Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) Gene Polymorphisms and Breast Cancer Risk in a Chinese Population

Luo, Ting,Chen, Long,He, Ping,Hu, Qian-Cheng,Zhong, Xiao-Rong,Sun, Yu,Yang, Yuan-Fu,Tian, Ting-Lun,Zheng, Hong Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.4

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a potent regulator of angiogenesis and thereby involved in the development and progression of solid tumours. Associations between three VEGF gene polymorphisms (-634 G/C, +936 C/T, and +1612 G/A) and breast cancer risk have been extensively studied, but the currently available results are inconclusive. Our aim was to investigate associations between three VEGF gene polymorphisms and breast cancer risk in Chinese Han patients. We performed a hospital-based case-control study including 680 female incident breast cancer patients and 680 female age-matched healthy control subjects. Polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis was performed to detect the three VEGF gene polymorphisms. We observed that women carriers of +936 TT genotypes [odds ratio (OR) =0.46, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.28, 0.76; P=0.002] or 936 T-allele (OR=0.81, 95% CI= 0.68, 0.98; P=0.03) had a protective effect concerning the disease. Our study suggested that the +1612G/A polymorphism was unlikely to be associated with breast cancer risk. The -634CC genotype was significantly associated with high tumor aggressiveness [large tumor size (OR=2.63, 95% CI=1.15, 6.02; P=0.02) and high histologic grade (OR=1.47, 95% CI= 1.06, 2.03; P=0.02)]. The genotypes were not related with other tumor characteristics such as regional or distant metastasis, stage at diagnosis, or estrogen or progesterone receptor status. Our study revealed that the VEGF -634 G/C and +936 C/T gene polymorphisms may be associated with breast cancer in Chinese Han patients.

Neither Here nor There: The Representation of Post-Socialist Space in The World and Still Life and Jia Zhangke's Transcendence of Realism

Luo, Ting 성균관대학교 동아시아학술원 2015 Sungkyun Journal of East Asian Studies Vol.15 No.2

From the beginning of his career to 2002, Jia Zhangke, a preeminent Chinese Sixth Generation filmmaker, has presented realist depictions of various spaces in his films. This study, however, focuses on his films The World (2004) and Still Life (2006) in which Jia discovers two basic post-socialist China spatial forms, the local simulacrum of the transnational space, and ruins, in an unconventional style that goes beyond his previous realism. In The World, the local simulacrum of the transnational space and the virtual world of animation together create a heightened symbolic space which forms a metaphor for several paradoxical relationships found within post-socialist conditions In Still Life, Jia achieves a defamiliarizing effect by employing some surreal elements, presenting ruins as liminal spaces that only exist in the present moment as transitory phenomena. The study thus suggests that Jia's transcendence of realism is part of his generation's common cinematic renewal of jishizhuyi (realism).

Effects of different culture systems on the culture of buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) spermatogonia stem cell-like cells in vitro

Ting-Ting Li,Shuang-Shuang Geng,Hui-Yan Xu,Ao-Lin Luo,Peng-Wei Zhao,Huan Yang,Xing-Wei Liang,Yang-Qing Lu,Xiao-Gan Yang,Ke-Huan Lu 대한수의학회 2020 Journal of Veterinary Science Vol.21 No.1

Currently, the systems for culturing buffalo spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) in vitro are varied, and their effects are still inconclusive. In this study, we compared the effects of culture systems with undefined (foetal bovine serum) and defined (KnockOut Serum Replacement) materials on the in vitro culture of buffalo SSC-like cells. Significantly more DDX4- and UCHL1-positive cells (cultured for 2 days at passage 2) were observed in the defined materials culture system than in the undefined materials system (p < 0.01), and these cells were maintained for a longer period than those in the culture system with undefined materials (10 days vs. 6 days). Furthermore, NANOS2 (p < 0.05), DDX4 (p < 0.01) and UCHL1 (p < 0.05) were expressed at significantly higher levels in the culture system with defined materials than in that with undefined materials. Induction with retinoic acid was used to verify that the cultured cells maintained SSC characteristics, revealing an SCP3+ subset in the cells cultured in the defined materials system. The expression levels of Stra8 (p < 0.05) and Rec8 (p < 0.01) were significantly increased, and the expression levels of ZBTB16 (p < 0.01) and DDX4 (p < 0.05) were significantly decreased. These findings provided a clearer research platform for exploring the mechanism of buffalo SSCs in vitro.

The impact of lymph node dissection on survival in patients with clinical early-stage ovarian cancer

Ting Deng,Qidan Huang,Ting Wan,Xiaoling Luo,Yanling Feng,He Huang,Jihong Liu 대한부인종양학회 2021 Journal of Gynecologic Oncology Vol.32 No.3

Objective: To estimate the impact of lymph node dissection on survival in patients withapparent early-stage epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of patients with clinical stage I–II EOC. Allpatients underwent primary surgery at Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center between January2003 and December 2015. Demographic features and clinicopathological information as wellas perioperative adverse events were investigated, and survival analyses were performed. Results: A total of 400 ovarian cancer patients were enrolled, and patients were divided into2 groups: 81 patients did not undergo lymph node resection (group A), and 319 patientsunderwent lymph node dissection (group B). In group B, the median number of removednodes per patient was 25 (21 pelvic and 4 para-aortic nodes). In groups A and B, respectively,the 5-year progression-free survival (PFS) rates were 83.3% and 82.1% (p=0.305), and the5-year overall survival (OS) rates were 93.1% and 90.9% (p=0.645). The recurrence rate inthe retroperitoneal lymph nodes was not associated with lymph node dissection (p=0.121). The median operating time was markedly longer in group B than in group A (220 minutesvs. 155 minutes, p<0.001), and group B had a significantly higher incidence of lymph cysts atdischarge (32.9% vs. 0.0%, p<0.001). Conclusion: In patients with early-stage ovarian cancer, lymph node dissection was notassociated with a gain in OS or PFS and was associated with an increased incidence ofperioperative adverse events.

Expression and Prohibition of Desire: Cinematic Representation of Dreams as Alternative Aesthetics in Modern Chinese Film

( Ting Luo ) 성균관대학교 동아시아학술원 2019 Sungkyun Journal of East Asian Studies Vol.19 No.2

This article examines dreams in an array of Chinese films, ranging from popular to modernist, that emerged in several transformative historical moments from the post-May Fourth period of the 1920s through the Reform Era of the 1980s. Through the contextualisation of film dreams, this article explores how oneiric representation waxed and waned in relation to the changing status of realism as aesthetic orthodoxy in the Chinese context. During the journey of emergence, deprivation, and return on the Chinese screen, film dreams become socialised and allegorised in a particular period as a symptom or index of a broader historical reality to which they respond or that they reflect. This article therefore argues that film dreams touched upon the kernel of historic situations and ideology in a way that had not yet reached a universal moment in realist representation.

A Novel Mannose-binding Tuber Lectin from Typhonium divaricatum (L.) Decne (family Araceae) with Antiviral Activity Against HSV-II and Anti-proliferative Effect on Human Cancer Cell Lines

( Yong Ting Luo ),( Xiao Chao Xu ),( Ji Wei Liu ),( Jian Li ),( Yi Sheng Sun ),( Zhen Liu ),( Jin Zhi Liu ),( Els Van Damme ),( Jan Balzarini ),( Jin Ku Bao ) 생화학분자생물학회 2007 BMB Reports Vol.40 No.3

Whole Cell-mediated Biocatalytic Synthesis of Helicid Cinnamylate and Its Biological Evaluation as a Novel Tyrosinase Inhibitor

Rong-ling Yang,Xi Chen,Yu-ye Song,Qian-lin Zhu,Muhammad Bilal,Yu Wang,Zheng Tong,Ting-ting Wu,Zhao-Yu Wang,Hong-zhen Luo,Xiang-jie Zhao,Ting-ting He 한국생물공학회 2022 Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering Vol.27 No.3

Tyrosinase inhibitors are clinically effective for treating some dermatological disorders related to melanin hyperpigmentation. Accordingly, the discovery and development of tyrosinase inhibitors have great value in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry. Here, a novel tyrosinase inhibitor, 6′-O-cinnamoyl-helicid (helicid cinnamylate) was successfully synthesized by a simple and effective biocatalytic approach with Aspergillus oryzae cells. Investigation of the effects of several key variables on helicid cinnamylate synthesis found that the reaction conversion, reaction rate and regioselectivity reached 99%, 9.40 mM/h and > 99%, respectively, at the optimal conditions with anhydrous acetone as the solvent, whole-cell concentration of 40 mg/mL, and the molar ratio of vinyl cinnamate to helicid of 10 at 45°C. The whole-cells retained 68.87% of its initial activity after reusing for seven batches, indicating a potent application potential in non-aqueous biocatalytic systems. It was worth noting that helicid cinnamylate demonstrated a more potent tyrosinase inhibitory activity with an IC50 value of 3.55 mM than helicid (IC50 = 4.48 mM) and arbutin (IC50 = 5.48 mM), which suggest that helicid cinnamylate could be developed as a more potential tyrosinase inhibitor. In conclusion, this study provides a novel whole-cell catalytic approach for the synthesis of helicid cinnamylate and insight into its application as a tyrosinase inhibitor.

Vγ1+ γδT Cells Are Correlated With Increasing Expression of Eosinophil Cationic Protein and Metalloproteinase-7 in Chronic Rhinosinusitis With Nasal Polyps Inducing the Formation of Edema

Luo-ying Yang,Xia Li,Wen-ting Li,Jian-cong Huang,Zhi-yuan Wang,Zi-zhen Huang,Li-hong Chang,Ge-hua Zhang 대한천식알레르기학회 2017 Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Research Vol.9 No.2

Purpose: We have found that expression of γδT cells is increased in pathological mucosa of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) compared with normal nasal mucosa. This increase is correlated with the infiltration of eosinophils in CRSwNP. Here, we investigated the expression of γδT cells, inflammation and tissue remodeling factors as well as their probable relationships in different types of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) in China. Methods: A total of 76 surgical tissue samples that included 43 CRSwNP samples (15 eosinophilic and 28 non-eosinophilic), 17 CRS samples without nasal polyps (CRSsNP), and 16 controls were obtained. Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to measure the mRNA expression levels of Vγ1+ γδT cells, Vγ4+ γδT cells, eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), interleukin (IL)-8, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β2, metalloproteinase (MMP)-7, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-4 and hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure the protein level of ECP and MMP-7 in CRSwNP. The eosinophils were counted and the level of edema was analyzed with HE staining. Results: The mRNA expression levels of the Vγ1 subset, ECP and MMP-7 were significantly increased in CRSwNP with histological characteristics of eosinophilic infiltration and edema. The expression of the Vγ1 gene in CRSwNP correlated positively with the expression of both ECP and MMP-7. No significant decreases in the mRNA expression levels of TGF-β2, TIMP-4 or HIF-1α were observed in the CRSwNP samples. The expression levels of Vγ1 gene, ECP and MMP-7 were significantly increased in eosinophilic CRSwNP compared to non-eosinophilic CRSwNP. Conclusions: Our results suggest the associations between Vγ1+ γδT cells, ECP and MMP-7 in CRSwNP, indicating that Vγ1+ γδT cells can induce the eosinophilic inflammation, which has a further effect on the formation of edema.

Thickness-dependent reversible hydrogenation of graphene layers.

Luo, Zhiqiang,Yu, Ting,Kim, Ki-Jeong,Ni, Zhenhua,You, Yumeng,Lim, Sanhua,Shen, Zexiang,Wang, Shanzhong,Lin, Jianyi American Chemical Society 2009 ACS NANO Vol.3 No.7

<P>In this work, graphene layers on SiO(2)/Si substrate have been chemically decorated by radio frequency hydrogen plasma. Hydrogen coverage investigation by Raman spectroscopy and micro-X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy characterization demonstrates that the hydrogenation of single layer graphene on SiO(2)/Si substrate is much less feasible than that of bilayer and multilayer graphene. Both the hydrogenation and dehydrogenation process of the graphene layers are controlled by the corresponding energy barriers, which show significant dependence on the number of layers. The extent of decorated carbon atoms in graphene layers can be manipulated reversibly up to the saturation coverage, which facilitates engineering of chemically decorated graphene with various functional groups via plasma techniques.</P>

S100A4 Expression is Closely Linked to Genesis and Progression of Glioma by Regulating Proliferation, Apoptosis, Migration and Invasion

Jin, Ting,Zhang, Zhuo,Yang, Xue-Feng,Luo, Jun-Sheng Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.7

Background: The calcium-binding S100A4 protein is involved in epithelial to mesenchymal transition, oncogenic transformation, angiogenesis, cytoskeletal integrity, mobility and metastasis of cancer cells. This study aimed to clarify the roles of S100A4 in genesis and progression of glioma. Materials and Methods: S100A4 expression was examined by real-time RT-CPR and Western blot in glioma and paired normal brain tissue (n=69), and compared with clinicopathological parameters of tumors. In addition, glioma U251 cells transfected with an S100A4-expressing plasmid were examined for proliferation by MTT, apoptosis by Annexin V-FITC, and migration and invasion with Transwell chambers. Results: Increased S100A4 mRNA expression was found in gliomas, compared with paired non-tumor tissue (p<0.001). Gradual elevation of overexpression of S100A4 was observed with increasing glioma grade (p<0.001). Astrocytoma showed lower S100A4 mRNA expression than oligodendrogliomas, with glioblastomas having highest values (p<0.001). Similar results were obtained for S100A4 protein, a positive link being found between mRNA and protein expression in gliomas (p<0.001). There was higher growth, lower apoptosis, stronger migration and invasion of S100A4 transfectants than control and mock transfected cells (p<0.001). Conclusions: These findings indicate that up-regulated S100A4 expression is positively linked to pathogenesis, progression and histogenesis of glioma by modulating proliferation, apoptosis, migration and invasion.