To identify the function of HAb18G/CD147 in invasion of host cells by severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) coronavirus (CoV), we analyzed the protein-protein interaction among HAb18G/CD147, cyclophilin A (CyPA), and SARS-CoV structural proteins by coimmunoprecipitation and surface plasmon resonance analysis. Although none of the SARS-CoV proteins was found to be directly bound to HAb18G/CD147, the nucleocapsid (N) protein of SARS-CoV was bound to CyPA, which interacted with HAb18G/CD147. Further research showed that HAb18G/CD147, a transmembrane molecule, was highly expressed on 293 cells and that CyPA was integrated with SARS-CoV. HAb18G/CD147-antagonistic peptide (AP)-9, an AP of HAb18G/CD147, had a high rate of binding to 293 cells and an inhibitory effect on SARS-CoV. These results show that HAb18G/CD147, mediated by CyPA bound to SARS-CoV N protein, plays a functional role in facilitating invasion of host cells by SARS-CoV. Our findings provide some evidence for the cytologic mechanism of invasion by SARS-CoV and provide a molecular basis for screening anti-SARS drugs.

Orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) is the only curative therapy of HCC with underlying cirrhosis, but due to HCC metastasis and recurrence, its benefit is limited to a small population who meet the strict selection criteria. We previously reported that Licartin ([ 131 I]mAb HAb18G/CD147) was safe and effective in treating HCC patients, and its antigen, HAb18G/ CD147, was closely related to HCC invasion and metastasis. Here, we reported a randomized controlled trial to assess the post-OLT antirecurrence efficacy of Licartin in advanced HCC patients. We randomized 60 post-OLT patients with HCC, who were at tumor stage 3/4 and outside the Milan criteria before OLT, into 2 groups. Three weeks after OLT, the treatment group received 15.4 MBq/kg of Licartin, while the control group received placebo intravenously for 3 times with an interval of 28 days. At 1-year follow-up, the recurrence rate significantly decreased by 30.4% (P ‫؍‬ 0.0174) and the survival rate increased by 20.6% (P ‫؍‬ 0.0289) in the treatment group, compared with those in the control group. For the control group versus the treatment group, the hazard ratio for recurrence H epatocellular carcinoma is the most common type of primary liver cancer and ranks sixth among cancers as a cause of death worldwide. 1 It is a highly malignant tumor characterized by rapid progression, poor prognosis, and frequent tumor recurrence. It has an annual incidence rate of 564,000 cases, and 55% of those are in China. 2 The mean natural survival time was reported to be only 3-6 months due to the rapid progression of tumor, especially the spread and metastasis. 3,4 Surgery is the preferred treatment, but less than 20% of patients have the chance to be treated surgically Abbreviations: AFP, alpha fetoprotein; CI, confidence interval; DBIL, direct bilirubin; mAb, monoclonal antibody; OLT, orthotopic liver transplantation; TNM, tumor-nodes-metastasis. From the

Bai Ku Yao is an isolated subgroup of the Yao minority in China. Little is known about dyslipidemia in this population. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of demography, diet, and lifestyle on serum lipid levels between the Bai Ku Yao and Han populations. A total of 1,170 subjects of Bai Ku Yao and 1,173 subjects of Han Chinese aged 15-89 years were surveyed by a stratified randomized cluster sampling. The levels of total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I), and apoB were significantly lower in Bai Ku Yao than in Han. Physical activity level and total dietary fiber intake were higher, whereas body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, total energy intake, and total fat intake were lower in Bai Ku Yao than in Han. Hyperlipidemia was positively correlated with BMI, waist circumference, and total energy and total fat intakes and negatively associated with physical activity level and total dietary fiber intake in both populations, but it was positively associated with age and alcohol consumption only in Han. The differences in the lipid profiles between the two ethnic groups were associated with different dietary habits, lifestyle choices, and levels of physical

CD147 molecule is reported to be correlated with the malignancy of some cancers; however, it remains unclear whether it is involved in the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Here, we investigated the function of HAb18G/CD147, a member of CD147 family, and its antibodies, HAb18 and LICARTIN, in HCC invasion and metastasis. We observed that HAb18G/CD147 gene silence in HCC cells significantly decreased the secretion of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) and the invasive potential of HCC cells (P < 0.001). MMP silence in HCC cells also significantly suppressed the invasion of the cells when cocultured with fibroblasts; however, its inhibitory effect was significantly weaker than that of both HAb18G/CD147 silence in HCC cells and that of MMP silence in fibroblasts (P < 0.001). Blocking the HAb18G/CD147 molecule on HCC cells with HAb18 monoclonal antibody resulted in a similar suppressive effect on MMP secretion and cell invasion, but with no significant effects on the cell growth. 131 I-labeled HAb18 F(ab ¶) 2 (LICARTIN), however, significantly inhibited the in vitro growth of HCC cells (P < 0.001). In an orthotopic model of HCC in nude mice, HAb18 and LICARTIN treatment effectively reduced the tumor growth and metastasis as well as the expression of three major factors in the HCC microenviroment (MMPs, vascular endothelial growth factor, and fibroblast surface protein) in the paracancer tissues. Overall, these results suggest that HAb18G/CD147 plays an important role in HCC invasion and metastasis mainly via modulating fibroblasts, as well as HCC cells themselves to disrupt the HCC microenviroment. LICARTIN can be used as a drug targeting to HAb18G/ CD147 in antimetastasis and recurrence therapy of HCC.

Risk factors identified in this study suggest that childhood drowning in rural areas in developing countries could be prevented by providing safety educational programs, which should focus on constant adult supervision and the use of flotation devices when children play in and near water.