8q24 rs4242382 Polymorphism is a Risk Factor for Prostate Cancer among Multi-Ethnic Populations: Evidence from Clinical Detection in China and a Meta-analysis

Zhao, Cheng-Xiao,Liu, Ming,Xu, Yong,Yang, Kuo,Wei, Dong,Shi, Xiao-Hong,Yang, Fan,Zhang, Yao-Guang,Wang, Xin,Liang, Si-Ying,Zhao, Fan,Zhang, Yu-Rong,Wang, Na-Na,Chen, Xin,Sun, Liang,Zhu, Xiao-Quan,Yuan Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.19

Background: Evidence supporting an association between the 8q24 rs4242382-A polymorphism and prostate cancer (PCa) risk has been reported in North American and Europe populations, though data from Asian populations remain limited. We therefore investigated this association by clinical detection in China, and meta-analysis in Asian, Caucasian and African-American populations. Materials and Methods: Blood samples and clinical information were collected from ethnically Chinese men from Northern China with histologically-confirmed PCa (n=335) and from age-matched normal controls (n=347). The 8q24 (rs4242382) gene polymorphism was genotyped by polymerase chain reaction-high-resolution melting analysis. We initially analyzed the associations between the risk allele and PCa and clinical covariates. A meta-analysis was then performed using genotyping data from a total of 1,793 PCa cases and 1,864 controls from our study and previously published studies in American and European populations, to determine the association between PCa and risk genotype. Results: The incidence of the risk allele was higher in PCa cases than controls (0.222 vs 0.140, $P=7.3{\times}10^{-5}$), suggesting that the 8q24 rs4242382-A polymorphism was associated with PCa risk in Chinese men. The genotypes in subjects were in accordance with a dominant genetic model (ORadj=2.03, 95%CI: 1.42-2.91, $Padj=1.1{\times}10^{-4}$). Presence of the risk allele rs4242382-A at 8q24 was also associated with clinical covariates including age at diagnosis ${\geq}65$ years, prostate specific antigen >10 ng/ml, Gleason score <8, tumor stage and aggressive PCa, compared with the non-risk genotype ($P=4.6{\times}10^{-5}-3.0{\times}10^{-2}$). Meta-analysis confirmed the association between 8q24 rs4242382-A polymorphism and PCa risk (OR=1.62, 95%CI: 1.39-1.88, $P=1.0{\times}10^{-5}$) across Asian, Caucasian and African American populations. Conclusions: The replicated data suggest that the 8q24 rs4242382-A variation might be associated with increased PCa susceptibility in Asian, Caucasian and African American populations. These results imply that this polymorphism may be a useful risk biomarker for PCa in multi-ethnic populations.

rs10505474 and rs7837328 at 8q24 Cumulatively Confer Risk of Prostate Cancer in Northern Han Chinese

Zhang, Lin-Lin,Sun, Liang,Zhu, Xiao-Quan,Xu, Yong,Yang, Kuo,Yang, Fan,Yang, Yi-Ge,Chen, Guo-Qiang,Fu, Ji-Cheng,Zheng, Chen-Guang,Li, Ying,Mu, Xiao-Qiu,Shi, Xiao-Hong,Zhao, Fan,Wang, Fei,Yang, Ze,Wang, Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.7

Aims: Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified several risk variants for prostate cancer (pCa) mainly in Europeans, which need to be further verified in other racial groups. We selected six previously identified variants as candidates and to define the association with PCa in Northern Han Chinese. Methods: 749 subjects from Beijing and Tianjin in Northern China were included. Six variants (rs10505474, rs7837328, rs4242384, rs7813, rs486907 and rs1058205) were genotyped by high resolution melting (HRM) assays. The individual and cumulative contribution for of the risk of PCa and clinical covariates were analyzed. Results: Among the six candidate variants, onlyrs10505474, and rs7837328, both locating at 8q24 region, were associated with PCa in our population.rs10505474 (A) was associated with PCa ($OR_{recessive}=1.56$, p=0.006); and rs7837328 (A) was associated with PCa ($OR_{dominant}=1.38$, p=0.042/$OR_{recessive}=1.99$, p=0.003). Moreover, we observed a cumulative effects between them ($p_{trend}=2.58{\times}10^{-5}$). The joint population attributable risk showed the two variants might account for 71.85% of PCa risk. In addition, we found the homozygotes of rs10505474 (A) and rs7837328 (A) were associated with PCa clinical covariants (age at onset, tumor stage, respectively) ($p_{age}=0.046$, $P_{tumorstage}=0.048$). Conclusion: rs10505474 (A) and rs7387328 (A) at 8q24 are associated with PCa and cumulatively confer risk, suggesting the two variations could determine susceptibility to PCa in the Northern Chinese Han population.

Functional mechanisms for diabetic nephropathy-associated genetic variants

Hong Xu,Chengxin Gong,Yonghu Xu,Yongfang Fan,Xingzi Liu,Chaopeng Xiong,Luling He,Changle Liu,Shenqiang Rao,Wen Xiao,Lu Ding,Lan Tang,Fangfang Hu,Mengqi Xiong,Mei Yang,Shangdong Liang 한국유전학회 2016 Genes & Genomics Vol.38 No.7

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is one of the major complications of diabetes. A tremendous amount of genetic variations have been identified to be associated with DN. However, most of them only generate from statistical associations at the DNA level, generally without direct functional evidence regarding their association mechanisms underlying DN. Based on the publicly available datasets and resources, this study performed integrative analyses (expression quantitative trait loci analysis, differential gene expression analysis and functional prediction analysis) to detect the molecular functional mechanisms underlying the associations for DN. Among 150 selected (P\E-4) genetic associations that were archived in the public databases, two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (rs3135377 and rs9469220) have been found to act as cis-effect regulators of the ‘‘identified’’ gene (HLADRA and HLA-DRB1). These eQTL genes have differential expression signals in the DN-associated cell groups. These SNPs were predicted as regulatory sites by utilizing online prediction tools. Our data suggest potential mechanistic links underlying the association between DN and two identified SNPs. These results could help us to have a deeper understanding of the functional relevance of genetic variants with susceptibility to DN, which is useful for pursuit of in-depth validation studies to dissect their involvements and molecular functional mechanisms in DN.

Phylogeny and molecular evolution of the DMC1 gene within the StH genome species in Triticeae (Poaceae)

Xiao-Li Wang,Xing Fan,Jian Zeng,Li-Na Sha,Hai-Qin Zhang,Hou-Yang Kang,Rui-Wu Yang,Li Zhang,Chun-Bang Ding,Yong-Hong Zhou 한국유전학회 2012 Genes & Genomics Vol.34 No.3

To estimate the phylogeny and molecular evolution of a single-copy nuclear disrupted meiotic cDNA (DMC1) gene within the StH genome species, two DMC1 homoeologous sequences were isolated from nearly all the sampled StH genome species and were analyzed with those from seven diploid taxa representing the St and H genomes in Triticeae. Sequence diversity patterns and genealogical analysis suggested that (1) there is a close relationship among North American StH genome species;(2) the DMC1 gene sequences of the StH genome species from North America and Eurasia are evolutionarily distinct;(3) the StH genome polyploids have higher levels of sequence diversity in the St genome homoeolog than the H genome homoeolog;(4) the DMC1 sequence may evolve faster in the polyploid species than in the diploids; (5) high dN and dN/dS values in the St genome within polyploid species could be caused by low selective constraints or AT-biased mutation pressure. Our result provides some insight on evolutionary dynamics of duplicate DMC1 gene, the polyploidization events and phylogeny of the StH genome species.

Multicentre Hospital-based Case-control Study of Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma in Shanghai, China

Fan, Rong,Zhang, Lu-Yao,Wang, Hong,Yang, Bo,Han, Tao,Zhao, Xiao-Li,Wang, Wei,Wang, Xiao-Qin,Lin, Guo-Wei Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.7

Background: Several potential risk factors have been identified for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL); however, epidemiological studies investigating the association between these risk factors and DLBCL have yielded inconsistent results. Objectives: To investigate potential medical, lifestyle, and environmental risk factors of DLBCL in Shanghai, China through a hospital-based case-control study. Method: One-hundred-and-forty-seven newly diagnosed DLBCL patients and 294 sex- and age-matched controls were recruited from 11 hospitals in Shanghai between 2003 and 2007. A standardized structured questionnaire was used to obtain patient data on demographics, medical history, family history, lifestyle, and environmental exposures. Conditional logistic regression models were used to estimate odds ratios (ORs), with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), for risk associated with each data category. Results: History of tuberculosis (TB) infection and "living on a farm" were positively associated with DLBCL (TB: OR=3.05, 95% CI: 1.19-7.80; farm: OR=1.82, 95% CI: 1.21-2.73). In contrast, taking traditional Chinese medicine was negatively associated with DLBCL (OR=0.36, 95% CI: 0.14-0.89). No significant correlation with DLBCL risk was found for any of the other potential risk factors (p>0.05), including but not limited to hair dyes, alcohol drinking, smoking, and home/workplace renovation within one year. Conclusions: Consistent with results from previous studies in other DLBCL case populations, traditional Chinese medicine appeared to have a direct or indirect protective effect against DLBCL. However, this study also identified a possible predisposition for DLBCL in TB sufferers and farmers.

Low Counts of γδ T Cells in Peritumoral Liver Tissue are Related to More Frequent Recurrence in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma after Curative Resection

Cai, Xiao-Yan,Wang, Jia-Xing,Yi, Yong,He, Hong-Wei,Ni, Xiao-Chun,Zhou, Jian,Cheng, Yun-Feng,Jin, Jian-Jun,Fan, Jia,Qiu, Shuang-Jian Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.2

Objectives: TCR-gamma-delta+T cells (${\gamma}{\delta}$ T cells) are non-conventional T lymphocytes that can recognize and eradicate tumor cells. Our previous studies showed that infiltration and function of ${\gamma}{\delta}$ T cells were substantially attenuated in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, their prognostic value was not clarified. Methods: The association between ${\gamma}{\delta}$ T cells and the clinical outcomes was determined by immunohistochemistry (IHC) in a HCC patient cohort (n = 342). Results:Immunohistochemistry showed decreased infiltration of ${\gamma}{\delta}$ T cells in tumoral tissues compared with paired peritumoral tissues. The counts of ${\gamma}{\delta}$ T cells in peritumoral tissues were negatively correlated with tumor size (P = 0.005). Survival analysis showed that the levels of peritumoral ${\gamma}{\delta}$T cells were related to both time to recurrence (TTR) and overall survival (OS) (P = 0.010 and P = 0.036, respectively) in univariate analysis, and related to TTR in multivariate analysis (P = 0.014, H.R. [95% CI] = 0.682 [0.502-0.927]). Furthermore, the level of peritumoral ${\gamma}{\delta}$ T cells showed independent prognostic value for TTR in Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage A patients (P = 0.038, H.R. [95% CI] = 0.727 [0.537-0.984]). However, tumoral ${\gamma}{\delta}$ T cells did not show independent prognostic value for either TTR or OS in HCC patients. Conclusions: Low counts of ${\gamma}{\delta}$ T cells in peritumoral liver tissue are related to a higher incidence of recurrence in HCC and can predict postoperative recurrence, especially in those with early-stage HCC.

Acupuncture reduces nicotine-induced norepinephrine release in the hypothalamus via the solitary NMDA receptor/NOS pathway

Liu, Hong Feng,Zhao, ZhengLin,Zhang, Jie,Wu, Yi Yan,Jiao, Yu,Wu, Tong,Kim, Sang Chan,Lee, Bong Hyo,Fan, Yu,Lee, Chul Won,Kim, Young Woo,Yang, Chae Ha,Zhu, Xiao Dong,Zhao, Rong Jie Elsevier 2019 Neuroscience Letters Vol.705 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>Noradrenergic projections from the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) to the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) are involved in nicotine (Nic) dependence. Nic induces hypothalamic norepinephrine (NE) release through <I>N</I>-methyl-<SMALL>D</SMALL>-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) and nitric oxide in the NTS. However, acupuncture attenuates Nic withdrawal-induced anxiety. Therefore, this study investigated the effects of acupuncture on Nic-induced hypothalamic NE release. Rats received an intravenous infusion of Nic (90 μg/kg, over 60 s) and extracellular NE levels in the PVN were determined by in vivo microdialysis. Immediately after Nic administration, the rats were bilaterally treated with acupuncture at acupoint HT7 (Shen-Men) or PC6 (Nei-Guan), or a non-acupoint (tail) for 60 s. Acupuncture at HT7, but not at PC6 or the tail, significantly reduced Nic-induced NE release. However, this was abolished by a post-acupuncture infusion of either NMDA or sodium nitroprusside into the NTS. Additionally, acupuncture at HT7, but not the control points, prevented Nic-induced plasma corticosterone secretion and inhibited Nic-induced increases in the phosphorylation of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) and endothelial NOS in the NTS. These findings suggest that acupuncture at HT7 reduces Nic-induced NE release in the PVN via inhibition of the solitary NMDAR/NOS pathway.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Acupuncture inhibited nicotine-induced hypothalamic norepinephrine release. </LI> <LI> Acupuncture diminished nicotine-induced plasma corticosterone secretion. </LI> <LI> Acupuncture reversed nicotine-induced phosphorylation of solitary nNOS and eNOS. </LI> <LI> NMDA abolished acupunctural effects on nicotine-induced norepinephrine release. </LI> <LI> NO abolished acupunctural effects on nicotine-induced norepinephrine release. </LI> </UL> </P>

Serum Amyloid A is a Novel Prognostic Biomarker in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Ni, Xiao-Chun,Yi, Yong,Fu, Yi-Peng,He, Hong-Wei,Cai, Xiao-Yan,Wang, Jia-Xing,Zhou, Jian,Fan, Jia,Qiu, Shuang-Jian Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.24

Purpose: To investigate the prognostic value of serum amyloid A (SAA) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) undergoing surgery. Materials and Methods: Preoperative serum samples of 328 patients with HCC who underwent curative resection and of 47 patients with benign liver lesion were assayed. Serum levels of SAA were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and its correlations with clinicopathological characteristics and survival were explored. Results: Levels of SAA were significantly higher in patients with HCC than those with benign liver lesion. There were strong correlations between preoperative serum SAA level and tumor size and more advanced BCLC stage. On univariate analysis, elevated SAA was associated with reduced disease-free survival and overall survival (p=0.001 and 0.03, respectively). Multivariate analyses showed that serum SAA level was an independent prognostic factor for overall survival (hazard ratio 2.80, p=0.01). Conclusions: High SAA serum level is a novel biomarker for the prognosis of HCC patients.

Bacterial Microbiome Differences between the Roots of Diseased and Healthy Chinese Hickory (Carya cathayensis) Trees

Bai Xiao-Hui,Yao Qi,Li Genshan,Guan Guan-Xiu,Fan Yan,Cao Xiufeng,Ma Hong-Guang,Zhang Mei-Man,Fang Lishan,Hong Aijuan,Zhai Dacai 한국미생물·생명공학회 2023 Journal of microbiology and biotechnology Vol.33 No.10

Carya cathayensis is an important economic nut tree that is endemic to eastern China. As such, outbreaks of root rot disease in C. cathayensis result in reduced yields and serious economic losses. Moreover, while soil bacterial communities play a crucial role in plant health and are associated with plant disease outbreaks, their diversity and composition in C. cathayensis are not clearly understood. In this study, Proteobacteria, Acidobacteria, and Actinobacteria were found to be the most dominant bacterial communities (accounting for approximately 80.32% of the total) in the root tissue, rhizosphere soil, and bulk soil of healthy C. cathayensis specimens. Further analysis revealed the abundance of genera belonging to Proteobacteria, namely, Acidibacter, Bradyrhizobium, Paraburkholderia, Sphaerotilus, and Steroidobacter, was higher in the root tissues of healthy C. cathayensis specimens than in those of diseased and dead trees. In addition, the abundance of four genera belonging to Actinobacteria, namely, Actinoallomurus, Actinomadura, Actinocrinis, and Gaiella, was significantly higher in the root tissues of healthy C. cathayensis specimens than in those of diseased and dead trees. Altogether, these results suggest that disruption in the balance of these bacterial communities may be associated with the development of root rot in C. cathayensis, and further, our study provides theoretical guidance for the isolation and control of pathogens and diseases related to this important tree species.

Research on a New 12-Pulse Step-Up and Step-Down Aviation Auto-Transformer Rectifier

Jiang, Fan,Ge, Hong-juan,Dong, Xiao-xu,Zhang, Lu The Korean Institute of Power Electronics 2018 JOURNAL OF POWER ELECTRONICS Vol.18 No.1

This paper presents a new step-up and step-down multi-pulse auto-transformer rectifier unit (ATRU) topology. This structure can achieve a wide range of output voltages, which solves the problem of auto-transformer output voltage being difficult to regulate. Adding middle taps to the primary winding and reasonably setting the number of auto-transformer windings, constituted two groups of three-phase output voltages with a $30^{\circ}$ phase difference. Multi-pulse output DC voltage is obtained after a three-phase output voltage across two rectifier bridges and inter-phase reactor. Thus, the output DC voltage is related to the number and configuration of the auto-transformer winding. In this paper, the relationship between the voltage ratio of the auto-transformer and the ratio of winding, input current and auto-transformer kilovoltampere rating are deduced and validated by simulations. On this basis, the output voltage range is optimized. An experiment on two different voltage ratio principle prototypes was carried out to verify the correctness of the analysis design.