Prognostic Significance of Preoperative Serum Alpha-fetoprotein in Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Correlation with Clinicopathological Factors: a Single-center Experience from China

An, Song-Lin,Xiao, Ting,Wang, Li-Ming,Rong, Wei-Qi,Wu, Fan,Feng, Li,Liu, Fa-Qiang,Tian, Fei,Wu, Jian-Xiong Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.10

Objectives: To investigate the prognosis significance of preoperative serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and the correlation with clinicopathological factors of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients who underwent hepatectomy. Materials and Methods: Clinicopathological data of retrospective analysis were collected for 251 HCC patients undergoing hepatectomy in this study. According to preoperative AFP level, patients were categorized into AFP-negative (0-20ng/mL) and AFP-positive (>20 ng/mL) groups for Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox proportional hazard regression modeling. Results: The results demonstrated that increased AFP was associated with longer prothrombin time (PTs), liver capsule invasion, low grade differentiation, and late Barcelona Clinic Liver Center (BCLC) stage. Moreover, the female patients had a greater prevalence of increased preoperative AFP than male patients [284.8 (3.975-3167.5) vs (3.653-140.65); Z-2.895, p=0.004]. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year recurrence-free survival (RFS) rates were 78.1, 57.5, and 40.6 % in the AFP-negative group and 61.8, 37.7, and 31.4 %, respectively, in the AFP-positive group (log-rank test 8.312, p=0.004). The 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival (OS) rates were 94.4, 83.8, and 62.3% in the AFP-negative group and 87.2, 60.0, and 36.7%, respectively, in the AFP-positive group. The difference was statistically significant (log-rank test, 16.884, p=0.000). Cox proportional-hazards model identified preoperative AFP to be an independent prognostic predictor of overall survival. Conclusions: Preoperative serum AFP is an independent predictor of prognosis among HCC patients following surgical resection. Female patients have a higher preoperative AFP than their male counterparts.

Ion-Imprinted Polymers Modified Sensor for Electrochemical Detection of Cu2+

Zhuolin An,Weifeng Liu,Qi Liang,Guang Yan,Lei Qin,Lin Chen,Meiling Wang,Yongzhen Yang,Xuguang Liu 성균관대학교(자연과학캠퍼스) 성균나노과학기술원 2018 NANO Vol.13 No.12

An electrochemical sensor (Cu2+-IIPs/GCE) was developed for detection of Cu2+ in water. Cu2+-IIPs/GCE was prepared by dispersing Cu2+ imprinted polymers (Cu2+-IIPs) on a preprocessed glassy carbon electrode. Cu2+-IIPs were synthesized on the surface of modified carbon spheres by ion imprinting technology. The electrochemical performance of Cu2+-IIPs/GCE was evaluated by differential pulse voltammetry method. The response of Cu2+-IIPs/GCE to Cu2+ was linear in 1.0 x 10 -5 mol/L to 1.0 x 10 -3 mol/L. The detection limit was 5.99 x 10 -6 mol/L (S/N = 3). The current response value of Cu2+-IIPs/GCE was 2.14 times that of the nonimprinted electrode. These results suggest that Cu2+-IIPs/GCE can detect the concentration of Cu2+ in water, providing a new way for heavy metal ions adsorption and testing.

The Changes of Absorption and Catalytic Capacity on Reduced Graphene Oxide After Electron Beam Irradiation

Peng Liu,Wei Qi,Wenzhen An,Longlong Tian,Zhan Li,Xiaolei Chen,Wang-Suo Wu 성균관대학교(자연과학캠퍼스) 성균나노과학기술원 2015 NANO Vol.10 No.3

As is well-known, porous nanomaterials have attracted increasing attention recently, and graphene-related materials (such as porous graphene) have been studied both experimentally and theoretically. Almost all researches are focused on nanoelectronics, supercapacitors, multifunctional membrances, bio-applications or others. Consequently, in order to understand the differences between porous graphene and normal graphene at adsorption and catalytic property, in this experiment, with the removal of metal ion (152Eu(III)) and organic matter (gallic acid) and reduction of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) by NaBH4 as model reactions, a systematic investigation into the adsorptive performance as well as catalytic activity of graphene with or without electron beam irradiation exposure had been carried out. As the results showed, compared with the reduction of pristine graphene oxidized (R-GO), the reduction of graphene oxidized with electron beam irradiation exposure (100 MGy, about 2 h, radiation graphene oxide (R-RGO)) had many irregular defects caused by lack of atoms; the adsorptive performance of the R-RGO increased for metals but decreased for organic matter. However, the adsorption rate of the R-RGO was lower for metals, but higher for organic matter than that of the R-GO. In addition, the results also showed that the R-RGO had a better catalytic capacity than the R-GO.

Response Surface Optimized Extraction of Flavonoids from Mimenghua and Its Antioxidant Activities In vitro

Lei Guo,Wen-Cheng Zhu,Ya-Ting Liu,Jiu-Yu Wu,An-Qi Zheng,Yan-Li Liu 한국식품과학회 2013 Food Science and Biotechnology Vol.22 No.5

The optimized extraction conditions of total flavonoids from mimenghua were determined by the Box-Behnken design and response surface methodology. The optimal conditions to achieve the maximum yield of flavonoids were determined as follows: ethanol concentration 68%(v/v), extraction temperature 72.4oC, liquid/material ratio 48:1mL/g, and extraction time 2 h. Under the optimized conditions, the extraction ratio of flavonoids was 15.44%. The crude extract was then purified by AB-8 macroporous adsorption resin, the flavonoids content in the purified extract increased to 90.43%. The antioxidant activities of the purified flavonoids were evaluated in vitro by scavenging capabilities of DPPH radical, hydroxyl radical and superoxide radical, reducing power and total antioxidant capacity. The results showed that the flavonoids have significant antioxidant activities, which can be used as a source of potential antioxidant.

Identification of Novel Subregions of LOH in Gastric Cancer and Analysis of the HIC1 and TOB1 Tumor Suppressor Genes in These Subregions

Jingcui Yu,Songbin Fu,Peng Liu,Xiaobo Cui,Yu Sui,Guohua Ji,Rongwei Guan,Donglin Sun,Wei Ji,Fangli Liu,An Liu,Yuzhen Zhao,Yang Yu,Yan Jin,Jing Bai,Jingshu Geng,Yingwei Xue,Jiping Qi,Ki-Young Lee 한국분자세포생물학회 2011 Molecules and cells Vol.32 No.1

Previously, we identified 3 overlapping regions showing loss of heterozygosity (LOH, R_1-R_3 from 11 to 30 cM) on chromosome 17 in 45 primary gastric cancers (GCs). The data indicated the presence of tumor suppressor genes (TSGs) on chromosome 17 involved in GC. Among the putative TSGs in these regions, HIC1 (in SR_1) and TOB1 (in SR_3) remain to be examined in GC. By immunohistochemistry (IHC), methylation-specific PCR (MSP) and western blot, we evaluated the expression and regulation status for HIC1 and TOB1 protein in GC. We narrowed down the deletion intervals on chromosome 17 and defined five smaller LOH subregions, SR_1-SR_5 (0.54 to 3.42 cM), in GC. We found that HIC1 had downregulated expression in 86% (91/106) and was methylated in 87% (26/30) of primary GCs. Of the primary GCs showing downregulation of HIC1 protein, 75% (18/24) had methylated HIC1 gene. TOB1 was either absent or expressed at reduced levels in 75% (73/97) of the GC samples. In addition, a general reduction was found in total and the ratio of unphosphorylated to phosphorylated TOB1 protein levels in the differentiated GC cell lines. Further analysis revealed significant simultaneous downregulation of both HIC1 and TOB1 protein in GC tissue microarray samples (67%, 52/78) and in primary GCs (65%, 11/17). These results indicate that silencing of HIC1 and TOB1 expression is a common occurrence in GC and may contribute to the development and progression of the disease.

Retrospective Evaluation of Discrepancies between Radiological and Pathological Size of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Masses

Tian, Fei,Wu, Jian-Xiong,Rong, Wei-Qi,Wang, Li-Ming,Wu, Fan,Yu, Wei-Bo,An, Song-Lin,Liu, Fa-Qiang,Feng, Li,Liu, Yun-He Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.21

Background: The size of a hepatic neoplasm is critical for staging, prognosis and selection of appropriate treatment. Our study aimed to compare the radiological size of solid hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) masses on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with the pathological size in a Chinese population, and to elucidate discrepancies. Materials and Methods: A total of 178 consecutive patients diagnosed with HCC who underwent curative hepatic resection after enhanced MRI between July 2010 and October 2013 were retrospectively identified and analyzed. Pathological data of the whole removed tumors wereassessed and differences between radiological and pathological tumor size were identified. All patients were restaged using a modified Tumor-Node-Metastasis (TNM) staging system postoperatively according to the maximum diameter alteration. The lesions were classified as hypo-staged, iso-staged or hyper-staged for qualitative assessment. In the quantitative analysis, the relative pre and postoperative tumor size contrast ratio ($%{\Delta}size$) was also computed according to size intervals. In addition, the relationship between radiological and pathological tumor diameter variation and histologic grade was analyzed. Results: Pathological examination showed 85 (47.8%) patients were overestimated, 82 (46.1%) patients underestimated, while accurate measurement by MRI was found in 11 (6.2%) patients. Among the total subjects, 14 (7.9%) patients were hypo-staged and 15 (8.4%) were hyper-staged post-operatively. Accuracy of MRI for calculation and characterized staging was related to the lesion size, ranging from 83.1% to 87.4% (<2cm to ${\geq}5cm$, p=0.328) and from 62.5% to 89.1% (cT1 to cT4, p=0.006), respectively. Overall, MRI misjudged pathological size by 6.0 mm (p=0.588 ), and the greatest difference was observed in tumors <2cm (3.6 mm, $%{\Delta}size=16.9%$, p=0.028). No statistically significant difference was observed for moderately differentiated HCC (5.5mm, p=0.781). However, for well differentiated and poorly differentiated cases, radiographic tumor maximum diameter was significantly larger than the pathological maximum diameter by 3.15 mm and underestimated by 4.51 mm, respectively (p=0.034 and 0.020). Conclusions: A preoperative HCC tumor size measurement using MRI can provide relatively acceptable accuracy but may give rise to discrepancy in tumors in a certain size range or histologic grade. In pathological well differentiated subjects, the pathological tumor size was significantly overestimated, but underestimated in poorly differentiated HCC. The difference between radiological and pathological tumor size was greatest for tumors <2 cm. For some HCC patients, the size difference may have implications for the decision of resection, transplantation, ablation, or arterially directed therapy, and should be considered in staging or selecting the appropriate treatment tactics.

LNG 특성을 고려한 저장기지 입지선정 모델 개발

정남훈,유안기,황건욱,장우식,한승헌,Jeong, Nam Hoon,Liu, An Qi,Hwang, Geon Wook,Jang, Woosik,Han, Seung Heon 한국건설관리학회 2015 한국건설관리학회 논문집 Vol.16 No.1

최근 전 세계적으로 친환경 및 저탄소에 대한 관심이 증가하고 있으며, 이에 따라 대표적인 친환경연료인 천연가스의 사용량이 급속도로 증가하고 있다. 특히 국내에서도 산업용, 발전용, 가정용으로 사용되는 천연가스 수요증가에 대비하여 도입 물량을 확대하기 위한 전략을 수행하고 있으며, 이에 따른 LNG 저장용량의 확보를 위해 저장기지 증설을 계획하고 있다. 그러나 기존의 LNG 저장기지의 입지선정은 기업의 내부적인 절차나 용역을 통해 수행되어 LNG 및 LNG 저장기지의 특성을 반영하는 데는 미흡하였다. 또한 해외에서도 LNG 저장기지의 입지선정과 관련하여 주요 요인들에 대한 연구가 수행되고 있으나 프로세스 및 모델 등 체계적인 분석은 미흡한 상황이다. 따라서 본 연구에서는 LNG 저장기지의 특성을 고려한 입지선정 모델을 구축하고자 한다. 이를 위해 관련기업의 과거 사례를 분석하여 저장기지 입지선정 과정에서 요구되는 요인들과 기존에 연구되어온 플랜트시설, 공장, 산업단지, 관청청사 등의 입지선정에 대한 요인들을 취합하여 전문가 인터뷰를 실시하였고 최종적으로 47개의 입지선정요인을 도출하였다. 이후 기 수행된 5개 지역(PT지역, IC지역, TY지역, SC지역, BR지역)의 사례에 대한 설문을 기반으로 요인분석, 다중회귀분석을 통하여 지역별 입지선정에 대한 우선순위를 도출하였고 이를 토대로 LNG 저장기지 후보지에 대한 입지선정 모델의 활용 가능성을 검토하였다. 향후 LNG 저장기지의 추가 건설과정에서 본 연구를 기초자료로서 활용한다면, 보다 효과적이고 체계적인 입지선정이 가능할 것으로 기대된다. Recently, due to the increasing concern of environmental factors and low carbon usage, the use of natural gas has been inclining steadily. In order to meet the growing demand of natural gas, government have established strategies to secure the sufficient amount of gas that is mainly used by industries, power generation and residential use by constructing additional receiving terminals for Liquid Natural Gas (LNG). In the process of selecting the optimal site for the terminals, the characteristics of the terminals are not considered where the decision making is done through internal meetings or outsourcing. In respect to site selection, researches are done to derive the factors that are considered for optimal site selection. However, there have not yet been researches in creating a systematic model for analyzing the optimal site selection. To this aim, the paper aims to propose a model for site selection of LNG receiving terminals that considers the characteristics of the terminal construction. Total of 47 factors considered in site selection is derived through interviews with experts and analyzing the previous cases of site selection by various firms. Furthermore, the derived 47 factors are used for the survey for the previous LNG terminals in PT, IC, TY, SC and BR areas where the survey data is analyzed by factor analysis and multiple regression models to depict the optimal site. By applying the model for site selection, practitioners are able to make decisions for site selection in a systematic approach for new candidates of sites.

Resveratrol enhances the functionality and improves the regeneration of mesenchymal stem cell aggregates

Yi-Jing Wang,Pan Zhao,Bing-Dong Sui,Nu Liu,Cheng-Hu Hu,Ji Chen,Chen-Xi Zheng,An-Qi Liu,Kun Xuan,Ya-Ping Pan,Yan Jin 생화학분자생물학회 2018 Experimental and molecular medicine Vol.50 No.-

Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-based regeneration, specifically cell aggregate or cell sheet engineering, is a promising approach for tissue reconstruction. Considering the advantages of ease of harvest and lack of immune rejection, the application of autologous MSCs (i.e., patients’ own MSCs) in regenerative medicine has developed considerable interest. However, the impaired cell viability and regenerative potential following MSCs impacted by disease remain a major challenge. Resveratrol (RSV) exhibits reliable and extensive rejuvenative activities that have received increasing clinical attention. Here, we uncovered that resveratrol enhances the functionality and improves the regeneration of mesenchymal stem cell aggregates. Periodontal ligament MSCs (PDLSCs) from normal control subjects (N-PDLSCs) and periodontitis patients (P-PDLSCs) were investigated. Compared to N-PDLSCs, P-PDLSCs were less capable of forming cell aggregates, and P-PDLSC aggregates showed impaired osteogenesis and regeneration. These functional declines could be mimicked in N-PDLSCs by tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) treatment. Notably, a TNF-α-induced functional decline in N-PDLSC aggregates was rescued by RSV application. More importantly, in both N-PDLSCs and P-PDLSCs, RSV promoted cell aggregate formation and improved their osteogenic potential. Furthermore, as proven ectopically in vivo, the tissue regenerative capability of P-PDLSC aggregates was also enhanced after RSV treatment during aggregate formation in vitro. Finally, in a rat in situ regeneration model, we successfully applied both N-PDLSC aggregates and P-PDLSC aggregates to repair periodontal defects upon long-term functional improvements by RSV preconditioning. Together, our data unravel a novel methodology for using pharmacology (i.e., RSV)-based cell aggregate engineering to improve the functionality and facilitate the regeneration of MSCs from both healthy and inflammatory microenvironments, shedding light on improving the application of autologous MSC-mediated regenerative medicine.