Rapid separation and identification of 31 major saponins in Shizhu ginseng by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-electron spray ionization-MS/MS

Ting-Ting Sun,Xin-Lei Liang,He-Yun Zhu,Xu-Ling Peng,Xing-Jie Guo,Long-Shan Zhao 고려인삼학회 2016 Journal of Ginseng Research Vol.40 No.3

Background: Among the various ginseng strains, Shizhu ginseng is endemic to China, mainly distributed in Kuandian Manchu Autonomous County (Liaoning Province, China); however, not much is known about the compounds (especially saponins) in Shizhu ginseng. Methods: A rapid, sensitive, and reliable ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with MS/MS (UHPLCeMS/MS) method was developed to separate and identify saponins in Shizhu ginseng. Results: The separation was carried out on a Waters ACQUITY UPLC BEH C18 column (100 mm × 2.1 mm, 1.7 ㎛) with acetonitrile and 0.1% formic acid aqueous solution as the mobile phase under a gradient elution at 40℃. The detection was performed on a Micromass Quattro Micro API mass spectrometer equipped with electrospray ionization source in both positive and negative modes. Under the optimized conditions, a total of 31 saponins were identified or tentatively characterized by comparing retention time and MS data with related literatures and reference substances. Conclusion: The developed UHPLCeMS/MS method was suitable for identifying and characterizing the chemical constituents in Shizhu ginseng, which provided a helpful chemical basis for further research on Shizhu ginseng.

Expression of Osteopontin in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer and Correlative Relation with Microvascular Density

Yu, Ting-Ting,Han, Zhi-Gang,Shan, Li,Tao, Jie,Zhang, Tao,Yuan, Shuai-Fei,Shen, Hong-Li Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.1

Background and Objective: Lung cancer is one of the malignant diseases which most seriously threat humansurvival and development. This study aimed to assess osteopontin (OPN) expression in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and any relationship with clinicopathological features. Methods: Immunohistochemistry was used to determine OPN expression and microvascular density (MVD) in 120 cases of NSCLC also undergoing clinical assessment. Results: Moderately positive expression of OPN was found in 34.6% (41/120) and strong expression in 47.5% (57/120) of the NSCLCs; OPN expression in carcinomas was higher than in pericarcinoma tissues (P<0.05). While no obvious association was observed with NSCLC patient age, gender, maximum diameter of the tumor and pathological type, OPN expression was more commonly detected in poorly differentiated carcinoma tissue and lymph node metastasis as well as at advanced clinical stage (P<0.05); OPN expression in cancer tissue was positively correlated with MVD (r = 0.839, P = 0.000). Conclusion: OPN plays an important role in promoting tumor angiogenesis and progress of NSCLCs and has the possibility to become the new target for therapy.

The Prognostic Value of Treatment-Related Lymphopenia in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Patients

Li-Ting Liu,Qiu-Yan Chen,Lin-Quan Tang,Shan-Shan Guo,Ling Guo,Hao-Yuan Mo,Ming-Yuan Chen,Chong Zhao,Xiang Guo,Chao-Nan Qian,Mu-Sheng Zeng,Jin-Xin Bei,Jing Tan,Shuai Chen,Ming-Huang Hong,Jian-Yong Shao 대한암학회 2018 Cancer Research and Treatment Vol.50 No.1

Purpose This study was conducted to evaluate the prognostic value of treatment-related lymphopenia in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Materials and Methods A total of 413 consecutive stage II-IVb NPC patients treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) were enrolled. The overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) were calculated with the Kaplan-Meier method, and differences were compared using the log-rank test. Results A minimum (mini)–absolute lymphocyte counts (ALC) of < 390 cells/μL or ALC after 3 months of CCRT (post3m-ALC) < 705 cells/μL was significantly associated with worse outcome than mini-ALC ! 390 cells/μL (OS, p=0.002; PFS, p=0.005; DMFS, p=0.004) or post3m-ALC ! 705 cells/μL (OS, p < 0.001; PFS, p < 0.001; DMFS, p=0.001). Patients with lymphopenia (mini-ALC < 390 cells/μL and post3m-ALC < 705 cells/μL) had a worse prognosis than those without lymphopenia (mini-ALC ! 390 cells/μL and post3m-ALC ! 705 cells/μL) (OS, p < 0.001; PFS, p < 0.001; DMFS, p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed that post3m-ALC was an independent prognostic factor for OS (hazard ratio [HR], 1.76; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.12 to 2.78; p=0.015), PFS (HR, 1.86; 95% CI, 1.23 to 2.82; p=0.003), and DMFS (HR, 1.87; 95% CI, 1.13 to 3.08; p=0.014). Multivariate analysis also revealed that patients with lymphopenia had a high risk of death (HR, 3.79; 95% CI, 1.75 to 8.19; p=0.001), disease progression (HR, 2.93; 95% CI, 1.59 to 5.41; p=0.001), and distant metastasis (HR, 3.89; 95% CI, 1.67 to 9.10; p=0.002). Multivariate analysis performed with time dependent Cox regression demonstrated ALC was an independent prognostic factor for OS (HR, 0.995; 95% CI, 0.991 to 0.999; p=0.025) and PFS (HR, 0.993; 95% CI, 0.988 to 0.998; p=0.006). Conclusion Treatment-related lymphopenia was a poor prognostic factor in NPC patients.

Buckling Analysis of Steel H Column with Thermal Gradient Along the Flanges

Wei-bin Yuan,Pei-jun Ge,Yue-ting Shen,Shan-shan Cheng,Nan-ting Yu 한국강구조학회 2020 International Journal of Steel Structures Vol.20 No.2

This paper presents an analytical study about the axial compression buckling of H-section columns with one side of the flanges exposed to fire. The fire-induced thermal gradient along the flanges is obtained by using simplified Fourier heat conduction equation. The pre-buckling stress and bowing effect due to the non-uniform temperature distribution through the cross-section is considered. The analysis is accomplished by using the Rayleigh–Ritz method. The analytical solution is validated by finite element analysis using ANSYS. Finally, the parametric study is performed for different sections including different values of length, thickness ratio and width-to-height ratio.

Cell Type-Specific and Inducible PTEN Gene Silencing by a Tetracycline Transcriptional Activator-Regulated Short Hairpin RNA

Shan Wang,Lintao Jia,Ting Wang,Tao Wang 한국분자세포생물학회 2015 Molecules and cells Vol.38 No.11

Inducible and reversible gene silencing in desired types of cells is instrumental for deciphering gene functions using cultured cells or in vivo models. However, efficient conditional gene knockdown systems remain to be established. Here, we report the generation of an inducible expression system for short hairpin RNA (shRNA) targeted to PTEN, a well-documented dual-specificity phosphatase involved in tumor suppression and ontogenesis. Upon induction by doxycycline (DOX), the reverse tetracycline transcriptional activator (rtTA) switched on the concomitant expression of GFP and a miR-30 precursor, the subsequent processing of which released the embedded PTEN-targeted shRNA. The efficacy and reversibility of PTEN knockdown by this construct was validated in normal and neoplastic cells, in which PTEN deficiency resulted in accelerated cell proliferation, suppressed apoptosis, and increased invasiveness. Transgenic mice harboring the conditional shRNAexpression cassette were obtained; GFP expression and concurrent PTEN silencing were observed upon ectopic expression of rtTA and induction with Dox. Therefore, this study provides novel tools for the precise dissection of PTEN functions and the generation of PTEN loss of function models in specific subsets of cells during carcinogenesis and ontogenesis.

Effects of Valproic Acid on Proliferation, Apoptosis, Angiogenesis and Metastasis of Ovarian Cancer in Vitro and in Vivo

Shan, Zhao,Feng-Nian, Rong,Jie, Geng,Ting, Zhou Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.8

Inhibitors of histone deacetylase activity are emerging as a potentially important new class of anticancer agents. In this study, we assessed the anticancer effects of valproic acid (VPA) on ovarian cancer in vitro and in vivo. Cultured SKOV3 cells were treated by VPA with different concentrations and time, then the effects on cell growth, cell cycle, apoptosis, and related events were investigated. A human ovarian cancer model transplanted subcutaneously in nude mice was established, and the efficacy of VPA used alone and in combination with diammine dichloroplatinum (DDP) to inhibit the growth of tumors was also assessed. Proliferation of SKOV3 cells was inhibited by VPA in a dose and time dependent fashion. The cell cycle distribution changed one treatment with VPA, with decrease in the number of S-phase cells and increase in G1-phase. VPA could significantly inhibit the growth of the epithelial ovarian cancer SKOV3 cells in vivo without toxic side effects. Treatment with VPA combined with DDP demonstrated enhanced anticancer effects. The result of flow cytometry (FCM) indicated that after VPA in vitro and in vivo, the expression of E-cadherin was increased whereas vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) were decreased. This study suggests that VPA could be a novel attractive agent for treatment of ovarian cancer.

A New Hybrid Active Noise Control System: Adaptive Plant Disturbance Canceling Structure Combined with Narrowband Adaptive Noise Canceling Structure

Shan-zhen Yi,Ren-yuan Fei,Da-sen Zhou,Zhong-ting Dou,Feng-guang Zhou,Ya-du Sun,Qing-lin Wen 한국소음진동공학회 2003 한국소음진동공학회 국제학술대회논문집 Vol.2003 No.8

Prevalence and Subtypes of Blastocystis in Alpacas, Vicugna pacos in Shanxi Province, China

Ye-Ting Ma,Qing Liu,Shi-Chen Xie,Xiao-Dong Li,Yuan-Yuan Ma,Tao-Shan Li,Wen-Wei Gao,Xing-Quan Zhu 대한기생충학ㆍ열대의학회 2020 The Korean Journal of Parasitology Vol.58 No.2

Blastocystis, an enteric protist, has been reported to be an important cause of protozoal gastrointestinal manifestations in humans and animals worldwide. Animals harboring certain Blastocystis subtypes (STs) may serve as a potential source of human infection. However, information about the prevalence and genetic diversity of Blastocystis in alpacas is limited. In the present study, a total of 366 fecal samples from alpacas in Shanxi Province, northern China, were examined for Blastocystis by PCR amplification of the small subunit rRNA gene, followed by sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. The prevalence of Blastocystis in alpacas was 23.8%, and gender difference in the prevalence of Blastocystis was observed. The most predominant Blastocystis ST was ST10, followed by ST14 and ST5. The detection of ST5, a potentially zoonotic genotype, indicates that alpacas harboring ST5 could be a potential source of human infection with Blastocystis. These data provide new insight into the prevalence and genetic diversity of Blastocystis in alpacas.

Cell Type-Specific and Inducible PTEN Gene Silencing by a Tetracycline Transcriptional Activator-Regulated Short Hairpin RNA

Wang, Shan,Wang, Ting,Wang, Tao,Jia, Lintao Korean Society for Molecular and Cellular Biology 2015 Molecules and cells Vol.38 No.11

Inducible and reversible gene silencing in desired types of cells is instrumental for deciphering gene functions using cultured cells or in vivo models. However, efficient conditional gene knockdown systems remain to be established. Here, we report the generation of an inducible expression system for short hairpin RNA (shRNA) targeted to PTEN, a well-documented dual-specificity phosphatase involved in tumor suppression and ontogenesis. Upon induction by doxycycline (DOX), the reverse tetracycline transcriptional activator (rtTA) switched on the concomitant expression of GFP and a miR-30 precursor, the subsequent processing of which released the embedded PTEN-targeted shRNA. The efficacy and reversibility of PTEN knockdown by this construct was validated in normal and neoplastic cells, in which PTEN deficiency resulted in accelerated cell proliferation, suppressed apoptosis, and increased invasiveness. Transgenic mice harboring the conditional shRNA-expression cassette were obtained; GFP expression and concurrent PTEN silencing were observed upon ectopic expression of rtTA and induction with Dox. Therefore, this study provides novel tools for the precise dissection of PTEN functions and the generation of PTEN loss of function models in specific subsets of cells during carcinogenesis and ontogenesis.

Safely navigating kidney transplantation during the COVID-19 pandemic: the Singapore General Hospital’s experience

Carolyn Shan-Yeu Tien,Ian Tatt Liew,Quan Yao Ho,Sobhana Thangaraju,Maslinna Binte Abdul Rahman,Constance Lee,Nicole Chelsi Xin Hui Leah,Xia He,Li Ting Siew,Terence Yi Shern Kee 대한이식학회 2023 Korean Journal of Transplantation Vol.37 No.2

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic curtailed transplant activities worldwide, driven by concerns about increased COVID-19-related mortality among kidney transplant recipients (KTRs), infections originating from donors, and decreased availability of surgical and intensive care resources as healthcare resources are reallocated for pandemic response. We examined the outcomes of KTRs at our center before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: We conducted a retrospective single-center cohort study examining the characteristics and outcomes of patients undergoing kidney transplantation during two periods: January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2019 (pre-COVID-19 era) and January 1, 2020 to June 30, 2022 (COVID-19 era). We reviewed perioperative and COVID-19 infection-related outcomes in both groups. Results: A total of 114 transplants were performed during the pre-COVID-19 era, while 74 transplants were conducted during the COVID-19 era. No differences in baseline demographics were observed. Additionally, there were no significant differences in perioperative outcomes, except for a longer cold ischemia time during the COVID-19 era. However, this did not result in an increased incidence of delayed graft function. Among the KTRs infected with COVID-19 during the pandemic era, no severe complications such as pneumonia, acute kidney injury, or death were reported. Conclusions: With the global transition to an endemic phase of COVID-19, it is imperative to revitalize organ transplant activities. Effective containment workflow, good vaccination uptake, and prompt COVID-19 treatment are essential to ensure that transplants can proceed safely.