HMGB1 concentration in plasma was higher in the URSA group than the control group. Furthermore, the levels of HMGB1 of subjects with URSA could be reduced by administrating low doses of aspirin (ASPL). SIGNIFICANCE This is the first report indicating the roles of HMGB1 at the maternal-fetal interface of URSA patients and broadening the horizons for clinical treatment of URSA. HMGB1-RAGE/TLR2/TLR4-NF-κB signaling pathway may be activated at the maternal-fetal interface in URSA and account for its pathogenesis. HMGB1 have the potential to be promising biomarkers in prevention and therapy of URSA. PURPOSE We investigated the relationship between Krickenbeck score (KS) and fecoflowmetry (FFM) parameters and assessed the characteristics of this new questionnaire test by comparing Kelly's clinical score (KCS) in pediatric patients with anorectal surgery for anorectal malformation (ARM) and Hirschsprung's disease (HD). METHODS We enrolled pediatric patients who underwent anorectal surgery for ARM or HD. Bowel function was assessed with KS and KCS thereafter, FFM and anorectal manometry (AM) were conducted. Patients were divided into subgroups according to each parameter of the scoring system and each FFM parameter was compared among the KCS or KS subgroups, respectively. Moreover, correlation analyses were conducted between FFM and AM parameters. RESULTS The comparison of FFM parameters among the subgroups of KCS showed that Fmax in the KCS staining 2 group was significantly higher than that in KCS staining 1 group and the Fmax in KCS sphincter squeeze 1 group was significantly higher than that in KCS sphincter squeeze 0 group. Moreover, Fmax in the KCS "good" group was significantly higher than that in the KCS "fair" group. The comparison of FFM parameters among the subgroups of KS parameters showed that TR in the no soiling group was significantly higher than that in the KS grade 2 soiling group. FFM and AM parameters showed a significant positive correlation between Fmax and voluntary squeezing anal pressure. CONCLUSION FFM clarified the different characteristics of two scoring systems, namely, KCS reflects the anal sphincter performance, whereas the KS soiling score might reflect the tolerance and evacuation ability. BACKGROUND Postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) remains the main cause of surgery related mortality after pancreaticoduodenectomy. Various pancreatoenteric anastomosis methods have been developed to reduce the POPF rate. However, the optimum choice has not been clarified. METHODS A literature search is performed in electronic databases, including PubMed, Medline, Embase, CNKI and the Cochrane Library. Studies comparing modified Blumgart anastomosis with interrupted transpancreatic suture are included in this meta-analysis. Grade B/C POPF, overall POPF rate and overall sever complication rate (Clavien-Dindo classification IIIa or more) are measured as primary outcomes. Revman 5.3 was used to perform the analysis. RESULTS Five retrospective comparative studies and 1 randomized controlled trial with a total number of 1409 patients are included in our analysis. Meta-analysis revealed that modified Blumgart anastomosis is associated with lower rate of grade B/C POPF [Odds Ratio (OR) 95% confidence interval (CI),0.32 (0.12-0.84); P = 0.02] and intra-abdominal abscess [OR 95%CI, 0.43 (0.29-0.65); P  less then  0.01] comparing with interrupted transpancreatic suture. However, this procedure could not reduce overall POPF [OR 95%CI,0.70 (0.34-1.44); P = 0.34] and overall sever complication rate [OR 95%CI,0.91 (0.48-1.72); P = 0.77]. CONCLUSION At current level of evidence, modified Blumgart anastomosis is superior to interrupted transpancreatic suture in terms of grade B/C POPF and intra-abdominal abscess. However, high-grade evidence will be necessary to confirm these results. BACKGROUND Hereditary angioedema (HAE) with C1-inhibitor deficiency is associated with painful, potentially fatal attacks affecting subcutaneous or submucosal tissues. OBJECTIVE To evaluate HAE burden from patients' perspective. METHODS Noninterventional US survey of patients with HAE; conducted March 17-April 28, 2017. Patients were recruited through the US Hereditary Angioedema Association. Key eligibility criteria aged ≥18y, self-reported physician diagnosis of HAE type 1/2, ≥1 HAE attack/prodromal symptom within last year, and receipt of HAE medication for an attack within last 2 years. Descriptive analyses were conducted RESULTS 445 patients completed the survey. Most (92.8%) were aged 18-64y with HAE type 1 (78.4%) and a positive family history (78.4%). Mean (SD) ages at symptom onset and diagnosis were 12.5 (9.1) and 20.1 (13.7)y, respectively. Most patients (78.7%) experienced an attack within the past month.  https://www.selleckchem.com/products/c646.html  The abdomen (58.0%) and extremities (46.1%) were commonly affected sites; pain (73.9%) and abdominal (57.0%) and nonabdominal (55.1%) swelling were commonly reported symptoms. Most patients (68.5%) had received or were currently receiving long-term prophylaxis. The majority (88.8%) reported visiting allergists/immunologists; 9.2% visited emergency departments/urgent care clinics. Per the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, 49.9% and 24.0% of respondents had anxiety and depression, respectively. Mean HAE-QoL scores were generally lower with higher attack frequency. General health was "poor" or "fair" for 24.8% of patients. Mean (SD) percentage impairments were 5.9% (14.1%) for absenteeism, 23.0% (25.8%) for presenteeism, 25.4% (28.1%) for work productivity loss, and 31.8% (29.7%) for activity impairment. CONCLUSION Despite treatment advances, US patients with HAE continue to have a high burden of illness. In this work, black liquor as a waste from paper industry was used to pretreat corn stover before anaerobic digestion. The batch mode anaerobic digestion achieved a methane production up to 260.5 mL/g VS when the corn stover was pretreated the black liquor of 12 g NaOH/L alkalinity for 24 h, which was 59.1% higher than the control. In the semi-continuous mode anaerobic digestion, black liquor pretreatment increased the buffering capacity of the digestate to maintain suitable pH and total VFA/alkalinity ratio with no adverse effect resulted from the presence of ions. The structural and chemical changes of corn stover after the pretreatment were investigated to rationalize the enhanced performance of anaerobic digestion.