Neutropenia during the First Cycle of Induction Chemotherapy Is Prognostic for Poor Survival in Locoregionally Advanced Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: A Real-World Study in an Endemic Area

Cheng Xu,Shi-Ping Yang,Yuan Zhang,Ling-Long Tang,Guan-Qun Zhou,Xu Liu,Yan-Ping Mao,Rui Guo,Wen-Fei Li,Lei Chen,Ai-Hua Lin,Ying Sun,Jun Ma 대한암학회 2018 Cancer Research and Treatment Vol.50 No.3

Purpose The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of neutropenia during the first cycle of induction chemotherapy (IC-1) on survival in locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (LANPC). Materials and Methods Eligible patients (n=545) with LANPC receiving IC+concurrent chemoradiotherapy were included. Based on nadir neutrophil after IC-1, all patients were categorized into three groups: no/grade 1-2/grade 3-4 neutropenia. Five-year overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were compared between groups and subgroups stratified by IC regimen. We also explored the occurrence of IC-1–induced myelosuppression events and the minimal value of post-treatment neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (post-NLRmin). Univariate/multivariate analyses were performed to investigate the effect of IC-1–induced neutropenia, timing of neutropenia, number of myelosuppression events, and high post-NLRmin on OS/DFS. Results Grade 1-2/grade 3-4 neutropenia were associated with poorer OS/DFS than no neutropenia (all p < 0.05); OS/DFS were not significantly different between patients experiencing grade 1-2 vs. 3-4 neutropenia. Neutropenia had no significant effect on OS/DFS in patients receiving docetaxel–cisplatin–5-fluorouracil (TPF). Grade 1-2 (grade 3-4) neutropenia negatively influenced OS/DFS in patients receiving cisplatin–5-fluorouracil (PF) (PF and docetaxel– cisplatin [TP]; all p < 0.05). Neutropenia, two/three myelosuppression events, and high post-NLRmin ( 1.33) was most frequent on days 5-10, second and third week of IC-1, respectively. After adjustment for covariates, IC-1–induced neutropenia, two/three myelosuppression events, and post-NLRmin  1.33 were validated as negative predictors of OS/DFS (all p < 0.05); timing of neutropenia had no significant effect. Conclusion Occurrence of neutropenia, number of myelosuppression events, and high post-NLRmin during PF/TP IC-1 have prognostic value for poor survival in LANPC.

A Kinematic Hardening and Elastic Visco-plastic Model of Saturated Cohesive Anisotropic Soils

Cheng Zhou,Serge Leroueil,Mario Fafard,Jian-Hua Yin 대한토목학회 2018 KSCE Journal of Civil Engineering Vol.22 No.2

Soils have anisotropic kinematic hardening and time-dependent behavior, therefore an anisotropic and kinematic hardening elastic visco-plastic (EVP) model is developed to simulate the anisotropic kinematic hardening and strain rate effects as well as their combined effect. Following the approach of Perzyna’s overstress visco-plasticity and Suklje’s isotaches concept, the anisotropic yield stresses associated with the parameters CΓ and Cvp are used to describe the effect of viscosity on the yield stress. The isotropic and kinematic hardening laws suggested previously by the authors are implemented in the EVP model. With a smart cone-cap connection at critical state points, the EVP model can maintain zero incremental visco-plastic volumetric strains at the intersection points between the Matsuoka-Nakai cone and the associated visco-plastic ellipse cap. Therefore the direction of the visco-plastic strain increment vectors at the cone-cap intersection points is assured unique and numerical calculation is thus convenient. With a deviatoric fabric scalar, zero incremental visco-plastic deviatoric strains can also be kept at the intersection point between the viscoplastic ellipse cap and the anisotropic line. As well, an associated flow rule further assures a smooth transition of the visco-plastic strain increment vectors on the visco-plastic cone-cap limit state surfaces. With the few parameters determined from traditional experiments for the stress element soil sample, numerical analysis is performed to assess the model via CD constant-strain-rate K0 axial and 1/K0 radial triaxial compression, constant-strain-rate traditional CD triaxial compression/extension. Numerical analysis is also performed to validate the model via constant-strain-rate traditional CU triaxial compression tests and constant-strain-rate CD triaxial compression tests on the anisotropic Berthierville clay. Numerical analysis by the kinematic hardening anisotropic EVP model validates the test results very well, and especially the combined effect is well simulated between strain rate and kinematic hardening on the visco-plastic behavior of the saturated cohesive anisotropic soil. In the future, micro-structure or/and temperature can be further combined with the kinematic hardening anisotropic EVP model introduced in this paper.

Rapid preparation and characterization of chitosan nanoparticles for oligonucleotide

Mu-hua Cheng,Yao-xiong Huang,Han-jian Zhou,Zhi Liu,Jian-fang Li 한국물리학회 2010 Current Applied Physics Vol.10 No.3

Chitosan is regarded as one of the potential candidates as a gene carrier. However, the poor solubility of chitosan is the major limiting factor in its utilization as a gene carrier. The purpose of this study was to simplify the method of preparing the nanoparticles of chitosan linked with antisense oligonucleotide (asON). The main step was preparing the derivatives of chitosan phosphate (CSP) in order to easily dissolve in aqueous solution. The nanoparticles were formed using a simple mixed method for CSP and asON, and the nanoparticle’s forming condition was optimized so that the nanoparticle’s characterization could be examined. Results showed that it was simple to make the nanoparticles under the optimal condition of 2:1 M proportion of CSP and asON. The size of the nanoparticles was 102.6 ± 12.0 nm, its zeta potential was 1.45 ± 1.75, and the encapsulated ratio of the chitosan crosslinked the asON was 87.6 ± 3.5%. The infrared spectra and electron microscope displayed that chitosan may combine with the asON to form equirotal nanoparticles. In conclusion, it was simple and feasible to form chitosan nanoparticles for asON using the CSP, and the CSP can efficiently encapsulate asON.

Separation Technology , Thermodynamics : Removal of Phenolic Compounds by Electro - assisted Advanced Process for Wastewater Purification

(Zu Cheng Wu),(Yan Qing Cong),(Ming Hua Zhou),(Qi An Ye),(Tia Nen Tan) 한국화학공학회 2002 Korean Journal of Chemical Engineering Vol.19 No.5

New Compounds from Euphorbia helioscopia and Absolute Configuration Determination by Computational Methods

Jiangbo He,Hua-Jie Zhu,Gui-Fen Luo,Guang-Ming Liu,Yan Li,Hao Chen,Shaopeng Chen,Xin Lu,Guochun Zhou,Yong-Xian Cheng 대한화학회 2010 Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society Vol.31 No.8

The whole plant of Euphorbia helioscopia is an important traditional Chinese medicine. Fom its BuOH soluble extract,one new lactam (1), three new terpenoids (2-4) including a new naturally occurring compound, and three known compounds were isolated. Their structures were identified by spectroscopic evidences. In particular, the absolute configurations of side chain of compounds 1 and 2 were determined using computational methods.

Wafer-scale synthesis of monolayer two-dimensional porphyrin polymers for hybrid superlattices

Zhong, Yu,Cheng, Baorui,Park, Chibeom,Ray, Ariana,Brown, Sarah,Mujid, Fauzia,Lee, Jae-Ung,Zhou, Hua,Suh, Joonki,Lee, Kan-Heng,Mannix, Andrew J.,Kang, Kibum,Sibener, S. J.,Muller, David A.,Park, Jiwoon American Association for the Advancement of Scienc 2019 Science Vol.366 No.6471

<P><B>Single-layer porphyrin polymerization</B></P><P>Two-dimensional polymers can be made as monolayer sheets through controlled synthesis at an interface. However, it is often difficult to create intact sheets over large areas that can be transferred onto substrates. Zhong <I>et al.</I> polymerized derivatized porphyrin molecules during laminar flow at a sharp pentane-water interface to form sheets that are 5 centimeters in diameter (see the Perspective by MacLean and Rosei). The authors used electron microscopy and spectroscopy to confirm that they had produced intact monolayers. These films were then transferred onto monolayer sheets of molybdenum disulfide to form superlattices for use as capacitors.</P><P><I>Science</I>, this issue p. 1379; see also p. 1308</P><P>The large-scale synthesis of high-quality thin films with extensive tunability derived from molecular building blocks will advance the development of artificial solids with designed functionalities. We report the synthesis of two-dimensional (2D) porphyrin polymer films with wafer-scale homogeneity in the ultimate limit of monolayer thickness by growing films at a sharp pentane/water interface, which allows the fabrication of their hybrid superlattices. Laminar assembly polymerization of porphyrin monomers could form monolayers of metal-organic frameworks with Cu<SUP>2+</SUP> linkers or covalent organic frameworks with terephthalaldehyde linkers. Both the lattice structures and optical properties of these 2D films were directly controlled by the molecular monomers and polymerization chemistries. The 2D polymers were used to fabricate arrays of hybrid superlattices with molybdenum disulfide that could be used in electrical capacitors.</P>

TP63 Gene Polymorphisms, Cooking Oil Fume Exposure and Risk of Lung Adenocarcinoma in Chinese Non-smoking Females

Yin, Zhi-Hua,Cui, Zhi-Gang,Ren, Yang-Wu,Su, Meng,Ma, Rui,He, Qin-Cheng,Zhou, Bao-Sen Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.11

Background: Genetic polymorphisms of TP63 have been suggested to influence susceptibility to lung adenocarcinoma development in East Asian populations. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between common polymorphisms in the TP63 gene and the risk of lung adenocarcinoma, as well as interactions of the polymorphisms with environmental risk factors in Chinese non-smoking females. Methods: A case-control study of 260 cases and 318 controls was conducted. Data concerning demographic and risk factors were obtained for each subject. The genetic polymorphisms were determined by Taqman real-time PCR and statistical analyses were performed using SPSS software. Results: For 10937405, carriers of the CT genotype or at least one T allele (CT/TT) had lower risks of lung adenocarcinoma compared with the homozygous wild CC genotype in Chinese nonsmoking females (adjusted ORs were 0.68 and 0.69, 95%CIs were 0.48-0.97 and 0.50-0.97, P values were 0.033 and 0.030, respectively). Allele comparison showed that the T allele of rs10937405 was associated with a decreased risk of lung adenocarcinoma with an OR of 0.78 (95%CI=0.60-1.01, P=0.059). Our results showed that exposure to cooking oil fumes was associated with increased risk of lung adenocarcinoma in Chinese nonsmoking females (adjusted OR=1.58, 95%CI=1.11-2.25, P=0.011). However, we did not observe a significant interaction of cooking oil fumes and TP63 polymorphisms. Conclusion: TP63 polymorphism might be a genetic susceptibility factor for lung adenocarcinoma in Chinese non-smoking females, but no significant interaction was found with cooking oil fume exposure.

A comparative study of three collocation point methods for odd order stochastic response surface method

Dian-Qing Li,Shui-Hua Jiang,Yong-Gang Cheng,Chuang-Bing Zhou 국제구조공학회 2013 Structural Engineering and Mechanics, An Int'l Jou Vol.45 No.5

This paper aims to compare three collocation point methods associated with the odd order stochastic response surface method (SRSM) in a systematical and quantitative way. The SRSM with the Hermite polynomial chaos is briefly introduced first. Then, three collocation point methods, namely the point method, the root method and the without origin method underlying the odd order SRSMs are highlighted. Three examples are presented to demonstrate the accuracy and efficiency of the three methods. The results indicate that the condition that the Hermite polynomial information matrix evaluated at the collocation points has a full rank should be satisfied to yield reliability results with a sufficient accuracy. The point method and the without origin method are much more efficient than the root method, especially for the reliability problems involving a large number of random variables or requiring complex finite element analysis. The without origin method can also produce sufficiently accurate reliability results in comparison with the point and root methods. Therefore, the origin often used as a collocation point is not absolutely necessary. The odd order SRSMs with the point method and the without origin method are recommended for the reliability analysis due to their computational accuracy and efficiency. The order of SRSM has a significant influence on the results associated with the three collocation point methods. For normal random variables, the SRSM with an order equaling or exceeding the order of a performance function can produce reliability results with a sufficient accuracy. The order of SRSM should significantly exceed the order of the performance function involving strongly non-normal random variables.

Efficacy and Safety of Intravenous Urapidil for Older Hypertensive Patients with Acute Heart Failure: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial

Wei Yang,Qi Hua,Yu-Jie Zhou,Yan Fu,Jian Qin,Shu Qin,Xiao-Min Chen,Jin-Cheng Guo,De-Zhao Wang,Hong Zhan,Jing Li,Jing-Yu He 연세대학교의과대학 2017 Yonsei medical journal Vol.58 No.1

Purpose: Urapidil is putatively effective for patients with hypertension and acute heart failure, although randomized controlled trials thereon are lacking. We investigated the efficacy and safety of intravenous urapidil relative to that of nitroglycerin in older patients with hypertension and heart failure in a randomized controlled trial. Materials and Methods: Patients (>60 y) with hypertension and heart failure were randomly assigned to receive intravenous urapidil (n=89) or nitroglycerin (n=91) for 7 days. Hemodynamic parameters, cardiac function, and safety outcomes were compared. Results: Patients in the urapidil group had significantly lower mean systolic blood pressure (110.1±6.5 mm Hg) than those given nitroglycerin (126.4±8.1 mm Hg, p=0.022), without changes in heart rate. Urapidil was associated with improved cardiac function as reflected by lower N terminal-pro B type natriuretic peptide after 7 days (3311.4±546.1 ng/mL vs. 4879.1±325.7 ng/mL, p=0.027) and improved left ventricular ejection fraction (62.2±3.4% vs. 51.0±2.4%, p=0.032). Patients given urapidil had fewer associatedadverse events, specifically headache (p=0.025) and tachycardia (p=0.004). The one-month rehospitalization and all-cause mortality rates were similar. Conclusion: Intravenous administration of urapidil, compared with nitroglycerin, was associated with better control of blood pressure and preserved cardiac function, as well as fewer adverse events, for elderly patients with hypertension and acute heart failure.

Transformation of nitrogen-containing compounds in atmospheric residue by hydrotreating

Mei Liu,Lin-Zhou Zhang,Cheng Zhang,Sheng-Hua Yuan,De-Zhi Zhao,Lin-Hai Duan 한국화학공학회 2018 Korean Journal of Chemical Engineering Vol.35 No.2

Atmospheric residue from Saudi Arabia light crude oil was subjected to the hydrotreating process in a continuous fixed-bed reactor with hydrodesulfurization (HDS) and hydrodenitrogenation (HDN) catalysts. The detailed molecular composition of the polar heteroatom species in the feedstock and products was determined by electrospray ionization (ESI) Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR MS) combined with other analytical methods. The ESI FT-ICR MS analysis indicates that the N1 class species have the highest relative abundance. In the hydrotreating process, small neutral N1 class species with high aromaticity and short side chains showed the highest relative abundance and were defined as easily removable compounds. High aromaticity and small molecule basic N1 compounds exhibited higher catalytic activity towards hydrogenation. The N1S1 class species were converted to the N1 class species, or even hydrocarbons, by the preferential removal of the sulfur atoms. Most of the N1O1 class species were difficult to remove, because of their stable chemical structure.