Alternative Messenger RNA Splicing of Autophagic Gene Beclin 1 in Human B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Cells

Niu, Yu-Na,Liu, Qing-Qing,Zhang, Su-Ping,Yuan, Na,Cao, Yan,Cai, Jin-Yang,Lin, Wei-Wei,Xu, Fei,Wang, Zhi-Jian,Chen, Bo,Wang, Jian-Rong Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.5

Beclin 1 is a key factor for initiation and regulation of autophagy, which is a cellular catabolic process involved in tumorigenesis. To investigate the role of alternative splicing of Beclin1 in the regulation of autophagy in leukemia cells, Beclin1 mRNA from 6 different types of cell lines and peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 2 healthy volunteers was reversely transcribed, subcloned, and screened for alternative splicing. New transcript variants were analyzed by DNA sequencing. A transcript variant of Beclin 1 gene carrying a deletion of exon 11, which encoded a C-terminal truncation of Beclin 1 isoform, was found. The alternative isoform was assessed by bioinformatics, immunoblotting and subcellular localization. The results showed that this variable transcript is generated by alternative 3' splicing, and its translational product displayed a reduced activity in induction of autophagy by starvation, indicating that the spliced isoform might function as a dominant negative modulator of autophagy. Our findings suggest that the alternative splicing of Beclin 1 might play important roles in leukemogenesis regulated by autophagy.

Effective Response of the Peritoneum Microenvironment to Peritoneal and Systemic Metastasis from Colorectal Carcinoma

Yu, Min,Niu, Zhi-Min,Wei, Yu-Quan Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.12

We here document discovery of a new and simple model of tumor seeding involving the mouse peritoneum. Irradiated tumor cells administered by i.p. injection provided effective vaccination against peritoneal carcinomatosis and distal metastasis with colorectal carcinomas. In flow cytometric analysis, CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes, macrophages and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), which are easy to obtain in the peritoneal cavity, were revealed to have significant differences between immunized and non-immunized mice and these contributed to antitumor responses. We also observed that both serum and peritoneal lavage fluid harvested from immunized mice showed the presence of CT26-specific autoantibodies. In addition, increase in level of TGF-${\beta}1$ and IL-10 in serum but a decrease of TGF-${\beta}1$ in peritoneum was found. Taken together, these findings may provide a new vaccine strategy for the prevention of peritoneal and even systemic metastasis of carcinomas through induction of an autoimmune response in the peritoneum.

Meta-Analysis of Circulating Endothelial Cells and Circulating Endothelial Progenitor Cells as Prognostic Factors in Lung Cancer

Yu, Min,Men, Hai-Tao,Niu, Zhi-Min,Zhu, Yu-Xi,Tan, Ben-Xu,Li, Long-Hao,Jiang, Juan Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.14

Background: The aim of this study was to analyze the prognostic implications of pretreatment circulating endothelial cells (CECs) and circulating endothelial progenitor cells (CEPCs) for the survival of patients with lung cancer. Materials and Methods: Relevant literature was identified using Medline and EMBASE. Patient clinical characteristics, overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) together with CEC and CEPC positive rates before treatment were extracted. STATA 12.0 was used for our analysis and assessment of publication bias. Results: A total of 13 articles (8 for CEC and 5 for CEPC, n=595 and n=244) were pooled for the global meta-analysis. The odds ratio (OR) for OS predicted by pretreatment CECs was 1.641 [0.967, 2.786], while the OR for PFS was 1.168 [0.649, 2.100]. The OR for OS predicted by pretreatment CEPCs was 12.673 [5.274, 30.450], while the OR for PFS was 4.930 [0.931, 26.096]. Subgroup analyses were conducted according to clinical staging. Odds ratio (OR) showed the high level of pretreatment CECs only correlated with the OS of patients with advanced lung cancer (stage III-IV). Conclusions: High counts of CECs seem to be associated only with worse 1-year OS in patients with lung cancer, while high level of pretreatment CEPCs correlate with both worse PFS and OS.

A Fast Converging Pulse Coupling Oscillator Synchronicity Model

( Niu Yu ),( Brian J. D'auriol ),( Sungyoung Lee ),( Youngkoo Lee ) 한국정보처리학회 2007 한국정보처리학회 학술대회논문집 Vol.14 No.1

The Pulse Coupling Oscillator (PCO) is a synchronicity model inspired by nature. However, the PCO model has some limitations. The Fast PCO model is proposed in this paper. It addresses the problem of the phase swing actions in the original PCO model. Benefits are the fast synchronicity speed and associated energy saving.

An Analysis Method for Dynamical System

( Yu Niu ),( Brian J D'auriol ),( Youngkoo Lee ),( Sungyoung Lee ) 한국정보처리학회 2009 한국정보처리학회 학술대회논문집 Vol.16 No.2

This paper provides a method to analyze the dynamical system. It considers the fact of realistic delay in dynamical system analysis for the first time. The method uses timeline and state space to emulate the inhibitive coupling nodes evolving procedure in transmission delayed environment. The resultant finite state machine shows the system predictability and hardware implementation feasibility.

Pretreatment Thrombocytosis as a Prognostic Factor in Women with Gynecologic Malignancies: a Meta-analysis

Yu, Min,Liu, Lei,Zhang, Bing-Lan,Chen, Qi,Ma, Xue-Lei,Wu, Yu-Ke,Liang, Chun-Shui,Niu, Zhi-Min,Qin, Xin,Niu, Ting Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.12

Background: This study was performed to analyze the prognostic implications of pretreatment or preoperative thrombocytosis in women with gynecologic malignancies. Material and Methods: We surveyed 2 medical databases, PubMed and EMBASE, to identified all relevant studies. A total of 14 (n=3,490) that evaluated the link between thrombocytosis and 5-year survival were included. REVMAN version 5.1 was used for our analysis and publication bias was evaluated using the Begg's funnel plot and tested by STATA 11.0. Risk ratios (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) generated by the random effect model were used to assess the strength of any association. Results: 709(20.3%) of the 3,490 patients exhibited thrombocytosis (platelet counts > $400{\times}10^9/L$) at primary diagnosis, and their mortality was 1.62-fold higher compared with the others (RR=1.62, 95%CI=[1.28-2.05], p<0.0001). Thrombocytosis failed to have a stronger effect on the survival of advanced patients of stages III to IV in our study (n=478, RR=1.29, 95% CI=[1.13-1.48], p=0.0003), nor in women with cervical cancer in stage IB (n=1371, RR=1.73, 95% CI=[1.71-2.58], p=0.007). In addition, when adjusted for different carcinoma, it was associated with worse prognosis for all except the ones with vulvar cancer (n=201, RR=0.43, 95% CI=[0.14-1.29], p=0.13). Conclusions: This meta-analysis indicated that thrombocytosis might be associated with a worse prognosis for patients with gynecologic malignancies but without specificity or sensitivity for the ones in advanced stage. When adjusted for different gynecologic malignancies, it showed a significant effect on survival of all except vulvar cancers.

No Association Between MTHFR A1298C Gene Polymorphism and Head and Neck Cancer Risk: A Meta-analysis Based on 9,952 Subjects

Niu, Yu-Ming,Shen, Ming,Li, Hui,Ni, Xiao-Bing,Zhou, Juan,Zeng, Xian-Tao,Leng, Wei-Dong,Wu, Ming-Yue Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.8

Objective: Findings for associations between the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) A1298C gene polymorphism and head and neck cancer risk have been conflicting. We therefore performed a meta-analysis to derive a more precise relationship. Methods: Ten published case-control studies were collected and odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to assess the association between MTHFR A1298C polymorphism and head and neck cancer risk. Sensitivity analysis and publication bias assessment also were performed to guarantee the statistical power. Results: Overall, no significant association between MTHFR A1298C polymorphism and head and neck cancer risk was found in this meta-analysis (C vs. A: OR=1.04, 95%CI=0.87-1.25, P=0.668, Pheterogeneity<0.001; CC vs. AA: OR=1.07, 95%CI=0.70-1.65, P=0.748, $P_{heterogeneity}<0.001$; AC vs. AA: OR=1.06, 95%CI=0.88-1.27, P=0.565, $P_{heterogeneity}<0.001$; CC+AC vs. AA: OR=1.06, 95%CI=0.86-1.30, P=0.571, $P_{heterogeneity}<0.001$; CC vs. AA+AC: OR=1.02, 95%CI=0.69-1.52, P=0.910, $P_{heterogeneity}<0.001$). Similar results were also been found in succeeding analysis of HWE and stratified analysis of ethnicity. Conclusion: In conclusion, our meta-analysis demonstrates that MTHFR A1298C polymorphism may not be a risk factor for developing head and neck cancer.

Fermented cottonseed meal improves production performance and reduces fat deposition in broiler chickens

Niu Jun Li,Wei Lian Qing,Luo Yuan Qing,Yang Wen Ting,Lu Qi Cheng,Zheng Xin Xia,Niu Yu Jie,Sheng Wen,Cheng Hong,Zhang Wen Ju,Nie Cun Xi 아세아·태평양축산학회 2021 Animal Bioscience Vol.34 No.4

Objective: This study was conducted to investigate the effect of fermented cottonseed meal (FCSM) on growth performance, carcass traits, and fat deposition in white-feather broiler chickens. Methods: A total of 480 male one-day-old white-feather broiler chickens were selected randomly and divided into four groups with six replicates of 20 chickens in each. The experimental chickens were fed diets including 3%, 6%, or 9% FCSM fermented by Candida tropicalis until 42 days old. In the experiment, the chickens of the control group were fed soybean meal. Results: FCSM supplementation linearly decreased the feed conversion ratio from d 15 to 21 and d 36 to 42, respectively (p<0.05). The percentage of carcass and semi-eviscerate increased in response to dietary FCSM supplementation at d 21 (p<0.05). The percentage of eviscerated and semi-eviscerate of 3FCSM was higher than that in other groups at d 35 (p<0.05). At the age of 42 d, the percentage of carcass increased in a quadratic way among increasing FCSM in diets (p<0.05). The subcutaneous fat thickness linearly decreased with the increasing levels of FCSM at d 21 (p<0.05). Gompertz and Logistic functions provided a better fit on abdominal fat and subcutaneous fat, respectively. The best fitted equation predicted that the maximum growth rate of abdominal fat weight and subcutaneous fat thickness occurred at d 28. FCSM had no significant effects on the shape of growth curve of abdominal fat weight and subcutaneous fat thickness, but reduced the height of the curve. Birds receiving the 6FCSM diet for 21 d had smaller adipocyte surface and lower serum glucose as well as triglyceride concentration. Conclusion: FCSM is beneficial for broiler chickens as it positively affects their growth and carcass in addition to altering their fat deposition. Objective: This study was conducted to investigate the effect of fermented cottonseed meal (FCSM) on growth performance, carcass traits, and fat deposition in white-feather broiler chickens.Methods: A total of 480 male one-day-old white-feather broiler chickens were selected randomly and divided into four groups with six replicates of 20 chickens in each. The experimental chickens were fed diets including 3%, 6%, or 9% FCSM fermented by <i>Candida tropicalis</i> until 42 days old. In the experiment, the chickens of the control group were fed soybean meal.Results: FCSM supplementation linearly decreased the feed conversion ratio from d 15 to 21 and d 36 to 42, respectively (p<0.05). The percentage of carcass and semi-eviscerate increased in response to dietary FCSM supplementation at d 21 (p<0.05). The percentage of eviscerated and semi-eviscerate of 3FCSM was higher than that in other groups at d 35 (p<0.05). At the age of 42 d, the percentage of carcass increased in a quadratic way among increasing FCSM in diets (p<0.05). The subcutaneous fat thickness linearly decreased with the increasing levels of FCSM at d 21 (p<0.05). Gompertz and Logistic functions provided a better fit on abdominal fat and subcutaneous fat, respectively. The best fitted equation predicted that the maximum growth rate of abdominal fat weight and subcutaneous fat thickness occurred at d 28. FCSM had no significant effects on the shape of growth curve of abdominal fat weight and subcutaneous fat thickness, but reduced the height of the curve. Birds receiving the 6FCSM diet for 21 d had smaller adipocyte surface and lower serum glucose as well as triglyceride concentration.Conclusion: FCSM is beneficial for broiler chickens as it positively affects their growth and carcass in addition to altering their fat deposition.

Psychosocial Response and Symptom Burden for Male Smokers with Lung Cancer

Niu, Zhi-Min,Liang, Chun-Shui,Yu, Min,Wang, Yong-Sheng,Yu, Hai-Xia,Zhang, Qiong-Wen,Wei, Yu-Quan Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.1

Purpose: Cigarette smoking causes many kinds of cancer, and it is more closely related with lung cancer, rather than other cancers. Smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer and ninety percent of the smokers are male in China, but there is little published data concerning the psychological responses in the male smokers with lung cancer and its influence on the symptom burden. The aim of the study was to verify the hypothesis that male smokers with lung cancer have more positive attitude and less symptom burden, comparing to male non-smokers. Methods: A total of 194 men with cancer in West China Hospital, Sichuan, China, were assessed by self-administered questionnaire. Psychological response was measured by the Chinese version of Mini-Mental Adjustment to Cancer scale (Mini-MAC), and symptom burden was measured by the physical symptom distress scale from the Rotterdam Symptom Checklist (RSCL). Results: We found that smokers with lung cancer got higher scores in positive attitude and a smaller symptom burden than non-smokers. Patients with education lower than high school got higher scores of positive attitude compared to college graduate patients (p=0.038). Smokers with lung cancer who knew the potential carcinogenicity of cigarette showed less negative emotions (p=0.011). The psychological response was not affected by age, clinical stage, cell type, smoking duration and amount. Conclusions: Male smokers with lung cancer have a more positive attitude and fewer symptoms, comparing to male non-smokers. Appropriate psychological intervention for non-smokers with lung cancer deserves more attention.

Anomalous doping effect in black phosphorene using first-principles calculations

Yu, Weiyang,Zhu, Zhili,Niu, Chun-Yao,Li, Chong,Cho, Jun-Hyung,Jia, Yu The Royal Society of Chemistry 2015 Physical chemistry chemical physics Vol.17 No.25

<P>Using first-principles density functional theory calculations, we investigate the geometries, electronic structures, and thermodynamic stabilities of substitutionally doped phosphorene sheets with group III, IV, V, and VI elements. We find that the electronic properties of phosphorene are drastically modified by the number of valence electrons in dopant atoms. The dopants with an even number of valence electrons enable the doped phosphorenes to have a metallic feature, while the dopants with an odd number of valence electrons retain a semiconducting feature. This even–odd oscillating behavior is attributed to the peculiar bonding characteristics of phosphorene and the strong hybridization of sp orbitals between dopants and phosphorene. Furthermore, the calculated formation energies of various substitutional dopants in phosphorene show that such doped systems can be thermodynamically stable. These results propose an intriguing route to tune the transport properties of electronic and photoelectronic devices based on phosphorene.</P> <P>Graphic Abstract</P><P>Using first-principles density functional theory calculations, we investigate the geometries, electronic structures, and thermodynamic stabilities of substitutionally doped phosphorene sheets with group III, IV, V, and VI elements. <IMG SRC='http://pubs.rsc.org/services/images/RSCpubs.ePlatform.Service.FreeContent.ImageService.svc/ImageService/image/GA?id=c5cp01732g'> </P>