Systemic Inflammatory Biomarkers, Especially Fibrinogen to Albumin Ratio, Predict Prognosis in Patients with Pancreatic Cancer

Lin Fang,Fei-Hu Yan,Chao Liu,Jing Chen,Dan Wang,Chun-Hui Zhang,Chang-Jie Lou,Jie Lian,Yang Yao,Bo-Jun Wang,Rui-Yang Li,Shu-Ling Han,Yi-Bing Bai,Jia-Ni Yang,Zhi-Wei Li,Yan-Qiao Zhang 대한암학회 2021 Cancer Research and Treatment Vol.53 No.1

Purpose Systemic inflammatory response is a critical factor that promotes the initiation and metastasis of malignancies including pancreatic cancer (PC). This study was designed to determine and compare the prognostic value of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), and fibrinogen-to-albumin ratio (FAR) in resectable PC and locally advanced or metastatic PC. Materials and Methods Three hundred fifty-three patients with resectable PC and 807 patients with locally advan-ced or metastatic PC were recruited in this study. These patients were classified into a training set (n=758) and a validation set (n=402). Kaplan-Meier survival plots and Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to analyze prognosis. Results Overall survival (OS) was significantly better for patients with resectable PC with low preoperative PLR (p=0.048) and MLR (p=0.027). Low FAR, MLR, NLR (p < 0.001), and PLR (p=0.003) were significantly associated with decreased risk of death for locally advanced or metastatic PC patients. FAR (hazard ratio [HR], 1.522; 95% confidential interval [CI], 1.261 to 1.837; p < 0.001) and MLR (HR, 1.248; 95% CI, 1.017 to 1.532; p=0.034) were independent prognostic factors for locally advanced or metastatic PC. Conclusion The prognostic roles of FAR, MLR, NLR, and PLR in resectable PC and locally advanced or metastatic PC were different. FAR showed the most prognostic power in locally advanced or metastatic PC. Low FAR was positively correlated with OS in locally advanced or metastatic PC, which could be used to predict the prognosis.

Poster Session : Biotechnology ; Gangliosides activate the phosphatase activity of the erythrocyte plasma membrane Ca2+-atpase

( Jie Zhang ),( Yong Fang Zhao ),( Jian Fa Duan ),( Fu Yu Yang ),( Xu Jia Zhang ) 한국생화학분자생물학회 (구 한국생화학회) 2007 생화학분자생물학회 춘계학술발표논문집 Vol.2007 No.-

Effect of synthesis conditions on the particle size and morphology of YAG powder

Jie-Guang Song,Fang Wang,Ming-Han Xu,Yin-Yan Ju,Yang-Liang Li,Shi-Bin Li,Gang-Chang Ji 한양대학교 세라믹연구소 2012 Journal of Ceramic Processing Research Vol.13 No.2

Yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG) is currently a widely applied structural and functional material. To prepare highperformance YAG ceramics we prepared pure YAG powder, after calcining the precursor at 1100 ºC, by co-precipitation with ammonia as the precipitant and aluminum nitrate as well as yttrium nitrate as raw materials. The preparation conditions for the YAG precursor were a pH of 9, a titration rate of 10 ml/ minute and a reaction time of 60 minutes. The mean paricle size of the YAG powder was 11ìm. The mean particle size for the YAG powder increased with an increase in the pH and at a higher pH the YAG particles were more irregular in shape. The mean particle size and particle size distribution range of the YAG powder increased with an increase in the titration rate. For the YAG powder with a higher mean particle size, the particle size distribution range was wider but the size of most YAG particles was still small and the YAG particles were nearly spherical.

An Unstructured Kinetic Model for the Improvement of Triterpenes Production by Ganoderma lucidum G0119 Based on Nitrogen Source Effect

Jie Feng,Jing-Song Zhang,Wei Jia,Yan Yang,Fang Liu,Chi Chung Lin 한국생물공학회 2014 Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering Vol.19 No.4

The kinetics of cell growth and triterpenesproduction for liquid submerged fermentation of themedicinal mushroom Ganoderma lucidum were investigated. A kinetic model was developed based on the Logistic andLuedeking-Piret equations for cell growth, substrateconsumption and triterpene formation. The kinetic parametersof the model were optimized by specifically designedRunge-Kutta genetic algorithms. The mathematical modelsimulated the experimental data well and was capable ofexplaining the behavior of triterpenes production. Thepredictions of the kinetics from this model are very goodboth for normal fermentation kinetics under nitrogenlimitation as well as for predictions of transitions to sluggishfermentations. The resulting model is very useful forscaling up liquid submerged fermentation of the mushroomG. lucidum and its application to the industrial productionof triterpene.

High-Definition Computed Tomography for Coronary Artery Stent Imaging: a Phantom Study

Wen Jie Yang,Ke Min Chen,Li Fang Pang,Ying Guo,Jian Ying Li,Huang Zhang,Zi Lai Pan 대한영상의학회 2012 Korean Journal of Radiology Vol.13 No.1

Objective: To assess the performance of a high-definition CT (HDCT) for imaging small caliber coronary stents (≤ 3 mm) by comparing different scan modes of a conventional 64-row standard-definition CT (SDCT). Materials and Methods: A cardiac phantom with twelve stents (2.5 mm and 3.0 mm in diameter) was scanned by HDCT and SDCT. The scan modes were retrospective electrocardiography (ECG)-gated helical and prospective ECG-triggered axial with tube voltages of 120 kVp and 100 kVp, respectively. The inner stent diameters (ISD) and the in-stent attenuation value (AVin-stent) and the in-vessel extra-stent attenuation value (AVin-vessel) were measured by two observers. The artificial lumen narrowing (ALN = [ISD - ISDmeasured]/ISD) and artificial attenuation increase between in-stent and in-vessel (AAI = AVin-stent - AVin-vessel) were calculated. All data was analyzed by intraclass correlation and ANOVA-test. Results: The correlation coefficient of ISD, AVin-vessel and AVin-stent between the two observers was good. The ALNs of HDCT were statistically lower than that of SDCT (30 ± 5.7% versus 35 ± 5.4%, p < 0.05). HDCT had statistically lower AAI values than SDCT (15.7 ± 81.4 HU versus 71.4 ± 90.5 HU, p < 0.05). The prospective axial dataset demonstrated smaller ALN than the retrospective helical dataset on both HDCT and SDCT (p < 0.05). Additionally, there were no differences in ALN between the 120 kVp and 100 kVp tube voltages on HDCT (p = 0.05). Conclusion: High-definition CT helps improve measurement accuracy for imaging coronary stents compared to SDCT. HDCT with 100 kVp and the prospective ECG-triggered axial technique, with a lower radiation dose than 120 kVp application, may be advantageous in evaluating coronary stents with smaller calibers (≤ 3 mm). Objective: To assess the performance of a high-definition CT (HDCT) for imaging small caliber coronary stents (≤ 3 mm) by comparing different scan modes of a conventional 64-row standard-definition CT (SDCT). Materials and Methods: A cardiac phantom with twelve stents (2.5 mm and 3.0 mm in diameter) was scanned by HDCT and SDCT. The scan modes were retrospective electrocardiography (ECG)-gated helical and prospective ECG-triggered axial with tube voltages of 120 kVp and 100 kVp, respectively. The inner stent diameters (ISD) and the in-stent attenuation value (AVin-stent) and the in-vessel extra-stent attenuation value (AVin-vessel) were measured by two observers. The artificial lumen narrowing (ALN = [ISD - ISDmeasured]/ISD) and artificial attenuation increase between in-stent and in-vessel (AAI = AVin-stent - AVin-vessel) were calculated. All data was analyzed by intraclass correlation and ANOVA-test. Results: The correlation coefficient of ISD, AVin-vessel and AVin-stent between the two observers was good. The ALNs of HDCT were statistically lower than that of SDCT (30 ± 5.7% versus 35 ± 5.4%, p < 0.05). HDCT had statistically lower AAI values than SDCT (15.7 ± 81.4 HU versus 71.4 ± 90.5 HU, p < 0.05). The prospective axial dataset demonstrated smaller ALN than the retrospective helical dataset on both HDCT and SDCT (p < 0.05). Additionally, there were no differences in ALN between the 120 kVp and 100 kVp tube voltages on HDCT (p = 0.05). Conclusion: High-definition CT helps improve measurement accuracy for imaging coronary stents compared to SDCT. HDCT with 100 kVp and the prospective ECG-triggered axial technique, with a lower radiation dose than 120 kVp application, may be advantageous in evaluating coronary stents with smaller calibers (≤ 3 mm).

Enhanced Cellulolytic Enzyme Production by the Synergism between Trichoderma reesei RUT-C30 and Aspergillus niger NL02 and by the Addition of Surfactants

Hao Fang,Chen Zhao,Xiang-Yang Song,Mu Chen,Zheng Chang,Jie Chu 한국생물공학회 2013 Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering Vol.18 No.2

Two improvement approaches comprising of a mixed culture of Trichoderma reesei and Aspergillus niger and the addition of surfactants were employed in this study in order to enhance cellulolytic enzyme production as well as to improve the composition. Different delay times of A. niger inoculation (0, 24, and 48 h) and inoculum ratios of T. reesei versus A. niger (1:1 and 5:1) derived six mixed culture forms, which were 0 h/1:1, 0 h/5:1, 24 h/1:1, 24 h/5:1,48 h/1:1, and 48 h/5:1. It was found that the form 48 h/5:1allowed the highest FPA, 3.30 ± 0.34 IU/mL, and a relatively high BGA, 1.01 ± 0.25 IU/mL, thereafter being selected for the subsequent improvement step addition of surfactants. Among the three surfactants, including Triton X-100, CHAPS and sodium taurocholate, the third one was found to be the best one giving rise to the highest FPA and BGA, 5.02 ± 0.40 and 1.48 ± 0.28 IU/mL, respectively. Differently sourced cellulases were compared in the enzymatic hydrolysis of steam-exploded corn stover (SECS). Moreover, the cellulase produced by the mixed culture form 48 h/5:1 using SECS as a substrate showed the highest yield at 80.93 ± 2.04%, indicating that the composition of this cellulase was improved by the mixed culture of T. reesei and A. niger. The results validate that these two improvement approaches are efficient and applicable in cellulase production.

Abnormalities in Inflammatory Cytokines Confer Susceptible to Chronic Neuropathic Pain-related Anhedonia in a Rat Model of Spared Nerve Injury

Xi Fang,Gaofeng Zhan,Jie Zhang,Hui Xu,Bin Zhu,Yimin Hu,Chun Yang,Ailin Luo 대한정신약물학회 2019 CLINICAL PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY AND NEUROSCIENCE Vol.17 No.2

Objective: Patients with chronic neuropathic pain (CNP) have a higher incidence to develop depression. However, its pathogenesis has not yet been fully elucidated. Here we aimed to investigate the role of inflammatory cytokines in CNP-related anhedonia, which is a core symptom of depression, and to explore the effects of ketamine and parecoxib on pain and anhedonia. Methods: A rat model of spared nerve injury (SNI) was constructed to mimic CNP. Hierarchical cluster analysis of sucrose preference test (SPT) was applied to classify the SNI rats into anhedonia susceptible and unsusceptible. Inflammatory cytokines in medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) of brain, serum and L2-5 spinal cord were measured. Moreover, effects of ketamine or parecoxib on mechanical withdrawal test (MWT) and SPT in anhedonia susceptible rats were detected. Results: Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)- was increased in mPFC, serum and and spinal cord of anhedonia susceptible rats. Furthermore, anhedonia susceptible and unsusceptible rats both increased the interleukin (IL)-1 level in mPFC, serum and spinal cord. IL-6 was altered in serum and spinal cord, but not in mPFC. IL-10 was significantly altered in mPFC and serum, but not in spinal cord. Additionally, ketamine treatment significantly attenuated the decreased results of MWT and SPT in anhedonia susceptible rats, and that parecoxib significantly improved the MWT score, but failed to alter the result of SPT. Conclusion: These findings suggest that abnormalities in inflammatory cytokines confer susceptible to anhedonia in a rat model of SNI. Ketamine, a fast-acting antidepressant, has pharmacological benefits to alleviate pain and anhedonia symptoms.

Simultaneous regulation of photoabsorption and ferromagnetism of NaTaO3 by Fe doping

Huan Yang,Liguo Zhang,Lifang Yu,Fang Wang,Zhenzhen Ma,Jie Zhou,Xiaohong Xu 한국물리학회 2018 Current Applied Physics Vol.18 No.11

NaTa1-xFexO3 (0≤x≤0.40) nanocubes were synthesized by a relatively low temperature hydrothermal method, using Ta2O5, FeCl3 and NaOH as the precursors. The UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectra showed that NaTa1-xFexO3 had significant visible-light-absorbing capability, and the absorption edge of NaTaO3 shifted to longer wavelength with the increase of Fe dopants. Moreover, NaTa1-xFexO3 exhibited room-temperature ferromagnetism when Fe3+ occupied Ta5+ sites in NaTaO3 crystal lattice. The ferromagnetism is mainly attributed to the superexchange interactions between doped Fe3+, rather than the contribution of oxygen vacancies caused by Fe doping. Therefore, Fe doping can simultaneously regulate the optical and magnetic properties of NaTaO3 semiconductor, which will enable its potential applications in multifunctional optical-electronics and opticalspintronics devices.

Comparison of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Mutations between Primary Tumors and Lymph Nodes in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer: a Review and Meta-analysis of Published Data

Wang, Feng,Fang, Ping,Hou, Dan-Yang,Leng, Zai-Jun,Cao, Le-Jie Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.11

Background: Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) can predict the clinical response to tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy. However, EGFR mutations may be different in primary tumors (PT) and metastatic lymph nodes (MLN). The aim of this study was to compare EGFR mutations between PT and the corresponding MLN in NSCLC patients, and provide some guidelines for clinical treatment using TKI therapy. Materials and Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed with several research databases. Relative risk (RR) with the 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to investigate the EGFR mutation status between PT and the corresponding MLN. A random-effects model was used. Results: 9 publications involving 707 patients were included in the analysis. It was found that activation of EGFR mutations identified in PT and the corresponding MLN was 26.4% (187/707) and 19.9% (141/707), respectively. The overall discordance rate in our meta-analysis was 12.2% (86/707). The relative risk (RR) for EGFR mutation in PT relative to MLN was 1.33 (95%CI: 1.10-1.60; random-effects model). There was no significant heterogeneity between the studies ($I^2$=5%, p=0.003). Conclusions: There exists a considerable degree of EGFR mutation discrepancy in NSCLC between PT and corresponding MLN, suggesting that tumor heterogeneity might arise at the molecular level during the process of metastasis.

Expression of Connexin 43 and E-cadherin Protein and mRNA in Non-small Cell Lung Cancers in Chinese Patients

Zhao, Jun-Qiang,Sun, Fang-Jie,Liu, Shan-Shan,Yang, Jun,Wu, Yu-Quan,Li, Gui-Shan,Chen, Qing-Yong,Wang, Jia-Xiang Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.2

Aim: Connexin 43 (Cx43) and E-cadherin are important biomarkers related with cancer. Their expression at protein and mRNA levels was here investigated in 50 primary lung carcinoma tissues and 20 samples of adjacent normal tissue of Chinese patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods: Protein and mRNA expression were evaluated by ABC immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR. Results: (1) The positive expression rates of Cx43 and E-cadherin protein were higher in the adjacent normal tissues than those in the primary lung carcinoma tissues; (2) the positive expression rates of Cx43 and E-cadherin protein decreased with NSCLC progression; (3) the expression of E-cadherin protein was not related with the pathological type of NSCLC; and (4) the relative quantity of the Cx43 or E-cadherin mRNA expression was correlated with the the histological type, clinical stage, cancer cell differentiation and the lymph node metastasis. Conclusion: The data suggested that the Cx43 and E-cadherin are reduced with NSCLC progression, and might be important biomarkers for judging the metastasis and prognosis.