Chinese herbal injections in combination with radiotherapy for advanced pancreatic cancer: A systematic review and network meta-analysis

Yun-Ru Chen,Ruo-Tong Zhao,Yi-Fang Xu,Yin-Jie Ma,Shao-Bo Hu,Xue-Hui Wang,Bing-Bing Fan,Yan-Ji Zhou,Yu-Bei Huang,Nicola Robinson,Jian-ping Liu,Zhao-Lan Liu 한국한의학연구원 2023 Integrative Medicine Research Vol.12 No.4

Background: Advanced pancreatic cancer (APC) is a fatal disease with limited treatment options. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of different Chinese herbal injections (CHIs) as adjuvants for radiotherapy (RT) in APC and compare their treatment potentials using network meta-analysis. Methods: We systematically searched three English and four Chinese databases for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from inception to July 25, 2023. The primary outcome was the objective response rate (ORR). Secondary outcomes included Karnofsky performance status (KPS) score, overall survival (OS), and adverse events (AEs). The treatment potentials of different CHIs were ranked using the surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA). The Cochrane RoB 2 tool and CINeMA were used for quality assessment and evidence grading. Results: Eighteen RCTs involving 1199 patients were included. Five CHIs were evaluated. Compound Kushen injection (CKI) combined with RT significantly improved ORR compared to RT alone (RR 1.49, 95 % CrI 1.21–1.86). Kanglaite (KLT) plus RT (RR 1.58, 95 % CrI 1.20–2.16) and CKI plus RT (RR 1.49, 95 % CrI 1.16–1.95) were associated with improved KPS score compared to radiation monotherapy, with KLT+RT being the highest rank (SUCRA 72.28 %). Regarding AEs, CKI plus RT was the most favorable in reducing the incidence of leukopenia (SUCRA 90.37 %) and nausea/vomiting (SUCRA 85.79 %). Conclusions: CKI may be the optimal choice of CHIs to combine with RT for APC as it may improve clinical response, quality of life, and reduce AEs. High-quality trials are necessary to establish a robust body of evidence. Protocol registration: PROSPERO, CRD42023396828.

The Antibacterial Mechanism of Zn(II) Frame Supported on Alginate Membrane

Dan Luo,Ruo-Wei Lu,Cui-Juan Wang,Yan Tong,Cheng Liu,Yu-Mei Xiao,Yan-Xia Chen 대한화학회 2020 Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society Vol.41 No.11

In order to solve the problem of antibiotic-resistant bacteria caused by excessive use of antibiotics, herein, an antibacterial membrane composed of natural sodium alginate (ALG), zeolite imidazolate skeleton (ZIF-8) and niflumic acid (NIF) was reported. The membrane serves as a versatile platform for local antibacterial. This report carried out in-depth research on the physical properties and antibacterial mechanism of the synthesized sodium alginate composite film. The data shows that the sodium alginate-based antibacterial film has a continuous antibacterial effect, and the release of antibacterial molecules can be controlled according to changes in the external environment. The results show that the complex has stronger mechanical and bacteriostatic properties. Niflumic acid and Zn(II) have synergistic antibacterial effect. The complex promotes bacterial death by hindering bacterial respiratory metabolism and destroying cell membrane structure.

Association of XRCC3 Thr241Met Polymorphisms and Gliomas Risk: Evidence from a Meta-analysis

Liang, Hong-Jie,Yan, Yu-Lan,Liu, Zhi-Ming,Chen, Xu,Peng, Qi-Liu,Wang, Jian,Mo, Cui-Ju,Sui, Jing-Zhe,Wu, Jun-Rong,Zhai, Li-Min,Yang, Shi,Li, Tai-Jie,Li, Ruo-Lin,Li, Shan,Qin, Xue Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.7

The relationship between the X-ray repair cross-complementing group 3 (XRCC3) Thr241Met polymorphism and gliomas remains inclusive or controversial. For better understanding of the effect of XRCC3 Thr241Met polymorphism on glioma risk, a meta-analysis was performed. All eligible studies were identified through a search of PubMed, Elsevier Science Direct, Excerpta Medica Database (Embase) and Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM) before May 2013. The association between the XRCC3 Thr241Met polymorphism and gliomas risk was conducted by odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). A total of nine case-control studies including 3,533 cases and 4,696 controls were eventually collected. Overall, we found that XRCC3 Thr241Met polymorphism was significantly associated with the risk of gliomas (T vs. C: OR=1.10, 95%CI=1.01-1.20, P=0.034; TT vs. CC: OR=1.30, 95%CI=1.03-1.65, P=0.027; TT vs. TC/CC: OR=1.29, 95%CI=1.01-1.64, P=0.039). In the subgroup analysis based on ethnicity, the significant association was found in Asian under four models (T vs. C: OR=1.17, 95%CI=1.07-1.28, P=0.00; TT vs. CC: OR=1.79, 95%CI=1.36-2.36, P=0.00; TT vs. TC/CC: OR=1.75, 95%CI=1.32-2.32, P=0.00; TT/TC vs. CC: OR=1.11,95% CI=1.02-1.20). This meta-analysis suggested that the XRCC3 Thr241Met polymorphism is a risk factor for gliomas, especially for Asians. Considering the limited sample size and ethnicities included in the meta-analysis, further large scale and well-designed studies are needed to confirm our results.

Removal of elemental mercury from simulated flue gas by cerium oxide modified attapulgite

Donglei Shi,Qi Xu,Yu Lu,Zhe Tang,Fennv Han,Ruo-Yu Chen 한국화학공학회 2014 Korean Journal of Chemical Engineering Vol.31 No.8

A novel catalyst CeO2/ATP was developed to remove Hg0 from coal fired gas. This is new way to use thefacile, cheap and larger BET specific surface area catalyst attapulgite (ATP) as support to remove Hg0 from coal firedgas. The Hg0 removal and oxidation efficiency of CeO2/ATP (1 : 1) is up to 97.75% and 92.23% at 200 oC, respectively. We also found that ATP plays an important role in improving the catalyst activity of CeO2/ATP, which can make CeO2/ATP have more stable catalyst activity at broader temperature range and obtain lower optimum activity temperature. Other influencing factors, such as temperature and flue gas environment (SO2, Cl2, NO), are also investigated in order toget a clear understanding of the experiment. The formation mechanisms are also proposed.

Circular RNA-ZFR Inhibited Cell Proliferation and Promoted Apoptosis in Gastric Cancer by Sponging miR-130a/miR-107 and Modulating PTEN

Tonglei Liu,Shuang Liu,Yu Xu,Ruo Shu,Feng Wang,Cheng Chen,Yujian Zeng,Huayou Luo 대한암학회 2018 Cancer Research and Treatment Vol.50 No.4

Purpose This study aimed to probe into the associations among circular RNA ZFR (circ-ZFR), miR- 130a/miR-107, and PTEN, and to investigate the regulatory mechanism of circ-ZFRmiR- 130a/miR-107PTEN axis in gastric cancer (GC). Materials and Methods GSE89143 microarray data used in the study were acquired from publicly available Gene Expression Omnibus database to identify differentially expressed circular RNAs in GC tissues. The expressions of circ-ZFR, miR-130a, miR-107, and PTEN were examined by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, while PTEN protein expression was measured by western blot. The variation of GC cell proliferation and apoptosis was confirmed by cell counting kit-8 assay and flow cytometry analysis. The targeted relationships among circ- ZFR, miR-130a/miR-107, and PTEN were predicted via bioinformatics analysis and demonstrated by dual-luciferase reporter assay and RNA immunoprecipitation assay. The impact of ZFR on gastric tumor was further verified in xenograft mice model experiment. Results Circ-ZFR and PTEN were low-expressed whereas miR-107 and miR-130a were highexpressed in GC tissues and cells. There existed targeted relationships and interactions between miR-130a/miR-107 and ZFR/PTEN. Circ-ZFR inhibited GC cell propagation, cell cycle and promoted apoptosis by sponging miR-107/miR-130a, while miR-107/miR-130a promoted GC cell propagation and impeded apoptosis through targeting PTEN. Circ-ZFR inhibited cell proliferation and facilitated apoptosis in GC by sponging miR-130a/miR-107 and modulating PTEN. Circ-ZFR curbed GC tumor growth and affected p53 protein expression in vivo. Conclusion Circ-ZFR restrained GC cell proliferation, induced cell cycle arrest and promoted apoptosis by sponging miR-130a/miR-107 and regulating PTEN.

Single-cell RNA sequencing reveals B cell–related molecular biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease

Xiong Liu-Lin,Xue Lu-Lu,Du Ruo-Lan,Niu Rui-Ze,Chen Li,Chen Jie,Hu Qiao,Tan Ya-Xin,Shang Hui-Fang,Liu Jia,Yu Chang-Yin,Wang Ting-Hua 생화학분자생물학회 2021 Experimental and molecular medicine Vol.53 No.-

In recent years, biomarkers have been integrated into the diagnostic process and have become increasingly indispensable for obtaining knowledge of the neurodegenerative processes in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in human blood have been reported to participate in a variety of neurodegenerative activities. Here, a single-cell RNA sequencing analysis of PBMCs from 4 AD patients (2 in the early stage, 2 in the late stage) and 2 normal controls was performed to explore the differential cell subpopulations in PBMCs of AD patients. A significant decrease in B cells was detected in the blood of AD patients. Furthermore, we further examined PBMCs from 43 AD patients and 41 normal subjects by fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS), and combined with correlation analysis, we found that the reduction in B cells was closely correlated with the patients’ Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) scores. To confirm the role of B cells in AD progression, functional experiments were performed in early-stage AD mice in which fibrous plaques were beginning to appear; the results demonstrated that B cell depletion in the early stage of AD markedly accelerated and aggravated cognitive dysfunction and augmented the Aβ burden in AD mice. Importantly, the experiments revealed 18 genes that were specifically upregulated and 7 genes that were specifically downregulated in B cells as the disease progressed, and several of these genes exhibited close correlation with AD. These findings identified possible B cell-based AD severity, which are anticipated to be conducive to the clinical identification of AD progression.

Two Maternal Lineages Revealed by Mitochondrial DNA D-loop Sequences in Chinese Native Water Buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis)

Lei, Chu-Zhao,Zhang, Wei,Chen, Hong,Lu, Fan,Ge, Qing-Lan,Liu, Ruo-Yu,Dang, Rui-Hua,Yao, Yun-Yi,Yao, Li-Bo,Lu, Zi-Fan,Zhao, Zhong-liang Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2007 Animal Bioscience Vol.20 No.4

Little is known about the origin and genetic diversity of swamp buffaloes in China. To obtain more knowledge on genetics of the water buffalo in China, the complete mitochondrial D-loop sequences of 30 samples from 6 native types were investigated. The results revealed 12 mitochondrial haplotypes with 50 polymorphic sites. Among these polymorphic sites, there were 49 transitions and 1 transversion. The average nucleotide diversity and haplotype diversity estimated from mtDNA D-loop region in 6 Chinese water buffalo types were 0.00684 and 0.798, respectively, showing rather abundant mitochondrial genetic diversity. The Neighbor-Joining (NJ) tree of mtDNA of Chinese water buffaloes was constructed according to the 12 haplotypes. The NJ tree indicated two lineages being designated lineage A and lineage B, in which lineage A was predominant, and lineage B was at low frequency. The new lineage B was first discovered and defined in 6 Chinese water buffalo types. These results showed that two different maternal lineages were involved in the origin of domestic swamp buffaloes in China and the lineage B was probably an introgression from Southeast Asian buffaloes.

African Maternal Origin and Genetic Diversity of Chinese Domestic Donkeys

Lei, Chu-Zhao,Ge, Qing-Lan,Zhang, Hu-Cai,Liu, Ruo-Yu,Zhang, Wei,Jiang, Yong-Qing,Dang, Rui-Hua,Zheng, Hui-Ling,Hou, Wen-Tong,Chen, Hong Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2007 Animal Bioscience Vol.20 No.5

The origin of domestic donkeys in China has been controversial. To clarify the origin of Chinese domestic donkeys, we investigated the partial mitochondrial D-loop sequences of 126 samples from 12 native breeds. The results revealed two mitochondrial origins, lineage Somali and lineage Nubian of African wild ass detected in Chinese domestic donkeys. Lineage Somali was predominant in Chinese domestic donkey breeds. The pattern of genetic variation in ass mtDNA D-loop sequences indicated that the two lineages Somali and Nubian from China had undergone population expansion events. In a combined analysis of lineages Somali and Nubian between previously published sequences from other countries/regions and sequences of Chinese domestic donkeys, the results indicated that the two lineages of Chinese domestic donkeys were from Africa and supported the African maternal origins of Chinese domestic donkeys. There was no obvious geographical structure in Chinese domestic donkey breeds, but the population showed abundant mtDNA diversity. The spread routes of Chinese domestic donkeys were also discussed.

Dissipative Particle Dynamics Simulation on the Formation Process of CeO₂ Nanoparticles in Alcohol Aqueous Solutions

Zhang, Qi,Zhong, Jing,Yang, Bao-Zhu,Huang, Wei-Qiu,Chen, Ruo-Yu,Liao, Jun-Min,Gu, Chi-Ruei,Chen, Cheng-Lung Korean Chemical Society 2012 대한화학회지 Vol.56 No.4

Dissipative particle dynamics (DPD) was carried out to study the nucleation and crystal growth process of $CeO_2$ nanoparticles in different alcohol aqueous solutions. The results showed that the nucleation and crystal growth process of $CeO_2$ can be classified into three stages: nuclei growth, crystal stabilization and crystal aggregation except the initial induction stage, which could be reproduced by collecting simulation results after different simulation time. Properly selecting the sizes of $CeO_2$ and water bead was crucial in the simulation system. The influence of alcohol type and content in solutions, and precipitation temperature on the particle dimension were investigated in detail and compared with the experimental results. The consistency between simulation results and experimental data verify that the simulation can reproduce the macroscopic particle aggregation process. The effect of solvent on the nucleation and crystal growth of $CeO_2$ nanoparticles are different at three stages and can not be simply described by Derjaguin-Landau-Verwey-Overbeek (DLVO) theory or nucleation thermodynamics theory. Our work demonstrated that DPD methods can be applied to study nanoparticle forming process.

Fabrication of Hierarchical N-doped Carbon Nanotubes for CO2 Adsorption

Hongning Wang,Chao Xu,Yongsheng Zhou,Wenpu Zhao,Jing Zhong,Wei-Qiu Huang,Ruo-Yu Chen 성균관대학교(자연과학캠퍼스) 성균나노과학기술원 2019 NANO Vol.14 No.6

Hierarchical N-doped carbon nanotubes (NCTs) with controllable aspect ratios were developed for CO2 adsorption. In this work, NCTs were synthesized by coating different amounts of 3-aminophenol/formaldehyde resin (APF) on the outer layer of silica nanotubes, carbonizing in N2 at 700 ℃ and removing the silica and Ni template by hydrofluoric acid etching. The obtained NCTs were activated by K2CO3. After activation, micropores on the activated N-doped carbon nanotubes (ANCTs) were enriched, the micro-surface area and pore volume of ANCT-1.0 reached 1195 m2 g-1 and 0.45 cm3 g-1, respectively, and the corresponding adsorption capacity increased by 50% (4.50 mmol g -1 at 0 ℃ and 1 bar). Moreover, ANCT-1.0 maintained a high stability throughout consecutive adsorption–desorption cycles. The advantages of hierarchical N-doped carbon nanotubes, including their meso–microporous structures, high geometric aspect ratio and good stability, make them valuable and promising materials to capture carbon dioxide.