Relationship between EGFR Over-expression and Clinicopathologic Characteristics in Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Esophagus: A Meta-analysis

Wang, Jun,Yu, Jin-Ming,Jing, Shao-Wu,Guo, Yin,Wu, Ya-Jing,Li, Na,Jiao, Wen-Peng,Wang, Li,Zhang, Yan-Jun Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.14

Over-expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) has been identified as a common feature associated with clinical outcome in many types of cancer, including squamous cell carcinoma of the oesophagus (SCCO). However, the clinical importance of EGFR over-expression in SCCO remains unsettled as conflicting results exist. Therefore we carried out the present meta-analysis of published studies for clarification. A total of 13 studies including 1, 150 patients were enrolled. EGFR over-expression was positive in 722 of these cases. With EGFR over-expression, patients had higher depth of invasion, vascular invasion, and poor prognosis. However, expression had no relation with degree of differentiation, histological grade, lymph node metastasis, clinical stage or lymphatic invasion. EGFR over-expression is probably a valuable predictor for the T stage, vascular invasion and OS, and it could be used as a poor prognosis indicator for the esophageal SCC patients. Targeting therapy to EFGR should be considered to the combined treatment in SCCO.

Inhibitory effects of piceatannol on human cytomegalovirus (hCMV) in vitro

Wang San-Ying,Zhang Jing,Xu Xiao-Gang,Su Hui-Li,Xing Wen-Min,Zhang Zhong-Shan,Jin Wei-Hua,Dai Ji-Huan,Wang Ya-Zhen,He Xin-Yue,Sun Chuan,Yan Jing,Mao Gen-Xiang 한국미생물학회 2020 The journal of microbiology Vol.58 No.8

Human cytomegalovirus (hCMV) is a ubiquitous herpesvirus, which results in the establishment of a latent infection that persists throughout the life of the host and can be reactivated when the immunity is low. Currently, there is no vaccine for hCMV infection, and the licensed antiviral drugs mainly target the viral enzymes and have obvious adverse reactions. Thus, it is important to search for compounds with antihCMV properties. The present study aimed to investigate the suppressive effects of piceatannol on hCMV Towne strain infection and the putative underlying mechanisms using human diploid fibroblast WI-38 cells. Piceatannol supplementation prevented the lytic changes induced by hCMV infection in WI-38 cells. Furthermore, piceatannol suppressed the expression of hCMV immediate-early (IE) and early (E) proteins as well as the replication of hCMV DNA in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, hCMV-induced cellular senescence was suppressed by piceatannol, as shown by a decline in the senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-Gal) activity and decreased production of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). p16INK4a, a major senescence-associated molecule, was dramatically elevated by current hCMV infection that was attenuated by pre-incubation with piceatannol in a dose-dependent manner. These results demonstrated that piceatannol suppressed the hCMV infection via inhibition of the activation of p16INK4a and cellular senescence induced by hCMV. Together, these findings indicate piceatannol as a novel and potent anti-hCMV agent with the potential to be developed as an effective treatment for chronic hCMV infection.

Updated Meta-analysis of the Association Between CYP2E1 RsaI/PstI Polymorphisms and Lung Cancer Risk in Chinese Population

Wang, Ya-Dong,Yang, Hai-Yan,Liu, Jing,Wang, Hai-Yu Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.13

Background: A number of studies have reported relationships of CYP2E1 RsaI/PstI polymorphisms with susceptibility to lung cancer in Chinese population. However, the epidemiologic results have been conflictive rather than conclusive. The purpose of this study was to address the associations of CYP2E1 RsaI/PstI polymorphisms with lung cancer risk in Chinese population comprehensively. Materials and Methods: Systematic searches were conducted in the PubMed, Science Direct, Elsevier, CNKI and Chinese Biomedical Literature Databases. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to estimate the strength of association. Results: Overall, we observed a decreased lung cancer risk among subjects carrying CYP2E1 RsaI/PstI c1/c2 and c1/c2+c2/c2 genotypes (OR=0.76, 95%CI: 0.64-0.90 and OR=0.78, 95%CI: 0.66-0.93, respectively), as compared with subjects carrying the c1/c1 genotype. In subgroup analysis, we observed a decreased lung cancer risk among c1/c2 carriers in hospital-based studies (OR=0.81, 95%CI: 0.68-0.98) and among carriers with c1/c2 and c1/c2+c2/c2 genotypes in population-based studies(OR=0.57, 95%CI: 0.42-0.79 and OR=0.58, 95%CI: 0.43-0.79, respectively), as compared with subjects carrying the c1/c1 genotype. Limiting the analysis to studies with controls in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE), we similarly observed a decreased lung cancer risk among c1/c2 and c1/c2+c2/c2 carriers (OR=0.73, 95%CI: 0.60-0.88 and OR=0.73, 95%CI: 0.60-0.88, respectively), as compared with c1/c1. Conclusions: Our results suggested that CYP2E1 RsaI/PstI c1/c2 and c1/c2+c2/c2 variants might be a protective factor for developing lung cancer in Chinese population. Further well-designed studies with larger sample size are required to verify our findings.

Heparanase mRNA and Protein Expression Correlates with Clinicopathologic Features of Gastric Cancer Patients: a Meta-analysis

Li, Hai-Long,Gu, Jing,Wu, Jian-Jun,Ma, Chun-Lin,Yang, Ya-Li,Wang, Hu-Ping,Wang, Jing,Wang, Yong,Chen, Che,Wu, Hong-Yan Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.18

Background: Heparanase is believed to be involved in gastric carcinogenesis. However, the clinicopathologic features of gastric cancer with high heparanase expression remain unclear. Aim : The purpose of this study was to comprehensively and quantitatively summarize available evidence for the use of heparanase mRNA and protein expression to evaluate the clinicopathological associations in gastric cancer in Asian patients by meta-analysis. Materials and Methods: Relevant articles listed in MEDLINE, CNKI and the Cochrane Library databases up to MARCH 2015 were searched by use of several keywords in electronic databases. A meta-analysis was performed to clarify the impact of heparanase mRNA and protein on clinicopathological parameters in gastric cancer. Combined ORs with 95%CIs were calculated by Revman 5.0, and publication bias testing was performed by stata12.0. Results: A total of 27 studies which included 3,891 gastric cancer patients were combined in the final analysis. When stratifying the studies by the pathological variables of heparanase mRNA expression, the depth of invasion (633 patients) (OR=4.96; 95% CI=2.38-1.37; P<0.0001), lymph node metastasis (639 patients) (OR=6.22; 95%CI=2.70-14.34, P<0.0001), and lymph node metastasis (383 patients) (OR=6.85; 95% CI=2.04-23.04; P=0.002) were all significant. When stratifying the studies by the pathological variables of heparanase protein expression, this was the case for depth of invasion (1250 patients) (OR=2.76; 95% CI=1.52-5.03; P=0.0009), lymph node metastasis (1178 patients) (OR=4.79 ; 95% CI=3.37-6.80, P<0.00001), tumor size (727 patients) (OR=2.06 ; 95% CI=1.31-3.23; P=0.002) (OR=2.61; 95% CI=2.09-3.27; P=0.000), and TNM stage (1233 patients) (OR=6.85; 95% CI=2.04-23.04; P=0.002). Egger's tests suggested publication bias for depth of invasion, lymph node metastasis, lymph node metastasis and tumor size of heparanase mRNA and protein expression. Conclusions: This meta-analysis suggests that higher heparanase expression in gastric cancer is associated with clinicopathologic features of depth of invasion, lymph node metastasis and TNM stage at mRNA and protein levels, and of tumor size only at the protein level. Egger's tests suggested publication bias for these clinicopathologic features of heparanase mRNA and protein expression, and which may be caused by shortage of relevant studies. As a result, although abundant reports showed heparanase may be associated with clinicopathologic features in gastric cancer, this meta-analysis indicates that more strict studies were needed to evaluate its clinicopathologic significance.

Clinical Study of Thalidomide Combined with Dexamethasone for the Treatment of Elderly Patients with Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma

Chen, Hai-Fei,Li, Zheng-Yang,Tang, Jie-Qing,Shen, Hong-Shi,Cui, Qing-Ya,Ren, Yong-Ya,Qin, Long-Mei,Jin, Ling-Juan,Zhu, Jing-Jing,Wang, Jing,Ding, Jie,Wang, Ke-Yuan,Yu, Zi-Qiang,Wang, Zhao-Yue,Wu, Tian Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.9

Objective: To investigate the relationship between the efficacy and safety of different doses of thalidomide (Thal) plus dexamethasone (Dex) as the initial therapy in elderly patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM). Methods: Clinical data of 28 elderly patients with newly diagnosed MM who underwent the TD regimen as the initial therapy were analyzed retrospectively. The patients were divided into two groups according to the maximal sustained dose of Thal: lower dose (group A) and higher dose (group B). The overall response rate (ORR), progression free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and adverse events (AES) were compared between the two groups. Results: A total of 28 patients were followed up with a median of 18 months. The ORR was 60.1%. The median response time and PFS were 2.0 and 17.0 months, respectively. The mean sustained dose of Thal in group B was significantly higher than group A (292.9 mg v 180.4 mg, P=0.01). There was no significantly difference in ORR (57.1% v 64.3%, P=1.00) and PFS (9.63months v 17.66 months, P=0.73) between groups A and B. During the follow up, only five patients died (<40%) and, therefore, median OS values were not available. It is estimated, however, that the mean survival time in the two groups was 35.6 and 33.4 months (P>0.05), respectively. All of the patients tolerated the treatment well. The incidence of AES in patients with a grading above 3 in group B was significantly higher than in group A (P=0.033). Conclusions: The TD regimen results in a high response rate and manageable AES as the initial therapy in elderly patients with MM. TD should be considered as the front line regimen for the treatment of elderly patients with MM in areas with financial constraints. The clinical response can be achieved at a low dose Thal with minimal toxicity.

CbCOR15, A Cold-Regulated Gene from Alpine Chorispora bungeana, Confers Cold Tolerance in Transgenic Tobacco

Jing Si,Jian-hui Wang,Li-jing Zhang,Hua Zhang,Ya-jie Liu,Li-zhe An 한국식물학회 2009 Journal of Plant Biology Vol.52 No.6

Rapid amplification of cDNA ends was performed to isolate cold-regulated CbCOR15 (EF208112) from Chorispora bungeana. This alpine species is distributed in subnival areas. Transcripts were detected in the leaves, but not the roots, of plants acclimated to cold temperatures. Expression was induced at high levels at both 4°C and −4°C. In comparing its deduced protein sequence to that of AtCOR15a (cold-regulated 15a in Arabidopsis thaliana), the N terminus had less homology than the C terminus while still containing a region analogous to the chloroplast-targeted signal peptide of AtCOR15a. We also introduced CbCOR15, with the CaMV 35S promoter, into tobacco. Second-generation (T1) plants had significantly increased tolerance to chilling, as determined by their electrolyte leakage, chlorophyll content, and relative water content. Further freezing-stress experiments showed that the tolerance of transgenic lines was significantly greater than that of the nontransgenics. Although the degree of chilling and freezing tolerance in the transgenic plants was not directly correlated with the accumulated levels of CbCOR15, we could conclude that this gene confers cold tolerance.

Transcriptome profiling identifies immune response genes against porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus and Haemophilus parasuis co-infection in the lungs of piglets

Jing Zhang,Jing Wang,Xiong Zhang,Chunping Zhao,Sixuan Zhou,Chunlin Du,Ya Tan,Yu Zhang,Kaizhi Shi 대한수의학회 2022 Journal of Veterinary Science Vol.23 No.1

Background: Co-infections of the porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) and the Haemophilus parasuis (HPS) are severe in Chinese pigs, but the immune response genes against co-infected with 2 pathogens in the lungs have not been reported. Objectives: To understand the effect of PRRSV and/or HPS infection on the genes expression associated with lung immune function. Methods: The expression of the immune-related genes was analyzed using RNA-sequencing and bioinformatics. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were detected and identified by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), immunohistochemistry (IHC) and western blotting assays. Results: All experimental pigs showed clinical symptoms and lung lesions. RNA-seq analysis showed that 922 DEGs in co-challenged pigs were more than in the HPS group (709 DEGs) and the PRRSV group (676 DEGs). Eleven DEGs validated by qRT-PCR were consistent with the RNA sequencing results. Eleven common Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways related to infection and immune were found in single-infected and co-challenged pigs, including autophagy, cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, and antigen processing and presentation, involving different DEGs. A model of immune response to infection with PRRSV and HPS was predicted among the DEGs in the co-challenged pigs. Dual oxidase 1 (DUOX1) and interleukin-21 (IL21) were detected by IHC and western blot and showed significant differences between the co-challenged pigs and the controls. Conclusions: These findings elucidated the transcriptome changes in the lungs after PRRSV and/or HPS infections, providing ideas for further study to inhibit ROS production and promote pulmonary fibrosis caused by co-challenging with PRRSV and HPS.

Optimization for the direction of arrival estimation based on single acoustic pressure gradient vector sensor

Wang, Xu-Hu,Chen, Jian-Feng,Han, Jing,Jiao, Ya-Meng The Society of Naval Architects of Korea 2014 International Journal of Naval Architecture and Oc Vol.6 No.1

The optimization techniques are explored in the direction of arrival (DOA) estimation based on single acoustic pressure gradient vector sensor (APGVS). By analyzing the working principle and measurement errors of the APGVS, acoustic intensity approaches (AI) and the minimum variance distortionless response beamforming approach based on single APGVS (VMVDR) are deduced. The radius to wavelength ratio of the APGVS must be not bigger than 0.1 in the actual application, otherwise its DOA estimation performance will degrade significantly. To improve the robustness and estimation performance of the DOA estimation approaches based on single APGVS, two modified processing approaches based on single APGVS are presented. Simulation and lake trial results indicate that the performance of the modified approaches based on single APGVS are better than AI and VMVDR approaches based on single APGVS when the radius to wavelength ratio is not bigger than 0.1, and the two modified DOA estimation methods have excellent estimation performance when the radius to wavelength ratio is bigger than 0.1.

Exogenous Local Hyperthermia at 41℃ Is Effective to Eliminate Mouse Model of Sporotrichosis, Independent of Neutrophil Extracellular Traps Formation

( Ya-lan Wang ),( Rui-qun Qi ),( Jing Lan ),( Zheng-xiu Li ),( Xing-hua Gao ) 대한피부과학회 2021 Annals of Dermatology Vol.33 No.1

Background: Local hyperthermia is recommended for the treatment of patients with fixed cutaneous sporotrichosis, though the effectiveness and mechanisms of action remain elusive. While neutrophils represent the main inflammatory cells associated with sporotrichosis lesions, the issue of whether hyperthermia is involved with interactions between neutrophils and Sporothrix globosa remains unclear. Objective: To evaluate the effect of local hyperthermia on sporotrichosis and determine whether local hyperthermia involves effects of neutrophils against Sporothrix. Methods: For the in vivo study, mice were infected with yeast cells of S. globosa followed by treatment with local hyperthermia. In vitro, an isolated Sporothrix strain was co-cultured with or without neutrophils and subjected under different temperatures. Immunofluorescence was used to assess the formation of neutrophil extracellular trap (NETs) were formed under these different culture conditions and the number of fungi colony forming units were compared. Results: Hyperthermia was significantly more effective in clearing the lesions in the mouse model, as compared to sham treatment. Neutrophils failed to exert any fungicidal effects against S. globosa in response to hyperthermia. Moreover, NETs were formed after interaction with S. globosa, and the percentage of NETs formed was not significantly different at 41℃ or 37℃. Conclusion: While hyperthermia could serve as an effective therapy for fixed cutaneous sporotrichosis, this ability does not involve the formation of NETs. (Ann Dermatol 33(1) 37∼45, 2021)

Parametric Study of Water Inrush in a Tunnel Crossing a Fault based on the “Three Zones” fault structure

Jing Wu,Xintong Wang,Li Wu,Ya-ni Lu,Yanhua Han 대한토목학회 2022 KSCE Journal of Civil Engineering Vol.26 No.8

As tunnelling progresses into the complex geological environment such as fault zones, water inrush has become one of the main geological hazards during tunnel construction. Consequently, understanding the evolution of pore pressure and flow velocity when a tunnel is excavated in a fault zone is crucial to ensure safe working conditions and reduce construction risks. In this work, based on the concept of “Three Zones” fault structure, we simulate the nonlinear water inrush process by solving the Darcy-Brinkman flow equation for the host rock and the fault zone. We examine the impacts of 1) the angle between the tunnelling direction and the fault and 2) the relative position from the tunnel face to the fault on the evolution of pore pressure and flow velocity near the tunnel face. The results show that within 5 m to 20 m ahead of the working face, pore pressure, flow velocity, and water inrush rate are the smallest when the angle is 90°. As the angle decreases, both pore pressure and flow velocity ahead of the working face increase. The pore pressure is larger when the tunnel has not reached the fault zone than when the tunnel has crossed the fault zone. Flow velocity also exhibits similar behaviour as pore pressure. With different relative positions from the tunnel working face to the fault, the closer the tunnel face to the fault, the lower the pore pressure and the larger the flow velocity ahead of the tunnel face. The largest water inrush rate occurs when the tunnel face is excavated to the center of the fault core, and the water inrush rate declines as the distance away from the fault increases. The simulation results provided a new method for simulating water inrush when a tunnel crosses a fault and could provide valuable references for the prediction of water inrush for underground projects.