BackgroundThe development and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is significantly correlated to the accumulation of genomic alterations. Array-based comparative genomic hybridization (array CGH) has been applied to a wide range of tumors including HCCs for the genome-wide high resolution screening of DNA copy number changes. However, the relevant chromosomal variations that play a central role in the development of HCC still are not fully elucidated.MethodsIn present study, in order to further characterize the copy number alterations (CNAs) important to HCC development, we conducted a meta-analysis of four published independent array-CGH datasets including total 159 samples.ResultsEighty five significant gains (frequency ≥25%) were mostly mapped to five broad chromosomal regions including 1q, 6p, 8q, 17q and 20p, as well as two narrow regions 5p15.33 and 9q34.2-34.3. Eighty eight significant losses (frequency ≥25%) were most frequently present in 4q, 6q, 8p, 9p, 13q, 14q, 16q, and 17p. Significant correlations existed between chromosomal aberrations either located on the same chromosome or the different chromosomes. HCCs with different etiologies largely exhibited surprisingly similar profiles of chromosomal aberrations with only a few exceptions. Furthermore, the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis indicated that the genes affected by these chromosomal aberrations were significantly enriched in 31 canonical pathways with the highest enrichment observed for antiviral immunity pathways.ConclusionsTaken together, our findings provide novel and important clues for the implications of antiviral immunity-related gene pathways in the pathogenesis and progression of HCC.

Spadicoides hodgkissa sp. no\: and Spadicoides arengae sp. nov., recorded from submerged decaying wood in Hong Kong and from decaying palm fronds in Brunei, are described and illustrated. Spadicoides hodgkissa is characterized by versicolored, obovoid conidia with up to 2 septa, including a distal distoseptum and a proximal euseptum, while Spadicoides arengae is characterized by unicellular, ellipsoidal conidia with verruculose walls that are relatively large. Eight genera, including Dendrographium, Helminthospomum, Luzfm'diella, Paliphora, Poljschemu, Po-Iq'tretophora, Porosubramaniania, and Weujin, have the same conidiogenesis as Spadicoides. X key to these genera is provided.

Spadicoides hodgkissa sp. no\: and Spadicoides arengae sp. nov., recorded from submerged decaying wood in Hong Kong and from decaying palm fronds in Brunei, are described and illustrated. Spadicoides hodgkissa is characterized by versicolored, obovoid conidia with up to 2 septa, including a distal distoseptum and a proximal euseptum, while Spadicoides arengae is characterized by unicellular, ellipsoidal conidia with verruculose walls that are relatively large. Eight genera, including Dendrographium, Helminthospomum, Luzfm'diella, Paliphora, Poljschemu, Po-Iq'tretophora, Porosubramaniania, and Weujin, have the same conidiogenesis as Spadicoides. X key to these genera is provided.

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