Efficacy and Safety of the Safe Triangular Working Zone Approach in Percutaneous Vertebroplasty for Spinal Metastasis

Yan Bi Cong,Fan Yan Feng,Tian Qing Hua,Wang Tao,Huang Zhi Long,Song Hong Mei,Li Ying,Jiao Lei,Wu Chun Gen 대한영상의학회 2022 Korean Journal of Radiology Vol.23 No.9

Objective: This study aimed to assess the technical feasibility, efficacy, and safety of the safe triangular working zone (STWZ) approach applied in percutaneous vertebroplasty (PV) for spinal metastases involving the posterior part of the vertebral body. Materials and Methods: We prospectively enrolled 87 patients who underwent PV for spinal metastasis involving the posterior part of the vertebral body, with or without the STWZ approach, from January 2019 to April 2022. Forty-nine patients (27 females and 22 males; mean age ± standard deviation [SD], 57.2 ± 11.6 years; age range, 31–76 years) were included in group A (with STWZ approach), accounting for 54 vertebrae. Thirty-eight patients (18 females and 20 males; 59.1 ± 10.9 years; 29–81 years) were included in group B (without STWZ approach), accounting for 57 vertebrae. Patient demographics, procedure-related variables, and pain relief as assessed using the visual analog scale (VAS) were collected at different time points. Tumor recurrence in the vertebrae after PV was analyzed using Kaplan–Meier curves. Results: The STWZ approach was successful from T1 to L5 without severe complications. Cement filling was satisfactory in 47/54 (87.0%) and 25/57 (43.9%) vertebrae in groups A and B, respectively (p < 0.001). Cement leakage was not significantly different between groups A and B (p = 1.000). Mean VAS score ± SD before and 1 week and 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after PV were 7.6 ± 1.8, 4.2 ± 2.0, 2.7 ± 1.9, 1.9 ± 1.5, 1.7 ± 1.4, 1.7 ± 1.1, and 1.6 ± 1.3, respectively, in group A and 7.2 ± 1.7, 4.0 ± 1.3, 3.4 ± 1.6, 2.4 ± 1.2, 1.8 ± 1.0, 1.4 ± 0.5, and 1.7 ± 0.9, respectively, in group B. Kaplan–Meier analysis showed a lower tumor recurrence rate in group A than in group B (p = 0.001). Conclusion: The STWZ approach may represent a new, safe, alternative/auxiliary approach to target the posterior part of the vertebral body in the PV for spinal metastases.

Electrophysiological and behavioural responses of Plutella xylostella L. (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) to thirteen non-host plant essential oils

Song Chengfei,Ma Xinyao,Liu Jiao,Ma Li,Qie Xingtao,Yan Xizhong,Hao Chi 한국응용곤충학회 2024 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.27 No.1

The diamondback moth (DBM), Plutella xylostella (L.), is a cosmopolitan obligate pest of cruciferous crops. Currently, DBMs management is largely dependent on broad-spectrum synthetic pesticides, which has led to the adverse effects on the environment, human health, and nontargeted organisms. Thus, alternative control methods are needed. The essential oils (EOs) derived from bioactive species may be developed as effective al ternatives for the management of DBMs that is safe and eco-sustainable than conventional pesticides. In this study, we investigated electrophysiological (EAG) and behavioral responses of DBM adults to the thirteen nonhost EOs of Acorus calamus, Ageratum conyzoides, Artemisia argyi, Chenopodium ambrosioides, Cymbopogon citratus, Foeniculum vulgare, Ocimum basilicum, Pelargonium hortorum, Perilla frutescens, Pogostemon cablin, Polygonum hydropiper, Rosmarinus officinalis, and Ruta graveolens in order to contribute to the development of low envi ronmental impact management alternatives. EAG recordings revealed all the tested EOs significantly elicited EAG responses of DBM females, and the males were sensitive to the eleven EOs except A. conyzoides and O. basilicum. Meanwhile, EAG recordings of DBMs exhibited dose-dependent responses to these tested EOs in most cases. In Y-tube olfactometer bioassays, the EOs of A. calamus, C. citratus, P. hortorum, P. hydropiper, and R. graveolen demonstrated prominent repellent effects on DBM females at concentrations of 10 μg/μL or higher. The results of oviposition bioassays found the number of eggs on the two plants with the five tested EOs were less than that on the two plants with paraffin oil. And the oviposition indexes of the plants that fixed with the EOs of P. hortorum, R. graveolen, A. calamus, P. hydropiper, C. citratus, and paraffin oil were –71.81%, –59.43%, –57.46%, –51.11%, –35.41%, and 0.09%, respectively. These findings indicate that the five EOs, especially P. hydropiper EO, provide active and safe tools for natural repellents to prevent and control DBMs infestations of cruciferous vegetables.

Over-expression of StLCYb increases b-carotene accumulation in potato tubers

Xiao-yan Song,Wen-jiao Zhu,Rui-min Tang,Jing-hui Cai,Min Chen,Qing Yang 한국식물생명공학회 2016 Plant biotechnology reports Vol.10 No.2

Lycopene b-cyclase (LCYb) is involved in the first step of the b-branch synthetic pathway of carotenoids from lycopene in plants. In this study, to explore the possibility of regulating b-carotene synthesis via the b-branchspecific pathway in potato, StLCYb gene was first isolated from potato cultivar Desiree, and its open reading frame was 1503 bp long without intron. The protein sequence of StLCYb showed high similarity with that of LCYbs in other species such as SlLCYb1, CaLCYb, NtLCYb and ApLCYb. StLCYb was expressed in all tissues and the highest level was observed in tubers followed in flowers, and the lowest level was in roots. HPLC detected an about 1.5–1.9 times increase in b-carotene content of transgenic potato tubers, in which the gene StLCYb was overexpressed, compared with the wild-type control. Besides, the expression levels of carotenoid-related genes StPSY, StPDS, StZDS, StCHYb and StZEP transcripts in the transgenic lines were significantly higher than in the wild-type control, which implied a positive regulation in promoting carotenoid synthesis. All these results suggest that b-carotene content in potato tubers could be regulated by modulating StLCYb expression.

PDCD4 as a Predictor of Sensitivity to Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy in Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer Patients

Dou, Xue,Wang, Ren-Ben,Meng, Xiang-Jiao,Yan, Hong-Jiang,Jiang, Shu-Mei,Zhu, Kun-Li,Xu, Xiao-Qing,Chen, Dong,Song, Xian-Rang,Mu, Dian-Bin Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.2

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the role of programmed cell death 4 (PDCD4) expression in predicting tumor response to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and outcomes for patients with locally advanced rectal cancer. Methods: Clinicopathological factors and expression of PDCD4 were evaluated in 92 patients with LARC treated with nCRT. After the completion of therapy, 4 cases achieved clinical complete response (cCR), and thus the remaining 88 patients underwent a standardized total mesorectal excision procedure. There were 38 patients (41.3%) with a good response (TRG 3-4) and 54 (58.7%) with a poor one (TRG 0-2). Results: Immunohistochemical staining analyses showed that patients with high expression of PDCD4 were more sensitive to nCRT than those with low PDCD4 expression (P=0.02). High PDCD4 expression before nCRT and good response (TRG3-4) were significantly associated with improved 5-year disease-free survival and 5-year overall survival (P<0.05). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that the pretreatment PDCD4 expression was an independent prognostic factor. Conclusion: Our study demonstrated that high expression of PDCD4 protein is a useful predictive factor for good tumor response to nCRT and good outcomes in patients with LARC.

Bioconversion of conjugated linoleic acid by Lactobacillus plantarum CGMCC8198 supplemented with Acer truncatum bunge seeds oil

Dong-Ju Chen,Li-Hua Yan,Qian Li,Cai-jiao Zhang,Chuan-Ling Si,Zhong-Yuan Li,Ya-Jian Song,Hao Zhou,Tong-Cun Zhang,Xuegang Luo 한국식품과학회 2017 Food Science and Biotechnology Vol.26 No.6

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) isomers, c9, t11- CLA and t10, c12-CLA, have been proved to exhibit excellent biomedical properties for potential use in anticancer applications and in reducing obesity. Acer truncatum Bunge (ATB), which is rich in unsaturated fatty acids, including oleic acid, linoleic acid, and nervonic acid, is a new resource for edible oil. In the present study, we developed a new method for producing two CLA isomers from ATB-seed oil by fermentation using Lactobacillus plantarum CGMCC8198 (LP8198), a novel probiotics strain. Polymerase chain reaction results showed that there was a conserved linoleate isomerase (LIase) gene in LP8198, and its transcription could be induced by ATBseed oil. Analyses by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry showed that the concentration of c9, t11-CLA and t10, c12-CLA in ATB-seed oil could be increased by about 9- and 2.25-fold, respectively, after being fermented by LP8198.

Value of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography in microwave ablation treatment of symptomatic focal uterine adenomyosis

Xiao-Long Li,Jia-Xin Li,Song-Yuan Yu,Pei-Li Fan,Yun-Jie Jin,Er-Jiao Xu,Sai-Nan Guan,Er-Ya Deng,Qiu-Yan Li,Zheng-Biao Ji,Jiu-Ling Qi,Hui-Xiong Xu,China Alliance of Multi-Center Clinical Study for Ultra 대한초음파의학회 2024 ULTRASONOGRAPHY Vol.43 No.1

Purpose: This study evaluated the value of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) in the ultrasound-guided microwave ablation (MWA) treatment of symptomatic focal uterine adenomyosis.Methods: This retrospective study was conducted between March 2020 and January 2023, enrolling 52 patients with symptomatic focal uterine adenomyosis who had undergone MWA. All patients were examined with CEUS before and after MWA. The non-perfused volume (NPV) was compared between CEUS and dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCEMRI) following ablation. Therapeutic efficacy and safety were evaluated at 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-ups. Additionally, this study explored the correlations between pre-treatment CEUS features and a volume reduction ratio indicating sufficient ablation, defined as 50% or more at the 3-month follow-up.Results: No significant differences in NPV were noted between CEUS and DCE-MRI immediately after MWA and during follow-up (all P>0.05). At the 3-month follow-up, the median VRRs for the uterus and adenomyosis were 33.2% and 63.9%, respectively. Sufficient ablation was achieved in 69.2% (36/52) of adenomyosis cases, while partial ablation was observed in the remaining 30.8% (16/52). The identification of non-enhancing areas on pre-treatment CEUS was associated with sufficient ablation (P=0.016). At the 12-month follow-up, significant decreases were observed in both the uterine and adenomyosis volumes (all P<0.001). Dysmenorrhea and menorrhagia were significantly alleviated at 12 months, and no major complications were encountered.Conclusion: CEUS can be used to evaluate the ablation zone of focal adenomyosis that has been treated with MWA, similarly to DCE-MRI. The identification of non-enhancing areas on pretreatment CEUS indicates satisfactory treatment outcomes. Purpose: This study evaluated the value of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) in the ultrasound-guided microwave ablation (MWA) treatment of symptomatic focal uterine adenomyosis. Methods: This retrospective study was conducted between March 2020 and January 2023, enrolling 52 patients with symptomatic focal uterine adenomyosis who had undergone MWA. All patients were examined with CEUS before and after MWA. The non-perfused volume (NPV) was compared between CEUS and dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE- MRI) following ablation. Therapeutic efficacy and safety were evaluated at 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-ups. Additionally, this study explored the correlations between pre-treatment CEUS features and a volume reduction ratio indicating sufficient ablation, defined as 50% or more at the 3-month follow-up. Results: No significant differences in NPV were noted between CEUS and DCE-MRI immediately after MWA and during follow-up (all P>0.05). At the 3-month follow-up, the median VRRs for the uterus and adenomyosis were 33.2% and 63.9%, respectively. Sufficient ablation was achieved in 69.2% (36/52) of adenomyosis cases, while partial ablation was observed in the remaining 30.8% (16/52). The identification of non-enhancing areas on pre-treatment CEUS was associated with sufficient ablation (P=0.016). At the 12-month follow-up, significant decreases were observed in both the uterine and adenomyosis volumes (all P<0.001). Dysmenorrhea and menorrhagia were significantly alleviated at 12 months, and no major complications were encountered. Conclusion: CEUS can be used to evaluate the ablation zone of focal adenomyosis that has been treated with MWA, similarly to DCE-MRI. The identification of non-enhancing areas on pre- treatment CEUS indicates satisfactory treatment outcomes.

Mitochondrial genome and diverse inheritance patterns in Pleurotus pulmonarius

Li-Yun Ye,You-Jin Deng,Irum Mukhtar,Guo-Liang Meng,Yan-Jiao Song,Bing Cheng,Jin-bing Hao,Xiao-Ping Wu 한국미생물학회 2020 The journal of microbiology Vol.58 No.2

Pleurotus pulmonarius, a member of the Pleurotaceae family in Basidiomycota, is an edible, economically important mushroom in most Asian countries. In this study, the complete mitochondrial genomes (mtDNA) of three P. pulmonarius strains – two monokaryotic commercial (J1-13 and ZA3) and one wild (X1-15) – were sequenced and analyzed. In ZA3 and X1-15, the mtDNA molecule was found to be a single circle of 68,305 bp and 73,435 bp, respectively. Both strains contain 14 core protein-coding genes and two ribosomal RNA (rRNA) subunit genes. The ZA3 strain has 22 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes and nine introns: eight in cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1), and one in the rRNA large subunit (rnl). Monokaryotic J1-13 and ZA3 mtDNAs were found to be similar in their structure. However, the wild strain X1-15 contains 25 tRNA genes and only seven introns in cox1. Open reading frames (ORFs) of ZA3/J1-13 and X1-15 encode LAGLIDADG, ribosomal protein S3, and DNA polymerase II. In addition, mtDNA inheritance in J1-13, ZA3, and X1-15 was also studied. Results showed that the mtDNA inheritance pattern was uniparental and closely related to dikaryotic hyphal location with respect to the parent. Results also show that mtDNA inheritance is influenced by both the parental nuclear genome and mitogenome in the zone of contact between two compatible parents. In summary, this analysis provides valuable information and a basis for further studies to improve our understanding of the inheritance of fungal mtDNA.