Scutellaria Extract Decreases the Proportion of Side Population Cells in a Myeloma Cell Line by Down-regulating the Expression of ABCG2 Protein

Lin, Mei-Gui,Liu, Li-Ping,Li, Chen-Yin,Zhang, Meng,Chen, Yuling,Qin, Jian,Gu, Yue-Yu,Li, Zhi,Wu, Xin-Lin,Mo, Sui-Lin Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.12

Background and Aims: Scutellaria is one of the most popular traditional Chinese herbal remedies against various human diseases, including cancer. In this study, we examined the active effects of Scutellaria extract and its main flavonoid constituents on the proportion of side population cells within human multiple myeloma cell line RPMI8226 in vitro and explored the potential molecular mechanisms involved. Materials and Methods: The contents of flavonoids in ethanolic extract of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi were determined using high performance liquid chromatography. The antiproliferative effect of the ethanolic extract on RPMI-8226 was determined by CCK assay. Apoptosis was measured by annexin combining with propidium iodide in a flow cytometer. Cell cycle analysis was performed by propidium iodide staining in combination with flow cytometry analysis. Hoechst 33342 exclusion assay was used for the identification of side population within RPMI8226 cells. The expression of ABCG2 protein was assessed by Western blotting assay. Results: The content of major flavonoids constitutents of Scutellaria extract was baicalin (10.2%), wogonoside (2.50%), baicalein (2.29%), and wogonin (0.99%), respectively. The crude Scutellaria extract did not show significant anti-proliferative effect, apoptosis induction and cell cycle arrest in RPMI-8226 within the concentrations of $1-75{\mu}g/mL$. However, the ethanolic extract, baicalein, wogonin and baicalin reduced the side population cells in RPMI-8226, and data showed that baicalein and wogonin had stronger inhibitory effects. Correspondingly, they also exhibited significant effects on decreasing the expression level of ABCG2 protein in RPMI-8226 in vitro. Conclusions: Our results for the first time demonstrated a novel mechanism of action for Scutellaria extract and its main active flavonoids, namely targeting SP cells by modulating the expression of ABCG2 protein. This study provides an insight for new therapeutic strategies targeting cancer stem cells of multiple myeloma.

Investigation of the super-resolution methods for vision based structural measurement

Zhi Cong Chen,Lijun Wu,Zhouwei Cai,Chenghao Lin,Shuying Cheng,Peijie Lin 국제구조공학회 2022 Smart Structures and Systems, An International Jou Vol.30 No.3

The machine-vision based structural displacement measurement methods are widely used due to its flexible deployment and non-contact measurement characteristics. The accuracy of vision measurement is directly related to the image resolution. In the field of computer vision, super-resolution reconstruction is an emerging method to improve image resolution. Particularly, the deep-learning based image super-resolution methods have shown great potential for improving image resolution and thus the machine-vision based measurement. In this article, we firstly review the latest progress of several deep learning based super-resolution models, together with the public benchmark datasets and the performance evaluation index. Secondly, we construct a binocular visual measurement platform to measure the distances of the adjacent corners on a chessboard that is universally used as a target when measuring the structure displacement via machine-vision based approaches. And then, several typical deep learning based super resolution algorithms are employed to improve the visual measurement performance. Experimental results show that super-resolution reconstruction technology can improve the accuracy of distance measurement of adjacent corners. According to the experimental results, one can find that the measurement accuracy improvement of the super resolution algorithms is not consistent with the existing quantitative performance evaluation index. Lastly, the current challenges and future trends of super resolution algorithms for visual measurement applications are pointed out.

Two new records of genus Nudaria Haworth, 1809 (Lepidoptera, Erebidae, Arctiinae, Lithosiini) from China

Zhi-Guang Wu,Hui Lin HAN 국립중앙과학관 2015 Journal of Asia-Pacific Biodiversity Vol.8 No.3

Two species of genus Nudaria Haworth, N. fasciata Moore, 1878 and N. phallustortens Holloway, 2001, are reported for the first time from China. The adult and genital characters of the two species are briefly redescribed, with illustrations and distributional data given.

Risk Assessment of Breast Cancer in Guangdong, China: A Community-based Survey

Lin, Ying,Shao, Nan,Zhang, Yun-Jian,Wu, Zhuang-Hong,Li, Zhi-Bin,Ren, Ze-Fang,Wang, Shen-Ming Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.6

Objectives: Compared with Western countries, the incidence rates for breast cancer in China are still low. However, breast cancer appears to be hitting Chinese women at a much younger age, with a peak between 40 and 50 years. Furthermore, breast tumors of Asian women have molecular and genetic characteristics that are different from those of Caucasian women. Methods: A community-based study was designed to evaluate the relationship between lifestyles and breast cancer risk in Chinese women residing in Guangzhou. 16,314 subjects completed the questionnaire. Potential confounding factors included sociodemographic characteristics. Results: 33 individuals reported a history of breast cancer, yielding a prevalence rate of 202.3/100000. Associations between subjects' demographic and breast cancer risk factors were assessed. Breast cancer is associated with family history of breast cancer, X-rays received, benign breast disease and hyperlipoidemia or hypercholesteremia with elevated odds ratios. Conclusions: Family history of breast cancer, X-ray received benign breast disease and hyperlipoidemia or hypercholesteremia were significantly associated with risk of breast cancer and may havepotential for breast cancer risk assessment.

A Predictive Model for Evaluating Responsiveness to Pemetrexed Treatment in Patients with Advanced Colorectal Cancer

Wu, Xue-Yan,Huang, Xin-En,Cao, Jie,Shi, Lin,Xu, Xia,Qian, Zhi-Ying Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.14

Purpose: To highlight the potential factors that could predict the response rate of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) treated with pemetrexed combined chemotherapy after first- or second-line chemotherapy using the FOLFOX regimen. Materials and Methods: Between January 2007 and July 2014, 54 patients diagnosed and pathologically-confirmed with advanced colorectal cancer in Jiangsu Cancer Hospital and Research Institute, were enrolled. They received pemetrexed at a dose of $500mg/m^2$ by 10 minute infusion on day 1, repeated every 3 weeks. Doses were modified depending on nadir counts of blood cells. Combined chemotherapeutic agents included irinotecan, lobaplatin, carboplatin, oxaliplatin, gemcitabine, cis-platinum or bevacizumab. Multiple variables (age, sex, hemoglobin, platinum drugs combined, metastasis sites, LDH, ALP, CEA>40 ug/ml) reported earlier were selected. We used logistic regression analysis to evaluate relationships between these and tumor response. Results: On multivariable analysis, we found that age was significant in predicting the responsiveness to pemetrexed (p<0.05) combined with oxaliplatin. We did not find any other factors which were significantly associated with the response rate to chemotherapy with pemetrexed and irinotecan. Conclusions: By multivariate analysis, we found that age had significant impact on the responsiveness of pemetrexed when combined with oxaliplatin. Additional research based on genomic properties of host and tumors are needed to clarify markers for better selection of patients who could benefit from pemetrexed combined chemotherapy.

Feasibility, accuracy and acceptability of self-sampled human papillomavirus testing using careHPV in Cambodia: a cross-sectional study

Zhi-yao You,Jing Li,Miao-fang Wu,Hui Li,Yanfang Ye,Li-juan Wang,Zhongqiu Lin 대한부인종양학회 2024 Journal of Gynecologic Oncology Vol.35 No.1

Objective: Self-sampled human papillomavirus (HPV) testing is a potential option forcer vical cancer screening, but research is scarce in Cambodia. We evaluated the feasibility,accuracy, and acceptability of self-sampled HPV testing using careHPV. Methods: A cross-sectional study including women aged 20–49 years attending 2 nationalhospitals in the capital city was conducted. Women under went both self-sampling andclinician-sampling of specimens, and were then asked to complete an acceptabilityquestionnaire. The paired samples were analyzed for high-risk HPV by careHPV andgenotyped by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results: A total of 375 women were eligible for inclusion. Based on PCR, 78.9% were negativefor HPV in both self and clinician-samples, 9.9% had a complete HPV type match, and 6.1%had all HPV types in clinician-samples also detected in self-samples. In 5.1%, one or more HPVtypes identified in the clinician-samples were missed in self-samples. When using careHPV,the overall agreement between the 2 sampling methods was 95.7% (95% confidence inter val[CI]=95.8–95.6) with good concordance (κ=0.66, 95% CI=0.56–0.76). Nearly 90% of the womenpreferred clinician-sampling over self-sampling, citing greater comfort, ease, and speed. Conclusion: Self-sampled HPV testing using careHPV could be an option for cer vical cancerscreening in Cambodia; however, it requires periodic quality control of handling procedures. In addition, women’s health education regarding the accuracy of self-sampled HPV testingand the importance of follow-up in cases of positive results is needed.

A phase I dose-finding trial of hyperthermic intraperitoneal docetaxel combined with cisplatin in patients with advanced-stage ovarian cancer

Zhi-yao You,Hui Li,Miao-fang Wu,Yanfang Ye,Li-juan Wang,Zhongqiu Lin,Jing Li 대한부인종양학회 2024 Journal of Gynecologic Oncology Vol.35 No.1

Objective: To identif y the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of docetaxel combined with afixed dose of cisplatin (75 mg/m2) delivered as hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy(HIPEC) in patients with ovarian cancer. Methods: In this phase I trial, a time-to-event Bayesian optimal inter val design was used. Docetaxel was given at a starting dose of 60 mg/m2 and was increased in 5 mg/m2 incrementsuntil the MTD was determined or the maximum dose level of 75 mg/m2 was reached. The dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) rate was set at 25%, with a total sample size of 30 patients. HIPEC wasdelivered immediately following debulking surger y at a target temperature of 43°C for 90 minutes. Results: From August 2022 to November 2022, 30 patients were enrolled. Among thepatients who received a dose of docetaxel ≤65 mg/m2, no DLT was reported. DLTs wereobser ved in one patient who received 70 mg/m2 docetaxel (grade 3 anaemia) and in threepatients who received 75 mg/m2 docetaxel (one case of grade 3 anaemia, one case of grade3 hepatic impairment and one case of grade 4 thrombocytopenia). Patients treated withdocetaxel 75 mg/m2 in combination with cisplatin 75 mg/m2 had an estimated DLT rate of25%, which was the closest to the target DLT rate and was therefore chosen as the MTD. Conclusion: Docetaxel, in combination with a fixed dose of cisplatin (75 mg/m2), can be usedsafely at intraperitoneal doses of 75 mg/m2 in ovarian cancer patients who received HIPEC(43°C, 90 minutes) following debulking surger y. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05410483

A Newly Synthesized Flavone from Luteolin Escapes from COMT-Catalyzed Methylation and Inhibits Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Inflammation in RAW264.7 Macrophages via JNK, p38 and NF-κB Signaling Pathways

( Lin Ye ),( Yang Xin ),( Zhi-yuan Wu ),( Hai-jian Sun ),( De-jian Huang ),( Zhi-qin Sun ) 한국미생물 · 생명공학회 2022 Journal of microbiology and biotechnology Vol.32 No.1

Luteolin is a common dietary flavone possessing potent anti-inflammatory activities. However, when administrated in vivo, luteolin becomes methylated by catechol-O-methyltransferases (COMT) owing to the catechol ring in the chemical structure, which largely diminishes its anti-inflammatory effect. In this study, we made a modification on luteolin, named LUA, which was generated by the chemical reaction between luteolin and 2,2'-azobis(2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH). Without a catechol ring in the chemical structure, this new flavone could escape from the COMT-catalyzed methylation, thus affording the potential to exert its functions in the original form when administrated in the organism. Moreover, an LPS-stimulated RAW cell model was applied to detect the anti-inflammatory properties. LUA showed much more superior inhibitory effect on LPS-induced production of NO than diosmetin (a major methylated form of luteolin) and significantly suppressed upregulation of iNOS and COX-2 in macrophages. LUA treatment dramatically reduced LPS-stimulated reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mRNA levels of pro-inflammatory mediators such as IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8 and IFN-β. Furthermore, LUA significantly reduced the phosphorylation of JNK and p38 without affecting that of ERK. LUA also inhibited the activation of NF-κB through suppression of p65 phosphorylation and nuclear translocation.

Resveratrol suppresses the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in PC-3 cells by down-regulating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway

Zhi Wang,Longxiang Wu,Shiyu Tong,Xiheng Hu,Xiongbing Zu,Yuan Li,Wei He,Longfei Liu,Minfeng Chen,Lin Qi 한국통합생물학회 2016 Animal cells and systems Vol.20 No.2

Resveratrol possesses a wide spectrum of pharmacological properties and has been an ideal alternative drug for the treatment of different cancers, including prostate cancer. However, the mechanisms by which resveratrol inhibits the growth of prostate cancer are still not fully elucidated. To understand the effect of resveratrol on the apoptosis and the epithelial-tomesenchymal transition (EMT) of prostate cancer as well as its related mechanism, we investigated the potential use of resveratrol in PC-3 prostate cancer cells in vitro using real-time PCR, fluorescence-activated cell sorting, Western blotting, etc. Resveratrol suppresses the PC-3 prostate cancer cell growth and induces apoptosis. Resveratrol also influences the expression of EMT-related proteins (increased E-cadherin and decreased Vimentin expression). Finally, resveratrol also suppressed Akt phosphorylation in PC-3 cells. This study indicates that resveratrol may be a potential anti-cancer treatment for prostate cancer; moreover, it provides new evidence that resveratrol suppresses prostate cancer growth and metastasis.

Effect of Metabolic Structures and Energy Requirements on Curdlan Production by Alcaligenes faecalis

Zheng, Zhi-Yong,Lee, Jin-Woo,Zhan, Xiao Bei,Shi, Zhongping,Wang, Lei,Zhu, Li,Wu, Jian-Rong,Lin, Chi Chung Korean Society for Biotechnology and Bioengineerin 2007 Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering Vol.12 No.4

A comprehensive metabolic network was proposed for Alcaligenes faecalis and employed in a stoichiometrically based flux balance model for curdlan production optimization. The maximal yield of curdlan was evaluated for curdlan batch production. Various metabolic structures and metabolic pathway distributions related with the curdlan maximal yield was evaluated. The results showed that the energy efficiency rather than the substrate supply was the major constraint for the enhancement of curdlan production. The increase in specific rate of glucose uptake could enhance curdlan production yield due to the decrease of the ratio of metabolic maintenance to substrate consumption. However, some of the energy loss and nutrient limitation associated with the increase of metabolic maintenance would adversely affect the conversion efficiency of the substrate.