Pretreatment Serum Amyloid A and C-reactive Protein Comparing with Epstein-Barr Virus DNA as Prognostic Indicators in Patients with Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: A Prospective Study

Qiu-Yan Chen,Qing-Nan Tang,Lin-Quan Tang,Wen-Hui Chen,Shan-Shan Guo,Li-Ting Liu,Chao-Feng Li,Yang Li,Yu-Jing Liang,Xue-Song Sun,Ling Guo,Hao-Yuan Mo,Rui Sun,Dong-Hua Luo,Yu-Ying Fan,Yan He,Ming-Yuan C 대한암학회 2018 Cancer Research and Treatment Vol.50 No.3

Purpose The measuring Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA is an important predictor of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). This study evaluated the predictive value of pretreatment serum amyloid A (SAA) and C-reactive protein (CRP) comparing with EBV DNA in patients with NPC. Materials and Methods In an observational study of 419 non-metastatic NPC patients, we prospectively evaluated the prognostic effects of pretreatment SAA, CRP, and EBV DNA on survival. The primary endpoint was progress-free survival (PFS). Results The median level of SAA and CRP was 4.28 mg/L and 1.88 mg/L, respectively. For the high- SAA group (> 4.28 mg/L) versus the low-SAA ( 4.28 mg/L) group and the high-CRP group (> 1.88 mg/L) versus the low-CRP ( 1.88 mg/L) group, the 5-year PFS was 64.5% versus 73.1% (p=0.013) and 65.2% versus 73.3% (p=0.064), respectively. EBV DNA detection showed a superior predictive result, the 5-year PFS in the EBV DNA  1,500 copies/mL group was obviously different than the EBV DNA < 1,500 copies/mL group (62.2% versus 77.8%, p < 0.001). Multifactorial Cox regression analysis confirmed that in the PFS, the independent prognostic factors were including EBV DNA (hazard ratio [HR], 1.788; p=0.009), tumour stage (HR, 1.903; p=0.021), and node stage (HR, 1.498; p=0.049), but the SAA and CRP were not included in the independent prognostic factors. Conclusion The results of SAA and CRP had a certain relationship with the prognosis of NPC, and the prognosis of patients with high level of SAA and CRP were poor. However, the predictive ability of SAA and CRP was lower than that of EBV DNA.

Effect of luteoin in delaying cataract in STZ-induced diabetic rats

Yuan Chen,Xiao-Bo Sun,Hong-e Lu,Fang Wang,Xiao-Hui Fan 대한약학회 2017 Archives of Pharmacal Research Vol.40 No.1

Luteolin, a flavonoid rich in many plants, hasshown various pharmacological effects including anti-inflammation,anti-oxidant, anti-tumor, cardioprotective andneuroprotective properties. At present, inflammation andoxidative stress have been recognized to be two importantcontributing factors to the development of diabetic cataract. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects ofluteolin on diabetes-induced oxidative stress and inflammationin the lens of rats. A diabetic rat model was inducedby intraperitoneally giving streptozotocin at a dosage of60 mg/kg, and then the rats were treated by orallyadministration of luteolin 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg for12 weeks. The results showed that luteolin administrationcould increase the antioxidant capacity such as glutathione(GSH) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity, anddecreased malondialdehyde (MDA) level in the lens ofdiabetic rats. Luteolin also inhibited diabetes-induced elevationof interleukin-1 beta (IL-1b), vascular endothelialgrowth factor and nuclear factor-jB (NF-jB) mRNA andprotein expression in lens. Moreover, in the high dosegroup (100 mg/kg), lens GSH level was decreased to normalcompared to control group. The degree of oxidativeand inflammatory damage was significantly reduced inluteolin-treated rats. These data suggested that luteolin canbe an effective protection candidate of diabetes-inducedlens neurodegeneration by inhibiting the levels of inflammatorymediators and oxidative stress.

Loss of RTN3 phenocopies chronic kidney disease and results in activation of the IGF2-JAK2 pathway in proximal tubular epithelial cells

Fan Liang-Liang,Du Ran,Liu Ji-Shi,Jin Jie-Yuan,Wang Chen-Yu,Dong Yi,He Wan-Xia,Yan Ri-Qiang,Xiang Rong 생화학분자생물학회 2022 Experimental and molecular medicine Vol.54 No.-

Reticulon 3 (RTN3) is an endoplasmic reticulum protein that has previously been shown to play roles in neurodegenerative diseases, but little is known about its function in the kidneys. The aim of the present study was to clarify the roles of RTN3 in chronic kidney disease (CKD) and kidney fibrosis. In this study, RTN3 levels were measured in kidney tissues from healthy controls and CKD or kidney fibrosis patients. An RTN3-null mouse model was generated to explore the pathophysiological roles of RTN3 in the kidneys. The underlying mechanisms were studied in primary proximal tubular epithelial cells and HEK293 cells in vitro. The results showed that (1) a reduction in RTN3 in mice induces CKD and kidney fibrosis; (2) decreased RTN3 expression is found in patients with CKD; (3) RTN3 plays critical roles in regulating collagen biosynthesis and mitochondrial function; and (4) mechanistically, RTN3 regulates these phenotypes by interacting with GC-Rich Promoter Binding Protein 1 (GPBP1), which activates the IGF2-JAK2-STAT3 pathway. Our study indicates that RTN3 might play crucial roles in CKD and kidney fibrosis and that a reduction in RTN3 in the kidneys might be a risk factor for CKD and kidney fibrosis.

Simulation of an X-ray Fresnel Zone Plate with Nonideal Factors

Chen, Jie,Fan, Quanping,Wang, Junhua,Yuan, Dengpeng,Wei, Lai,Zhang, Qiangqiang,Liao, Junsheng,Xu, Min Optical Society of Korea 2020 Current Optics and Photonics Vol.4 No.1

Fresnel zone plates have been widely used in many applications, such as x-ray telescopes, microfluorescence, and microimaging. To obtain an x-ray Fresnel zone plate, many fabrication methods, such as electron-beam etching, ion-beam etching and chemical etching, have been developed. Fresnel zone plates fabricated by these methods will inevitably lead to some nonideal factors, which have an impact on the focusing characteristics of the zone plate. In this paper, the influences of these nonideal factors on the focusing characteristics of the zone plate are studied systematically, by numerical simulations based on scalar diffraction theory. The influence of the thickness of a Fresnel zone plate on the absolute focusing efficiency is calculated for a given incident x-ray's wavelength. The diffraction efficiency and size of the focal spot are calculated for different incline angles of the groove. The simulations of zone plates without struts, with regular struts, and with random struts are carried out, to study the effects of struts on the focusing characteristics of a zone plate. When a Fresnel zone plate is used to focus an ultrashort x-ray pulse, the effect of zone-plate structure on the final pulse duration is also discussed.

Hypermethylation and Clinicopathological Significance of RASAL1 Gene in Gastric Cancer

Chen, Hong,Pan, Ying,Cheng, Zheng-Yuan,Wang, Zhi,Liu, Yang,Zhao, Zhu-Jiang,Fan, Hong Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.11

Background: Recent studies have suggested that expression of the RAS protein activator like-1 gene (RASAL1) is decreased in gastric carcinoma tissues and cell lines, indicated a role in tumorigenesis and development of gastric cancer. Reduced expression of RASAL1 could result in aberrant increase of activity of RAS signaling pathways in cancer cells. However, the exact mechanism which induces down-regulation of the RASAL1 gene remains unclear. This study aimed to determine the methylation status and regulation of RASAL1 in gastric cancer. Materials and Methods: Using the methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (MSP), the methylation status of CpG islands in the RASAL1 promoter in gastric cancers and paired adjacent non-cancerous tissues from 40 patients was assessed and its clinicopathological significance was analyzed. The methylation status of RASAL1 in gastric cancer lines MKN-28, SGC-790l, BGC-823, as well as in normal gastric epithelial cell line GES-l was also determined after treatment with a DNA methyltransferase inhibitor, 5-aza-2'-doexycytidine (5-Aza-CdR). RAS activity (GAS-GTP) was assessed through a pull-down method, while protein levels of ERK1/2, a downstream molecule of RAS signaling pathways, were determined by Western blotting. Results: The frequencies of RASAL1 promoter methylation in gastric cancer and paired adjacent non-cancerous tissues were 70% (28/40) and 30% (12/40) respectively (P<0.05). There were significantly correlations between RASAL1 promoter methylation with tumor differentiation, tumor size, invasive depth and lymph node metastasis in patients with gastric cancer (all P<0.05), but no correlation was found for age or gender. Promoter hypermethylation of the RASAL1 gene was detected in MKN-28, SGC-790l and BGC-823 cancer cells, but not in the normal gastric epithelial cell line GES-1. Elevated expression of the RASAL1 protein, a decreased RAS-GTP and p-ERK1/2 protein were detected in three gastric cancer cell lines after treatment with 5-Aza-CdR. Conclusions: Aberrant hypermethylation of the RASAL1 gene promoter frequently occurs in gastric cancer tissues and cells. In addition, the demethylating agent 5-Aza-CdR can reverse the hypermethylation of RASAL1 gene and up-regulate the expression of RASAL1 significantly in gastric cancer cells in vivo. Our study suggests that RASAL1 promoter methylation may have a certain relationship with the reduced RASAL1 expression in gastric cancer.

Fabrication of silica/PVA‑co‑PE nanofiber membrane for oil/water separation

Yuanli Chen,Hui Fan,Xinlin Zha,Wenwen Wang,Yi Wu,Yi Xiong,Kun Yan,Yuedan Wang,Dong Wang 한국의류학회 2021 Fashion and Textiles Vol.8 No.1

High efficiency and anti-pollution oil/water separation membrane has been widely explored and researched. There are a large number of hydroxyl groups on the surface of silica, which has good wettability and can be used for oil-water separation membranes. Hydrophilic silica nanostructures with different morphologies were synthesized by changing templates and contents of trimethylbenzene (TMB). Here, silica nanospheres with radical pores, hollow silica nanospheres and worm-like silica nanotubes were separately sprayed on the PVA-co-PE nanofiber membrane (PM). The abundance of hydroxyl groups and porous structures on PM surfaces enabled the absorption of silica nanospheres through hydrogen bonds. Compared with different silica nanostructures, it was found that the silica/PM exhibited excellent super-hydrophilicity in air and underwater “oil-hating” properties. The PM was mass-produced in our lab through meltextrusion- phase-separation technique. Therefore, the obtained membranes not only have excellent underwater superoleophobicity but also have a low-cost production. The prepared silica/PM composites were used to separate n-hexane/water, silicone oil/ water and peanut oil water mixtures via filtration. As a result, they all exhibited efficient separation of oil/water mixture through gravity-driven filtration.

Catalytic oxidation of biomass derived 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) over RuIII-incorporated zirconium phosphate catalyst

Fan Wang,Ziliang Yuan,Bing Liu,Shaohua Chen,Zehui Zhang 한국공업화학회 2016 Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Vol.38 No.-

In this study, a new ruthenium catalyst was used for the oxidation of biomass derived5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) under mild conditions, which was prepared by the exchange of Ru3+with H+ in the structure of the zirconium phosphate (ZrP). The as-prepared ZrP–Ru catalyst showed highcatalytic activity towards the oxidation of HMF, affording 100% of HMF conversion at 130 8C after 12 hunder atmospheric oxygen pressure. 2,5-Furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) and 2,5-diformylfuran (DFF)were detected to be the major oxidation products.

Event-triggered Coordination Control for Multi-agent Systems with Connectivity Preservation

Yuan Fan,Jun Chen,Cheng Song,Yong Wang 제어·로봇·시스템학회 2020 International Journal of Control, Automation, and Vol.18 No.4

This work investigates the connectivity preservation problem of multi-agent systems with event-triggered controllers. The agents in the system have only limited communication ranges, and they are required to achieve rendezvous while preserving the connectivity of the communication graph. To reduce the amount of communication packages, event-triggering mechanism is employed. We propose two kinds of event triggers to realize the connectivity-preserving rendezvous of the multi-agent system, i.e., the connectivity trigger to preserve the network connectivity, and the convergence trigger to drive the agents to achieve rendezvous. By introducing a particular constraint function in the controller design, the control inputs of the agents can be bounded throughout the rendezvous process. This guarantees that the controller can be physically implemented in practice. It is proven that the agent group will achieve rendezvous while all the existing communication links can be preserved under some very mild assumptions on the controller design. Moreover, Zeno behavior can be avoided by using an event/time hybrid triggering approach. The effectiveness of the proposed event-triggered control is illustrated by simulations.

A Novel All-trans Retinoid Acid Derivative N-(3-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-Retinamide Inhibits Lung Adenocarcinoma A549 Cell Migration through Down-regulating Expression of Myosin Light Chain Kinase

Fan, Ting-Ting,Cheng, Ying,Wang, Yin-Feng,Gui, Shu-Yu,Chen, Fei-Hu,Zhou, Qing,Wang, Yuan Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.18

Aim: To observe the effects of a novel all-trans retinoid acid (ATRA) derivative, N-(3-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-retinamide (ATPR), on lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells and to explore the potential mechanism of ATPR inhibiting of A549 cell migration. Materials and Methods: The cytotoxicity of ATRA and ATPR on A549 cells was assessed using MTT assay. Wound healing assays were used to analyze the influences of ATRA, ATPR, ML-7 (a highly selective inhibitor of myosin light chain kinase (MLCK)), PMA (an activator of MAPKs) and PD98059 (a selective inhibitor of ERK1/2) on the migration of A549 cells. Expression of MLCK and phosphorylation of myosin light chain (MLC) were assessed by Western blotting. Results: ATRA and ATPR inhibited the proliferation of A549 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner, and the effect of ATPR was much more remarkable compared with ATRA. Relative migration rate and migration distance of A549 cells both decreased significantly after treatment with ATPR or ML-7. The effect on cell migration of PD98059 combining ATPR treatment was more notable than that of ATPR alone. Moreover, compared with control groups, the expression levels of MLCK and phosphorylated MLC in A549 cells were both clearly reduced in ATRA and ATPR groups. Conclusions: ATPR could suppress the migration and invasion of A549 cells, and the mechanism might be concerned with down-regulating the expression of MLCK in the ERK-MAPK signaling pathway, pointing to therapeutic prospects in lung cancer.

Dimension Reduction of Speech Emotion Feature Based on Weighted Linear Discriminant Analysis

Jingjing Yuan,Li Chen,Taiting Fan,Jian Jia 보안공학연구지원센터 2015 International Journal of Signal Processing, Image Vol.8 No.11

Feature dimension reduction is important for speech emotion recognition. The classical linear discriminant analysis has been used widely in this field, but the best projection separating class from others can’t be obtained with the linear discriminant analysis method due to outlier class. To approach this problem, a novel distance weighted function based on the linear discriminant analysis is introduced, which can improve the separability of sample data and has low computational complexity. In order to evaluate the proposed algorithm’s performance, some experiments are performed on two speech databases: UCI and CASIA. Experimental results on the UCI database demonstrate that the presented algorithm has a better performance. Experimental results on CASIA show that the proposed algorithm yields an average accuracy of 88.78% in the classification of four emotions, revealing that it is a better choice as feature dimension reduction for emotion classification than the traditional algorithms.