Background: The significant advances in microarray and proteomics analyses have resulted in an exponential increase in potential new targets and have promised to shed light on the identification of disease markers and cellular pathways. We aim to collect and decipher the HCC-related genes at the systems level.

Liu-Wei-Di-Huang Wan (LWDHW) has been used by traditional Chinese doctors to treat asthma patients. This study was to examine the potential effect of this decoction on the regulation of T helper (Th)1- and Th2-type cytokine gene expression in vitro. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were activated with mitogen for 24 hours in the presence or absence of LWDHW extracts. Concentrations of different cytokines in the culture supernatants were determined with ELISA. RNA isolated from cultured cells was subjected to RT-PCR analysis. The results showed that the expression of all cytokines (Th2-type: IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, or IL-13 and Th1-type: IL-2 and IFN-gamma) examined was inhibited at both RNA and protein levels by LWDHW. Since the cell viability was similar in all cultures, the reduction of cytokine production was not due to the toxicity of LWDHW. Moreover, the cells either retained or increased their capacity to respond to mitogen stimulation after incubation with the LWDHW decoction. Therefore, the data suggest that LWDHW functioned directly on cytokine gene expression from activated PBMC.

Male sterility is an essential trait in hybrid seed production, especially for monoclinous and autogamous food crops. Soybean male-sterile ms1 mutant has been known for more than 50 years and could be instrumental in making hybrid seeds. However, the gene responsible for the male-sterile phenotype has remained unknown. Here, we report the map-based cloning and characterization of the MS1 gene in soybean. MS1 encodes a kinesin protein and localizes to the nucleus, where it is required for the male meiotic cytokinesis after telophase II. We further substantiated that MS1 colocalizes with microtubules and is essential for cell plate formation in soybean male gametogenesis through immunostaining. Both ms1 and CRISPR/Cas9 knockout mutants show complete male sterility but are otherwise phenotypically normal, making them perfect tools for producing hybrid seeds. The identification of MS1 has the practical potential for assembling the sterility system and speeding up hybrid soybean breeding.

Background Small HCCs usually arise in cirrhosis, often with associated thrombocytopenia. Many large HCC patients have normal blood platelet counts. Aims To compare parameter and phenotype patterns of patients with small ≤3cm and larger HCCs. Methods Retrospective analysis was undertaken of a 4139 patient HCC database to compare patient demographics, liver and tumor characteristics associated with small and large size HCCs, especially with respect to platelet counts. Results Patients with larger HCCs had more tumor nodules and PVT positivity, and had higher blood AFP, bilirubin and platelet counts. In patients with larger tumors and normal platelets (43.7% of the cohort), tumors were larger and AFP levels were higher, with lower bilirubin and AST levels than in patients with larger tumors and thrombocytopenia (17.5%). A parsimonious multinomial regression model showed high Odds Ratio for AFP and platelets for tumors >3cm with PVT. Conclusions Platelet levels are associated with distinct large HCC phenotypes.