Factors affecting the first-born child's attitude toward the second child in Shanghai.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate factors associated with the attitude of the first-born child (FBC) towards the birth of the second child in China, in order to provide guidance for the preparation of a multi-child family. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A questionnaire, including requesting information for gender, age, health, parents' education and household income, was randomly distributed participating FBCs. The anxiety level, psychological, emotional and behavioral manifestations of the FBCs were evaluated. F-test and t-test were performed to identify significant factors associated with the FBC's attitude towards the second child. Out of the 65 surveys distributed, 61 were recovered and analyzed. RESULTS: Our analysis indicated that female FBCs (total score vs. male, 45.38±4.02 vs. 42.95±4.29, p=0.031) with parents of higher education (p=0.020 in psychological and p=0.025 in behavioral manifestations) were in general more receptive to the second child. The FBC's health, school years and household income were not significant factors associated with their attitude towards the second child (p>0.05). Our analysis also found that the FBC's attitude towards the arrival of the second child was largely positive, and older children with parents of higher education were more likely to be receptive to the second child. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study could provide guidance for parents to better prepare the psychological, emotional and behavioral states of the FBCs and family, enabling the FBCs with a positive attitude towards the second child. This finding is instrumental to promote a harmonious family atmosphere and growth environment for both the first- and second-born children.

[Sleep quality and sleep disturbances in Chinese pregnant women: a multicenter cross-sectional study].

Objective: This study aims to investigate the sleep quality of pregnant women in Xuhui District, Shanghai, and the related factors of sleep disturbances during pregnancy. Methods: From February 2019 to February 2021, we used online integrated sleep questionnaire (including PSQI, BQ, ESS, AIS) in Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, The International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospitals of China Welfare Institution, and Shanghai Eighth People's Hospital, to investigate the sleep quality across pregnancy. We also collected maternal physical examination results, childbearing history, sociodemographic, and other clinical data. The prevalences and related factors of various sleep disturbances in pregnant women were analyzed, including insufficient/excessive nighttime sleep, low sleep efficiency, difficulty falling asleep, poor sleep quality, insomnia, daytime sleepiness, and high risk of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB). Results: This study includes 1 898 cases in the first trimester (T1), 3 099 cases in the second trimester (T2), and 1 539 cases in the third trimester (T3). Poor sleep quality (38.6%), daytime sleepiness (mild 41.9%, moderate 17.7%, severe 2.1%), and suspicious insomnia (32.3%) are most prevalent among women in T1 (P<0.01). In comparison, short sleep time (2.7%), long sleep time (8.6%), difficulty falling asleep (12.2%), poor sleep efficiency (35.4%), very poor sleep quality (6.7%), clinical insomnia (21.8%), and high-risk SDB (6.4%) are most prevalent among women in T3 (P<0.05). During pregnancy, late gestation (OR=1.016, 95%CI: 1.006-1.025) and multiple induced/drug abortions (OR=1.329, 95%CI: 1.043-1.692) are risk factors for poor sleep quality (PSQI>5), while multiple full-term deliveries (OR=0.800, 95%CI: 0.675-0.949) is its protective factor. Advanced maternal age (OR=0.976, 95%CI: 0.956-0.997), multiple full-term deliveries (OR=0.808, 95%CI: 0.680-0.959), late gestation (OR=0.983, 95%CI: 0.974-0.992) and hypertension (OR=0.572, 95%CI: 0.401-0.814) are protective factors for daytime sleepiness (ESS>6). The high-risk pregnancy category (OR=9.312, 95%CI: 1.156-74.978) is a risk factor for insomnia (AIS≥4), while multiple full-term deliveries (OR=0.815, 95%CI: 0.691-0.961) is its protective factor. High BMI (OR=1.334, 95%CI: 1.270-1.402) and hypertension (OR=4.427, 95%CI: 2.539-7.719) are risk factors for high-risk SDB in pregnant women. Conclusions: The prevalences of various sleep disturbances are high throughout pregnancy. Noticeably, symptoms of maternal SDB develop along with pregnancy. Different types of sleep disturbances are associated with different factors. Women of high-risk pregnancy category, in late gestation, with high BMI, hypertension, a history of induced/drug abortion, or without a history of full-term delivery can be at high risk of sleep disturbances during pregnancy.

MicroRNA-124 inhibits proliferation and metastasis of esophageal cancer via negatively regulating NRP1.

This paper presents several inaccuracies and mistakes. Therefore, the article "MicroRNA-124 inhibits proliferation and metastasis of esophageal cancer via negatively regulating NRP1, by R.-K. Zang, J.-B. Ma, Y.-C. Liang, Y. Wang, S.-L. Hu, Y. Zhang, W. Dong, W. Zhang, L.-K. Hu, published in Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2018; 22 (14): 4532-4541-DOI: 10.26355/eurrev_201807_15508-PMID: 30058693" has been withdrawn. The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. https://www.europeanreview.org/article/15508.

MicroRNA-487a promotes proliferation of esophageal cancer cells by inhibiting p62 expression.

OBJECTIVE: MicroRNAs are endogenous, non-coding, small RNAs that can regulate biological processes. Previous studies have found that microRNA-487a serves as an oncogene. However, the role of microRNA-487a in esophageal cancer (EC) has not been reported. The aim of this investigation was to investigate the biological role of microRNA-487a in EC and its underlying mechanism. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The expression of microRNA-487a in 65 pairs of EC tissues and para-cancerous tissues was detected by quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR). Chi-square test was used to analyze the relationship between microRNA-487a expression with age, sex, clinical stage and distant metastasis of OS patients. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was conducted to evaluate the correlation between microRNA-487a expression and prognosis of EC patients. Subsequently, microRNA-487a expression in EC cell lines was detected as well. After microRNA-487a knockdown, cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), EdU and transwell assay were conducted to evaluate the role of microRNA-487a in the biological performances of EC cells, respectively. Meanwhile, the apoptosis of EC cells was determined using flow cytometry. Finally, the interaction between microRNA-487a and p62 was explored by Western blot. Transwell assay was carried out in EC cells co-transfected with p62 overexpression plasmid and si-microRNA-487a. RESULTS: Compared with para-cancerous tissues, microRNA-487a expression was significantly higher in EC tissues, and the difference was statistically significant. MicroRNA-487a was highly expressed in EC cells as well. Low expression of microRNA-487a was positively correlated with clinical stage, whereas was not correlated with age, sex, lymph node metastasis and distant metastasis of EC patients. Kaplan-Meier survival curves showed that high expression of microRNA-487a was markedly associated with poor prognosis of EC. The knockdown of microRNA-487a significantly inhibited proliferative, migratory and invasive abilities of EC cells but induced cell apoptosis. Western blot results showed that the protein expression of p62 was remarkably upregulated after microRNA-478a knockdown in EC cells. Transwell assay demonstrated that co-transfection with overexpression plasmid of p62 and si-microRNA-487a in EC cells markedly decreased invasive and migratory abilities. CONCLUSIONS: MicroRNA-487a is highly expressed in EC and is closely correlated with clinical stage and poor prognosis of EC. Our findings confirm that microRNA-487a promotes malignant progression of EC by regulating p62 expression.

Application of Quantitative Analysis of Diatoms in Lung Tissue for the Diagnosis of Drowning of Experimental Animals.

ABSTRACT: Objective To discuss the application value of diatom examination in lung tissue for the forensic diagnosis of drowning. Methods The experimental animals were divided randomly into drowning, postmortem submergence and dying on land group. Diatoms in lung tissue and drowning fluid were analyzed quantitatively by microwave digestion-vacuum filtration-automated scanning electron microscopy diatom examination method. The ratios of content of diatoms in lung tissue and drowning fluid （CL/CD ratio） were recorded. Results The CL/CD ratios of experimental rabbits in the drowning group （5.82±3.50） were much higher than that of postmortem submergence group （0.47±0.35）; the CL/CD ratios of different parts of the lung lobes of experimental pigs in the drowning group were higher than that of postmortem submergence group （P<0.05）; in seawater, brackish water, river fresh water and lake fresh water, the CL/CD ratios of experimental pigs in the drowning group were higher than that of postmortem submergence group （P<0.05）. In animal experiments, all the cases with CL/CD ratio >1.6 were from drowning group. Conclusion CL/CD ratio is an indicator with good application prospects in the diagnosis of drowning.

LncRNA-NEF inhibits proliferation, migration and invasion of esophageal squamous-cell carcinoma cells by inactivating wnt/ß-catenin pathway.

OBJECTIVE: Our study aimed to investigate the role of lncRNA-Neighboring Enhancer of FOXA2 (NEF) in esophageal squamous-cell carcinoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Tumor tissues and adjacent tissues were obtained from esophageal squamous-cell carcinoma patients, and blood samples were extracted from both patients with esophageal squamous-cell carcinoma and healthy volunteers. The expression of NEF was detected by quantitative Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR). All patients were followed-up for 5 years and ROC curve analysis and survival analysis were performed to evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic values of serum NEF for esophageal squamous-cell carcinoma. NEF expression vector was transfected into cells of esophageal squamous-cell carcinoma cell lines. Cell proliferation, migration and invasion were detected by CCK-8 assay, transwell migration assay, and transwell invasion assay, respectively. The interaction between NEF and wnt/ß-catenin pathway were explored by Western blot and qRT-PCR. RESULTS: Expression of NEF was significantly downregulated in tumor tissues than in adjacent tissues in most patients. Serum level of NEF was higher in esophageal squamous-cell carcinoma patients than in healthy controls, and was significantly correlated with tumor size and tumor distant tumor metastasis. Serum NEF is a promising diagnostic and prognostic marker for esophageal squamous-cell carcinoma. NEF overexpression inhibited cancer cell proliferation, migration and invasion. NEF overexpression decreased the expression levels of wnt/ß-catenin pathway-related proteins, while Wnt activator showed no significant effects on NEF. However, Wnt inhibitor reduced the effects of NEF overexpression on cell proliferation, migration and invasion. CONCLUSIONS: LncRNA NEF may inhibit the proliferation, migration and invasion of esophageal squamous-cell carcinoma cells by inactivating with wnt/ß-catenin pathway.

MicroRNA-124 inhibits proliferation and metastasis of esophageal cancer via negatively regulating NRP1.

OBJECTIVE: MicroRNAs are a kind of endogenous, non-coding RNAs, which exert a significant role in pathological processes. Previous studies have reported that microRNA-124 is a tumor suppressor. The specific effect of microRNA-124 on esophageal cancer, however, has not been fully elucidated. This study aims to explore the role of microRNA-124 in esophageal cancer and its underlying mechanism. PATIENTS AND METHODS: MicroRNA-124 expressions in 75 esophageal cancer tissues, paracancerous tissues, and esophageal cancer cell lines were detected by qRT-PCR (quantitative Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction). The relationship between microRNA-124 expression, clinical progression, pathological indicators, and prognosis of patients with esophageal cancer was analyzed. For in vitro experiments, we performed CCK-8 (cell counting kit-8), colony formation and transwell assay to detect cell proliferation, migration, and invasion abilities after microRNA-124 overexpression in TE-1 and EC-109 cells, respectively. Western blot was utilized to explore the regulatory role of microRNA-124 in esophageal cancer cells. RESULTS: MicroRNA-124 was downregulated in esophageal cancer tissues than that of paracancerous tissues. Patients with esophageal cancer who had lower expression level of microRNA-124 presented higher tumor stage and metastasis incidence, as well as lower survival rate. In vitro studies demonstrated a decreased cell proliferation and migration abilities after microRNA-124 overexpression. Western blot results showed upregulated PI3K and AKT, and downregulated PTEN in esophageal cancer cells after overexpression of microRNA-124. Furthermore, microRNA-124 was confirmed to negatively regulate NRP1, so as to participate in the development of esophageal cancer. CONCLUSIONS: MicroRNA-124 is downregulated in esophageal cancer tissues, which is remarkably correlated to the development, pathological grade, and poor prognosis of esophageal cancer. Overexpressed microRNA-124 is capable of inhibiting the malignant progression of esophageal cancer via negatively regulating NRP1.

Preliminary study of Bim on the early diagnosis and prognosis of the elderly uremia with gastrointestinal nutrition combined with dialysis.

OBJECTIVE: Elderly uremia frequently refers to the end stage of various chronic kidney diseases that threats the patients' health seriously. Enteral nutrition can reduce complications, while the molecular mechanism is still unclear. Mitochondrial protein Bim plays an essential role in regulating inflammation, restraining oxidative stress, and maintaining the balance of the mitochondrial membrane potential and energy production. This study aims to investigate the effect of Bim on the early diagnosis and prognosis of the elderly uremia with gastrointestinal nutrition combined with dialysis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Elderly patients with uremia in our hospital were selected and divided into parenteral nutrition group, enteral nutrition group, and regular treatment group. Healthy volunteers were chosen as the control group. Blood oxygen free radicals were tested by flow cytometry. Blood immune function parameter C-reactive protein and IL-6 levels were determined by Western blot. Bim expression in blood was evaluated by RT-PCR and Western blot. Correlation analysis was performed between Bim level and the prognosis of elderly patients with uremia who received gastrointestinal nutrition therapy. RESULTS: Blood oxygen free radical level was significantly higher in parenteral nutrition group and regular treatment group compared with enteral nutrition group (p< 0.05). C-reactive protein and IL-6 contents were significantly reduced in parenteral nutrition group and regular treatment group compared to those in enteral nutrition group (p< 0.05). The expression of Bim at both mRNA and protein levels was declined in elderly patients with uremia after enteral nutrition combined with dialysis therapy to the normal level. The level of Bim was positively correlated with the severity of elderly uremia. CONCLUSIONS: Bim is positively correlated with the severity of elderly uremia, which can be set as a potential specific biomarker, along with reactive oxygen radicals, CRP, IL-6, for the prognosis of elderly uremia.

[Establishment of the culture system of γδ T cells in vitro and the anti-tumor effect].

Objective: To establish the culture technique for culturing γδ T cells in vitro and evaluate the basic characteristics, security and anti-tumor effect of the cultured γδ T cells. Methods: Phytohemagglutinin, zoledronic acid, interleukin-2 and interleukin -7 were used to induce the abundant expansion of peripheral blood mononuclear cells in vitro. Flow cytometry assay, in vitro killing assay and mouse model of human lung cancer were also adopted to assess the characteristics and the anti-tumor effect of cultured γδ T cells. Additionally, the contamination of exogenous agents and the acute toxicity of γδ T cells were determined. Results: After culturing 14-16 days in vitro, the total number of γδ T cells was more than 1.0×10(10). Among these γδ T cells, CD3(+) γδ TCR(+) cells accounted for more than 90%. None of contaminations of bacteria, fungi, mycoplasma and virus were observed. At effect target ratio (E/T ratio) of 50/1, killing efficiency of γδ T cells cultured in vitro to SK-MES-1, Ho8910, A549 and K562 reached more than 65%. In vivo experiments showed that the tumor volume of γδ T-treated mice was (828.99±61.05) mm(3,) significantly lower than (1 723.51±84.30) mm(3) of the control mice (P<0.05). Meanwhile, no acute toxicity effect was observed in γδ T cells treated mice. Conclusion: The number, purity and activity of γδT cells cultured in our institute can reach the requirement of clinical application, and the γδT cells also display strong cytotoxic activity against tumor cells such as lung cancer, ovarian cancer and leukemia.

[Research Progress on Determination of Drowning Site].

The bodies found in water are one of the most common types in forensic practice. The discovery site of the body is often not the drowning site. However, the determination of drowning site is vital for the identification of victim. Inorganic particles and planktons, such as granular impurities, diatoms and bacteria, are valuable markers for the diagnosis of drowning. By comparing the granular impurities and planktons in tissues and suspicious drowning mediums, the drowning site can be concluded based on their similarity of types and distribution, which has practical applied value. In this paper, the research progress on determination of drowning site is summarized to provide reference for the peers.

[Ultrastructural alteration of extraocular muscle proprioceptor in congenital idiopathic nystagmus].

Objective: To explore the ultrastructural alteration of extraocular muscle proprioceptor in congenital idiopathic nystagmus (CIN). Methods: Case-control study. Ten extraocular muscle samples were collected from five CIN children who underwent nystagmus surgeries in Beijing Children's Hospital from March 2015 to March 2016. Another ten extraocular muscle specimens were collected from five strabismus children in surgery at the same period as normal contrast. There were 3 male patients and 2 female patients of CIN with age of 61-147 months (median age: 91 months). The ultrastructure of extraocular muscle proprioceptors was compared between these two groups by transmission electron microscope. Results: Twenty-three proprioceptors were found in extraocular muscle specimens of CIN children, whereas thirty-three proprioceptors were detected in strabismus children. The ultrastructure of extraocular muscle proprioceptor of CIN altered greatly comparing with that of the control. Fourteen extraocular muscle proprioceptors of CIN were discovered much smaller and vacuolated not only at inner capsules but also at the space between inner and outer capsules with lipofuscins and myeloid bodies in the intrafusal muscle fibers. Sensory nerve fibers degenerated greatly with a lot of lipofuscins and myeloid bodies in these sensory nerve fibers. Demyelination also appeared in some severe cases. Nine extraocular muscle proprioceptors of CIN showed significant dissolving degeneration of myofibrils and proliferation of collagen fibrils. The normal structures could not be distinguished in these proprioceptors. And these structural disorders also appeared in extrafusal muscle fibers and nerve endings. Conclusion: The ultrastructure of extraocular muscle proprioceptor in CIN turned much smaller and had significantly structural disorder.(Chin J Ophthalmol, 2017, 53: 136-139).

[Using the concept of universal health coverage to promote the health system reform in China].

The paper is systematically explained the definition, contents of universal health coverage (UHC). Universal health coverage calls for all people to have access to quality health services they need without facing undue financial burden. The relationship between five main attributes, i.e., quality, efficiency, equity, accountability and resilience, and their 15 action plans has been explained. The nature of UHC is belonged to the State and government. The core function is commitment with equality. The whole-of-system method is used to promoting the health system reform. In China, the universal health coverage has been reached to the preliminary achievements, which include universal coverage of social medical insurance, basic medical services, basic public health services, and the provision of essential medicines. China has completed millennium development goals (MDG) and is being stepped to the sustainable development goals (SDG).

[Effects and underlying mechanism of berberine on renal tubulointerstitial injury in diabetic rats].

Objective: To investigate the effect of Berberine on renal tubulointerstitial injury and its potential mechanism in rats with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods: Thirty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: normal control rats (NC group), diabetic rats without drug treatment (DM group), diabetic rats treated with Berberine (BBR group) for 8 weeks. At the end of the study, blood and urine samples were collected for biochemical examination, and tubulointerstitial fibrosis was quantified by Hematoxylin and Eosin (HE) and Masson staining. The expressions of E-cadherin (E-cad), α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) were detected by immunohistochemistry analysis, real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot analysis. Results: 24 h urinary microalbumin (mAlb)[(170.5±58.1) vs (253.7±53.0) mg]and urinary N-acetyl-glucosaminidase (NAG)[(33.5±7.2) vs (49.5±9.3)U/L]in diabetic rats were significantly decreased by BBR treatment(both P<0.05). The apparent renal tubulointerstitial injury was found in the DM group, which was ameliorated by BBR treatment. The expression of α-SMA, NF-κB and MCP-1 were significantly decreased, accompanied by increased expression of E-cad in BBR-treated DM rats (all P<0.05). Conclusion: BBR could ameliorate renal tubulointerstitial injury in diabetic rats, the mechanism of which may be associated with the amelioration of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) through suppressing the expression of the NF-κB and MCP-1.

Total hip replacement for developmental dysplasia of hip and postoperative nursing.

This study was designed to determine the clinical effect of total hip replacement for the treatment of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) and analyze the postoperative nursing. Sixty patients (78 hips) aged 18-75 years (average 58.6±2.31 years) who received total hip replacement for treatment of DDH at the Zhengzhou People’s Hospital, Henan, China, from April 2013 to June 2016 were selected as research subjects. Twenty-four patients were male (30 hips) and 36 were female (48 hips). Of the 60 patients, according to Crowe typing, 24 were type I (30 hips), 26 were type II (34 hips), 6 were type III (8 hips) and 4 were type IV (6 hips). According to the Harris hip score system, the score of all hips was 39.46±3.56 points average (18-56 points) before treatment and resulted as 89.60±4.25 points (79-98 points) at the last follow-up, showing a statistically significant difference (P < 0.05). Complications such as wound infection, dislocation, fracture of femoral shaft, femoral nerve and injury of sciatic nerve were not found after treatment. A total of 48 cases (58 hips) obtained excellent curative results (93.33% recovery), 8 cases (14 hips) good (92.31% recovery), and 4 cases (6 hips) medium. Total hip replacement proved to be effective in treating DDH and secondary osteoarthritis. Moreover, soft tissue release and an optimum degree recovery of anatomic form and physiological function of the diseased hip is an important basis for reconstructing the acetabulum and stabilizing acetabulum prosthesis.

[Meta-analysis of anti-GP210 antibody and anti-SP100 antibody detection for diagnosis of primary biliary cirrhosis].

OBJECTIVE: To conduct a systematic review of studies assessing the association of anti-GP210 antibody and anti-SP100 antibody with diagnosis of primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) using meta-analysis. METHODS: Five research literature databases, including the Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, VIP, CNKI and WanFang, were searched for studies of anti-GP210 antibody and anti-SP100 antibody in diagnosis of PBC. Meta-disc statistical software was used for analysis. RESULTS: The meta-analysis included a total of 25 studies on anti-GP210 antibody and 21 studies on anti-SP100 antibody. The diagnostic odds ratio, sensitivity, and specificity of anti-GP210 antibody for diagnosis of PBC were 24.854 (11.957-51.660), 0.272 (0.257-0.288), and 0.985 (0.982-0.988), respectively, and for anti-SP100 antibody they were 9.133 (4.739-17.600), 0.231 (0.213-0.249), and 0.977 (0.973-0.981), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Both anti-GP210 antibody and anti-SP100 antibody show high specificity but low sensitivity in diagnosis of PBC.

Combinatorial hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and vaccination reduces viral pathogenesis following SHIV89.6P-challenge.

Development of curative approaches for HIV-1 infected patients requires novel approaches aimed at eliminating viral reservoirs and replacing potential target cells with infection-resistant immune cell populations. We have previously shown that autologous transplantation of genetically modified hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) with lentiviral vectors encoding the mC46-fusion inhibitor results in a significant reduction in viral pathogenesis following challenge with the highly pathogenic dual tropic, SHIV89.6P strain. In this study, we used a combinatorial approach in which following engraftment of genetically modified HSCs, pigtailed macaques were vaccinated with a previously developed vaccinia-based vaccine expressing SIV-Gag, Pol. Using this dual therapy approach, lower viremia was detected in both the acute and chronic phase of disease with levels reaching near the lower limits of detection. In comparison with macaques receiving HSCT only, the combination approach resulted in a further log decrease in plasma viremia. Similar to our previous studies, positive selection of all CD4(+) T-cell subsets was observed; however, higher gene-modified CD4(+) T-cell levels were observed during the chronic phase when vaccination was included suggesting that combining vaccination with HSCT may lower the necessary threshold for achieving viremic control.

Value of 18F-FDG PET/CT in detecting viable tumour and predicting prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma after TACE.

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of combined PET/CT in the detection of viable tumour in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE). The correlation between 2-[(18)F]-fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose (FDG) uptake during PET and prognosis was evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-three patients with 91 HCCs who had undergone TACE with lipiodol before (18)F-FDG PET/CT were retrospectively reviewed. The pattern of lipiodol deposition in the tumour was divided into three groups: grade I, lipiodol remaining in ≥60% of the tumour; grade II, 20-60%; and grade III, ≤20%. The performance of (18)F-FDG PET/CT in evaluating the viability of HCC was assessed and compared with that of contrast-enhanced CT (CECT). The predictive value of maximal tumoural standardized uptake value (SUV) to mean liver SUV (TSUVmax/LSUVmean) ratio was tested. RESULTS: Comparing the receiver-operating characteristic area, (18)F-FDG-PET/CT was found to be superior to CECT for the detection of viable tumour in patients with HCC after TACE (p = 0.04). A high SUV ratio (TSUVmax/LSUVmean ≥1.65) correlated significantly with tumour size (p = 0.0096), the grade of lipiodol deposition (p = 0.0387) and serum α-foetoprotein (AFP) level (p = 0.0142), but did not correlate with pathological grade (p = 0.2626). The overall survival rate was significantly higher in the low SUV ratio (TSUVmax/LSUVmean<1.65) group (p = 0.024). CONCLUSION: (18)F-FDG-PET/CT is efficient in assessing the viability of HCC after TACE and is superior to CECT in grades I and II, and similar in grade III. It provides valuable information for prediction of prognosis and may aid decisions regarding treatment strategy.