Rare and lacking typical clinical symptoms of liver tumors:Four case reports

BACKGROUND Rare liver tumors(RLTs)have an extremely low likelihood of forming,and some have been recorded only in isolated cases.The lack of normal clinical symptoms in RLTs makes preoperative diagnosis extremely challenging,which results in frequent misinterpretation.The present case report helps enhance our ability to recognize and treat uncommon liver tumor disorders.CASE SUMMARY We describe four distinct examples of rare liver tumor diseases.These cases were all true cases with no conventional clinical signs or imaging findings.In all patients,hepatic occupancy was discovered on physical examination,which raised the preoperative suspicion of hepatic cancer.All tumors were surgically removed,and postoperative histology and immunohistochemistry were performed to confirm the diagnosis.The first patient had primary hepatic fibrosarcoma.The second case involved a primary hepatic neuroendocrine tumors.These two patients had malignant liver tumors,and both had extremely satisfactory surgical outcomes.The third case involved focal hepatic steatosis,and the fourth case involved a single necrotic nodule in the liver.These two patients had benign liver tumors,but they had already undergone surgery and did not require any postoperative care.CONCLUSION The number of patients with RLTs is small,and the clinical and imaging results are vague.Preoperative diagnosis is challenging,and patients are sometimes mistakenly diagnosed with liver cancer,which leads to unnecessary surgical therapy in certain individuals.

Responses of Crop Yields and Soil Fertility to Long-term Nutrient Lacking

[Objective] Long-term （over 18 years） fertilization experiments were con- ducted to study the responses of crop yields and soil fertility to long-term nutrient lacking at Zhengzhou in China. [Method] The present study consisted of five treat- ments： 1 CK （no fertilizer or manure）, （2） NP （nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer applied）, 31 NK （nitrogen and potassium fertilizer applied）, 4 PK （phosphorus and potassium fertilizer applied） and ：5 NPK （nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertil- izer applied）. [Result] Lacking of nitrogen or phosphorus led to a low yield; however, there was no significant difference in grain yields between the NP and NPK treat- ments which maintained a higher yield. Receiving no phosphorus, soil available phosphorus content declined to about 2.5 mg/kg. The concentration of soil ex- changeable potassium remained constant at a level of 60 mg/kg under the treat- ments without potassium fertilizer addition. Soil potassium spontaneous supply ca- pacity fluctuated around 100%.[Conclusion] In fluvo-aquic soil, nitrogen and phos- phorus were two key limiting factors to grain yields, biomass and yield component factors of wheat and maize, while potassium was not. However, potassium defi- ciency may occur in the future if there was still no potassium fertilizer applied.

Development of a Method to Produce Chromosome Lacking Lines (CLLs) in <i>Nicotiana tabacum</i>L. “Red Russian”

Monosomic lines of Nicotiana tabacum are helpful to confirm the location of genes on specific chromosomes. In the cross N. nudicaulis and N. tabacum, hybrid seedlings express lethal symptoms, which are controlled by the S subgenome of N. tabacum. To identify the responsible chromosome, we needed to produce chromosome lacking lines (CLLs) of N. tabacum L. “Red Russian” and use them to cross with N. nudicaulis. From a cross of (N. tabacum × N. tomentosiformis) × N. tabacum, 380 BC1 individuals were obtained. Using a Haplo-Q line (a monosomic line lacking the single linkage group 11) and N. tabacum, we found that qPCR is a simple and reliable screening method for CLLs of N. tabacum. The marker PT30342 is located on linkage group 11, and the -Ct value (Ct Actin - Ct PT30342) was 2.0 for a disomic line and was 1.097 for a Haplo-Q line. By the use of flow cytometry, qPCR and chromosome counting together as a screening method, we identified 6 CLLs lacking 2 to 6 chromosomes. Compared with conventional methods, our method is a rapid technique for making and screening CLLs ofthe S or S/T subgenome of N. tabacum. Further, these CLLs will be useful to identify the location of two or more factors on chromosomes controlling a variety of genetic problems affecting breeding. Here, we only made CLLs of the S or S/T subgenome of N. tabacum. We will use the method established in this study to produce CLLs of the T subgenome of N. tabacum, and gather a full set of CLLs of N. tabacum. qPCR could also be applied to the identification of chromosome aberrations in other plants.

Analysis of T.S Eliot's The Waste Land

This essay put emphasis on the analysis T.S. Eliot's The Waste Land, pointing the masterpiece can be interpreted by three- levels, the person, the society and human race. Eliot also indicated two kinds of people, the one is just secularized, and the other one is lack of faith in The Waste Land. We can analyze the feeling of protagonist is afraid to live new life, but afraid of death, the important theme is corruption of sex.

Use of the tumor necrosis factor-blockers for Crohn's disease

The use of anti-tumor necrosis factor-α therapy for inflammatory bowel disease represents the most important advance in the care of these patients since the publication of the National Co-operative Crohn＇s disease study thirty years ago. The recommendations of numerous consensus groups worldwide are now supported by a wealth of clinical trials and several meta-analyses. In general, it is suggested that tumor necrosis factor-c~ blockers （TNFBs） are indicated （1） for persons with moderately-severe Crohn＇s disease or ulcerative colitis （UC） who have failed two or more causes of glucocorticosteroids and an acceptably long cause （8 wk to 12 wk） of an immune modulator such as azathioprine or methotrexate; （2） non-responsive perianal disease; and （3） severe UC not responding to a 3-d to 5-d course of steroids. Once TNFBs have been introduced and the patient is responsive, therapy given by the IV and SC rate must be continued. It remains open to definitive evidence if concomitant immune modulators are required with TNFB maintenance ther- apy, and when or if TNFB may be weaned and discon- tinued. The supportive evidence from a single study on the role of early versus later introduction of TNFB in the course of a patient＇s illness needs to be confirmed. The risk/benefit profile of TNFB appears to be accept- able as long as the patient is immunized and tested for tuberculosis and viral hepatitis before the initiation of TNFB, and as long as the long-term adverse effects on the development of lymphoma and other tumors do not prone to be problematic. Because the rates of ben- efits to TNFB are modest from a population perspec- tive and the cost of therapy is very high, the ultimate application of use of TNFBs will likely be established by cost/benefit studies.

Experimental study on transient behavior of semi-open two-phase thermosyphon

An experimental system was set up to measure the temperature, pressure, heat transfer rate and mass flow rate in a semi-open two-phase thermosyphon. The behaviors of a semi-open two-phase thermosyphon during startup, shutdown and lack of water were studied to get complete understanding of its thermal characteristics. The variation of wall temperature, heat-exchange condition and pressure fluctuations of semi-open two-phase thermosyphons showed that the startup of SOTPT needs about 60-70 min; the startup speed of SOTPT is determined by the startup speed of the condensation section; the average pressure in the heat pipe is equal to the environmental pressure usually; the shutdown of SOTPT needs about 30-50min; a semi-open two-phase thermosyphon has good response to lack of water accident.

Research on the lack of alloying in the galvannealed coating of automotive sheet steel

Samples of the cross section microstructures of galvannealed steel sheets that lack alloying were analyzed. X-ray diffraction （XRD） tests were carried out. The study discovers that the deficit of alloying was higher on both sides of the steel sheet when compared to the center and the thickness of the coating on the sides was also higher than the center. The results of the XRD tests demonstrate that the microstructure of the coating with a lack of alloy is mainly composed of zinc,ζ and δ. They also indicate that the lack of alloying is mainly due to a lower galvannealing temperature and thicker coating. It is shown by the optical micrographs of coating that the δ phase forms first in a discontinuous manner at the interface and then rapidly pushes towards the coating and enlarges.

Lack of association between cellular repressor of E1A-stimulated genes(GREG)polymorphisms and coronary artery disease in the Han population of North China

Objectives Phenotypic switching of smooth muscle cells(SMCs) plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerotic lesions such as coronary artery disease (CAD).Accumulating evidence demonstrates(hat a cellular repressor of E1A-stimulated genes(CREG) plays a role in the maintenance of the mature phenotype of vascular SMCs. The purpose of the present study was to assess the possible association between CREG and CAD in the Han population of North China.Methods The promoter region of CREG by direct sequencing was conducted in 48 subjects.Then SNP rs2995073 and another 4 tagSNPs(rs4657669,rs3767443, rsl6859185,rs3753921) were selected for the association study.All five selected SNPs were determined in 1161 patients with angiographically proven CAD and 960 controls with normal coronary angiograms to investigate the possible involvement of CREG in CAD.Results Genotype frequencies of the five examined polymorphisms were similarly distributed between CAD group and controls(P】0.05).Further haplotype analysis also found no significant differences in the distributions between CAD group and controls(P】0.05). Conclusions This study did not show an association between common variants of CREG and CAD in the northern Chinese Han population.

DETECTION OF HUMAN IN VIVO SOMATIC MUTATIONS WITH FLOW CYTOMETRY

In order to monitor human exposures to the environ-mental mutagens,we have been developing and puttinginto practice three methods for the detection ofsomatic mutation at human specific loci.A summaryof results on atomic bomb survivors and other exposedindividuals are as follows:

Lack of Association between Genetic Polymorphisms Affecting Autonomic Activity and Coronary Artery Spasm

Coronary artery spasm （CAS） is one of the leading pathological causes of a wide spectrum of ischemic heart diseases, ranging from variant angina pectoris to acute myocardial infarction and even sudden cardiac death[1]. Furthermore, Pierron et al. concluded that CAS of angiographically normal or sub-normal arteries is responsible for death or myocardial infarction in 11.6% of all cases. Oddly, the incidence of CAS is remarkably higher in Asians than in Caucasians[3], suggesting genetic involvement In its pathogenesis.

EFFECTS OF QUERCETIN ON MEMBRANE FLUIDITY OF INJURED VASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL CELLS WITH HYPOXIA AND THE LACK OF GLUCOSE

Objective To study the effects of different concentrations of Quercetin on nitric oxide (NO) production and membrane fluidity of the injured human umbilical vein vascular endothelial cell line(ECV 304) with hypoxia and the lack of glucose. Methods The experiments were performed in the culture of ECV 304 injured with hypoxia and the lack of glucose in vitro. The releases of intracellular lactate dehydrogenase(LDH) of ECV 304 was measured with automatic biochemistry analysis. NO level of ECV 304 was monitored with colorimetry. The membrane fluidity of ECV 304 was measured with the fluorescence polarization method. Results After ECV 304 was cultured in hypoxia and the the lack of glucose for 24 hours, the release of LDH and the membrane fluidity were increased significantly; NO level was decreased. Preincubation of ECV 304 with 20, 80,160 μ mol·L -1 of Quercetin for 24 hours reduced LDH activity, membrane fluidity and increased the level of NO in hypoxia and the lack of glucose induced ECV 304. Conclusion These results demonstrate that Quercetin can produce the protective effect on hypoxia and the lack of glucose induced injury of ECV 304 by increasing release of NO and changing membrane fluidity.

Migrant Workers' Lack of Cultural Rights and Interests and Government Safeguard Measures

This paper analyses the status quo of migrant workers' lack of cultural rights and interests as follows:the holistic cultural life of migrant workers is scant and monotonous;the cultural facilities provided by the majority of enterprises are critically short;the cultural life of migrant workers has the characteristic of closeness to some extent;the holistic cultural consuming capacity of migrant workers is very low,and they are not satisfied with their own cultural life.This paper puts forward the measures that the government should adopt to make up for the lack of migrant workers' cultural rights and interests as follows:first,it should eliminate discrimination in terms of system,and incorporate migrant workers' cultural rights and interests into the building scope of urban public culture;second,it should establish a variety of free public culture facilities,to adapt to the needs of migrant workers;third,it should formulate various kinds of laws and regulations,to effectively safeguard migrant workers' cultural rights and interests.

Lack of proper reimbursement is hampering adoption of minimally invasive gastrointestinal endoscopy in North America

Endoscopic submucosal dissection(ESD)and related procedures are minimally invasive and cost-effective alternates to surgery.However,there is no approved or listed current procedural terminology(CPT)for ESD.We aimed to review the current reimbursement process hurdles for ESD procedures in private practice model in United States.We reviewed the data of two advanced endoscopists(one in New York and other in Pennsylvania State)performing ESD in their private practice set-ups.We found the reimbursement process was complex,with number of refusals varied from 0-9 for ESD procedures.It was not paid at all in 8.3%of cases by the medical insurance.Endoscopic mucosal resection,which is considered inferior as compared to ESD,but has a listed CPT,was denied in only 0.83%cases.Our data highlights the billing hurdles by the endoscopists to adopt ESD-related procedures in private practice model.

Existence and Multiplicity of Positive Solutions for a Coupled Fourth-Order System of Kirchhoff Type

In this paper,we study a coupled fourth-order system of Kirchhoff type.Under appropriate hypotheses of V_(i)(x)for i=1,2,f and g,we obtained two main existence theorems of weak solutions for the problem by variational methods.Some recent results are extended.

Ethanolic Extract of <i>Nigella sativa</i>Seeds Lacks the Chemopreventive Efficacy in the Post Initiation Phase of DMH-Induced Colon Cancer in a Rat Model

Nigella sativa, belonging to the Ranunculacea family, is a versatile phytochemical mine bestowed with multi-dimensional medicinal effects. The current study was performed to investigate the chemopreventive efficacy, if any, of the ethanolic extract of indigenous Nigella sativa seeds (ENS) and to evaluate its potentials on tumor progression during the initiation and post initiation phases of Dimethylhydrazine-induced colon carcinogenesis in a rat model. ENS treatment during the initiation phase unveiled chemopreventive effect manifested by significant reductions in tumor incidence, multiplicity and tumor volumes. Histopathological findings and modified Duke’s classification of tumors provided evidence that ENS, administered in the initiation phase, is capable of delaying progression, restricting invasion and attenuating aggressiveness of colon tumors. These results imply that ENS may be a promising candidate in the primary prevention of colon cancer. On the contrary, we demonstrated that ENS lacked chemopreventive and tumorigenesis inhibitory effects in the post initiation phase. We speculate that the chemopreventive effect of ENS might be due to the synergistic actions of various constituents present in the extract. However, extensive studies are warranted and more efforts need to be dedicated to fractionate, analyze and to further appraise the anticancer effect of ENS before any definitive conclusions can be drawn.

Trinity of Chillingworth

Chillingworth is a complicated character in The scarlet letter. His image is a synthesis, or trinity, of the images of God, man of science and Satan, and the novel demonstrates a degradation from God to man of science and finally to a Satan of hatred. In this vicious transformation, his character as man of science plays a key role. Through the development of this character, Hawthorne expresses his criticism to those who lack necessary reverence for human heart and soul.

Michel Houellebecq： The Era of Emptiness

Michel Houellebecq is perhaps the most successful, the most famous and controversial of all current novelists writing in French. He has become a global publishing phenomenon： His books have been translated worldwide, film adaptations of his novels have been produced, and the author is the subject of a million-euro publishing deals and successive media scandals in France. The novels depict surprising forms of imaginary resources, a radiating end of the world, a post-nuclear anxiety, and depressive characters. Houellebecq shocks us leaving us in a world where the feelings of love, tenderness and goodwill have disappeared. The purpose of Houellebecq＇s novels is to alert about the real problems of the human society in the twenty-first century. Indeed, in the books we can easily recognize the essential features of contemporary society and the fact that the individual assumes a dehumanization process in which one has to cope with his solitude in a world of emptiness. This socio-cultural dimension is indeed the background of Houellebecq＇s novels, novels in which the protagonists seem to be wedged in a mechanism from which it is difficult to escape： reification and dehumanization on the one hand, ＂robotization＂ of love on the other. This article focuses on the analysis of the texts revealing the poignant characteristics of＂L＇Ere du vide＂ （＂The Era of Emptiness＂） as described by Gilles Lipovetsky： Loneliness, the lack of love and its replacement by sexual relations.

Advances in research of traditional Chinese medicine nursing techniques inpromoting lactation after childbirth

Breastfeeding is the best way to feed newborns.It plays an important role in children's physical development and mental development.The material basis for breastfeeding is sufficient milk production.Due to the special nature of childbirth,maternal physiological and psychological changes,coupled with excessive physical exertion,lack of breastfeeding experience,partial maternal postpartum lactation dysfunction,easy to produce insufficient milk secretion after production.If the maternal postpartum lactation is insufficient,it is not conducive to the growth and development of infants and young children,which is not conducive to maternal postpartum recovery and the establishment of infant immune mechanisms.Related studies have found that80%of women face different levels of breastfeeding problems after childbirth.In addition to the above,it is also related to the lack of breastfeeding confidence.Clinical practice shows that using the correct lactation method to effectively stimulate the breast,speed up blood circulation,is conducive to milk discharge,thereby reducing breast milk deposition,adjusting breast stiffness,relieving breast pain,helping to improve maternal comfort and exclusive breastfeeding rate.This article reviews the literature on post-partum promotion of lactation.