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Background. Spontaneous rupture is an uncommon but the most fatal complication of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and is recognized as a risk factor for tumor recurrence. The present study is to investigate the short- and long-term survival of the patients with HCC rupture and evaluate the influence of tumor rupture on patient's survival after hepatic resection. Patients and methods. The clinical data of 101 patients with HCC rupture from 2000 to 2010 were reviewed retrospectively. The management of tumor rupture and clinicopathological parameters affecting 30-day mortality of the patients were recorded and evaluated. Long-term survival of the 41 patients undergoing hepatic resection was compared with 446 patients with non-ruptured HCC at the same time period. Results. The 30-day mortality rate of the 101 patients with HCC rupture was 35.6% and median survival was 79 days. The independent risk factors affecting 30-day mortality were tumor size and blood transfusion quantity. Compared with 446 non-ruptured HCC patients, 41 patients with ruptured HCC undergoing hepatic resection had a similar overall and disease-free survival to 446 without rupture (Log-rank test, p = 0.704 and 0.084, respectively). Multivariate analysis revealed that age, gender, and tumor size were independently significant factors in differentiating tumor rupture from non-rupture. Conclusion. Early mortality of spontaneous rupture of HCC was dependent on preoperational liver function, tumor status, and severity of bleeding. Prolonged survival can be achieved in patients with ruptured HCC after hepatic resection as those without the complication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crude glycerol, a by-product of biodiesel production, was employed as the carbon source to produce lipase using Pichia pastoris. Under identical fermentation conditions, cell growth and lipase activity were improved using crude glycerol instead of pure glycerol. The impacts of crude glycerol impurities (methyl ester, grease, glycerol, methanol, and metal ions Na+, Ca2+, and Fe3+) on lipase production were investigated. Impurities accelerated P. pastoris entering the stationary phase. Na+, Ca2+, and grease in waste crude glycerol were the main factors influencing higher lipase activity. Through response surface optimization of Ca2+, Na+, and grease concentrations, lipase activity reached 1437 U/mL (15,977 U/mg), which was 2.5 times that of the control. This study highlights the economical and highly efficient valorization of crude glycerol, demonstrating its possible utilization as a carbon source to produce lipase by P. pastoris without pretreatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]