A survey of seroepidemiology of toxoplasmosis

The article reports the result of serological investigation on toxoplasmosis among human,animaland fowl populations in Huimin District,Shandong Province.2269 samples from 1471 people,133pigs,343 sheeps,127 goats,75 chickens and 120 rabbits were tested by IHA method.There were 7％positives found in human,2.5～11.3％ in domestic animals and fowls.with the highest incicencein pigs.There are marked difference in incidences between the group of farmers,cadres and the group     

Acknowledgements to Reviewers of World Journal of Gastroenterology

Many reviewers have contributed their expertise and timeto the peer review,a critical process to ensure the qualityof World Journal of Gastroenterology.The editors andauthors of the articles submitted to the joumal are gratefulto the following reviewers for evaluating the articles(including those were published and those were rejectedin this issue) during the last editing period of time.     

Acknowledgments to Reviewers of World Journal of Gastroenterology

Many reviewers have contributed their expertise and time to the peer review, a critical process to ensure the quality of World Journal of Gastroenterology. The editors and authors of the articles submitted to the journal are grateful to the following reviewers for evaluating the articles (including those were published and those were rejected in this issue) during the last editing period of time.     

Acknowledgments to Reviewers of World Journal of Gastroenterology

Many reviewers have contributed their expertise and time to the peer review,a critical process to ensure the quality of World Journal of Gastroenterology. The editors and authors of the articles submitted to the journal are grateful to the following reviewers for evaluating the articles (including those published in this issue and those rejected for this issue) during the last editing time period.     

Acknowledgements to Reviewers of World Journal of Gastroenterology

Many reviewers have contributed their expertise and timeto the peer review,a critical process to ensure the qualityof World Journal of Gastroenterology.The editors andauthors of the articles submitted to the journal are gratefulto the following reviewers for evaluating the articles(including those were published and those were rejectedin this issue) during the last editing period of time.     

Identification of protectective antigens of asexual stages of Plasmodium falciparum.

Seven monoclonal antibodies(McAbs)specific for Plasmodium falciparum from human immune seraof three individuals,two adults and one child(six years old),living in a malaria endemic area in Hainanprovince and immune sera of BALB/c mice immunized with the erythrocytic stages of P.falciparumwere used to identify the protective antigens present in the asexual blood stages of falciparum malaria.The McAbs designated 93A3,94B5,92D4 and 93D4 all immunoprecipitated the ~125I-labcled polypepti-des with apparent MWs of 125,115,83,74 and 67 KD.In addition,the 35S-methionine-labeled polype-     

Acknowledgments to Reviewers of World Journal of Gastroenterology

Many reviewers have contributed their expertise and time to the peer review, a critical process to ensure the quality of World Journal of Gastroenterology. The editors and authors of the articles submitted to the journal are grateful to the following reviewers for evaluating the articles (including those published in this issue and those rejected for this issue) during the last editing time period.     

肝细胞癌生物行为学特性与肿瘤微血管特征的关系研究

探讨肝细胞肝癌（HCC）生物行为学特性与肿瘤微血管特征的关系。收集手术切除的HCC标本52例,进行了肿瘤微血管密度（microvessel density,MVD）记数、微血管直径测量、梁索直径测量、肿瘤直径测量、细胞分化程度分级、癌栓、卫星结节观察。对肿瘤生物行为学特性和微血管特征观察指标进行统计分析。（1）HCC肿块大小与肿瘤MVD相关,与肿瘤微血管直径和肿瘤梁索直径呈正相关趋势;（2）有卫星结节、低分化HCC的MVD较高,肿瘤微血管直径较大;（3）有门脉癌栓的HCC的MVD较高。结论（1）HCC的MVD分布不均匀;（2）HCC在不同生长阶段、不同分化程度,其肿瘤微血管特征是不同的,并有一定的规律;（3）HCC临床生物学特性与肿瘤微血管特征之因果关系有待进一步探讨。     

Microvessel density of malignant and benign hepatic lesions and MRI evaluation

AIM. To study the difference of microvessel density (MVD) between malignant and benign hepatic lesions and study the relationship between MVD and dynamic enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for evaluation of microvessels within malignant and benign hepatic lesions. METHODS: A total of 265 specimens of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), 122 cirrhosis tissues and 22 hepatic benign lesions were enrolled for MVD by immunohistochemistry on tissue microarray, of which 49 underwent MRI examination before surgery, then contrast-to-noise ratios (CNR) and enhancement index (EI) in all the phases were calculated. Pearson correlation was performed for correlation analysis between CNR, EI and MVD. RESULTS: MVD of HCC was 22.7±15.8 (mean±SD), which was obviously higher than that of cirrhosis tissue (8.3±7.6, P<0.01), but was not statistically different from that of benign lesions (31.3±22.7, P>0.05). Among HCC, MVD of gradesⅠ-Ⅱ was 29.9±18.6, which was much higher than those ofgrade Ⅲ (22.2±18.2, P<0.01) and gradeⅣ (22.9±19.0, P<0.01). MVD of HCC (P=0.018) and of benign lesions (P=0.014) were both correlative with CNR in arterial phase. CONCLUSION: Neoangiogenesis is an important feature for malignant tumor, and MVD may act as a biological marker in differentiating malignant from benign hepatic lesions. Dynamic enhanced MRI, especially image in arterial phase, may act as an MVD evaluation criterion for malignant and benign hepatic lesions.     

Prognostic signif icance of HIF-2α/EPAS1 expression in hepatocellular carcinoma

AIM: To evaluate the prognostic signif icance of HIF- 2α/EPAS1 expression in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: Surgical specimens from 315 patients with HCC as well as 196 adjacent noncancerous lesions and 22 cases of normal liver tissue were investigated by immunohistochemistry (IHC) for HIF-2α/EPAS1 using a standard detection system. Correlations with clinicopathological factors, VEGF, microvessel density (MVD), and prognosis were analyzed. RESULTS: Immunoreactivity of HIF-2α/EPAS1 was positive in 69.5% of HCC, 55.6% of adjacent noncancerous tissue, and 0% of normal liver tissue. And it was significantly correlated with tumor grade, venous invasion, intrahepatic metastasis, necrosis, and capsule infiltration. Correlation analysis of HIF-2α/EPAS1 with angiogenic factor VEGF (P < 0.001), and MVD (P = 0.016) was also noted. HIF-2α/EPAS1 protein was less frequently expressed in low MVD cases, whereas a high rate of expression was noted in cases with both medium and high MVD (P = 0.042). By Kaplan-Meier analysis, strong HIF-2α/EPAS1 staining (> 50% of tumor cells) in HCC correlated with a shortened survival in patients (Cox's regression, P < 0.001, r = 3.699). CONCLUSION: We conclude that HIF-2α/EPAS1 expression may play an important role in tumor progression and prognosis of HCC. Assessment of HIF-2α/EPAS1 expression in HCC may be used as a diagnostic tool and possibly a target in the treatment of HCC.     

Prognostic significance of HIF-2α/EPAS1 expression in hepatocellular carcinoma

AIM: To evaluate the prognostic significance of HIF-2α/EPAS1 expression in hepatocellular carcinoma(NCC).METHODS: Surgical specimens from 315 patients with HCC as well as 196 adjacent noncancerous lesions and 22 cases of normal liver tissue were investigated by immunohistochemistry (IHC) for HIF-2α/EPAS1 using a standard detection system. Correlations with clinicopathological factors, VEGF, microvessel density(MVD), and prognosis were analyzed.RESULTS: Immunoreactivity of HIF-2α/EPAS1 was positive in 69.5% of HCC, 55.6% of adjacent noncancerous tissue, and 0% of normal liver tissue. And it was significantly correlated with tumor grade, venous invasion, intrahepatic metastasis, necrosis, and capsule infiltration. Correlation analysis of HIF-2α/EPAS1 with angiogenic factor VEGF (P＜0.001), and MVD (P =0.016) was also noted. HIF-2α/EPAS1 protein was less frequently expressed in low MVD cases, whereas a high rate of expression was noted in cases with both medium and high MVD (P=0.042). By Kaplan-Meier analysis,strong HIF-2α/EPAS1 staining (＞ 50% of tumor cells) in HCC correlated with a shortened survival in patients (Cox's regression, P＜0.001, r= 3.699).CONCLUSION: We conclude that HIF-2α/EPAS1 expression may play an important role in tumor progression and prognosis of HCC. Assessment of HIF-2α/EPAS1 expression in HCC may be used as a diagnostic tool and possibly a target in the treatment of HCC.     

Correlation of CT enhancement,tumor angiogenesis and pathologic grading of pancreatic carcinoma

AIM: To study the correlation between pancreatic phase CT enhancement, intratumor microvessel density (MVD) and pathologic grading of pancreatic carcinoma and to evaluate the relationship between the degrees of CT enhancement and malignancy of pancreatic carcinoma. METHODS: Thirty four patients with pancreatic carcinoma underwent CT scanning before resection. The enhancement degrees and forms of tumor were observed in pancreatic phase. The operative sample was stained with HE and CD34 marked by immunohistochemistry. MVD and histopathological grades of pancreatic carcinoma were examined. CT enhancement of the tumor, MVD counting in hot spot areas of neoplastic parenchymal cells and pathological grades of pancreatic carcinoma were comparatively analyzed. RESULTS: Highly differentiated pancreatic adenocarcinoma was identified in 16 patients, moderately-differentiated tumor in 7 and poorly-differentiated in 11. Isodensity CT enhancement was demonstrated in 13 cases, slightly low density enhancement in 9, slightly low density enhancement with small cystic lesions in 9 and slightly low density enhancement with large cystic lesions in 3. The counting of MVD with CD34 marked by immunohistochemistry in hot spot areas of neoplastic parenchyma cells was small in 10 cases, medium in 16 and large in 8. The pathological grades correlated well with CT enhancement of the tumor (r=0.7857, P<0.001) and with MVD counting of tumor (r=0.3613, P<0.05). The CT enhancement of tumor correlated with MVD(r=0.6768, P<0.001). CONCLUSION: There is an obvious and significant correlation between CT enhancement, pathological grades and MVD number in the hot spot areas of tumor. The extent of CT enhancement is inversely proportional to the malignant degree of pancreatic carcinoma, and to the MVD number in the hot spot areas of neoplastic parenchyma. The MVD in the hot spot areas of neoplastic parenchyma cells can also reflect the prognosis of the patients, and is directly proportional to the malignant degree of pancreatic carcinoma.     

Morphologic classification of microvessels in hepatocellular carcinoma is associated with the prognosis after resection

Background and Aim: The relationship between neovasculature in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and the prognosis of patients still remains controversial. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prognostic significance of morphologic features of the microvessels in patients with HCC after resection. Methods: The paraffin‐embedding specimens of 98 consecutive HCC patients, who received primary resection between 2000 and 2002, were collected from our prospective established tumor bank. The intratumoral microvessels were evaluated by immunohistochemical staining for CD31 and CD34. The disease‐free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) of patients were analyzed by Kaplan–Meier analysis and Cox proportional hazards regression model. Results: There are two distinct microvessel types: capillary‐like and sinusoid‐like were identified in tumor tissues. The patients could be divided into two groups according to their microvessel types. Both DFS and OS of capillary group patients (n = 65) were better than those of sinusoid group patients (n = 33). Multivariate analyses showed that the microvessel type was an independent risk factor for DFS (P = 0.016) and OS (P = 0.004) of this cohort. Capillary‐like microvessels were more common in small HCC, and were significantly associated with higher microvessel density, while sinusoid‐like microvessels were significantly correlated with lower microvessel density. Conclusions: The results of our study suggested that the microvessel type is an effective predictor of survival in patients with HCC after resection, which might serve as potential novel therapeutic targets for prevention of the recurrence of HCC after resection.     

肝细胞癌微血管形态与其临床病理学特性关系的研究

目的 探讨肝细胞癌肿瘤微血管形态特征与其临床病理学特性的关系.方法 收集我院手术切除前未做过栓塞治疗的肝细胞癌标本55例,对此组肝细胞癌病理标本做了肿瘤微血管形态分型、分化级别划分、肿瘤大小测量、有无包膜及卫星结节鉴定,并对各观察指标做相关统计分析.结果 肝癌细胞分化级别、大小与肿瘤微血管分型级别呈正相关趋势.无包膜的肝癌微血管分型级别高于有包膜的肝癌.肝癌微血管分型在肿瘤有无卫星结节间无差别.结论 肝癌在生长的不同阶段,其肿瘤微血管形态特征不同,并有一定的规律.低分化、大肝挝癌、无包膜者微血管分型级别较高.     

Enhancement patterns of pancreatic adenocarcinoma on conventional dynamic multi-detector row CT： Correlation with angiogenesis and fibrosis

AIM： To evaluate retrospectively the correlation between enhancement patterns on dynamic computed tomography （CT） and angiogenesis and fibrosis in pancreatic adenocarcinoma. METHODS： Twenty-three patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma underwent dynamic CT and tumor resection. In addition to the absolute and relative enhanced value that was calculated by subtracting the attenuation value on pre-contrast from those on contrast-enhanced CT in each phase, we defined one parameter, tumor-aorta enhancement ratio , which was calculated by dividing enhancement of pancreatic cancer by enhancement of abdominal aorta in each phase. These enhancement patterns were correlated with the level of vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF）, microvessel density （MVD）, and extent of fibrosis. RESULTS： The absolute enhanced value in the arterial phase correlated with the level of VEGF and MVD （P = 0.047, P = 0.001）. The relative enhanced value in arterial phase and tumor-aorta enhancement ratio （arterial） correlated with MVD （P = 0.003, P = 0.022）. Tumor-aorta enhancement ratio （arterial） correlated negatively with the extent of fibrosis （P = 0.004）. The tumors with greater MVD and higher expression of VEGF tended to show high enhancement in the arterial dominant phase. On the other hand, the tumors with a larger amount of fibrosis showed a negative correlation with the grade of enhancement during the arterial phase. CONCLUSION： Enhancement patterns on dynamic CT correlated with angiogenesis and may be modified by the extent of fibrosis.     

Expression pattern of angiogenic factors and prognosis after hepatic resection in hepatocellular carcinoma: importance of angiopoietin-2 and hypoxia-induced factor-1 alpha.

BACKGROUND: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a hypervascular tumor and angiogenesis plays an important role in its progression. Angiogenesis is regulated by a balance between pro and antiangiogenic molecules. The aim of this study was to investigate the expressions of angiogenic factors and elucidate their roles in angiogenesis in HCC. METHODS: We investigated immunohistochemical expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), angiopoietins (Ang-1 and Ang-2), hypoxia-induced factor-1alpha (HIF-1alpha) and thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) in 60 specimens of surgically resected HCC. We investigated the relationship between their expressions and clinicopathological factors or prognosis. RESULTS: Ang-2 staining had a significant correlation with the grade of differentiation of HCC cells (P=0.0082). VEGF and Ang-2 expression correlated positively with microvessel density (MVD) (P=0.0061 and 0.0374, respectively). MVD of well-differentiated HCC were significantly lower than those of moderately and poorly differentiated HCC. The disease-free survival time of patients with high Ang-2 and/or HIF-1alpha expression was significantly shorter than that of the low expression group (P=0.0278 and 0.0374, respectively). CONCLUSION: Our study showed that the expression of VEGF and Ang-2 correlated with MVD. Strong Ang-2 expression and/or high nuclear expression of HIF-1alpha is a significant predictive factor for recurrence after curative resection in HCC patients.     

微血管密度与肝癌脉管侵袭关系的研究

探讨肿瘤新生微血管密度 (microvesseldensity,MVD)与原发性肝细胞癌 (hepatocellularcarcinoma ,HCC)脉管侵袭和转移的关系。采用免疫组化法 (streptavidinperoxidase ,S -P链霉素抗生物素蛋白 -过氧化酶 )对手术切除的 5 8例原发性肝细胞癌和 5 8例癌旁组织的石蜡包埋组织标本中的MVD进行了检测。在 4 0 0倍视野下选择 5个最密集区 ,记算MVD数量 ,取其均数。 (1)MVD在HCC组织中比癌旁组织明显增高 (P <0 0 1) ;(2 )HCC中有转移者及包膜不完整者 ,MVD明显高于无转移者及包膜完整者 ,(P <0 0 1) ;(3)HCC中脉管侵袭阳性组 ,MVD明显高于脉管侵袭阴性组 (P <0 0 1)。原发性肝细胞癌组织中的MVD与肿瘤的脉管侵袭和转移行为密切相关 ,可作为判定HCC转移及预后的指标