Quality of Life for Patients with Esophageal/Gastric Cardia Precursor Lesions or Cancer: A One-year Prospective Study

Wen, Ying,Pan, Xiong-Fei,Huang, Wen-Zhi,Zhao, Zhi-Mei,Wei, Wen-Qiang,Chen, Feng,Lan, Hui,Huang, He,Yang, Chun-Xia,Qiao, You-Lin Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.1

Background: The current study examined health-related quality of life (QoL) for patients with esophageal/gastric cardia precursor lesions or cancer before and after treatment to facilitate improved prevention and treatment. Materials and Methods: Patients with different stages of esophageal/gastric cardia lesions completed two QoL questionnaires, EORTC QLQ-C30 and supplemental QLQ-OES 18, before primary treatment, and at 1, 6 and 12 months after treatment. Results: Fifty-nine patients with precursor lesions, 57 with early stage cancer, and 43 with advanced cancer responded to our survey. Patients with precursor lesions or early stage cancer reported better QoL overall than those with advanced cancer before treatment (p<0.01). Global QoL scores before treatment and at 1 month after treatment were $71{\pm}9$ versus $69{\pm}9$ (p>0.01), $71{\pm}8$ versus $61{\pm}11$ (p<0.01), $67{\pm}11$ versus $62{\pm}9$ (p<0.01) for three stages of lesions. At 6 months after treatment, some QoL measures recovered gradually in precursor lesion and early cancer patients, while some continuously deteriorated in advanced cancer patients. At 12 months, all QoL scores were comparable to baseline for patients with precursor lesions (p>0.01), while global QoL, social, pain, and insomnia scores for early stage and advanced cancer were inferior to corresponding baseline levels (difference between means>5, p<0.01). At this time point, compared with patients with early stage cancer, those with advanced cancer showed worse QoL with all function and most symptom measures (p<0.01). Conclusions: Patients with precursor lesions or early stage esophageal/gastric cardia cancer show better QoL than those with advanced cancer. This indicates that screening, early diagnosis and treatment may improve the QoL for esophageal/gastric cardia cancer patients. Target intervention and counseling should be given by health care providers during treatment and follow-up to facilitate QoL improvement.

Inhibitory Effects of α-Pinene on Hepatoma Carcinoma Cell Proliferation

Chen, Wei-Qiang,Xu, Bin,Mao, Jian-Wen,Wei, Feng-Xiang,Li, Ming,Liu, Tao,Jin, Xiao-Bao,Zhang, Li-Rong Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.7

Background: Pine needle oil from crude extract of pine needles has anti-tumor effects, but the effective component is not known. Methods: In the present study, compounds from a steam distillation extract of pine needles were isolated and characterized. Alpha-pinene was identified as an active anti-proliferative compound on hepatoma carcinoma BEL-7402 cells using the MTT assay. Results: Further experiments showed that ${\alpha}$-pinene inhibited BEL-7402 cells by arresting cell growth in the G2/M phase of the cell cycle, downregulating Cdc25C mRNA and protein expression, and reducing cycle dependence on kinase 1(CDK1) activity. Conclusion: Taken together, these findings indicate that ${\alpha}$-pinene may be useful as a potential anti-tumor drug.

Quantification of SPS mRNA Expression in Banana Fruit Ripened under Different Conditions Using Real-time RT-PCR

Wen Li,Xue-ping Li,Yuan-zhi Shao,Jiang-hui Xie,Wei-xin Chen,Zhi-qiang Jin 한국식품과학회 2011 Food Science and Biotechnology Vol.20 No.6

Real-time reverse transcriptase (RT)-PCR using SYBR GreenI was applied to quantify sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS) mRNA expression at different storage days during the natural ripening (with no treatment), inhibited ripening with ethylene absorbent and accelerated ripening by treatment with propylene of banana fruit. The results showed that expression level of SPS mRNA were significantly different between 3 kinds of ripening fruit. Expression of SPS mRNA in fruit treated with propylene was dramatically promoted, the peak of SPS mRNA expression in these fruits appeared 16 days earlier than that in fruit with natural ripening. On the contrary, when fruit applied with ethylene absorbent, SPS mRNA expression was remarkably inhibited, the amount of SPS mRNA expression were significantly lower than that in naturally ripened fruit. These results indicated that the expression level of SPS mRNA of banana fruit can be impacted by regulating ethylene evolution, and that close relationships may exist between SPS mRNA expression and SPS activity, fruit softening, respiration rate, and ethylene production during ripening of banana fruit.

Effect of support on the performance of Mn–Cu oxides for low temperature selective catalytic reduction of NO with NH3

Wei-Guo Pan,Jie-nan Hong,Rui-Tang Guo,Wen-long Zhen,Hong-lei Ding,Qiang Jin,Cheng-gang Ding,Shi-yi Guo 한국공업화학회 2014 Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Vol.20 No.4

MnOx–CuOx/TiO2 and MnOx–CuOx/Al2O3 catalysts were prepared by sol–gel method and used for low temperature selective catalytic reduction of NO with NH3. The results showed that MnOx–CuOx/TiO2 had better catalytic activity and SO2 resistance than MnOx–CuOx/Al2O3 in the temperature range of 100–250 ℃. The properties of the catalysts were characterized by using XRD, N2 adsorption, temperature programmed reduction (H2-TPR) and temperature programmed desorption (NH3-TPD). It was found that the support has a great impact on the acidity of catalyst; TiO2 and Al2O3 can promote the formation of Lewis acid sites and Bro¨ nsted acid sites respectively.

Chinese Patients with Gastric Cancer Need Targeted Adjuvant Chemotherapy Schemes

Shi, Wen-Tao,Wei, Lei,Xiang, Jin,Su, Ke,Ding, Qiong,Tang, Meng-Jie,Li, Ji-Qiang,Guo, Yi,Wang, Pu,Zhang, Jing-Wei Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.10

Background: Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most common cancers in China. Adjuvant chemotherapy (AC) is a routine auxiliary treatment for GC recommended by the guidelines issued in 2011 by the Ministry of Health of the People's Republic of China, but the relevant credible consequences in China have been insufficient because of China's late start and ethical concerns. Methods: A series of databases, including Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Chinese database of the National Knowledge Infrastructure and the VIP database, were searched by 2 reviewers independently for studies investigating AC for GC through March 2012. The retrieved literature was screened according to the eligibility criteria. Results: A total of 35 randomized control trials (RCTs) were subjected to the final analysis, including 4,043 patients in treatment group and 3,884 in the control group, as well as 4 clinical-control trials (CCTs), which accessed the final analysis with 238 and 252 patients, respectively. AC reduced the risk of death as a protective treatment with statistical significance (HR=0.91, 95%CI: [0.85, 0.97], P=0.002), and it seemed more effective for Asian than non-Asian patients. The effects of AC were not influenced by the starting time (P>0.05). D2 lymphadenectomy-based chemotherapy was effective (HR=0.89, 95%CI: [0.80, 0.99], P=0.04). Oral S-1 40 mg/m2 after D2 lymphadenectomy might be a better choice for Asians with advanced GC and might result in a greater reduction of adverse events than in non-Asian patients. GRADE quality assessment determined that the strength of the evidence from foreign studies from Europe, the United States and Asian countries other than China was high, while it was moderate for Chinese studies. Conclusion: AC was effective or even curative in Chinese patients in general, although it is still necessary to optimize a targeted AC scheme for Chinese patients with GC.

DC Voltage Balancing and Current Sharing Control of Parallel Multiple Modules Static Var Generator Based on CPS-SPWM

Cai, Wei,Huang, Yanyan,Fangyuan, Zhou,Qiu, Wenjun,Wang, Caixiao,Wu, Qiang,Erlei, Shi,Wen, Tao The Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers 2013 The Journal of International Council on Electrical Vol.3 No.1

For extending the power and improving the performance of SVG, a topology with several parallel plugging convertor modules is obtained, which has no common DC bus. In respect that the parameter difference among converters, reactive power of total output sharing has to be resolved. In this article, mathematics model with DQ analytic transformation is analyzed. Based on double close-loop decoupling control, and direct current control, a reactive power balance current sharing method is proposed. By using CPS-SPWM, the current harmonic of SVG is reduced, which is indicated by simulation result. Further, in order to apply the method to project application, a 2Mvar platform with a double FPGA-DSP controller broad is carried out. The simulation and practical performance of SVG are given. The validity and feasibility of the method is demonstrated by the results.

Genome-wide analysis of codon usage bias patterns in an enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli F18 strain

Ri Wei Xia,Wen Bin Bao,Xue Mei Yin,Wei Yun Qin,Guo Qiang Zhu,Sheng Long Wu 한국유전학회 2017 Genes & Genomics Vol.39 No.11

Enterogenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) F18 strains are the main pathogenic bacteria causing severe diarrhea in humans and domestic animals. However, the information about synonymous codon usage pattern of ETEC F18 genome remains unclear. We conducted a genome-wide analysis of synonymous codon usage patterns in the ETEC F18 strain SRA: SAMN02471895. After filtering of the complete genome sequence, 4327 coding sequences were analyzed using multivariate statistical methods to calculate synonymous codon usage patterns and to evaluate the influence of various factors in shaping the codon usage. The mean GC content was 51.38%, with a slight preference for G/C-ending codons. Twenty-two codons were determined as ‘‘optimal codons”. ENC plots showed some of the genes were on or close to the expected curve, while only points with low-ENC values were below the curve. PR2 analysis showed that GC and AT were not used proportionally, suggesting major roles for mutational pressure and natural selection in shaping usage. Neutrality plots showed a significant correlation between GC12 and GC3, suggesting that mutational pressure is responsible for nucleotide composition in shaping the strength of codon usage. Translational selection was the main factor shaping the codon usage pattern of ETEC F18 genome, while other factors such as protein length, GRAVY and ARO values also influenced codon usage to some extent. We analyzed the codon usage pattern systematically and identified the factors shaping codon usage bias in the ETEC F18 genome. Such information further elucidates the mechanisms of synonymous codon usage bias and provides the basis of molecular genetic engineering and evolutionary studies.

An Effective Method for Extraction of Glutaryl-7-aminocephalosporanic Acid Acylase from Recombinant E. coli Cells

Xiao-qiang Ma,Er-zheng Su,Sen-wen Deng,Dong-zhi Wei 한국생물공학회 2015 Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering Vol.20 No.4

In this study, several chemical treatment techniques commonly used for protein extraction were investigated for recovering glutaryl-7-aminocephalosporanic acid acylase (GLA) from recombinant E. coli cells. The best results were obtained by the combined use of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and KCl. Subsequently, various extraction conditions, such as cation salt, concentrations of CTAB and KCl, extraction temperature, extraction time, and biomass, were optimized to further enhance the release yield and specific activity of GLA. Our results showed that 110% of GLA was released after treatment with 0.5% CTAB (w/v, %) and 0.3 M KCl at 10°C for 12 h, and its specific activity in this extracting solution was approximately 1.5 times higher as compared to that obtained by sonication. This extraction method could avoid the inactivation of GLA caused by drastic mechanical methods, and also enhance its specific activity for industrial extraction.

Phytochemistry and pharmacology of natural prenylated flavonoids

Hua-Wei Lv,Qiao-Liang Wang,Meng Luo,Meng-Di Zhu,Hui-Min Liang,Wen-Jing Li,Hai Cai,Zhong-Bo Zhou,Hong Wang,Sheng-Qiang Tong,Xing-Nuo Li 대한약학회 2023 Archives of Pharmacal Research Vol.46 No.4

Prenylated flavonoids are a special kind of flavonoid derivative possessing one or more prenyl groups in the parent nucleus of the flavonoid. The presence of the prenyl side chain enriched the structural diversity of flavonoids and increased their bioactivity and bioavailability. Prenylated flavonoids show a wide range of biological activities, such as anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, anti-diabetic, anti-obesity, cardioprotective effects, and anti-osteoclastogenic activities. In recent years, many compounds with significant activity have been discovered with the continuous excavation of the medicinal value of prenylated flavonoids, and have attracted the extensive attention of pharmacologists. This review summarizes recent progress on research into natural active prenylated flavonoids to promote new discoveries of their medicinal value.

Synthesis, Characterization and pH-Responsive Self-Assembly Behavior of Amphiphilic Multiarm Star Triblock Copolymers Based on PCL, PDEAEMA, and PEG

You Qiang Yang,Wen Jing Lin,Li Juan Zhang,Cheng Zhi Cai,Wei Jiang,Xin Dong Guo,Yu Qian 한국고분자학회 2013 Macromolecular Research Vol.21 No.9

A series of amphiphilic 4- and 6-armed star triblock copolymers based on poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL),poly(2-(diethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) (PDEAEMA), and poly(poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate)(PPEGMA) were designed and synthesized by a combination of ring opening polymerization (ROP) and continuous activators regenerated by electron transfer atom transfer radical polymerization (ARGET ATRP). The continuous ARGET ATRP of DEAEMA and PEGMA was in situ monitored by react infrared spectroscopy (ReactIR) and showed good first-order kinetic characteristics. The molecular weights and chemical structures of the copolymers and their precursors were confirmed by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and 1H NMR. The critical micelle concentration (CMC) values of the star copolymers in aqueous solution were extremely low (2.2-4.0 mg/L), depending on the architecture of the copolymers. The pH-responsive self-assembly behavior of the star copolymers in aqueous solution was investigated by a combination of dynamic light scattering (DLS), UV-vis spectrometry and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). When the pH values decreased from 10 to 3, no obvious fluctuation of the visible light transmittance of the micelle solutions was observed for lower polymer concentrations of 0.1 and 1 mg/mL, while sharp increase occurred at higher concentration of 10 mg/mL. The hydrodynamic diameters (Dh) of the micelle solutions appeared slight increase with the increase of concentration, and increased rapidly as the pH decreased from 10 to 4 followed by a slight decrease at pH 3. The effects of pH value on the zeta potentials exhibited almost the same tendency with the Dh. This may due to the fact that the protonation of tertiary amine groups in DEAEMA can induce the swelling of micelles. The PCL and PDEAEMA contents and the topological structures (4-or 6-arm) showed significant influences on the pH-sensitivity of the micelles. Overall, the results demonstrated that the structures and pH-sensitivity of these amphiphilic copolymers could be well-controlled and their self-assembled micelles are promising carriers for delivery of anticancer hydrophobic drugs.