Causal Relations between Exposome and Stroke: A Mendelian Randomization Study

Hong-Qi Li,Yi-Wei Feng,Yu-Xiang Yang,Xin-Yi Leng,Prof Can Zhang,Shi-Dong Chen,Kevin Kuo,Shu-Yi Huang,Xue-Qing Zhang,Yi Dong,Xiang Han,Xin Cheng,Mei Cui,Lan Tan,Qiang Dong,Jin-Tai Yu 대한뇌졸중학회 2022 Journal of stroke Vol.24 No.2

Background and Purpose To explore the causal relationships of elements of the exposome with ischemic stroke and its subtypes at the omics level and to provide evidence for stroke prevention. Methods We conducted a Mendelian randomization study between exposure and any ischemic stroke (AIS) and its subtypes (large-artery atherosclerotic disease [LAD], cardioembolic stroke [CE], and small vessel disease [SVD]). The exposure dataset was the UK Biobank involving 361,194 subjects, and the outcome dataset was the MEGASTROKE consortium including 52,000 participants. Results We found that higher blood pressure (BP) (systolic BP: odds ratio [OR], 1.02; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01 to 1.04; diastolic BP: OR, 1.03; 95% CI, 1.01 to 1.05; pulse pressure: OR, 1.03; 95% CI, 1.00 to 1.06), atrial fibrillation (OR, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.13 to 1.25), and diabetes (OR, 1.13; 95% CI, 1.07 to 1.18) were significantly associated with ischemic stroke. Importantly, higher education (OR, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.60 to 0.79) decreased the risk of ischemic stroke. Higher systolic BP (OR, 1.06; 95% CI, 1.02 to 1.10), pulse pressure (OR, 1.08; 95% CI, 1.02 to 1.14), diabetes (OR, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.13 to 1.45), and coronary artery disease (OR, 1.58; 95% CI, 1.25 to 2.00) could cause LAD. Atrial fibrillation could cause CE (OR, 1.90; 95% CI, 1.71 to 2.11). For SVD, higher systolic BP (OR, 1.04; 95% CI, 1.00 to 1.07), diastolic BP (OR, 1.06; 95% CI, 1.01 to 1.12), and diabetes (OR, 1.22; 95% CI, 1.10 to 1.36) were causal factors. Conclusions The study revealed elements of the exposome causally linked to ischemic stroke and its subtypes, including conventional causal risk factors and novel protective factors such as higher education.

Microcellular Structure of PP/Waste Rubber Powder Blends with Supercritical CO₂by Foam Extrusion Process

Xin, Zhen Xiang,Zhang, Zhen Xiu,Pal, Kaushik,Kim, Kwang-Jea,Kang, Dong Jin,Kim, Jin Kuk,Bang, Dae-Suk SAGE Publications 2009 Journal of cellular plastics Vol.45 No.6

<P>A new approach towards the recycling of waste ground rubber tire (WGRT) powder was demonstrated in this study by introducing the polypropylene/ waste ground rubber tire (PP/WGRT) foaming method by using CO<SUB>2</SUB> as the foaming agent in an extrusion foaming process. The regression models were constructed to study the relationships between the foam structure (i.e., void fraction, average cell size, and cell density) of foamed PP/WGRT blends, the processing parameters (extruder’s die temperature and CO<SUB>2</SUB> concentration), and WGRT content by applying a three-factor central composite design (CCD) statistical approach. The response surface plots generated using the regression models allow the rapid selection of the proper process parameters to obtain microcellular PP/WGRT blends with the desired density and morphology.</P>

Effects of waste ground rubber tire powder (WGRT) and chemical blowing agent content on the cell morphology and physicomechanical properties of injection-molded polypropylene/WGRT foams

Xin, Zhen Xiang,Zhang, Zhen Xiu,Pal, Kaushik,Kang, Dong Jin,Lee, Sung Hyo,Kim, Jin Kuk Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company 2009 Journal of Vinyl and Additive Technology Vol.15 No.4

<P>Microcellular polypropylene (PP)/WGRT blends, a new outlet for the recycling of waste tire rubber, were prepared in an injection-molding process by using a chemical blowing agent. The effects of WGRT content and chemical blowing agent content on the density, cell morphology, and physicomechanical properties of the foamed PP/WGRT blends were investigated. The foam morphologies were characterized in terms of void fraction, average cell size, and cell density. The results indicated that both the WGRT and the blowing agent content had huge effects on the cell morphology and tensile properties of the PP/WGRT foams. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 2009. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers</P>

First report of Bradysia difformis (Diptera: Sciaridae) Damage to Phalaenopsis orchid in China

Qun Xin Han,Dong Mei Cheng,Juan Luo,Cui Zuan Zhou,Qing Sheng Lin,Mei Mei Xiang 한국응용곤충학회 2015 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.18 No.1

Phalaenopsis orchid is among the most valuable ornamental flowering plants in the world. Since visible damage substantially decreases its amenity, limited damage is allowed in its production. An unknown insect species (Diptera: Sciaridae)was found to cause serious damage to the seedling of the Phalaenopsis orchid in greenhouses in Guangdong, China. The insect occurred in high populations in almost all greenhouses that grow Phalaenopsis orchid and the number of sciarid adults trapped on a yellow sticky card could reach as many as 303 in 24 h. An effectivemanagement strategy on any pest requires an accurate identification. Therefore, it is urgent to identify this pest correctly to mitigate its damage to the industry. Damage to Phalaenopsis orchid and morphological characteristics of the pest was described in this study. Molecular analyses based on the 488-bp portion of the mitochondrialDNA fromthe cytochrome oxidase I(mt COI) regionwere conducted to supplementmorphological characteristics in identifying this pest. Bothmorphological characteristics and phylogenetic tree constructedwith mt COI genes identified this sciarid as Bradysia difformis Frey, 1948 (= Bradysia paupera Tuomikoski, 1960) (Diptera: Sciaridae). A literature search indicated that B. difformis has been a common pest of greenhouse and forestry nurseries in Europe and South Africa. Our study is the first record of B. difformis damaging Phalaenopsis orchid in China.

Effect of Portal Vein Chemotherapy on Liver Metastasis after Surgical Resection of Colorectal Cancer

Yu, Dong-Sheng,Li, Ying,Huang, Xin-En,Lu, Yan-Yan,Wu, Xue-Yan,Liu, Jin,Cao, Jie,Xu, Xia,Xiang, Jin,Wang, Guo-Ping Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.9

Objective: To explore the effect of portal vein chemotherapy on liver metastasis after surgical resection of colorectal cancer. Methods: Patients fulfilling the eligibility criteria were assigned to receive either surgery plus 1-week continuous infusion of 5-FU (study group) or surgery alone (observational group). Patients in the study group received portal vein chemotherapy, whereby 5-FU (1000 mg/d) and heparin (5000 IU/d) infusion was initiated from the day of surgery and lasted for 7 consecutive days. Liver metastasis was monitored during five years follow-up postoperatively. Results: Sixty four patients were recruited and assigned to the study group (12 with colon and 20 with rectal cancer) or the control group (10 with colon and 22 with rectal cancer). Liver metastasis rate was 12.5% in study and 25.0% in observational group, the difference being significant (P<0.01). Conclusion: Portal vein chemotherapy could be an effective treatment in preventing liver metastasis after surgical resection of colorectal cancer.

Metastatic Axillary Lymph Node Ratio (LNR) is Prognostically Superior to pN Staging in Patients with Breast Cancer -- Results for 804 Chinese Patients from a Single Institution

Xiao, Xiang-Sheng,Tang, Hai-Lin,Xie, Xin-Hua,Li, Lai-Sheng,Kong, Ya-Nan,Wu, Min-Qing,Yang, Lu,Gao, Jie,Wei, Wei-Dong,Xie, Xiaoming Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.9

The number of axillary lymph nodes involved and retrieved are important prognostic factors in breast cancer. The purpose of our study was to investigate whether the lymph node ratio (LNR) is a better prognostic factor in predicting disease-free survival (DFS) for breast cancer patients as compared with pN staging. The analysis was based on 804 breast cancer patients who had underwent axillary lymph node dissection between 1999 and 2008 in Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center. Optimal cutoff points of LNR were calculated using X-tile software and validated by bootstrapping. Patients were then divided into three groups (low-, intermediate-, and high-risk) according to the cutoff points. Predicting risk factors for relapse were performed according to Cox proportional hazards analysis. DFS was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared by the log-rank test. The 5-year DFS rate decreased significantly with increasing LNRs and pN. Univariate analysis found that the pT, pN, LNR, molecule type, HER2, pTNM stage and radiotherapy well classified patients with significantly different prognosis. By multivariate analysis, only LNR classification was retained as an independent prognostic factor. Furthermore, there was a significant prognostic difference among different LNR categories for pN2 category, but no apparent prognostic difference was seen between different pN categories in any LNR category. Therefore, LNR rather than pN staging is preferable in predicting DFS in node positive breast cancer patients, and routine clinical decision-making should take the LNR into consideration.

Genotypic analysis of degenerative Cordyceps militaris cultured in the pupa of Bombyx mori

Juan Yin,Xiang-Dong XIN,Yu-JieWENG,Shao-Hui Li,Jun-Qiang JIA,Zhong Zheng Gui 한국곤충학회 2018 Entomological Research Vol.48 No.3

The chemical composition and pharmacological effects of Cordyceps militaris are similar to those of Cordyceps sinensis, with the former undergoing greater development and utilization. Strain degeneration is a common phenomenon that occurs with high frequency during the subculturing of C. militaris, however, and the mechanism underlying strain degeneration remains unclear. In this study, we used touch‐down PCR to compare the ITS1 + 5.8S + ITS2, 18S, 28S and mating‐type (MAT) regions sequence of wild‐type and degenerated strains of C. militaris. We also used quantitative real‐time PCR to analyze expression levels of the CmMAT gene. Sequence analysis showed that the ITS1 + 5.8S + ITS2 and 28S regions of degenerated and wild‐type strains were completely identical, the 18S region of the degenerated strain contained seven single‐base mutations, including six base substitutions and one single‐base insertion. Compared with the wild‐type strain, the degenerated strain contained a deletion of the MAT1–2‐1 region, three base substitutions in the MAT1–1‐1 region, and a base substitution in the MAT1–1‐2 region that causes a glycine‐to‐valine amino acid substitution. Quantitative real‐time PCR analysis detected no CmMAT1–2‐1 gene expression in the degenerated strain, confirming the deletion of the CmMAT1–2‐1 gene. Expression levels of the CmMAT1–1‐1 and CmMAT1–1‐2 genes were significantly down‐regulated to only 7.5 % and 4.4 %, respectively, that of the wild‐type strain. These results indicate that 18S and MAT region mutations, as well as down‐regulated of CmMAT gene expression levels, may play important roles in C. militaris degeneration. This study provides a theoretical basis for further elucidation of the molecular mechanisms of C. militaris degeneration.

The Work Experience of Newly Recruited Male Nurses during COVID-19: A Qualitative Study

Huiyue Zhou,Xin Wang,Ruofei Du,Xiang Cheng,Kexin Zheng,Shiqi Dong,Justin Henri,Changying Chen,Tao Wang 한국간호과학회 2021 Asian Nursing Research Vol.15 No.3

Purpose: This study was to investigate the work experience of newly recruited male nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: With a phenomenological approach, this qualitative study was adopted semistructured interviews by phone or video calls. A total of 9 male nurses newly recruited for the COVID-19 wards in Chinese hospitals were interviewed for this study. And Colaizzi's method was applied for evaluation in the data analysis. Results: Based on our findings, three themes were extracted. First, the newly recruited male nurses showed negative emotions at the beginning of COVID-19 epidemic, which was caused by changes in working conditions and content, but also prompted the nurses to change the way of coping with the crisis. Second, they gradually mastered the working skills and psychological training to cope with COVID- 19 and developed a positive attitude toward life and a high sense of professional responsibility. Finally, we learned about their needs to respond to public health emergencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusion: COVID-19 is a disaster for all of humanity. The newly recruited male nurses are an important force in emergency rescue. Although they suffered from short-term negative emotions, they quickly adapted to the crisis. In order to better prepare for future emergencies, the disaster response capacity of newly recruited male nurses needs to be further improved. In addition, newly recruited male nurses have a strong demand for timely and personalized career development guidance.

Association Between Genetic Polymorphism of XRCC1 Gene and Risk of Glioma in а Chinese Population

Wang, Ying-Xin,Fan, Kai,Tao, Ding-Bo,Dong, Xiang Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.10

Background: Gliomas are the most common type of primary brain tumor in adults, and the X-ray repair complementing group 1 gene (XRCC1) is an important candidate gene influencing its risk. The objective of this study was to detect the influence of XRCC1 genetic polymorphisms on glioma risk. Materials and Methods: A total of 629 glioma patients and 641 cancer-free subjects were enrolled in this case-control study. The genotypes of the c.1471G>A genetic polymorphism were determined by created restriction site-polymerase chain reaction (CRS-PCR) and DNA sequencing methods. The influence of the XRCC1 genetic polymorphism on glioma risk was evaluated by association analysis. Results: Our data indicated that the alleles/genotype of this genetic variant was statistically associated with glioma risk. The AA genotype was statistically associated with the increased risk of glioma compared to the GG wild genotype (odds ratios (OR) = 1.89, 95% CI 1.25-2.87, P = 0.003). The allele-A may contribute to increased the susceptibility to glioma (OR = 1.23, 95% CI 1.04-1.46, P = 0.017). Conclusions: These preliminary findings indicate that the c.1471G>A genetic polymorphism of XRCC1 has the potential to influence glioma susceptibility, and might be used as molecular marker for assessing glioma risk.

Purification and characterization of a novel immunomodulatory hexapeptide from alcalase hydrolysate of ultramicro-pretreated silkworm (Bombyx mori) pupa protein

Zhiyong Li,Shan Zhao,Xiang-Dong XIN,Bei Zhang,Attaribo Thomas,Asakiya Charles,Kwang Sik Lee,진병래,Zhong-Zheng Gui 한국응용곤충학회 2019 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.22 No.3

Silkworm (Bombyx mori) pupa protein is one potential source of insect protein for use in food. Immunomodulatory peptides are specific protein fragments that can positively influence human health. Here, we purified a novel immunomodulatory hexapeptide from the alcalase hydrolysate of ultramicro-pretreated silkworm pupa proteinusing Sephadex gel filtration chromatography and reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). The peptide sequence was determined by liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization– tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS). The results showed that the molecular mass of the purified peptide was 656.17 Da, and the amino acid sequence was Pro-Asn-Pro-Asn-Thr-Asn (PNPNTN). Splenocyte proliferation was 87.35% in the presence of 100 μg/ml of purified peptide. The splenocyte proliferation could be promoted upto 248.4% at 100 μg/ml of PNPNTN after induction by Concanavalin A (Con A). PNPNTN was stable in the presence of the gastrointestinal proteases pepsin and trypsin and at temperatures up to120°C. Taken together, these results show that this novel immunomodulatory hexapeptide from silkworm pupae has potential therapeutic value as an immunomodulatory component of functional food.