Sunlight Exposure and Breast Density: A Population-Based Study

Sheng-Hui Wu,Edwin So,Tsz-ping Lam,Jean Woo,PY Yuen,Ling Qin,Susanna Ku,Suzanne C. Ho 한국유방암학회 2013 Journal of breast cancer Vol.16 No.2

Purpose: This study aims to assess the association of sunlight exposure with breast cancer risk, measured by the breast density assessed from Tabár’s mammographic pattern in Chinese women. Methods: A total of 676 premenopausal women were recruited to participate in this study, in which 650 completed a validated sunlight exposure questionnaire via telephone. The mammograms were classified according to Tabár’s classification for parenchyma, and patterns IV & V and I, II & III indicated respectively high and low risk mammographic patterns for breast cancer. The odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for sun exposure-related variables were estimated using unconditional logistic regression with adjustment for potential confounders. Results: Among 646 participants, women with high breast cancer risk (Tabár’s patterns IV &V) had less hours spent in the sun than those with low risk (I, II & III) at any age stage. A higher level of sunlight exposure was associated with a significantly lower risk having high risk Tabár’s pattern. Women aged 40 to 44 years who were in the highest tertile of lifetime total hours spent in the sun had a multi-adjusted OR of 0.41 (95% CI, 0.18-0.92; p for trend=0.03) compared with those in the lowest tertile (>2.19 hr/day vs. <1.32 hr/day). For hours spent in the sun across the ages of 6 to 12 years, the comparable OR was 0.37 (95% CI, 0.15-0.91; p for trend=0.03). Conclusion: These findings suggest that higher sunlight exposure is related to a lower risk of having high risk breast density pattern in premenopausal women. Our results also suggest the most relevant period of exposure is during earlier life.

Amine-Reactive Poly(pentafluorophenyl acrylate) Brush Platforms for Cleaner Protein Purification

Son, Hyunjoo,Ku, Jayoung,Kim, Yoosik,Li, Sheng,Char, Kookheon American Chemical Society 2018 Biomacromolecules Vol.19 No.3

<P>Reactive pentafluorophenyl acrylate (PFPA) polymer brushes grafted on silica particles were prepared using surface-initiated reversible addition and fragmentation chain transfer polymerization. The polymer brush was successfully immobilized with antibody, then used for protein separation. The immunoprecipitated proteins showed successful enrichment of target protein, with reduced nonspecific background and less contamination from eluted antibodies. To further improve protein recovery, the hydrophobic poly(PFPA) brush was modified with hydrophilic poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG). The partially PEG-substituted poly(PFPA) brush showed better dispersion in aqueous solution, leading to improved antibody immobilization efficiency. By optimizing both the brush molecular weight and the degree of PEG substitution, an optimal balance between surface hydrophilicity and number of available PFP units was found, leading to efficient target protein purification. This study shows that poly(PFPA) platform offers a versatile approach to prepare biomolecule-activated surfaces with tunable surface property, which has potential applications in protein separation and other areas.</P> [FIG OMISSION]</BR>

Assembling Synthesis of Barium Chromate Nano-superstructures Using Eggshell Membrane as Template

Liu, Jin-Ku,Wu, Qing-Sheng,Ding, Ya-Ping,Yi, Yu Korean Chemical Society 2004 Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society Vol.25 No.12

The branch-like, feather-like $BaCrO_4$ nano-superstructures were synthesized with bioactive eggshell membrane as directing and assembly template. Studies on the two products revealed that they formed through the self-assembly of nanoparticles, and that the optical properties of the products were different from $BaCrO_4$ bulk materials.

SYNTHESIS OF CALCIUM OXALATE ASSEMBLY STRUCTURE AND CONVERSION

ZHI-ZHEN XU,JIN-KU LIU,QING-SHENG WU 성균관대학교(자연과학캠퍼스) 성균나노과학기술원 2007 NANO Vol.2 No.2

The conversion from one assembly structure to other composite assembly structures is valuable to both theoretical research and actual application in the nano/micromaterials science. In this paper, firstly, the flower-like calcium oxalate assembly structure was synthesized using a supramolecule template; then, through a facile process, the calcium oxalate was converted to a sphere-cluster-like core/shell CaC2O4/CaWO4 nanocomposite assembly structure. The converted product remained the basic structure of original product, and possessed some new optical properties such as fluorescence, etc.

Liver Cancer Mortality Characteristics and Trends in China from 1991 to 2012

Fang, Jia-Ying,Wu, Ku-Sheng,Zeng, Yang,Tang, Wen-Rui,Du, Pei-Ling,Xu, Zhen-Xi,Xu, Xiao-Ling,Luo, Jia-Yi,Lin, Kun Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.5

Purpose: To investigate the distribution of liver cancer mortality as well as its developing trend from 1991 to 2012, forecast the future five-year trend, and provide a basis for the comprehensive prevention and management. Materials and Methods: Mortality data for liver cancer in China from 1991 to 2012 were used to describe characteristics and distribution of liver cancer mortality. Trend surface analysis was used to study the geographical distribution of liver cancer mortality. Curve estimation, time series modeling, gray modeling (GM) and joinpoint regression were used to predict and forecast future trends. Results: The mortality rate of liver cancer has constantly increased in China since 1991. Rates in rural areas are higher than in urban areas, and in males are higher than in females. In addition, our data predicted that the trend will continue to increase in the next 5 years. The age-specific mortality of liver cancer increases with age and peaks in the group of 80-84 years old. Geographical analysis showed the liver mortality rate was higher in the southeast provinces, such as Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Guangdong, and southwest regions like Guangxi Province. Conclusions: The standardized mortality rate of liver cancer in China has consistently increased from 1991 to 2012, and the upward trend is predicted to continue in the future. Much better prevention and management of liver cancer is needed in high mortality areas (the southwestern and southeastern parts of China) and high mortality age groups (80- to 84-year-olds), especially in rural areas.

Synthesis and Optical Properties of the Semiconductor Lead Sulfide Nanobelts

Xiao-hong Yang,Qing-Sheng Wu*,Ya-Ping Ding,Jin-ku Liu 대한화학회 2006 Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society Vol.27 No.3

Identification of HUGT1 as a Potential BiP Activator and a Cellular Target for Improvement of Recombinant Protein Production Using a cDNA Screening System

Sebastian Chih Yuan Ku,Teng Rhui Lwa,Maybelline Giam,Miranda Gek Sim Yap,Sheng-Hao Chao 한국분자세포생물학회 2009 Molecules and cells Vol.27 No.5

The development of a high-throughput functional genomic screening provides a novel and expeditious approach in identifying critical genes involved in specific biological processes. Here we describe a cell-based cDNA screening system to identify the transcription activators of BiP, an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) chaperone protein. BiP promoter contains the ER stress element which is commonly present in the genes involved in unfolded protein response (UPR) that regulates protein secretion in cells. Therefore, the positive regulators of BiP may also be utilized to improve the recombinant protein production through modulation of UPR. Four BiP activators, including human UDP-glucose:glycoprotein glucosyltransferase 1 (HUGT1), are identified by the cDNA screening. Overexpression of HUGT1 leads to a significant increase in the production of recombinant erythropoietin, interferon γ, and monoclonal antibody in HEK293 cells. Our results demonstrate that the cDNA screening for BiP activators may be effective to identify the novel BiP regulators and HUGT1 may serve as an ideal target gene for improving the recombinant protein production in mammalian cells.

Cervical Cancer Mortality Trends in China, 1991-2013, and Predictions for the Future

Du, Pei-Ling,Wu, Ku-Sheng,Fang, Jia-Ying,Zeng, Yang,Xu, Zhen-Xi,Tang, Wen-Rui,Xu, Xiao-Ling,Lin, Kun Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.15

Background: To analyze cervical cancer mortality trends in China from 1991-2013 and forecast the mortality distribution in future five years (2014-2018), and provide clues for prevention and treatment. Materials and Methods: Mortality data for cervical cancer in China from 1991 to 2013 were used to describe the epidemiological characteristics and distribution, including the trend of the standardized mortality rate, urban-rural differences, and age variation. Trend-surface analysis was used to analyze the geographical distribution of mortality. Curve estimation, time series, gray modeling, and joinpoint regression were performed to predict and forecast mortality trends. Results: In recent years, the mortality rate of cervical cancer has increased, and there is also a steady increase in the incidence from 2003 to 2013 in China. Mortality rates in rural areas are higher than in urban areas. The mortality dramatically increases in the 40+ yr age group, reaching a peak in the >85 yr age group. In addition, geographical analysis showed that the cervical cancer mortality increased from the southwest to west-central and from the southeast to northeast of the country. Conclusions: The incidence rate and the mortality rate are increasing from 1991 to 2013, and the predictions show this will continue in the future. Thus, implementation of prevention and management programs for cervical cancer are necessary in China, especially for rural areas, young women in urban areas, and high risk regions (the west-central).

Mortality Characteristics and Prediction of Female Breast Cancer in China from 1991 to 2011

Shi, Xiao-Jun,Au, William W.,Wu, Ku-Sheng,Chen, Lin-Xiang,Lin, Kun Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.6

Aims: To analyze time-dependent changes in female breast cancer (BC) mortality in China, forecast the trend in the ensuing 5 years, and provide recommendations for prevention and management. Materials and Methods: Mortality data of breast cancer in China from 1991 to 2011 was used to describe characteristics and distribution, such as the changes of the standardized mortality rate, urban-rural differences and age differences. Trend-surface analysis was used to study the geographical distribution of mortality. In addition, curve estimation, time series modeling, Gray modeling (GM) and joinpoint regression were performed to estimate and predict future trends. Results: In China, the mortality rate of breast cancer has increased yearly since 1991. In addition, our data predicted that the trend will continue to increase in the ensuing 5 years. Rates in urban areas are higher than those in rural areas. Over the past decade, all peak ages for death by breast cancer have been delayed, with the first death peak occurring at 55 to 65 years of age in urban and rural areas. Geographical analysis indicated that mortality rates increased from Southwest to Northeast and from West to East. Conclusions: The standardized mortality rate of breast cancer in China is rising and the upward trend is predicted to continue for the next 5 years. Since this can cause an enormous health impact in China, much better prevention and management of breast cancer is needed. Consequently, disease control centers in China should place more focus on the northeastern, eastern and southeastern parts of China for breast cancer prevention and management, and the key population should be among women between ages 55 to 65, especially those in urban communities.

Characteristics and Prediction of Lung Cancer Mortality in China from 1991 to 2013

Fang, Jia-Ying,Dong, Hong-Li,Wu, Ku-Sheng,Du, Pei-Ling,Xu, Zhen-Xi,Lin, Kun Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.14

Objective: To describe and analyze the epidemiological characteristics of lung cancer mortality in China from 1991 to 2013, forecast the future five-year trend and provide scientific evidence for prevention and management of lung cancer. Materials and Methods: Mortality data for lung cancer in China from 1991 to 2013 were used to describe epidemiological characteristics. Trend surface analysis was applied to analyze the geographical distribution of lung cancer. Four models, curve estimation, time series modeling, gray modeling (GM) and joinpoint regression, were performed to forecast the trend for the future. Results: Since 1991 the mortality rate of lung cancer increased yearly. The rate for males was higher than that for females and rates in urban areas were higher than in rural areas. In addition, our results showed that the trend will continue to increase in the ensuing 5 years. The mortality rate increased from age 45-50 and peaked in the group of 85 years old. Geographical analysis indicated that people living in northeast China provinces and the coastal provinces in eastern China had a higher mortality rate for lung cancer than those living in the centre or western Chinese provinces. Conclusions: The standardized mortality rate of lung cancer has constantly increased from 1991 to 2013, and been predicted to continue in the ensuing 5 years. Further efforts should be concentrated on education of the general public to increase prevention and early detection. Much better prevention and management is needed in high mortality areas (northeastern and eastern parts of China) and high risk populations (45-50-year-olds).