Neutrophil Count and the Inflammation-based Glasgow Prognostic Score Predict Survival in Patients with Advanced Gastric Cancer Receiving First-line Chemotherapy

Li, Qing-Qing,Lu, Zhi-Hao,Yang, Li,Lu, Ming,Zhang, Xiao-Tian,Li, Jian,Zhou, Jun,Wang, Xi-Cheng,Gong, Ji-Fang,Gao, Jing,Li, Jie,Li, Yan,Shen, Lin Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.2

Purpose: To explore the value of systemic inflammatory markers as independent prognostic factors and the extent these markers improve prognostic classification for patients with inoperable advanced or metastatic gastric cancer (GC) receiving palliative chemotherapy. Methods: We studied the prognostic value of systemic inflammatory factors such as circulating white blood cell count and its components as well as that combined to form inflammation-based prognostic scores (Glasgow Prognostic Score (GPS), Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR), Platelet Lymphocyte Ratio (PLR), Prognostic Index (PI) and Prognostic Nutritional Index (PNI)) in 384 patients with inoperable advanced or metastatic gastric cancer (GC) receiving first-line chemotherapy. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to examine the impact of inflammatory markers on overall survival (OS). Results: Univariate analysis revealed that an elevated white blood cell, neutrophil and/or platelet count, a decreased lymphocyte count, a low serum albumin concentration, and high CRP concentration, as well as elevated NLR/PLR, GPS, PI, PNI were significant predictors of shorter OS. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that only elevated neutrophil count (HR 3.696, p=0.003) and higher GPS (HR 1.621, p=0.01) were independent predictors of poor OS. Conclusion: This study demonstrated elevated pretreatment neutrophil count and high GPS to be independent predictors of shorter OS in inoperable advanced or metastatic GC patients treated with first-line chemotherapy. Upon validation of these data in independent studies, stratification of patients using these markers in future clinical trials is recommended.

MACC1 Expression Correlates with PFKFB2 and Survival in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Ji, Dong,Lu, Zhong-Tang,Li, Yao-Qing,Liang, Zhe-Yong,Zhang, Peng-Fei,Li, Chao,Zhang, Jun-Li,Zheng, Xin,Yao, Ying-Min Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.2

Objective: To validate the relationship between MACC1 and 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose 2, 6 bisphosphatase (PFKFB2) expression as well as its clinicopathological features and prognostic significance in hepatocellular carcinoma. Methods: By using immunohistochemistry, we investigated the MACC1 and PFKFB2 protein expression in 60 pairs of hepatocellular carcinoma and corresponding non-tumor tissues. Using the Mann-Whitney U test, the Chi-square test, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, Cox proportional hazard regression analysis and Spearman analysis, we studied the relationship between MACC1 and PFKFB2 protein expression and postoperative overall survival (OS) of the HCC patients. Results: MACC1 and PFKFB2 positive staining rates were significantly higher in hepatocellular carcinoma than in the corresponding nontumor tissues (P=0.012 and 0.04, respectively). The clinicopathological features evaluation revealed that positive expression of MACC1 was associated with a high Edmondson classification (P=0.007) and advanced TNM stage (P=0.027). Similar findings were evident for PFKFB2 expression (P=0.002 and P=0.027). MACC1 and PFKFB2 positive expression was associated with a lower OS rate (P=0.004 and 0.03, respectively). Kaplan-Meier survival and Cox proportional hazard regression analyses revealed MACC1 positive expression to be a prognostic factor for postoperative OS, but PFKFB was not. Conclusion: Highly expressed MACC1 and PFKFB2 protein were associated with TNM stage, Edmondson-Steier classification and overall survival. MACC1 may affect tumor metabolism partly through expression and phophorylation of PFKFB2.

Xanthoceraside Induces Apoptosis in Melanoma Cells Through the Activation of Caspases and the Suppression of the IGF-1R/Raf/MEK/ERK Signaling Pathway

Qing Jiao,Libo Zou,Peng Liu,Qian Xu,Yifei Zhang,Ying Yu,Lu Zou,Tianyan Chi,Xuefei Ji 한국식품영양과학회 2014 Journal of medicinal food Vol.17 No.10

Xanthoceraside, a saponin extracted from the husks of Xanthoceras sorbifolia Bunge, suppresses inflammation and oxidative stress. However, the antitumor properties of xanthoceraside as well as its mechanism of action remain unclear. Therefore, we proposed to investigate its potential anticancer property. In this study, the viability of cells was measured by the MTT assay. Cell cycle and mitochondrial membrane potential were measured by flow cytometry, and the expressions of procaspase-9, procaspase-3, Cyto.c, Apaf-1, Bcl-2, Bcl-xL, Bad, p53, and IGF-1R/Raf/MEK/ERK were tested by Western blotting. Xanthoceraside significantly inhibited the proliferation of human melanoma A375.S2 cells in a concentration- and time-dependent manner but did not impair the viability of normal cells (peripheral blood mononuclear cells). Further analysis revealed that xanthoceraside induced apoptosis by activating caspase-3 and caspase-9 in a time-dependent manner through the mitochondrial pathway but did not activate caspase-8 in the cells. In addition, xanthoceraside inhibited the expression of the insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R), which is an important prosurvival, antiapoptotic signaling growth factor receptor that is frequently overexpressed in cancer cells and used as a therapeutic target for multiple cancers. Interestingly, xanthoceraside also decreased the expression of Raf, p-MEK, and p-ERK, the downstream effectors of IGF-1R. Taken together, these findings indicate that xanthoceraside induces apoptosis through a mitochondria-mediated apoptotic pathway, which is induced by the downregulation of IGF-1R/Raf/MEK/ERK cascades in A375.S2 cells.

Impact of Cross-Culture on Interactive Online Marketing Dimensions : Korean versus Chinese Retail Web Sites

Lu Wang,Qing-Ji Fan 한국콘텐츠학회 2009 ICCC International Digital Design Invitation Exhib Vol.2009 No.12

The purpose of this study is to examine that if cultural dissimilarities would be reflected in the practice of online marketing dimensions especially across Korea and the China which represent the Northeast Asian nations, and to compare the retail web sites with the variables of service quality, customer satisfaction and WOM In order to achieve the objectives, a survey was carried out towards Korean and Chinese internet users. As the results, the study found that in the case of retail Web sites, the interaction between the web site service quality, customer satisfaction and WOM intention are different between the Korean consumers and the Chinese consumers. According to those results, service strategies were proposed to online marketing managers.

Effects of dietary Enteromorpha powder on reproduction-related hormones and genes during the late laying period of Zi geese

Ma Wei Qing,Zhao Dan Hua,Cheng Huang Zuo,Wang Si Bo,Yang Ji,Hong Xia Cui,Lu Ming Yuan,Wu Hong Zhi,Xu Li,Liu Guo Jun 아세아·태평양축산학회 2021 Animal Bioscience Vol.34 No.3

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Enteromorpha powder supplementation on reproduction-related hormones and genes in the late laying period of Zi geese. Methods: A total of 312 (1-year-old) Zi geese with similar laying rate were randomly divided into 2 groups with 6 replicates each, each with 21 female geese and 5 male geese. The control group was fed with a basal diet and the test group was fed with a diet containing 3% Enteromorpha powder. The trial period lasted for 7 weeks. Results: Our results showed that the laying rate was improved in the test group at each week of trial (p<0.01), and the levels of estradiol in serum and prolactin in ovary were increased compared with the control group (p<0.05). Conclusion: Based on above results, Enteromorpha powder supplementation at 3% could promote reproductive performance during the late laying period of Zi geese. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Enteromorpha powder supplementation on reproduction-related hormones and genes in the late laying period of Zi geese.Methods: A total of 312 (1-year-old) Zi geese with similar laying rate were randomly divided into 2 groups with 6 replicates each, each with 21 female geese and 5 male geese. The control group was fed with a basal diet and the test group was fed with a diet containing 3% <i>Enteromorpha</i> powder. The trial period lasted for 7 weeks.Results: Our results showed that the laying rate was improved in the test group at each week of trial (p<0.01), and the levels of estradiol in serum and prolactin in ovary were increased compared with the control group (p<0.05).Conclusion: Based on above results, <i>Enteromorpha</i> powder supplementation at 3% could promote reproductive performance during the late laying period of Zi geese.

DFT Studies on Two Novel Explosives Based on the Guanidine-Fused Bicyclic Structure

Xing-Hui Ji,Bing-Cheng Hu,Huan-Qing Jia,Zu Liang Liu,Chun-Xu Lu 대한화학회 2014 Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society Vol.35 No.4

Density functional theory (DFT) calculations at the B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) theoretical level were performed for two novel explosives (compounds B and C) based on the guanidine-fused bicyclic skeleton C4N6H8 (A). The heats of formation (HOFs) were calculated via isodesmic reaction. The detonation properties were evaluated by using the Kamlet-Jacobs equations. The bond dissociation energies (BDEs) for the thermolysis initiation bond were also analyzed to investigate the thermal stability. The results show that the compounds have high positive HOF values (B, 1064.68 kJ·mol−1; C, 724.02 kJ·mol−1), high detonation properties (ρ, D and P values of 2.04 g·cm−3 and 2.21 g·cm−3, 9.98 km·s−1 and 10.99 km·s−1, 46.44 GPa and 59.91 Gpa, respectively) and meet the basic stability requirement. Additionally, feasible synthetic routes of the these high energy density compounds (HEDCs) were also proposed via retrosynthetic analysis.

Novel Anticandidal Activity of a Recombinant Lampetra japonica RGD3 Protein

( Cai Ping Wu ),( Li Lu ),( Yuan Yuan Zheng ),( Xin Liu ),( Rong Xiao ),( Ji Hong Wang ),( Qing Wei Li ) 한국미생물 · 생명공학회 2014 Journal of microbiology and biotechnology Vol.24 No.7

Lj-RGD3, an RGD (Arg-Gly-Asp) toxin protein from the salivary gland of Lampetra japonica,exhibits antifungal activity against Candida albicans. Lj-RGD3 has three RGD motifs and shows homology to histidine-rich glycoprotein. We synthesised two mutant derivatives of Lj-RGD3: Lj-26, which lacks all three RGD motifs and contains no His residues; and Lj-112, which lacks only the three RGD motifs. We investigated the effects of the wild-type and mutated toxins on a gram-positive bacterium (Escherichia coli), a gram-negative bacterium (Staphylococcus aureus), and a fungus (C. albicans). rLj-RGD3 and its mutants exhibited antifungal but not antibacterial activity, as measured by a radial diffusion assay. The C. albicans inhibition zone induced by rLj-112 was larger than that induced by the other proteins, and its inhibitory effect on C. albicans was dose-dependent. In viable-count assays, the rLj-112 MIC was 7.7 μM, whereas the MIC of the positive control (ketoconazole) was 15 μM. Time-kill kinetics demonstrated that rLj-112 effectively killed C. albicans at 1× and 2× MIC within 12 and 6 h, respectively. Electron microscopy analysis showed that rLj-RGD3 and rLj-112 induced C. albicans lysis. Our results demonstrate a novel anticandidal activity for rLj-RGD3 and its mutant derivatives.

High-j Proton h11/2 and g7/2 Intruder Bands in 113In

Ma Ke Yan,Lu Jing Bin,Ma Ying Jun,Li Jian,Yang Dong,Sun Wu Ji,Wang Hao,Pan Hao Nan,Wang Jia Qi,Yang Qing Yu,Zhang Da Ming,Zhu Li Hua,Wu Xiao Guang,Zheng Yun,Li Cong Bo 한국물리학회 2020 THE JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN PHYSICAL SOCIETY Vol.76 No.12

Excited states of 113In have been populated through the heavy-ion fusion evaporation reaction 110Pd(7Li, 4n)113In. A new band with the configuration of a proton d5/2 orbital is identified. Two ΔI = 2 intruder bands, built on the πh11/2 and the πg7/2 orbitals, have been extended to spins (63/2-)ħ and (55/2+)ħ, respectively. The negative-parity πh11/2 intruder band shows a smooth increase in aligned spin, which is attributed to a strong proton-neutron interaction. The properties of the positive-parity πg7/2 band are discussed based on tilted axis cranking model calculations, and the features of the antimagnetic rotation for this band are shown after backbend. Furthermore, the contributions of the two-shears-like mechanism, the neutron (gd)ν shell and the core rotation are investigated for the positive-parity πg7/2 band.

Pd/Ce0.9Cu0.1O1.9-Y2O3 catalysts for catalytic combustion of toluene and ethyl acetate

Xiao-Wen Su,Ling-Yun Jin,Ji-Qing Lu,Meng-Fei Luo 한국공업화학회 2009 Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Vol.15 No.5

A dual-functional Pd/CuO-CeO2-Y2O3 (Pd/CCY) using CuO-CeO2 as precursor was prepared and tested for catalytic combustion of toluene and ethyl acetate. It was found that the catalyst is much higher active and thermally stable for combustion of both toluene and ethyl acetate, compared with the catalyst prepared with the conventional method. Therefore, the formation of the CuO-CeO2 solid solution before coating is the key to high activity and thermal stability. Moreover, Pd/PdO species are the active phase for oxidation of toluene, while CuO or CuO-CeO2 is responsible for oxidation of ethyl acetate, and the formation of the Pd probably impels the enhancement of activity for the catalyst calcined at 1000℃.

Epidemiological Patterns of Cancer Incidence in Southern China: Based on 6 Population-based Cancer Registries

Liu, Jie,Yang, Xu-Li,Li, Ai,Chen, Wan-Qing,Ji, Lu,Zhao, Jun,Yan, Wei,Chen, Yi-Ying,Zhu, Li-Ping Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.3

Background: The epidemiological patterns of cancer incidence have been investigated widely in western countries. Nevertheless, information is quite limited in Jiangxi province, southern China. Materials and Methods: All data were reported by 6 population-based cancer registries in Jiangxi Province. The results were presented as incidence rates of cases by site (ICD-10), sex, crude rate (CR), age-standardized rates (ASRs) and truncated incidence rate (TR) per 100,000 person-years, using the direct method of standardization to the world population. Results: 8,765 new cancer cases were registered in our study during the period 2009-2011. Diagnosis of cancer was based on histopathology in 61.0%, clinical or radiology findings in 4.87% and death certificate only (DCO) in 3.0% of the cases. The median age at diagnosis was 62.0 years (mean, 61; standard deviation, 15). The ASRs were 170.8 per 100,000 for men and 111.2 for women. The ASRs for all invasive cancers from the urban areas (145.7 per 100,000) was higher than that of rural areas (137.1). Incidence rates for lung cancer were higher in rural (35.8) than in urban areas (27.0). Similarly, relatively high rates were observed for stomach cancer in rural (20.1) relative to urban areas (15.5). Conclusions: Our results reveal that the most common cancers were breast and lung in women and lung and liver in men. Interestingly, this study suggested a higher incidence rates for lung and stomach cancer in rural males than in urban population, which may suggest other potential causes, such as over-consumption of smoked meats and high prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection, respectively. Public education and the promotion of healthy lifestyles should be actively carried out.