Trends in the Incidence of 15 Common Cancers in Hong Kong, 1983-2008

Xie, Wen-Chuan,Chan, Man-Him,Mak, Kei-Choi,Chan, Wai-Tin,He, Miao Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.8

Background: The objective of this study WAS to describe cancer incidence rates and trends among THE Hong Kong population for the period 1983-2008. Methods: Incident cases and population data from 1983 to 2008 were obtained from the Hong Kong Cancer Registry and the Census and Statistics Department, respectively. Agestandardized incidence rates (ASIR) were estimated and joinpoint regression was applied to detect significant changes in cancer morbidity. Results: For all cancers combined, the ASIR showed declining trends (1.37% in men, 0.94% in women), this also being the case for cancers of lung, liver, nasopharynx, stomach, bladder, oesophagus for both genders and cervix cancer for women. With cancer of thyroid, prostate, male colorectal, corpus uteri, ovary and female breast cancer an increase was evident throughout the period. The incidence for leukemia showed a stable trend since early 1990s, following an earlier decrease. Conclusion: Although overall cancer incidence rates and certain cancers showed declining trends, incidence trends for colorectal, thyroid and sex-related cancers continue to rise. These trends in cancer morbidity can be used as an important resource to plan and develop effective programs aimed at the control and prevention of the spread of cancer amongst the Hong Kong population. It is particularly useful in allowing projection of future burdens on the society with the increase in certain cancer incidences.

Effect of Crystal Structure and Hydrogen Bond of Thermoplastic Oxidized Starch on Manufacturing of Starch-Based Biomass Composite

Chuan-Wei Zhang,Fang-Yi Li,Jianfeng Li,Qi Xie,Jie Xu,An-Fu Guo,Cheng-Zhao Wang 한국정밀공학회 2018 International Journal of Precision Engineering and Vol.5 No.3

Starch-based biomass composites were prepared with starch and plant fiber. In order to improve the properties of the compos ites, oxidized starches (OS) were prepared using hydroxyl peroxide as oxidizer, then glycerol was added into OS as plasticizer to produce thermoplastic oxidized starches (TPOS). Crystal structure, hydrogen bonds of TPOS were researched to gain comprehensive views on the mechanism of the property differences between the starch-based composites with native starch, OS and TPOS. The changes of crystal structure were analyzed by X-ray diffraction analysis. Starch intermolecular hydroxyl changes were investigated using the method of infrared spectrum analysis. It was found that the new hydrogen bonds were formed between the plasticizer, oxidizer and starch, and the starch intermolecular bonding force was weakened. The structure of starch crystallization was destructed in TPOS. Differential scanning calorimetry showed that cross reaction with oxidization and plasticization changed the crystal structure, glass transition process was not observed in TPOS. The tensile and compressive strengths of composite based on TPOS were improved greatly and mechanical properties were not weakened obviously with water content increased. All the results indicated that TPOS could improve the properties of starch-based composites.

Establishment of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. f. Hairy Root Culture and Optimization of Its Culture Conditions for the Production of Triptolide and Wilforine

( Chuan Shu Zhu ),( Guo Qeng Miao ),( Jia Guo ),( Yan Bo Huo ),( Xing Zhang ),( Jia Hua Xie ),( Jun Tao Feng ) 한국미생물 · 생명공학회 2014 Journal of microbiology and biotechnology Vol.24 No.6

In order to solve the shortage of natural Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. f. plant resource for the production of the important secondary metabolites triptolide and wilforine, hairy roots were induced from its root calli by Agrobacterium rhizogenes. Induced hairy roots not only could be maintained and grown well in hormone-free half-strength Murashige and Skoog medium but also could produce sufficient amounts of both triptolide and wilforine. Although hairy roots produced approximately 15% less triptolide than adventitious roots and 10% less wilforine than naturally grown roots, they could grow fast and could be a suitable system for producing both secondary metabolites compared with other tissues. Addition of 50 μM methyl jasmonate (MeJA) could slightly affect hairy root growth, but dramatically stimulated the production of both triptolide and wilforine, whereas 50 μM salicylic acid had no apparent effect on hairy root growth with slightly stimulatory effects on the production of both secondary metabolites. Addition of precursor nicotinic acid, isoleucine, or aspartic acid at the concentration of 500 μM had varying effects on hairy root growth, but none of them had stimulatory effects on triptolide production, and only the former two had slightly beneficial effects on wilforine production. The majority of triptolide produced was secreted into the medium, whereas most of the produced wilforine was retained inside of hairy roots. Our studies provide a promising way to produce triptolide and wilforine in T. wilfordii hairy root cultures combined with MeJA treatment.

Design of Large-Stroke and High-Resolution Drive System Based on Giant Magnetostrictive Material

Tian Xie,Chuanli Wang,Caofeng Yu,Meijun Xiong 한국정밀공학회 2021 International Journal of Precision Engineering and Vol.22 No.5

A novel macro–micro linear actuator based on the giant magnetostrictive material has been proposed to achieve high precision and large-stroke. This structure uses a permanent magnet drive coil structure, and a new cylindrical structure permanent magnet linear actuator is made according to the principle of Lorentz force. The permanent magnet and the shell form stator part, and the giant magnetostrictive actuator (GMA) structure is embedded in the interior as a mover structure to achieve macro-motion displacement; the micro-motion can be realized by controlling the GMA. The micro-motion component and the macro-motion component can always remain coaxial in structure and integrated on a motor structure. The actuator’s output displacement can be adjusted by controlling the macro/micro coil current. Experimental results indicate that the macro-displacement can be up to 30 mm, and the response time is below 0.2 s. The micro-motion positioning accuracy can reach nanometer level, which has the advantages of simple structure and easy installation with coaxial, and has a broad application prospect in the field of precision manufacturing.

Chloroquine and Valproic Acid Combined Treatment in Vitro has Enhanced Cytotoxicity in an Osteosarcoma Cell Line

Wang, Chuan-Kun,Yu, Xi-Dong,Li, Qiang,Xie, Gang,Teng, Yue Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.8

Choroquine (CQ) and valproic acid (VPA) have been extensively studied for biological effects. Here, we focused on efficacy of combined CQ and VPA on osteosarcoma cell lines. Viability of osteosarcoma cell lines (U20S and HOS) was analyzed by MTT assay. Apoptotic assays and colony formation assays were also applied. ROS generation and Western Blotting were performed to determine the mechanism of CQ and VPA combination in the process of apoptosis. The viability of different osteosarcoma cell lines significantly decreased after CQ and VPA combination treatment compared with either drug used alone, and apoptosis was increased significantly. ROS generation was triggered leading to expression of apoptosis related genes being increased and of antiapoptotic related genes being decreased. From our data shown here, CQ and VPA combination treatment in vitro enhanced cytotoxicy to osteosarcoma cells.

LSKL, a Peptide Antagonist of Thrombospondin-1, Attenuates Renal Interstitial Fibrosis in Rats with Unilateral Ureteral Obstruction

Xi-sheng Xie,Fei-yan Li,Heng-chuan Liu,Yao Deng,Zi Li,Jun-ming Fan 대한약학회 2010 Archives of Pharmacal Research Vol.33 No.2

The effects of LSKL, the peptide antagonist of thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1), on renal interstitial fibrosis in rats subjected to unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) were investigated. Rats were divided randomly into three groups (n = 20 each): UUO group, sham-operation group and UUO plus LSKL treatment group. Collagen deposition was studied using histopathology and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis (RT-PCR). TSP-1, transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1), phosphorylated Smad2 (pSsmad2) and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in the kidney were measured using immunocytochemistry, western blotting analysis, RT-PCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Biochemical analyses in the serum and urine were made. Histopathology showed severe tubular dilatation and atrophy, interstitial inflammation and collagen accumulation after surgery and LSKL significantly inhibited interstitial fibrosis including tubular injury as well as collagen deposition. The protein and mRNA levels of TSP-1 increased notably at different time point and significantly decreased in the presence of LSKL. The expression of TGF-β1 and pSmad2 were upregulated in the obstructed kidney and substantially suppressed by LSKL treatment. Myofibroblast accumulation could be alleviated after administration of LSKL. Biochemical parameters did not show differences among the three groups. As TSP-1 is the major activator of TGF-β1, we demonstrate that LSKL can attenuate renal interstitial fibrosis in vivo by preventing TSP-1-mediated TGF-β1 activation.

Experimental and Numerical Investigation of Steel Beam-to-CFST Column Frame-Thin Steel Plate Shear Walls with Cross Stiff ness

Xian-tie Wang,Chuan-Dong Xie 한국강구조학회 2019 International Journal of Steel Structures Vol.19 No.6

Steel plate shear wall (SPSW) systems have been used increasingly in medium- and high-rise buildings in recent decades. Two major issues in the slender-web SPSW are the buckling of H-section steel column base and signifi cant pinching in hysteretic curves. As a solution, SPSW using concrete-fi lled steel tubular (CFST) column and cross stiff eners was proposed in this paper. Cyclic tests of two specimens of 1/3 scaled steel beam-to-CFST column frame-thin SPSW with cross stiff eners or without stiff eners were conducted. Based on the verifi ed fi nite element method, parametric investigations considering the eff ect of the fl exural rigidity of CFST column, width-to-height aspect ratio, height-to-thickness ratio of infi ll steel plate and relative rigidity of cross stiff ener were carried out. Findings show that SPSW using CFST column exhibited favorable ductility behavior with no sudden loss of lateral bearing capacity. Adding stiff eners to SPSWs relieves the pinching eff ect of hysteretic curves and reduces the maximum lateral displacement substantially. With stiff eners, the average yield load and the peak load of SPSWs were approximately 15% and 9% higher than that of the unstiff ened specimens. Moreover, a fl exural rigidity of CFST column of at least 2.5 and a stiff ener rigidity of 30–50 were recommended to provide an economical and approving lateral bearing capacity.

Cloning, Expression, and Characterization of Serine Protease from Thermophilic Fungus Thermoascus aurantiacus var. levisporus

An-Na Li,Chen Xie,Jie Zhang,Jia Zhang,Duo-Chuan Li 한국미생물학회 2011 The journal of microbiology Vol.49 No.1

The serine protease gene from a thermophilic fungus Thermoascus aurantiacus var. levisporus, was cloned,sequenced, and expressed in Pichia pastoris and the recombinant protein was characterized. The full-length cDNA of 2,592 bp contains an ORF of 1,482 bp encoding 494 amino acids. Sequence analysis of the deduced amino acid sequence revealed high homology with subtilisin serine proteases. The putative enzyme contained catalytic domain with active sites formed by three residues of Asp183, His215, and Ser384. The molecular mass of the recombinant enzyme was estimated to be 59.1 kDa after overexpression in P. pastoris. The activity of recombinant protein was 115.58 U/mg. The protease exhibited its maximal activity at 50°C and pH 8.0 and kept thermostable at 60°C, and retained 60% activity after 60 min at 70°C. The protease activity was found to be inhibited by PMSF, but not by DTT or EDTA. The enzyme has broad substrate specificity such as gelatin, casein and pure milk, and exhibiting highest activity towards casein.

Evaluation of the Combination of Methylprednisolone and Tranilast after Spinal Cord Injury in Rat Models

Mbori, Ngwayi James Reeves,Chuan, Xie Yun,Feng, Qiao Xiao,Alizada, Mujahid,Zhan, Jing The Korean Neurosurgical Society 2016 Journal of Korean neurosurgical society Vol.59 No.4

Objective : The aim of our study was to evaluate the neuroprotective functions of the combination therapy using methylprednisolone (MP) and tranilast (TR) after spinal cord injury (SCI) in adult rats. Methods : Spinal cord compression injury model was achieved using Yasargil aneurysm clip. Rats were divided into control group, MP group, TR group, and combination therapy group using TR and MP. Rat models were assessed for locomotor functional recovery using Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan (BBB) score, spinal cord water content and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity 24 hours post SCI, haematoxylin and eosin staining and glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAP) staining at 7 and 14 days post SCI. Results : The spinal cord water content and MPO activity in the combination therapy group was significantly lower than the control group and the individual therapy groups p<0.05. The combination therapy group had significantly higher BBB scores than control group and individual therapy groups (p<0.05). At one week after SCI, GFAP expression in the combination group was significantly lower than the control group (p<0.05) but there was no significant difference compared to the individual therapy groups (p>0.05). At 2 weeks after SCI there was a slight decrease in GFAP expression compared to the first week but the difference was not statistically significant (p>0.05), GFAP expression between the groups was not statistically significant p>0.05. Conclusion : Combining MP and TR is therapeutically more effective in improving functional recovery, inhibiting inflammation and glial scar formation after acute SCI.

A Novel Passivity-Based Resonant Instability Suppression Method for Grid-Connected VSC

Jiancheng Zhao,Kai Li,Xiaodong Wang,Chuan Xie,Hongbing Xu 대한전기학회 2021 Journal of Electrical Engineering & Technology Vol.16 No.1

The interaction between the three-phase voltage source converters (VSCs) and the power grid may cause high-frequency resonant instable problems. Studies have indicated that the non-passivity of VSCs is the main reason that leads to the resonances. The above-mentioned passive means that the equivalent output admittance of the VSC has a positive real part. In this paper, a novel damped Smith predictor is proposed to suppress the resonant instability problem that caused by time delay. The research proved that the proposed Smith predictor can signifi cantly improve the passivity of the VSC by reducing the width of the negative real part at the high-frequencies. Simulation and experimental results demonstrate that the proposed Smith predictor can distinctly improve the robustness of the VSC.