Operable Breast Cancer of the Inner Hemisphere Is Associated with Poor Survival

Cong Xue,Rou Jun Peng,Shu Sen Wang,Yan Xia Shi,Xin An,Fei Xu,Zhong Yu Yuan 한국유방암학회 2015 Journal of breast cancer Vol.18 No.1

Purpose: This study investigated the clinicopathological featuresof operable breast cancer lesions located in different hemispheresof the breast and determined related survival outcomes. Methods: Data from 5,330 patients with invasive ductal carcinomawere retrospectively analyzed based on tumor location. Results:The median follow-up time was 68 months (range, 18–176months). Patients with breast cancer located in the outer hemisphereof the breast had lesions with more advanced nodalstages and more frequently received adjuvant chemotherapythan patients with breast cancer in the inner hemisphere. The5-year disease-free survival (DFS) rates of patients with tumorslocated in outer versus inner hemispheres were 81.5% and77.0%, respectively (p=0.004); the overall survival (OS) rateswere 90.7% and 88.8%, respectively (p<0.001). The associationbetween tumor location and the 5-year DFS rate was most apparentin node-positive patients (73.1% vs. 65.8% for outer vs. inner hemisphere lesions, p<0.001) and in patients with primarytumors greater than 2 cm in diameter (78.2% vs. 72.3%,p=0.002). Multivariate analysis showed that tumor location wasan independent predictor of DFS (hazard ratio [HR], 1.23;p=0.002) and OS (HR, 1.28; p=0.006). There were no significantdifferences in 5-year DFS or OS rates between patients with outerversus inner hemisphere tumors when internal mammary nodeirradiation was performed. Conclusion: This study demonstratedthat tumor location was an independent prognostic factor foroperable breast cancer. Internal mammary node irradiation isrecommended for patients with breast cancer of the inner hemisphereand positive axillary lymph nodes or large primary tumors

From structure to function: Harnessing the ionic conductivity of covalent organic frameworks

Liu Cong‐Xue,황수민,우혜린,이은성,박선아 대한화학회 2024 Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society Vol.45 No.4

Rapid advancements in energy storage technology, driven by a growing demand for energy storage devices, underscore the crucial need to comprehend ionic conduction behavior. Consequently, intensive research on high‐performance ionic conductors becomes imperative. Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) have emerged as invaluable materials in the realm of solid‐state or quasi‐solid‐state ion‐conduction, leveraging their unique properties such as significant porosity, tunability, and robust physicochemical durability. These distinctive attributes position COFs as promising candidates for the development of electrodes, electrolytes, and separator materials characterized by high capacities, rapid ion transport, and electrochemical stability. This review provides insights into COFs as ionic conductors, discusses recent advancements in COF‐based energy storage devices, and explores the influence of structural functionalization, pore size engineering, and dimensional regulation on ionic conduction. Moreover, the review aims to deepen understanding and pave the way for future advancements in the utilization of COFs within energy storage technologies. Rapid advancements in energy storage technology, driven by a growing demand for energy storage devices, underscore the crucial need to comprehend ionic conduction behavior. Consequently, intensive research on high-performance ionic conductors becomes imperative. Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) have emerged as invaluable materials in the realm of solid-state or quasi-solid-state ion-conduction, leveraging their unique properties such as significant porosity, tunability, and robust physicochemical durability. These distinctive attributes position COFs as promising candidates for the development of electrodes, electrolytes, and separator materials characterized by high capacities, rapid ion transport, and electrochemical stability. This review provides insights into COFs as ionic conductors, discusses recent advancements in COF-based energy storage devices, and explores the influence of structural functionalization, pore size engineering, and dimensional regulation on ionic conduction. Moreover, the review aims to deepen understanding and pave the way for future advancements in the utilization of COFs within energy storage technologies.

Disruption of endothelial barrier function is linked with hyposecretion and lymphocytic infiltration in salivary glands of Sjögren's syndrome

Cong, Xin,Zhang, Xue-Ming,Zhang, Yan,Wei, Tai,He, Qi-Hua,Zhang, Li-Wei,Hua, Hong,Lee, Sang-Woo,Park, Kyungpyo,Yu, Guang-Yan,Wu, Li-Ling Elsevier 2018 Biochimica et biophysica acta. Molecular basis of Vol.1864 No.10

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is an inflammatory autoimmune disease that causes hyposecretion in salivary glands. Endothelial tight junctions (TJs) play crucial roles in salivation and barrier function of blood vessels. However, whether the alteration of endothelial TJs were involved in pathogenesis of SS was still unknown. Here, the ultrastructure and function of endothelial TJs in submandibular glands (SMGs) were detected by transmission electron microscopy and in vivo paracellular permeability assay in different aged NOD mouse model for SS. CFSE-labeled lymphocytes were injected into tail vein to trace the infiltration, while claudin-5 expression and distribution were detected by immunofluorescence, qRT-PCR, and western blot. Results showed that the stimulated salivary flow rate was gradually decreased and lymphocytic infiltration was found as age increased in 12- and 21-week-old NOD mice, but not 7-week-old NOD mice. Blood vessels were dilated, while endothelial TJ width and paracellular tracer transport were increased in 12-week-old NOD mice. Moreover, the injected CFSE-labeled lymphocytes were observed in SMGs of 12-week-old NOD mice. Claudin-5 level was increased and relocalized from the apical portion of neighboring endothelial cells to lateral membranes and cytoplasm in 12-week-old NOD mice. Additionally, the alteration of claudin-5 expression and distribution was further confirmed in labial salivary glands and bilateral parotid glands from SS patients. In cultured human microvessel endothelial cell line (HMEC-1), IFN-γ stimulation significantly increased claudin-5 expression. Taken together, we identified that the endothelial TJ barrier was disrupted and contributed to the development of salivary hyposecretion and lymphocytic infiltration in SS.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Endothelial tight junction barrier is disrupted in hyposecretory submandibular glands from Sjögren's syndrome mouse model </LI> <LI> The disrupted salivary endothelial barrier is linked with lymphocytic infiltration in Sjögren's syndrome mouse model </LI> <LI> The redistribution of claudin-5 is responsible for disrupted endothelial barrier in salivary glands from Sjögren's syndrome </LI> </UL> </P>

How Much Development Can a Rail Station Lead? A Case Study of Hong Kong

Xue, Charlie Qiuli,Sun, Cong Council on Tall Building and Urban Habitat Korea 2018 International journal of high-rise buildings Vol.7 No.2

Since the concept was first introduced in the 1970s, transit-oriented-development (TOD) has greatly expanded in East Asian cities such as Hong Kong. Rail stations are built together with clusters of residential-commercial towers and government services to form a new style of living - a "rail village." This paper examines the composition, scale, spatial form, organization and operation of several typical rail villages in Hong Kong. The cases range across those planned from the mid-1990s to 2015. Based on the analysis of the rail village composition, the paper derives a development ratio to indicate the density, effectiveness and efficiency of a rail village catchment area. The ratio provides a useful and direct figure for the comparison of different stations, cities and development modes.

Inhibition of Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1-Induced Sebum Production by Bilobetin in Cultured Human Sebocytes

( Cong Wang ),( Yul-lye Hwang ),( Xue Mei Li ),( Soo Jung Kim ),( Ming Ji Zhu ),( Jeung-hoon Lee ),( Ri-hua Jiang ),( Chang Deok Kim ) 대한피부과학회 2019 Annals of Dermatology Vol.31 No.3

Background: Sebocytes are the major cells of sebaceous gland. The essential role of sebocytes is the production of sebum, a specific lipid mixture, that covers the body surface and provides the barrier function. At puberty, sebum production increases under the effects of various stimuli including androgens and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1). Excessive sebum production changes the microenvironment surrounding hair follicle, often leading to the onset of acne. Objective: We previously performed screening test using cultured human sebocytes, and found that bilobetin had a potential for inhibiting lipid production. The aim of this study is to demonstrate the effects of bilobetin on IGF-1-induced lipogenesis in sebocytes. Methods: We pretreated simian virus 40 T (SV40T)-transformed sebocytes with bilobetin then stimulated with IGF-1. Effects of bilobetin on lipogenesis of sebocytes were examined by thin layer chromatography and Western blot. Results: Bilobetin markedly inhibited IGF-1- induced lipid production in sebocytes, especially in terms of production of squalene and wax ester. Supporting these results, bilobetin showed significant inhibitory effect on squalene synthase promoter activity. In addition, bilobetin significantly down-regulated lipogenic transcription factors such as sterol response element binding protein (SREBP)-1 and SREBP-2. To delineate the possible action mechanism, we investigated the effect of bilobetin on intracellular signaling. As a result, bilobetin inhibited IGF-1-induced phosphorylation of AKT. Conclusion: Together, these results suggest that bilobetin has an inhibitory potential on sebum production in sebocytes, being applicable for acne treatment. (Ann Dermatol 31(3) 294∼299, 2019)

Simultaneous Modulated Accelerated Radiation Therapy and Concurrent Weekly Paclitaxel in the Treatment of Locally Advanced Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

Xie, Cong-Ying,Jin, Xian-Ce,Deng, Xia,Xue, Sheng-Liu,Jing, Zhao,Su, Hua-Fang,Wu, Shi-Xiu Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.12

Objectives: To evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of simultaneous accelerated radiation therapy (SMART) and concurrent weekly paclitaxel in the treatment of locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Methods: Forty-one patients with pathologically confirmed nasopharyngeal carcinoma were treated by SMART with concurrent weekly paclitaxel. Daily fraction doses of 2.5 Gy and 2.0 Gy were prescribed to the gross tumor volume (GTV) and clinical target volume (CTV) to a total dose of 70 Gy and 56 Gy, respectively. Paclitaxel of $45mg/m^2$ was administered concurrently with radiation therapy every week. Adjuvant chemotherapy was given four weeks after the completion of the radiotherapy (RT) if the tumor demonstrated only a partial response (PR). Results: All patients completed the radiotherapy (RT) course. Adjuvant chemotherapy was administered to 12 patients due to PR. The CR (complete remission) rate was 82.9% three months after RT. Thirty-nine (95.1%) patients completed the concurrent weekly chemotherapy with paclitaxel, and two patients skipped their sixth course. Seven patients had a 15% dosage reduction at the fifth and sixth course due to grade 3 mucositis. The median follow-up was 30 (range, 14-42) months. The three-year overall survival (OS), metastases-free survival (MFS), and local control rates were 77.0%, 64.4%, and 97.6%, respectively. No correlation between survival rate and T or N stage was observed. Grade 3 acute mucositis and xerostomia were present in 17.1% and 7.1%, respectively. Conclusion: SMART with concurrent weekly paclitaxel is a potentially effective and toxicity tolerable approach in the treatment of locally advanced NPC.

Does HBV Infection Increase Risk of Endometrial Carcinoma?

Jiang, Xue-Feng,Tang, Qiong-Lan,Zou, Yuan,Xu, Ling,Zeng, Hua,Chi, Cong,Jiang, Jing-Ru,Zhang, Bin-Zhong Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.2

Objective: Connections between chronic inflammation and tumor development and progression are now generally accepted. Recent evidence indicates that hepatitis B is associated with several types of cancer, but whether endometrial carcinoma (EC) is included has not been reported. Methods: We analyzed HBV serum marker status in 398 patients with endometrial cancer, comparing them to 788 control women undergoing health examination. Results: The total prevalence of HBsAg tested positive in cancer group was significantly higher than the control group (12.8% vs 6.0%, P=0.001), while positive HBsAb was significantly lower (41.2% vs 68.5%, P=0.001). Hepatitis B carriers in endometrial cancer group were also more frequent than in the control group (9.3% vs 5.5%, P=0.013). Interestingly, in the endometrial cancer group, 147 cases were HBV serum marker negative, which was also higher than in the control group (36.9% vs 15.6%, P=0.001). Conclusion: There may be a correlation between HBV infection and endometrial carcinoma.

Prognostic Role of Hypoxic Inducible Factor Expression in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer: A Meta-analysis

Li, Cong,Lu, Hua-Jun,Na, Fei-Fei,Deng, Lei,Xue, Jian-Xin,Wang, Jing-Wen,Wang, Yu-Qing,Li, Qiao-Ling,Lu, You Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.6

Introduction: Reported prognostic roles of hypoxic inducible factor (HIF) expression in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have varied. This meta-analysis aimed to examine the relationship between HIF expression and clinical outcome in NSCLC patients. Methods: PubMed were used to identify relevant literature with the last report up to December $20^{th}$, 2012. After careful review, survival data were collected from eligible studies. We completed the meta-analysis using Stata statistical software (Version 11) and combined hazard ratio (HR) for overall survival (OS). Subgroup specificity, heterogeneity and publication bias were also assessed. All of the results were verified by two persons to ensure accuracy. Results: Eight studies were finally stepped into this meta-analysis in which seven had available data for HIF-$1{\alpha}$ and three for HIF-$2{\alpha}$. Combined HRs suggested that higher expression of $HIF1{\alpha}$ had a negative impact on NSCLC patient survival (HR=1.50; 95%CI=1.07-2.10; p=0.019). The expression of HIF-$2{\alpha}$ was also relative to a poorer survival (HR=2.02; 95%CI=1.47-2.77; p=0.000). No bias existed in either of the two groups. Conclusion: This study suggests that elevations of HIF-$1{\alpha}$ and HIF-$2{\alpha}$ expression are both associated with poor outcome for patients with NSCLC. The data support further and high quality investigation of HIF expression for predicting poor outcome in patients with NSCLC.

An electrostatic discharge based needle-to-needle booster for dramatic performance enhancement of triboelectric nanogenerators

Zhai, Cong,Chou, Xiujian,He, Jian,Song, Linlin,Zhang, Zengxing,Wen, Tao,Tian, Zhumei,Chen, Xi,Zhang, Wendong,Niu, Zhichuan,Xue, Chenyang Elsevier 2018 APPLIED ENERGY Vol.231 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>There is plenty of exploitable energy in the ambient environments. Triboelectric nanogenerator is an innovative electricity generation technology to convert the wasted mechanical energy into electrical energy. However, the output of conventional triboelectric nanogenerators cannot be employed efficiently because their tremendous internal resistance limits the current of electrons. Inspired by the principle of lightning rods, for the first time we propose the utilization of electrostatic discharge to improve the performance of triboelectric nanogenerators, which is realized by an opposite needles structure enclosed in an inert atmosphere. When this structure is connected in series with a vertical contact-separation triboelectric nanogenerator, the strong electric field near tips of two needles ionizes the gas around them, forming a conductive plasma channel between the tips, and releasing a mass of free charges. As a result, some exciting performances are obtained in triboelectric nanogenerator. The output peak-to-peak voltage is increased from 300 V to 1300 V, and the equivalent impedance of energy harvesting circuit is reduced from 100 MΩ to 10 kΩ. Especially in the optimal conditions, the maximum continuous power can even be significantly improved by 330.76%. Therefore, this work provides a new strategy for the energy conversion technology, which is significant for the advancement and application of triboelectric nanogenerators.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> A strategy is proposed to improve the performance of triboelectric nanogenerators. </LI> <LI> The maximum continuous power can be boosted dramatically by electrostatic discharge. </LI> <LI> This design reduces the optimal impedance that is important for circuit matching. </LI> <LI> With this design triboelectric nanogenerators can directly drive low-power devices. </LI> <LI> This work is also significant for macro-energy conversion, such as ocean energy. </LI> </UL> </P> <P><B>Graphical abstract</B></P> <P>[DISPLAY OMISSION]</P>

Involvement of Lysosome Membrane Permeabilization and Reactive Oxygen Species Production in the Necrosis Induced by Chlamydia muridarum Infection in L929 Cells

( Lixiang Chen ),( Cong Wang ),( Shun Li ),( Xin Yu ),( Xue Liu ),( Rongrong Ren ),( Wenwen Liu ),( Xiaojing Zhou ),( Xiaonan Zhang ),( Xiaohui Zhou ) 한국미생물 · 생명공학회 2016 Journal of microbiology and biotechnology Vol.26 No.4

Chlamydiae, obligate intracellular bacteria, are associated with a variety of human diseases. The chlamydial life cycle undergoes a biphasic development: replicative reticulate bodies (RBs) phase and infectious elementary bodies (EBs) phase. At the end of the chlamydial intracellular life cycle, EBs have to be released to the surrounded cells. Therefore, the interactions between Chlamydiae and cell death pathways could greatly influence the outcomes of Chlamydia infection. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain elusive. Here, we investigated host cell death after Chlamydia infection in vitro, in L929 cells, and showed that Chlamydia infection induces cell necrosis, as detected by the propidium iodide (PI)-Annexin V double-staining flow-cytometric assay and Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release assay. The production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), an important factor in induction of necrosis, was increased after Chlamydia infection, and inhibition of ROS with specific pharmacological inhibitors, diphenylene iodonium (DPI) or butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), led to significant suppression of necrosis. Interestingly, live-cell imaging revealed that Chlamydia infection induced lysosome membrane permeabilization (LMP). When an inhibitor upstream of LMP, CA-074-Me, was added to cells, the production of ROS was reduced with concomitant inhibition of necrosis. Taken together, our results indicate that Chlamydia infection elicits the production of ROS, which is dependent on LMP at least partially, followed by induction of host-cell necrosis. To our best knowledge, this is the first live-cell-imaging observation of LMP post Chlamydia infection and report on the link of LMP to ROS to necrosis during Chlamydia infection.