Association Between C-reactive Protein and Risk of Cancer: A Meta-analysis of Prospective Cohort Studies

Guo, Yong-Zhong,Pan, Lei,Du, Chang-Jun,Ren, Dun-Qiang,Xie, Xiao-Mei Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.1

Background: Associations between elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) and cancer risk have been reported for many years, but the results from prospective cohort studies remains controversial. A meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies was therefore conducted to address this issue. Methods: Eligible studies were identified by searching the PubMed and EMBASE up to October 2012. Pooled hazard ratios (HR) was calculated by using random effects model. Results: Eleven prospective cohort studies involving a total of 194,796 participants and 11,459 cancer cases were included in this meta-analysis. The pooled HR per natural log unit change in CRP was 1.105 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.033-1.178) for all-cancer, 1.308 (95% CI: 1.097-1.519) for lung cancer, 1.040 (95% CI: 0.910-1.170) for breast cancer, 1.063 (95% CI: 0.965-1.161) for prostate cancer, and 1.055 (95% CI: 0.925-1.184) for colorectal cancer. Dose-response analysis showed that the exponentiated linear trend for a change of one natural log unit in CRP was 1.012 (95% CI: 1.006-1.018) for all-cancer. No evidence of publication bias was observed. Conclusions: The results of this meta-analysis showed that the elevated levels of CRP are associated with an increased risk of all-cancer, lung cancer, and possibly breast, prostate and colorectal cancer. The result supports a role of chronic inflammation in carcinogenesis. Further research effort should be performed to identify whether CRP, as a marker of inflammation, has a direct role in carcinogenesis.

An Efficient Parallel Infilling Strategy and Its Application in Sheet Metal Forming

Yan-Min Xie,Yuan-Heng Guo,Fei Zhang,Yue-Peng Yue,Mei-Qiang Feng,Jiang-Bo Zhao 한국정밀공학회 2020 International Journal of Precision Engineering and Vol.21 No.8

Infilling strategies play an important role in kriging based optimization, especially when computationally expensive simulations are involved. In order to improve the efficiency of constructing a high-precision kriging model, an improved expected improvement criterion (IEI) and a parallel infilling strategy are proposed based on the maximum expected improvement (EI) criterion. In the proposed parallel infilling strategy, new sample points are generated by employing IEI criterion coupled with EI criterion. During the improved sampling process, redundant and pseudo sample are deleted in order to avoid failure of constructing a kriging model. An improved weighted particle swarm optimization (WPSO) algorithm is proposed to improve optimization efficiency. The proposed parallel infilling strategy is applied to nonlinear function optimization and variable blank holder force (VBHF) optimization in a double-c stamped part. Based on the LHD and software DYNAFORM, kriging models between the VBHF and forming quality are constructed. Compared with the initial kriging models, the meat relative error of kriging models with the proposed parallel infilling strategy for the wrinkling and average thinning rate are reduced by 95% and 55%, respectively. The optimal VBHF is obtained by the WPSO. The results show that, cracking has been completely eliminated and wrinkling has been decreased, greatly improving the forming quality of the double-c stamped part.

Mechanism underlying 2n male and female gamete formation in lemon via cytological and molecular marker analysis

Kai‑Dong Xie,Qiang‑Ming Xia,Jun Peng,Xiao‑Meng Wu,Zong‑Zhou Xie,Chun‑Li Chen,Wen‑Wu Guo 한국식물생명공학회 2019 Plant biotechnology reports Vol.13 No.2

The unreduced (2n) gametes have long been used in triploid breeding of citrus. In lemon, the previously reported mechanisms for 2n megagametophyte formation were controversial, whereas that for 2n pollen production is still unknown. Herein, the frequency of and mechanism underlying 2n megagametophyte and 2n pollen formation in ‘Eureka’ lemon were investigated based on cytological observation and genotyping of the triploid hybrids between ‘Eureka’ lemon and ‘Early gold’ sweet orange. As a result, 4.79% of the viable pollens of ‘Eureka’ lemon were identified as the 2n pollen with a larger diameter (70.16 ± 3.92 μm). The 2n pollen might be resulted from the formation of parallel spindles at meiosis stage II. Among the 204 plantlets regenerated from embryo rescue following the sexual cross, 12 were triploids as identified by flow cytometry. According to the analysis of heterozygosity transmission using 13 pericentromeric single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers and 20 randomly distributed simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers, 11 triploids were identified to be originated from the fertilization of 2n megagametophytes of ‘Eureka’ lemon, with a frequency of 5.39%. Among them, nine 2n megagametophytes were supposed to be arisen from the second division restitution (SDR), whereas the other two were from postmeiotic genome doubling (PMD). These results to understand the mechanism underlying 2n gamete formation in lemon are valuable for its efficient polyploid breeding.

Excess trehalose and glucose affects chitin metabolism in brown planthopper (Nilaparvata lugens)

Qi-Da Shen,Meng-Meng Yang,Guo-Qiang Xie,Hui-JuanWang,Lu Zhang,Ling-Yu Qiu,Shi-GuiWang,Bin Tang 한국응용곤충학회 2017 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.20 No.2

Trehalose is a non-reducing disaccharide that is hydrolyzed by trehalase to yield two glucose molecules. Trehalase is the first enzyme involved in the chitin biosynthesis pathway, and it plays a pivotal role in insect growth and molting. In this study, Nilaparvata lugens, an economically important rice pest in Southeast Asia, was injectedwith trehalose or glucose to investigate their effects on chitin metabolism. Excess trehalose and glucose significantly increased the rate of deformity (molting and/or wing deformities) and mortality in N. lugens. Trehalose, glycogen, and glucose contents were also significantly decreased in N. lugens treated with trehalose or glucose. Chitin content and the expression of NlHK, NlUAP, NlG6PI1, NlGFAT, NlGNPNA, NlPGM1, NlPGM2, NlCHS1, NlCHS1a, NlCHS1b, NlCht3, NlCht4, NlCht6, and NlCht7 were significantly decreased, whereas the expression of NlCht2, NlIDGF, and NlENGase was significantly increased in treated insects. Furthermore, a significant increase in the expression of NlTRE1-1, NlTRE2, and NlTPS1 and a decrease, in the expression of NlTPS2 were observed. Results of this study suggested that excess trehalose and glucose could affect chitin metabolism by regulating the expression of pivotal genes to decrease the chitin content, resulting in the inability of N. lugens to complete its molting process.

Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography-based renal blood perfusion in brain-dead donors predicts early graft function

Weiming He,Yuguang Xu,Chaoyang Gong,Xiaozhen Liu,Yuqiang Wu,Xi Xie,Jiazhen Chen,Yi Yu,Zhiyong Guo,Qiang Sun 대한초음파의학회 2023 ULTRASONOGRAPHY Vol.42 No.4

Purpose: The aim of this study was to quantify renal microcirculatory perfusion in braindead donors using contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS), and to establish an accurate, noninvasive, and convenient index for predicting delayed graft function (DGF) post-transplantation. Methods: In total, 90 brain-dead donor kidneys (training group, n=60; validation group, n=30) examined between August 2020 and November 2022 were recruited in this prospective study. CEUS was performed on the kidneys of brain-dead donors 24 hours before organ procurement and time-intensity curves were constructed. The main measures were arrival time, time to peak, and peak intensity of the kidney segmental arteries, cortex, and medulla. Recipients were divided into DGF and non-DGF groups according to early post-transplant graft function. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was used to assess diagnostic performance. Results: The arrival time of the kidney segmental artery and cortex and the time interval between the time to peak of the segmental artery and cortex were identified as independent factors associated with DGF by multivariate stepwise regression analysis. A new index for the joint prediction model of three variables, the contrast-enhanced ultrasonography/Kidney Donor Profile index (CEUS-KDPI), was developed. CEUS-KDPI showed high accuracy for predicting DGF (training group: AUC, 0.91; sensitivity, 90.5%; specificity, 92.3%; validation group: AUC, 0.84; sensitivity, 75.0%; specificity, 92.3%). Conclusion: CEUS-KDPI accurately predicted DGF after kidney transplantation. CEUS may be a potential noninvasive tool for bedside examinations before organ procurement and may be used to predict early renal function after kidney transplants kidneys from donors after brain death.

Orthogonal 방법을 통한 Poly(AM-DMDAAC)/MMT 고흡수성나노복합체 제조 연구

Jun Dong Yuan,Ming Zhou,Shuang Qiao Yang,Yong Guo Zhou,Nan Qin,Song Tao He,Dong Lai,Zhong Qiang Xie 한국고분자학회 2014 폴리머 Vol.38 No.1

A novel poly(AM-DMDAAC)/MMT superabsorbent nanocomposites are prepared by radical polymerizationusing ammonium persulfate (APS) and anhydrous sodium sulfite as a free radical initiator and N,N-methylene bisacrylamide(MBA) as a crosslinker. In this paper, an optimization study on the synthesis of superabsorbent nanocompositesis carried out. Orthogonal array experiment indicates that the optimized conditions is acrylamide (AM) content 23 wt%,diallyl dimethyl ammonium chloride (DMDAAAC) content 6 wt%, montmorillonite (MMT) content 4 wt%, initiatorcontent 0.2 wt% and crosslinker content 0.02 wt%. Under the optimization syntheses conditions concluded, the maximumwater absorbency in distilled water is 659.53 g·g-1 and in 2 wt% sodium chloride solution is 116.25 g·g-1. Compared withthe range values of different factors (Rj), the order of significance factors in distilled water is C (MMT) > B (DMDAAC)> A (AM) > D (crosslinker) > E (initiator). MMT is intercalated during polymerization reaction and a nanocompositestructure is formed as shown by TEM analysis and XRD analysis.

Roles of Fibroblast Growth Factor-inducible 14 in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Li, Nan,Hu, Wen-Jun,Shi, Jie,Xue, Jie,Guo, Wei-Xing,Zhang, Yang,Guan, Dong-Xian,Liu, Shu-Peng,Cheng, Yu-Qiang,Wu, Meng-Chao,Xie, Dong,Liu, Shan-Rong,Cheng, Shu-Qun Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.6

The prognostic value of the fibroblast growth factor-inducible 14 (Fn14) expression in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is unknown. Real-time PCR (RT-PCR), western blot assays and immunohistochemistry analysis were here performed in order to compare Fn14 expressios in paired liver samples of HCC and normal liver tissue. Most of the tumor tissues expressed significantly higher levels of Fn14 compared to adjacent non-tumor tissues, with Fn14High accounting for 54.6% (142/260) of all patients. The Pearson ${\chi}^2$ test indicated that Fn14 expression was closely associated with serum alpha fetal protein (AFP) (P=0.002) and tumor number (p=0.019). Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed that along with tumor diameter and portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT ) type, Fn14 was an independent prognostic factor for both overall survival (OS) (HR=1.398, p=0.008) and recurrence (HR=1.541, p=0.001) rates. Fn14 overexpression HCC correlated with poor surgical outcome, and this molecule may be a candidate biomarker for prognosis as well as a target for therapy.

Comparison of Liver Transplantation and Liver Resection for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients with Portal Vein Tumor Thrombus Type I and Type II

Jia-Yu Lv,Ning-Ning Zhang,Ya-Wei Du,Ying Wu,Tian-Qiang Song,Ya-Min Zhang,Yan Qu,Yu-Xin Liu,Jie Gu,Ze-Yu Wang,Yi-Bo Qiu,Bing Yang,Da-Zhi Tian,Qing-Jun Guo,Li Zhang,Ji-San Sun,Yan Xie,Zheng-Lu Wang,Xin 연세대학교의과대학 2021 Yonsei medical journal Vol.62 No.1

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of liver transplantation (LT) and liver resection (LR) for hepatocellularcarcinoma (HCC) patients with portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT) and to investigate risk factors affecting prognosis. Materials and Methods: A total of 94 HCC patients with PVTT type I (segmental PVTT) and PVTT type II (lobar PVTT) were involvedand divided into LR (n=47) and LT groups (n=47). Recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) were comparedbefore and after inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW). Prognostic factors for RFS and OS were explored. Results: Two treatment groups were well-balanced using IPTW. In the entire cohort, LT provided a better prognosis than LR. Among patients with PVTT type I, RFS was better with LT (p=0.039); OS was not different significantly between LT and LR(p=0.093). In subgroup analysis of PVTT type I patients with α-fetoprotein (AFP) levels >200 ng/mL, LT elicited significantly longermedian RFS (18.0 months vs. 2.1 months, p=0.022) and relatively longer median OS time (23.6 months vs. 9.8 months, p=0.065). Among patients with PVTT type II, no significant differences in RFS and OS were found between LT and LR (p=0.115 and 0.335,respectively). Multivariate analyses showed treatment allocation (LR), tumor size (>5 cm), AFP and aspartate aminotransferase(AST) levels to be risk factors of RFS and treatment allocation (LR), AFP and AST as risk factors for OS. Conclusion: LT appeared to afford a better prognosis for HCC with PVTT type I than LR, especially in patients with AFP levels>200 ng/mL.

Patterns of Failure and Survival Trends in 3,808 Patients with Stage II Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosed from 1990 to 2012: A Large-Scale Retrospective Cohort Study

Xue-Song Sun,Di-Han Liu,Sai-Lan Liu,Qiu-Yan Chen,Shan-Shan Guo,Yue-Feng Wen,Li-Ting Liu,Hao-Jun Xie,Qing-Nan Tang,Yu-Jing Liang,Xiao-Yun Li,Jin-Jie Yan,Ming-Huang Hong,Jun Ma,Lin-Quan Tang,Hai-Qiang M 대한암학회 2019 Cancer Research and Treatment Vol.51 No.4

Purpose The purpose of this study was to investigate the survival trends and patterns of failure in patients with stage II nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) treated with radiotherapy (RT) and chemotherapy over the last 20 years. Materials and Methods Thirty-eight hundred and eight patients diagnosed with stage II NPC between January 1990 and December 2012 were involved in this retrospective cohort study. All patients were treated with RT. According to the main imaging techniques and RT technology, we categorized these patients into four calendar periods: 1990-1996, 1997-2002, 2003-2007, and 2008-2012. Overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), locoregional relapse-free survival (LRFS), and distant metastasis–free survival (DMFS) were served as the clinical outcome. Results After a median follow-up period of 84.7 months, we observed increasing trends in survival and disease control. The 3- and 5-year OS rates increased from 87.1% and 78.7% in the first calendar period to 97.4% and 94.5% in the last calendar period, respectively (p < 0.001). Additionally, significant increasing trends could be seen in the PFS and LRFS during the four calendar periods. In the subgroup analysis, the LRFS in patients older than 50 years at diagnosis showed greater improvement than younger patients. However, the rate of distant metastasis was stable and relatively low, as the 5-year DMFS ranged from 90.5% to 94.7% among the four calendar periods. Conclusion The survival rates in patients with stage II NPC showed increasing trends from 1990 to 2012. The advance of RT provided excellent locoregional control and enhanced OS.

Allogeneic Hemopietic Stem Cell Transplants for the Treatment of B Cell Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia

Dong, Wei-Min,Cao, Xiang-Shan,Wang, Biao,Lin, Yun,Hua, Xiao-Ying,Qiu, Guo-Qiang,Gu, Wei-Ying,Xie, Xiao-Bao Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.15

Objective: Explore the feasibility of allo-hemopietic stem cell transplants in treating patients with B cell acute lymphocytic leukemia. Methods: Between september 2006 and February 2011, fifteen patients with B cell acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) were treated by allo-hemopietic stem cell transplants (HSCT). Stem cell sources were peripheral blood. Six patients were conditioned by busulfan (BU) and cyclophosphamide (CY) and nine patients were conditioned with TBI and cyclophosphamide (CY). Graft versus host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis regimen consisted of cyclosporine A (CSA), methotrex ate (MTX) and mycophenolatemofetil (MMF). Results: Patients received a median of $7.98{\times}10^8{\cdot}kg^{-1}$ ($5.36-12.30{\times}10^8{\cdot}kg^{-1}$) mononuclear cells (MNC). The median time of ANC> $0.5{\times}10^9/L$ was day 12 (10-15), and PLT> $20.0{\times}10^9/L$ was day 13 (11-16). Extensive acute GVHD occurred in 6 (40.0%) patients, and extensive chronic GVHD was recorded in 6 (40.0%) patients. Nine patients were alive after 2.5-65 months follow-up. Conclusion: Allogeneic stem cell transplant could be effective in treating patients with B cell acute lymphocytic leukemia.