Health-related Quality of Life in Women with Breast Cancer: a Literature-based Review of Psychometric Properties of Breast Cancer-specific Measures

Niu, Hui-Yan,Niu, Chun-Ying,Wang, Jia-He,Zhang, Yi,He, Ping Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.8

Background: Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in women in the world. Health-related quality of life (HRQL) at treatment endpoint in cancer clinical trials is widely considered to be increasingly important. The aim of this review was to provide a literature-based assessment of the validity, reliability and responsiveness of breast cancer-specific HRQL instruments in women breast cancer patients. Materials and Methods: The databases consulted were Medline, PubMed, and Embase. The inclusion criteria required studies to: (1) involve use of HRQL measures; (2) cover women with breast cancer under standard treatment (surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and targeted therapy); (3) involve the validity, reliability, or responsiveness of HRQL; (4) deal with validation of breast cancer-specific HRQL instruments. Results: A total of 16 studies were identified through the literature search that met the 4 inclusion criteria. Some seven instruments were assessed among these 16 studies: EORTC QLQ-BR23, FACT-B, FACT-ES, HFRDIS, LSQ-32, QLICP-BR, and SLDS-BC. EORTC QLQ-BR23, FACT-B, LSQ-32, QLICP-BR, and SLDS-BC are more general breast cancer-specific HRQL instruments. FACT-EB is the endocrine subscale combined with FACT-B in order to measure the side effects and putative benefits of hormonal treatment administered in breast cancer patients. HFRDIS is the HRQL measure focusing on hot flash concerns. Conclusions: This paper provides an overall understanding on the currently available breast cancer-specific HRQL instruments in women breast cancer patients.

Structure and Performance Characteristics of Saturated Iron-core Superconducting Fault Current Limiter

Niu, Xiaoye,Chen, Zhili,Wang, Haizhen,Chen, Zhifu,Zhang, Lifeng,Niu, Guojun,Hong, Hui,Xin, Ying 대한전기학회 2014 The Journal of International Council on Electrical Vol.4 No.2

Superconducting fault current limiter (SFCL) is a kind of short-circuit current limiting device for power grid. It's a new application of superconducting technology on power equipments. Saturated Iron-core Superconducting fault current limiter (SISFCL) is one of many types of SFCL. It takes the advantage that no quenching occurs in superconducting wires during fault current limiting process. The immediately reacting and fast recovering are also its main characteristics. The structure and function of SISFCL is similar to that of traditional transformer and current limiting reactor respectively. Based on mature technologies on design and manufacture of iron core and windings of transformers, SISFCL could be made at the same voltage level as traditional transformers. But there are also significant differences between them. SISFCL will offer an effective solution to limit short-circuit current in future HV or EHV power systems because of its peculiar structures and properties. In this paper, we introduce the structure and characteristics of the SISFCL developed by Innopower. It may help readers to understand SISFCL and its enormous application value for power grids.

Fermented cottonseed meal improves production performance and reduces fat deposition in broiler chickens

Niu Jun Li,Wei Lian Qing,Luo Yuan Qing,Yang Wen Ting,Lu Qi Cheng,Zheng Xin Xia,Niu Yu Jie,Sheng Wen,Cheng Hong,Zhang Wen Ju,Nie Cun Xi 아세아·태평양축산학회 2021 Animal Bioscience Vol.34 No.4

Objective: This study was conducted to investigate the effect of fermented cottonseed meal (FCSM) on growth performance, carcass traits, and fat deposition in white-feather broiler chickens. Methods: A total of 480 male one-day-old white-feather broiler chickens were selected randomly and divided into four groups with six replicates of 20 chickens in each. The experimental chickens were fed diets including 3%, 6%, or 9% FCSM fermented by Candida tropicalis until 42 days old. In the experiment, the chickens of the control group were fed soybean meal. Results: FCSM supplementation linearly decreased the feed conversion ratio from d 15 to 21 and d 36 to 42, respectively (p<0.05). The percentage of carcass and semi-eviscerate increased in response to dietary FCSM supplementation at d 21 (p<0.05). The percentage of eviscerated and semi-eviscerate of 3FCSM was higher than that in other groups at d 35 (p<0.05). At the age of 42 d, the percentage of carcass increased in a quadratic way among increasing FCSM in diets (p<0.05). The subcutaneous fat thickness linearly decreased with the increasing levels of FCSM at d 21 (p<0.05). Gompertz and Logistic functions provided a better fit on abdominal fat and subcutaneous fat, respectively. The best fitted equation predicted that the maximum growth rate of abdominal fat weight and subcutaneous fat thickness occurred at d 28. FCSM had no significant effects on the shape of growth curve of abdominal fat weight and subcutaneous fat thickness, but reduced the height of the curve. Birds receiving the 6FCSM diet for 21 d had smaller adipocyte surface and lower serum glucose as well as triglyceride concentration. Conclusion: FCSM is beneficial for broiler chickens as it positively affects their growth and carcass in addition to altering their fat deposition. Objective: This study was conducted to investigate the effect of fermented cottonseed meal (FCSM) on growth performance, carcass traits, and fat deposition in white-feather broiler chickens.Methods: A total of 480 male one-day-old white-feather broiler chickens were selected randomly and divided into four groups with six replicates of 20 chickens in each. The experimental chickens were fed diets including 3%, 6%, or 9% FCSM fermented by <i>Candida tropicalis</i> until 42 days old. In the experiment, the chickens of the control group were fed soybean meal.Results: FCSM supplementation linearly decreased the feed conversion ratio from d 15 to 21 and d 36 to 42, respectively (p<0.05). The percentage of carcass and semi-eviscerate increased in response to dietary FCSM supplementation at d 21 (p<0.05). The percentage of eviscerated and semi-eviscerate of 3FCSM was higher than that in other groups at d 35 (p<0.05). At the age of 42 d, the percentage of carcass increased in a quadratic way among increasing FCSM in diets (p<0.05). The subcutaneous fat thickness linearly decreased with the increasing levels of FCSM at d 21 (p<0.05). Gompertz and Logistic functions provided a better fit on abdominal fat and subcutaneous fat, respectively. The best fitted equation predicted that the maximum growth rate of abdominal fat weight and subcutaneous fat thickness occurred at d 28. FCSM had no significant effects on the shape of growth curve of abdominal fat weight and subcutaneous fat thickness, but reduced the height of the curve. Birds receiving the 6FCSM diet for 21 d had smaller adipocyte surface and lower serum glucose as well as triglyceride concentration.Conclusion: FCSM is beneficial for broiler chickens as it positively affects their growth and carcass in addition to altering their fat deposition.

Cytokine-Mediated Disruption of Lymphocyte Trafficking, Hemopoiesis, and Induction of Lymphopenia, Anemia, and Thrombocytopenia in Anti-CD137-Treated Mice

Niu, L.,Strahotin, S.,Hewes, B.,Zhang, B.,Zhang, Y.,Archer, D.,Spencer, T.,Dillehay, D.,Kwon, B.,Chen, L. American Association of Immunologists 2007 Journal of Immunology Vol.178 No.7

Electrochemical and Spectroscopic Studies on the Interaction between DNA and the Product of Enzyme-catalyzed Reaction of OPD-H₂O₂-HRP

Niu, S.Y.,Zhang, S.S.,Ma, L.B.,Jiao, K. Korean Chemical Society 2004 Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society Vol.25 No.6

The pure product of 2,3-diaminophenazine was prepared by the enzyme-catalyzed reaction of ophenylenediamine-$H_2O_2$-horseradish peroxidase and characterized by UV/Vis spectroscopy, IR spectroscopy and NMR spectroscopy. The electrochemical behaviour of 2,3-diaminophenazine on the glassy carbon electrode was studied. The interaction between 2,3-diaminophenazine and deoxyribonucleic acid was studied by cyclic voltammetry method and UV/Vis spectroscopy, which indicated that the interaction between them is intercalation. The influence of reacting time was also studied. The binding ratio of the 2,3-diaminophenazine-DNA complex is calculated to be 1 : 2 and the binding constant is to be $5.07{\times} 10^3L{\cdot}mol^{-1}$ at room temperature.

Sensitivity analysis of circumferential transducer array with T(0,1) mode of pipes

Niu, Xudong,Marques, Hugo R.,Chen, Hua-Peng Techno-Press 2018 Smart Structures and Systems, An International Jou Vol.21 No.6

Guided wave testing is a reliable and safe method for pipeline inspection. In general, guided wave testing employs a circumferential array of piezoelectric transducers to clamp on the pipe circumference. The sensitivity of the operation depends on many factors, including transducer distribution across the circumferential array. This paper presents the sensitivity analysis of transducer array for the circumferential characteristics of guided waves in a pipe using finite element modelling and experimental studies. Various cases are investigated for the outputs of guided waves in the numerical simulations, including the number of transducers per array, transducer excitation variability and variations in transducer spacing. The effect of the dimensions of simulated notches in the pipe is also investigated for different arrangements of the transducer array. The results from the finite element numerical simulations are then compared with the related experimental results. Results show that the numerical outputs agree well with the experimental data, and the guided wave mode T(0,1) presents high sensitivity to the notch size in the circumferential direction, but low sensitivity to the notch size in the axial direction.

Technique for Intrusion Detection based on Minkowsky Distance Negative Selection Algorithm

Niu Ling,Feng Gao-feng,Peng Hai-yun 보안공학연구지원센터 2015 International Journal of Security and Its Applicat Vol.9 No.12

Traditional negative selection algorithms often result in a number of black holes, which directly leads to the missing alarm drawback in the intrusion detection system. In order to settle the above problem, a novel negative selection algorithm based on Minkowsky distance is proposed. Firstly, the proposed algorithm computes the Minkowsky distance between the detectors. Then, compute the serial same numbers between the detector and self-set strings, which is helpful to improve the coverage area of the detector. Finally, the new detectors after training and renewal are put into the mature detector set to decline the number of black holes. Experimental results demonstrate that, compared with the traditional negative selection algorithms, the number of black holes and the missing alarm rate decline a lot in the proposed algorithm.

No Association Between MTHFR A1298C Gene Polymorphism and Head and Neck Cancer Risk: A Meta-analysis Based on 9,952 Subjects

Niu, Yu-Ming,Shen, Ming,Li, Hui,Ni, Xiao-Bing,Zhou, Juan,Zeng, Xian-Tao,Leng, Wei-Dong,Wu, Ming-Yue Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.8

Objective: Findings for associations between the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) A1298C gene polymorphism and head and neck cancer risk have been conflicting. We therefore performed a meta-analysis to derive a more precise relationship. Methods: Ten published case-control studies were collected and odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to assess the association between MTHFR A1298C polymorphism and head and neck cancer risk. Sensitivity analysis and publication bias assessment also were performed to guarantee the statistical power. Results: Overall, no significant association between MTHFR A1298C polymorphism and head and neck cancer risk was found in this meta-analysis (C vs. A: OR=1.04, 95%CI=0.87-1.25, P=0.668, Pheterogeneity<0.001; CC vs. AA: OR=1.07, 95%CI=0.70-1.65, P=0.748, $P_{heterogeneity}<0.001$; AC vs. AA: OR=1.06, 95%CI=0.88-1.27, P=0.565, $P_{heterogeneity}<0.001$; CC+AC vs. AA: OR=1.06, 95%CI=0.86-1.30, P=0.571, $P_{heterogeneity}<0.001$; CC vs. AA+AC: OR=1.02, 95%CI=0.69-1.52, P=0.910, $P_{heterogeneity}<0.001$). Similar results were also been found in succeeding analysis of HWE and stratified analysis of ethnicity. Conclusion: In conclusion, our meta-analysis demonstrates that MTHFR A1298C polymorphism may not be a risk factor for developing head and neck cancer.

An Adjustment Technique for Tensions in the Cables of Concrete Cable-Stayed Bridges considering the Effect of Cable-Girder Temperature Difference

Niu-Jing Ma,Li-Xiong Gu,Chang-Li Peng 대한토목학회 2021 KSCE JOURNAL OF CIVIL ENGINEERING Vol.25 No.5

To make sure the tension adjustment in the cables of concrete cable-stayed bridges is conducted successfully, a new adjustment technique for the tension adjustment is presented, with the cable-girder temperature difference taken into account. The tensions are measured via frequency method. Prior to the tension adjustment, tensions and temperatures of all cables and girders are measured when the ambient temperature is stable, and this set of tensions is taken as reference tensions. During the tension adjustment, the relative variable quantities of the tensions are regarded as the control values, while the vertical displacement in the mid-span section of the main span is regarded as the verification value. After each pair of cables is adjusted, it is required to measure the temperatures of cables and girders as well as the vertical displacement variation in the mid-span section of the main span. To guarantee the structural behavior of entire bridge is controlled, at one-third cable points, two-third cable points and the farthest cable points, the frequencies of each pair of cables as well as the temperatures of each pair of cables and girders should be measured so as to recalculate the cable tensions. After that, these cable tensions are compared with the theoretical ones to ensure the structural behavior of entire bridge in control. Finally, Furong bridge, a concrete cable-stayed bridge with double inclined pylons, is taken as a sample application of this proposed technique. The results of cable tensions in this bridge illustrate the new adjustment technique is both accurate and efficient.

Analysis and Identification of Farmland Transfer Risks in the Perspective of Stakeholders-Based on the Investigation of Shanghai Suburb

Niu Xing,Li Ling 한국도시행정학회 2017 한국도시행정학회 학술발표대회 논문집 Vol.2017 No.12