Historical Long-term Exposure to Pentachlorophenol Causing Risk of Cancer - A Community Study

Zheng, Rui-Zhi,Zhang, Qing-He,He, Yi-Xin,Zhang, Qian,Yang, Lin-Shen,Zhang, Zhi-Hua,Zhang, Xiu-Jun,Hu, Jing-Ting,Huang, Fen Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.2

Background: Pervious studies suggested occupational workers exposure to pentachlorophenol (PCP) might contribute to increased risk of cancer. However, few studies have focused on associations between PCP and cancer risk at the community level. Objective: The present study was to explore the cancer risk for the community population living long-term in a PCP contaminated area. Methods: All the cancer cases diagnosed in 2009-2011 in Tongling City were collected. The cancer patients' residencies were geo-referenced in each district. The historical PCP usage for each district of Tongling was calculated as the PCP pollution index, which was further used to divide into PCP exposure categories. Standardized rate ratios (SRRs) of cancer incidence were applied to detect the cancer risk as exposure grade elevated. Correlation analysis was performed to analyze the relationship between PCP pollution and cancer incidence. Results: A total of 5,288 cancer cases (3,451 male and 1,837 female) were identified. PCP usage was correlated with the incidence of leukemia (r=0.88, P=0.002) for males, and with cancer of the esophagus for males (r=0.83, P=0.008) and females (r=0.71, P=0.020). Compared with the low exposure category, significant SRRs for total cancer sites was obtained for high PCP exposure category (SRR=1.61, 95%CI=1.59-1.62). Most SRR values of the cancer sites were significantly increased as exposure grade elevated and exposure time extended. Conclusion: The present study found that community residents living in the PCP contaminated area had increased risk of cancers. Leukemias, lymphomas and nasopharyngeal and esophageal cancers are most possibly associated with PCP exposure.

Naringin and Naringenin Relax Rat Tracheal Smooth by Regulating BKCa Activation

Rui Shi,Jia-Wen Xu,Zi-Ting Xiao,Ruo-Fei Chen,Yi-Lin Zhang,Jia-Bi Lin,Ke-Ling Cheng,Gu-Yi Wei,Pei-Bo Li,Wen-Liang Zhou,Wei-Wei Su 한국식품영양과학회 2019 Journal of medicinal food Vol.22 No.9

Naringin and its aglycone, naringenin, occur naturally in our regular diet and traditional Chinese medicines. This study aimed to detect an effective therapeutic approach for cough variant asthma (CVA) through evaluating the relaxant effect of these two bioactive herbal monomers as antitussive and antiasthmatic on rat tracheal smooth muscle. The relaxant effect was determined by measuring muscular tension with a mechanical recording system in rat tracheal rings. Cytosolic Ca2+ concentration was measured using a confocal imaging system in primary cultured tracheal smooth muscle cells. In rat tracheal rings, addition of both naringin and naringenin could concentration dependently relax carbachol (CCh)-evoked tonic contraction. This epithelium-independent relaxation could be suppressed by BaCl2, tetraethylammonium, and iberiotoxin (IbTX), but not by glibenclamide. After stimulating primary cultured tracheal smooth muscle cells by CCh or high KCl, the intracellular Ca2+ increase could be inhibited by both naringin and naringenin, respectively. This reaction was also suppressed by IbTX. These results demonstrate that both naringin and naringenin can relax tracheal smooth muscle through opening big conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channel, which mediates plasma membrane hyperpolarization and reduces Ca2+ influx. Our data indicate a potentially effective therapeutic approach of naringin and naringenin for CVA.

Methods on improvements of the poor oral bioavailability of ginsenosides: Pre-processing, structural modifi cation, drug combination, and micro- or nano- delivery system

Qi-rui Hu,Huan Hong,Zhi-hong Zhang,Hua Feng,Ting Luo,Jing Li,Ze-yuan Deng,Fang Chen 고려인삼학회 2023 Journal of Ginseng Research Vol.47 No.6

Panax ginseng Meyer is a traditional Chinese medicine that is widely used as tonic in Asia. The mainpharmacologically active components of ginseng are the dammarane-type ginsenosides, which havebeen shown to have anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, immunoregulatory, neuroprotective, and metabolicregulatory activities. Moreover, some of ginsenosides (eg, Rh2 and Rg3) have been developed intonutraceuticals. However, the utilization of ginsenosides in clinic is restrictive due to poor permeability incells and low bioavailability in human body. Obviously, the dammarane skeleton and glycosyls of ginsenosidesare responsible for these limitations. Therefore, improving the oral bioavailability of ginsenosideshas become a pressing issue. Here, based on the structures of ginsenosides, we summarized theunderstanding of the factors affecting the oral bioavailability of ginsenosides, introduced the methods toenhance the oral bioavailability and proposed the future perspectives on improving the oral bioavailabilityof ginsenosides.

Cold hardiness characteristic of the overwintering pupae of fall webworm Hyphantria cunea (Drury) (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae) in the northeast of China

Xiao-Rui Xu,Ming-Ming Zhu,Liang-Liang Li,Guang-Cai Zhang,Ye Zheng,Ting Li,Shou-Hui Sun 한국응용곤충학회 2015 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.18 No.1

The fallwebworm, Hyphantria cunea (Drury) (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae), is an invasive and important pest in China. Understanding the physiological–biochemical characteristics of the overwintering pupae is essential for its cold tolerance and potential distribution in the northeast of China. Results indicated that the supercooling point (SCP) of H. cunea overwintering pupae varied significantly among Jilin city (43°N, 126°E), Jilin Province, Shenyang (41.8°N, 123.4°E), Liaoning Province and Yingkou (40.39°N, 122.13°E), Liaoning Province. The average SCP in Jilin was the lowest (−23.49 ± 0.46 °C) in those of three areas. The water content in overwintering pupae had a significant positive correlation with the SCP (R = 0.848,P = 0.03). Contents of alanine (ALA) (26.00%), lysine (LYS) (30.51%) and arginine (ARG) (22.88%) in the overwintering pupae's hemolymph were higher than others. During the overwintering, the fat content in pupae's bodies decreased gradually. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) indicated that the content of trehalose in the body of H. cunea was remarkably different (P= 0.007) month by month, with the maximum in March (2.88 mg·mL−1) and the minimum (0.40 mg·mL−1) in November. Pearson's correlation test indicated that SCP had a significant negative correlation with the SOD enzyme activity (R = −0.850; P = 0.008). Thermal hysteresis activity (THA) of hemolymph was 0.68°C and 0.7–0.8°C for H. cunea pupae and larva, respectively, using differential scanning calorimetry, which suggests that the H. cunea can improve their cold tolerance through producing antifreeze proteins. These results could help us to predict the distribution of the H. cunea in the northeast of China.

Performance of the R-way Colposcopic Evaluation System in Cervical Cancer Screening

Zhao, Jian,Zhang, Xi,Chen, Rui,Zhao, Yu-Qian,Wang, Ting-Ting,He, Shan,Qiao, You-Lin Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.10

Objective: To investigate the diagnostic value of the R-way colposcopic evaluation system (R-way system) in cervical cancer screening. Materials and Methods: Between August 2013 and August 2014, a total of 1,059 cases referred to colposcopy in Peking University First Hospital were studied using both the R-way system and conventional colposcopy. Our study evaluated and compared the diagnostic ability of the two methods in detecting high-grade lesions and cervical cancer (hereinafter called CIN2+). Evaluation indicators including sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), Youden index and the area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) were calculated. Results: The R-way system had a slightly lower specificity (94.5%) than conventional colposcopy (96.0%) for CIN2+ detection (P=0.181). However, the sensitivity (77.8%) was significantly higher than with the conventional colposcopic method (46.6%) (${\chi}^2=64.351$, P<0.001). In addition, the AUC of the ROC for CIN2+ detection using the R-way system (0.839) was larger than that with conventional colposcopy (0.731) (Z=4.348, P<0.001). If preliminary result had been drawn from cervical exfoliated cytology before colposcopy referral, combination of the R-way system with cytology could increase the sensitivity to 93.9% for CIN2+ detection (excluding ASCUS\LSIL), confirmed by multipoint biopsy or ECC. Conclusions: The diagnostic value of the R-way evaluation system is higher than that of conventional colposcopic evaluation in cervical cancer screening. Moreover, taking the ease of use and standardized quality control management into account, the R-way system is highly preferable.

Two Transition Metal Complexes: Magnetic Properties and Treatment Effect via Focused High-Intensity Ultrasound on Alzheimer’s Disease

Chang-Lu Huo,Ting Yu,Cai-Ying Pei,Ling-Ling Liu,Ying-Rui Zhang,Ying-Li Zhang 한국고분자학회 2021 Macromolecular Research Vol.29 No.5

Two novel coordination polymers (where Cu for the complex 1 and the Co for the complex 2) with distinct transition metal ions containing 4-(3,5-dicarboxylphenyl)-2- methylpyridine (H2L), the pyridyl-dicarboxylic acid ligand, have been produced under the solvothermal reaction conditions, and the two compounds’ performances and architectures were also characterized. The chemical formulae determined of two complexes are respectively [Cu(L)(H2O)]·H2O (1) and [Co3(L)2Cl2(H2O)2]·2H2O (2). Complex 1 exhibits a 2D network with a (3,6)-connected kgd topology based on the dinuclear [Cu2O2] units. In complex 2, the linear trinuclear [Co3(μ-Ocarboxylate)2(COO)2Cl2] units with mixed carboxylate and μ-Cl triple bridges are cross-linked by the L ligands into a 3D framework with a (3,6)-connected rtl topology. The complexes’ magnetic performances reflected that between consecutive metal ions, there exists the antiferromagnetic coupling. Their treatment activities on Alzheimer's disease (AD) via focused high-intensity ultrasound were evaluated. Firstly, the Annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate/propidium iodide staining was implemented for the assessment of the apoptotic neurons percentage after compounds treatment. Next, the Aβ accumulation in the neurons was also detected via employing the western blotting assay.

Effect of Matrix Metalloproteinase on Autolysis of Sea Cucumber Stichopus japonicus

Li-Ming Sun,Ting-Ting Wang,Bei-Wei Zhu,Hai-Ling Niu,Rui Zhang,Hong-Man Hou,Gong-Liang Zhang,Yoshiyuki Murata 한국식품과학회 2013 Food Science and Biotechnology Vol.22 No.5

To investigate the relationship between matrix metalloproteinase (MMPs) and autolysis of sea cucumber Stichopus japonicus, the dermis homogenate was incubated at 25oC to induce autolysis. EDTA Na2 and 1,10-phenanthroline were used to verify the effect of MMPs on autolysis, which was measured by soluble protein and protein pattern. Soluble protein level increased during a 6-h autolysis process. SDS-PAGE demonstrated obvious protein degradation with the concomitant occurrence of degradation products. The above two indicators could be inhibited significantly by EDTA Na2 and 1,10-phenanthroline, indicating that MMPs might play a significant role in autolysis of sea cucumber.

Prognostic Significance of Interactions Between ER Alpha and ER Beta and Lymph Node Status in Breast Cancer Cases

Han, Shu-Jing,Guo, Qing-Qing,Wang, Ting,Wang, You-Xin,Zhang, Yu-Xiang,Liu, Fen,Luo, Yan-Xia,Zhang, Jie,Wang, You-Li,Yan, Yu-Xiang,Peng, Xiao-Xia,Ling, Rui,He, Yan Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.10

Objective: Both estrogen receptors, ER alpha ($ER{\alpha}$) and ER beta ($ER{\beta}$), are expressed in 50-70% of breast cancer cases. The role of $ER{\alpha}$ as a prognostic marker in breast cancer has been well established as its expression is negative correlated with tumor size and lymph node metastasis. $ER{\beta}$ is also a favorable prognostic predictor although this is less well documented than for $ER{\alpha}$. Materials and Methods: To explore whether ERs independently or together might influence clinical outcome in breast cancer, the correlation between the ERs with the clinicopathological features was analyzed in 84 patients. Results: $ER{\alpha}$ expression negatively correlated with tumor stage (r=-0.246, p=0.028) and tended to be negatively correlated with lymph node status (r=-0.156, p=0.168) and tumor size (r=-0.246, p=0.099). Also, $ER{\beta}$ was negatively correlated with nodal status (r=-0.243, p=0.028), as was coexpression of $ER{\alpha}$ and $ER{\beta}$ (p=0.043, OR=0.194, 95% CI= 0.040-0.953). Conclusion: Coexpression of ERs might serve as an indicator of good prognosis in breast cancer patients.

Auricular acupressure promotes uterine involution after cesarean section: A randomized controlled trial

Shu-xin Wang,Jing-chun Zeng,Ting Li,Wan-lan Zhang,Yan-fang Li,Run-jin Zhou,Zi-jun Liu,Yu-ling Liu,Xun Zhuang,Rui Zhang,Li-ming Lu,Guo-hua Lin 한국한의학연구원 2021 Integrative Medicine Research Vol.10 No.3

Background: Postpartum subinvolution of the uterus is a more common condition after cesarean section. Auricular acupressure (AA) is widely used for the treatment of postpartum diseases. However, few studies have explored the effects of AA as a treatment of uterine involution following cesarean section to date. This study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of AA for uterine involution after cesarean section. Methods: A total of 109 women who underwent cesarean section participated in this study. They were randomly allocated to either real AA or sham AA in a 1:1 ratio by a computer program. For 3 days, the real AA and sham AA groups received treatment 3 times daily. A series of assessments at 42 days after cesarean section, namely on the uterine size, the incidence of hydrometra, the first anal exsufflation time, bleeding volume at 6 hours, bleeding volume at 6–24 hours along with other general assessments were carried out. Results: A total of 89 women completed the study. The uterine size at 42 days after a cesarean section was 6.3 cm smaller in the real AA group than in the sham AA group (P < 0.01). The incidence of hydrometra on day 42 postpartum was lower in the real AA group than in the sham AA group (P < 0.01). The lochia duration and the first anal exsufflation time after cesarean section were shorter in the real AA group than in the sham AA group (P < 0.05). Conclusion: AA improves uterine involution after cesarean section. Trial registration: ChiCTR1800015569.

Process and product innovarions in vertically differentiated markets with network externalities

Ming-qing Xing,Lai-sheng Wang,Rui-ting Zhang 인하대학교 정석물류통상연구원 2009 인하대학교 정석물류통상연구원 학술대회 Vol.2009 No.10

We analyze product and process innovations in a vertically differentiated duopoly in market with externalities. Through assuming process innovation reduces marginal cost and product innovation improves product quality, we find that;(i) product and process innovations are complements (resp.substitutes) for the firm with low (resp. high) quality when the intensity of network externality is small; (ii) process innovation affects product innovation more intensely when exists network externality than not;(iii) network externality makes process R&D (resp. aggregate process R&D) outcome affected by the parameter of product innovation cost ;(iv) aggregate process R&D outcome in industry increases with network intensity; (v) the firm with higher initial efficiency invests more in process innovation and will obtain more demand and profit than the rival in equilibrium.