Prognostic Significance of Tumor Mutation Burden among Patients with Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Who Received Platinum-based Adjuvant Chemotherapy: An Exploratory Study

Wei-Xi Shen,Guang-Hua Li,Yu-Jia Li,Peng-Fei Zhang,Jia-Xing Yu,Di Shang,Qiu-Shi Wang 대한암예방학회 2023 Journal of cancer prevention Vol.28 No.4

This study aimed to investigate the prognostic significance of tumor mutation burden (TMB) among patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who received platinum-based adjuvant chemotherapy. Tumor tissue specimens after surgical resection were collected for DNA extraction. Somatic mutation detection and TMB analysis were conducted using next-generation sequencing (NGS). Recurrence status of the patients was assessed in the hospital during the adjuvant chemotherapy period, and long-term survival data of patients were obtained by telephone follow-up. Univariate analysis between TMB status and prognosis was carried out by survival analysis. A retrospective review of 78 patients with non-squamous NSCLC who received platinum-based adjuvant chemotherapy showed a median disease-free survival of 3.6 years and median overall survival (OS) of 5.3 years. NGS analysis exhibited that the most common mutated somatic genes among the 78 patients were tumor suppressor protein p53 (TP53), epidermal growth factor receptor, low-density lipoprotein receptor related protein 1B, DNA methyltransferase 3 alpha and FAT atypical cadherin 3, and their prevalence was 56.4%, 48.7%, 37.2%, 30.7%, and 25.6%, respectively. TMB status was divided into TMB-L (≤ 4.5/Mb) and TMB-H (> 4.5/Mb) based on the median TMB threshold. Relevance of TMB to prognosis suggested that the median OS of patients with TMB-L was significantly longer than that of patients with TMB-H (NR vs. 4.6, P = 0.014). Higher TMB status conferred a worse implication on OS among patients with non-squamous NSCLC who received platinum-based adjuvant chemotherapy.

Is transurethral needle ablation of prostate out of fashion? Outcomes of single session office-based transurethral needle ablation of prostate in patients with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia

Yu Xi Terence Law,Wei Jing Kelven Chen,Liang Shen,Wei Jin Chua 대한비뇨의학회 2019 Investigative and Clinical Urology Vol.60 No.5

Purpose: Transurethral needle ablation (TUNA) is a minimally invasive procedure for the treatment of symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Compared to transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), office-based TUNA is an attractive alternative as it is minimally invasive and avoids general anaesthesia. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of single session office-based TUNA. Materials and Methods: Data of 121 patients who had undergone TUNA was retrieved from June 2008 to March 2017. Patients were followed-up with visits at 1, 3, 6, and 12-months with the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), quality of life (QoL) scoring and uroflowmetry. Results: Patients were 39 to 85 years old. The prostate volumes were 20.00 to 96.90 mL with a median of 26.95 mL. The median IPSS score pre-TUNA was 19, median QOL score pre-TUNA was 4 and median maximum urinary flow (Qmax) pre-TUNA was 10.3 mL/s. There is 65% improvement of IPSS post-TUNA (p<0.001). There is 75% improvement of QOL post-TUNA QOL (p<0.001). There is 35% improvement of Qmax post-TUNA Qmax (p<0.001). The mean relapse-free survival for TUNA is 6.123 years. The 1st, 3rd, and 5th year relapse-free survival rate were 91.7%, 76.6% and 63.7% respectively. Conclusions: Our study is the first to investigate the use of a single-setting office-based TUNA requiring minimal sedation in the Asian community. Complication rates were low in our series, with no associated mortality. When applied to selected patients, TUNA is an effective and reasonably safe alternative for the treatment of symptomatic BPH.

A New Furostanol Saponin from Asparagus cochinchinensis

Yang Shen,Hai-Sheng Chen,Cong-Li Xu,Wei-Dong Xuan,Hui-Liang Li,Run-Hui Liu,Xi-Ke Xu 대한약학회 2011 Archives of Pharmacal Research Vol.34 No.10

A new furostanol saponin, (25S)-26-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-5β-furost-20(22)-en-3β, 15β,26-triol-3-O-[α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-4)]-β-D-glucopyranoside, namely, aspacochioside D (1) were isolated from Asparagus cochinchinensis (Lour.) Merr, along with three known saponins, aspacochioside C (2), (25S)-5β-spirostan-3β-yl-O-[O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-4)]-β-D-glucopyranoside (3), and pseudoprotoneodioscin (4). The structure of 1 was elucidated on the basis of chemical reactions and spectral analysis (IR, GC, ESI-MS, ^1H-NMR, ^13C-NMR, DEPT, HMBC, HMQC and NOESY). The antiproliferative effects of 1-4 were evaluated in a cytotoxicity assay against the human tumor cell line, A549. Compound 2 (Aspacochioside C) exhibited moderate cytotoxicity against A-549, with an IC_50 value of 3.87 μg/mL.

Four-Hour Fasting for Semifluids and 2-Hour Fasting for Water Improves the Patient Experience of Esophagogastroduodenoscopy: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Cai Meng-Xi,Gao Ye,Li Li,Feng Wen,Wang Yi-Lin,Li Zhao-Shen,Xin Lei,Wang Luo-Wei 거트앤리버 소화기연관학회협의회 2023 Gut and Liver Vol.17 No.3

Background/Aims: We aimed to investigate the comfort, safety, and endoscopic visibility during esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) afforded by a modified 4-hour semifluid and 2-hour water (“4+2”) fasting protocol. Methods: In this parallel group, endoscopist-blinded, randomized controlled trial, outpatients undergoing unsedated diagnostic EGD from 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM were randomly assigned to either a “4+2” protocol group or a conventional fasting group. The participants’ comfort during the fasting period and procedure was measured using the visual analog scale, and mucosal visibility was measured by endoscopists using the total visibility score. Satisfaction was defined as a visual analog scale score of ≤3. The primary outcome was the participants’ comfort during fasting. Results: One hundred and six and 108 participants were randomized to the “4+2” protocol and control groups, respectively. Participants’ comfort before EGD was significantly higher in the “4+2” protocol group measured by both the proportion of satisfaction (86.8% vs 63.9%, p=0.002) and the visual analog scale score (median [interquartile range]: 1.0 [1.0–2.0] vs 3.0 [1.0–4.0], p<0.001). The proportion of satisfaction during EGD also significantly improved (59.4% vs 45.4%, p=0.039) in the “4+2” protocol group. The total visibility score was unaffected by the fasting protocol (5.0 [4.0–5.0] vs 4.0 [4.0–5.0], p=0.266). No adverse events were observed during the study. Conclusions: The “4+2” protocol was more comfortable and provided equal mucosal visibility and safety compared with conventional fasting for unsedated EGD. (

Comparison Study of the Band-gap Structure of a 1D-Photonic Crystal by Using TMM and FDTD Analyses

Jian-Bo Chen,Yan Shen,Wei-Xi Zhou,Yu-Xiang Zheng,Hai-Bin Zhao,Liang-Yao Chen 한국물리학회 2011 THE JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN PHYSICAL SOCIETY Vol.58 No.42

A variety of numerical methods has been developed to demonstrate the nature of photons propagating in an artificially-composed periodic structure. Differences will be generated by different kinds of numerical approaches. In this work, we carry out two types of numerical calculations, TMM (transfer matrix method) and FDTD (finite different time domain) calculations. In terms of the 1D-photonic crystal structures with two different structures, we illustrate the energy band spectra, and the results show dispersive characteristics for the optical transmission and reflection of the crystal material. Through a discussion of the mechanism, detailed comparison studies are preformed based on the different physical conditions. The results given in the work will help in better understanding the ways in which photons propagate in an artificially-composed periodic structure.

Knock-down of OsLOX by RNA interference leads to improved seed viability in rice

Suyang Bai,Niqing He,Lu Zhou,Beibei Shen,Wei Wu,Xi Liu,Ling Jiang,Jianmin Wan 한국식물학회 2015 Journal of Plant Biology Vol.58 No.5

Previous work found that lipoxygenases were key enzymes in lipid peroxidation, which causes grain deterioration during storage. In order to obtain better seed viability in rice, 10 marker-free knock-down lines were obtained in the progeny of endogenous OsLOX knock-down mutations caused by the RNAi technology. After artificial accelerated aging, there were four types of knock-down lines with higher seed viability than wild type (receptor parent). OsLOX3 knock-down line NPF1 was of special interest. In a series of experiments, including Southern blots, analysis of OsLOX3 expression, and enzymatic activity, NPF1 had better seed viability than wild-type. We also investigated the main agronomic characters of both knock-down lines and non-transgenetic wild type families. Knock-down lines were identified with generally excellent agronomic characteristics similar to the wild-type.

Weight Loss Correlates with Macrophage Inhibitory Cytokine-1 Expression and Might Influence Outcome in Patients with Advanced Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

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

Background: Weight loss during chemotherapy has not been exclusively investigated. Macrophage inhibitory cytokine-1 (MIC-1) might play a role in its etiology. Here, we investigated the prognostic value of weight loss before chemotherapy and its relationship with MIC-1 concentration and its occurrence during chemotherapy in patients with advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Materials and Methods: We analyzed 157 inoperable locally advanced or metastatic ESCC patients receiving first-line chemotherapy. Serum MIC-1 concentrations were assessed before chemotherapy. Patients were assigned into two groups according to their weight loss before or during chemotherapy:>5% weight loss group and ${\leq}5%$ weight loss group. Results: Patients with weight loss>5% before chemotherapy had shorter progression-free survival period (5.8 months vs. 8.7 months; p=0.027) and overall survival (10.8 months vs. 20.0 months; p=0.010). Patients with weight loss >5% during chemotherapy tended to have shorter progression-free survival (6.0 months vs. 8.1 months; p=0.062) and overall survival (8.6 months vs. 18.0 months; p=0.022), and if weight loss was reversed during chemotherapy, survival rates improved. Furthermore, serum MIC-1 concentration was closely related to weight loss before chemotherapy (p=0.001) Conclusions: Weight loss both before and during chemotherapy predicted poor outcome in advanced ESCC patients, and MIC-1 might be involved in the development of weight loss in such patients.

Study of the Band-gap Structure of a 1D-photonic Crystal by Using Different Numerical Approaches

Liang-Yao Chen,Jian-Bo Chen,Yue-Rui Chen,Yan Shen,Wei-Xi Zhou,Jiu-Chun Ren,Yu-Xiang Zheng 한국물리학회 2010 THE JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN PHYSICAL SOCIETY Vol.56 No.4

Comparative studies between the transfer matrices method (TMM) and plane wave method (PWM) approaches have been performed on 1D photonics crystal under different conditions to show the differences between these two kinds of calculations. TMM is suitable for the design of 1D photonic crystal device with high precision and is in good agreement with experimental results, but is not suitable for the 2D and 3D photonic structures which are limited by the complicated boundary conditions at micro interfaces. The result based on the PWM approach to deal approximately with the photonic structure in approximation has not yet been strictly verified by experiment, not even for 1D photonic crystal structures. More efforts will be required to explore its validation under all physical conditions to enhance its application.

MTHFR Polymorphisms and Pancreatic Cancer Risk:Lack of Evidence from a Meta-analysis

Li, Lei,Wu, Sheng-Di,Wang, Ji-Yao,Shen, Xi-Zhong,Jiang, Wei Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.5

Objective: Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene polymorphisms have been reported to be associated with pancreatic cancer, but the published studies had yielded inconsistent results.We therefore performed the present meta-analysis. Methods: A search of Google scholar, PubMed, Cochrane Library and CNKI databases before April 2012 was conducted to summarize associations of MTHFR polymorphisms with pancreatic cancer risk. Assessment was with odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Publication bias were also calculated. Results: Four relative studies on MTHFR gene polymorphisms (C667T and A1298C) were involved in this meta-analysis. Overall, C667T(TT vs. CC : OR = 1.61, 95%CI = 0.78 - 3.34; TT vs. CT : OR = 1.41, 95%CI = 0.88-2.25; dominant model: OR = 0.68, 95%CI = 0.40-1.17; recessive model: OR = 0.82, 95%CI = 0.52-1.30) and A1298C(CC vs. AA:OR=1.01, 95%CI=0.47-2.17; CC vs. AC: OR=0.99,95%CI=0.46-2.14; dominant model: OR=1.01, 95%CI = 0.47-2.20; recessive model: OR = 1.01, 95%CI = 0.80-1.26) did not increase pancreatic cancer risk. Conclusion: This meta-analysis indicated that MTHFR polymorphisms (C667T and A1298C) were not associated with pancreatic cancer risk.

Comparative Analysis of the Genomes of Bombyx mandarina and Bombyx mori Nucleopolyhedroviruses

Yi-Peng Xu,Zheng-Pei Ye,Chang-Ying Niu,Yan-Yuan Bao,Wen-Bing Wang,Wei-De Shen,Chuan-Xi Zhang 한국미생물학회 2010 The journal of microbiology Vol.48 No.1

The Bombyx mandarina nucleopolyhedrovirus (BomaNPV) S1 strain can infect the silkworm, Bombyx mori,but is significantly less virulent than B. mori nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV) T3 strain. The complete nucleotide sequence of the S1 strain of BomaNPV was determined and compared with the BmNPV T3 strain. The circular, double stranded DNA genome of the S1 strain was 126,770 nucleotides long (GenBank accession no. FJ882854), with a G+C content of 40.23%. The genome contained 133 potential ORFs. Most of the putative proteins were more than 96% identical to homologs in the BmNPV T3 strain, except for bro-a, lef-12,bro-c, and bro-d. Compared with the BmNPV T3 strain, however, this genome did not encode the bro-b and bro-e genes. In addition, hr1 lacked two repeat units, while hr2L, hr2R, hr3, hr4L, hr4R, and hr5 were similar to the corresponding hrs in the T3 strain. The sequence strongly suggested that BomaNPV and BmNPV are variants with each other, and supported the idea that baculovirus strain heterogeneity may often be caused by variation in the hrs and bro genes.