Potential Therapeutic Targets for the Primary Gallbladder Carcinoma: Estrogen Receptors

Zhang, Ling-Qiang,Zhang, Xiu-De,Xu, Jia,Wan, Yong,Qu, Kai,Zhang, Jing-Yao,Wang, Zhi-Xin,Wei, Ji-Chao,Meng, Fan-Di,Tai, Ming-Hui,Zhou, Lei,Liu, Chang Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.4

Gallbladder carcinoma, the most frequent malignant neoplasm of the biliary tract system, has always been considered to feature late clinical presentation and diagnosis, limited treatment options and an extremely poor prognosis. In recent years, while the incidence of gallbladder cancer has appeared to be on the increase, the available treatment methods have not greatly improved survival of the affected patients. Thus, exploring new therapeutic targets for this devastating disease is an urgent matter at present. Epidemical studies have demonstrated that the incidence of gallbladder carcinoma exhibits a distinct gender bias, affecting females two to three times more than males, pointing to crucial roles of estrogen. It is well known that estrogen acts on target tissues by binding to estrogen receptors (ERs), which are mainly divided into three subtypes, $ER{\alpha}$, $ER{\beta}$ and $ER{\gamma}$. $ER{\alpha}$ and $ER{\beta}$ appear to have overlapping but also unique even opposite biological effects. As important pathogenic mediators, ERs have been considered to relate to several kinds of tumors. In gallbladder carcinoma tissue, ERs have been shown to be positively expressed, and ERs expression levels are associated with differentiation and prognosis of this cancer. Nevertheless, the exact mechanisms of estrogen inducing growth of gallbladder carcinoma remain poorly understood. On the base of the current investigations, we deduce that estrogen participates in promotion of gallbladder carcinoma by influencing the formation of gallstones, stimulating angiogenesis, and promoting abnormal proliferation. Since ERs mediate the carcinogenic actions of estrogen in gallbladder, and therapy targeting ERs may provide new directions for gallbladder carcinoma. Therefore, it should be stressed that ERs are potential therapeutic targets for gallbladder carcinoma.

Associations of HSP90AA2 gene polymorphisms with disease susceptibility, glucocorticoids efficacy and health-related quality of life in Chinese systemic lupus erythematosus patients

Man Zhang,Su‑Su Li,Qiao‑Mei Xie,Jian‑Hua Xu,Xiu‑Xiu Sun,Fa‑Ming Pan,Sheng‑Qian Xu,Sheng‑Xiu Liu,Jin‑Hui Tao,Shuang Liu,Jing Cai,Pei‑Ling Chen,Long Qian,Chun‑Huai Wang,Chun‑Mei Liang,Hai‑Liang Huang,Ha 한국유전학회 2018 Genes & Genomics Vol.40 No.10

Although the current glucocorticoids (GCs) treatment for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is effective to a certain extent, the difference in therapeutic effect between patients is still a widespread problem. Some patients can have repeated attacks that greatly diminish their quality of life. This study was conducted to investigate the relationship between HSP90AA2 polymorphisms and disease susceptibility, GCs efficacy and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in Chinese SLE patients. A case–control study was performed in 470 SLE patients and 470 normal controls. Then, 444 patients in the case group were followed up for 12 weeks to observe efficacy of GCs and improvement of HRQoL. Two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of HSP90AA2 were selected for genotyping: rs1826330 and rs6484340. HRQoL was assessed using the SF-36 questionnaire. The minor T allele of rs1826330 and the TT haplotype formed by rs1826330 and rs6484340 showed associations with decreased SLE risk (T allele: PBH = 0.022; TT haplotype: PBH = 0.033). A significant association between rs6484340 and improvement of HRQoL was revealed in the follow-up study. Five subscales of SF-36 were appeared to be influenced by rs6484340: total score of SF-36 (additive model: PBH = 0.026), physical function (additive model: PBH = 0.026), rolephysical (recessive model: PBH = 0.041), mental health (dominant model: PBH = 0.047), and physical component summary (additive model: PBH = 0.026). No statistical significance was found between HSP90AA2 gene polymorphisms and GCs efficacy. These results revealed a genetic association between HSP90AA2 and SLE. Remarkably, HSP90AA2 has an impact on the improvement of HRQoL in Chinese population with SLE.

Protective effects of phillyrin against influenza A virus in vivo

Xin-yan Qu,Qing-jun Li,Hui-min Zhang,Xiao-juan Zhang,Peng-hui Shi,Xiu-juan Zhang,Jing Yang,Zhe Zhou,Sheng-qi Wang 대한약학회 2016 Archives of Pharmacal Research Vol.39 No.7

Influenza A virus infection represents a great threat to public health. However, owing to side effects and the emergence of resistant virus strains, the use of currently available anti-influenza drugs may be limited. In order to identify novel anti-influenza drugs, we investigated the antiviral effects of phillyrin against influenza A virus infection in vivo. The mean survival time, lung index, viral titers, influenza hemagglutinin (HA) protein and serum cytokines levels, and histopathological changes in lung tissue were examined. Administration of phillyrin at a dose of 20 mg/kg/day for 3 days significantly prolonged the mean survival time, reduced the lung index, decreased the virus titers and interleukin-6 levels, reduced the expression of HA, and attenuated lung tissue damage in mice infected with influenza A virus. Taken together, these data showed that phillyrin had potential protective effects against infection caused by influenza A virus.

KAI1/CD82 and MRP1/CD9 Serve as Markers of Infiltration, Metastasis, and Prognosis in Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinomas

Zhang, Bing-Hui,Liu, Wei,Li, Liang,Lu, Jian-Guang,Sun, Ya-Nan,Jin, De-Jun,Xu, Xiu-Yu Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.6

Objective: The current study explored the expression of KAI1/CD82 and MRP1/CD9 and its significance in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC). Methods: The expression levels of KAI1/CD82 and MRP1/CD9 in 100 LSCC tissue specimens, as well as in 30 para-LSCC non-carcinomatous tissue specimens randomly taken from the patients, were assessed using the quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Q-PCR) and immunohistochemistry and correlations with pathological parameters of LSCC and their influence on survival function were analyzed. Results: KAI1/CD82 and MRP1/CD9 showed basically consistent changes in both mRNA and protein expression. Their expression in the 30 LSCC specimens was significantly lower compared with that in the corresponding non-carcinous tissues (P < 0.01 or 0.05), notably correlating with TNM stage, differentiation degree, clinical stage, and lymphatic metastasis (P < 0.01 or 0.05), but not gender, age, and LSCC growth sites (P > 0.05). The median survival of patients with positive KAI1/CD82 and MRP1/CD9 protein expression was longer than that of patients with negative protein expression (P < 0.01 or 0.05). KAI1/CD82 protein expression negatively correlated with MRP1/CD9 protein expression in LSCC (${\chi}^2$= 31.25, P < 0.01). Conclusion: KAI1/CD82 and MRP1/CD9 may jointly participate in the development of LSCC. They may serve as the markers for judging the infiltration, metastasis, and prognosis of LSCC.

Effects of Financial Development and Two-Way FDI on Industrial structure : Influence Mechanism and Empirical Test of Shandong

Meng, Xiu-hui,Zhang, Zhen-min 동중앙아시아경상학회 2015 한몽경상연구 Vol.26 No.3

In recent years, upgrading of industrial structure receives much concern in China. The paper analyses the influence mechanism of financial development and two-way FDI on industrial restructuring at first and then gives an empirical study using Cointegration Test, Vector Error Correction Model (VEC Model) and Impulse Response on rationalization and advancement of industrial structure, using data of Shandong province from 1991 to 2014. The results show that there are long-term equilibrium relationships between the variables and the rationalization and advancement of industrial structure. VEC Model shows that, in the short term, the effect of the factors on the upgrading of industrial structure in Shandong province is not significant. The impulse response analysis shows that the variables have negative impact on the industrial structure rationalization and positive impact on the industrial structure advancement.

Properties of a CdZnO/ZnO Multiple Quantum-Well Light-Emitting Diode

Zhan-Hui Liu,Li-Li Zhang,Qing-Fang Li,Rong Zhang,Zi-Li Xie,Xiang-Qian Xiu,Bin Liu 한국물리학회 2016 THE JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN PHYSICAL SOCIETY Vol.69 No.7

A CdZnO/ZnO multiple quantum-well light-emitting diode (LED) structure was successfully grown by using plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy on a p-GaN template that had been grown by using metal-organic chemical-vapor deposition on a c-sapphire substrate. The properties of the sample were characterized by using high-resolution X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and temperature-dependent photoluminescence measurements. The light output performance of the CdZnO/ZnO QW LED device was also investigated in detail by using I-V and electroluminescence spectral measurements. The characterization showed that our CdZnO/ZnO QW LED structure had good crystalline quality and weaker carrier localization. Owing to the heterojunction structure, the I-V curve indicated that the LED device had a higher turn-on voltage and series resistance. The EL measurement demonstrated that for our LED device’s optoelectronic characteristic, the carrier-screening effect played the dominant role in the emission-energy blue-shift mechanism, and the broadening of the emission energy width was mainly ascribed to the band-filling effect. Without a special heat sinking, the L-I curve exhibited slight efficiency droop after 30 mA.

Currencies Allocation of China's Foreign Exchange Reserves : Comprehensive Test Based on Three Models

Meng, Xiu-hui,Zhang, Zhen-min 동중앙아시아경상학회 2014 한몽경상연구 Vol.25 No.1

Given the scale of foreign exchange reserve, the key problem in its management is how to allocate the currency structure. Based on the portfolio theory and using quadratic programming model, this paper get the main currency weight of China's foreign exchange reserves at first and give a further analysis using Heller-Knight model and Dooley model. The conclusion is that the U.S. dollar, Japanese yen, euro and pound are the main reserve currencies, the U.S. dollar and Japanese yen are the dominant ones currently. China should give comprehensive analysis on various factors which affect reserve currency structure and adjust it timely. In recent years, China’s huge foreign exchange reserves (FX reserves) have aroused wide concern and the amount reached to $3.95 trillion as of 2014 March. At present China’s FX reserves are invested in U.S. treasuries and are facing great risk of depreciation due to the QE of America and the European debt crisis. So it’s a key problem of how to allocate the reserve currencies in China. Based on the portfolio theory, Heller-Knight model and Dooley model, combined with the increase in China's economic development and foreign exchange reserves, this paper demonstrates in details the currency selection and allocation of foreign exchange reserves.

JCAD deficiency attenuates activation of hepatic stellate cells and cholestatic fibrosis

Li Xie,Hui Chen,Li Zhang,Yue Ma,Yuan Zhou,Yong-Yu Yang,Chang Liu,Yu-Li Wang,Ya-Jun Yan,Jia Ding,Xiao Teng,Qiang Yang,Xiu-Ping Liu,Jian Wu 대한간학회 2024 Clinical and Molecular Hepatology(대한간학회지) Vol.30 No.2

Background/Aims: Cholestatic liver diseases including primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) are associated with active hepatic fibrogenesis, which ultimately progresses to cirrhosis. Activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are the main fibrogenic effectors in response to cholangiocyte damage. JCAD regulates cell proliferation and malignant transformation in nonalcoholic steatoheaptitis-associated hepatocellular carcinoma (NASH-HCC). However, its participation in cholestatic fibrosis has not been explored yet. Methods: Serial sections of liver tissue of PBC patients were stained with immunofluorescence. Hepatic fibrosis was induced by bile duct ligation (BDL) in wild-type (WT), global JCAD knockout mice (JCAD-KO) and HSC-specific JCAD knockout mice (HSC-JCAD-KO), and evaluated by histopathology and biochemical tests. In situ-activated HSCs isolated from BDL mice were used to determine effects of JCAD on HSC activation. Results: In consistence with staining of liver sections from PBC patients, immunofluorescent staining revealed that JCAD expression was identified in smooth muscle α-actin (α-SMA)-positive fibroblast-like cells and was significantly up-regulated in WT mice with BDL. JCAD deficiency remarkably ameliorated BDL-induced hepatic injury and fibrosis, as documented by liver hydroxyproline content, when compared to WT mice with BDL. Histopathologically, collagen deposition was dramatically reduced in both JCAD-KO and HSC-JCAD-KO mice compared to WT mice, as visualized by Trichrome staining and semi-quantitative scores. Moreover, JCAD deprivation significantly attenuated in situ HSC activation and reduced expression of fibrotic genes after BDL. Conclusions: JCAD deficiency effectively suppressed hepatic fibrosis induced by BDL in mice, and the underlying mechanisms are largely through suppressed Hippo-YAP signaling activity in HSCs.

Properties of an AlGaN/AlN Distributed-Bragg-reflector Structure

Li-Li Zhang,Zhan-Hui Liu,Xiao-Gu Huang,Qing-Fang Li,Rong Zhang,Zi-Li Xie,Xiang-Qian Xiu 한국물리학회 2014 THE JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN PHYSICAL SOCIETY Vol.65 No.7

An AlGaN/AlN distributed-Bragg-reflector (DBR) structure with a high Al content was grown byusing plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy (PA-MBE). The properties of the sample were characterizedby using the transmission electron microscopy, high-resolution X-ray diffraction, atomicforce microscopy, and reflectivity spectrum measurements. The reciprocal space mapping analysisindicated that the strain in the AlGaN layers was partially relaxed. The morphology of the DBRexhibited a surface covered by grains (average size of about 130 nm), and the surface roughness wasabout 2 nm. The spectral measurements showed that the DBR structure presented a peak reflectivityof 68.8% at the center wavelength of 247 nm, which indicated that this DBR structure couldwork in the deep solar-blind UV region with acceptable reflectivity. However, the optical propertiesof the DBR structure were deteriorated by the fluctuation of the Al composition, non-uniformity ofthe layer thickness, the blurry, rough interface in the DBR structure, and so on.

A Multi-center Survey of HPV Knowledge and Attitudes Toward HPV Vaccination among Women, Government Officials, and Medical Personnel in China

Zhao, Fang-Hui,Tiggelaar, Sarah M.,Hu, Shang-Ying,Zhao, Na,Hong, Ying,Niyazi, Mayinuer,Gao, Xiao-Hong,Ju, Li-Rong,Zhang, Li-Qin,Feng, Xiang-Xian,Duan, Xian-Zhi,Song, Xiu-Ling,Wang, Jing,Yang, Yun,Li, Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.5

Objectives: To assess knowledge of HPV and attitudes towards HPV vaccination among the general female population, government officials, and healthcare providers in China to assist the development of an effective national HPV vaccination program. Methods: A cross-sectional epidemiologic survey was conducted across 21 urban and rural sites in China using a short questionnaire. 763 government officials, 760 healthcare providers, and 11,681 women aged 15-59 years were included in the final analysis. Data were analyzed using standard descriptive statistics and logistic regression. Results: Knowledge of HPV among the general female population was low; only 24% had heard of HPV. Less than 20% of healthcare providers recognized sexually na$\ddot{i}$ve women as the most appropriate population for HPV vaccination. There was high acceptance of the HPV vaccine for all categories of respondents. Only 6% of women were willing to pay more than US $300 for the vaccine. Conclusions: Aggressive education is necessary to increase knowledge of HPV and its vaccine. Further proof of vaccine safety and efficacy and government subsidies combined with increased awareness could facilitate development and implementation of HPV vaccination in China.