A Novel Molecular Grading Model: Combination of Ki67 and VEGF in Predicting Tumor Recurrence and Progression in Non-invasive Urothelial Bladder Cancer

Chen, Jun-Xing,Deng, Nan,Chen, Xu,Chen, Ling-Wu,Qiu, Shao-Peng,Li, Xiao-Fei,Li, Jia-Ping Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.5

Purpose: To assess efficacy of Ki67 combined with VEGF as a molecular grading model to predict outcomes with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). Materials: 72 NMIBC patients who underwent transurethral resection (TUR) followed by routine intravesical instillations were retrospectively analyzed in this study. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to confirm the prognostic values of the Ki67 labeling index (LI) and VEGF scoring for tumor recurrence and progression. Results: The novel molecular grading model for NMIBC contained three molecular grades including mG1 (Ki67 $LI{\leq}25%$, VEGF $scoring{\leq}8$), mG2 (Ki67 LI>25%, VEGF $scoring{\leq}8$; or Ki67 $LI{\leq}25%$, VEGF scoring > 8), and mG3 (Ki67 LI > 25%, VEGF scoring > 8), which can indicate favorable, intermediate and poor prognosis, respectively. Conclusions: The described novel molecular grading model utilizing Ki67 LI and VEGF scoring is helpful to effectively and accurately predict outcomes and optimize personal therapy.

Expression of Endogenous Hypoxia Markers in Vulvar Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Li, Yu-Zhu,Li, Shu-Ling,Li, Xia,Wang, Li-Jie,Wang, Jiu-Ling,Xu, Jia-Wen,Wu, Zhi-Hong,Gong, Li,Zhang, Xiao-Dan Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.8

Objective: To investigate the expression of endogenous hypoxia-related markers identified as being involved in vulvar squamous cell carcinoma (VSCC). Methods: We performed immunohistochemical staining of hypoxia-inducible factor-$1{\alpha}$ (HIF-$1{\alpha}$), glucose transporter-1 (GLUT-1), carbonic anhydrase 9 (CA-9) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), on tissue sections of 25 VSCC patients, 10 vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN) patients and 12 healthy controls. Results: HIF-$1{\alpha}$ expression was found in all sections, with no significant difference between controls, VIN and VSCC sections (all P<0.05). Glut-1 expression was found in 25% of control, 90% of VIN and 100% of VSCC sections. A significant difference between control and VIN or VSCC was observed (all P<0.05), while no difference was found between VIN and VSCC sections (P>0.05). CA-9 expression was negative in control sections, but it was found in 30% of VIN sections and 52% of VSCC sections with strong staining. Similarly, CA-9 expression also showed obvious differences between controls and VIN or VSCC sections (all P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference between VIN and VSCC (P>0.05). There were only 25% of control sections with weak VEGF expression, while strong staining was found in about 60% of VIN sections and 25% of VSCC sections (all P<0.05). In addition, a difference was also found between VIN and VSCC sections (P<0.05). Conclusion: Expression of endogenous hypoxia markers (HIF-$1{\alpha}$, GLUT-1, CA-9 and VEGF) might be involved in the malignant progression of VSCC.

Synthesis of Phosphorous Phenanthrene/L-Tryptophan Flame Retardant for Enhanced Flame Retardancy of Epoxy Resins

Li Li,Fenglin Hua,Hui Xi,Jing Yang,Ting Xiao,Rui Zuo,Xueqing Xu,Zhiwang Yang,Ziqiang Lei 한국고분자학회 2022 Macromolecular Research Vol.30 No.12

A new type of phosphorus-containing intrinsic flame retardant was prepared with L-tryptophan (L-Trp) and 9,10-dihydro-9-oxa-10-phosphorbenzophenanthrene- 10-oxide (DOPO) as the main components. The Schiff base from the reaction of 1,4-terephthalaldehyde and L-tryptophan provides active sites, and then the phosphorous compound, DOPO, is successfully introduced into the Schiff base to synthesize L-Trp-DOPO flame retardant. The intrinsic flame retardant property of LTrp- DOPO comes from the reaction of carbonyl groups and the epoxy groups in epoxy resin (EP) matrix. The prepared L-Trp-DOPO flame retardant can efficiently improve the flame retardancy and smoke suppression of the base material of EP. Cone calorimetric test (CCT) of EP/L-Trp-DOPO composite material was carried out. The data showed that the peak heat release rate (pk-HRR) value was reduced by 50.8% (from 1459 kW/m2 to 717 kW/m2), the THR value reduced by 78.3%, and the limiting oxygen index (LOI) value was increased by 24%. The addition of new flame retardant greatly reduced the release of toxic CO gas. The flame retardant mechanism was explored, and it can be found that after thermal decomposition of L-Trp- DOPO a dense carbon layer can be produced to isolate the fire source. In addition, during the combustion process, L-Trp-DOPO will produce phosphorus-containing free radicals which will quench the active free radicals in the gas phase and dilute the combustible gas. The prepared L-Trp-DOPO flame retardant has a flame retardant effect in both the condensed phase and the gas phase during the combustion process.

No Association Between the USP7 Gene Polymorphisms and Colorectal Cancer in the Chinese Han Population

Li, Xin,Wang, Yang,Li, Xing-Wang,Liu, Bao-Cheng,Zhao, Qing-Zhu,Li, Wei-Dong,Chen, Shi-Qing,Huang, Xiao-Ye,Yang, Feng-Ping,Wang, Quan,Wang, Jin-Fen,Xiao, Yan-Zeng,Xu, Yi-Feng,Feng, Guo-Yin,Peng, Zhi-Ha Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.5

Colorectal cancer (CRC), now the third most common cancer across the world, is known to aggregate in families. USP7 is a very important protein with an important role in regulating the p53 pathway, which is critical for genomic stability and tumor suppression. We here genotyped eight SNPs within the USP7 gene and conducted a case-control study in 312 CRC patients and 270 healthy subjects in the Chinese Han population. No significant associations were found for any single SNP and CRC risk. Our data eliminate USP7 as a potential candidate gene towards for CRC in the Han Chinese population.

Fibulin2: a negative regulator of BMSC osteogenic differentiation in infected bone fracture healing

Li Shi-Dan,Xing Wei,Wang Shao-Chuan,Li You-Bin,Jiang Hao,Zheng Han-Xuan,Li Xiao-Ming,Yang Jing,Guo De-Bin,Xie Xiao-Yu,Jiang Ren-Qing,Fan Chao,Li Lei,Xu Xiang,Fei Jun 생화학분자생물학회 2023 Experimental and molecular medicine Vol.55 No.-

Bone fracture remains a common occurrence, with a population-weighted incidence of approximately 3.21 per 1000. In addition, approximately 2% to 50% of patients with skeletal fractures will develop an infection, one of the causes of disordered bone healing. Dysfunction of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) plays a key role in disordered bone repair. However, the specific mechanisms underlying BMSC dysfunction caused by bone infection are largely unknown. In this study, we discovered that Fibulin2 expression was upregulated in infected bone tissues and that BMSCs were the source of infection-induced Fibulin2. Importantly, Fibulin2 knockout accelerated mineralized bone formation during skeletal development and inhibited inflammatory bone resorption. We demonstrated that Fibulin2 suppressed BMSC osteogenic differentiation by binding to Notch2 and inactivating the Notch2 signaling pathway. Moreover, Fibulin2 knockdown restored Notch2 pathway activation and promoted BMSC osteogenesis; these outcomes were abolished by DAPT, a Notch inhibitor. Furthermore, transplanted Fibulin2 knockdown BMSCs displayed better bone repair potential in vivo. Altogether, Fibulin2 is a negative regulator of BMSC osteogenic differentiation that inhibits osteogenesis by inactivating the Notch2 signaling pathway in infected bone.

Effect of fermented biogas residue on growth performance, serum biochemical parameters, and meat quality in pigs

Xu, Xiang,Li, Lv-mu,Li, Bin,Guo, Wen-jie,Ding, Xiao-ling,Xu, Fa-zhi Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2017 Animal Bioscience Vol.30 No.10

Objective: This study investigated the effect of fermented biogas residue (FBR) of wheat on the performance, serum biochemical parameters, and meat quality in pigs. Methods: We selected 128 pigs (the mean initial body weight was $40.24{\pm}3.08kg$) and randomly allocated them to 4 groups (1 control group and 3 treatment groups) with 4 replicates per group and 8 pigs per pen in a randomized complete block design based on initial body weight and sex. The control group received a corn-soybean meal-based diet, the treatment group fed diets containing 5%, 10%, and 15% FBR, respectively (abbreviated as FBR5, FBR10, and FBR15, respectively). Every group received equivalent-energy and nitrogen diets. The test lasted 60 days and was divided into early and late stages. Blood and carcass samples were obtained on 60 d. Meat quality was collected from two pigs per pen. Results: During the late stage, the average daily feed intake and average daily gain of the treatment groups was greater than that of the control group (p<0.05). During the entire experiment, the average daily gain of the treatment groups was higher than that of the control group (p<0.05). Fermented biomass residue did not significantly affect serum biochemical parameters or meat quality, but did affect amino acid profiles in pork. The contents of Asp, Arg, Tyr, Phe, Leu, Thr, Ser, Lys, Pro, Ala, essential amino acids, non-essential amino acids, and total amino acids in pork of FBR5 and FBR10 were greater than those of the control group (p<0.05). Conclusion: These combined results suggest that feeding FBR could increase the average daily gain and average daily feed intake in pigs and the content of several flavor-promoting amino acids.

Molecular characterization and functional analysis of two trehalose transporter genes in the cabbage beetle, Colaphellus bowringi

Li Jia-Xu,Cao Zhen,Guo Shuang,Tian Zhong,Liu Wen,Zhu Fen,Wang Xiao-Ping 한국응용곤충학회 2020 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.23 No.3

The trehalose, major blood sugar in insects, enhances stress resistance of diapausing individuals in adverse environment and provides an energy source for reproduction. Trehalose transporters (TRETs) play an important role in transport of trehalose from trehalose-producing tissues, e.g. fat body, to trehalose-consuming tissues. Although studies have shown that trehalose contributes to diapause and reproduction, the function of TRETs in these processes remains unclear. In this work, we cloned two TRET genes, TRET1a and TRET1b, from the cabbage beetle Colaphellus bowringi, which is capable of entering reproductive diapause under long-day conditions. We also analyzed the expression profiles of these two genes and investigated their potential roles in diapause and reproduction. The results suggested that both TRET1a and TRET1b belong to sugar-transporter and major facilitator superfamilies. Interestingly, TRET1a was highly expressed in the fat bodies of diapause-destined (DD) females but TRET1b was predominantly expressed in the ovaries of non-diapause-destined (NDD) females. Hormonal induction indicated that juvenile hormone induced TRET1b but repressed TRET1a at transcriptional levels. Methoprene-tolerant and Krüppel homolog 1 mediated the JH-suppressed TRET1a expression but were not involved in the regulation of TRET1b expression by JH. RNAi of TRET1a in DD females elevated the trehalose content in the fat bodies and suppressed the expression of a couple of genes related to stress resistance, which is a critical diapause trait. Knockdown of TRET1b in NDD females reduced the trehalose content in the ovaries but had no apparent effect on the ovary development and yolk deposition. These data suggest that TRET1a and TRET1b could regulate the trehalose content in specific tissues and may play potential roles in reproductive diapause in the females of C. bowringi. Introduction Diapause is a survival strategy for many insects in adapting to adverse environmental conditions (Tauber and Tauber, 1976; Tougeron, 2019). Diapause is a dynamic successive process that consists of diapause induction, preparation, initiation, maintenance, termination, and post-diapause quiescence (Kostal, 2006). Insects accumulate enormous nutrients such as sugars and lipids to enter diapause during diapause preparation phase (Hahn and Denlinger, 2007, 2011). The trehalose is the major hemolymph sugar in insects. The sugar not only provides source of energy but also protects proteins and cellular membranes from dehydration, desiccation, heat, cold, and oxidation (Elbein et al., 2003; Li et al., 2002; Richards et al., 2002; Wyatt and Kalf, 1957; Yancey, 2005; Zhu et al., 2008). Therefore, trehalose can play roles in reproduction and diapause by mediating energy supply and stress tolerance, respectively (Kamei et al., 2011; Lu et al., 2019; Xu et al., 2009).

Staged Improvement in Awareness of Disease for Elderly Cancer Patients in Southern China

Li, Xing,Dong, Min,Wen, Jing-Yun,Wei, Li,Ma, Xiao-Kun,Xing, Yan-Fang,Deng, Yun,Chen, Zhan-Hong,Chen, Jie,Ruan, Dan-Yun,Lin, Ze-Xiao,Wang, Tian-Tian,Wu, Dong-Hao,Liu, Xu,Hu, Hai-Tao,Lin, Jia-Yu,Li, Zhu Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.15

Background: In mainland China, awareness of disease of elderly cancer patients largely relies on the patients' families. We developed a staged procedure to improve their awareness of disease. Materials and Methods: Participants were 224 elderly cancer patients from 9 leading hospitals across Southern China. A questionnaire was given to the oncologists in charge of each patient to evaluate the interaction between family and patients, patient awareness of their disease and participation in medical decision-making. After first cycles of treatment, increased information of disease was given to patients with cooperation of the family. Then patient awareness of their disease and participation in medical decision-making was documented. Results: Among the 224 cancer elderly patients, 26 (11.6%) made decisions by themselves and 125 (55.8%) delegated their rights of decision-making to their family. Subordinate family members tended to play a passive role in decision-making significantly. Patients participating more in medical decision-making tended to know more about their disease. However, in contrast to the awareness of disease, patient awareness of violation of medical recommendations was reversely associated with their participation in medical decision-making. Improvement in awareness of diagnosis, stages and prognosis was achieved in about 20% elderly cancer patients. About 5% participated more actively in medical decision-making. Conclusions: Chinese elderly cancer patient awareness of disease and participation in medical decision-making is limited and relies on their family status. The staged procedure we developed to improve patient awareness of disease proved effective.

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.

Value of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography in microwave ablation treatment of symptomatic focal uterine adenomyosis

Xiao-Long Li,Jia-Xin Li,Song-Yuan Yu,Pei-Li Fan,Yun-Jie Jin,Er-Jiao Xu,Sai-Nan Guan,Er-Ya Deng,Qiu-Yan Li,Zheng-Biao Ji,Jiu-Ling Qi,Hui-Xiong Xu,China Alliance of Multi-Center Clinical Study for Ultra 대한초음파의학회 2024 ULTRASONOGRAPHY Vol.43 No.1

Purpose: This study evaluated the value of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) in the ultrasound-guided microwave ablation (MWA) treatment of symptomatic focal uterine adenomyosis.Methods: This retrospective study was conducted between March 2020 and January 2023, enrolling 52 patients with symptomatic focal uterine adenomyosis who had undergone MWA. All patients were examined with CEUS before and after MWA. The non-perfused volume (NPV) was compared between CEUS and dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCEMRI) following ablation. Therapeutic efficacy and safety were evaluated at 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-ups. Additionally, this study explored the correlations between pre-treatment CEUS features and a volume reduction ratio indicating sufficient ablation, defined as 50% or more at the 3-month follow-up.Results: No significant differences in NPV were noted between CEUS and DCE-MRI immediately after MWA and during follow-up (all P>0.05). At the 3-month follow-up, the median VRRs for the uterus and adenomyosis were 33.2% and 63.9%, respectively. Sufficient ablation was achieved in 69.2% (36/52) of adenomyosis cases, while partial ablation was observed in the remaining 30.8% (16/52). The identification of non-enhancing areas on pre-treatment CEUS was associated with sufficient ablation (P=0.016). At the 12-month follow-up, significant decreases were observed in both the uterine and adenomyosis volumes (all P<0.001). Dysmenorrhea and menorrhagia were significantly alleviated at 12 months, and no major complications were encountered.Conclusion: CEUS can be used to evaluate the ablation zone of focal adenomyosis that has been treated with MWA, similarly to DCE-MRI. The identification of non-enhancing areas on pretreatment CEUS indicates satisfactory treatment outcomes. Purpose: This study evaluated the value of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) in the ultrasound-guided microwave ablation (MWA) treatment of symptomatic focal uterine adenomyosis. Methods: This retrospective study was conducted between March 2020 and January 2023, enrolling 52 patients with symptomatic focal uterine adenomyosis who had undergone MWA. All patients were examined with CEUS before and after MWA. The non-perfused volume (NPV) was compared between CEUS and dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE- MRI) following ablation. Therapeutic efficacy and safety were evaluated at 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-ups. Additionally, this study explored the correlations between pre-treatment CEUS features and a volume reduction ratio indicating sufficient ablation, defined as 50% or more at the 3-month follow-up. Results: No significant differences in NPV were noted between CEUS and DCE-MRI immediately after MWA and during follow-up (all P>0.05). At the 3-month follow-up, the median VRRs for the uterus and adenomyosis were 33.2% and 63.9%, respectively. Sufficient ablation was achieved in 69.2% (36/52) of adenomyosis cases, while partial ablation was observed in the remaining 30.8% (16/52). The identification of non-enhancing areas on pre-treatment CEUS was associated with sufficient ablation (P=0.016). At the 12-month follow-up, significant decreases were observed in both the uterine and adenomyosis volumes (all P<0.001). Dysmenorrhea and menorrhagia were significantly alleviated at 12 months, and no major complications were encountered. Conclusion: CEUS can be used to evaluate the ablation zone of focal adenomyosis that has been treated with MWA, similarly to DCE-MRI. The identification of non-enhancing areas on pre- treatment CEUS indicates satisfactory treatment outcomes.