Historical Long-term Exposure to Pentachlorophenol Causing Risk of Cancer - A Community Study

Zheng, Rui-Zhi,Zhang, Qing-He,He, Yi-Xin,Zhang, Qian,Yang, Lin-Shen,Zhang, Zhi-Hua,Zhang, Xiu-Jun,Hu, Jing-Ting,Huang, Fen Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.2

Background: Pervious studies suggested occupational workers exposure to pentachlorophenol (PCP) might contribute to increased risk of cancer. However, few studies have focused on associations between PCP and cancer risk at the community level. Objective: The present study was to explore the cancer risk for the community population living long-term in a PCP contaminated area. Methods: All the cancer cases diagnosed in 2009-2011 in Tongling City were collected. The cancer patients' residencies were geo-referenced in each district. The historical PCP usage for each district of Tongling was calculated as the PCP pollution index, which was further used to divide into PCP exposure categories. Standardized rate ratios (SRRs) of cancer incidence were applied to detect the cancer risk as exposure grade elevated. Correlation analysis was performed to analyze the relationship between PCP pollution and cancer incidence. Results: A total of 5,288 cancer cases (3,451 male and 1,837 female) were identified. PCP usage was correlated with the incidence of leukemia (r=0.88, P=0.002) for males, and with cancer of the esophagus for males (r=0.83, P=0.008) and females (r=0.71, P=0.020). Compared with the low exposure category, significant SRRs for total cancer sites was obtained for high PCP exposure category (SRR=1.61, 95%CI=1.59-1.62). Most SRR values of the cancer sites were significantly increased as exposure grade elevated and exposure time extended. Conclusion: The present study found that community residents living in the PCP contaminated area had increased risk of cancers. Leukemias, lymphomas and nasopharyngeal and esophageal cancers are most possibly associated with PCP exposure.

Systemic Inflammatory Biomarkers, Especially Fibrinogen to Albumin Ratio, Predict Prognosis in Patients with Pancreatic Cancer

Lin Fang,Fei-Hu Yan,Chao Liu,Jing Chen,Dan Wang,Chun-Hui Zhang,Chang-Jie Lou,Jie Lian,Yang Yao,Bo-Jun Wang,Rui-Yang Li,Shu-Ling Han,Yi-Bing Bai,Jia-Ni Yang,Zhi-Wei Li,Yan-Qiao Zhang 대한암학회 2021 Cancer Research and Treatment Vol.53 No.1

Purpose Systemic inflammatory response is a critical factor that promotes the initiation and metastasis of malignancies including pancreatic cancer (PC). This study was designed to determine and compare the prognostic value of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), and fibrinogen-to-albumin ratio (FAR) in resectable PC and locally advanced or metastatic PC. Materials and Methods Three hundred fifty-three patients with resectable PC and 807 patients with locally advan-ced or metastatic PC were recruited in this study. These patients were classified into a training set (n=758) and a validation set (n=402). Kaplan-Meier survival plots and Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to analyze prognosis. Results Overall survival (OS) was significantly better for patients with resectable PC with low preoperative PLR (p=0.048) and MLR (p=0.027). Low FAR, MLR, NLR (p < 0.001), and PLR (p=0.003) were significantly associated with decreased risk of death for locally advanced or metastatic PC patients. FAR (hazard ratio [HR], 1.522; 95% confidential interval [CI], 1.261 to 1.837; p < 0.001) and MLR (HR, 1.248; 95% CI, 1.017 to 1.532; p=0.034) were independent prognostic factors for locally advanced or metastatic PC. Conclusion The prognostic roles of FAR, MLR, NLR, and PLR in resectable PC and locally advanced or metastatic PC were different. FAR showed the most prognostic power in locally advanced or metastatic PC. Low FAR was positively correlated with OS in locally advanced or metastatic PC, which could be used to predict the prognosis.

Molecular characterization and functional analysis of a protease-related protein in Chang-Liver cells

( Cong Rui Wang ),( Hui Yong Zhang ),( Hui Gen Feng ),( Bao Sheng Yang ),( Jogenananda Pramanik ),( Zhi Kun Guo ),( Jun Tang Lin ) 생화학분자생물학회 (구 한국생화학분자생물학회) 2010 BMB Reports Vol.43 No.5

In this study, the cDNA library of Chang-liver cells was immunoscreened using common ADAMs antibody to obtain ADAM related genes. We found one positive clone that was confirmed as a new gene by Blast, which is an uncharacterized helical and coil protein and processes protease activity, and named protease-related protein 1 (ARP1). The submitted GenBank accession number is AY078070. Molecular characterizations of ARP1 were analyzed with appropriate bioinformatics software. To analyse its expression and function, ARP1 was subcloned into glutathione S-transferase fusion plasmid pGEX-2T and expressed by E. coli system. The in vitro expression product of ARP1 was recognized by common ADAMs antibody with western blot. Interestingly, ARP1 cleaves gelatine at pH9.5, which suggests it is an alkaline protease. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR result indicates that ARP1 mRNA is strongly transcribed in the liver and the treated Chang-liver cells. [BMB reports 2010; 43(5): 375-381]

Mortality Characteristic and Prediction of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma in China from 1991 to 2013

Xu, Zhen-Xi,Lin, Zhi-Xiong,Fang, Jia-Ying,Wu, Ku-Sheng,Du, Pei-Ling,Zeng, Yang,Tang, Wen-Rui,Xu, Xiao-Ling,Lin, Kun Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.15

Background: To analyze the mortality distribution of nasopharyngeal carcinoma in China from 1991 to 2013, to predict the mortality in the ensuing five years, and to provide evidence for prevention and treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Materials and Methods: Mortality data for Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma in China from 1991 to 2013 were used to describe its epidemiological characteristics, such as the change of the standardized mortality rate, sex and age differences, urban-rural differences. Trend-surface analysis was used to study the geographical distribution of the mortality. Curve estimation, time series, gray modeling, and joinpoint regression were used to predict the mortality for the ensuing five years in the future. Results: In China, the standardized mortality rate of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma increased with time from 1996, reaching the peak values of $1.45/10^5$ at the year of 2002, and decreased gradually afterwards. With males being 1.51 times higher than females, and the city had a higher rate than the rural during the past two decades. The mortality rate increased from age 40. Geographical analysis showed the mortality rate increased from middle to southern China. Conclusions: The standardized mortality rate of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma is falling. The regional disease control for Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma should be focused on Guangdong province of China, and the key targets for prevention and treatment are rural men, especially after the age of 40. The mortality of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma will decrease in the next five years.

Antioxidant Effect of Pomegranate Rind Powder Extract, Pomegranate Juice, and Pomegranate Seed Powder Extract as Antioxidants in Raw Ground Pork Meat

Yu-Yue Qin,Zhi-Hong Zhang,Lin Li,Wei Xiong,Jin-Yu Shi,Tian-Rui Zhao,Jian Fan 한국식품과학회 2013 Food Science and Biotechnology Vol.22 No.4

The antioxidant potential of pomegranate rind powder extract (PRP), pomegranate juice (PJ), and pomegranate seed powder extract (PSP) was evaluated in raw ground pork meat stored at 4±1oC for 12 days. The pH values decreased from 5.88 to 5.61. The standard plate count in the PRP group was significantly (p<0.05) lower than that in all other groups. Butylated hydroxyl toluene (BHT) and PRP significantly (p<0.05) reduced lipid oxidation compared to PJ and PSP. Samples with antioxidants had significantly (p<0.05) reduced peroxide formation than control group. Antioxidant effectiveness was in the order: BHT>PRP>PJ>PSP>control. Lightness (L* value) was lowered by the addition of PRP, PJ, and PSP. The overall acceptability scores of PRP, PJ, PSP, and BHT treated samples were higher than that of control samples. The results indicated the potential of natural functional ingredients to enhance quality of raw ground pork meat.

Growth of InGaN Films on c-plane Sapphire Substrates with an AlN Nucleation Layer by Using Metal-organic Chemical-Vapor Deposition

Dang-Hui Wang,Sheng-Rui Xu,Jin-Cheng Zhang,Ke Chen,Zhi-Wei Bi,Lin-Xia Zhang,Fan-Na Meng,Shan Ai,Yue Hao 한국물리학회 2012 THE JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN PHYSICAL SOCIETY Vol.61 No.4

In this study, we report on the crystal quality of InGaN epifilms with different indium fractions grown at different growth temperatures on c-plane sapphire substrates with an AlN nucleation layer by using low-pressure metal-organic chemical-vapor deposition (MOCVD). High-resolution X-ray diffraction (HRXRD), atom force microscopy (AFM), photoluminescence (PL) and Raman scattering measurements were employed to study the crystal quality, optical properties and strain condition of InGaN epifilms with increasing indium fraction (from 4.36% to 15.36%). Results show that InGaN epitaxial layers can be realized with a higher indium fraction at a lower temperature by inserting an AlN nucleation layer between the sapphire substrate and the GaN buffer layer and that the obtained InGaN epifilms have an improved crystal quality and a lower threading dislocation density.

Therapeutic Regimens and Prognostic Factors of Brain Metastatic Cancers

Song, Wen-Guang,Wang, Yi-Feng,Wang, Rui-Lin,Qu, Yin-E,Zhang, Zhi,Li, Guo-Zhong,Xiao, Ying,Fang, Fang,Chen, Hong Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.2

Objective: This work aims to investigate the therapeutic regimen of brain metastatic cancers and the relationship between clinical features and prognosis. Methods: Clinical data of 184 patients with brain metastatic cancers were collected and analysed for the relationship between survival time and age, gender, primary diseases, quantity of brain metastatic foci, their position, extra cranial lesions, and therapeutic regimens. Results: The average age of onset was 59.1 years old. The median survival time (MST) was 15.0 months, and the patients with breast cancer as the primary disease had the longest survival time. Females had a longer survival time than males. Patients with meningeal metastasis had extremely short survival time. Those with less than 3 brain metastatic foci survived longer than patients with more than 3. The MST of patients receiving radiotherapy only and the patients receiving chemotherapy only were all 10.0 months while the MST of patients receiving combination therapy was 16.0 months. Multiple COX regression analysis demonstrated that gender, primary diseases, and quantity of brain metastatic foci were independent prognostic factors for brain metastatic cancers. Conclusions: Chemotherapy is as important as radiotherapy in the treatment of brain metastatic cancer. Combination therapy is the best treatment mode. Male gender, brain metastatic cancers originating in the gastrointestinal tract, more than 3 metastatic foci, and involvement of meninges indicate a worse prognosis.

The Blood Oxygenation T2* Values of Resectable Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinomas as Measured by 3T Magnetic Resonance Imaging: Association with Tumor Stage

Yu-lian Tang,Xiao-ming Zhang,Zhi-gang Yang,Yu-cheng Huang,Tian-wu Chen,Yan-li Chen,Fan Chen,Nan-lin Zeng,Rui Li,Jiani Hu 대한영상의학회 2017 Korean Journal of Radiology Vol.18 No.4

Objective: To explore the association between the blood oxygenation T2* values of resectable esophageal squamous cell carcinomas (ESCCs) and tumor stages. Materials and Methods: This study included 48 ESCC patients and 20 healthy participants who had undergone esophageal T2*-weighted imaging to obtain T2* values of the tumors and normal esophagi. ESCC patients underwent surgical resections less than one week after imaging. Statistical analyses were performed to identify the association between T2* values of ESCCs and tumor stages. Results: One-way ANOVA and Student-Newman-Keuls tests revealed that the T2* value could differentiate stage T1 ESCCs (17.7 ± 3.3 ms) from stage T2 and T3 tumors (24.6 ± 2.7 ms and 27.8 ± 5.6 ms, respectively; all ps < 0.001). Receiver operating curve (ROC) analysis showed the suitable cutoff T2* value of 21.3 ms for either differentiation. The former statistical tests demonstrated that the T2* value could not differentiate between stages T2 and T3 (24.6 ± 2.7 ms vs. 27.8 ± 5.6 ms, respectively, p > 0.05) or between N stages (N1 vs. N2 vs. N3: 24.7 ± 6.9 ms vs. 25.4 ± 4.5 ms vs. 26.8 ± 3.9 ms, respectively; all ps > 0.05). The former tests illustrated that the T2* value could differentiate anatomic stages I and II (18.8 ± 4.8 ms and 26.9 ± 5.9 ms, respectively) or stages I and III (27.3 ± 3.6 ms). ROC analysis depicted the same cutoff T2* value of 21.3 ms for either differentiation. In addition, the Student’s t test revealed that the T2* value could determine grouped T stages (T0 vs. T1–3: 17.0 ± 2.9 ms vs. 25.2 ± 6.2 ms; T0–1 vs. T2–3: 17.3 ± 3.0 ms vs. 27.1 ± 5.3 ms; and T0–2 vs. T3: 18.8 ± 4.2 ms vs. 27.8 ± 5.6 ms, all ps < 0.001). ROC analysis indicated that the T2* value could detect ESCCs (cutoff, 20 ms), and discriminate between stages T0–1 and T2–3 (cutoff, 21.3 ms) and between T0–2 and T3 (cutoff, 20.4 ms). Conclusion: The T2* value can be an additional quantitative indicator for detecting ESCC except for stage T1 cancer, and can preoperatively discriminate between some T stages and between anatomic stages of this tumor.

Sodium butyrate reduces high-fat diet-induced non-alcoholic steatohepatitis through upregulation of hepatic GLP-1R expression

Da Zhou,Yuan-Wen Chen,Ze-Hua Zhao,Rui-Xu Yang,Feng-Zhi Xin,Xiao-Lin Liu,Qin Pan,Huiping Zhou,Jian-Gao Fan 생화학분자생물학회 2018 Experimental and molecular medicine Vol.50 No.-

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) has a broad spectrum of biological activity by regulating metabolic processes via both the direct activation of the class B family of G protein-coupled receptors and indirect nonreceptor-mediated pathways. GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonists have significant therapeutic effects on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and steatohepatitis (NASH) in animal models. However, clinical studies indicated that GLP-1 treatment had little effect on hepatic steatosis in some NAFLD patients, suggesting that GLP-1 resistance may occur in these patients. It is wellknown that the gut metabolite sodium butyrate (NaB) could promote GLP-1 secretion from intestinal L cells. However, it is unclear whether NaB improves hepatic GLP-1 responsiveness in NAFLD. In the current study, we showed that the serum GLP-1 levels of NAFLD patients were similar to those of normal controls, but hepatic GLP-1R expression was significantly downregulated in NAFLD patients. Similarly, in the NAFLD mouse model, mice fed with a high-fat diet showed reduced hepatic GLP-1R expression, which was reversed by NaB treatment and accompanied by markedly alleviated liver steatosis. In addition, NaB treatment also upregulated the hepatic p-AMPK/p-ACC and insulin receptor/ insulin receptor substrate-1 expression levels. Furthermore, NaB-enhanced GLP-1R expression in HepG2 cells by inhibiting histone deacetylase-2 independent of GPR43/GPR109a. These results indicate that NaB is able to prevent the progression of NAFL to NASH via promoting hepatic GLP-1R expression. NaB is a GLP-1 sensitizer and represents a potential therapeutic adjuvant to prevent NAFL progression to NASH.

Controlled Synthesis of Hydroxyapatite Using a Novel Natural Rosin-Based Surfactant

Shu-Hui Zhan,Xue-He Jiang,Juan Li,Zhi Meng,Lin-Lin Chen,Chun-Rui Han 성균관대학교(자연과학캠퍼스) 성균나노과학기술원 2017 NANO Vol.12 No.8

Hydroxyapatite (HAP) with multiform morphologies, such as hollow dandelion-like bundles and nanoparticles with a diameter of 50 nm, was prepared using natural rosin-based surfactant dehydroabietyl phosphate diester (DDPD) as phosphorus source, crystal growth control agent, and template simultaneously by a facile hydrothermal method. Samples were obtained and characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results showed that DDPD and pH value of solution were the key factors for the morphology of HAP. Hollow dandelion-like bundles HAP, containing the Ca-monodehydroabietyl phosphate (PM-Ca) organic metal compounds, were formed at pH=3 without acid-base regulation, and nanoparticles were obtained at pH=12. SEM exhibited that the hollow dandelion-like bundles HAP are of 10 μm (outer) and 1 μm (inner) diameter, respectively. Cell viabilities are above 95% when the cells are co-cultured with all HAP samples at concentrations in the range of 250–1000 μg/ml. It indicated that the prepared HAP with PM-Ca has a good cytocompatibility without apparent toxicity. Finally, the possible formation mechanism of the HAP microstructures was discussed in detail.