Quantifying the natural growth rate of hepatocellular carcinoma:A real-world retrospective study in southwestern China

BACKGROUND In recent years,approximately half of the newly diagnosed cases and mortalities attributed to hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)have been reported in China.Despite the high incidence of HCC,there remains a paucity of data regarding the natural growth pattern and the determination of optimal surveillance intervals specific to the Chinese population.AIM To quantify the natural tumor growth pattern of HCC in regional China.METHODS A retrospective analysis was performed on patients from a single institution in Southwest China who had undergone two or more serial dynamic computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging scans between 2014 and 2020,without having received any anti-cancer therapy.Tumor growth was assessed using tumor volume doubling time(TVDT)and tumor growth rate(TGR),with volumes measured manually by experienced radiologists.Simple univariate linear regression and descriptive analysis were applied to explore associations between growth rates and clinical factors.RESULTS This study identifies the median TVDT for HCC as 163.4 d,interquartile range(IQR)72.1 to 302.3 d,with a daily TGR of 0.42%(IQR 0.206%-0.97%).HCC growth patterns reveal that about one-third of tumors grow indolently with TVDT exceeding 270 d,another one-third of tumors exhibit rapid growth with TVDT under 90 d,and the remaining tumors show intermediate growth rates,with TVDT ranging between 3 to 9 months.CONCLUSION The identified TGRs support biannual surveillance and follow-up for HCC patients in certain regions of China.Given the observed heterogeneity in HCC growth,further investigation is warranted.

Black or Green?Economic Growth Patterns in China under Low Carbon Economy Targets

Achieving dual goals of economic growth and carbon emission reduction is a major issue in China. In this paper we deifne three economic growth patterns （green growth, brown growth and black growth） according to the relationship between economic scale and carbon emissions, and then trace the historical trajectory of economic growth over the last 40 years. Granger causality is used to test China’s economic growth and carbon emission linkage. We argue that green growth means that the rate of carbon emission reduction is faster than the increase in GDP. When carbon intensity reduction is slower than GDP growth, brown growth occurs. Black growth occurs when both carbon intensity and economic scale increase. For China, we denote the four periods of black growth （1971–1977）, brown growth （1978–2001）, black growth （2002–2004）, and brown growth （2004–2010）. Granger causality tests indicate that mutual causality between carbon emissions and economic growth exists in the short term, but not the long term. In order to achieve the goals of economic growth and carbon intensity reduction, it is necessary for China to actively participate in global carbon reduction activities, technological innovation and ecological civilization construction.

Spatial patterns of urban land use growth in Beijing

By using digitized land use maps of Beijing in 1982, 1992 and 1997 and employing GIS spatial analysis techniques, this paper conducts an empirical study on the spatial differentiation and spatial patterns of urban land use growth in Beijing in the period of 1982–1997. It is observed that urban land use growth in Beijing went beyond the control of urban planning, in terms of the extraordinary high growth rate and undesired spatial pattern. The rate of urban expansion after 1982, which was predominated by growth of industrial land, was extraordinary high compared to its historical period. While its growth centers have been actively shifting toward the northern part, rather than toward the southern and eastern parts as designated by the latest General Plan (1991–2010) of Beijing, its spatial pattern of urban land use growth in general was in distinct concentric sprawl, which seriously violated the General Plan of Beijing.

Eosinophilic solid and cystic renal cell carcinoma with aggressive behavior:Two case reports

BACKGROUND Eosinophilic solid and cystic(ESC)renal cell carcinoma(RCC),a unique and emerging subtype of RCC,has an indolent nature;in some rare instances,it may exhibit metastatic potential.Current cases are inadequate to precisely predict the clinical outcome of ESC RCC and determine treatment choices.CASE SUMMARY Herein,we report two patients with ESC RCC.Patient 1 was a young woman with classical pathological characteristics.Patient 2 was a 52-year-old man with multifocal metastases,involving the pulmonary hilar and mediastinal lymph nodes,liver,brain,mesosternum,vertebra,rib,femur,and symphysis pubis.Awareness of ESC RCC,along with its characteristic architecture and immunophenotype,would contribute to making a definitive diagnosis,even on core biopsy samples.CONCLUSION The discovery of ESC RCC molecular signatures may provide new therapeutic strategies in the future.

The generalized Chapman-Richards function and applications to tree and stand growth

The generalized Chapman-Richards model was derived from the Chapman-Richards function in which parameters h, k and m were unconstrained. Based on the structure of solutions and biological interpretations, the model could be classified into eight cases (three categories) at all and among them only 4 kinds of cases are suitable in forestry that represent four typical growth patterns of trees and stands. For each of 4 equations, the model properties and biological interpretations for parameters were discussed in detail. The generalized Chapman-Richards model was capable of describing a wide range of growth curves that was asymptotic or nonasymptotic, with or without inflection point. In order to illustrate the versatility of the model, it was fitted to a group of data sets concerning the DBH growth of cryptomeria plantations with 4 initial densities and the DBH and height growth of natural Korean pine tree. Comparing the generalized Chapman-Richards function and the Schnute model, it was found that the parameters and expressions of the two models were interchangeable in theory, and the fitting results were explicitly identical in empirical applications.

Study on Clonal Growth Pattern of Sabina vulgaris in Mu Us Sandland

The clonal growth pattern of Sabina vulgaris, a coniferous clonal plant in Mu Us sandland, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region was surveyed. The results showed that with the stolon extending, internode length and branching angle decreased, the branching intensity increased gradually within the 3 m range from the edge of the shrub to its center along the stolon. Internode length, branching intensity and branching angle were 5.9 cm, 4.4 and 55.3°in the shrub, and 1.6 cm, 13.7 and 38.3°at the edge of the shrub, respectively. The clonal architecture exhibited plasticity. The internode length, branching intensity and ramet length changed with an exponential model with extention of the stolon. The stolon of S. vulgaris was monopodial branching, and each ramet should possess more than 3 adventitious roots. Ramets could take on the phenomenon of 搒elf-thinning?with clonal growth. There was a prior grade in allocation of the nutrients gained from heterogeneous space. The clonal architecture of S. vulgaris was the 搈ixed?type.

Growth Pattern and Its Indication of Spheroidal Nano-Micro Crystal Aggregates of Pyrite in the Baiyunpu Pb-Zn Polymetallic Deposit, Central Hunan

The Baiyunpu deposit lies in the southwest plunging Dachengshan anticline in central Hunan, which is a large Pb-Zn polymetallic deposit. The orebodies were surrounded by the Qiziqiao Formation limestone in the Middle Devonian, and its geological occurrence is consistent with the wall rocks. A large number of spheroidal pyrite aggregates are found unevenly distributed in the ores. The spheroidal aggregates are made up of kernels and concentric rings. The kernels are composed of approximately epigranular pyrite nanocrystals, while the rings are composed of accumulated pyrite microcrystals growing along the radial direction. The spheroidal pyrite aggregate and its outer zones can be divided into five areas（A–E）. The results of electron probe micro analysis（EPMA） show that from the zone A1 to B, Co/Ni 〈1, the sum of Co and Ni is 0.08%–0.26%, S/Fe increases from 2.06 to 2.15. While from the zone C to E, Ni cannot be detected and S/Fe decreases from 2.22 to 2.08. Powder X-ray diffraction（XRD） analysis in the micro zone shows obvious crystalline characteristics in the aggregates. Moving from the inside outwards, the maximum diffraction peak intensity of the（111） and（220） crystal planes of pyrite increases, and the crystallinity improves. The degree of change in the（111） plane is the most prominent. Considering the theory of crystal growth along with the geologic features of the depositional environment where the spheroidal pyrite aggregates developed, we confirm that the spheroidal aggregates are the result of nano-micro crystalline gathering and growth occurring by the following sequence of processes：nano-crystalline nucleation and growth, gathering into a ball, oriented growth of microcrystals, continuous accumulation, and adjustment of grain boundaries. The formation of the spheroidal pyrite aggregates in the late Qiziqiao Formation of the Middle Devonian occurred in a neutral to weak alkaline and reductive sedimentary environment in the normal oxygen-rich shallowwater carbonate platform edge. The variations in the S/Fe ratio and crystallisation characteristics indicate that during pyrite crystal growth, the sulphur fugacity was high locally and rose constantly, the degree of supersaturation decreased locally and the growth environment was stable relatively.

Seed Germination and Seedling Growth of Idesia polycarpa

[Objective] This study was conducted to characterize the seed germination and seedling growth of Idesia polycarpa. [Method] After 3-5 h of soaking in 5% baking soda solution, the waxy outer layer of the seeds was rubbed off. Then, the seeds were mixed with fine sand and evenly sown on seedbeds. Germinated seeds were counted to calculate germination rate. Seedlings at two-or three-leef stage were transplanted, and their phenophases were observed and recorded. Height and ground diameter of the seedlings were monitored in the following three years. [Result] The seed germination rate was increased to 20% by soaking in 5% baking soda solution. The yearly seedling height growth of L polycarpa increased with the increase in seedling age. The monthly seedling height growth from August to October was much higher than in other months in the first year, and the growth in seedling height in the three months accounted for 79% of the total increase in that year. The seedling height grew rapidly from May to July in the following two years. In detail, the increase in seedling height from May to July accounted for 87.94% of the total increase in the second year, and 74.16% of the total increase in the third year. The monthly seedling height growth peaked in May in the two years. The yearly growth in ground diameter of I. polycarpa seedlings also increased with the increase in seedling age. The monthly growth in ground diameter from July to September was much higher than in other months in the first year, and the increase in ground diameter in the three months accounted for 80% of the total increase in that year. In the second and third years, the monthly growth in ground diameter from July to October was much higher than in other months. The increase in ground diameter in the two months accounted for 76.89% of the total increase in the second year, and 61.23% of the total increase in the third year. The monthly growth in ground diameter peaked in August in the two years. [Conclusion] The results will provide a theoretical basis for the development and popularization of L polycarpa in Chongqing and surrounding provinces and cities.

Clinical implications and mechanism of histopathological growth pattern in colorectal cancer liver metastases

Liver is the most common site of metastases of colorectal cancer,and liver metastases present with distinct histopathological growth patterns(HGPs),including desmoplastic,pushing and replacement HGPs and two rare HGPs.HGP is a miniature of tumor-host reaction and reflects tumor biology and pathological features as well as host immune dynamics.Many studies have revealed the association of HGPs with carcinogenesis,angiogenesis,and clinical outcomes and indicates HGP functions as bond between microscopic characteristics and clinical implications.These findings make HGP a candidate marker in risk stratification and guiding treatment decision-making,and a target of imaging observation for patient screening.Of note,it is crucial to determine the underlying mechanism shaping HGP,for instance,immune infiltration and extracellular matrix remodeling in desmoplastic HGP,and aggressive characteristics and special vascularization in replacement HGP(rHGP).We highlight the importance of aggressive features,vascularization,host immune and organ structure in formation of HGP,hence propose a novel"advance under camouflage"hypothesis to explain the formation of rHGP.

Effects of rainfall patterns on annual plants in Horqin Sandy Land, Inner Mongolia of China

Growth of annual plants in arid environments depends largely on rainfall pulses. An increased understanding of the effects of different rainfall patterns on plant growth is critical to predicting the potential responses of plants to the changes in rainfall regimes, such as rainfall intensity and duration, and length of dry intervals. In this study, we investigated the effects of different rainfall patterns（e.g. small rainfall event with high frequency and large rainfall event with low frequency） on biomass, growth characteristics and vertical distribution of root biomass of annual plants in Horqin Sandy Land, Inner Mongolia of China during the growing season（from May to August） of 2014. Our results showed that the rainfall patterns, independent of total rainfall amount, exerted strong effects on biomass, characteristics of plant growth and vertical distribution of root biomass. Under a constant amount of total rainfall, the aboveground biomass（AGB）, belowground biomass（BGB）, plant cover, plant height, and plant individual and species number increased with an increase in rainfall intensity. Changes in rainfall patterns also altered the percentage contribution of species biomass to the total AGB, and the percentage of BGB at different soil layers to the total BGB. Consequently, our results indicated that increased rainfall intensity in future may increase biomass significantly, and also affect the growth characteristics of annual plants.

Can Emerging Economies Catch-up Sustainably？-An Analysis of BRICS＇ Economic Growth Pattern

The BRICS （Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa） and other emerging economies have become a driving global force for the past twenty years. However, their growth patterns are obsolete, impeding the quality and competitiveness of their economic growth, while simultaneously threatening the sustainability of their economic convergence with developed nations. Transforming the domestic growth pattern-the solution to the middle-income trap-has therefore become a key priority for each of these economies. This paper presents a comparative analysis of how to transform the pattern of economic growth in BRICS and achieve sustainable economic convergence with a comparative analysis of the pattern of economic growth and problems among BRICS countries.

On the agricultural growth and structural changes in Suzhou Wuxi Changzhou region

s—Suzhou Wuxi Changzhou Region (Su Xi Chang) is a famous prosperous agricultural region in China. Since the early 1980s agriculture in Su Xi Chang has got constant developed, but its growth rate is lower than the provincial average level of Jiangsu, and its structure has not changed much. Therefore it lost many in the position of agricultural areal division of labour within Jiangsu Province. The authors of this paper suggest that Su Xi Chang agriculture should perform multiple social, economic and ecological functions with the suburban and export oriented farming as the main development direction. It is also necessary to improve management and organization structure for enhancing Su Xi Chang agricultural vitality.

Leaf Growth of Different Populations of Vetiveria zizanioides

Large sample sampling was adopted in this paper for the statistical analysis of leaves of four populations of Vetiveria zizanioides （ introduced, local wild, domesticated wild populations of different years）. The results showed that four populations varied in different degrees in terms of tiller height, leaf biomass, and leaf biomass ratio. Leaf length, leaf width, and ratio of leaf width to length of different populations also varied, but had similar power-function change regularity, and showed converging leaf biomass growth pattern and leaf growth process.

The Growth Pattern of <i>Chamaecyparis obtuse</i>Stand along Longevity in Gyeongnam Province, South Korea

Tree growth is affected by environmental factors, climate condition and tree age. The objective of this study was to evaluate the growth patterns of Chamaecyparis obtusa (C. obtusa) stand in the Gyeongnam province. Data was collected from two cities and one county by using sample quadrats of 20 * 20 m. A total of 11 quadrats were used to collect tree height, diameter at the breast height (DBH), annual growth rings and soil data. The data analysis of soil moisture content, pH, organic matter (%), EC (cmol + /kg of soil), and available phosphorous was conducted. Growth ring was analyzed by using computer based software and the ages of the trees were identified. Average growth of height and DBH was computed from the surveyed data and annual growth of each tree was assessed by computer based reading of annual growth rings. The results of the study revealed that tree growth showed a reducing trend along the longevity. It was identified that soil pH, age, variation in annual average temperature, and altitude were the main factors related with growth of C. obtusa trees along the life of the stand.

The evaluation of the growth pattern of coal-production in Jiangsu Province and suggestions for its sound development

Using Cobb-Douglas production function and Solow Residual, this study establishes a discriminant index to measure the intensive index of coal-production at the section-level, so as to analyze the transfer trend of the growth pattern of Jiangsu＇s coal-production since 1990s. The research shows that the transition of coal production in Jiangsu Province has mainly experienced three phases, which are the quick transition phase from extensive growth to intensive growth （from 1990 to 1994）, the fluctuation phase （from 1995 to 1999）, and the transition back phase from intensive growth to extensive growth （from 2000 to 2003）. On the whole, the coal production in Jiangsu Province nowadays is still featured by extensive growth pattern and largely dependent upon capital inputs. Finally, from the aspect of the technology progress, improving the qualities of labor, changing product structures and improving enterprise management, this study puts forward suggestions on how to transfer the growth pattern of Jiangsu＇s coal-production into intensive type.

The Real Source of China's Economic Growth

In this paper,the authors have made the following findings after the fitting of China's economic growth rate series using an improved STR model:since 1949,great changes have taken place in China's economic growth pattern but factor input remains to be the major source of China's economic growth,as reflected by the extensive pattern of economic growth;with the exception of capital,the marginal output of all other production factors has been on the increase,which suggests that the efficiency of China's factor allocation has been continuously improved;the marginal output of capital has been on the decline,which explains that the dependency on investment for economic growth has led to excessive investment;reform and opening up and reform of marketization have substantially increased the sustainability of China's economic growth.In addition,the authors have investigated the internal momentum of China's growth transformation and developed relevant policy recommendations.

Experimental Analysis on Allometric Growth in Spualiobarbus curriculus Larvae and Juveniles in Zhaoqing Reach of the Pearl River

Ecological experiment was conducted in this paper to study the allometric growth in Squaliobarbus curriculus larvae and juveniles from Zhaoqing Reach of the Pearl River. The results showed that after first feeding, the organs associated to swimming, feeling and feeding of larvae differentiated rapidly, and exhibited allometric growth. The head length, tail length and head height exhibited positive allometric growth, while trunk length exhibited negative allometric growth before reaching the growth inflexion point 20 d after first feeding, and positive allometric growth after the inflection point. Body height exhibited positive allometric growth both before and after the growth inflexion point at 18 d after first feeding. The inflexion points of snout length, eye diameter and post-eye head length occurred 23, 19 and 16 d after first feeding. For swimming organs, the dorsal fin, pelvic fins and anal fin exhibited positive allometric growth both before and after the inflexion point at 18, 19 and 17 d after first feeding; but the tail fin exhibited positive allometric growth before the inflexion point at 14 d after first feeding, and negative allometric growth after the inflexion point. S. curriculus larvae can possess various abilities soon after first feeding to survive at early stage due to the rapid development of swimming, feeling, feeding and other organs, which has important ecological significance to adapt to the complex external environment.

Abundance and Distribution,Growth Pattern,Sex Ratio and Gonadosomatic Index(GSI)of Liza falcipinnis(Valenciennes,1836)from Ojo Axis of Badagry Creeks,Lagos,Nigeria

A study on seasonal abundance,morphometric and meristic data,growth pattern,condition fector,sex ratio and gonadosomatic index of Liza falcip-innis(Wlenciennes,1836)from the Ojo axis of Badagry creek,Nigeria was conducted from May 2019 to March 2020.A total of 1012 species were randomly selected,having 499 females and 513 males.The length frequency analysis and length-weight relationships(LWR)were determined.Sex ratio was determined by Chi-square analysis.The results showed that morphometric data are:0.5-2.5 mm for ED,2.1-12 mm for HL,1.7-8.1 mm for HD,2.5-11.7 for BD,2.6-233.3 mm for TL and 9.23-1006 g for BW for the combined sexes.The slope(b)shows an allometric growth pattern.The intercept'a'and slope'b'of the LWR(LogW=a+bLogL)were Log W=15.39+0.34 LogL(r=0.54)for combined sexes,Log W=12.49+0.02 log L(r=0.38)for males and Log W=18.23+0.01 log L(r=0.16)for females.The length frequency distribution indicated that species were dominated by two year classes(Ages 1 and 2).Condition factors were generally low.The values ranged between 0.68-0.85 for combined sexes.The gonadosomatic index for female was highest in August,2019(17.77%)with Mean±SD of 2.88±0.75;which indicated the peak of spawning period in the study area.Sex ratio difference was significant(P<0.05).Sexual differences were significant;the females are phenotypically larger than the male.

Resource constraint,sustainable economic growth pattern and transformation of economic system in China

Over the past 20 years, China has made spectacular achievements in economic growth as well as in thetransformation of economic growth pattern. Industrial structure is being updated, and technology is playing a more andmore important role in economic development. The energy and resource consumption in many industries and enterprisesare reducing. However, we should realize that there are still many problems in changing the economic growth pattern,such as high input, high consumption, high discharge, inharmony, recycling difficulty, and low efficiency, which havegreatly impaired and restrict Chinese economic development. Therefore, the fundamental change of the economic growthpattern is inevitable. Based on the analysis on the status quo and the exploit of resources, this paper suggests that thetransformation from unsustainable to sustainable growth is the only choice in changing the economic growth pattern. Inaddition, the transformation should not completely rely on the fundamental effects of market mechanism. We should makefull use of the power of governments to speed up the transformation of economic system.

Pindel-TD:A Tandem Duplication Detector Based on A Pattern Growth Approach

Tandem duplication(TD)is a major type of structural variations(SVs)that plays an important role in novel gene formation and human diseases.However,TDs are often missed or incorrectly classified as insertions by most modern SV detection methods due to the lack of specialized operation on TD-related mutational signals.Herein,we developed a TD detection module for the Pindel tool,referred to as Pindel-TD,based on a TD-specific pattern growth approach.Pindel-TD is capable of detecting TDs with a wide size range at single nucleotide resolution.Using simulated and real read data from HG002,we demonstrated that Pindel-TD outperforms other leading methods in terms of precision,recall,F1-score,and robustness.Furthermore,by applying Pindel-TD to data generated from the K562 cancer cell line,we identified a TD located at the seventh exon of SAGE1,providing an explanation for its high expression.Pindel-TD is available for non-commercial use at https://github.com/xjtu-omics/pindel.