Clinical Efficacy and Prognosis Factors for Advanced Hepatoblastoma in Children: A 6-year Retrospective Study

Zhang, Yi,Zhang, Wei-Ling,Huang, Dong-Sheng,Hong, Liang,Wang, Yi-Zhuo,Zhu, Xia,Hu, Hui-Min,Zhang, Pin-Wei,Yi, You,Han, Tao Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.8

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effect of multimodality treatment of advanced paediatric hepatoblastoma (HB) and the factors affecting prognosis. Methods: A total of 35 children underwent multimodality treatments consisting of chemotherapy, surgery, interventional therapy, and autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation. The patients were followed up every month. Results: Serum AFP levels in 33 out of 35 patients in this study were significantly increased (P = 0.0002). According to the statistical scatter plot, the values of serum AFP on the 25th, 50th, and 75th percentages were 1,210, 1,210 and 28,318 ng/dl, respectively. Of the 35 cases, 21 were stage IV. 18 cases were treated with systemic chemotherapy before surgery, and 3 cases with locally interventional chemotherapy before surgery. Statistical analysis showed that the preferred interventional treatment affected prognosis, and that there was a statistically significant difference (P = 0.024). Some 33 patients completed the follow-up, of which 17 were in complete remission (CR), 5 were in partial remission (PR), 1 became disease progressive (DP), and 10 died. The remission and overall survival rates were 66.7% (22/33) and 69.7% (23/33), respectively. Patients with the mixed HB phenotypes had worse prognoses than the epithelial phenotype (P < 0.001), and patients in stage IV had a lower survival rate than those in stage III (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Multimodality treatment can effectively improve remission rate and prolong the survival of children with advanced HB. In addition, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), a tumor marker of liver malignant tumors, HB pathological classification, and staging are highly useful in predicting prognosis.

A Novel Virtual Space Vector Modulation Strategy for the Neutral-Point Potential Comprehensive Balance of Neutral-Point-Clamped Converters

Zhang, Chuan-Jin,Tang, Yi,Han, Dong,Zhang, Hui,Zhang, Xiao,Wang, Ke The Korean Institute of Power Electronics 2016 JOURNAL OF POWER ELECTRONICS Vol.16 No.3

A novel Virtual Space Vector (VSV) modulation strategy for complete control of potential neutral point (NP) issues is proposed in this paper. The neutral point potential balancing problems of multi-level converters, which include elimination of low frequency oscillations and self-balancing for NP dc unbalance, are investigated first. Then a set of improved virtual space vectors with dynamic adjustment factors are introduced and a multi-objective optimization algorithm which aims to optimize these adjustment factors is presented in this paper. The improved virtual space vectors and the multi-objective optimization algorithm constitute the novel Virtual Space Vector modulation. The proposed novel Virtual Space Vector modulation can simultaneously recover NP dc unbalance and eliminate low frequency oscillations of the neutral point. Experiment results show that the proposed strategy has excellent performance, and that both of the neutral point potential issues can be solved.

Microwave-assisted Solvent-free Synthesis of Some Dimethine Cyanine Dyes, Spectral Properties and TD-DFT/PCM Calculations

Zhang, Xiang-Han,Wang, Lan-Ying,Zhai, Gao-Hong,Wen, Zhen-Yi,Zhang, Zu-Xun Korean Chemical Society 2007 Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society Vol.28 No.12

A series of dimethine cyanine dyes were synthesized in a fast, efficient and high yield by the condensation of quaternary salts with 1H-indole-3-carbaldehyde in the presence of piperidine under solvent-free microwave irradiation. The products were identified by 1H NMR, IR, UV-Vis spectra and elemental analysis. The absorption and fluorescence properties of these dyes were investigated both experimentally and theoretically. Calculations performed at a combination of time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) and the polarizable continuum model (PCM) reproduced the π-π* type absorption bands of the dyes. Regression analysis was used for studying theoretical results of the absorption maxima in different solvents. Compared with experimental counterparts, estimated overall uncertainties in the absorption maxima were about ±2%.

Enhancement of transglutaminase production in Streptomyces mobaraensis DSM 40587 by non-nutritional stress conditions: Effects of heat shock, alcohols, and salt treatments

Lili Zhang,Lanwei Zhang,Huaxi Yi,Ming Du,Yingchun Zhang,Xue Han,Zhen Feng,Jingyan Li,Yuehua Jiao,Yanhe Zhang,Chunfeng Guo 한국화학공학회 2012 Korean Journal of Chemical Engineering Vol.29 No.7

Stress-mediated bioprocess is a strategy designed to enhance biological target productivity. In this study,an attempt was made to enhance transglutaminase (TGase) production by Streptomyces mobaraensis by using different stress conditions including heat shock, alcohols and salt stress. Results showed that the effects of stress on TGase production depended on the type applied. For heat shock, TGase production (1.32 U/ml) was recorded maximum in the culture treated at 48 h post inoculation in water bath at 60 oC for 1 min. For alcohols treatment, the maximum activity of TGase (1.77 and 1.75 U/ml) was obtained when 3% methanol was added into the medium at 0 or 24 h of fermentation. However, a 3.5-fold increased production of TGase (3.8 U/ml) was observed in the medium supplemented with 0.2mol/l MgCl2 compared with the basic medium at the beginning of fermentation. In conclusion, TGase production from S. mobaraensis was improved by heat shock, methanol and salt stress treatments, MgCl2 stress was the most effective.

Microwave-assisted Solvent-free Synthesis of Some Dimethine Cyanine Dyes, Spectral Properties and TD-DFT/PCM Calculations

Xiang-Han Zhang,Lan-Ying Wang*,Gao-Hong Zhai,Zhen-Yi Wen,Zu-Xun Zhang 대한화학회 2007 Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society Vol.28 No.12

A series of dimethine cyanine dyes were synthesized in a fast, efficient and high yield by the condensation of quaternary salts with 1H-indole-3-carbaldehyde in the presence of piperidine under solvent-free microwave irradiation. The products were identified by 1H NMR, IR, UV-Vis spectra and elemental analysis. The absorption and fluorescence properties of these dyes were investigated both experimentally and theoretically. Calculations performed at a combination of time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) and the polarizable continuum model (PCM) reproduced the p-p* type absorption bands of the dyes. Regression analysis was used for studying theoretical results of the absorption maxima in different solvents. Compared with experimental counterparts, estimated overall uncertainties in the absorption maxima were about ?2%.

A Novel Virtual Space Vector Modulation Strategy for the Neutral-Point Potential Comprehensive Balance of Neutral-Point-Clamped Converters

Chuan-Jin Zhang,Yi Tang,Dong Han,Hui Zhang,Xiao Zhang,Ke Wang 전력전자학회 2016 JOURNAL OF POWER ELECTRONICS Vol.16 No.3

A novel Virtual Space Vector (VSV) modulation strategy for complete control of potential neutral point (NP) issues is proposed in this paper. The neutral point potential balancing problems of multi-level converters, which include elimination of low frequency oscillations and self-balancing for NP dc unbalance, are investigated first. Then a set of improved virtual space vectors with dynamic adjustment factors are introduced and a multi-objective optimization algorithm which aims to optimize these adjustment factors is presented in this paper. The improved virtual space vectors and the multi-objective optimization algorithm constitute the novel Virtual Space Vector modulation. The proposed novel Virtual Space Vector modulation can simultaneously recover NP dc unbalance and eliminate low frequency oscillations of the neutral point. Experiment results show that the proposed strategy has excellent performance, and that both of the neutral point potential issues can be solved.

Causal Relations between Exposome and Stroke: A Mendelian Randomization Study

Hong-Qi Li,Yi-Wei Feng,Yu-Xiang Yang,Xin-Yi Leng,Prof Can Zhang,Shi-Dong Chen,Kevin Kuo,Shu-Yi Huang,Xue-Qing Zhang,Yi Dong,Xiang Han,Xin Cheng,Mei Cui,Lan Tan,Qiang Dong,Jin-Tai Yu 대한뇌졸중학회 2022 Journal of stroke Vol.24 No.2

Background and Purpose To explore the causal relationships of elements of the exposome with ischemic stroke and its subtypes at the omics level and to provide evidence for stroke prevention. Methods We conducted a Mendelian randomization study between exposure and any ischemic stroke (AIS) and its subtypes (large-artery atherosclerotic disease [LAD], cardioembolic stroke [CE], and small vessel disease [SVD]). The exposure dataset was the UK Biobank involving 361,194 subjects, and the outcome dataset was the MEGASTROKE consortium including 52,000 participants. Results We found that higher blood pressure (BP) (systolic BP: odds ratio [OR], 1.02; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01 to 1.04; diastolic BP: OR, 1.03; 95% CI, 1.01 to 1.05; pulse pressure: OR, 1.03; 95% CI, 1.00 to 1.06), atrial fibrillation (OR, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.13 to 1.25), and diabetes (OR, 1.13; 95% CI, 1.07 to 1.18) were significantly associated with ischemic stroke. Importantly, higher education (OR, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.60 to 0.79) decreased the risk of ischemic stroke. Higher systolic BP (OR, 1.06; 95% CI, 1.02 to 1.10), pulse pressure (OR, 1.08; 95% CI, 1.02 to 1.14), diabetes (OR, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.13 to 1.45), and coronary artery disease (OR, 1.58; 95% CI, 1.25 to 2.00) could cause LAD. Atrial fibrillation could cause CE (OR, 1.90; 95% CI, 1.71 to 2.11). For SVD, higher systolic BP (OR, 1.04; 95% CI, 1.00 to 1.07), diastolic BP (OR, 1.06; 95% CI, 1.01 to 1.12), and diabetes (OR, 1.22; 95% CI, 1.10 to 1.36) were causal factors. Conclusions The study revealed elements of the exposome causally linked to ischemic stroke and its subtypes, including conventional causal risk factors and novel protective factors such as higher education.

Analysis on Survival and Prognostic Factors for Cancer Patients with Malignancy-associated Hypercalcemia

Zhang, Su-Jie,Hu, Yi,Cao, Jing,Qian, Hai-Li,Jiao, Shun-Chang,Liu, Zhe-Feng,Tao, Hai-Tao,Han, Lu Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.11

Objective: To explore the incidence, clinical characteristics, diagnosis and treatment strategies, prognosis of patients with malignancy-associated hypercalcemia (MAH). Methods: The data of 115 patients with MAH who were treated at the Medical Oncology Department of Chinese PLA General Hospital from Jan., 2001 to Dec., 2010 was retrospectively reviewed. Survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method and the Cox proportional hazard model with statistic software SPSS 18.0. Results: The patients had blood calcium levels ranging from 2.77 to 4.87 mmol/L. Except for 9 cases who died or were discharged within 5 days after admission, all other patients recovered to normal blood calcium level after treatment with bisphosphonates or intravenous hydration and diuretics; their survival after occurrence of MAH was from 1 day to 4,051 days, and the median survival time was only 50 days. In the log-rank test, the male, renal metastasis, central nervous system symptoms and hypercalcemia occurring over 140 days after cancer diagnosis were predictors of poor survival (P=0.002, P=0.046, P=0.000, P=0.009). In the COX analysis, being male, central nervous system symptoms and hypercalcemia lasting over 140 days after cancer diagnosis were independent prognostic factors for survival time (RR=2.131, P=0.027; RR=3.054, P=0.002; RR=2.403, P=0.001). According to these factors, a score system was established to predict the patient prognosis and adjust the treatment. Conclusion: Cancer patients with MAH have an extremely poor median survival. Some independent factors indicate poor prognosis, including male gender, central nervous system symptoms and hypercalcemia lasting over 140 days after cancer diagnosis. The prognostic score can serve as a reference for MAH prognosis and treatment, worthy of further investigation.

The Metabolizable Energy Value, Standardized Ileal Digestibility of Amino Acids in Soybean Meal, Soy Protein Concentrate and Fermented Soybean Meal, and the Application of These Products in Early-weaned Piglets

Zhang, H.Y.,Yi, J.Q.,Piao, X.S.,Li, P.F.,Zeng, Z.K.,Wang, D.,Liu, L.,Wang, G.Q.,Han, X. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2013 Animal Bioscience Vol.26 No.5

Three experiments were conducted to evaluate the metabolizable energy (ME) value, standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of amino acids (AA) of soybean meal (SBM), soy protein concentrate (SPC) and fermented soybean meal (FSBM), and the application of these products in early-weaned piglets. In Exp. 1, four barrows with initial body weight (BW) of $14.2{\pm}1.4$ kg were used in a $4{\times}4$ Latin square design. The diet 1 contained corn as the only energy source. The other three diets replaced 25% of corn in diet 1 with one of the three soybean products, and the digestable energy (DE) and ME contents were determined by difference. In Exp. 2, four barrows (initial BW of $18.2{\pm}1.5$ kg) were fitted with ileal T-cannulas and allotted to a $4{\times}4$ Latin square design. Three cornstarch-based diets were formulated using each of the soybean products as the sole source of AA. A nitrogen-free diet was also formulated to measure endogenous losses of AA. In Exp. 3, ninety six piglets (initial BW of $5.6{\pm}0.9$ kg) weaned at $21{\pm}2$ d were blocked by weight and assigned to one of three treatments for a 21-d growth performance study. The control diet was based on corn and SBM, the two treatments' diets contained either 10% SPC or FSBM and were formulated to same SID lysine to ME ratio of 3.6 g/Mcal. The results showed that the ME content of SPC was greater than SBM (p<0.05). The SID of most AA in SPC was greater than the SID of AA in SBM (p<0.05). For the essential AA, the SID of histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine and threonine in FSBM were greater than in SBM (p<0.05). Even though they were fed same SID lysine to ME ratio of 3.6 g/Mcal diets, pigs fed SPC and FSBM diets had greater weight gain, G:F (p<0.05) and better fecal score (p<0.05) than pigs fed SBM diet. In conclusion, SPC showed a higher ME content and SID of AA than the SBM. SID of some essential AA in FSBM was higher than SBM and was similar with SPC. But the lower antigenic proteins and anti-nutritional factors content in SPC and FSBM may be the main factors affecting the performance of early-weaned piglets rather than the increased ME content and SID of AA.

Cantharidin Combined with Chemotherapy for Chinese Patients with Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

Han, Li,Sun, Yi-Jie,Pan, Yong-Fu,Ding, Hao,Chen, Xi,Zhang, Xu Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.24

Background: This systematic analysis was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of cantharidin combined with chemotherapy in treating Chinese patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. Methods: Clinical studies evaluating the efficacy and safety of cantharidin combined with chemotherapy on response and safety for Chinese patients with colorectal cancer were identified using a predefined search strategy. Pooled response rate (RR) of treatment were calculated.Results: When cantharidin combined with chemotherapy, 4 clinical studies which included 155 patients with advanced colorectal cancer were considered eligible for inclusion. The systematic analysis suggested that, in all patients, pooled RR was 46.5% (72/155) in cantharidin combined regimens. Major adverse effects were neutropenia, leukopenia, fatigue, and anemia with cantharidin combined treatment; no treatment related deaths occurred. Conclusion: This systematic analysis suggests that cantharidin combined regimens are associated with high response rate and accepted toxicity in treating Chinese patients with metastatic colorectal cancer suggesting that randomized clinical trials are now warranted.