DEPTOR Expression Negatively Correlates with mTORC1 Activity and Tumor Progression in Colorectal Cancer

Lai, Er-Yong,Chen, Zhen-Guo,Zhou, Xuan,Fan, Xiao-Rong,Wang, Hua,Lai, Ping-Lin,Su, Yong-Chun,Zhang, Bai-Yu,Bai, Xiao-Chun,Li, Yun-Feng Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.11

The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway is upregulated in the pathogenesis of many cancers, including colorectal cancer (CRC). DEPTOR is an mTOR inhibitor whose expression is negatively regulated by mTOR. However, the role of DEPTOR in the development of CRC is not known. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of DEPTOR and mTORC1 activity (P-S6) in a subset of CRC patients and determine their relation to tumor differentiation, invasion, nodal metastasis and disease-free survival. Here, Immunohistochemical expression of P-S6 (S235/236) and DEPTOR were evaluated in 1.5 mm tumor cores from 90 CRC patients and in 90 samples of adjacent normal mucosa by tissue microarray. The expression of P-S6 (S235/236) was upregulated in CRC, with the positive rate of P-S6 (S235/236) in CRC (63.3%) significantly higher than that in control tissues (36.7%, 30%) (p<0.05). P-S6 (S235/236) also correlated with high tumor histologic grade (p=0.002), and positive nodal metastasis (p=0.002). In contrast, the expression level of DEPTOR was correlated with low tumor histological grade (p=0.006), and negative nodal metastasis (p=0.001). Interestingly, P-S6 (S235/236) expression showed a significant negative association with the expression of DEPTOR in CRC (p=0.011, R= -0.279). However, upregulation of P-S6 (S235/236) (p=0.693) and downregulation of DEPTOR (p=0.331) in CRC were not significantly associated with overall survival. Thus, we conclude that expression of DEPTOR negatively correlates with mTORC1 activity and tumor progression in CRC. DEPTOR is a potential marker for prognostic evaluation and a target for the treatment of CRC.

A Novel Scheduler Design for Wireless Video over 802.11aa Networks Using Priority Weighting and Dropping

Wen-Ping Lai,En-Cheng Liou 보안공학연구지원센터 2013 International Journal of Future Generation Communi Vol.6 No.4

Effects of stance modification and gluteal squeeze in shoulder bridge exercise with 30 degrees hip abduction on trunk and hip muscle activity

( Cindy Lai Ping Ng ),( Indy Man Kit Ho ),( Jim Tze Chung Luk ) 대한운동사협회 2017 대한운동사협회 운동사대회자료집 Vol.2017 No.-

Pimecrolimus increases the melanogenesis and migration of melanocytes <em>in vitro</em>

Ping Xu,Jie Chen,Cheng Tan,Ren-Sheng Lai,Zhong-Sheng Min 대한생리학회-대한약리학회 2017 The Korean Journal of Physiology & Pharmacology Vol.21 No.3

Vitiligo is an intriguing depigmentary disorder and is notoriously difficult to be treated. The ultimate goal of vitiligo treatment is to replenish the lost melanocytes by immigration from hair follicle and to restore the normal function of melanogenesis by residual melanocytes. There are two types of topical calcineurin inhibitors called tacrolimus and pimecrolimus, and are recommended as the first-line treatments in vitiligo. Although pimecrolimus is efficacious for the repigmentation of vitiligo, its intrinsic mechanisms have never been investigated in vitro. This research aimed to study the ability of pimecrolimus on stimulating melanogenesis, melanocyte migration and MITF (microphthalmia associated transcription factor) protein expression. Results showed that pimecrolimus at the dosages of 1, 10, 10² nM were neither mitogenic nor cytotoxic to melanocytes. The addition of pimecrolimus at 10, 10² and 10³ nM significantly increased intracellular tyrosinase activity, which was consistent with the elevated content of melanin content at the same concentrations. The peak effect was seen at 72 h in response to 10² nM pimecrolimus. Results of the wound scratch assay and Transwell assays indicate that pimecrolimus is effective in facilitating melanocyte migration on a collagen IV-coated surface. In addition, MITF protein yield reached the highest by pimecrolimus at 10² nM. In brief, pimecrolimus enhances melanin synthesis as well as promotes migration of melanocytes directly, possibly via their effects on MITF protein expression.

Pimecrolimus increases the melanogenesis and migration of melanocytes in vitro

Ping Xu,Jie Chen,Cheng Tan,Ren-Sheng Lai,Zhong-Sheng Min 대한약리학회 2017 The Korean Journal of Physiology & Pharmacology Vol.21 No.3

Vitiligo is an intriguing depigmentary disorder and is notoriously difficult to be treated. The ultimate goal of vitiligo treatment is to replenish the lost melanocytes by immigration from hair follicle and to restore the normal function of melanogenesis by residual melanocytes. There are two types of topical calcineurin inhibitors called tacrolimus and pimecrolimus, and are recommended as the first-line treatments in vitiligo. Although pimecrolimus is efficacious for the repigmentation of vitiligo, its intrinsic mechanisms have never been investigated in vitro. This research aimed to study the ability of pimecrolimus on stimulating melanogenesis, melanocyte migration and MITF (microphthalmia associated transcription factor) protein expression. Results showed that pimecrolimus at the dosages of 1, 10, 102 nM were neither mitogenic nor cytotoxic to melanocytes. The addition of pimecrolimus at 10, 102 and 103 nM significantly increased intracellular tyrosinase activity, which was consistent with the elevated content of melanin content at the same concentrations. The peak effect was seen at 72 h in response to 102 nM pimecrolimus. Results of the wound scratch assay and Transwell assays indicate that pimecrolimus is effective in facilitating melanocyte migration on a collagen IV-coated surface. In addition, MITF protein yield reached the highest by pimecrolimus at 102 nM. In brief, pimecrolimus enhances melanin synthesis as well as promotes migration of melanocytes directly, possibly via their effects on MITF protein expression.

An FPGA-based Fully Digital Controller for Boost PFC Converter

Lai, Li,Luo, Ping The Korean Institute of Power Electronics 2015 JOURNAL OF POWER ELECTRONICS Vol.15 No.3

This paper introduces a novel digital one cycle control (DOCC) boost power factor correction (PFC) converter. The proposed PFC converter realizes the FPGA-based DOCC control approach for single-phase PFC rectifiers without input voltage sensing or a complicated two-loop compensation design. It can also achieve a high power factor and the operation of low harmonic input current ingredients over universal loads in continuous conduction mode. The trailing triangle modulation adopted in this approach makes the acquisition of the average input current an easy process. The controller implementation is based on a boost topology power circuit with low speed, low-resolution A/D converters, and economical FPGA development board. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed PFC rectifier can obtain a PF value of up to 0.999 and a minimum THD of at least 1.9% using a 120W prototype.

Analysis of Factors Influencing the Generation of Unqualified Clinical Samples and Measures to Prevent this Generation

Xiaofei Lai,Ping Yang,Yuhong Zhang,Ju Cao,Liping Zhang 대한진단검사의학회 2012 Annals of Laboratory Medicine Vol.32 No.3

Background: We investigated the influence of pre-analytical factors on the results of clinical tests and thereby analyzed approaches to improve quality management in clinical laboratories. Methods: Unqualified clinical samples were selected from all the samples received at our clinical laboratory. The data were collected for 2009 and 2010, i.e., the years before and after the establishment of the laboratory quality management system. The rate and causes of generation of unqualified samples were analyzed, and measures to improve the laboratory practices were studied and implemented. Results: A total of 1,051 unqualified samples were identified from among the 553,158 samples (the overall incidence rate of unqualified samples was 0.19%). The number of unqualified samples substantially varied according to the nature of the sample, and clinical samples collected for routine blood tests or coagulation tests were the predominant unqualified samples. The main causes of generation of unqualified samples were insufficient sample volumes and improper methods of mixing the samples. The rate of generation of unqualified samples decreased significantly after the implementation of improvement measures (0.26% in 2009 vs. 0.13% in 2010, P<0.001). Conclusions: The number of unqualified samples decreased significantly after the establishment of the laboratory quality management system, which promoted active communication among and training of the clinical staff to reduce the occurrence of pre-analytical errors. Comprehensive control of pre-analytical factors is an important approach in improving the clinical laboratory practices.

Novel Query-by-Humming/Singing Method with Fuzzy Inference System

Yo-Ping Huang,Shin-Liang Lai 한국정보기술융합학회 2012 JoC Vol.3 No.4

Placebo Acupuncture in an Acupuncture Clinical Trial. How Good is the Blinding Effect?

Eliza Lai-Yi Wong,Ping-Chung Leung,Lang Zhang 사단법인약침학회 2015 Journal of Acupuncture & Meridian Studies Vol.8 No.1

The purpose of this study was to critically look at the validity of the “placebo procedures” used in acupuncture studies. Twenty healthy volunteers were recruited and blinded either to genuine acupuncture or to “placebo procedures”, and they were checked to ascertain whether they could differentiate genuine punctures from placebo punctures. Each volunteer received paired procedures on three separate occasions. Each paired procedure included one genuine puncture and a placebo procedure. Three placebo procedures, that is, sham points, superficial puncture, and puncturing through a special device, were used. Two standard acupuncture points were used: Hegu (LI-4) in the hand and Zusanli (ST-36) in the leg. Among the 18 participants who completed all three tests, 16 correctly recognized genuine punctures. Sham sites in the hand and the leg were detected by 15 and nine of the participants, respectively. Superficial punctures in the hand and the leg were recognized by 10 and nine of the participants, respectively. A special device, a foam cylinder that hid the distal needle, worked best because 15 and 16 of the participants were deceived when the device was used at an acupoint in the hand and the leg, respectively. No significant differences were noted between those who had had past experience with acupuncture and those who had not. Sham sites and superficial punctures appeared not to have a placebo function because 50–83% of the participants were able to immediately recognize their false nature. Using a hidden device worked much better.

Cloud computing with single server threshold and double congestion thresholds

Shun-Ping Chung,Yu-Ju Lu,Yu-Chen Lai 한국통신학회 2018 ICT Express Vol.4 No.3

In this work, we study how to minimize the average system delay in a cloud computing center with heterogeneous servers, where each server may have a different average service rate. We consider M∕Mi∕C∕K with a single server threshold and double congestion thresholds. The analytical models and performance measures are derived for the systems considered. The effect of the average arrival rate on performance measures is studied. It is shown that M∕Mi∕C∕K with a single server threshold and double congestion thresholds outperforms M∕Mi∕C∕K in terms of the average system delay. Finally, a computer simulation is written to verify the accuracy of the analytical results.