Pre-operative Predictive Factors for Intra-operative Pathological Lymph Node Metastasis in Rectal Cancers

Gao, Chun,Li, Jing-Tao,Fang, Long,Wen, Si-Wei,Zhang, Lei,Zhao, Hong-Chuan Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.11

Background: A number of clinicopathologic factors have been found to be associated with pathological lymph node metastasis (pLNM) in rectal cancer; however, most of them can only be identified by expensive high resolution imaging or obtained after surgical treatment. Just like the Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) and the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) scores which have been widely used in clinical practice, our study was designed to assess the pre-operative factors which could be obtained easily to predict intra-operative pLNM in rectal cancer. Methods: A cohort of 469 patients who were treated at our hospital in the period from January 2003 to June 2011, and with a pathologically hospital discharge diagnosis of rectal cancer, were included. Clinical, laboratory and pathologic parameters were analyzed. A multivariate unconditional logistic regression model, areas under the curve (AUC), the Kaplan-Meier method (log-rank test) and the Cox regression model were used. Results: Of the 469 patients, 231 were diagnosed with pLNM (49.3%). Four variables were associated with pLNM by multivariate logistic analysis, age<60 yr (OR=1.819; 95% CI, 1.231-2.687; P=0.003), presence of abdominal pain or discomfort (OR=1.637; 95% CI, 1.052-2.547; P=0.029), absence of allergic history (OR=1.879; 95% CI, 1.041-3.392; P=0.036), and direct $bilirubin{\geq}2.60{\mu}mol/L$ (OR=1.540; 95% CI, 1.054-2.250; P=0.026). The combination of all 4 variables had the highest sensitivity (98.7%) for diagnostic performance. In addition, age<60 yr and direct $bilirubin{\geq}2.60{\mu}mol/L$ were found to be associated with prognosis. Conclusion: Age, abdominal pain or discomfort, allergic history and direct bilirubin were associated with pLNM, which may be helpful for preoperative selection.

Chemical composition and in vitro digestibility of corn stover during field exposure and the fermentation characteristics of silage prepared with microbial additives

Jun Lei Gao,Peng Wang,Chang-Hai Zhou,Ping Li,Hong Yu Tang,Jiabao Zhang,Yimin Cai 아세아·태평양축산학회 2019 Animal Bioscience Vol.32 No.12

Objective: To effectively use corn stover resources as animal feed, we explored the chemical composition and in vitro digestibility of corn stover during field exposure and the fermentation characteristics of silage prepared with lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and cellulase. Methods: Corn ears including the cobs and shucks were harvested at the ripe stage. The corn stover was exposed in the field under natural weather conditions. Silages were prepared after 0, 2, 4, 7, 15, 30, and 60 d of exposure. Corn stover was chopped into approximately 1 to 2 cm lengths and then packed into 5 liter plastic silos. The ensiling density was 550.1±20.0 g/L of fresh matter, and the silos were kept at room temperature (10°C to 25°C). Silage treatments were designed as follows: without additives (control), with LAB, with cellulase, and with LAB+ cellulase. After 45 d of fermentation, the silos were opened for chemical composition, fermentation quality and in vitro digestion analyses. Results: After harvest, corn stover contained 78.19% moisture, 9.01% crude protein (CP) and 64.54% neutral detergent fiber (NDF) on a dry matter (DM) basis. During field exposure, the DM, NDF, and acid detergent fiber (ADF) contents of corn stover increased, whereas the CP and water-soluble carbohydrate contents and in vitro digestibility of the DM and CP decreased (p<0.05). Compared to the control silage, cellulase-treated silage had lower (p<0.05) NDF and ADF contents. The pH values were lower in silage treated with LAB, cellulase, or LAB+cellulase, and lactic acid contents were higher (p<0.05) than those of the control. Silage treated with cellulase or LAB+cellulase improved (p<0.05) the in vitro DM digestibility (IVDMD) compared to that of the control or LAB-treated silage. Conclusion: Corn stover silage should be prepared using fresh materials since stover nutrients are lost during field exposure, and LAB and cellulase can improve silage fermentation and IVDMD.

Characterization of SiC/C Nanocomposite Powders Synthesized by Arc-Discharge

Zhou, Lei,Yu, Jie Yi,Gao, Jian,Wang, Dong Xing,Gan, Xiao Rong,Xue, Fang Hong,Huang, Hao,Dong, Xing Long Korean Society of Microscopy 2015 Applied microscopy Vol.45 No.4

In this paper, three carbon sources, i.e., solid graphite, gaseous CH4 and liquid ethanol, and one solid silicon source were employed to synthesize SiC/C nanocomposite powders by arc-discharge plasma. The processing conditions such as the component ratios of raw materials, atmospheric gases, etc. were adjusted for controllable synthesis of the nanopowders. It is indicated that both of solid graphite and silicon can be co-evaporated and reacted to form nanophases of cubic ${\beta}$-SiC with ~50 nm in mean size and a little free graphite; the carbon atoms decomposed from gaseous $CH_4$ favor to combine with the evaporated silicon atoms to form the dominant SiC nanophase; liquid carbon source of ethanol can also be used to harvest the main ${\beta}$-SiC and minor 6H-SiC phases in the assembly of nanoparticles. The as-prepared SiC/C nanocomposite powders were further purified by a heat-treatment in air and their photocatalytic performances were then greatly improved.

Expression and Effects of JMJD2A Histone Demethylase in Endometrial Carcinoma

Wang, Hong-Li,Liu, Mei-Mei,Ma, Xin,Fang, Lei,Zhang, Zong-Feng,Song, Tie-Fang,Gao, Jia-Yin,Kuang, Ye,Jiang, Jing,Li, Lin,Wang, Yang-Yang,Li, Pei-Ling Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.7

Previous studies have demonstrated that JMJD2A is a potential oncogene and is overexpressed in human tumors. However, its role in the endometrial carcinoma remains largely unknown. In this study, we discovered that JMJD2A was overexpressed in endometrial carcinoma, using immunohistochemistry, quantitative realtime polymerase chain reaction, and western blotting. Downregulation of JMJD2A led to reduced endometrial carcinoma RL95-2 and ISK cell proliferation, invasion and metastasis as asessed with cell counting kit-8, cell migration and invasive assays. Collectively, our results support that JMJD2A is a promoter of endometrial carcinoma cell proliferation and survival, and is a potential novel drug target.

Insufficient radiofrequency ablation-induced autophagy contributes to the rapid progression of residual hepatocellular carcinoma through the HIF-1α/BNIP3 signaling pathway

( Wen-lei Xu ),( Shao-hong Wang ),( Wen-bing Sun ),( Jun Gao ),( Xue-mei Ding ),( Jian Kong ),( Li Xu ),( Shan Ke ) 생화학분자생물학회(구 한국생화학분자생물학회) 2019 BMB Reports Vol.52 No.4

Currently speaking, it is noted that radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has been the most widely used treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) occurring in patients. However, accumulating evidence has demonstrated that the incidence of insufficient RFA (IRFA) may result in the identified rapid progression of residual HCC in the patient, which can greatly hinder the effectiveness and patient reported benefits of utilizing this technique. Although many efforts have been proposed, the underlying mechanisms triggering the rapid progression of residual HCC after IRFA have not yet been fully clarified through current research literature reviews. It was shown in this study that cell proliferation, migration and invasion of residual HepG2 and SMMC7721 cells were significantly increased after the IRFA was simulated in vitro. In other words, it is noted that IRFA could do this by enhancing the image of autophagy of the residual HCC cell via the HIF-1 α/BNIP3 pathway. Consequently, the down-regulation of BNIP3 may result in the inhibition of the residual HCC cell progression and autophagy after IRFA. Our present study results suggest that IRFA could promote residual HCC cell progression in vitro by enhancing autophagy via the HIF-1 α/BNIP3 pathway. For this reason, it is noted that the targeting of the BNIP3 may be useful in preventing the rapid growth and metastasis of residual HCC after IRFA. [BMB Reports 2019; 52(4): 277-282]

High-performance hybrid white organic light-emitting diodes employing p-type interlayers

Baiquan Liu,Hong Tao,Jianhua Zou,Miao Xu,Dongyu Gao,Linfeng Lan,Lei Wang,Honglong Ning,Junbiao Peng 한국공업화학회 2015 Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Vol.27 No.-

A simplified hybrid white organic light-emitting diode (WOLED) employing a p-type interlayer isdesigned, simultaneously realizing high efficiency, high color rendering index (CRI), low efficiency roll-off, low voltage and stable color. The device exhibits maximum total efficiencies of 29.8 cd/A and20.9 lm/W, which slightly decrease to 28.6 cd/A and 16.5 lm/W even at a high luminance of 5000 cd/m2. Besides, a slight color-shift and a CRI of 85 at 100 cd/m2 (3.65 V) are obtained. Such superior resultssystematically demonstrate that the use of p-type interlayer is a new way to realize high-performancehybrid WOLEDs.

Theoretical Study of the Elastic and the Thermodynamic Properties of Re$_2$C under High Pressure

Hui-Ru Lei,Li-Hong Zhang,Xu Li,Xiao-Zhen Gao,Jing Li 한국물리학회 2019 THE JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN PHYSICAL SOCIETY Vol.74 No.11

The structural properties of Re$_2$C in anti-MoS$_2$ and anti-ReB$_2$ structures have been investigated by using the pseudopotential plane wave methods based on the density functional theory. The anti-ReB$_2$ structure is found to be more stable than the anti-MoS$_2$ structure. In particular, for the first time, we have studied the elastic properties of Re$_2$C in the anti-ReB$_2$ structure under high pressure. The ductile-brittle behavior and Vickers hardness for the anti-ReB$_2$ structure are also been analyzed. In addition, the Debye temperature, heat capacity and thermal expansion coefficient are discussed by using the quasiharmonic Debye model method.

Transcriptional activation of insulin-like growth factor binding protein 6 by 17β-estradiol in SaOS-2 cells

Yu-yan Zhao,Lei Guo,Xiao-juan Zhao,Hong Liu,Tian Lei,Dong-jie Ma,Xiao-yu Gao 생화학분자생물학회 2009 Experimental and molecular medicine Vol.41 No.7

Osteoblasts can synthesize the insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) and the IGF-binding proteins (IGFBPs), which may either enhance or attenuate IGF-stimulated bone cell proliferation. Since estrogen induced osteoblastic differentiation and proliferation through an estrogen- responsive gene in target cells, we investigated the effects of estrogen on IGFBP-6 expression in the human osteoblastic-like cell line SaOS-2. Expressions of IGFBP-6 protein and mRNA increased 2.8 and 2-fold, respectively, in the presence of 17-β-estradiol (E2) (0.01 to 1 μM) and estrogen receptor (ER) in SaOS-2 cells. On the other hand, E2 induced a 2-fold increase in SaOS-2 cell proliferation. To identify genomic sequences associated with estrogen responsiveness, the 5'-promoter region (-44 to +118) of the IGFBP-6 gene was cloned into a chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) reporter vector. E2 induced a 3-fold increase in CAT activity in SaOS-2 cells transiently transfected with this construct. Identification of the estrogen- responsive element (ERE) [5'-CCTTCA CCTG-3'] (-9 to +1) in this IGFBP-6 gene promoter region was confirmed using electromobility shift assays and deletion analysis. This functional ERE was important for E2-induced trans-activation of the IGFBP-6 gene. These results demonstrate that E2 exhibits a positive effect on IGFBP-6 gene transcription through estrogen- liganded ER binding to the functional ERE in the IGFBP-6 gene promoter in SaOS-2 cells. Osteoblasts can synthesize the insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) and the IGF-binding proteins (IGFBPs), which may either enhance or attenuate IGF-stimulated bone cell proliferation. Since estrogen induced osteoblastic differentiation and proliferation through an estrogen- responsive gene in target cells, we investigated the effects of estrogen on IGFBP-6 expression in the human osteoblastic-like cell line SaOS-2. Expressions of IGFBP-6 protein and mRNA increased 2.8 and 2-fold, respectively, in the presence of 17-β-estradiol (E2) (0.01 to 1 μM) and estrogen receptor (ER) in SaOS-2 cells. On the other hand, E2 induced a 2-fold increase in SaOS-2 cell proliferation. To identify genomic sequences associated with estrogen responsiveness, the 5'-promoter region (-44 to +118) of the IGFBP-6 gene was cloned into a chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) reporter vector. E2 induced a 3-fold increase in CAT activity in SaOS-2 cells transiently transfected with this construct. Identification of the estrogen- responsive element (ERE) [5'-CCTTCA CCTG-3'] (-9 to +1) in this IGFBP-6 gene promoter region was confirmed using electromobility shift assays and deletion analysis. This functional ERE was important for E2-induced trans-activation of the IGFBP-6 gene. These results demonstrate that E2 exhibits a positive effect on IGFBP-6 gene transcription through estrogen- liganded ER binding to the functional ERE in the IGFBP-6 gene promoter in SaOS-2 cells.

Outcomes of Microendoscopic Discectomy and Percutaneous Transforaminal Endoscopic Discectomy for the Treatment of Lumbar Disc Herniation: A Comparative Retrospective Study

Arjun Sinkemani,Xin Hong,Zeng-Xin Gao,Su-Yang Zhuang,Zan-Li Jiang,Shao-Dong Zhang,Jun-Ping Bao,Lei Zhu,Pei Zhang,Xin-Hui Xie,Feng Wang,Xiao-Tao Wu 대한척추외과학회 2015 Asian Spine Journal Vol.9 No.6

Study Design: Retrospective, case control evaluation of 86 patients who underwent microendoscopic discectomy (MED) and percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic discectomy (PTED) for the treatment of lumbar disc herniation (LDH). Purpose: To evaluate the safety and the outcomes of MED and PTED for the treatment of LDH. Overview of Literature: MED and PTED are minimally invasive surgical techniques for lower back pain. Studies to date have shown that MED and PTED are safe and effective treatment modalities for LDH. Methods: A retrospective study was performed in patients with LDH treated with MED (n=50) and transforaminal endoscopic discectomy (PTED; n=36) in our hospital. All patients were followed-up with self-evaluation questionnaires, Oswestry disability index (ODI), medical outcomes study 36-item short form health survey and MacNab criteria. All the patients in both groups were followed up to 12 months after the operation. Results: ODI questionnaire responses were not statistically different between the MED and PTED groups (53.00 vs. 48.72) before treatment. Average scores and minimal disability after 5 days to 12 months of follow-up were 4.96 in the MED group and 3.61 in the PTED group. According to MacNab criteria, 92.0% of the MED group and 94.4% of the PTED group had excellent or good results with no significant difference. Conclusions: There was no significant difference between MED and PTED outcomes. Further large-scale, randomized studies with long-term follow-up are needed.

Y-Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms Diversity in Chinese Indigenous Horse

Han, Haoyuan,Zhang, Qin,Gao, Kexin,Yue, Xiangpeng,Zhang, Tao,Dang, Ruihua,Lan, Xianyong,Chen, Hong,Lei, Chuzhao Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2015 Animal Bioscience Vol.28 No.8

In contrast to high genetic diversity of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), equine Y chromosome shows extremely low variability, implying limited patrilines in the domesticated horse. In this study, we applied direct sequencing and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) methods to investigate the polymorphisms of 33 Y chromosome specific loci in 304 Chinese indigenous horses from 13 breeds. Consequently, two Y-single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (Y-45701/997 and Y-50869) and one Y-indel (Y-45288) were identified. Of those, the Y-50869 (T>A) revealed the highest variation frequency (24.67%), whereas it was only 3.29% and 1.97% in Y-45288 (T/-) and Y-45701/997 (G>T) locus, respectively. These three mutations accounted for 27.96% of the total samples and identified five Y-SNP haplotypes, demonstrating genetic diversity of Y chromosome in Chinese horses. In addition, all the five YSNP haplotypes were shared by different breeds. Among 13 horse breeds analyzed, Balikun horse displayed the highest nucleotide diversity (${\pi}=5.6{\times}10^{-4}$) and haplotype diversity (h = 0.527), while Ningqiang horse showed the lowest nucleotide diversity (${\pi}=0.00000$) and haplotype diversity (h = 0.000). The results also revealed that Chinese horses had a different polymorphic pattern of Y chromosome from European and American horses. In conclusion, Chinese horses revealed genetic diversity of Y chromosome, however more efforts should be made to better understand the domestication and paternal origin of Chinese indigenous horses.