage is associated with dyslipidemia and uric acid abnormalities in university faculty. HPF fitness assessment may be important for the prevention of chronic diseases related to kidney function or lipids.

[An analysis of mortality trends for lung cancer during 1972-2016 in Qidong city of Jiangsu Province]

Crude mortality rate (CR) for lung cancer in Qidong increased from 11.50/10⁵ in 1972-1976 to 76.61/10⁵ in 2012-2016, China age-standardized rate (CASR) from 13.11/10⁵ in 1972-1976 to 34.27/10⁵ in 2012-2016, and World age-standardized rate (WASR) from 13.40/10⁵ in 1972-1976 to 34.30/10⁵ in 2012-2016. The average annual percentage change (AAPCs) of CR, CASR, WASR were 4.87% (95%CI: 4.63%-5.12%), 2.17% (95%CI: 1.96%-2.38%), 2.12% (95%CI: 1.92%-2.33%) (all P values<0.001), respectively. AAPCs for 45-54, 55-64, 65-74 and over 75 age groups were 0.74% (95%CI: 0.36%-1.11%), 1.23% (95%CI: 0.92%-1.53%), 2.55% (95%CI: 2.20%-2.90%), 4.26% (95%CI: 3.56%-4.96%) (all P values<0.001), respectively.

[Early diagnosis and early treatment for liver cancer in Qidong: survival of patients and effectiveness of screening]

Objective: To evaluate the patients' survival and effectiveness of the live cancer screening for population at high risk for liver cancer in Qidong. Methods: According to the Expert Scheme proposed the Expert Committee of Early Detection and Early Treatment, China Cancer Foundation, diagnostical screening by using combined methods of alpha-fetoprotein and B ultrasound monitoring were carried out biannually in individuals with positive HBsAg who were screened from Qidong area. The evaluation indices of the effectiveness are task completion rate of screening, detection rate of liver cancer, early diagnosis rate, and treatment rate. The deadline of the follow-up for the surviving outcome was March 31, 2016. The life-table method was used to calculate the observed survival, and to make comparison and significant tests between survival rates in Group A (those found via repeated periodic screening) and Group B (those diagnosed without periodic screening). Results: Since 2007, 38 016 target population have been screened, and 3 703(9.74%) individuals with positive HBsAg were found. Except for 29 patients with liver cancer at the initial screening, 3 674 persons in the cohort were followed up; 268 patients with liver cancer were detected from the 33 199 person-times screening, with an annual detection rate of 1.61%. Of them, 186 patients were found in Group A(1.12%), in which 149 patients were the early cases, with an early detection rate of 80.11%; 167 out of 186(89.78%) patients received treatment after diagnosis. The incidence of liver cancer in this HBsAg (+ ) cohort of 25 452 person-years was 1 052.96 per 100 000 annually, 187 cases in males(1 488.45/100 000)and 81 cases in females(628.46/100 000). The 1-, 3-, 5-, and 8-year survival of all patients with liver cancer were 64.55%, 40.50%, 32.54%, and 19.65%, respectively. The 1-, 3-, 5-, and 8-year survival rates were 77.16%, 49.04%, 38.53%, and 24.25% in Group A, and were 36.25%, 21.21%, 21.21%, and 0% in Group B, respectively, with significant differences between two groups (P<0.05). Conclusion: The findings show that screening of individuals at high-risk of development of liver cancer, with semiannual AFP and B ultrasound, according to the Expert Scheme, is effective not only in increasing detection rate but also in detecting liver cancer at early stage, and in improving patients' survival as well.

Impact of E × B shear flow on low-n MHD instabilities

Recently, the stationary high confinement operations with improved pedestal conditions have been achieved in DIII-D [K. H. Burrell et al., Phys. Plasmas 23, 056103 (2016)], accompanying the spontaneous transition from the coherent edge harmonic oscillation (EHO) to the broadband MHD turbulence state by reducing the neutral beam injection torque to zero. It is highly significant for the burning plasma devices such as ITER. Simulations about the effects of E × B shear flow on the quiescent H-mode (QH-mode) are carried out using the three-field two-fluid model in the field-aligned coordinate under the BOUT++ framework. Using the shifted circular cross-section equilibriums including bootstrap current, the results demonstrate that the E × B shear flow strongly destabilizes low-n peeling modes, which are mainly driven by the gradient of parallel current in peeling-dominant cases and are sensitive to the E_r shear. Adopting the much more general shape of E × B shear ([Formula: see text]) profiles, the linear and nonlinear BOUT++ simulations show qualitative consistence with the experiments. The stronger shear flow shifts the most unstable mode to lower-n and narrows the mode spectrum. At the meantime, the nonlinear simulations of the QH-mode indicate that the shear flow in both co- and counter directions of diamagnetic flow has some similar effects. The nonlinear mode interaction is enhanced during the mode amplitude saturation phase. These results reveal that the fundamental physics mechanism of the QH-mode may be shear flow and are significant for understanding the mechanism of EHO and QH-mode.

Iterative ensemble Kalman filter for atmospheric dispersion in nuclear accidents: An application to Kincaid tracer experiment

Information about atmospheric dispersion of radionuclides is vitally important for planning effective countermeasures during nuclear accidents. Results of dispersion models have high spatial and temporal resolutions, but they are not accurate enough due to the uncertain source term and the errors in meteorological data. Environmental measurements are more reliable, but they are scarce and unable to give forecasts. In this study, our newly proposed iterative ensemble Kalman filter (EnKF) data assimilation scheme is used to combine model results and environmental measurements. The system is thoroughly validated against the observations in the Kincaid tracer experiment. The initial first-guess emissions are assumed to be six magnitudes underestimated. The iterative EnKF system rapidly corrects the errors in the emission rate and wind data, thereby significantly improving the model results (>80% reduction of the normalized mean square error, r=0.71). Sensitivity tests are conducted to investigate the influence of meteorological parameters. The results indicate that the system is sensitive to boundary layer height. When the heights from the numerical weather prediction model are used, only 62.5% of reconstructed emission rates are within a factor two of the actual emissions. This increases to 87.5% when the heights derived from the on-site observations are used.

Baicalin can attenuate the inhibitory effects of mifepristone on Wnt pathway during peri-implantation period in mice

Wnts are considered as important factors in uterus developmental process and embryo implantation. Baicalin has been demonstrated to possess tocolytic properties. In order to investigate the effect of baicalin on the Wnt signaling pathway during the peri-implantation, pregnant Kuming mice were randomly divided into four groups: control group, baicalin group administered with 40mg/kg BW of baicalin through an intragastric gavage on day 2 to 7 of the pregnancy (Pd2-Pd7), mifepristone group treated with 4mg/kg BW of mifepristone, an abortifacient agent, via subcutaneous administration on Pd4, and baicalin+mifepristone group treated with their combination. The concentrations of the implantation-related steroid hormones (progesterone and estradiol) in the blood serum were measured with RIA. The gene and protein expression levels of the important molecules of the Wnt pathway (Wnt4, LRP6, Dkk1 and β-catenin) in the endometrium were detected with RT-PCR and western blot, respectively. The results showed that baicalin decreased (P<0.05) the estradiol levels on Pd4-Pd8 and increased (P<0.05) the progesterone levels on Pd3-Pd8. Mifepristone increased (P<0.05) the estradiol levels on Pd5-Pd8 and decreased (P<0.05) the progesterone levels on Pd6-Pd8. Compared with the control group, baicalin increased the gene and protein expression levels of Wnt4, LRP6 and β-catenin (P<0.05) and decreased the gene and protein expression levels of Dkk1 (P<0.05) during the middle-to-late stage of the experiment in mice uterine tissue. Baicalin alleviated the mifepristone-induced increase or decrease in the serum levels of progesterone and estradiol, and the gene or protein expression levels of Wnt4, LRP6 and β-catenin. The tocolytic properties tocolysis of baicalin may be realized through regulating the levels of estrogen/progesterone and the important components of canonical Wnt signaling pathway during the embryo implantation process intervened with the subcutaneous administration of mifepristone in the mice.

Effect of miR-146a polymorphism on biochemical recurrence risk after radical prostatectomy in southern Chinese population

Evidence has shown that miR-146a is involved in carcinogenesis and a common G/C variant (rs2910164) in the pre-miR-146a gene has been found to be associated with various cancers. We investigated the potential prognostic role of miR-146a polymorphism in prostate cancer after radical prostatectomy. Seventy-two southern Chinese with prostate cancer undergoing radical prostatectomy were included in this study. miR-146a polymorphism was analyzed by PCR-RFLP. Its prognostic role in biochemical recurrence was assessed using Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox regression model. We did not find a significant association between miR-146a polymorphism and prostrate-specific antigen failure in the Chinese population [HR (95%CI): 0.83 (0.30-2.32) for CC vs GG/GC]. However, high Gleason score (over 8) was associated with increased biochemical recurrence and poorer PSA-free survival. This study was limited by the length of follow-up. Future studies with longer follow-up would allow evaluation of more direct metrics, such as disease-specific survival, metastasis-free survival, and overall survival.

A new class of electrocatalysts of supporting Pt on an Engel-Brewer alloy substrate: a demonstration for oxidation of ethylene glycol

A novel electrocatalytic surface consisting of a Pt monolayer (ML) on an Hf-Ir alloy substrate demonstrated significantly higher activity (six times) and higher selectivity to CO2 formation than bulk Pt in oxidizing ethylene glycol. This enhanced performance could be associated with the high reducibility of Hf oxide and altered electronic property of the Pt ML.

Modified ensemble Kalman filter for nuclear accident atmospheric dispersion: prediction improved and source estimated

Atmospheric dispersion models play an important role in nuclear power plant accident management. A reliable estimation of radioactive material distribution in short range (about 50 km) is in urgent need for population sheltering and evacuation planning. However, the meteorological data and the source term which greatly influence the accuracy of the atmospheric dispersion models are usually poorly known at the early phase of the emergency. In this study, a modified ensemble Kalman filter data assimilation method in conjunction with a Lagrangian puff-model is proposed to simultaneously improve the model prediction and reconstruct the source terms for short range atmospheric dispersion using the off-site environmental monitoring data. Four main uncertainty parameters are considered: source release rate, plume rise height, wind speed and wind direction. Twin experiments show that the method effectively improves the predicted concentration distribution, and the temporal profiles of source release rate and plume rise height are also successfully reconstructed. Moreover, the time lag in the response of ensemble Kalman filter is shortened. The method proposed here can be a useful tool not only in the nuclear power plant accident emergency management but also in other similar situation where hazardous material is released into the atmosphere.

Risk for transmission of Naegleria fowleri from solid organ transplantation

Primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) caused by the free-living ameba (FLA) Naegleria fowleri is a rare but rapidly fatal disease of the central nervous system (CNS) affecting predominantly young, previously healthy persons. No effective chemotherapeutic prophylaxis or treatment has been identified. Recently, three transplant-associated clusters of encephalitis caused by another FLA, Balamuthia mandrillaris, have occurred, prompting questions regarding the suitability of extra-CNS solid organ transplantation from donors with PAM. During 1995-2012, 21 transplant recipients of solid organs donated by five patients with fatal cases of PAM were reported in the United States. None of the recipients developed PAM, and several recipients tested negative for N. fowleri by serology. However, historical PAM case reports and animal experiments with N. fowleri, combined with new postmortem findings from four patients with PAM, suggest that extra-CNS dissemination of N. fowleri can occur and might pose a risk for disease transmission via transplantation. The risks of transplantation with an organ possibly harboring N. fowleri should be carefully weighed for each individual recipient against the potentially greater risk of delaying transplantation while waiting for another suitable organ. In this article, we present a case series and review existing data to inform such risk assessments.

Perivascular epithelioid cell tumor (PEComa) of gynecologic origin: a clinicopathological study of three cases

Perivascular epithelioid cell tumors (PEComas), occasionally associated with the tuberous sclerosis complex, are characterized by varying amounts of spindle and epithelioid cells with clear to eosinophilic cytoplasm that display immunoreactivity for melanocytic markers, most frequently HMB-45. Perivascular epithelioid cell tumor of gynecologic origin is very rare, and there have been only a few reported cases. This study describes the clinical, histological, and immunohistochemical features and prognoses of three cases of gynecologic origin. Two of the three tumors were confined to the uterus and one to the vagina. None of the patients had tuberous sclerosis complex. Immunohistochemistry indicated that all three cases expressed at least one melanocytic marker, and HMB45 was a positive marker for all of them. These markers can be found in both epithelial cells and spindle cells. Except for MiTF, which was located in the nucleus, all the other antibodies were located in the cytoplasm. The three cases have been followed up for 26, 22, and three months, respectively, with disease-free survival in all cases. We conclude that PEComas of gynecologic origin have morphological and immunohistochemical features of the PEComa family, which are rare and should be included in the differential diagnosis with other tumors. Until more cases of this rare tumor are evaluated with longer follow-up, firm criteria for malignancy remain uncertain.

Optimization of Jc for Photo-Assisted MOCVD Prepared YBCO Thin Films by Robust Design

Metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) is emerging as a practical high Tc superconducting thin film preparation technique for industrial application. Intrinsically this technique involves a large number of variable parameters. This is especially critical for the quarternary or higher high Tc materials. Thus, effective methods are required to optimize the parameters for the preparation of high Tc films. A matrix experimental design named Robust Design has been employed for this purpose. The first-phase design was based on a starting knowledge of growth temperature and pressure, and annealing temperature for MOCVD preparation of YBCO thin films. A minimum lab effort of only nine deposition experiments was then used to optimize the process control parameters of precursor oven temperature, carrier gas (Ar) flow rate, O2 flow rate and N2O flow rate. The results were then followed by three confirmation depositions. The Robust Design resulted in the growth of YBCO film with Tc consistently in the range of 87.0 K to 90.2 K and Jc improved from about 1.0 × 106 A/cm2 to 3–5 × 106 A/cm2.

Cancer survival in Qidong, China, 1992-2000

The Qidong cancer registry was established in 1972, and registration of cases is done by active and passive methods. The registry contributed data on 33 cancer sites or types registered during 1992-2000 for this survival study. Data on 22 cancers registered during 1972-2000 were utilized to elicit the survival trend by period and cohort approaches. Follow-up was done by a mixture of active and passive methods, with median follow-up ranging from 2-25 months. The proportion of cases with histologically verified cancer diagnosis ranged from 9-100%, and 87-100% of total registered cases were included for survival analysis. The top-ranking cancers on 5-year age-standardized relative survival (%) were thyroid (78%), breast (58%), corpus uteri (54%), larynx (51%) and urinary bladder (42%). The corresponding survival rates for common cancers were liver (6%), lung (7%) and stomach (18%). The 5-year relative survival by age group fluctuated and showed no distinct pattern or trend. The comparison of 5-year relative survival trend by cohort and period approaches revealed that period survival closely predicted the survival experience of cancer cases diagnosed in that period for most cancers.

Cation binding by bacteriorhodopsin

We have found that extensively washed purple membrane has about 1 calcium and 3-4 magnesium ions bound per bacteriorhodopsin molecule. When these divalent cations are removed by any of a variety of means, the pigment changes its color from purple to blue (lambda(max) approximately 600 nm). This blue pigment, which can be formed at near neutral pH, is probably very similar to blue species formed when the pH of a purple membrane sample is lowered to approximately 2. When any of a wide variety of cations are added to a blue membrane preparation, the characteristic purple color of bacteriorhodopsin returns. Divalent and trivalent cations are much more efficient than monovalent cations in restoring the purple color and are effective at a ratio approaching one cation per pigment molecule. Besides shifting the absorption spectrum, removal of the divalent cations drastically alters the photochemical cycle of bacteriorhodopsin, including abolishing the unprotonated Schiff base (M-type) intermediate. Finally, lanthanum not only displaces the divalent cations normally bound to the purple membrane but also greatly reduces both the rate of decay of the M412 intermediate and proton uptake.

A laser-Compton scattering prototype experiment at 100 MeV linac of Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics

As a prototype of the Shanghai Laser Electron Gamma Source in the Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility, an x-ray source based on laser-Compton scattering (LCS) has been installed at the terminal of the 100 MeV linac of the Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics. LCS x-rays are generated by interactions between Q-switched Nd:yttrium aluminum garnet laser pulses [with wavelength of 1064 nm and pulse width of 21 ns (full width at half maximum)] and electron bunches [with energy of 108 MeV and pulse width of 0.95 ns (rms)] at an angle of 42 degrees between laser and electron beam. In order to measure the energy spectrum of LCS x-rays, a Si(Li) detector along the electron beam line axis is positioned at 9.8 m away from a LCS chamber. After background subtraction, the LCS x-ray spectrum with the peak energy of 29.1+/-4.4|(stat)+/-2.1|(syst) keV and the peak width (rms) of 7.8+/-2.8|(stat)+/-0.4|(syst) keV is observed. Normally the 100 MeV linac operates with the electron macropulse charge of 1.0 nC/pulse, and the electron and laser collision repetition rate of 20 Hz. Therefore, the total LCS x-ray flux of (5.2+/-2.0) x 10(2) Hz can be achieved.

Correlating Electronic Properties of Bimetallic Surfaces with Reaction Pathways of C2 Hydrocarbons

The rate and selectivity of chemical reactions on transition-metal surfaces can be controlled by using different bimetallic combinations. The interaction of bimetallic components leads to a change in the electronic properties of the surface, which in turn produces a change in chemical reactivity. In the current paper, we illustrate the correlation of the electronic properties of bimetallic surfaces with the reaction pathways of C2 hydrocarbons. Density functional theory (DFT) was used to study the binding of hydrogen, ethylene, acetylene, ethyl, and vinyl on monometallic and bimetallic transition-metal surfaces. The binding energies of these species were found to correlate with the d-band centers of these surfaces. The binding energies for hydrogen atoms on bimetallic surfaces were lower than for those on the corresponding parent metal surfaces. This trend was consistent for ethylene and acetylene binding. Comparative studies between acetylene and ethylene revealed that acetylene was more strongly bonded to the monometallic and the bimetallic surfaces than was ethylene. Bond order conservation (BOC) theory was used to calculate the activation barriers for ethyl dehydrogenation to ethylene and vinyl dehydrogenation to acetylene. The activation barriers for these reactions were correlated with the surface d-band center of the substrates.

Different signaling and cell death roles of heterotrimeric G protein alpha and beta subunits in the Arabidopsis oxidative stress response to ozone

Arabidopsis thaliana plants with null mutations in the genes encoding the alpha and beta subunits of the single heterotrimeric G protein are less and more sensitive, respectively, to O3 damage than wild-type Columbia-0 plants. The first peak of the bimodal oxidative burst elicited by O3 in wild-type plants is almost entirely missing in both mutants. The late peak is normal in plants lacking the Gbeta protein but missing in plants lacking the Galpha protein. Endogenous reactive oxygen species (ROS) are first detectable in chloroplasts of leaf epidermal guard cells. ROS production in adjacent cells is triggered by extracellular ROS signals produced by guard cell membrane-associated NADPH oxidases encoded by the AtrbohD and AtrbohF genes. The late, tissue damage-associated component of the oxidative burst requires only the Galpha protein and arises from multiple cellular sources. The early component of the oxidative burst, arising primarily from chloroplasts, requires signaling through the heterotrimer (or the Gbetagamma complex) and is separable from Galpha-mediated activation of membrane-bound NADPH oxidases necessary for both intercellular signaling and cell death.

Role of strain and ligand effects in the modification of the electronic and chemical properties of bimetallic surfaces

Periodic density functional calculations are used to illustrate how the combination of strain and ligand effects modify the electronic and surface chemical properties of Ni, Pd, and Pt monolayers supported on other transition metals. Strain and the ligand effects are shown to change the width of the surface d band, which subsequently moves up or down in energy to maintain a constant band filling. Chemical properties such as the dissociative adsorption energy of hydrogen are controlled by changes induced in the average energy of the d band by modification of the d-band width.

Modification of the surface electronic and chemical properties of Pt(111) by subsurface 3d transition metals

The modification of the electronic and chemical properties of Pt(111) surfaces by subsurface 3d transition metals was studied using density-functional theory. In each case investigated, the Pt surface d-band was broadened and lowered in energy by interactions with the subsurface 3d metals, resulting in weaker dissociative adsorption energies of hydrogen and oxygen on these surfaces. The magnitude of the decrease in adsorption energy was largest for the early 3d transition metals and smallest for the late 3d transition metals. In some cases, dissociative adsorption was calculated to be endothermic. The surfaces investigated in this study had no lateral strain in them, demonstrating that strain is not a necessary factor in the modification of bimetallic surface properties. The implications of these findings are discussed in the context of catalyst design, particularly for fuel cell electrocatalysts.

The role of auxin-binding protein 1 in the expansion of tobacco leaf cells

Tobacco leaf was used to investigate the mechanism of action of auxin-binding protein 1 (ABP1). The distributions of free auxin, ABP1, percentage of leaf nuclei in G2 and the amount of auxin-inducible growth were each determined in control tobacco leaves and leaves over-expressing Arabidopsis ABP1. These parameters were compared with growth of tobacco leaves, measured both spatially and temporally throughout the entire expansion phase. Within a defined window of leaf development, juvenile leaf cells that inducibly expressed Arabidopsis ABP1 prematurely advanced nuclei to the G2 phase. The ABP1-induced increase in cell expansion occured before the advance to the G2 phase, indicating that the ABP1-induced G2 phase advance is an indirect effect of cell expansion. The level of ABP1 was highest at the position of maximum cell expansion, maximum auxin-inducible growth and where the free auxin level was the lowest. In contrast, the position of maximum cell division correlated with higher auxin levels and lower ABP1 levels. Consistent with the correlations observed in leaves, tobacco cells (BY-2) in culture displayed two dose-dependent responses to auxin. At a low auxin concentration, cells expanded, while at a relatively higher concentration, cells divided and incorporated [3H]-thymidine. Antisense suppression of ABP1 in these cells dramatically reduced cell expansion with negligible effect on cell division. Taken together, the data suggest that ABP1 acts at a relatively low level of auxin to mediate cell expansion, whereas high auxin levels stimulate cell division via an unidentified receptor.

Cost of nonmelanoma skin cancer treatment in the United States

BACKGROUND

Despite being the most prevalent form of cancer, the economic impact of nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) in the United States has not been assessed.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the overall cost and to estimate the cost per episode of NMSC care in the United States in physicians' offices, outpatient surgery centers, and inpatient settings.

METHODS

Data from the Medicare Current Beneficiary Study 1992-1995 were analyzed to obtain the total cost of NMSC and the cost in different settings. To normalize these data on a per episode basis, the cost in each setting was divided by the number of procedures performed in each setting obtained from the National Hospital Discharge Survey (NHDS, 1992-1997), the National Survey of Ambulatory Surgery (NSAS, 1994-1996), and the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS, 1995).

RESULTS

The total cost of NMSC care in the United States in the Medicare population is $426 million/year. Physician office-based procedures for NMSC accounted for the greatest percentage of money spent to treat NMSC and the greatest percentage of procedures. The average cost per episode of NMSC when performed in a physician's office setting was found to be $492. The cost per episode of care in inpatient and outpatient settings were $5537 and $1043, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Compared to other cancers, the relative magnitude of NMSC treatment costs is currently small because NMSC is managed efficiently and effectively, primarily in office-based settings. Legislative or regulatory measures that discourage office treatment of NMSC will lead to increased cost.

Implications of a utility model for ultraviolet exposure behavior

Over the past several decades, the incidence of skin cancer has reached epidemic proportions. Despite numerous efforts to increase public awareness of the risks associated with solar radiation, people continue to sunbathe, use indoor tanning facilities, avoid photoprotective clothing, and fail to use sunscreen. We propose using an economic model, the utility model, to better understand how to reduce tanning behaviors. This model has been widely applied in financial decision-making as well as in analysis of risk-taking behaviors such as smoking. The model takes into account both the current perceived benefits of tanning and the future long-term risks. People tend to discount the future; they tend to weigh current benefits more heavily than future risks. As predicted by the model, past prevention efforts that have focused on long-term benefits gained by sun-protective behavior have been largely ineffective. In the current social environment, we cannot expect tanning reduction measures based solely on health education to be very effective. Only by changing public perceptions of a tan will efforts to decrease ultraviolet exposure behavior likely be successful.

Oxygen-containing functional groups on single-wall carbon nanotubes: NEXAFS and vibrational spectroscopic studies

Single-walled nanotubes (SWNTs) produced by plasma laser vaporization (PLV) and containing oxidized surface functional groups have been studied for the first time with NEXAFS. Comparisons are made to SWNTs made by catalytic synthesis over Fe particles in high-pressure CO, called HiPco material. The results indicate that the acid purification and cutting of single-walled nanotubes with either HNO3/H2SO4 or H2O2/H2SO4 mixtures produces the oxidized groups (O/C = 5.5-6.7%), which exhibit both pi*(CO) and sigma*(CO) C K-edge NEXAFS resonances. This indicates that both carbonyl (C=O) and ether C-O-C functionalities are present. Upon heating in a vacuum to 500-600 K, the pi*(CO) resonances are observed to decrease in intensity; on heating to 1073 K, the sigma*(CO) resonances disappear as the C-O-C functional groups are decomposed. Raman spectral measurements indicate that the basic tubular structure of the SWNTs is not perturbed by heating to 1073 K, based on the invariance of the ring breathing modes upon heating. The NEXAFS studies agree well with infrared studies which show that carboxylic acid groups are thermally destroyed first, followed by the more difficult destruction of ether and quinone groups. Single-walled nanotubes produced by the HiPco process, and not treated with oxidizing acids, exhibit an O/C ratio of 1.9% and do not exhibit either pi*(CO) or sigma*(CO) resonances at the detection limit of NEXAFS. It is shown that heating (to 1073 K) of the PLV-SWNTs containing the functional groups produces C K-edge NEXAFS spectra very similar to those seen for the HiPco material. The NEXAFS spectra are calibrated against spectra measured for a number of fused-ring aromatic hydrocarbon molecules containing various types of oxidized functional groups present on the oxidized SWNTs.

Treatment of isolated systolic hypertension is most effective in older patients with high-risk profile

BACKGROUND

Although present guidelines suggest that treatment of hypertension is more effective in patients with multiple risk factors and higher risk of cardiovascular events, this hypothesis was never verified in older patients with systolic hypertension.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Using data from the Systolic Hypertension in the Elderly Program, we calculated the global cardiovascular risk score according to the American Heart Association Multiple Risk Factor Assessment Equation in 4,189 participants free of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and in 264 participants with CVD at baseline. In the placebo group, rates of cardiovascular events over 4.5 years were progressively higher according to higher quartiles of CVD risk. The protection conferred by treatment was similar across quartiles of risk. However, the numbers needed to treat (NNTs) to prevent one cardiovascular event were progressively smaller according to higher cardiovascular risk quartiles. In participants with baseline CVD, the NNTs to prevent one cardiovascular event were similar to those estimated for CVD-free participants in the highest-risk quartile.

CONCLUSIONS

Treatment of systolic hypertension is most effective in older patients who, because of additional risk factors or prevalent CVD, are at higher risk of developing a cardiovascular event. These patients are prime candidates for antihypertensive treatment.

Solvent effects on the absorption and fluorescence characteristics of tin(IV) mesoporphyrin

The absorption and fluorescence characteristics of tin(IV) mesoporphyrin (SnMP) and its analog tin(IV) protoporphyrin (SnPP) were studied in a series of organic solvents. Fluorescence quantum yields were calculated using the Strickler-Berg equation. Good correlation was found between calculated values and measured relative values. Fluorescence lifetime, radiative lifetime and non-radiative lifetime were also calculated. The parameters showed variation depending on ligation as well as H-bonding. Unusual long lifetime and high quantum yields were found in alcohol solvents. This finding might contribute to elucidation of the nature of tin porphyrins to inhibit heme oxygenase.

A lithium-induced conformational change in serotonin transporter alters cocaine binding, ion conductance, and reactivity of Cys-109

Inactivation of serotonin transporter (SERT) expressed in HeLa cells by [2-(trimethylammonium)ethyl]methanethiosulfonate (MTSET) occurred much more readily when Na(+) in the reaction medium was replaced with Li(+). This did not result from a protective effect of Na(+) but rather from a Li(+)-specific increase in the reactivity of Cys-109 in the first external loop of the transporter. Li(+) alone of the alkali cations caused this increase in reactivity. Replacing Na(+) with N-methyl-d-glucamine (NMDG(+)) did not reduce the affinity of cocaine for SERT, as measured by displacement of a high affinity cocaine analog, but replacement of Na(+) with Li(+) led to a 2-fold increase in the K(D) for cocaine. The addition of either cocaine or serotonin (5-HT) protected SERT against MTSET inactivation. When SERT was expressed in Xenopus oocytes, inward currents were elicited by superfusing the cell with 5-HT (in the presence of Na(+)) or by replacing Na(+) with Li(+) but not NMDG(+). MTSET treatment of oocytes in Li(+) but not in Na(+) decreased both 5-HT and Li(+) induced currents, although 5-HT-induced currents were inhibited to a greater extent. Na(+) antagonized the effects of Li(+) on both inactivation and current. These results are consistent with Li(+) inducing a conformational change that exposes Cys-109, decreases cocaine affinity, and increases the uncoupled inward current.

Admission base deficit in pediatric trauma: a study using the National Trauma Data Bank

BACKGROUND

The base deficit, an important indicator of physiologic derangement after severe injury in adults, has not been specifically examined in the pediatric trauma population. The purpose of this study was to assess the ability of the admission base deficit to predict injury severity and outcome in the pediatric trauma population.

METHODS

The study group included all patients in the National Trauma Data Bank over a 2-year period aged 0 to 12 years with a base deficit (0 to -30 mEq/L) recorded from the emergency department. Age, presence of a severe closed head injury, and base deficit were analyzed with respect to mortality and other indicators of injury severity.

RESULTS

A total of 515 patients constituted the study group. Base deficit less than -4 mEq/L (p < 0.001) and the presence of a closed head injury (odds ratio, 3.8; p < 0.05) were predictors of mortality. For the group, an admission base deficit of -8 mEq/L corresponded to a probability of mortality of 25%. Significant correlations were found between base deficit and emergency department systolic blood pressure, Injury Severity Score, and Revised Trauma Score. There was no relationship between age and mortality.

CONCLUSION

In injured children, the admission base deficit reflects injury severity and predicts mortality. The probability of mortality increases precipitously in children with a base deficit less than -8 mEq/L, and should alert the clinician to the presence of potentially lethal injuries or uncompensated shock.

[Production and cytogenetics of intergeneric hybrids between Ogura CMS Brassica campestris var. purpuraria and Raphanus sativus]

Crosses between Ogura CMS Brassica campestris var. purpuraria (AA, 2n = 20) and Raphanus sativus (RR, 2n = 18) were made and many intergeneric hybrids were produced. The F1 seedlings did not show chlorosis at low temperature. When red Raphanus sativus varieties were used as male parent, the leaf petiole and leaf vein of F1 plants were purple, and when white Raphanus sativus varieties were used as male parent, the leaf petiole and leaf vein of F1 plants were not purple. All the F1 plants had white flowers and normal honey glands. Male gametes of the F1 were highly sterile and female gametes of the F1 were partly fertile. Cytological studies indicated that chromosome number of the F1 was 2n = 19 as expected, the mean chromosome pairing pattern was 15.53 I + 1.34 II + 0.25 III + 0.01 IV. Most chromosomes exsistet as univalents, but there also exsisted some bivalents, trivalents and even tetravalents, suggesting that chromosome set A was partly homologous with chromosome set R.

Modulation of cell proliferation by heterotrimeric G protein in Arabidopsis

The alpha subunit of a prototypical heterotrimeric GTP-binding protein (G protein), which is encoded by a single gene (GPA1) in Arabidopsis, is a modulator of plant cell proliferation. gpa1 null mutants have reduced cell division in aerial tissues throughout development. Inducible overexpression of GPA1 in Arabidopsis confers inducible ectopic cell division. GPA1 overexpression in synchronized BY-2 cells causes premature advance of the nuclear cycle and the premature appearance of a division wall. Results from loss of function and ectopic expression and activation of GPA1 indicate that this subunit is a positive modulator of cell division in plants.

[A study of the magnification of mandible pantomography image]

OBJECTIVE

To study the degree of magnification of mandible pantomography image.

METHODS

The pantomography of 50 mandible specimens marked with lead pellets were taken by TROPHY XL-90C. The distances between each markers on film and in specimen were measured.

RESULTS

The mean magnification(MM) of mandible pantomography image with TROPHY XL-90C was 1.22. MM of horizontal axle was 1.14. MM of vertical axle was 1.29. MM of horizontal axle was greatest (1.24) in the body of mandible,and lest (1.08) in genion. MM of vertical axle is similar among each regions. MM of vertical axle was greater than that of horizontal axle in all regions.

CONCLUSION

The MM parameters of mandible pantomography image were useful to estimate the size of mandible lesions and provided a basis for dental implant more exactly.