Enhancement of Pyruvate Production by Torulopsis glabrata : through Supplement of Oxaloacetate as Carbon Source

Liu Li-Ming,Du Guo-Cheng,Li Vin,Li Hua-Zhong,Chen Jian The Korean Society for Biotechnology and Bioengine 2005 Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering Vol.10 No.2

The capability of utilizing a TCA cycle intermediates as the sole carbon source by the multi-vitamin auxotrophic yeast Torulopsis glabrata CCTCC M202019 was demonstrated with plate count method. It is indicated that T. glabrata could grew on a medium with one of the TCA cycle intermediates as the sole carbon source, but more colonies were observed when glucose, acetate and one of the TCA cycle intermediates coexisted in the medium. Among the intermediates of the TCA cycle examined in this study, cell growth was improved by supplementing oxaloacetate. Further investigation showed that the presence of acetate was necessary when oxaloacetate was supplemented. By supplementing with 10 g/L of oxaloacetate in pyruvate batch fermentation, dry cell weight increased from 11.8 g/L to 13.6 g/L, and pyruvate productivity was enhanced from $0.96\;gL^{-1}h^{-1}\;to\;1.19 gL^{-1}h^{-1}$ after cultivation of 56 h. The yield of pyruvate to glucose was also improved from 0.63 g/g to 0.66 g/g. These results indicate that under vitamins limitation, the productivity and yield of pyruvate could be enhanced via an increase of cell growth by the supplementation of oxaloacetate.

Breastfeeding and Ovarian Cancer Risk: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of 40 Epidemiological Studies

Li, Da-Peng,Du, Chen,Zhang, Zuo-Ming,Li, Guang-Xiao,Yu, Zhi-Fu,Wang, Xin,Li, Peng-Fei,Cheng, Cheng,Liu, Yu-Peng,Zhao, Ya-Shuang Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.12

The present systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to assess any association between breastfeeding and the risk of ovarian cancer. A systematic search of published studies was performed in PUBMED and EMBASE and by reviewing reference lists from retrieved articles through March 2013. Data extraction was conducted independently by two authors. Pooled relative risk ratios were calculated using random-effect models. Totals of 5 cohort studies and 35 case-control studies including 17,139 women with ovarian cancer showed a 30% reduced risk of ovarian cancer when comparing the women who had breastfed with those who had never breastfed (pooled RR = 0.70, 95% CI: 0.64-0.76; p = 0.00), with significant heterogeneity in the studies (p = 0.00; I2 = 76.29%). A significant decreasd in risk of epithelial ovarian cancer was also observed (pooled RR = 0.68, 95% CI: 0.61-0.76). When the participants were restricted to only parous women, there was a slightly attenuated but still significant risk reduction of ovarian cancer (pooled RR = 0.76, 95% CI: 0.69-0.83). For total breastfeeding duration, the pooled RRs in the < 6 months, 6-12 months and > 12 months of breastfeeding subgroups were 0.85 (95% CI: 0.77-0.93), 0.73 (95% CI: 0.65-0.82) and 0.64 (95%CI: 0.56-0.73), respectively. Meta-regression of total breastfeeding duration indicated an increasing linear trend of risk reduction of ovarian cancer with the increasing total breastfeeding duration (p = 0.00). Breastfeeding was inversely associated with the risk of ovarian cancer, especially long-term breastfeeding duration that demonstrated a stronger protective effect.

Dietary maifanite supplementation did not affect the apparent total tract digestibility of calcium and phosphorus in growing pigs

Li Li Bai,Dong Xu Ming,Shu Ren Dong,Zhong Yue Yang,Wen Hui Wang,Shuai Zhang,Xiang Shu Piao,Ling Liu,Fenglai Wang 아세아·태평양축산학회 2018 Animal Bioscience Vol.31 No.2

Objective: This study was conducted to determine the effects of dietary maifanite supplementation and fecal collection method on the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) and blood parameters in growing pigs. Methods: Thirty-six growing barrows (Duroc×Landrace×Yorkshire; 27.0±2.6 kg) were allotted to six dietary treatments with 6 pigs per treatment according to body weight in a completely randomized design. The experimental treatments were: i) Low Ca+cornstarch (2.25%), ii) Low Ca+maifanite (2.25%), iii) Medium Ca+cornstarch (1.42%), iv) Medium Ca+maifanite (1.42%), v) High Ca+cornstarch (0.64%), and vi) High Ca+maifanite (0.64%). Feces were collected by the total collection (TC) and indicator method (IM). At the beginning and the end of the experiment, blood samples were collected from each pig. Results: For the TC method, there were no difference in Ca intake, fecal Ca output, Ca retention and the ATTD of Ca between cornstarch and maifanite diets at the same dietary Ca level. However, urinary Ca excretion was lower (p = 0.01) in pigs fed low Ca diets without maifanite supplementation compared with other dietary treatments. Dietary maifanite supplementation had no effect on the P metabolism in growing pigs. For the IM method, there was no difference in Ca digestibility between cornstarch and maifanite diets at the same dietary Ca level. The ATTD of P was greater (p<0.01) in pigs fed the high Ca diet with maifanite supplementation compared with the high Ca diet with cornstarch treatment. Dietary inclusion of maifanite had no effect on blood parameters in growing pigs. Conclusion: Dietary maifanite supplementation had no effect on the ATTD of Ca and P and serum parameters in growing pigs. The IM resulted in lower digestibility values than the TC method.

Numerical analysis and fluid-solid coupling model test of filling-type fracture water inrush and mud gush

Li, Li-Ping,Chen, Di-Yang,Li, Shu-Cai,Shi, Shao-Shuai,Zhang, Ming-Guang,Liu, Hong-Liang Techno-Press 2017 Geomechanics & engineering Vol.13 No.6

The geological conditions surrounding the Jijiapo Tunnel of the Three Gorges Fanba Highway project in Hubei Province are very complex. In this paper, a 3-D physical model was carried out to study the evolution process of filling-type fracture water inrush and mud gush based on the conditions of the section located between 16.040 km and 16.042 km of the Jijiapo Tunnel. The 3-D physical model was conducted to clarify the effect of the self-weight of the groundwater level and tunnel excavation during water inrush and mud gush. The results of the displacement, stress and seepage pressure of fracture and surrounding rock in the physical model were analyzed. In the physical model the results of the model test show that the rock displacement suddenly jumped after sustainable growth, rock stress and rock seepage suddenly decreased after continuous growth before water inrushing. Once water inrush occured, internal displacement of filler increased successively from bottom up, stress and seepage pressure of filler droped successively from bottom up, which presented as water inrush and mud gush of filling-type fracture was a evolving process from bottom up. The numerical study was compared with the model test to demonstrate the effectiveness and accuracy of the results of the model test.

B-cell Lymphoma 2 rs17757541 C>G Polymorphism was Associated with an Increased Risk of Gastric Cardiac Adenocarcinoma in a Chinese Population

Li, Qiong,Yin, Jun,Wang, Xu,Wang, Li-Ming,Shi, Yi-Jun,Zheng, Liang,Tang, Wei-Feng,Ding, Guo-Wen,Liu, Chao,Liu, Rui-Ping,Gu, Hai-Yong,Sun, Jia-Ming,Chen, Suo-Cheng Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.7

Aim: Apoptosis has been considered as a fundamental component in cancer pathogenesis, and related genetic factors might play an important role in gastric cardiac adenocarcinoma (GCA) genesis. Methods: We conducted a hospital based case.control study to evaluate the genetic effects of functional single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs): BCL2 rs17757541 C>G, BCL2 rs12454712 T>C, FAS rs2234767 G>A, FASL/FASLG rs763110 C>T, ERBB2 rs1136201 A>G and VEGFR2/KDR rs11941492 C>T on the development of GCA. A total of 243 GCA cases and 476 controls were recruited for the study and genotypes were determined using a custom-by-design 48-Plex SNPscan$^{TM}$ Kit. Results: The BCL2 rs17757541 C>G polymorphism was associated with increased risk of GCA. However, there was no significant associations with the other five SNPs. Stratified analyses indicated a significantly increased risk of GCA associated with the BCL2 rs17757541 C>G polymorphism among males, older patients and those with a history of smoking or drinking. Conclusion: These findings indicated that the functional polymorphism BCL2 rs17757541 C>G might contribute to GCA susceptibility. However, our results were limited by small sample size. Future larger studies are required to confirm our current findings.

Preparation of AlN Films and nc-AlN/a-SiNx Nanocomposite Films by Medium Frequency Magnetron Sputtering

Ming Kai Li,Xiang Jun Fan,Cheng Bin Li,Chuan Sheng Liu 한국물리학회 2005 THE JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN PHYSICAL SOCIETY Vol.46 No.1

AlN ¯lms and nc-AlN/a-SiNx nanocomposite ¯lms are deposited on (111) silicon and glass sub-strates by using medium-frequency reactive magnetron sputtering under N2/Ar atmosphere, and then the ¯lms are analyzed in detail by using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diraction (XRD). Hardness of the nc-AlN/a-SiNx ¯lms is measured. The microstructures of AlN ¯lms under dierent nitrogen concentrations are compared. The XRD patterns indicate that the ¯lm shows (002) orientation, strongly independent of N2 partial °ow rate. The TEM images show that the uniform AlN crystal, the clear polycrystalline diraction circles and the dierence of the grain size under dierent conditions are signi¯cant. Columnar grains of AlN ¯lm on (111) silicon substrate under 70 % N2 partial °ow rate are observed. The results indicate that the preferred orientation of AlN ¯lm is aected by N2 partial °ow rate. The hardness of nc-AlN/a-SiNx ¯lms increases with increasing a-SiNx content and the hardness decreases when a-SiNx is excessive. The maximal hardness of nc-AlN/a-SiNx nanocomposite ¯lms can reach 30 GPa by adjusting a-SiNx content. The transmission of the nanocomposite ¯lms is over 85 %. The results suggest that it has potential application for optical protective coatings.

MTHFR C677T Polymorphism and Pancreatic Cancer Risk: a Meta-analysis

Liu, Xiang-Ming,Liu, Feng-Hua,Tang, Yong,Li, Qiang Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.8

Background: Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) is a key enzyme in the metabolism of folate, and the role of the MTHFR C677T polymorphism in pancreatic carcinogenesis is still controversial. Methods: A literature search was performed using Pubmed and CNKI databases for published studies through May 2012. We performed a meta-analysis of all relevant case-control studies that examined the association between MTHFR C677T polymorphism and pancreatic cancer risk. Results: Finally, 9 individual case-control studies with a total of 1,299 pancreatic cancer cases and 2,473 controls were included into this meta-analysis. Results: This metaanalysis showed there was an obvious association between MTHFR C677T polymorphism and pancreatic cancer risk in East Asians (for allele model, OR = 1.67, 95%CI 1.11-2.51; For homozygote model, OR = 2.77, 95%CI 1.40-5.48; for recessive model, OR = 1.96, 95%CI 1.54-2.50; for dominant model, OR = 2.11, 95%CI 1.01-4.41). However, no significant association was found in Caucasians. Conclusions: The MTHFR C677T polymorphism is associated with pancreatic cancer risk, and a race-specific effect may exist in this association. More studies with a larger sample size are needed to further clarify this association.

The Prognostic Value of Treatment-Related Lymphopenia in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Patients

Li-Ting Liu,Qiu-Yan Chen,Lin-Quan Tang,Shan-Shan Guo,Ling Guo,Hao-Yuan Mo,Ming-Yuan Chen,Chong Zhao,Xiang Guo,Chao-Nan Qian,Mu-Sheng Zeng,Jin-Xin Bei,Jing Tan,Shuai Chen,Ming-Huang Hong,Jian-Yong Shao 대한암학회 2018 Cancer Research and Treatment Vol.50 No.1

Purpose This study was conducted to evaluate the prognostic value of treatment-related lymphopenia in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Materials and Methods A total of 413 consecutive stage II-IVb NPC patients treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) were enrolled. The overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) were calculated with the Kaplan-Meier method, and differences were compared using the log-rank test. Results A minimum (mini)–absolute lymphocyte counts (ALC) of < 390 cells/μL or ALC after 3 months of CCRT (post3m-ALC) < 705 cells/μL was significantly associated with worse outcome than mini-ALC ! 390 cells/μL (OS, p=0.002; PFS, p=0.005; DMFS, p=0.004) or post3m-ALC ! 705 cells/μL (OS, p < 0.001; PFS, p < 0.001; DMFS, p=0.001). Patients with lymphopenia (mini-ALC < 390 cells/μL and post3m-ALC < 705 cells/μL) had a worse prognosis than those without lymphopenia (mini-ALC ! 390 cells/μL and post3m-ALC ! 705 cells/μL) (OS, p < 0.001; PFS, p < 0.001; DMFS, p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed that post3m-ALC was an independent prognostic factor for OS (hazard ratio [HR], 1.76; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.12 to 2.78; p=0.015), PFS (HR, 1.86; 95% CI, 1.23 to 2.82; p=0.003), and DMFS (HR, 1.87; 95% CI, 1.13 to 3.08; p=0.014). Multivariate analysis also revealed that patients with lymphopenia had a high risk of death (HR, 3.79; 95% CI, 1.75 to 8.19; p=0.001), disease progression (HR, 2.93; 95% CI, 1.59 to 5.41; p=0.001), and distant metastasis (HR, 3.89; 95% CI, 1.67 to 9.10; p=0.002). Multivariate analysis performed with time dependent Cox regression demonstrated ALC was an independent prognostic factor for OS (HR, 0.995; 95% CI, 0.991 to 0.999; p=0.025) and PFS (HR, 0.993; 95% CI, 0.988 to 0.998; p=0.006). Conclusion Treatment-related lymphopenia was a poor prognostic factor in NPC patients.

CT Findings of Persistent Pure Ground Glass Opacity: Can We Predict the Invasiveness?

Liu, Li-Heng,Liu, Ming,Wei, Ran,Jin, Er-Hu,Liu, Yu-Hui,Xu, Liang,Li, Wen-Wu,Huang, Yong Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.5

Background: To investigate whether CT findings can predict the invasiveness of persistent cancerous pure ground glass opacity (pGGO) by correlating the CT imaging features of persistent pGGO with pathological changes. Materials and Methods: Ninety five patients with persistent pGGOs were included. Three radiologists evaluated the morphologic features of these pGGOs at high resolution CT (HRCT). Binary logistic regression was used to assess the association between CT findings and histopathological classification (pre-invasive and invasive groups). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of diameters. Results: A total of 105 pGGOs were identified. Between pre-invasive (atypical adenomatous hyperplasia, AAH, and adenocarcinoma in situ, AIS) and invasive group (minimally invasive adenocarcinoma, MIA and invasive lung adenocarcinomas, ILA), there were significant differences in diameter, spiculation and vessel dilatation (p<0.05). No difference was found in air-bronchogram, bubble-lucency, lobulated-margin, pleural indentation or vascular convergence (p>0.05). The optimal threshold value of the diameters to predict the invasiveness of pGGO was 12.50mm. Conclusions: HRCT features can predict the invasiveness of persistent pGGO. The pGGO with a diameter more than 12.50mm, presences of spiculation and vessel dilatation are important factors to differentiate invasive adenocarcinoma from pre-invasive cancerous lesions.

Adjuvant Radiotherapy after Breast Conserving Treatment for Breast Cancer:A Dosimetric Comparison between Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy and Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy

Liu, Zhe-Ming,Ge, Xiao-Lin,Chen, Jia-Yan,Wang, Pei-Pei,Zhang, Chi,Yang, Xi,Zhu, Hong-Cheng,Liu, Jia,Qin, Qin,Xu, Li-Ping,Lu, Jing,Zhan, Liang-Liang,Cheng, Hong-Yan,Sun, Xin-Chen Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.8

Background: Radiotherapy is an important treatment of choice for breast cancer patients after breast-conserving surgery, and we compare the feasibility of using dual arc volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT2), single arc volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT1) and Multi-beam Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy (M-IMRT) on patients after breast-conserving surgery. Materials and Methods: Thirty patients with breast cancer (half right-sided and half left-sided) treated by conservative lumpectomy and requiring whole breast radiotherapy with tumor bed boost were planned with three different radiotherapy techniques: 1) VMAT1; 2) VMAT2; 3) M-IMRT. The distributions for the planning target volume (PTV) and organs at risk (OARs) were compared. Dosimetries for all the techniques were compared. Results: All three techniques satisfied the dose constraint well. VMAT2 showed no obvious difference in the homogeneity index (HI) and conformity index (CI) of the PTV with respect to M-IMRT and VMAT1. VMAT2 clearly improved the treatment efficiency and can also decrease the mean dose and V5Gy of the contralateral lung. The mean dose and maximum dose of the spinal cord and contralateral breast were lower for VMAT2 than the other two techniques. The very low dose distribution (V1Gy) of the contralateral breast also showed great reduction in VMAT2 compared with the other two techniques. For the ipsilateral lung of right-sided breast cancer, the mean dose was decreased significantly in VMAT2 compared with VMAT1 and M-IMRT. The V20Gy and V30Gy of the ipsilateral lung of the left-sided breast cancer for VMAT2 showed obvious reduction compared with the other two techniques. The heart statistics of VMAT2 also decreased considerably compared to VMAT1 and M-IMRT. Conclusions: Compared to the other two techniques, the dual arc volumetric modulated arc therapy technique reduced radiation dose exposure to the organs at risk and maintained a reasonable target dose distribution.