Sorption kinetics of sulphate ions on quaternary ammonium-modified rice straw

Wei Cao,Zhi Dang,Bao-Ling Yuan,Chun-Hua Shen,Jin Kan,Xiu-Ling Xue 한국공업화학회 2014 Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Vol.20 No.4

Batch sorption experiments with variable concentration of sulphate and temperature were conducted to investigate sorption kinetics of sulphate ions on quaternary ammonium-modified rice straw (QMRS). Kinetic data were discussed with pseudo first- and second-order rate equations and diffusion models. The results showed the sorption equilibrium time is about 20 min and the activated energy Ea is 19.3 kJ/mol. Increase of temperature and initial sulphate concentration favored sorption process. The sorption kinetics followed pseudo second-order rate equation, and the overall rate was determined by film diffusion. Additionally, characterization by 13C NMR and EDS confirmed the presence of quaternary ammonium groups in QMRS.

Pokemon Inhibits Transforming Growth Factor β-Smad4-Related Cell Proliferation Arrest in Breast Cancer through Specificity Protein 1

Ling Chen,Jing Zhong,Jiang-Hua Liu,Duan-Fang Liao,Ying-Ying Shen,Xiao-Lin Zhong,Xiao Xiao,Wen-Jun Ding,Xiu-Da Peng,Wei Xiong,Xu-Yu Zu 한국유방암학회 2019 Journal of breast cancer Vol.22 No.1

Purpose: Pokemon, also known as ZBTB7A, belongs to the POZ and Krüppel (POK) family of transcription repressors and is implicated in tumor progression as a key proto-oncogene. This present study aimed at determining the mechanism by which Pokemon inhibits transforming growth factor β (TGFβ)-Smad4 pathway-dependent proliferation arrest of breast cancer cells via specificity protein 1 (SP1). Methods: Over-expressing plasmid or small interfering RNA (siRNA) transfection was used to regulate Pokemon levels. The EdU incorporation assay, MTS assay, and clone formation were used to identify the inhibitory effect of Pokemon siRNA on cell proliferation. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction assay confirmed that Pokemon deletion inhibited the expression of proliferation-associated genes. The dual-luciferase reporter assay, electrophoretic mobility shift assay, and co-immunoprecipitation assay were used to analyze binding between Pokemon, Smad4, and SP1. Results: Pokemon deletion induced proliferation arrest of breast cancer cells and inhibited the expression of proliferation-associated genes, especially Smad4. Pokemon bound with SP1 to interdict Smad4 promoter activity. Information on clinical samples was obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas data, in which the Pokemon mRNA levels showed a negative correlation with Smad4 levels in different subtypes of breast cancer in two independent datasets. Conclusion: We demonstrated that Pokemon binds to SP1 to down-regulate Smad4 expression, thereby promoting proliferation of breast cancer cells. This suggests that Pokemon is a potential TGFβ-signaling participant in breast cancer progression.

2022 Taiwan clinical multicenter expert consensus and recommendations for thyroid radiofrequency ablation

Wei-Che Lin,Wen-Chieh Chen,Pei-Wen Wang,Yi-Chia Chan,Yen-Hsiang Chang,Harn-Shen Chen,Szu-Tah Chen,Wei-Chih Chen,Kai-Lun Cheng,Shun-Yu Chi,Pi-Ling Chiang,Chen-Kai Chou,Feng-Fu Chou,Shun-Chen Huang,Feng 대한초음파의학회 2023 ULTRASONOGRAPHY Vol.42 No.3

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a minimally invasive management strategy that has been widely applied for benign and recurrent malignant thyroid lesions as an alternative to surgery in Taiwan. Members of academic societies for specialists in interventional radiology, endocrinology, and endocrine surgery collaborated to develop the first consensus regarding thyroid RFA in Taiwan. The modified Delphi method was used to reach a consensus. Based on a comprehensive review of recent and valuable literature and expert opinions, the recommendations included indications, pre-procedural evaluations, procedural techniques, post-procedural monitoring, efficacy, and safety, providing a comprehensive review of the application of RFA. The consensus effectively consolidates advice regarding thyroid RFA in clinical practice for local experts.

Analysis of Cancer Incidence in Zhejiang Cancer Registry in China during 2000 to 2009

Du, Ling-Bin,Li, Hui-Zhang,Wang, Xiang-Hui,Zhu, Chen,Liu, Qing-Min,Li, Qi-Long,Li, Xue-Qin,Shen, Yong-Zhou,Zhang, Xin-Pei,Ying, Jiang-Wei,Yu, Chuan-Ding,Mao, Wei-Min Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.14

Objective: The Zhejiang Provincial Cancer Prevention and Control Office collected cancer registration data during 2000 to 2009 from 6 cancer registries in Zhejiang province of China in order to analyze the cancer incidence. Methods: Descriptive analysis included cancer incidence stratified by sex, age and cancer site group. The proportions and cumulative rates of 10 common cancers in different groups were also calculated. Chinese population census in 1982 and Segi's population were used for calculating age-standardized incidence rates. The log-linear model was used for fitting to calculate the incidence trends. Results: The 6 cancer registries in Zhejiang province in China covered a total of 60,087,888 person-years during 2000 to 2009 (males 30,445,904, females 29,641,984). The total number of new cancer cases were 163,104 (males 92,982, females 70,122). The morphology verified cases accounted for 69.7%, and the new cases verified only by information from death certification accounted for 1.23%. The crude incidence rate in Zhejiang cancer registration areas was $271.5/10^5$ during 2000 to 2009 (male $305.41/10^5$, female $236.58/10^5$), age-standardized incidence rates by Chinese standard population (ASIRC) and by world standard population (ASIRW) were $147.1/10^5$ and $188.2/10^5$, the cumulative incidence rate (aged from 0 to 74) being 21.7%. The crude incidence rate was $209.6/10^5$ in 2000, and it increased to $320.20/10^5$ in 2009 (52.8%), with an annual percent change (APC) of 4.51% (95% confidence interval, 3.25%-5.79%). Age-specific incidence rate of 80-84 age group was achieved at the highest point of the incidence curve. Overall with different age groups, the cancer incidences differed, the incidence of liver cancer being highest in 15-44 age group in males; the incidence of breast cancer was the highest in 15-64 age group in females; the incidences of lung cancer were the highest in both males and females over the age of 65 years. Conclusions: Lung cancer, digestive system malignancies and breast cancer are the most common cancers in Zhejiang province in China requiring an especial focus. The incidences of thyroid cancer, prostate cancer, cervical cancer and lymphoma have increased rapidly. Prevention and control measures should be implemented for these cancers.

Charts for estimating rock mass shear strength parameters

Wan, Ling,Wei, Zuoan,Shen, Jiayi Techno-Press 2016 Geomechanics & engineering Vol.10 No.3

Charts are used extensively in slope practical application to meet the need of quick assessment of rock slope design. However, Charts for estimating the shear strength of the rock mass of a slope are considerably limited. In this paper, based on the Hoek-Brown (HB) criterion which is widely used in rock slope engineering, we present charts which can be used to estimate the Mohr-Coulomb (MC) parameters angle of friction ${\phi}$ and cohesion c for given slopes. In order to present the proposed charts, we firstly present the derivation of the theoretical relationships between the MC parameters and ${\sigma}_{ci}/({\gamma}H)$ which is termed the strength ratio (SR). It is found that the values of $c/{\sigma}_{ci}$ and ${\phi}$ of a slope depend only on the magnitude of SR, regardless of the magnitude of the individual parameters ${\sigma}_{ci}$(uniaxial compressive strength), ${\gamma}$(unit weight) and H (slope height). Based on the relationships between the MC parameters and SR, charts are plotted to show the relations between the MC parameters and HB parameters. Using the proposed charts can make a rapid estimation of shear strength of rock masses directly from the HB parameters, slope geometry and rock mass properties for a given slope.

Path Coefficient Analysis on Major Silk Quality Characteristics of the Silkworm, Bombyx mori L.

( Qiao Ling Zhao ),( Long Li ),( Zhao Jun Wei ),( Zhi Fang Zhang ),( Xing Jia Shen ) 한국잠사학회 2002 International Journal of Industrial Entomology Vol.5 No.1

Grab overtaking Uber: The David versus Goliath of Ride-Hailing App in Southeast Asia

Alice Tsz Ling Tam,Alison Wai Ting Lam,Katrina Ngai Han Chiu,Leona Ying Tong Chen,Haipeng Shen,Wei Zhang Academy of Asian Business (AAB) 2018 Academy of Asian Business Review Vol.4 No.2

This case study on Grab, a locally founded ride-hailing startup in ASEAN, traces its development from its humble start to its victory of ousting Uber in 2018. This case study uncovers the elements that contributed to Grab’s success, providing inspiration on how Asian companies can possibly prevail over the more established Western counterparts despite of great adversity. The report compares the development of both Grab and Uber, followed by a discussion of turning points on how Grab played out the battle with Uber across several ASEAN countries without central jurisdiction to favor it. Factors behind the success of Grab for each turning point are closely examined. Potential difficulties faced by Grab and recommendations to solve the problems are also identified. Grab manifests the spirit of “think global and act local” to succeed in the sharing economy by putting feet on the ground and resolving real “pain points” for consumers. While there are increasing number of companies with a sharing economy business model, the conventional approach of offering a low price to customers and a high pay to employees may not guarantee success for a business anymore. This case study of Grab aims to provide insights for these enterprises to conquer the market in the competitive modern business world.

Polymorphic Variation of Inflammation-related Genes and Risk of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma for Uygur and Han Chinese in Xinjiang

Gu, Xia,Shen, Yan,Fu, Ling,Zuo, Hong-Yun,Yasen, Halida,He, Ping,Guo, Xin-Hong,Shi, Yu-Wei,Yusufu, Muhabaiti Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.21

Polymorphisms of inflammation-related genes have been found to be associated with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) or some of its subtypes, but only a few relevant data have been reported in China. In this study, the Snapshot method was used to assess genetic variation; a total of 14 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) for 6 inflammatory factors in 157 NHL cases (64 Uygur ethnic subjects, 93 Han Chinese) and 435 controls (231 Uygur and 204 Han Chinese) were studied from the Xinjiang province of China. Haplotype distribution was estimated using PHASE 2.3 software. Statistical differences in the genotype and haplotype frequencies between case and control groups were also considered and estimated. For the Han population, the geneotype distributions for TNF-${\alpha}rs1800629$, TNF-${\alpha}rs1800630$, IL-6 rs1800795, IL-6 rs1800797, NF-KB1 rs1585215 and TLR-4 rs4986790 showed significant differences between the case and control groups (p<0.05). The TNF-${\alpha}$ gene frequencies of ACG and CCA haplotypes in the cases were higher than in the controls (OR=2.45, 95% CI: 1.55-3.89, p=0.0002, OR=2.53, 95% CI: 1.10-5.80, p=0.029, respectively), and the same findings were detected for TNF-${\beta}$ gene CA haplotype (OR=1.87, 95% CI: 1.21-2.90, p=0.0054). However, for the Uygur population, no such significant differences were detected within the gene-type distribution of the 14 SNPs. The TNF-${\alpha}$ gene frequency of the CCA haplotype between the two groups (OR=1.98, 95% CI: 1.11-3.51, p=0.021) revealed a statistically significant difference. Our results showed that polymorphic variations of inflammation-related genes could be important to the NHL etiology of the Han population, and that these may only have limited influence on the Uygur population.

Berberine Inhibits HEp-2 Cell Invasion Induced by Chlamydophila pneumoniae Infection

Li Jun Zhang,Wei Quan,Bei Bei Wang,Bing Ling Shen,Teng Teng Zhang,Yi Kang 한국미생물학회 2011 The journal of microbiology Vol.49 No.5

This study investigated the inhibitory effects of berberine on Chlamydophila (Chlamydia) pneumoniae infection-induced HEp-2 cell invasion and explored the possible mechanisms involved in this process. C. pneumoniae infection resulted in a significant increase in HEp-2 cell invasion when compared with the control cells (P<0.01) in a Matrigel invasion assay. This enhanced cell invasion was strongly suppressed by berberine (50 μM) (P<0.01). In a cell adhesion assay, the infection-induced HEp-2 cell adhesion to Matrigel was also significantly inhibited by berberine (P<0.01). C. pneumoniae infection was found to promote HEp-2 cell migration remarkably (P<0.01), which was markedly suppressed by berberine (P<0.01) in the cell migration assays. There were no statistically significant differences in the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) and MMP-9 in the infected cells and berberine did not change the expression of MMP-1 and MMP-9. These data suggest that berberine inhibits C. pneumoniae infection-induced HEp-2 cell invasion through suppressing HEp-2 cell adhesion and migration, but not through changing the expression of MMP-1 and MMP-9.

Low-dose diethylhexyl phthalate exposure does not impair the expressive patterns of epigenetics-related genes and DNA methylation of breast cancer-related genes in mouse mammary glands

Shun-Feng Cheng,Ling Li,Bo Li,Jing-Cai Liu,Fang-Nong Lai,Yong Zhao,Xi-Feng Zhang,Wei Shen,Lan Li 대한독성 유전단백체 학회 2018 Molecular & cellular toxicology Vol.14 No.2

Backgrounds: Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), as an endocrine-disrupting chemical (EDC), is widely used in plasticizer and other productions. Ubiquitous human exposure to DEHP has been proposed to be a potential risk to public health. Developmental exposure to DEHP could alter epigenetic programming and result in adult-onset disease. Methods: In this study, we investigated whether DEHP exposure to pregnant mice affected epigenetic changes as a result of increase in breast cancer incidence. Results: Our results showed that the expression of total 143 epigenetics-related genes in mammary gland cells, have no significantly altered after short time and low-dose treated with DEHP from 0.5 days post-coitum (dpc) to 3.5 dpc of pregnant mice. DNA methylation status of some neoplastic development genes, such as EGFr, Esr1, Pgr, Fos and Rassf5 also had no obvious change. Conclusion: These finding showed no impact of DEHP on the expressive patterns of epigenetics-related genes and DNA methylation of breast cancer-related genes in pregnant mouse mammary gland cells.