Is Surgical Resection Justified for Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Portal Vein Tumor Thrombus? (A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis)

( Liang Lei ),( Xin-fei Xu ),( Jiong-jie Yu ),( Ju-dong Li ),( Zhen-li Li ),( Jun Han ),( Han Zhang ),( Hao Xing ),( Han Wu ),( Ming-da Wang ),( Chao Li ),( Zheng Wang ),( Feng Shen ),( Meng-chao Wu ) 대한간학회 2018 춘·추계 학술대회 (KASL) Vol.2018 No.1

Aims: The prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT) is very poor. According to the BCLC treatment recommendations, sorafenib or other palliative treatment (PT) is recommended as the first-line therapy when it happens. In real world, however, a significant number of selected patients with HCC and PVTT suffered from surgical resection (SR). Methods: PubMed, Embase, Medline and Cochrane library were searched for studies comparing SR with PT (including TACE, sorafenib, etc.) for HCC with PVTT, which were published before September 2017. Results: 4,810 patients from 7 studies were enrolled in this meta-analysis, which divided into the SR group (n = 2,344) and the PT group (n = 2476). When compared with the PT group, the pooled hazard ratio (HR) for the 1, 3 and 5-year OS rates of the SR group were 0.56 (95% CI 0.52-0.60, P=0.03), 0.56 (95% CI 0.53-0.59, P<0.001) and 0.55 (95% CI 0.54-0.57, P<0.001). For subgroup analysis, when compared with the mere TACE group, the pooled HR for the 1, 3 and 5-year OS rates of the SR group were 0.54 (95% CI 0.43-0.67, P=0.81), 0.75 (95% CI 0.65-0.87, P=0.25) and 0.76 (95% CI 0.67-0.88, P=0.25). Conclusions: This meta-analysis demonstrated SR had better OS than TACE or other palliative therapy for HCC with PVTT. SR may be suitable as the first-line treatment for selected patients with resectable HCC and removable PVTT.

Intensifying sulforaphane formation in broccoli sprouts by using other cruciferous sprouts additions

Hao Liang,Yongqin Wei,Ruimin Li,Li Cheng,Qipeng Yuan,Fuping Zheng 한국식품과학회 2018 Food Science and Biotechnology Vol.27 No.4

Sulforaphane is a significant chemopreventive compound which is the predominant glucosinolate in broccoli sprouts. However, the existence of the epithiospecifier protein could direct the hydrolysis of glucosinolates toward sulforaphane nitrile formation instead of sulforaphane. Therefore, the study aimed on improving the yielding of sulforaphane in broccoli sprouts with a new method of the united hydrolysis of cruciferous sprouts. According to the results, the addition of radish, rocket and rape sprouts to broccoli sprouts could promote the hydrolysis of the glucoraphanin to anticancer effective sulforaphane to 2.03, 2.32 and 1.95-fold, respectively, compared to single broccoli sprouts. Meanwhile, the formation of non-bioactive sulforaphane nitrile in these three groups decreased greatly. However, the addition of mustard sprouts had no positive effect. These observations could make a contribution to the potential chemoprotective effects of broccoli sprouts.

Topology optimization of irregular flow domain by parametric level set method in unstructured mesh

Li Jiajing,Gao Liang,Ye Mengli,Li Hao,Li Lizhou 한국CDE학회 2022 Journal of computational design and engineering Vol.9 No.1

In this study, we present a novel method for the topology optimization of the irregular flow domain using a parametric level set method (PLSM). Some improvement was applied on the CS-RBFs (radial basis functions with compact support)-based PLSM to make it suitable for nonuniform mesh, expanding the range field of engineering application of the PLSM. The optimization problem is solved by a gradient-based algorithm with Stokes equations as state constraints, and the objective is set to minimize the power dissipation subject to the volume constraint of flow channels. A PLSM is introduced to avoid the direct solving of the Hamilton–Jacobi partial differential equation, which can have the potential to break through the restriction of relying on structured meshes because no finite difference scheme is required. Then, a self-adaption support radius approach is presented to allow the parametric level set to be evolved on the nonuniformed mesh, which can expand the application of the PLSM to more complicated engineering problems with irregular geometric shapes. A volume integration scheme is applied during the design sensitivity analysis to calculate the shape derivatives, allowing the nucleation of new holes. Numerical examples in two and three dimensions are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.

Tanshinone IIA reduces pyroptosis in rats with coronary microembolization by inhibiting the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway

Hao-Liang Li,Tao-Li,Zhi-Qing Chen,Lang Li 대한약리학회 2022 The Korean Journal of Physiology & Pharmacology Vol.26 No.5

Pyroptosis is an inflammatory form of programmed cell death that is linked with invading intracellular pathogens. Cardiac pyroptosis has a significant role in coronary microembolization (CME), thus causing myocardial injury. Tanshinone IIA (Tan IIA) has powerful cardioprotective effects. Hence, this study aimed to identify the effect of Tan IIA on CME and its underlying mechanism. Forty Sprague–Dawley (SD) rats were randomly grouped into sham, CME, CME + low-dose Tan IIA, and CME + high-dose Tan IIA groups. Except for the sham group, polyethylene microspheres (42 μm) were injected to establish the CME model. The Tan-L and Tan-H groups received intraperitoneal Tan IIA for 7 days before CME. After CME, cardiac function, myocardial histopathology, and serum myocardial injury markers were assessed. The expression of pyroptosis-associated molecules and TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB/NLRP3 cascade was evaluated by qRT-PCR, Western blotting, ELISA, and IHC. Relative to the sham group, CME group's cardiac functions were significantly reduced, with a high level of serum myocardial injury markers, and microinfarct area. Also, the levels of caspase-1 p20, GSDMD-N, IL-18, IL-1β, TLR4, MyD88, p-NF-κB p65, NLRP3, and ASC expression were increased. Relative to the CME group, the Tan-H and Tan-L groups had considerably improved cardiac functions, with a considerably low level of serum myocardial injury markers and microinfarct area. Tan IIA can reduce the levels of pyroptosis-associated mRNA and protein, which may be caused by inhibiting TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB/NLRP3 cascade. In conclusion, Tanshinone IIA can suppress cardiomyocyte pyroptosis probably through modulating the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB/NLRP3 cascade, lowering cardiac dysfunction, and myocardial damage.

Compound glycyrrhizin injection for improving liver function in children with acute icteric hepatitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Liang Shi-Bing,Hou Wen-Bin,Zheng Ruo-Xiang,Liang Chang-Hao,Yan Li-Jiao,Wang Hao-Nan,Cao Hui-Juan,Han Mei,Robinson Nicola,Liu Jian-Ping 한국한의학연구원 2022 Integrative Medicine Research Vol.11 No.1

Background: Compound glycyrrhizin injection (CGI) is a preparation with glycyrrhizin as the main active ingredient extracted from licorice. As clinical trials suggest that CGI is effective in improving liver function for acute icteric hepatitis in children (AIHC), this systematic review aimed to evaluate and verify its therapeutic effects and safety. Methods: Six electronic databases were searched from their inception to 15 May 2021. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing therapeutic effects and safety of CGI for AIHC were included. The risk of bias for each trial was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool 2.0. Primary outcomes were indexes related to liver function, including total bilirubin (TBiL), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST). RevMan 5.4 software was used for data analyses. The certainty of the evidence was assessed using the online GRADEpro tool. Results: Six RCTs involving 608 children were included. The overall bias was assessed as having “high risk of bias” in all trials. All trials compared the combination of CGI and conventional western medicine (CWM) with CWM alone. Regarding the effects of CGI for AIHC, results showed that CGI plus CWM was superior to CWM alone in reducing the levels of TBiL (mean difference (MD) = -8.19 mmol/L, 95% CI -9.86 to -6.53), ALT (MD = -24.09 U/L, 95% CI -30.83 to -17.34) and AST (MD = -18.67 U/L, 95% CI -21.88 to -15.45). No trial reported adverse events. The certainty of the evidence for outcomes were all evaluated as low or very low. Conclusion: CGI may have adjuvant therapeutic effects on improving the liver function of children with AIHC. There is no evidence to determine the safety of CGI for AIHC. As current evidence is weak, further well-designed RCTs are required for verification of the therapeutic effects of CGI. Background: Compound glycyrrhizin injection (CGI) is a preparation with glycyrrhizin as the main active ingredient extracted from licorice. As clinical trials suggest that CGI is effective in improving liver function for acute icteric hepatitis in children (AIHC), this systematic review aimed to evaluate and verify its therapeutic effects and safety. Methods: Six electronic databases were searched from their inception to 15 May 2021. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing therapeutic effects and safety of CGI for AIHC were included. The risk of bias for each trial was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool 2.0. Primary outcomes were indexes related to liver function, including total bilirubin (TBiL), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST). RevMan 5.4 software was used for data analyses. The certainty of the evidence was assessed using the online GRADEpro tool. Results: Six RCTs involving 608 children were included. The overall bias was assessed as having “high risk of bias” in all trials. All trials compared the combination of CGI and conventional western medicine (CWM) with CWM alone. Regarding the effects of CGI for AIHC, results showed that CGI plus CWM was superior to CWM alone in reducing the levels of TBiL (mean difference (MD) = -8.19 mmol/L, 95% CI -9.86 to -6.53), ALT (MD = -24.09 U/L, 95% CI -30.83 to -17.34) and AST (MD = -18.67 U/L, 95% CI -21.88 to -15.45). No trial reported adverse events. The certainty of the evidence for outcomes were all evaluated as low or very low. Conclusion: CGI may have adjuvant therapeutic effects on improving the liver function of children with AIHC. There is no evidence to determine the safety of CGI for AIHC. As current evidence is weak, further well-designed RCTs are required for verification of the therapeutic effects of CGI.

Molecular cloning of the duck MEF2C gene cDNA coding domain sequence and its expression during fetal muscle tissue development

Ling-Li Sun,He-he Liu,Hao-han Wang,Jian-Ming Si,Hai-bo Jin,Xin-xin Li,Chao Yang,Liang Li,Jiwen Wang 한국유전학회 2013 Genes & Genomics Vol.35 No.3

Myogenic enhancer transcription factor 2c (MEF2c), one of the members of the MEF2 family of transcription factors, plays an important role in mammalian muscle development. However, the role of MEF2c in avian muscle development still remains unclear. To understand the function of MEF2c in avian muscle development, we first cloned the duck MEF2c coding domain sequence (CDS) and analyzed MEF2c expression in duck muscle tissues of embryos from 10 days of incubation to 1 week after birth using real-time PCR technology. The results showed that the duck MEF2c CDS consists of 1,398nucleotides that encode 465 amino acids. The MEF2c duck protein contains a MADS domain, a MEF2 domain and a HJURP_C domain with high homology to related proteins in other organisms. Different expression levels of MEF2c were found in skeletal, smooth and cardiac muscle. Therefore, these results indicated that duck MEF2c has two conserved domains (a MADS and a MEF2 domain), is an indispensable regulator of muscle development, and plays an important role in the development of duck muscle.

Overexpression of CXCR4 is significantly associated with cisplatin-based chemotherapy resistance and can be a prognostic factor in epithelial ovarian cancer

Jia Li,Kuo Jiang,Xiu Chun Qiu,Meng Li,Qiang Hao,Li Wei,Wei Zhang,Bi Liang Chen,Xiao Yan Xin 생화학분자생물학회 2014 BMB Reports Vol.47 No.1

Supercritical fluid extraction effectively removes phthalate plasticizers in spores of Ganoderma lucidum

Pan Li,Zuan-hao Liang,Zhuo Jiang,Ziyou Qiu,Bing Du,Yu-bing Liu,Wen-zhi Li,Li-hao Tan 한국식품과학회 2018 Food Science and Biotechnology Vol.27 No.6

Phthalate plasticizers residue in food is a serious threat to public health. Spores of Ganoderma lucidum are easy to be contaminated with phthalates during collection and processing. In this study, supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) was performed to remove phthalates in spores of G. lucidum, and the effects on acid and peroxide values of spores’ oil were also evaluated. The results showed SFE removed 100% of the residual di-iso-butyl phthalate, di-nbutyl phthalate and di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate in the spores of G. lucidum. No significant differences in polysaccharides content and fatty acid composition were observed between SFE and control spores. However, the triterpenoid extracts of SFE spores had a 7.45% increase, significantly higher than that in control spores. Accelerated oxidation tests further implied that SFE could improve the stability of spores’ oil. Our results suggested SFE is a potential approach to remove phthalate from food related products.

Prognostic Value of PLCE1 Expression in Upper Gastrointestinal Cancer: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Cui, Xiao-Bin,Peng, Hao,Li, Su,Li, Ting-Ting,Liu, Chun-Xia,Zhang, Shu-Mao,Jin, Ting-Ting,Hu, Jian-Ming,Jiang, Jin-Fang,Liang, Wei-Hua,Li, Na,Li, Li,Chen, Yun-Zhao,Li, Feng Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.22

Background: A number of studies have identified a shared susceptibility locus in phospholipase C epsilon 1 (PLCE1) for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and gastric cardia adenocarcinomas (GCA). However, the results of PLCE1 expression in esophageal and gastric cancer remain inconsistent and controversial. Moreover, the effects on clinicopathological features remain undetermined. This study aimed to provide a precise quantification of the association between PLCE1 expression and the risk of ESCC and GCA through meta-analysis. Materials and Methods: Eligible studies were identified from PubMed, Wanfang Data, ISI Web of Science, and the Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure databases. Using RevMan5.2 software, pooled odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were employed to assess the association of PLCE1 expression with clinicopathological features relative to ESCC or GCA. Results: Seven articles were identified, including 761 esophageal and gastric cancer cases and 457 controls. Overall, we determined that PLCE1 expression was associated with tumor progression in both esophageal cancers (pooled OR=5.93; 95%CI=3.86 to 9.11) and gastric cancers (pooled OR=9.73; 95%CI=6.46 to 14.7). Moreover, invasion depth (pooled OR=3.62; 95%CI=2.30 to 5.70) and lymph node metastasis (pooled OR=4.21; 95%CI=2.69 to 6.59) were linked with PLCE1 expression in gastric cancer. However, no significant associations were determined between PLCE1 overexpression and the histologic grade, invasion depth, and lymph node metastasis in esophageal cancer. Conclusions: Our metaanalysis results indicated that upregulated PLCE1 is significantly associated with an increased risk of tumor progression in ESCC and GCA. Therefore, PLCE1 expression can be appropriately regarded as a promising biomarker for ESCC and GCA patients.

Characterization of two novel γ-gliadin genes encoded by K genome of Crithopsis delileana and evolution analysis with those from Triticeae

Zhi-Fu Guo,Li-Jun Zhang,Ming Zhong,Yu-Ming Wei,Li Zhang,Hui Ma,Hao-Ge Li,Li-Jing Chen,Jing-Wei Lin,You-Liang Zheng 한국유전학회 2010 Genes & Genomics Vol.32 No.3

By acid polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (A-PAGE) analysis,it was indicated that the electrophoresis mobility of gliadins from Crithopsis delileana (Schult) Roshev (2n=2x=14,KK) had obvious difference with those from common wheat in α, γ and ω region. Using homologous primers, two γ-gliadin genes (gli-Kr1 and gli-Kr2) were isolated from C. delileana,which had been deposited in the GenBank under accession numbers EU283818 and EU283821, respectively. Two γ-gliadin genes of C. delileana had the similar primary structures to the corresponding gene sequences from other wheat related species. The differences were mainly resulted from substitutions,insertions and deletions involving single amino acid residues or motifs of γ-gliadins. The repetitive domains of gli-Kr1 and gli-Kr2 from C. delileana are shorter than most of other sequences. By the alignment of γ-gliadin genes from A, B, D, Am, Au, S, Sl, Ssh, Ss and Sb genomes of Triticum and Aegilops, R genome of Secale (γ-secalin), Ee genome of Lophopyrum and K genome of Crithopsis in Triticeae, phylogenetic analysis indicated that two γ-gliadin genes of C. delileana could be clustered together with a γ-gliadin genefrom Ssh genome of Aegilops by an interior paralleled branch. It was the first time that the γ-gliadin genes encoded by K genome of C. delileana were characterized. These could offer precious information for better understanding the qualities associated with gliadins, the response in coeliac disease and studying the evolutionary relationship of gliadins in Triticeae.