Optimal Factors of Diffusion Tensor Imaging Predicting Corticospinal Tract Injury in Patients with Brain Tumors

Zhi-gang Min,Chen Niu,Qiu-li Zhang,Ming Zhang,Yu-cheng Qian 대한영상의학회 2017 Korean Journal of Radiology Vol.18 No.5

Objective: To identify the optimal factors in diffusion tensor imaging for predicting corticospinal tract (CST) injury caused by brain tumors. Materials and Methods: This prospective study included 33 patients with motor weakness and 64 patients with normal motor function. The movement of the CST, minimum distance between the CST and the tumor, and relative fractional anisotropy (rFA) of the CST on diffusion tensor imaging, were compared between patients with motor weakness and normal function. Logistic regression analysis was used to obtain the optimal factor predicting motor weakness. Results: In patients with motor weakness, the displacement (8.44 ± 6.64 mm) of the CST (p = 0.009), minimum distance (3.98 ± 7.49 mm) between the CST and tumor (p < 0.001), and rFA (0.83 ± 0.11) of the CST (p < 0.001) were significantly different from those of the normal group (4.64 ± 6.65 mm, 14.87 ± 12.04 mm, and 0.98 ± 0.05, respectively) (p = 0.009, p < 0.001, and p < 0.001). The frequencies of patients with the CST passing through the tumor (6%, p = 0.002), CST close to the tumor (23%, p < 0.001), CST close to a malignant tumor (high grade glioma, metastasis, or lymphoma) (19%, p < 0.001), and CST passing through infiltrating edema (19%, p < 0.001) in the motor weakness group, were significantly different from those of the patients with normal motor function (0, 8, 1, and 10%, respectively). Logistic regression analysis showed that decreased rFA and CST close to a malignant tumor were effective variables related to motor weakness. Conclusion: Decreased fractional anisotropy, combined with closeness of a malignant tumor to the CST, is the optimal factor in predicting CST injury caused by a brain tumor.

Hypoxia-inducible Factor 1 Alpha (HIF-1α) as a Prognostic Indicator in Patients with Gastric Tumors: A Meta-analysis

Zhang, Zhi-Gang,Zhang, Qiu-Ning,Wang, Xiao-Hu,Tian, Jin-Hui Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.7

Background and Objective: Though researched for years, the prognostic role of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF-$1{\alpha}$) in gastric cancer is still controversial. We thus undertook a systematic review to assess the relationship. Method: A systematically literature search of Pubmed, Embase, Web of Science, China Biological Medicine Disc and Cochrane Library was undertaken in February 2013, and the reference lists of articles were retrieved. Results: 12 trials (1,555 participants) were included to assess the association between HIF-$1{\alpha}$ expression and survival. Summary hazard ratios (HRs) were calculated. HIF-$1{\alpha}$ expression was significantly correlated with poor overall survival of gastric cancer patients (HR=1.34, 95%CI: 1.13-1.58; P=0.0009), but not with poor disease free survival of gastric cancer patients (HR=1.67, 95%CI: 0.99-2.82; P=0.06). Conclusion: HIF-$1{\alpha}$ was associated with poor OS, but not DFS, especially for Asian patients. But studies evaluating relationships of HIF-$1{\alpha}$ with OS and DFS in non-Asian gastric cancer patients appear needed.

PD-L1 inhibits acute and chronic pain by suppressing nociceptive neuron activity via PD-1

Chen, Gang,Kim, Yong Ho,Li, Hui,Luo, Hao,Liu, Da-Lu,Zhang, Zhi-Jun,Lay, Mark,Chang, Wonseok,Zhang, Yu-Qiu,Ji, Ru-Rong NATURE AMERICA 2017 NATURE NEUROSCIENCE Vol.20 No.7

<P>Programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1) is typically produced by cancer cells and suppresses immunity through the receptor PD-1 expressed on T cells. However, the role of PD-L1 and PD-1 in regulating pain and neuronal function is unclear. Here we report that both melanoma and normal neural tissues including dorsal root ganglion (DRG) produce PD-L1 that can potently inhibit acute and chronic pain. Intraplantar injection of PD-L1 evoked analgesia in naive mice via PD-1, whereas PD-L1 neutralization or PD-1 blockade induced mechanical allodynia. Mice lacking Pd1 (Pdcd1) exhibited thermal and mechanical hypersensitivity. PD-1 activation in DRG nociceptive neurons by PD-L1 induced phosphorylation of the tyrosine phosphatase SHP-1, inhibited sodium channels and caused hyperpolarization through activation of TREK2 K+ channels. PD-L1 also potently suppressed nociceptive neuron excitability in human DRGs. Notably, blocking PD-L1 or PD-1 elicited spontaneous pain and allodynia in melanoma-bearing mice. Our findings identify a previously unrecognized role of PD-L1 as an endogenous pain inhibitor and a neuromodulator.</P>

ATM Signaling Pathway Is Implicated in the SMYD3-mediated Proliferation and Migration of Gastric Cancer Cells

Wang, Lei,Wang, Qiu-Tong,Liu, Yu-Peng,Dong, Qing-Qing,Hu, Hai-Jie,Miao, Zhi,Li, Shuang,Liu, Yong,Zhou, Hao,Zhang, Tong-Cun,Ma, Wen-Jian,Luo, Xue-Gang The Korean Gastric Cancer Association 2017 Journal of gastric cancer Vol.17 No.4

Purpose: We previously found that the histone methyltransferase suppressor of variegation, enhancer of zeste, trithorax and myeloid-nervy-deformed epidermal autoregulatory factor-1 domain-containing protein 3 (SMYD3) is a potential independent predictive factor or prognostic factor for overall survival in gastric cancer patients, but its roles seem to differ from those in other cancers. Therefore, in this study, the detailed functions of SMYD3 in cell proliferation and migration in gastric cancer were examined. Materials and Methods: SMYD3 was overexpressed or suppressed by transfection with an expression plasmid or siRNA, and a wound healing migration assay and Transwell assay were performed to detect the migration and invasion ability of gastric cancer cells. Additionally, an MTT assay and clonogenic assay were performed to evaluate cell proliferation, and a cell cycle analysis was performed by propidium iodide staining. Furthermore, the expression of genes implicated in the ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) pathway and proteins involved in cell cycle regulation were detected by polymerase chain reaction and western blot analyses. Results: Compared with control cells, gastric cancer cells transfected with si-SMYD3 showed lower migration and invasion abilities (P<0.05), and the absence of SMYD3 halted cells in G2/M phase and activated the ATM pathway. Furthermore, the opposite patterns were observed when SMYD3 was elevated in normal gastric cells. Conclusions: To the best of our knowledge, this study provides the first evidence that the absence of SMYD3 could inhibit the migration, invasion, and proliferation of gastric cancer cells and halt cells in G2/M phase via the ATM-CHK2/p53-Cdc25C pathway. These findings indicated that SMYD3 plays crucial roles in the proliferation, migration, and invasion of gastric cancer cells and may be a useful therapeutic target in human gastric carcinomas.

Extramedullary Plasmacytoma Involving the Bilateral Adrenal Glands on MR Imaging

Yuan Li,Ying-kun Guo,Zhi-gang Yang,En-sen Ma,Peng-qiu Min 대한영상의학회 2007 Korean Journal of Radiology Vol.8 No.3

We report here on a 64-year-old woman with extramedullary plasmacytoma involving the bilateral adrenal glands. Primary adrenal extramedullary plasmacytoma is extremely rare and only three cases of extramedullary plasmacytoma in the unilateral adrenal gland have currently been reported on. This case is of interest in that the bilateral adrenals were involved. In this article, we present the MRI findings and we briefly review the relevant literature.

Isolation and Characterization of Bacillus sp. Producing Broad-Spectrum Antibiotics Against Human and Plant Pathogenic Fungi

( Na Chen ),( Min Jin ),( Hong Mei Qu ),( Zhi Qiang Chen ),( Zhao Li Chen ),( Zhi Gang Qiu ),( Xin Wei Wang ),( Jun Wen Li ) 한국미생물 · 생명공학회 2012 Journal of microbiology and biotechnology Vol.22 No.2

A strain of bacterium producing antifungal antibiotic was isolated and identification of the strain was attempted. We could identify the bacterium as being a Bacillus sp., based on morphological observation, physiological characteristics, and 16S rDNA sequence analysis, thus leading us to designate the strain as Bacillus sp. AH-E-1. The strain showed potent antibiotic activity against phytopathogenic and human pathogenic fungi by inducing mycelial distortion and swelling and inhibiting spore germination. The antibiotic metabolite produced by the strain demonstrated excellent thermal and pH (2-11) stability, but was labile to autoclaving. From these results, we could find a broader antifungal activity of Bacillus genus. Isolation and characterization of the active agent produced by the strain are under progress.

Mixtures of Tea and Citrus maxima (pomelo) Alleviate Lipid Deposition in HepG2 Cells Through the AMPK/ACC Signaling Pathway

Ran An,Shuai Wen,Dong-Li Li,Qiu-Hua Li,Xing-Fei Lai,Wen-Ji Zhang,Ruo-Hong Chen,Jun-Xi Cao,Zhi-Gang Li,Qiu-Sheng Huang,Ling-Li Sun,Shi-Li Sun 한국식품영양과학회 2020 Journal of medicinal food Vol.23 No.9

Tea and citrus maxima are natural, medicinal homologous plants, typically used for making beverages, which have anticancer, antiobesity, and antioxidation properties. Green tea, yellow tea, and black tea were combined with citrus maxima to obtain green tea and Citrus maxima (GTCM), yellow tea and Citrus maxima (YTCM), and black tea and Citrus maxima (BTCM). The biochemical components of these mixtures were analyzed, and their possible effects and mechanisms on relieving liver lipid deposition were explored. The tea polyphenols, free amino acids, phenolamine ratio, and caffeine were comparable in YTCM and GTCM, being significantly higher than those in BTCM. In addition, the content of esterified catechins, nonesterified catechins, and total catechins in YTCM was significantly higher than those in GTCM and BTCM. All three mixtures of Citrus maxima tea significantly reduced lipid deposition in HepG2 cells, with GTCM and YTCM being slightly more effective than BTCM. Regarding the possible mechanism, Western blot analysis revealed that the three Citrus maxima tea mixtures could activate the AMPK/ACC signaling pathway, upregulate the expression of p-AMPK, p-ACC, and CPT-1 proteins, and downregulate the expression of SREBP1c and fatty acid synthase proteins to inhibit fat synthesis, thereby relieving lipid deposition in liver cells. In conclusion, as a novel and healthy beverage, Citrus maxima tea has the potential to alleviate liver lipid deposition, and further could be responsible for obesity treatment.