Limited studies have investigated the effects of serum carotenoids on the risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) and the findings have been inconclusive. This study aims to assess the association between serum total or specific carotenoid levels and NHL risk. This 1:1 matched, hospital-based case-control study enrolled 512 newly diagnosed (within 1 month) NHL patients and 512 healthy controls who were matched by age (±5 years) and sex in Urumqi, China. Serum carotenoid levels were measured by high-pressure liquid chromatography. Conditional logistic regression showed that higher serum total carotenoid levels and their subtypes (e.g., α-carotene, β-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, and lycopene) were dose-dependently associated with decreased NHL risk. The multivariable-adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for NHL risk for quartile 4 (vs. quartile 1) were 0.31 (0.22, 0.48; P for trend: <0.001) for total carotenoids, 0.52 (0.33, 0.79; P for trend: 0.003) for α-carotene, 0.63 (0.42, 0.94; P for trend: 0.031) for β-carotene, 0.73 (0.49, 1.05; P for trend: 0.034) for β-cryptoxanthin, and 0.51 (0.34, 0.75; P for trend: 0.001) for lycopene. A null association was observed between serum lutein+zeaxanthin and NHL risk (OR: 0.89, 95% CI: 0.57, 1.38; P for trend: 0.556). Significant interactions were observed after stratifying according to smoking status, and inverse associations were more evident among current smokers than past or never smokers for total carotenoids, α-carotene, and lycopene (P for heterogeneity: 0.047, 0.042, and 0.046). This study indicates that higher serum carotenoid levels might be inversely associated with NHL risk, especially among current smokers.

Purpose: To determine the protein expression levels of leukocyte antigen I and antigen-presenting element (APM) genes, and to study their relationship with triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) in patients from Uyghur and Han, China. Methods: Immunohistochemistry was used to determine the expression levels of 10 proteins (HLA-A (Human Leukocyte Antigens-A), HLA-B, HLA-C, TAP1 (Transporter associated with Antigen Processing-1), TAP2, calreticulin, calnexin, ERp57 (Endoplasmic reticulum resident protein 57), ERAP1 (Type 1 tumor necrosis factor receptor shedding aminopeptidase regulator) and tapasin) in TNBC and non-TNBC tissue specimens, and 26 benign lesions (fibrous adenoma) specimens from 120 Uygur and Han women. Results: Immunohistochemical analysis showed that the positive expressions of HLA-A, HLA-B, TAP2, Erp57, ERAP1, calnexin and calreticulin in breast cancer tissues were significantly lower than those in breast fibroma tissues (p < 0.05). Among the 86 TNBC patients, there were 35 cases of tapasin-(40.70 %), 26 cases of tapasin+ (30.30 %), and 25 cases of tapasin++ (29.10 %). Among the 34 non-TNBC patients, there were 25 cases of tapsin-(73.50 %), 7 cases of tapasin+ (20.60 %) and 2 cases of tapasin ++ (5.9 %). The positive expression of tapasin in TNBC patients was significantly higher than that in non-TNBC patients (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Down-regulation of transcriptional expression or loss of protein expression of HLA-I and APM genes is closely related to the progression of breast cancer, and is therefore, a potential molecular marker for screening tumors.

Background: In 2016, Qinghai Province and the Asian Liver Center of Stanford University in the United States cooperated to carry out a one-year project of hepatitis B mother-to-child blockade and post-immunization serological test in our province. Through this study, we evaluated the current situation of hepatitis B maternal and infant blockade and the effect of maternal and infant blockade in multi-ethnic areas of Qinghai Province. Methods: From May 1, 2016 to April 30, 2017, all pregnant women who gave birth in Qinghai Province were screened for HBsAg. For pregnant women who were screened for HBsAg positive, the medical staff had a detailed understanding of the history and treatment of hepatitis B, and provided scientific nutritional support and guidance. Free hepatitis B immunoglobulin (100 units) injections were given to newborns born to HBsAg-positive mothers within 12 hours after birth, and three doses of hepatitis B vaccination were given. All newborns born to HBsAg-positive mothers were followed up from 1 to 3 months after complete immunization of HBIG and HepB. The County (district) CDC was responsible for rapid fingertip blood screening, screening for HBsAg-positive children, collecting 3ml of venous blood for quantitative detection of HBsAg.Results: During the study period, 61381 pregnant women were hospitalized, 6027 (97.79% ) pregnant women were screened for HBsAg. 1912 pregnant women were detected positive for HBsAg, with a positive rate of 3.19%. The HepB vaccine rate was 97.11% in live infants within 24 hours. The vaccination rate of hepatitis B vaccine was 94.78% and the injection rate of HBIG was 97.15% in 12-hour live delivery children of HBsAg positive mothers. A total of 864 newborns born to HBsAg positive mothers were followed up. Fast fingertip blood test was performed 1-3 months after HBIG injection and whole course hepatitis B vaccination. The positive rate of HBsAg was 5.21%. 34 positive serum samples were detected by chemiluminescent immunoassay in the laboratory of provincial CDC. The coincidence rate of HBsAg positive was 82.35%, and that of HBV DNA positive was 79.41%. Fifty-seven children with HBV surface antibody negative were detected and vaccinated with HBV vaccine free of charge in the whole course according to the national immunization program. Conclusion: The infection rate of hepatitis B among women of childbearing age in Qinghai province is 3.19%, and the blocking rate of mother and infant is 94.79%. It is still necessary to strengthen the injection of hepatitis B vaccine and HBIG for positive mothers and children. Keyword: Hepatitis B, Mother to child blocking, Evaluation of the effect Corresponding Author. have equal contributions to this article. Author SummaryThis study revealed for the first time the infection rate of hepatitis B virus among women of childbearing age of different nationalities in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau through screening of pregnant women in hospital, blocking of mother and infant, and following-up of serum test after immunization. To evaluate the combine...