Circulating Low Absolute CD4+ T Cell Counts May Predict Poor Prognosis in Extranodal NK/T-Cell Lymphoma Patients Treating with Pegaspargase-Based Chemotherapy

Ya-Ping Zhang,Run Zhang,Hua-Yuan Zhu,Li Wang,Yu-Jie Wu,Jin-Hua Liang,Wen-Yu Shi,Hong Liu,Wei Xu,Jian-Yong Li 대한암학회 2019 Cancer Research and Treatment Vol.51 No.1

Purpose Extranodal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type (ENKTL) is a rare subtype of non- Hodgkin lymphoma, and asparaginase-based regimens are the best first-line treatments. Data on the role of specific circulating lymphocyte subsets in the progression of ENKTL are limited. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical correlation and distribution of circulating absolute CD4+ T-cell counts (ACD4Cs) in ENKTL. Materials and Methods We retrospectively searched medical records for 70 newly diagnosed ENKTL patients treated with pegaspargase-based regimens. Comparison of ACD4Cs as a continuous parameter in different groups was calculated. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to assess prognostic factors for overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). Results Stage III/IV, B symptoms, elevated lactate dehydrogenase, monocytopenia, high-intermediate and high risk International Prognostic Index (IPI) and Korean Prognostic Index (KPI), high risk Prognostic Index of Natural Killer Lymphoma (PINK), and lower lymphocytes were significantly associated with low ACD4C at diagnosis. With a median follow-up time of 32 months, patients who had an ACD4C < 0.30109/L had a worse OS. Median OS was 11 months and median PFS was 5 months in the low ACD4C cohort. There were significant differences in both OS and PFS between the two cohorts. Moreover, multivariate Cox analysis identified ACD4Cs as an independent predictor for OS and PFS. Conclusion Low ACD4Cs were associated with poorer survival and could act as a negative predictor for ENKTL patients treated with asparaginase-based regimens.

Insecticidal activities and biochemical properties of Pinellia ternata extracts against the beet armyworm Spodoptera exigua

Ya-Nan Zhang,Peng He,Jian-Ping Xue,Qing Guo,Xiu-Yun Zhu,Li-Ping Fang,Jin-Bu Li 한국응용곤충학회 2017 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.20 No.2

The beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua Hübner (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is a key pest of various agricultural crops in many countries throughout the world. The pest requires extensive use of pesticides and field-evolved resistances to conventional insecticides in China and other countries. Pinellia ternata Breit is native to the eastern part of Asia and foundmainly in China,which has been used in traditional Chinese medicines for N1000 years, but few studies have focused on the insecticidal activity of the P. ternate. In order to find natural products that could be used to control the pest in an safe, efficient and ecofriendlymanner,we first time analyzed the components of the anhydrous ethanolic extracts fromthe tubers of Pinellia ternate by using GC–MS method, and then investigated the insecticidal activities and biochemical mechanisms of the extracts against S. exigua. The result of GC–MS showed that 2-Methoxy-4-vinylphenolmay be an insecticidal active component, and we also found the extracts had notable insecticidal activity and disturbed the regular metabolismof S. exiguamainly through altering the activities of detoxification enzymes, digestive enzymes and protective enzymes. These properties suggest that the anhydrous ethanolic extracts from P. ternate can serve as a potential, efficient and ecofriendly S. exigua-control biopesticide.

Inhibition of c-FLIP by RNAi Enhances Sensitivity of the Human Osteogenic Sarcoma Cell Line U2OS to TRAILInduced Apoptosis

Zhang, Ya-Ping,Kong, Qing-Hong,Huang, Ying,Wang, Guan-Lin,Chang, Kwen-Jen Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.6

To study effects of cellular FLICE (FADD-like IL-$1{\beta}$-converting enzyme)-inhibitory protein (c-FLIP) inhibition by RNA interference (RNAi) on sensitivity of U2OS cells to tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL)-induced apoptosis, plasmid pSUPER-c-FLIP-siRNA was constructed and then transfected into U2OS cells. A stable transfection cell clone U2OS/pSUPER-c-FLIP-siRNA was screened from the c-FLIP-siRNA transfected cells. RT-PCR and Western blotting were applied to measure the expression of c-FLIP at the levels of mRNA and protein. The results indicated that the expression of c-FLIP was significantly suppressed by the c-FLIP-siRNA in the cloned U2OS/pSUPER-c-FLIP-siRNA as compared with the control cells of U2OS/pSUPER. The cloned cell line of U2OS/pSUPER-c-FLIP-siRNA was further examined for TRAILinduced cell death and apoptosis in the presence of a pan-antagonist of inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (IAPs) AT406, with or without 4 hrs pretreatment with rocaglamide, an inhibitor of c-FLIP biosynthesis, for 24 hrs. Cell death effects and apoptosis were measured by the methods of MTT assay with 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide and flow cytometry, respectively. The results indicated that TRAIL-induced cell death in U2OS/pSUPER-c-FLIP-siRNA was increased compared with control cells U2OS/pSUPER in the presence or absence of AT406. Flow cytometry indicated that TRAIL-induced cell death effects proceeded through cell apoptosis pathway. However, in the presence of rocaglamide, cell death or apoptotic effects of TRAIL were similar and profound in both cell lines, suggesting that the mechanism of action for both c-FLIP-siRNA and rocaglamide was identical. We conclude that the inhibition of c-FLIP by either c-FLIP-siRNA or rocaglamide can enhance the sensitivity of U2OS to TRAIL-induced apopotosis, suggesting that inhibition of c-FLIP is a good target for anti-cancer therapy.

Comparative Evaluation of Hepatoprotective Activities of Geniposide, Crocins and Crocetin by CCl4-Induced liver Injury in Mice

( Ping Chen ),( Yang Chen ),( Ya Rong Wang ),( Shi Ning Cai ),( Liang Deng ),( Jia Liu ),( Hao Zhang ) 한국응용약물학회 2016 Biomolecules & Therapeutics(구 응용약물학회지) Vol.24 No.2

Iridoid glycosides (mainly geniposide) and crocetin derivatives (crocins) are the two major active constituents in Gardenia jasminoides Ellis. In the present study, geniposide, crocins, crocin-1 and crocetin were separated from gardenia chromatographically. Then, mice were orally administrated with geniposide (400 mg/kg b.w.), crocins (400 mg/kg b.w.), crocin-1 (400 mg/kg b.w.) and crocetin (140 mg/kg b.w.) once daily for 7 days with CCl4. Hepatoprotective properties were evaluated by biochemical parameters: Administration of geniposide, crocins, crocin-1and crocetin significantly lowered serum alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels in CCl4-treated mice. The reduced glutathione (GSH) levels and antioxidant enzymes (SOD and CAT) activities were also increased by geniposide, crocins, crocin-1 and crocetin. Histopathological examination of livers showed that these components reduced deformability, irregular arrangement and rupture of hepatocyte in CCl4-treated mice. These biochemical results and liver histopathological assessment demonstrated that geniposide, crocetin derivatives and crocetin show comparative beneficial effects on CCl4-induced liver damage via induction of antioxidant defense. Therefore, contents of geniposide and crocetin derivatives should be both considered for hepatoprotective efficacy of Gardenia jasminoides Ellis.

Identification and tissue distribution of carboxylesterase (CXE) genes in Athetis lepigone (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) by RNA-seq

Ya-Nan Zhang,Zhao-Qun Li,Xiu-Yun Zhu,Jia-Li Qian,Zhi-Ping Dong,Lu Xue,Peng He 한국응용곤충학회 2017 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.20 No.4

Some of the metabolic enzyme carboxylesterases (CXEs) belong to the odorant-degrading enzymes (ODEs) family in insect species, and these play a key role in the degradation of acetate sex pheromones and host plant volatiles. Athetis lepigone is one of the most important agricultural insect pests in the world, can damage> 30 species of host plants, and has caused serious declines in the yield of summer corn in North China since 2011. According to our previous studies, the sex pheromone component of the pest is a binary blend of Z7–12:OAc and Z9–14:OAc at a ratio of 3:7. However, there are no reports regarding the degradation mechanism for these two sex pheromones. Herein, we firstly identified 20 candidate CXE genes in A. lepigone using our previous adult antennal RNA-seq data. Then, we constructed a phylogenetic tree and further conducted tissue distribution analyses to determine the possible functions of these genes. Our results showed that some AlepCXEs displayed adult antennae- predominant, male antennae-biased, or leg/wing-biased expression, indicating these AlepCXEs may have distinct physiological functions and play distinct roles in the degradation of sex pheromones, host plant volatiles, and/or other xenobiotics. These findings will help us to elucidate the exact functions of these genes in the future, and also provide possible target genes for the prevention and control of A. lepigone.

Molecular identification and expression patterns of carboxylesterase genes based on transcriptome analysis of the common cutworm, Spodoptera litura (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Ya Nan Zhang,Jin-Bu Li,Peng He,Liang Sun,Zhao-Qun Li,Li-Ping Fang,Zhan-Feng Ye,Dao-Gui Deng,Xiu-Yun Zhu 한국응용곤충학회 2016 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.19 No.4

Carboxylesterases (CXEs) belong to a family of metabolic enzymes that are widely distributed in insects and other organisms and can rapidly degrade the components of sex pheromones and plant volatiles with an acetate functional group. The common cutworm, Spodoptera litura, is an important agricultural pest around the world, causing vast economic losses every year. The female sex pheromones of S. litura comprise four acetates, Z9, E11-14:OAc; Z9, E12-14:OAc; Z9-14:OAc; and E11-14:OAc, but the degradation mechanisms of these components are not well understood. By analysing previously obtained transcriptomic data of the sex pheromone glands,we identified a total of 24 putative CXE genes in S. litura. Gene expression patterns and phylogenetic analysis revealed 5 genes with antennae-specific or biased expression, and clusteredwith genes showed involvement in the degradation of sex pheromones or other detoxification in other insects. SlitCXE10was expressed specifically in the antennae of both sexes, and SlitCXE14, 17, 19, and 21 had high antenna biased expression. Interestingly, RT-PCR and qPCR tests indicated that SlitCXE24 had significantly higher expression in PG than in other tissue, and that it could be a potential candidate gene for sex pheromone degradation in PG. This study is the first to provide solid background information for the further elucidation of sex pheromone degradation, and ultimately provides potential targets for the disruption of sexual communication in S. litura for new pest management.

Investigations on Gilbert damping, Curie temperatures and thermoelectric properties in CoFeCrZ quaternary Heusler alloys

Xiao-Ping Wei,Peifeng Gao,Ya-Ling Zhang 한국물리학회 2020 Current Applied Physics Vol.20 No.4

Exchange interactions and Curie temperatures of CoFeCrZ (Z=P, As, Sb, Ge) quaternary Heusler alloys are studied by using the spin-polarized relativistic Korringa-Kohn-Rostoker method. Electronic calculations show that the CoFeCrZ alloys apart from CoFeCrP are ferromagnetic half-metals, and their integer magnetic moments obey the Slater-Pauling rule. It is confirmed that the calculated Curie temperatures are evidently higher than room temperature. Further, we discuss the dependency of magnetic moments and Curie temperatures with respect to lattice constants. A smaller Gilbert damping parameters imply that these alloys have lower energy loss in spintronics applications. In addition, the thermoelectric properties of CoFeCrZ in both spin channels are calculated based on the BoltzTrap code. Results indicate that the Seebeck coefficients of CoFeCrZ (Z=As, Sb, Ge) are remarkably higher than 1000 μV/K. Overall, we think that the CoFeCrAs, CoFeCrSb and CoFeCrGe alloys are promising candidates in future spintronic and thermoelectric applications.

Research on Network Modeling Technique of Unified Spatial Dimension

Li, Ya-Ping,Yao, Jian-Guo,Zhang, Rui-Peng,Wang, Jun-Yu The Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers 2011 The Journal of International Council on Electrical Vol.1 No.4

For the modeling of spatial dimension in current chinese dispatch center is always incomplete, and the maintenance of model is always repeated again and again, a distributed modeling method based on IEC 61970 is proposed in this paper. It splits and merges the model by utilizing boundary comparison table and has no requirement for uniform naming, so it will not interrupt the online EMS system. The proposed method has designed an automatic flow control module, and users can take part in the process of modeling because fault-tolerant mechanism and safe returnable mechanism have been taken into account. Release-subscribe style is adopted by this method, so it can provide incorporate model management and release service to the control center. With this technology, the distributed modeling system can provide basic data and technical support to the online monitoring and security analysis function, and the problem of spatial dimension uniform modeling can be solved effectively.

A Study of Urodynamic Parameters at Different Bladder Filling Stages for Predicting Upper Urinary Tract Dilatation

Lei Lyu,Ya Xiong Yao,Er Peng Liu,Yan Ping Zhang,Hui Jie Hu,Feng Ping Ji,Qing Song Pu,Xing Huan Yang,Qing Wei Wang,Yan Wang,Jian Guo Wen 대한배뇨장애요실금학회 2022 International Neurourology Journal Vol.26 No.1

Purpose: To identify more accurate predictors of upper urinary tract dilatation (UUTD) in neurogenic bladder (NB) children, we studied the relationship among urodynamic parameters at different bladder filling stages, detrusor leak point pressure (DLPP) and UUTD. Methods: A total of 158 children (3–16 years) with NB were included and then divided into 2 groups according to whether their NB diagnosis was complicated with UUTD: the UUTD group (39 patients) and those without UUTD group (control group, 119 patients). The bladder filling phase was divided into 3 equal parts: the early, middle, and end filling stages. The bladder compliance (BC) and detrusor pressure (△Pdet) at each phase and DLPP at the end filling stage were recorded. Results: A BC<8 mL/cm H2O both in the middle and end stages is more specific than a BC<9 mL/cm H2O in the end stage (72%, 73%, vs. 66%), and △Pdet >8 cm H2O in the early stage, 20 cm H2O in the middle stage and 25 cm H2O in the end stage are more sensitive than △Pdet >40 cm H2O in the end stage (82%, 85%, 85%, vs. 49%). A DLPP cutoff value of 20 cm H2O showed higher sensitivity for predicting UUTD than 40 cm H2O. Conclusions: Low BC and a high △Pdet in the middle and end filling stages are more accurate factors than classic indicators for predicting UUTD. In addition, a DLPP value of >20 cm H2O in the end bladder filling stage shows high sensitivity.

Characteristics of registered studies for Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19): a systematic review

Ming Yang,Ya-xi Shang,Zi-yu Tian,Min Xiong,Chun-li Lu,Jiang Yue,Zhang Yao,Zhang Ying-ying,Jin Xin-yan,Jin Qiu-bai,Zhang Ying-ying,Willcox Merlin L.,Liu Jian-ping 한국한의학연구원 2020 Integrative Medicine Research Vol.9 No.3

Background: The World Health Organization characterized the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) as a pandemic on March 11th. Many clinical trials on COVID-19 have been registered, and we aim to review the study characteristics and provide guidance for future trials to avoid duplicated effort. Methods: Studies on COVID-19 registered before March 3rd, 2020 on eight registry platforms worldwide were searched and the data of design, participants, interventions, and outcomes were extracted and analyzed. Results: Three hundred and ninety-three studies were identified and 380 (96.7%) were from mainland China, while 3 in Japan, 3 in France, 2 in the US, and 3 were international collaborative studies. Two hundred and sixty-six (67.7%) aimed at therapeutic effect, others were for prevention, diagnosis, prognosis, etc. Two hundred and two studies (51.4%) were randomized controlled trials. Two third of therapeutic studies tested Western medicines including antiviral drugs (17.7%), stem cell and cord blood therapy (10.2%), chloroquine and derivatives (8.3%), 16 (6.0%) on Chinese medicines, and 73 (27.4%) on integrated therapy of Western and Chinese medicines. Thirty-one studies among 266 therapeutic studies (11.7%) used mortality as primary outcome, while the most designed secondary outcomes were symptoms and signs (47.0%). Half of the studies (45.5%) had not started recruiting till March 3rd. Conclusion: Inappropriate outcome setting, delayed recruitment and insufficient numbers of new cases in China implied many studies may fail to complete. Strategies and protocols of the studies with robust and rapid data sharing are warranted for emergency public health events, helping the timely evidence-based decision-making.