Recent Progress in Phage-Based Nanoplatforms for Tumor Therapy.

Nanodrug delivery systems have demonstrated a great potential for tumor therapy with the development of nanotechnology. Nonetheless, traditional drug delivery systems are faced with issues such as complex synthetic procedures, low reproducibility, nonspecific distribution, impenetrability of biological barrier, systemic toxicity, etc. In recent years, phage-based nanoplatforms have attracted increasing attention in tumor treatment for their regular structure, fantastic carrying property, high transduction efficiency and biosafety. Notably, therapeutic or targeting peptides can be expressed on the surface of the phages through phage display technology, enabling the phage vectors to possess multifunctions. As a result, the drug delivery efficiency on tumor will be vastly improved, thereby enhancing the therapeutic efficacy while reducing the side effects on normal tissues. Moreover, phages can overcome the hindrance of biofilm barrier to elicit antitumor effects, which exhibit great advantages compared with traditional synthetic drug delivery systems. Herein, this review not only summarizes the structure and biology of the phages, but also presents their potential as prominent nanoplatforms against tumor in different pathways to inspire the development of effective nanomedicine.

Three-dimensional instrument polarization analysis and optimization of liquid-crystal-based Stokes polarimeter.

The Stokes polarimeter based on liquid crystal variable retarders (LCVRs) is a space polarization measurement technology widely used. However, due to the tilt of the optic axis of the LCVR with the driving voltage in the direction of light propagation and the interference in LCVR, the LCVRs-based Stokes polarimeter produces a large instrument polarization, which affects the accurate polarization measurement. In this paper, we combine polarization ray tracing with multi-beam interference, and establish a general three-dimensional polarization analysis model of the LCVRs-based Stokes polarimeter. The simulation results of adjusting the LCVR voltage to reduce the instrument polarization are analyzed, and the variation of polarization measurement accuracy with the field of view before and after optimization of the LCVRs-based Stokes polarimeter is simulated and analyzed. A LCVR structure with additional films for matching the refractive index is proposed. According to the simulation results, this structure can significantly reduce the interference effects and reduce the impact of variations in liquid crystal layer thickness on the interference effects.

An Assessment of Upper Limits of Normal for ALT and the Impact on Evaluating Natural Course of Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection in Chinese Children.

BACKGROUND: The current upper limits of normal (ULN) for serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) are increasingly challenged. We aimed to re-evaluate the ULN for ALT and assess the potential impact on the classification of natural course of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in children. METHODS: Laboratory data obtained from three hospitals in China were retrospectively analysed. In total, 2054 children with chronic HBV infection and 8149 healthy children at age ≤18 years were included in the study. RESULTS: Age-specific and gender-specific ULNs for ALT, at averages of 30 U/L for boys and 24 U/L for girls, were calculated from the data of healthy children. Using the revised ULNs vs. the current ULNs (40-50 U/L), 31-60% vs. 9-17% of the 2054 HBV-infected children had an abnormal result as seen in their ALT baseline analysis, and the highest abnormality rate was seen in the infants. Data of 516 HBV-infected children were applied for the classification of clinical phase, 28.8% vs. 19.8% of the children were classified into the phases of hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg-)positive/negative hepatitis. During a median follow-up of 62 months, 39 of 153 children underwent HBeAg seroconversion, whereas 3 of them had persistently "normal" ALT, according to the current ULN. CONCLUSIONS: The revision of ULN for ALT in children substantially impacts the classification of the natural course of chronic HBV infection. Mild ALT fluctuation is common during the stage childhood, suggesting a need to rethink the current conceptions of immune tolerance and natural course of chronic HBV infection in the children.

Serum viral duplex-linear DNA proportion increases with the progression of liver disease in patients infected with HBV.

OBJECTIVE: HBV has two forms of genomic DNA, relaxed-circular DNA (rcDNA) and duplex-linear DNA (dlDNA). Compared to rcDNA, dlDNA has been demonstrated to integrate more frequently into host cellular chromosomes, which may have oncogenic consequences. However, the dlDNA proportion relative to total HBV DNA and its clinical significance in patients remain to be investigated. DESIGN: Based on the structural difference between rcDNA and dlDNA, we developed a peptide nucleic acid (PNA)-mediated quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) clamping assay to measure the proportions of dlDNA in total HBV DNA in sera obtained from patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB), liver cirrhosis (LC) or LC-developed hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The factors that influence the proportion of dlDNA were also investigated. RESULTS: The average dlDNA proportion was approximately 7% in the sera of chronic HBV-infected patients and was elevated in CHB patients with abnormal levels of alanine aminotransferase. The sera dlDNA proportions increased to approximately 14% and 20% in the patients with LC and HCC, respectively. Interferon-α treatment slightly increased the dlDNA proportion in the responders; and nucleotide analogue therapy spuriously elevated the proportion. Moreover, treatment of human hepatoma cells supporting HBV replication with inflammatory cytokines significantly altered the dlDNA proportion in vitro. CONCLUSIONS: Using a novel PNA-mediated qPCR clamping assay, we first showed that serum dlDNA proportions progressively increased during the development of HBV-related liver diseases. The dlDNA proportion can be regulated by inflammatory cytokines, suggesting an association among inflammation, increased production of HBV dlDNA and development of HCC.

Expression analysis of HSP70 in the testis of Octopus tankahkeei under thermal stress.

The gene encoding heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) was identified in Octopus tankahkeei by homologous cloning and rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE). The full-length cDNA (2471 bp) consists of a 5'-untranslated region (UTR) (89 bp), a 3'-UTR (426 bp), and an open reading frame (1956 bp) that encodes 651 amino acid residues with a predicted molecular mass of 71.8 kDa and an isoelectric point of 5.34. Based on the amino acid sequence analysis and multiple sequence alignment, this cDNA is a member of cytoplasmic hsp70 subfamily of the hsp70 family and was designated as ot-hsp70. Tissue expression analysis showed that HSP70 expression is highest in the testes when all examined organs were compared. Immunohistochemistry analysis, together with hematoxylin-eosin staining, revealed that the HSP70 protein was expressed in all spermatogenic cells, but not in fibroblasts. In addition, O. tankahkeei were heat challenged by exposure to 32 °C seawater for 2 h, then returned to 13 °C for various recovery time (0-24 h). Relative expression of ot-hsp70 mRNA in the testes was measured at different time points post-challenge by quantitative real-time PCR. A clear time-dependent mRNA expression of ot-hsp70 after thermal stress indicates that the HSP70 gene is inducible. Ultrastructural changes of the heat-stressed testis were observed by transmission electron microscopy. We suggest that HSP70 plays an important role in spermatogenesis and testis protection against thermal stress in O. tankahkeei.

Cloning, characterization and cadmium inducibility of metallothionein in the testes of the mudskipper Boleophthalmus pectinirostris.

Metallothioneins (MTs) are cysteine-rich, low molecular weight, and heavy metal-binding protein molecules. MT participates in metallic homeostasis and detoxification in living animals due to its abundant cysteine. In order to investigate the functions of MT during spermiogenesis in the mudskipper (Boleophthalmus pectinirostris), we identified the MT complete which contains: an 83bp 5' untranslated region, a 110bp 3' untranslated region, and a 183bp open reading frame. The protein alignment between MT sequences of other species shows a high similarity and a strong identity in cysteine residues vital for the metal-binding affinity of MT. The localizations of MT were mainly in the cytoplasm of germinal cells, indicating a role in spermatogenesis and testis protection. After the cadmium (Cd) exposure, the testis presents abnormal morphology and MT mRNA expression, both of which indicate a sensitive response of testis MT to Cd. Therefore, we suggest that MTs play an important role in spermatogenesis and testes protection against Cd toxicity in B. pectinirostris.

Metallothionein from Pseudosciaena crocea: expression and response to cadmium-induced injury in the testes.

Metallothioneins (MTs) are a family of stress proteins that are involved in the process of detoxification and anti-oxidation. Previous studies have focused mostly on the expression and functions of MTs in the non-reproductive tissues of aquatic vertebrates. However, there have been only a few reports regarding the functions of MTs in the reproductive tissues of such vertebrates. In order to investigate the function of MTs during spermatogenesis in Pseudosciaena crocea, reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and rapid amplification of cDNA ends were performed to obtain the P. crocea MT complete cDNA sequence from the total RNA of the testes for the first time. MT was detected in the liver, kidneys, testes, spleen, gill and muscle of P. crocea by tissue-specific expression analysis. Meanwhile, immunohistochemistry staining indicated that the MT protein was localized in germ cells, Sertoli cells and the peripheral connective tissues in P. crocea testes. Furthermore, acute toxicity tests were conducted with cadmium (Cd) to determine the 96 h-medial lethal concentration value. The toxic effects of Cd on the microstructure and ultrastructure of the testes were observed. In addition, the changes in MT mRNA expression levels in the testes after Cd exposure were measured using real-time quantitative PCR. Consequently, we suggest that MTs play an important role in spermatogenesis and testes protection against Cd toxicity in P. crocea.

[Characteristics of Cd Fluxe in Topsoil Around Typical Mining Area in Hezhou, Guangxi].

Guangxi is a typical geological high background area in southwest China, where carbonates, black rock series, basic-ultrabasic rock mass, and metal deposits (mineralized bodies) exhibit strong weathering into loam, resulting in higher cadmium (Cd) content in the soil than that in other areas of China. In order to investigate the degree of influence of mining activities on topsoil environmental quality in the area with high geological background, we chose a mining area and control area in Hezhou for this research and systematically carried out a comparative study on Cd transport routes and transport flux density in topsoil. The results showed that the average atmospheric dry and wet deposition flux densities of Cd in the soil of the mining area and control area were 1.87 g·(hm2·a)-1 and 1.52 g·(hm2·a)-1, accounting for 61.5% and 60.3% of the total input flux density, respectively. The flux density of Cd in the soil by fertilization and irrigation was lower. Surface water infiltration was the main avenue of soil Cd output in both the mining area and control area, accounting for 75.4% and 86.6% of the total output flux density, respectively. The harvest output flux density in the mining area was higher than that in the control area, and the Cd content of rice planted in the mining area was higher than the standard, whereas that of maize was safe. On the whole, the net transport flux densities of soil Cd in the mining area and control area were -3.05 g·(hm2·a)-1 and -4.05 g·(hm2·a)-1, both of which showed Cd leaching in the soil. However, the points of high atmospheric deposition flux density and exceeding Cd content in rice were mainly distributed around the mining area, which may have posed a potential threat to the health of local residents. Therefore, it is suggested to control the soil Cd pollution through monitoring and planting structure adjustment.

Case report: Successful and effective percutaneous closure of a deep femoral artery pseudoaneurysm using proglide device.

A 61-year-old man developed severe swelling in the left lower extremity after interventional embolization of liver tumor. Ultrasound examination showed a pseudoaneurysm and thrombosis in the upper thigh on the left. To recognize the causes and determine the effective therapy, lower extremity arteriography was performed. The results revealed a pseudoaneurysm arised from deep femoral artery. Considering of the size of cavity and symptoms of patient, a new method was tried instead of traditional treatment using PROGLIDE device. Postoperative angiography showed a powerful blocking effect. This case study provide us a specific treatment for pseudoaneurysm, and this method provide us a new therapeutic strategy in clinical practice.

Effect of Surface Decalcification With Hydrochloric Acid on the Determination of Estrogen Receptor, Progesterone Receptor, Ki67, and Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 Expressions in Invasive Breast Carcinoma Based on Immunohistochemistry and Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization.

BACKGROUND: Bone is the most common site of metastatic breast cancer (MBC). EDTA is often used to decalcify bony tissue samples to ensure the accurate assessment of antigenicity in MBC. It takes ~24 to 48 hours to decalcify small bone tissues such as bone marrow, which is considered unacceptable given the priority that is often placed on the rapid processing of bone marrow trephine cores. Thus, an effective decalcification method that preserves genetic material is needed. AIM: We performed immunohistochemical studies on surface decalcification (SD) in breast tumors and evaluated the effect of SD on receptor status and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). Fluorescence in situ hybridization was performed on a subset of these tumors to establish a protocol for handling bone specimens for MBC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-four cases of invasive breast tumors were studied. We compared the immunohistochemical expressions of estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), Ki67, and HER2 between control tissue (nondecalcified) and parallel tissue subjected to SD with hydrochloric acid. We also evaluated the effect of SD on the fluorescence in situ hybridization expression of HER2. RESULTS: Categorical decreases in ER and PR expression were identified in 9/31 (29.0%) cases without SD and 10/26 (38.5%) cases with SD. HER2 expression changed from equivocal to negative in 4/12 (33.4%) cases. Among the HER2-positive cases, all remained positive after SD. The most significant declines in immunoreactivity occurred with Ki67, with an average decrease from 22% to 13%. The average HER2 copy numbers were 5.37 and 4.76 in the control and SD groups, respectively, and the average HER2/CEP17 ratios were 2.35 and 2.08, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, SD is an alternative decalcification method in bony metastases to assess ER, PR, and HER2 in MBC.

[Spatial Distribution, Source Analysis, and Health Risk Assessment of Metal Elements in Karst Water in Southeastern Chongqing].

Dispersed karst water is an important water supply source, or even the only water supply source, for some districts and counties in Chongqing City. It is particularly necessary to understand the distribution characteristics of metal elements in karst water and the health risks exposed. In this study, the scattered karst water in the southeastern part of Chongqing was taken as the main research object, and the concentrations of Al, Cu, Pb, Zn, Cr, Cd, Ni, Mn, As, and Hg in 42 groups of karst spring water samples were determined. The spatial distribution of metal elements with a high detection rate was revealed using the ordinary kriging interpolation method, and the spatial distribution characteristics, sources, and health risks of metal elements were analyzed using multivariate statistical methods and health risk models. The results showed that the quality of dispersed karst water in southeastern Chongqing was generally good, and the spatial scale variability in the occurrence of metal elements in karst water was strong, especially for Ni and As. The sources of Cu, Pb, As, Zn, and Cr were mainly affected by the regional geological background; Al and Mn were mainly affected by human industrial, agricultural, and mining activities; and Ni was affected by both the natural background and human activities. The total health risk of exposure through the drinking route was higher than that of the skin infiltration route, which was the main exposure route of the human body. The total health risk of children exposed through the drinking route was higher than that of adults, and the total health risk of adults exposed through the skin infiltration route was higher than that of children. It is worth noting that Cr was the determinant of total health risk. From the perspective of drinking water safety, local residents need to pay certain attention to water quality when drinking distributed karst groundwater, in order to reduce the health risk of the population.

Melatonin alleviates cisplatin-induced mice spermatogenesis defects.

Cisplatin (CDDP) is a chemotherapeutic drug that is used to treat many different types of tumors. However, it also has significant adverse effects on male reproduction, which are partially mediated oxidative damage. Melatonin (MLT) is a promising antioxidant that can be used for reproductive protection. In this paper, we investigated the effect of CDDP on spermatogenesis, as well as MLT's potential role in reproductive protection. CDDP (5 mg/kg BW) significantly reduced male mice testosterone levels and decreased sperm vitality and progressive motility. Additionally, a lower percentage of stage VII and VIII seminiferous tubules were observed in CDDP-treated mice. MLT administration significantly alleviated CDDP-induced testicular damages, CDDP-induced lowered male fertility in vivo, and enhanced in vitro embryonic development of two cells and blastocysts. These changes may be due to CDDP-mediated spermatogenesis defects in germ cell and Leydig cell proliferation, which are reflected in abnormal PCNA, SYCP3, and CYP11A1 expression levels and can be improved by MLT. CDDP treatment significantly decreased the total antioxidant capacity (TAC), as well as SOD and GSH levels, and increased MDA levels in mice testis, leading to increased apoptosis of germ cells and increased BAX/BCL2 ratios in mice testis. MLT treatment may reduce germ cell apoptosis by reducing oxidative damage in mice testis. This study demonstrated that CDDP affects sperm fertility by altering germ cell and Leydig cell proliferation via increased oxidative damage and that MLT can attenuate these damages. Our work provides potential information for further research on the toxic effects of CDDP and the protective effects of MLT on male reproduction.

Multiple injuries after earthquakes: a retrospective analysis on 1,871 injured patients from the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake.

INTRODUCTION: Multiple injuries have been highlighted as an important clinical dimension of the injury profile following earthquakes, but studies are scarce. We investigated the pattern and combination of injuries among patients with two injuries following the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake. We also described the general injury profile, causes of injury and socio-demographic characteristics of the injured patients. METHODS: A retrospective hospital-based analysis of 1,871 earthquake injured patients, totaling 3,177 injuries, admitted between 12 and 31 May 2008 to the People's Hospital of Deyang city (PHDC). An electronic, webserver-based database with International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-10-based classification of earthquake-related injury diagnoses (IDs), anatomical sites and additional background variables of the inpatients was used. We analyzed this dataset for injury profile and number of injuries per patient. We then included all patients (856) with two injuries for more in-depth analysis. Possible spatial anatomical associations were determined a priori. Cross-tabulation and more complex frequency matrices for combination analyses were used to investigate the injury profile. RESULTS: Out of the 1,871 injured patients, 810 (43.3%) presented with a single injury. The rest had multiple injuries; 856 (45.8%) had two, 169 (9.0%) patients had three, 32 (1.7%) presented with four injuries, while only 4 (0.2%) were diagnosed with five injuries. The injury diagnoses of patients presenting with two-injuries showed important anatomical intra-site or neighboring clustering, which explained 49.1% of the combinations. For fractures, the result was even more marked as spatial clustering explained 57.9% of the association pattern. The most frequent combination of IDs was a double-fracture, affecting 20.7% of the two-injury patients (n = 177). Another 108 patients (12.6%) presented with fractures associated with crush injury and organ-soft tissue injury. Of the 3,177 injuries, 1,476 (46.5%) were fractures. Most injuries were located in the head (22.9%) and lower extremities (30.8%). CONCLUSIONS: Multiple injuries are put forward as an important component of the injury profile after this earthquake. A pattern of injury combinations and spatial aggregation of injuries was also found. Clinical diagnosis and treatment should be adapted to care of these patients. More studies are needed to generalize these findings.

Oosorption in the endoparasitoid, Pteromalus puparum.

Oosorption is the resorption of oocytes in the ovaries, and is usually induced by environmental stress. It has been demonstrated in some insect species, but overall the mechanisms of oosorption are poorly understood. In this study, the oosorption in the endoparasitic wasp, Pteromalus puparum L. (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae), was observed in response to starvation. To explore the details of oosorption in P. puparum, both levels of hemolymph vitellogenin and ovarian vitellin were determined using sandwich ELISA. The results indicated that both levels of vitellin and total protein in the ovaries were significantly decreased 48 h after eclosion in starved P. puparum, while those of vitellogenin and total protein in the hemolymph were increased. In addition, observation of the ultrastructure of mature oocytes in the ovarioles revealed changes in yolk protein content. Those protein yolk spheres and lipid yolk spheres that had accumulated in the oocytes, were transferred out of the oocytes of starved females. It was assumed that once oosorption was induced in P. puparum, vitellin in the oocytes was transported outside and released into the hemolymph. This information helps to elucidate a mechanism of oosorption in insects.

Antifeedant and insecticidal effects of mandelic acid on the brown planthopper Nilaparvata lugens Stål.

To study the effects of mandelic acid (MA) on the brown planthopper (BPH), Nilaparvata lugens, the survival rate and behaviour of BPH fed on an artificial diet with different dosages of MA was observed. The survival rate of BPH decreased with the increase of the MA concentration and feeding time. In contrast to the control, the survival rate of BPH 72 h after feeding decreased significantly. Electrical penetration graph (EPG) data indicated that MA absorbed by the rice plant from Kimura B solution significantly affected the feeding behaviour of BPH. At the concentrations of 0.1, 0.5, and 1.0 mg/ml, duration of the phloem ingestion of BPH decreased from 115.34 min (control) to 30.41, 7.63, and 0.36 min, respectively. Periods of xylem ingestion of MA-treated BPH were significantly shorter than those of the control (50.44 min). Moreover, BPH spent more time walking around or being at rest on MA-treated rice plants, as well as in stylet activities. The GST (glutathione S-transferase) activity of BPH increased with the increasing MA concentration, while the GPX (glutathione peroxidases) activity did not change significantly. The results indicate that MA has an antifeedant and insecticidal effect on BPH.

[Role of nuclear factor-kappaB on emodin-induced sensitization of pancreatic cancer to gemcitabine].

In view of gemcitabine resistance has limited clinical activity of gemcitabine as a cellulotoxic drug in pancreatic cancer patients, this study is designed to investigate the effect of emodin on the sensitivity of pancreatic cancer to gemcitabine as well as its mechanism. After gemcitabine-resistant pancreatic cancer cell line (SW1990/GZ) was established by escalating doses of gemcitabine serially in pancreatic cancer cell line (SW1990). The cellular proliferation was detected by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. Flow cytometry (FCM) was used to determine apoptosis of pancreatic cancer cells. The activity of NF-kappaB in pancreatic cancer cells was measured by electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA). Western blotting was used to detect the protein expression of Bcl-2 and Survivin in SW1990/GZ cells. Metastatic model simulating human pancreatic cancer was established by orthotopic implantation of histologically intact human tumor tissue into pancreatic wall of nude mice. Also, immunohistochemistry was used to detect the positive expression of Ki-67, NF-kappaB, Bcl-2 and Survivin in the tumors. The results show that pretreatment of cells with emodin followed by gemcitabine induced a higher percentage of growth inhibition and apoptosis of pancreatic cancer cells than that of gemcitabine alone. In addition to in vitro results, emodin in combination with gemcitabine is much more effective as an antitumor agent compared to either agent alone in the orthotopic tumor model. Further study showed that the emodin with or without gemcitabine significantly down-regulates NF-kappaB and its regulated molecules such as Bcl-2 and Survivin proteins both in vitro and in vivo. It is concluded that inactivation of NF-kappaB signaling pathway by emodin resulting in the chemosensitization of pancreatic cancer to gemcitabine, which is likely to be an important and novel strategy for the treatment of pancreatic cancer.

[Major Ionic Characteristics and Factors of Karst Groundwater at Huixian Karst Wetland, China].

To investigate the major ionic chemical characteristics and seasonal variations, 27 groundwater samples were collected from the wet season, flat season, and dry season during 2018-2019 in the Huixian Karst wetland, which is the largest low-altitude karst wetland in China. The single pollution standard index was applied to evaluate the groundwater pollution during different periods, and the major ionic factors of the karst groundwater were analyzed using the statistical analysis method, Gibbs diagram, and ion ratio. The results revealed that the groundwater samples were a weakly alkaline fresh water that were rich in Ca2+ and HCO3-. The average concentrations of the primary ions followed the order of flat season > wet season > dry season; meanwhile, the water quality in the dry season was better than that in the wet and flat seasons. The K+ and NO3- in the karst groundwater were mostly affected by the spatial distributions of the aquifers, and the Mg2+, SO42-, NO2-, NH4+, and TDS were related to the space-season scale. Na+, Ca2+, HCO3-, and Cl- were relatively stable ions in the karst groundwater. The hydrochemical characteristics were primarily determined by carbonate rock dissolution and were found to be the HCO3-Ca type, which accounted for 77.78%, 77.78%, and 88.89% in the wet season, flat season, and dry season, respectively. The karst groundwater was predominantly polluted by SO42-, NO3-, and NO2-; particularly, NO3- exhibited serious pollution points, and SO42- had heavy pollution points in the wet and flat seasons. The chemical composition of the karst groundwater was controlled mostly by water-rock interactions. Ca2+ and HCO3- primarily came from calcite dissolution, and the high concentrations of Mg2+ and SO42- in a few number of points were controlled by dolomite, dolomitic limestone, and pyrite. K+, Na+, SO42-, NO3-, and Cl- partly came from atmospheric precipitation, and Na+ and Cl- partly came from human activities; K+ was related to potash fertilizer, and the main source of NO3- was chemical fertilizer.

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor of the pancreatic neck: A case report and review of literature.

BACKGROUND: Pancreatic inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) is a relatively rare disease that is often confused with pancreatic cancer or pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. The histological features of IMTs show that tissue from this type of tumor contains an intermingling of fibroblast and myofibroblast proliferation, accompanied by a varying degree of inflammatory cell infiltration. CASE SUMMARY: The management of an IMT occurring at the neck of the pancreas is presented in this paper. A 66-year-old female patient was diagnosed with a pancreatic neck mass after a series of tests. The patient underwent enucleation of the pancreatic neck tumor after a pathological diagnosis of IMT. Previous research on the clinical features, pathological diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic IMTs was reviewed. Compared with previous reports, this is a unique case of enucleation of a pancreatic IMT. CONCLUSION: The enucleation of pancreatic IMTs may be a safe and efficient surgical method for managing such tumors with a better prognosis. Further cases are required to explore surgical measures for pancreatic IMTs.

Leaf nitrogen have a better relationship with photosynthesis performance across wheat species under elevated CO2 and drought.

Elevated CO2 concentrations and persistent drought are predicted to inhibit the photosynthetic performance and yield of crops. Such effects vary considerably between species groups. Modern cultivated (Triticum aestivum L., AABBDD) and wild (Triticum dicoccoides Korn L., AABB and Triticum monococcum L., AA) species of wheat were subjected to elevated CO2 concentration (ambient concentration +200 µmol mol-1) and drought (well watered: 75-85% of the field water capacity; drought: 50-60% of the field water capacity) at open-top chamber experimental facilities. Elevated CO2 concentration decreased the limitation of stomatal morphology traits on stomatal conductance regulation. This could compensate the disadvantage of plants who has low stomatal density and large single stomatal area as well as low leaf water use efficiency such as modern wheat Z9023 in drought acclimation in the future CO2 rising world. Moreover, elevated CO2 concentration largely increased the dependence of light harvesting and electron transportation performance per photosynthesis system II reaction center, maximum rubisco carboxylation rate, and maximum Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate regeneration rate on leaf nitrogen concentration across the selected wheat species and water regimes. Modern cultivated cultivars Z9023 and CH58 have higher photosynthetic performance per unit of leaf nitrogen than wild species under elevated CO2 concentrations. The increasing CO2 may present opportunities to breeders and possibly allow them to select for cultivars with better photosynthetic nitrogen use efficiency response to future CO2 rising climate.

[Distribution Characteristics and Health Risk Assessment of Metal Elements in Groundwater of Longzici Spring Area].

Longzici Spring is an important water source for industry, agriculture, and urban life in Linfen City. With the improvements in public environmental health awareness, it is particularly necessary to study the health risk of posed by metal elements in groundwater. In this study, 43 groundwater samples from Longzici Spring area were analyzed for ten metal elements (As, Cd, Hg, Al, Pb, Co, Mn, Fe, Cu, and Ni). The distribution and health risk of these metal elements in the groundwater were studied using multivariate statistical analysis and a health risk assessment model. The results show that metal elements can be ranked, from high to low, by their average concentrations in groundwater in the following order: Fe, Al, Mn, Ni, As, Cu, Co, Pb, Hg, and Cd. The concentration of Al, Mn, Fe, and As exceed the limit for class Ⅲ water, as defined in the quality standard for groundwater (GB/T 14848-2017). Different types of groundwater in the spring area showed different metal contents. The quality of karst spring water was good, reaching the standard for drinking water, while mine drainage water exceeded the standard for drinking water, with the highest metal concentration (60%) and the worst water quality. Multivariate statistical results show that Pb, Ni, Co, Cd, Mn, and Cu concentrations were mainly affected by the geochemical background, while Al, Fe, Hg, and As concentrations were closely related to human mining activities under the unique geological background of Shanxi Province. The health risk assessment showed that the different types of groundwater could be ranked by the annual total health risks, posed by metal elements to adults and children through drinking water and skin infiltration, as follows: karst well > non-karst spring > non-karst well > karst spring. The health risks mainly came from drinking water, while health risks through skin infiltration would not cause obvious harm to the human body. The metal element causing the greatest health risk in spring groundwater was As, which should therefore be controlled in the utilization of water resources, especially in children's drinking water.