Postmenopausal Hormone Therapy is Associated with in Situ Breast Cancer Risk

Ni, Xiao-Jian,Xia, Tian-Song,Zhao, Ying-Chun,Ma, Jing-Jing,Zhao, Jie,Liu, Xiao-An,Ding, Qiang,Zha, Xiao-Ming,Wang, Shui Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.8

Background: The relationship between postmenopausal hormone therapy (HT) and invasive breast cancer has been extensively investigated, but that with breast carcinoma in situ (BCIS) has received relatively little attention. The aim of our present study was to review and summarize the evidence provided by longitudinal studies on the association between postmenopausal HT use and BCIS risk. Methods: A comprehensive literature search for articles published up to May 2012 was performed. Prior to performing a meta-analysis, the studies were evaluated for publication bias and heterogeneity. Relative risk (RR) or odds ratio (OR) values were calculated using 14 reports (8 case-control studies and 6 cohort studies), published between 1986 and 2012. Results: There was evidence of an association between ever postmenopausal estrogen use and BCIS based on a random-effects model (RR = 1.25, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.01, 1.55). However, we found no strong evidence of an association between ever postmenopausal estrogen combined with progesterone use and BCIS using a randomeffects model (RR = 1.55, 95% CI = 0.95, 2.51). Furthermore, our analysis showed a strong association between "> 5 years duration" of estrogen or estrogen combined with progesterone use and BCIS. Furthermore, current use of any HT is associated with increased risk of BCIS in cohort studies. Additional well-designed large studies are now required to validate this association in different populations.

Alu Tandem Sequences Inhibit GFP Gene Expression by Triggering Chromatin Wrapping

Xiu Fang Wang,Xiao Yan Wang,Jing Liu,Jing Jing Feng,Wen Li Mu,Xiao Juan Shi,Qin Qing Yang,Xiao Cui Duan,Ying Xie,Zhan Jun Lu 한국유전학회 2009 Genes & Genomics Vol.31 No.3

Alu elements belonging to the short interspersed nuclear elements (SINE) of repetitive elements are present in more than one million copies which altogether represent 10% of the whole human genome. In this study, the roles of Alu tandem sequences in the process of GFP gene (GFP) expression and packing into chromatin of its DNA were studied. To detect the effect of Alu repeats on gene expression, different copies of Alus were inserted GFP downstream respectively in pEGFP-C1 vector. We found that Alu sequences decreased the amount of GFP transcription, the percentage of GFP positive cells and the accessibility to DNase I in length-dependent manner. Inserting Alu caused the production of higher-molecular-mass RNA, indicating Alu sequence did not induce premature transcriptional termination. Tight packing chromatins keep silent and resist to DNase I digestion, which is a general phenomenon. We suggested that head and tail tandem Alu sequences suppressed GFP expression in length dependent manner by triggering chromatin packing.

Gene-metabolite network analysis in different nonalcoholic fatty liver disease phenotypes

Xiao-Lin Liu,Ya-Nan Ming,Jing-Yi Zhang,Xiao-Yu Chen,Min-De Zeng,Yi-Min Mao 생화학분자생물학회 2017 Experimental and molecular medicine Vol.49 No.-

We sought to identify common key regulators and build a gene-metabolite network in different nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) phenotypes. We used a high-fat diet (HFD), a methionine-choline-deficient diet (MCDD) and streptozocin (STZ) to establish nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFL), nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and NAFL+type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in rat models, respectively. Transcriptomics and metabolomics analyses were performed in rat livers and serum. A functional network-based regulation model was constructed using Cytoscape with information derived from transcriptomics and metabolomics. The results revealed that 96 genes, 17 liver metabolites and 4 serum metabolites consistently changed in different NAFLD phenotypes (42-fold, Po0.05). Gene-metabolite network analysis identified ccl2 and jun as hubs with the largest connections to other genes, which were mainly involved in tumor necrosis factor, P53, nuclear factor-kappa B, chemokine, peroxisome proliferator activated receptor and Toll-like receptor signaling pathways. The specifically regulated genes and metabolites in different NAFLD phenotypes constructed their own networks, which were mainly involved in the lipid and fatty acid metabolism in HFD models, the inflammatory and immune response in MCDD models, and the AMPK signaling pathway and response to insulin in HFD+STZ models. Our study identified networks showing the general and specific characteristics in different NAFLD phenotypes, complementing the genetic and metabolic features in NAFLD with hepatic and extra-hepatic manifestations.

AMPK alleviates high uric acid-induced Na+-K+-ATPase signaling impairment and cell injury in renal tubules

Jing Xiao,Sibo Zhu,Haochen Guan,Haochen Guan,Fengqin Li,Xiaoli Zhang,Hui Guo,Xiaojun Wang,Zhibin Ye 생화학분자생물학회 2019 Experimental and molecular medicine Vol.51 No.-

One of the mechanisms in hyperuricemia (HUA)-induced renal tubular injury is the impairment of Na+-K+-ATPase (NKA) signaling, which further triggers inflammation, autophagy, and mitochondrial dysfunction and leads to cell injury. Here, we used RNA sequencing to screen the most likely regulators of NKA signaling and found that the liver kinase B1(LKB1)/adenosine monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/ mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway was the most abundantly enriched pathway in HUA. AMPK is a key regulator of cell energy metabolism; hence, we examined the effect of AMPK on HUA-induced dysregulation of NKA signaling and cell injury. We first detected AMPK activation in high uric acid (UA)-stimulated proximal tubular epithelial cells (PTECs). We further found that sustained treatment with the AMPK activator 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide 1-β-d-ribofuranoside (AICAR), but not the AMPK inhibitor Compound C, significantly alleviated UA-induced reductions in NKA activity and NKA α1 subunit expression on the cell membrane by reducing NKA degradation in lysosomes; sustained AICAR treatment also significantly alleviated activation of the NKA downstream molecules Src and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in PTECs. AICAR further alleviated high UA-induced apoptosis, autophagy, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Although AMPK activation by metformin did not reduce serum UA levels in hyperuricemic rats, it significantly alleviated HUAinduced renal tubular injury and NKA signaling impairment in vivo with effects similar to those of febuxostat. Our study suggests that AMPK activation may temporarily compensate for HUA-induced renal injury. Sustained AMPK activation could reduce lysosomal NKA degradation and maintain NKA function, thus alleviating NKA downstream inflammation and protecting tubular cells from high UA-induced renal tubular injury.

Distinctive Slow β Relaxation and Its Impact on Mechanical Property of LaCe Based Bulk Metallic Glasses

Xiao Cui,Jing Guo,Qi‑dong Zhang,Xiao‑jun Meng,Bing‑chuan Bian,Ren‑gao Zhao,Yu‑bai Ma,Fang‑qiu Zu 대한금속·재료학회 2020 METALS AND MATERIALS International Vol.26 No.10

The slow β relaxation which occurring at temperatures far below glass transition temperature, typically playing importantroles in the plastic deformation behavior of metallic glasses. Compared with polymer glasses, most of the metallic glasses donot exhibit obvious β relaxation based on dynamic mechanical analysis. In the current work, prominent β relaxation behaviorsof a series (LaxCe100−x) Al10Co25(x = 50, 60, 70, 80) bulk metallic glasses (BMGs) at low temperature are observed usingdynamic mechanical analysis. Compared with other BMGs, the LaCe based BMGs show a pronounced β relaxation peak andrelative low peak temperature, the activation energy of the β relaxation based on Arrhenius equation are calculated around79.3 kJ/mol to 86.4 kJ/mol, which obey an empirical rule that Eβ ≈ (26 ± 4) RTg, with the coefficient of 23. Experimentalresults from room temperature compression tests for the LaCe based BMGs indicate that low temperature activated β relaxationbehaviors facilitate the good plasticity of the LaCe based BMGs.

Relationship Between the SER Treatment Period and Prognosis of Patients with Small Cell Lung Cancer

Xiao, Xiao-Guang,Wang, Shu-Jing,Hu, Li-Ya,Chu, Qian,Wei, Yao,Li, Yang,Mei, Qi,Chen, Yuan Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.15

Purpose: To explore the relationship between SER (time between the start of any treatment and the end of radiation therapy) and the survival of patients with limited-stage small cell lung cancer. Materials and Methods: Between 2008 and 2013, 135 cases of limited-stage small cell lung cancer (LS-SCLC) treated with consecutively curative chemoradiotherapy were included in this retrospective analysis. In terms of SER, patients were divided into early radiotherapy group (SER<30 days, n=76) and late radiotherapy group ($SER{\geq}30$ days, n=59) with a cut-off of SER 30 days. Outcomes of the two groups were compared for overall survival. Results: For all analyzable patients, median follow-up time was 23.8 months and median overall survival time was 16.8 months. Although there was no significant differences in distant metastasis free survival between the two groups, patients in early radiotherapy group had a significantly better PFS (p=0.003) and OS (p=0.000). Conclusions: A short SER may be a good prognostic factor for LD-SCLC patients treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy.

Analysis of 12 Chinese Patients with Proline-to-Leucine Mutation at Codon 102-Associated Gerstmann-Sträussler-Scheinker Disease

Jing Wang,Kang Xiao,Wei Zhou,Qi Shi,Xiao-Ping Dong 대한신경과학회 2019 Journal of Clinical Neurology Vol.15 No.2

Background and Purpose Gerstmann-Sträussler-Scheinker disease (GSS) with a prolineto- leucine mutation at codon 102 (P102L) in the PRNP gene is the most frequently reported GSS subtype worldwide. This study aimed to determine the epidemiological, clinical, genetic, and laboratory characteristics of 12 Chinese patients with P102L-associated GSS (henceforth P102L GSS). Methods The enrolled P102L GSS cases were analyzed according to the diagnostic criteria for Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) issued by the China National Health Commission. Results The median onset age was 50 years (range 34 to 67 years) and sex ratio was 1:2 (males:females). Most patients displayed more than one foremost symptom. Movement symptoms were frequently reported (9 of the 12 cases), followed by rapidly progressing dementia (7 cases), mental problems (5 cases), and slowly progressing dementia (2 cases). Almost all cases displayed more sporadic CJD (sCJD)-associated neurological symptoms and signs as time progressed. Five (45.5%) of 11 cases were cerebrospinal fluid 14-3-3 positive, and 2 (25%) of 8 cases exhibited periodic sharp wave complexes in electroencephalograms. MRI abnormalities were detected in all 11 of the scanned patients. Methionine homozygous genotype at codon 129 (M129M) and glutamic acid homozygous at codon 219 (E219E) homozygosity was present in 11 cases, while 1 case was M129M homozygous and glutamic acid/lysine heterozygous at codon 219 (E219K) heterozygous. Ten of the 12 cases recalled a disease-related family history during the clinical interviews. The median survival from symptom onset of the seven dead cases was 16 months (range 10 to 44 months). Patients showing the sCJD phenotype (rapidly progressing dementia) appeared to be associated with a shorter survival time. Conclusions The indistinguishable clinical features of P102L GSS patients with sCJD, especially in the early stage, support the importance of PRNP testing for diagnosing GSS.

Synthesis of biscoumarin and dihydropyran derivatives as two novel classes of potential anti-bacterial derivatives

Jing Li,Xiao-yan Xue,Xia Li,Zheng Hou,Xiao-hui Yang 대한약학회 2016 Archives of Pharmacal Research Vol.39 No.10

A series of bisoumarin (1–4) and dihydropyran (5–8) derivatives were successfully synthesized as new antibacterial agents. The molecular structures of three representative compounds 1, 5 and 7 were confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction study. Among these compounds tested toward Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus ATCC 29213), methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA XJ 75302), vancomycin-intermediate S. aureus (Mu50 ATCC 700699), and USA 300 (Los Angeles County clone, LAC), compounds 1 and 2 displayed the most potent antibacterial activity. Additionally, the HB energy in biscoumarins 1–4 was calculated by density functional theory (DFT) [B3LYP/6-31G*] method.

Compressive Behavior and Constitutive Analysis of AZ31B Magnesium Alloy over Wide Range of Strain Rates and Temperatures

Jing Xiao,Dong Wei Shu 대한금속·재료학회 2015 METALS AND MATERIALS International Vol.21 No.5

Magnesium and its alloys with low specific weight, high specific strength, vast resources, easy recyclability and biodegradation have attracted extensive interest in recent years as an ideal candidate to aluminium and steel alloys. The knowledge of the mechanical properties under high strain rate loading and elevated temperature is necessary for the structural application of magnesium alloy in automotive, aerospace and defence industries. Compressive tests on AZ31B magnesium alloy were carried out at both quasi-static and high strain rate loading in a range between 10-3 s-1 and 3300 s-1 while temperature varies from -30 °C to 200 °C. Strain rate and temperature effect on flow stress, hardening behavior, rate sensitivity, ductility and energy absorption capability of the alloy is discussed. Optical and scanning electron microscopy was performed on selected specimens at quasi-static and high strain rates under room temperature. The Johnson-Cook model is fit to the measured data and predictions from the model are compared with the experimental data.

Impaired Na+ −K+-ATPase signaling in renal proximal tubule contributes to hyperuricemia-induced renal tubular injury

Jing Xiao,Xiaoli Zhang,Chensheng Fu,Qingmei Yang,Ying Xie,Zhenxing Zhang,Zhibin Ye 생화학분자생물학회 2018 Experimental and molecular medicine Vol.50 No.-

Hyperuricemia contributes to renal inflammation. We aimed to investigate the role of Na+–K+–ATPase (NKA) in hyperuricemiainduced renal tubular injury. Human primary proximal tubular epithelial cells (PTECs) were incubated with uric acid (UA) at increasing doses or for increasing lengths of time. PTECs were then stimulated by pre-incubation with an NKA α1 expression vector or small interfering RNA before UA (100 μg ml−1, 48 h) stimulation. Hyperuricemic rats were induced by gastric oxonic acid and treated with febuxostat (Feb). ATP levels, the activity of NKA and expression of its α1 subunit, Src, NOD-like receptor pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) and interleukin 1β (IL-1β) were measured both in vitro and in vivo. Beginning at concentrations of 100 μg ml−1, UA started to dose-dependently reduce NKA activity. UA at a concentration of 100 μg ml−1 time-dependently affected the NKA activity, with the maximal increased NKA activity at 24 h, but the activity started to decrease after 48 h. This inhibitory effect of UA on NKA activity at 48 h was in addition to a decrease in NKA α1 expression in the cell membrane, but an increase in lysosomes. This process also involved the subsequent activation of Src kinase and NLRP3, promoting IL-1β processing. In hyperuricemic rats, renal cortex NKA activity and its α1 expression were upregulated at the 7th week and both decreased at the 10th week, accompanied with increased renal cortex expression of Src, NLRP3 and IL-1β. The UA levels were reduced and renal tubular injuries in hyperuricemic rats were alleviated in the Feb group. Our data suggested that the impairment of NKA and its consequent regulation of Src, NLRP3 and IL-1β in the renal proximal tubule contributed to hyperuricemia-induced renal tubular injury.