Lack of Association between the COMT rs4680 Polymorphism and Ovarian Cancer Risk: Evidence from a Meta-analysis of 3,940 Individuals

Du, Jin-Ze,Dong, Yu-Ling,Wan, Guo-Xing,Tao, Lin,Lu, Li-Xia,Li, Feng,Pang, Li-Juan,Jia, Wei Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.18

Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) is involved in estrogen metabolism and is vital to estrogen-induced carcinogenesis, including that of ovarian cancer. Although many recent epidemiologic studies have investigated associations between the COMT rs4680 polymorphism and ovarian cancer risk, the results remain inconclusive. We therefore performed a meta-analysis to derive a more precise estimate of associations. Systematic searches of the PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Wanfang, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Chinese Biomedicine databases were undertaken to retrieve eligible studies. Odds ratios (ORs) with their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were pooled to assess the strength of the association. In total, 8 case-control studies involving 1,293 cases and 2,647 controls were included in the meta-analysis. Overall, the results showed no evidence of significant association between the COMT rs4680 polymorphism and ovarian cancer risk in any of the assessed genetic models. Subgroup analyses by ethnicity also did not reveal any significant association in any genetic model (p>0.05). In conclusion, our findings suggest that the COMT rs4680 polymorphism may not contribute to the risk of ovarian cancer.

Gene Microarray Analysis for Porcine Adipose Tissue: Comparison of Gene Expression between Chinese Xiang Pig and Large White

Guo, W.,Wang, S.H.,Cao, H.J.,Xu, K.,Zhang, J.,Du, Z.L.,Lu, W.,Feng, J.D.,Li, N.,Wu, C.H.,Zhang, L. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2008 Animal Bioscience Vol.21 No.1

We created a cDNA microarray representing approximately 3,500 pig genes for functional genomic studies. The array elements were selected from 6,494 cDNA clones identified in a large-scale expressed sequence tag (EST) project. These cDNA clones came from normalized and subtracted porcine adipose tissue cDNA libraries. Sequence similarity searches of the 3,426 ESTs represented on the array using BLASTN identified 2,790 (81.4%) as putative human orthologs, with the remainder consisting of "novel" genes or highly divergent orthologs. We used the gene microarray to profile transcripts expressed by adipose tissue of fatty Chinese Xiang pig (XP) and muscley Large White (LW). Microarray analysis of RNA extracted from adipose tissue of fatty XP and muscley LW identified 81 genes that were differently expressed two fold or more. Transcriptional differences of four of these genes, adipocyte fatty acid binding protein (aP2), stearyl-CoA desaturase (SCD), sterol regulatory element binding transcription factor 1 (SREBF1) and lipoprotein lipase (LPL) were confirmed using SYBR Green quantitative RT-PCR technology. Our results showed that high expression of SCD and SREBF1 may be one of the reasons that larger fat deposits are observed in the XP. In addition, our findings also illustrate the potential power of microarrays for understanding the molecular mechanisms of porcine development, disease resistance, nutrition, fertility and production traits.

The performance of wastewater treatment by two-species immobilized lignin-degrading mycelial pellet GX-1310

Gaijuan GUO,Wei GUO,Xia DU,Qie FENG,Jinda LI,Hong YAN 대한환경공학회 2021 Environmental Engineering Research Vol.26 No.4

This study found a new type of immobilized mycelial pellet GX-1310, which can better treat industrial wastewater. Among them, Aspergillus fumigatus G-13 (degradable lignin) was combined with Bacillus cereus X10-1-2 (having the ability to produce cellulase), and the two synergistically produce strong degradation ability. Taking combined mycelial pellet as the research object, its ability to treat papermaking wastewater, heavy metal wastewater and dye wastewater was investigated. The combined mycelial pellet was superior to the single fungal mycelium in the degradation of lignocellulose, removal of heavy metal ions and adsorption capacity of dyes. And the combined mycelial pellet has a wide range of application conditions (temperature range 28-34℃ and pH range 4-8), which can maintain high processing capacity for papermaking wastewater, heavy metal wastewater and dye wastewater. After three batches of wastewater treatment, the combined mycelial pellet still maintains high activity and can continuously treat wastewater. The study fixed the single fungal mycelium together with cellulose-degrading bacteria, the strains producing different enzymes were combined to form a multi-functional combined mycelial pellet. This method provides a new way for industrial wastewater treatment.

Numerical Simulation on New Conical Spray for Diesel Premixed Charge Compression Ignition

( Li Yan Feng ),( Wu Qiang Long ),( Bao Guo Du ),( Xian Yin Leng ) 한국액체미립화학회 2005 한국액체미립화학회 학술강연회 논문집 Vol.2005 No.-

Concerning the difficulty of pre-mixture preparation for diesel HCCI combustion, a new conical spray is proposed. The new conical spray is formed by the combination of multi-hole nozzle and close impingement structure. The new spray has characteristics of high dispersion and acts with flexible penetration in design. Three-dimensional CFD package AVL FIRE 8.2 was used to simulate pre-mixture preparation process with the new conical spray. The effects of combustion chamber shape and impingement structure on pre-mixture quality were analyzed. The calculation results indicate the following conclusions: (1) with the application of new conical spray, fuel impingement and adhesion on piston or liner surface are avoided; (2) combustion chamber shape has crucial effect on pre-mixture homogeneity, which is apparent when start of injection is or later than 60°CA BTDC; (3) compared with other kinds of combustion chamber, deep reentrant combustion chamber performs better on pre-mixture preparation if the start of injection is 60° or 80°CA BTDC; (4) the geometry of impingement orientation structure also affects pre-mixture quality.

An Experimental Model for Induction of Lung Cancer in Rats by Chlamydia Pneumoniae

Chu, De-Jie,Guo, Shui-Gen,Pan, Chun-Feng,Wang, Jing,Du, Yong,Lu, Xu-Feng,Yu, Zhu-Yuan Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.6

Objective: To assess induction effects of Chlamydia pneumoniae (Cpn) on lung cancer in rats. Methods: A lung cancer animal model was developed through repeated intratracheal injection of Cpn (TW-183) into the lungs of rats, with or without exposure to benzo(a)pyrene (Bp). Cpn antibodies (Cpn-IgA, -IgG, and -IgM) in serum were measured by microimmunofluorescence. Cpn-DNA or Cpn-Ag of rat lung cancer was detected through polymerase chain reaction or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: The prevalence of Cpn infection was 72.9% (35/48) in the Cpn group and 76.7% (33/43) in the Cpn plus benzo(a)pyrene (Bp) group, with incidences of lung carcinomas in the two groups of 14.6% (7/48) and 44.2% (19/43), respectively (P-values 0.001 and <0.000 compared with normal controls). Conclusions: A rat model of lung carcinoma induced by Cpn infection was successfully established in the laboratory for future studies on the treatment, prevention, and mechanisms of the disease.

Synthesis and Characterization of Cobalt-Doped WS ₂ Nanorods for Lithium Battery Applications

Wang, Shiquan,Li, Guohua,Du, Guodong,Li, Li,Jiang, Xueya,Feng, Chuanqi,Guo, Zaiping,Kim, Seungjoo Springer 2010 NANOSCALE RESEARCH LETTERS Vol.5 No.8

<P>Cobalt-doped tungsten disulfide nanorods were synthesized by an approach involving exfoliation, intercalation, and the hydrothermal process, using commercial WS<SUB>2</SUB> powder as the precursor and <I>n</I>-butyllithium as the exfoliating reagent. XRD results indicate that the crystal phase of the sample is 2H-WS<SUB>2</SUB>. TEM images show that the sample consists of bamboo-like nanorods with a diameter of around 20 nm and a length of about 200 nm. The Co-doped WS<SUB>2</SUB> nanorods exhibit the reversible capacity of 568 mAh g<SUP>−1</SUP> in a voltage range of 0.01–3.0 V versus Li/Li<SUP>+</SUP>. As an electrode material for the lithium battery, the Co-doped WS<SUB>2</SUB> nanorods show enhanced charge capacity and cycling stability compared with the raw WS<SUB>2</SUB> powder.</P>

Electroacupuncture Improves Insulin Resistance by Reducing Neuroprotein Y/ Agouti-Related Protein Levels and Inhibiting Expression of Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase 1B in Diet-induced Obese Rats

Xia Liu,Jun-Feng He,Ya-Ting Qu,Zhi-Jun Liu,Qing-Yang Pu,Shengtong Guo,Jia Du,Peng-Fei Jiang 사단법인약침학회 2016 Journal of Acupuncture & Meridian Studies Vol.9 No.2

Electroacupuncture (EA) has been shown to exert beneficial effects on obesity, but the mechanism is unclear. This study investigated the effects of EA on diet-induced obese (DIO) rats. Fifty male SpragueeDawley rats were randomly divided into low-fat diet (LFD, 10 rats) and high-fat diet (HFD, 40 rats) groups. After the DIO models had been established, successful model rats were randomly divided into HFD, EA, and orlistat (OLST) groups. The EA group received EA at Zusanli (ST36) and Quchi (LI11) for 20 minutes once per day for 28 days. The OLST group was treated with orlistat by gavage. The body weight, homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance index, adipocyte diameters, and neuroprotein Y/agouti-related protein and protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B levels were significantly lower in the EA group than in the HFD group. The rats of the OLST group showed watery stools and yellow hairs whereas those of the EA group had regular stools and sleek coats. The effect of EA on weight loss may be related to improved insulin resistance caused by changes in the adipocyte size and by reductions in the expressions of neuroprotein Y/agouti-related protein and protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B. This study indicates that EA may be a better method of alternative therapy for treating obesity and other metabolic diseases.

Pipeline defect detection with depth identification using PZT array and time-reversal method

Yang Xuan,Mingzhang Luo,Guo-Feng Du 국제구조공학회 2023 Smart Structures and Systems, An International Jou Vol.32 No.4

The time-reversal method is employed to improve the ability of pipeline defect detection, and a new approach of identifying the pipeline defect depth is proposed in this research. When the L(0,2) mode ultrasonic guided wave excited through a lead zirconate titinate (PZT) transduce array propagates along the pipeline with a defect, it will interact with the defect and be partially converted to flexural F(n, m) modes and longitudinal L(0,1) mode. Using a receiving PZT array attached axisymmetrically around the pipeline, the L(0,2) reflection signal as well as the mode conversion signals at the defect are obtained. An appropriate rectangle window is used to intercept the L(0,2) reflection signal and the mode conversion signals from the obtained direct detection signals. The intercepted signals are time reversed and re-excited in the pipeline again, result in the guided wave energy focusing on the pipeline defect, the L(0,2) reflection and the L(0,1) mode conversion signals being enhanced to a higher level, especially for the small defect in the early crack stage. Besides the L(0,2) reflection signal, the L(0,1) mode conversion signal also contains useful pipeline defect information. It is possible to identify the pipeline defect depth by monitoring the variation trend of L(0,2) and L(0,1) reflection coefficients. The finite element method (FEM) simulation and experiment results are given in the paper, the enhancement of pipeline defect reflection signals by time-reversal method is obvious, and the way to identify pipeline defect depth is demonstrated to be effective.

Effect of Combined Manual Acupuncture and Massage on Body Weight and Body Mass Index Reduction in Obese and Overweight Women: A Randomized, Short-term Clinical Trial

Huiyong Huang,Jun-Feng He,Xing Zhang,Ya-Ting Qu,Xia Liu,Jia Du,Shengtong Guo 사단법인약침학회 2015 Journal of Acupuncture & Meridian Studies Vol.8 No.2

Obesity is one of the leading health risk factors worldwide and is associated with several other risk factors and health problems. Acupuncture is utilized to treat a variety of health problems, one of which is obesity. Fifty-six obese women with body mass index (BMI) ≥25 kg/m2 were recruited for this trial and were randomly divided into two groups, one with combined manual acupuncture and massage therapy (MAMT), and the other with only manual acupuncture therapy (MAT). In addition, 40 overweight women with BMI 23–25 kg/m2 were randomly divided into two groups, one with MAMT and the other with MAT. Therapy was carried out once per day for 21 days, and the body weights and the BMIs were recorded every day. The results showed that both MAMT and MAT could reduce body weight and BMI significantly, compared with the pretreatment values, for all the participants (p < 0.001); however, the differences in body weight and BMI reductions between pre- and posttreatment for the MAMT and the MAT groups were not statistically significant. The optimal periods for reductions in both body weight and in BMI were the first 4 days. Accounting for the economic strategy (time and money) in alternative therapy, MAT alone may present a reasonable option in the treatment of overweight and obesity in adults.

Three new sesquiterpene lactones from Inula britannica

Xufeng Zhang,Jing-Ling Du,Jie Ren,Feng-Mei Ye,Yang-Guo Xie,Xiangrong Cheng,Shi Kai Yan,Huizi Jin 대한약학회 2015 Archives of Pharmacal Research Vol.38 No.5

One new 1,10-secoeudesmanolide (1), twoeudesmanolides (2 and 3), together with nine knowncompounds (4–12) were isolated from the aerial parts ofInula britannica. The structures of the new compoundswere elucidated by detailed spectroscopic analysis,including HRESIMS and 2D-NMR spectroscopic method. In addition, compounds 1–4 were tested for their inhibitoryeffects against LPS-induced NO production in RAW264.7macrophages.