Potential Therapeutic Targets for the Primary Gallbladder Carcinoma: Estrogen Receptors

Zhang, Ling-Qiang,Zhang, Xiu-De,Xu, Jia,Wan, Yong,Qu, Kai,Zhang, Jing-Yao,Wang, Zhi-Xin,Wei, Ji-Chao,Meng, Fan-Di,Tai, Ming-Hui,Zhou, Lei,Liu, Chang Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.4

Gallbladder carcinoma, the most frequent malignant neoplasm of the biliary tract system, has always been considered to feature late clinical presentation and diagnosis, limited treatment options and an extremely poor prognosis. In recent years, while the incidence of gallbladder cancer has appeared to be on the increase, the available treatment methods have not greatly improved survival of the affected patients. Thus, exploring new therapeutic targets for this devastating disease is an urgent matter at present. Epidemical studies have demonstrated that the incidence of gallbladder carcinoma exhibits a distinct gender bias, affecting females two to three times more than males, pointing to crucial roles of estrogen. It is well known that estrogen acts on target tissues by binding to estrogen receptors (ERs), which are mainly divided into three subtypes, $ER{\alpha}$, $ER{\beta}$ and $ER{\gamma}$. $ER{\alpha}$ and $ER{\beta}$ appear to have overlapping but also unique even opposite biological effects. As important pathogenic mediators, ERs have been considered to relate to several kinds of tumors. In gallbladder carcinoma tissue, ERs have been shown to be positively expressed, and ERs expression levels are associated with differentiation and prognosis of this cancer. Nevertheless, the exact mechanisms of estrogen inducing growth of gallbladder carcinoma remain poorly understood. On the base of the current investigations, we deduce that estrogen participates in promotion of gallbladder carcinoma by influencing the formation of gallstones, stimulating angiogenesis, and promoting abnormal proliferation. Since ERs mediate the carcinogenic actions of estrogen in gallbladder, and therapy targeting ERs may provide new directions for gallbladder carcinoma. Therefore, it should be stressed that ERs are potential therapeutic targets for gallbladder carcinoma.

Controlling the Valence State of Cu Dopant in α-Fe₂O₃ Anodes: Effects on Crystal Structure and the Conversion Reactions with Alkali Ions

Zhang, Jiliang,Lau, Vincent Wing-hei,Liao, Chang-Zhong,Wong, Kam Wa,Lee, Gi-Hyeok,Zou, Feng,Chang, Chung-Kai,Sheu, Hwo-Shuenn,Kang, Yong-Mook American Chemical Society 2019 Chemistry of materials Vol.31 No.4

<P>Doping is one of the most important ways to tailor the performance of energy materials. However, the crystal structure of doped materials is usually oversimplified as a simple substitution of dopants. Here, we characterized the doped α-Fe<SUB>2</SUB>O<SUB>3</SUB> with different Cu cations using synchrotron X-ray diffraction, X-ray absorption, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and electrochemically evaluated it as an anode in lithium batteries. The results suggest that doping is not the simple replacement of Fe<SUP>3+</SUP> sites by Cu<SUP>2+</SUP> or Cu<SUP>+</SUP> but induces a complex local structure change, which may be a characteristic of this class of materials. In Cu<SUP>+</SUP>-doped samples, Cu<SUP>+</SUP> not only replaces the Fe<SUP>3+</SUP> site and distorts the FeO<SUB>6</SUB> octahedra, but also gives rise to oxygen vacancies in CuO<SUB>6</SUB> octahedra in the bulk structure and peroxides at the surface, leading to uniform precipitation of Cu as a conductive and buffering agent. These CuO<SUB>6</SUB> octahedra also facilitate homogeneous reactions (electrochemical reduction of Cu<SUP>+</SUP> and Fe<SUP>3+</SUP> together) and the formation of high quality solid-electrolyte interface (SEI) layers. All these factors account for its improved electrochemical performance (discharge capacity of 841(25) mAh/g against 758(21) mAh/g of undoped one, after 80 cycles at 100mA/g). In Cu<SUP>2+</SUP>-doped samples, Cu<SUP>2+</SUP> takes both Fe<SUP>3+</SUP> and empty octahedral interstitial sites, forming linear clusters of three neighboring CuO<SUB>6</SUB> octahedra. Such medium-range phase separation causes electrochemical reduction to metallic Cu before the reduction of Fe<SUP>3+</SUP>, leading to inactive surface Cu that contributes to poor SEI layers and deteriorates its electrochemical performances. The present work allows a better understanding of how doping affects the crystallographic structures and offers insights into how this strategy can be employed to improve electrochemical performance, in contrast to the ambiguity over material properties associated with the commonly accepted model of simple atomic replacement.</P> [FIG OMISSION]</BR>

Risk Factors for Cervical Cancer in Rural Areas of Wuhan China: a Matched Case-control Study

Zhang, Bin,Zhou, Ai-Fen,Zhu, Chang-Cai,Zhang, Ling,Xiang, Bing,Chen, Zhong,Hu, Rong-Hua,Zhang, Ya-Qi,Qiu, Lin,Zhang, Yi-Ming,Xiong, Chao-Du,Du, Yu-Kai,Shi, Yu-Qin Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.12

Cervical cancer is a serious public health problem in developing countries. We investigated possible risk factors for cervical cancer in rural areas of Wuhan China using a matched case-control study with 33 women diagnosed with cervical cancer and 132 healthy women selected from the same area as matched controls. A questionnaire, which included questions about general demography conditions, environmental and genetic factors, the first sexual intercourse, first marriage age, age at first pregnancy, pregnancy first child's age, female personal health history, social psychological factors, dietary habits, smoking and alcohol status and other living habits was presented to all participants. At the same time, HPV infection of every participant was examined in laboratory testing. Results showed HPV infection (P<0.000, OR=23.4) and pregnancy first child's age (P<0.000, OR=13.1) to be risk factors for cervical cancer. Menopause (P=0.003, OR=0.073) was a protective factor against cervical cancer. However, there was no indication of associations of environmental (drinking water, insecticide, disinfectant) genetic (cancer family history), or life-style factors (smoking status, alcohol status, physical training, sleep quality), including dietary habits (intake of fruit and vegetable, meat, fried food, bean products and pickled food) or social psychological factors with cervical cancer. The results suggest that the risk of cervical cancer in Chinese rural women may be associated with HPV infection, menopause and the pregnancy first child's age.

Flat-bottomed design philosophy of Y-typed bifurcations in hydropower stations

Chang-zheng Shi,Yang Wang,He-gao Wu,Qi-ling Zhang,Kai Su 국제구조공학회 2016 Structural Engineering and Mechanics, An Int'l Jou Vol.57 No.6

The drainage problem in bifurcations causes pecuniary losses when hydropower stations are undergoing periodic overhaul. A new design philosophy for Y-typed bifurcations that are flat-bottomed is proposed. The bottoms of all pipe sections are located at the same level, making drainage due to gravity possible and shortening the draining time. All fundamental curves were determined, and contrastive analysis with a crescent-rib reinforced bifurcation in an actual project was conducted. Feasibility demonstrations were researched including structural characteristics based on finite element modeling and hydraulic characteristics based on computational fluid dynamics. The new bifurcation provided a well-balanced shape and reasonable stress state. It did not worsen the flow characteristics, and the head loss was considered acceptable. The proposed Y-typed bifurcation was shown to be suitable for pumped storage power stations

Strategies to Reduce the Arteriovenous Access Obstruction in Hemodialysis Patients

Kai-Ling Yang,Chai-Chi Huang,Ying-Fang Zhang,Shin-Yng Chang,Yu-Jia Zhang,Ya-Fang Ho,Huey-Liang Kuo 한국간호과학회 2019 한국간호과학회 학술대회 Vol.2019 No.10

Influence of Various Heat Treatment Stages on Evolution of Microstructure and Grain in H407 Steel

Jian Sun,Kai Ji,Chen Wei Jiang,Yun Chang Zhang 대한금속·재료학회 2016 METALS AND MATERIALS International Vol.22 No.5

Regarding heat treatment as one of the main methods for improving property of die steel, dead annealing, quenching, once tempering, twice tempering, and thrice tempering treatment of H407 die steel were conducted in this thesis. Microstructure conversion and grain size development in various stages of heat treatment were analyzed, and then magnitude, shape, and distribution of secondary phase during heat treatment were investigated to explore the function mechanism of microalloyed elements on evolution of microstructure and grain during heat treatment. The steel achieves homogeneous microstructure and composition after this heat treatment. The final phase constituent is α and γ phase as well as the final microstructure consists of tempered martensite, trace retained austenite and granular carbides. A large number of fine and dispersive MC as well as M7C3 type granular carbides containing V, Mo and Cr precipitate in trice tempered microstructure. After this heat treatment grain is finer with grain size of 5.96 μm.

Characteristics of 240 Chinese Father-child Pairs with Malignant Disease

Liu, Ju,Li, Ni,Chang, Sheng,Xu, Zhi-Jian,Zhang, Kai Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.11

To obtain a screening and early detection reference for individuals who have a family history of cancer on the paternal side, we collected and analyzed data from 240 pairs in which both fathers and their children were diagnosed with cancer. Disease categories of fathers and sons were similar to that of the general population of China, whereas daughters were different from general female population with high incidence of breast cancer and gynecological cancer. Sons were more likely than daughters to have the same type of cancer, or to have cancer in the same organ system as their fathers (P < 0.0001). Sons and daughters developed malignant diseases 11 and 16 years earlier than their fathers, respectively (P < 0.0001 for both sons and daughters). Daughters developed malignant diseases 5 years earlier than sons (P < 0.0001). Men with a family history of malignant tumors on the paternal side should be screened for malignancies from the age of 45 years, or 11 years earlier than the age of their fathers' diagnosis, and women should be screened from the age of 40 years, or 16 years earlier than the age at which their fathers were diagnosed with cancer. Lung cancer should be investigated in both men and women, whilst screening should focus on cancer of the digestive system in men and on breast and gynecological cancer (ovary, uterine and cervical cancer) in women.

Poster Session : PS 0589 ; Psychiatry ; Holistic Care Unit Improves Access Block in Emergency Department in Taiwan

( Meng Chieh Wu ),( Hsin Kai Huang ),( Chun Cheng Zhang ),( Li Sheng Chang ),( Yung Ze Cheng ),( Chien Chin Hsu ),( Kao Chang Lin ) 대한내과학회 2014 대한내과학회 추계학술대회 Vol.2014 No.1

Background: Emergency department (ED) overcrowding is a problem in many countries including Taiwan. Access block refers to a situation where patients in the emergency department requiring inpatient care are unable to gain access to appropriate hospital beds within a reasonable time frame (more than 8 hours total time in the emergency department). Access block is one major reason of ED overcrowding. Methods: A new holistic care unit was established in our medical center in Taiwan in July 2012, with the attending physicians including internal medicine physicians and a neurologist. The patients who required hospitalized treatment were referred to internal medicine physicians in the emergency department. The new department was comprised of seven experienced medical attending physician to take care of the patients directly, with 8-hour duty work shifts within 24 hours, in collaboration with emergency physicians, radiologists, nurses, social workers and case managers to form a team. This team had similar three-shift work duty, education and training programs, and they shared medical devices and resources. If beds in the intensive care unit or ward are not available immediately, procedures and treatment can be performed in the holistic care unit. The pediatric patients were excluded from this study. Results: In total, 26,623 patients were admitting to ward from our emergency department from August 2011 to July 2012, and 23,790 patients from August 2012 to July 2013. The rate of access block decreased from 55.29% to 50.01% ( p < 0.01) after holistic care unit was established. The mean time of ED length of stay was also improved from 18.04 hours to 15.43 hours ( p < 0.01). Conclusions: The newly established holistic care unit in our hospital improved the quality of medical care, not only physiologically but also psychologically.

Distinctions Between Clinicopathological Factors and Prognosis of Alpha-fetoprotein Negative and Positive Hepatocelluar Carcinoma Patients

Xu, Jia,Liu, Chang,Zhou, Lei,Tian, Feng,Tai, Ming-Hui,Wei, Ji-Chao,Qu, Kai,Meng, Fan-Di,Zhang, Ling-Qiang,Wang, Zhi-Xin,Zhang, Jing-Yao,Chang, Hu-Lin,Liu, Si-Nan,Xu, Xin-Shen,Song, Yan-Zhou,Liu, Jun,Z Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.2

Serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is a significant marker for clinical diagnosis and prognosis evaluation in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. However, some proportion of liver cancer patients are AFP-negative (AFP ${\leq}$20ng/ml). In order to study the differences between clinicopathological factors and prognosis of alpha-fetoprotein negative and positive patients, a total of 114 cases (41 AFP-negative and 73 AFP-positive) were selected for our research. By systematically statistical analysis, the results demonstrated that compared with AFP-negative patients, AFP-positive examples were more likely to feature cirrhosis nodules, non-complete neoplasm capsules, and a poor Edmondson-steiner grade. Furthermore, AFP-negative patients demonstrated a favorable long-term prognosis. By univariate analysis and multivariate analysis with Cox's proportional hazards model, multiple tumors were found to be independent risk factors for worse survival of AFP negative patients; however, less tumor-free margins, multiple tumors and Edmondson-steiner grades III/IV, proved to be independent risk factors leading to a poor prognosis of AFP positive cases. Finally, we can infer that high levels of AFP signify a highly malignant tumor and unfavorable prognosis.

Cyanidin-3-Glucoside-Rich Extract from Chinese Bayberry Fruit Protects Pancreatic b Cells and Ameliorates Hyperglycemia in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Mice

Chong-De Sun,Bo Zhang,Jiu-Kai Zhang,Chang-Jie Xu,Yu-Lian Wu,Xian Li,Kun-Song Chen 한국식품영양과학회 2012 Journal of medicinal food Vol.15 No.3

Chinese bayberry fruit is a rich source of anthocyanins, especially cyanidin-3-glucoside (C3G). The present study investigated the protective effects of C3G-rich bayberry fruit extract (CRBFE) against pancreatic b cells against oxidative stress–induced injury as well as its hypoglycemic effect in diabetic mice. Bayberry extract from ‘‘Biqi’’ was used for both in vitro and in vivo testing because of its high C3G content and high antioxidant capacity. Pretreatment of b cells with CRBFE (containing 0.5 lmol/L C3G) prevented cell death, increased cellular viability, and decreased mitochondrial reactive oxygen species production and cell necrosis induced by 800 or 1200 lmol/L H2O2. CRBFE dose-ependently up-regulated pancreatic duodenal homeobox 1 gene expression, contributing to increased insulin-like growth factor II gene transcript levels and insulin protein in INS-1 cells. In addition, adminitration of CRBFE (150 lg of C3G/10 g of body weight twice per day)significantly reduced blood glucose in streptozotocin-induced diabetic ICR mice and increased the glucose tolerance in an oral glucose tolerance test (P < .05). Such results indicated that CRBFE might be useful in prevention and control of diabetes mellitus and diabetes-associated complications.