Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Diagnosis of Locally Recurrent Prostate Cancer: Are All Pulse Sequences Helpful?

Xiao-Li Liao,Jun-Bao Wei,Yong-Qiang Li,Jian-Hong Zhong,Cheng-Cheng Liao,Chang-Yuan Wei 대한영상의학회 2018 Korean Journal of Radiology Vol.19 No.6

Objective: To perform a meta-analysis to quantitatively assess functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the diagnosis of locally recurrent prostate cancer. Materials and Methods: A comprehensive search of the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews was conducted from January 1, 1995 to December 31, 2016. Diagnostic accuracy was quantitatively pooled for all studies by using hierarchical logistic regression modeling, including bivariate modeling and hierarchical summary receiver operating characteristic (HSROC) curves (AUCs). The Z test was used to determine whether adding functional MRI to T2-weighted imaging (T2WI) results in significantly increased diagnostic sensitivity and specificity. Results: Meta-analysis of 13 studies involving 826 patients who underwent radical prostatectomy showed a pooled sensitivity and specificity of 91%, and the AUC was 0.96. Meta-analysis of 7 studies involving 329 patients who underwent radiotherapy showed a pooled sensitivity of 80% and specificity of 81%, and the AUC was 0.88. Meta-analysis of 11 studies reporting 1669 sextant biopsies from patients who underwent radiotherapy showed a pooled sensitivity of 54% and specificity of 91%, and the AUC was 0.85. Sensitivity after radiotherapy was significantly higher when diffusion-weighted MRI data were combined with T2WI than when only T2WI results were used. This was true when meta-analysis was performed on a per-patient basis (p = 0.027) or per sextant biopsy (p = 0.046). A similar result was found when 1H-magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) data were combined with T2WI and sextant biopsy was the unit of analysis (p = 0.036). Conclusion: Functional MRI data may not strengthen the ability of T2WI to detect locally recurrent prostate cancer in patients who have undergone radical prostatectomy. By contrast, diffusion-weight MRI and 1H-MRS data may improve the sensitivity of T2WI for patients who have undergone radiotherapy.

Clinical Efficacy of Bevacizumab Concomitant with Pemetrexed in Patients with Advanced Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

Zhang, Yu-Mei,Li, Yong-Qiang,Liu, Zhi-Hui,Liao, Xiao-Li,Liang, Rong,Lin, Yan,Yuan, Chun-Ling,Liao, Si-Na,Liang, Chao-Yong,Li, Qian,Li, Le-Qun Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.8

Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy of bevacizumab concomitant with pemetrexed in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Materials and Methods: A total of 72 patients were randomly divided into a combination group (pemetrexed+bevacizumab, n=36) and a pemetrexed group (n=36) and assessed for disease control (CR+PR+SD) after 4-cycles of first-line GP chemotherapy (gemcitabine+cisplatin). Clinical efficacy, progression-free survival time (PFS), overall survival time (OS), overall response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR) and rate of adverse responses between two groups were observed and compared. Results: ORR and DCR were 27.8% and 83.4% in combination group, and 16.7% and 69.5% in the pemetrexed group, respectively, but there were no significant differences (P>0.05). PFS in combination group and pemetrexed group were 4.6 months and 3.9 months respectively (P=0.09), whereas OS in the combination group was 14 months, evidently higher than in the pemetrexed group (11 months, P=0.004). Adverse responses in both groups included high blood pressure, bleeding, thrombocytopenia, anemia, elevated transaminase, diarrhea, vomiting and proteinuria, but there were no significant differences (P>0.05). Conclusions: Bevacizumab concomitant with pemetrexed has better clinical efficacy and safety, giving rise to prolonged survival time in patients with advanced NSCLC.

Meta-analysis of Outcomes Compared between Robotic and Laparoscopic Gastrectomy for Gastric Cancer

Liao, Gui-Xiang,Xie, Guo-Zhu,Li, Rong,Zhao, Zhi-Hong,Sun, Quan-Quan,Du, Sha-Sha,Ren, Chen,Li, Guo-Xing,Deng, Hai-Jun,Yuan, Ya-Wei Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.8

This meta-analysis was performed to evaluate and compare the outcomes of robotic gastrectomy (RG) and laparoscopic gastrectomy (LG) for treating gastric cancer. A systematic literature search was carried out using the PubMed database, Web of Knowledge, and the Cochrane Library database to obtain comparative studies assessing the safety and efficiency between RG and LG in May, 2013. Data of interest were analyzed by using of Review Manager version 5.2 software (Cochrane Collaboration). A fixed effects model or random effects model was applied according to heterogeneity. Seven papers reporting results that compared robotic gastrectomy with laparoscopic gastrectomy for gastric cancer were selected for this meta-analysis. Our metaanalysis included 2,235 patients with gastric cancer, of which 1,473 had undergone laparoscopic gastrectomy, and 762 had received robotic gastrectomy. Compared with laparoscopic gastrectomy, robotic gastrectomy was associated with longer operative time but less blood loss. There were no significant difference in terms of hospital stay, total postoperative complication rate, proximal margin, distal margin, numbers of harvested lymph nodes and mortality rate between robotic gastrectomy and laparoscopic gastrectomy. Our meta-analysis showed that robotic gastrectomy is a safe technique for treating gastric cancer that compares favorably with laparoscopic gastrectomy in short term outcomes. However, the long term outcomes between the two techniques need to be further examined.

Genomic Characteristics and the Potential Clinical Implications in Oligometastatic Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer

Rongxin Liao,Kehong Chen,Jinjin Li,Hengqiu He,Guangming Yi,Mingfeng Huang,Rongrong Chen,Lu Shen,Xiaoyue Zhang,Zaicheng Xu,Zhenzhou Yang,Yuan Peng 대한암학회 2023 Cancer Research and Treatment Vol.55 No.3

Purpose Oligometastatic non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients have been increasingly regarded as a distinct group that could benefit from local treatment to achieve a better clinical outcome. However, current definitions of oligometastasis are solely numerical, which are imprecise because of ignoring the biological heterogeneity caused by genomic characteristics. Our study aimed to profile the molecular alterations of oligometastatic NSCLC and elucidate its potential difference from polymetastasis. Materials and Methods We performed next-generation sequencing to analyze tumors and paired peripheral blood from 77 oligometastatic and 21 polymetastatic NSCLC patients to reveal their genomic characteristics and assess the genetic heterogeneity. Results We found ERBB2, ALK, MLL4, PIK3CB, and TOP2A were mutated at a significantly lower frequency in oligometastasis compared with polymetastasis. EGFR and KEAP1 alterations were mutually exclusive in oligometastatic group. More importantly, oligometastasis has a unique significant enrichment of apoptosis signaling pathway. In contrast to polymetastasis, a highly enriched COSMIC signature 4 and a special mutational process, COSMIC signature 14, were observed in the oligometastatic cohort. According to OncoKB database, 74.03% of oligometastatic NSCLC patients harbored at least one actionable alteration. The median tumor mutation burden of oligometastasis was 5.00 mutations/Mb, which was significantly associated with smoking, DNA damage repair genes, TP53 mutation, SMARCA4 mutation, LRP1B mutation, ABL1 mutation. Conclusion Our results shall help redefine oligometastasis beyond simple lesion enumeration that will ultimately improve the selection of patients with real oligometastatic state and optimize personalized cancer therapy for oligometastatic NSCLC.

Experimental Study and Statistical Theory of Creep Behavior of Warm Frozen Silt

Mengke Liao,Yuan-Ming Lai,Junjie Yang,Shuangyang Li 대한토목학회 2016 KSCE Journal of Civil Engineering Vol.20 No.6

To investigate the soil parameters and stochastic mechanical characteristics of warm frozen silt, a series of triaxial compression tests were conducted on frozen silt at the temperature of -1.5°C under confining pressures of 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 MPa. The results indicate that the creep properties of warm frozen silt are affected considerably by stress levels. The creep show present primary and secondary creep stages under low stress level and indicate that the specimen is destroyed quickly under high stress levels. Based on phenomenological theory, a unified creep constitutive model of warm frozen silt was proposed. The results predicted by the proposed model agree well with corresponding experimental data. Investigation of the random distribution has revealed that the parameters of the proposed creep model could be better described by a normal distribution. Based on the dynamic theory of frozen soil strength, the long-term strength of warm frozen silt was obtained, and was found to exhibit nonlinear behavior with increasing confining pressure. The Weibull function can represent the random distribution well, and the reliabilities of long-term strength were given under different confining pressures.

Synthesis and application of zirconium phosphate mesoporous coordination polymer for effective removal of Co(II) from aqueous solutions

Zeng Yang,Yuan Guoyuan,Lan Tu,Li Feize,Yang Jijun,Liao Jiali,Yang Yuanyou,Liu Ning 한국원자력학회 2022 Nuclear Engineering and Technology Vol.54 No.11

A kind of zirconium phosphate mesoporous coordination polymer Zr-EDTMPA was successfully synthesized and characterized using XRD, FTIR, TGA, EA, SEMeEDS, and N2 sorption-desorption measurements. The prepared Zr-EDTMPA was first employed for the removal of Co(II) from an aqueous solution, and the effects of pH, contact time, temperature, initial Co(II) concentration, reusability, and sorption mechanism were systematically investigated. The results showed that the Zr-EDTMPA is a zirconium phosphate complex formed by the coordination of EDTMPA to Zr in a molar ratio of 1:1. The sorption of Co(II) by Zr-EDTMPA was a pH-dependent, spontaneous and endothermic process, which was better fitted to the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and Langmuir isotherm model. The Zr-EDTMPA was demonstrated to have excellent reusability and presented a high sorption capacity of 73.0 mgg-1 for Co(II) at pH 8.0. The sorption mechanism was mainly attributed to the strong coordination between cobalt and the untapped hydroxyl functional groups on Zr-EDTMPA, which was confirmed by XPS spectra. Therefore, as a candidate sorbent with high sorption capacity and excellent reusability, ZrEDTMPA has a great potential for the removal of Co(II) from aqueous solutions.

Apigenin Suppresses the IL-1β-Induced Expression of the Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator Receptor by Inhibiting MAPK-Mediated AP-1 and NF-κB Signaling in Human Bladder Cancer T24 Cells

Xia, Yong,Yuan, Miaomiao,Li, Shinan,Thuan, Ung Trong,Nguyen, Thi Thinh,Kang, Taek Won,Liao, Wenzhen,Lian, Sen,Do Jung, Young ACS AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY 2018 Journal of agricultural and food chemistry Vol.66 No.29

Mechanisms of Electroacupuncture Pretreatment in Alleviating Myocardial Ischemia Reperfusion Injury: Interactions between the Cerebellar Fastigial Nucleus and Lateral Hypothalamic Area

Yu Qing,Wu Li-bin,Zhang Fan,Wei Xiao-tong,Chen Pian-pian,Wang Shuai-ya,Cai Mei-yi,Shu Qi,Li Liao-yuan,Wu Zi-jian,Cai Rong-lin,Hu Ling 사단법인약침학회 2021 Journal of Acupuncture & Meridian Studies Vol.14 No.6

Background: Myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury (MIRI) is an important mechanism of post-myocardial infarction injury and a main cause of death in patients with ischemic heart disease. Electroacupuncture (EA) pretreatment is effective for the prevention and treatment of MIRI, but mechanisms mediating the effects of cardiovascular disease EA treatments remain unclear. Objectives: To determine whether the lateral hypothalamus (LHA) and the cerebellar fastigial nucleus (FN) are involved in the protective effects of EA stimulation on MIRI. Methods: EA pretreatment was performed for 7 days before the establishment of the MIRI model. ST-segment changes on electrocardiograms were recorded and the Curtis–Walker arrhythmia score was used to evaluate changes in reperfusion injury. Hematoxylin–eosin staining was applied to evaluate the pathological and morphological changes in myocardial tissue. c-fos expression in the LHA and FN was determined by immunofluorescence staining. Glutamic (Glu) and γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels were measured using a high-performance liquid chromatography-electrochemical method. Results: EA pretreatment reduced ST-segment elevation, arrhythmia scores, and morphological changes in MIRI myocardial cells in rats, and decreased the c-fos protein expression in LHA/FN nuclei. MIRI was associated with an imbalance between GABA and Glu levels, whereas EA pretreatment increased GABA levels and decreased Glu levels in the LHA/FN. Conclusion: FN and LHA are involved in the EA-mediated attenuation of MIRI. Pretreatment with EA plays a protective role in the myocardium by regulating Glu and GABA release in the LHA and FN.

Mitigation the Impact and Survive from Extreme Drought of Climate Change and Global Warming

Chien-Hsing Chu,Ching-yuan Lu,Chung-Yan Li,Fang-Lin Liao,Yu-Chi Lee 한국방재학회 2016 Journal of Disaster Management Vol.1 No.2

Tap Water is the lifeline of human existence. Due to the effect of the Climate Change, the world has experienced an uneven distribution of rainfall in recent years, cause of floods or droughts. A series drought broke out in Taipei city gave chance to protect our county and test our reliabilities to citizen. This developments but has also realize the agricultural water should cooperate effectively shift dial [2], active water conservation ordinance relaxed, provide valuable water resources. Water utilities in response to the challenges of extreme drought, should face the New thinking that the difference between the price of water upon request, considering distinguish the dry season and the rainy season in different water, and the water does not hike the basic livelihood of the people; to consider the idea of building “Our sponge cities sponge Taiwan”; avoid low tariff wasted water, or the use of reasonable price adjustments after yearly, water problems can be solved in Taipei area; contributed to the dry season to strengthen water conservation and carbon reduction to achieve the effect or open consumptive water use of large household[2] and strengthen told: the key to sustainable development of water resources, “NO WATER NO FUTURE”.

A New Practical System for Evaluating the Pharmacological Properties of Uricase as a Potential Drug for Hyperuricemia

Juan Feng,Xiang Li,Xiaolan Yang,Chun Zhang,Yonghua Yuan,Jun Pu,Yunsheng Zhao,Yanling Xie,Huidong Yuan,Youquan Bu,Fei Liao 대한약학회 2010 Archives of Pharmacal Research Vol.33 No.11

The use of uricase-deficient mammals to screen formulations of engineered uricases as potential drugs for hyperuricemia involves heavy costs and presents a technical bottleneck. Herein, a new practical system was investigated to evaluate the pharmacological significance of a bacterial uricase based on its ability to eliminate uric acid in plasma in vitro, its pharmacokinetics in vivo in healthy rats, and the modeled pharmacodynamics in vivo. This uricase, before and after modification with the monomethyl ether of poly(ethylene glycol)-5000, effectively eliminated uric acid in vitro in rabbit plasma, but its action was susceptible to xanthine inhibition. After intravenous injection of the modified uricase without purification, a bi-exponential model fit well to uricase activities in vivo in the plasma of healthy rats; the half-life of the modified uricase was estimated without interference from the unmodified uricase leftover in the sample and was nearly 100-fold longer than that of the unmodified uricase. Using a model of the elimination of uric acid in vivo taking into account of uricase pharmacokinetics and xanthine inhibition, modeled pharmacodynamics supported that the half-life of uricase and its susceptibility to xanthine are crucial for the pharmacological significance of uricase. Hence,this practical system is desirable for doing preliminary screening of formulations of engineered uricases as potential drugs for hyperuricemia.