Transcriptomic Features of Echinococcus granulosus Protoscolex during the Encystation Process

Junjie Fan,Hongye Wu,Kai Li,Xunuo Liu,Qingqing Tan,Wenqiao Cao,Bo Liang,Bin Ye 대한기생충학ㆍ열대의학회 2020 The Korean Journal of Parasitology Vol.58 No.3

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a zoonotic infection caused by Echinococcus granulosus larvae. It seriously af- fects the development of animal husbandry and endangers human health. Due to a poor understanding of the cystic fluid formation pathway, there is currently a lack of innovative methods for the prevention and treatment of CE. In this study, the protoscoleces (PSCs) in the encystation process were analyzed by high-throughput RNA sequencing. A total of 32,401 transcripts and 14,903 cDNAs revealed numbers of new genes and transcripts, stage-specific genes, and differ- ently expressed genes. Genes encoding proteins involved in signaling pathways, such as putative G-protein coupled re- ceptor, tyrosine kinases, and serine/threonine protein kinase, were predominantly up-regulated during the encystation process. Antioxidant enzymes included cytochrome c oxidase, thioredoxin glutathione, and glutathione peroxidase were a high expression level. Intriguingly, KEGG enrichment suggested that differentially up-regulated genes involved in the va- sopressin-regulated water reabsorption metabolic pathway may play important roles in the transport of proteins, carbo- hydrates, and other substances. These results provide valuable information on the mechanism of cystic fluid production during the encystation process, and provide a basis for further studies on the molecular mechanisms of growth and de- velopment of PSCs.

Polydiacetone Acrylamide as Precursors to Polymer Side-Chain Conjugates

Hongzhen Tan,Zhipeng Yu,Junjie Xiao,Xi Wang,Chunwang Yi,Shengpei Su 한국고분자학회 2018 폴리머 Vol.42 No.4

Polydiacetone acrylamide (PDAAM), a reactive polymer containing pendant ketone groups was synthesized via reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. Kinetic studies indicated a well-controlled behavior of this RAFT polymerization. The characteristics of this RAFT polymerization was also confirmed by a wellcontrolled chain-extending RAFT polymerization using the above-synthesized PDAAM as a macromolecular chain transfer agent. Acid-catalyzed ketalization of PDAAM with trimethylol propane (TMP) was carried out to obtain the polymer containing pendant cyclic ketal groups and hydroxyl groups, PDAAM-TMP. PCL was grafted from PDAAM-TMP by ring-opening polymerization (ROP) in the presence of tin 2-ethylhexanoate as a catalyst to obtain graft copolymer. Basecatalyzed aldol condensation of PDAAM with benzaldehyde was also used to obtain poly[N-(1,1-dimethyl-3-oxo-5-phenyl-pent-4-enyl)-acrylamide] (PDMOPPEAM) having cinnamoyl groups, and the photoreactivity of polymer with cinnamoyl group was studied by UV-visible and IR absorption spectroscopy. Both of these two polymers prepared from PDAAM were characterized by FTIR and 1H NMR spectroscopy. PDAAM can be a multifunctional platform that can undergo further polymerization by ketalization and aldol condensation.

Characteristics Detected on Computed Tomography Angiography Predict Coronary Artery Plaque Progression in Non-Culprit Lesions

Yahang Tan,Jia Zhou,Ying Zhou,Xiaobo Yang,Junjie Yang,Yundai Chen 대한영상의학회 2017 Korean Journal of Radiology Vol.18 No.3

Objective: This study sought to determine whether variables detected on coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) would predict plaque progression in non-culprit lesions (NCL). Materials and Methods: In this single-center trial, we analyzed 103 consecutive patients who were undergoing CCTA and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for culprit lesions. Follow-up CCTA was scheduled 12 months after the PCI, and all patients were followed for 3 years after their second CCTA examination. High-risk plaque features and epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) volume were assessed by CCTA. Each NCL stenosis grade was compared visually between two CCTA scans to detect plaque progression, and patients were stratified into two groups based on this. Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the factors that were independently associated with plaque progression in NCLs. Time-to-event curves were compared using the log-rank statistic. Results: Overall, 34 of 103 patients exhibited NCL plaque progression (33%). Logistic regression analyses showed that the NCL progression was associated with a history of ST-elevated myocardial infarction (odds ratio [OR] = 5.855, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.391–24.635, p = 0.016), follow-up low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level (OR = 6.832, 95% CI = 2.103–22.200, p = 0.001), baseline low-attenuation plaque (OR = 7.311, 95% CI = 1.242–43.028, p = 0.028) and EAT (OR = 1.015, 95% CI = 1.000–1.029, p = 0.044). Following the second CCTA examination, major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) were observed in 12 patients, and NCL plaque progression was significantly associated with future MACEs (log rank p = 0.006). Conclusion: Noninvasive assessment of NCLs by CCTA has potential prognostic value.

Cost-effectiveness of olaparib versus routine surveillance in the maintenance setting for patients with BRCA-mutated advanced ovarian cancer after response to first-line platinum-based chemotherapy in Singapore

David SP Tan,Jack Junjie Chan,Robert Hettle,Wrik Ghosh,Amrita Viswambaram,Cindy Chen Yu 대한부인종양학회 2021 Journal of Gynecologic Oncology Vol.32 No.2

Objective: To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of olaparib as a maintenance treatment versusroutine surveillance (RS) in patients with BRCA mutated (BRCAm) advanced ovarian cancer(OC) following response to first-line platinum-based chemotherapy in Singapore. Methods: A 4-health state partitioned survival model was developed to simulate the lifetime(50 years) incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of olaparib versus RS from a healthcarepayer perspective. Progression-free survival, time to second disease progression, andoverall survival were estimated using SOLO-1 data and extrapolated beyond the trial periodusing parametric survival models. Any patient who remained progression-free at year 7was assumed to be no longer at risk of progression. Mortality rates were based on all-causemortality, adjusted based on BRCA1/2 mutation. Health state utilities and adverse eventfrequencies were from SOLO-1. Drug costs were from local public healthcare institutions. Healthcare resource usage and costs were from local clinician input and publications. A 3%discount rate was applied to costs and outcomes. Deterministic and probabilistic sensitivityanalyses (PSA) were performed to assess the robustness of results. Results: The base-case analysis of olaparib maintenance therapy versus RS resulted in anICER of Singapore dollar (SGD) 19,822 per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) gained. TheICER was most sensitive to variations in the discount rate. PSA demonstrated that olaparibhad an 87% probability of being cost-effective versus RS at a willingness-to-pay of SGD60,000 per QALY gained. Conclusion: Olaparib has a high potential of being a cost-effective maintenance treatmentversus RS for patients with BRCA1/2m advanced OC after response to first-line chemotherapyin Singapore.

Standardized Treatment and Shortened Depression Course can Reduce Cognitive Impairment in Adolescents With Depression

Penghui Cao,Junjie Tan,Xuezhen Liao,Jinwei Wang,Lihuan Chen,Ziyan Fang,Nannan Pan 대한소아청소년 정신의학회 2024 소아청소년정신의학 Vol.35 No.1

Objectives: This study aimed to explore the influence of depression severity, disease course, treatment status, and other factors on cognitive function in adolescents with depressive disorders. Methods: Participants who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled in the study. Sociodemographic data of each participant were recorded, including age, sex, and family history of mental disorders. Zung’s Self-Rating Depression Scale was used to assess depression status in adolescents. Moreover, P300 and mismatch negativity (MMN) were used to objectively evaluate the participants’ cognitive function. Results: Only 26.8% of the adolescents with depression received standard antidepressant treatment. The latencies of N2 (267.80±23.34 ms), P3 (357.71±32.09 ms), and MMN (212.10±15.61 ms) in the adolescent depression group were longer than those in the healthy control group (p<0.01). Further analysis revealed that the latency of MMN was extended with increased levels of depression in adolescents. The MMN latency was short in participants with depression receiving standardized treatment. Furthermore, the latency of MMN was positively correlated with the severity and duration of depression (correlation coefficients were 0.465 and 0.479, respectively) (p<0.01). Conclusion: Receiving standardized treatment and shortening the course of depression can reduce cognitive impairment in adolescents with depression.