Combination of Tumor Volume and Epstein-Barr Virus DNA Improved Prognostic Stratification of Stage II Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma in the Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy Era: A Large-Scale Cohort Study

Qiu-Yan Chen,Shao-Yan Guo,Lin-Quan Tang,Tong-Yu Lu,Bo-Lin Chen,Qi-Yu Zhong,Meng-Sha Zou,Qing-Nan Tang,Wen-Hui Chen,Shan-Shan Guo,Li-Ting Liu,Yang Li,Ling Guo,Hao-Yuan Mo,Rui Sun,Dong-Hua Luo,Chong Zha 대한암학회 2018 Cancer Research and Treatment Vol.50 No.3

Purpose Little is known about combination of the circulating Epstein-Barr viral (EBV) DNA and tumor volume in prognosis of stage II nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients in the intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) era. We conducted this cohort study to evaluate the prognostic values of combining these two factors. Materials and Methods By Kaplan-Meier, we compare the differences of survival curves between 385 patients with different EBV DNA or tumor volume levels, or with the combination of two biomarkers mentioned above. Results Gross tumor volume of cervical lymph nodes (GTVnd, p < 0.001) and total tumor volume (GTVtotal, p < 0.001) were both closely related to pretreatment EBV DNA, while gross tumor volume of nasopharynx (GTVnx, p=0.047) was weakly related to EBV DNA. EBV DNA was significantly correlated with progress-free survival (PFS, p=0.005), locoregional-free survival (LRFS, p=0.039), and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS, p=0.017), while GTVtotal, regardless of GTVnx and GTVnd, had a significant correlation with PFS and LRFS. The p-values of GTVtotal for PFS and LRFS were 0.008 and 0.001, respectively. According to GTVtotal and pretreatment EBV DNA level, patients were divided into a low-risk group (EBV DNA 0 copy/mL, GTVtotal < 30 cm3; EBV DNA 0 copy/mL, GTVtotal  30 cm3; or EBV DNA > 0 copy/mL, GTVtotal < 30 cm3) and a high-risk group (EBV DNA > 0 copy/mL, GTVtotal  30 cm3). When patients in the low-risk group were compared with those in the high-risk group, 3-year PFS (p=0.003), LRFS (p=0.010), and DMFS (p=0.031) rates were statistically significant. Conclusion Pretreatment plasma EBV DNA and tumor volume were both closely correlated with prognosis of stage II NPC patients in the IMRT era. Combination of EBV DNA and tumor volume can refine prognosis and indicate for clinical therapy.

Influences of heating processes on properties and microstructure of porous CeO2 beads as a surrogate for nuclear fuels fabricated by a microfluidic sol-gel process

Tong Song,Lin Guo,Ming Chen,Zhen-Qi Chang 한국원자력학회 2019 Nuclear Engineering and Technology Vol.51 No.1

The control of microstructure is critical for the porous fuel particles used for infiltrating actinide nuclides. This study concerns the effect of heating processes on properties and microstructure of the fuel particles. The uniform gel precursor beads were synthesized by a microfluidic sol-gel process and then the porousCeO2 microspheres, as a surrogate for the ceramic nuclear fuel particles, were obtained by heatingtreatment of the gel precursors. The fabricated CeO2 microspheres have a narrow size distribution andgood sphericity due to the feature of microfluidics. The effects of heating processes parameters, such asheating mode and peak temperatures on the properties of microspheres were studied in detail. Anoptimized heating mode and the peak temperature of 650 C were selected to produce porous CeO2microspheres. The optimized heating mode can avoid the appearance of broken or crack microspheres inthe heating process, and as-prepared porous microspheres were of suitable pore size distribution andpore volume for loading minor actinide (MA) solution by an infiltration method that is used for fabricationof MA-bearing nuclear fuel beads. After the infiltration process, 1000 C was selected as the finaltemperature to improve the compressive strength of microspheres.

Quantitative Assessment of the Effects of MMP-2 Polymorphisms on Lung Carcinoma Risk

Guo, Xiao-Tong,Wang, Jun-Feng,Zhang, Lin-You,Xu, Guang-Quan Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.6

Background: Previous studies assessing associations between matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) polymorphisms and lung cancer risk reported conflicting results. A meta-analysis was therefore performed to derive a more precise estimation. Method: Case-control studies assessing associations between MMP-2 C735T and C1306T polymorphisms and lung cancer risk were included. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated. Results: 7 studies with a total of 3,189 lung cancer cases and 3,013 controls were finally included into this meta-analysis. Overall, the MMP-2 C735T polymorphism was associated with lung cancer risk under the homozygote model (CC versus TT: OR =1.44, 95% CI = 1.03-2.02, $I^2$ = 0%), while the MMP-2 C1306T polymorphism also associated demonstrated links with all four models (all P values less than 0.05). Subgroup analyses by race suggested obvious associations between MMP-2 C735T and C1306T polymorphisms and lung cancer risk in Asians but not in Caucasians. There was no evidence for publication bias. Conclusion: Currently available evidence supports teh conclusion that MMP-2 C735T and C1306T polymorphisms influence susceptibility to lung cancer in Asians.

An Analysis of the Focus Variation Microscope and Its Application in the Measurement of Tool Parameter

Lin Yuan,Tong Guo,Zhongjun Qiu,Xing Fu,Xiaotang Hu 한국정밀공학회 2020 International Journal of Precision Engineering and Vol.21 No.12

Ultra-precision manufacturing is essential to the production of workpieces of the highest quality in terms of form accuracy, surface accuracy, and integrity. Compared with physical and chemical material removal methods, it has the advantages of high efficiency, high flexibility, and low cost. Because of the direct interaction between the workpiece and the tool during the process of ultra-precision manufacturing, the geometrical parameters of the tool directly affect the surface quality of the workpiece and need to be measured accurately and comprehensively. However, due to the large surface slopes of some tools, some three-dimensional measurement methods cannot measure their geometrical parameters because of limited maximum measurement angle. In this work, we build a focus variation system to make three-dimensional measurements of tools and extract their geometrical parameters. The data processing procedures and the selection of experimental parameters are analyzed in detail using simulations and experiments. Furthermore, we use a step height standard to verify the high accuracy of the measurement system and a roughened fl at surface to evaluate the measurement noise and vertical resolution. Measurements of the parameters of a round nose cutting tool and the surface texture parameters of a grinding tool are conducted and indicate that the focus variation system is suitable for measuring the geometrical parameters of tools for ultra-precision manufacturing.

Fault Location Scheme for Over-Zone Feeding Operation Condition on High-Speed Railway

Lin Guo-song,Quan Wei,Tong Xiao-yang 대한전기학회 2022 Journal of Electrical Engineering & Technology Vol.17 No.2

Cross-coupling autotransformer (AT) feeding system is applied on high-speed electrifi ed railways in China. According to operation requirement, ‘over-zone feeding operation condition’ exists. When fault occurs on this operation condition, the fault location system should adjust its original scheme to adapt. We analyzed the shortcoming in traditional fault location of this feeding mode. Analysis indicates that when fault occurs in the non-over-zone section, fault location can be well done by existing principle and when fault occurs in the over-zone section, a new fault location scheme must be proposed. Based on the analysis of circuit networks of over-zone section in this feeding mode, the feeder current ratio of up line and down line in sectioning post (SP) is derived when fault occurs in section from SP to AT post 2 (ATP2) and the port impedance at ATP2 is derived when fault occurs in section from ATP2 to substation 2 (SS2). A reasonable fault location scheme was proposed for over-zone section based on feeder current ratio method of up line and down line and port impedance method in this paper. The simulation results based on Matlab/Simulink showed that when fault occurs on over-zone section the fault position can be located accurately according to this novel fault location scheme

Aberrant microRNAs Expression in CD133+/CD326+ Human Lung Adenocarcinoma Initiating Cells from A549

Sheng Lin,Zheng-tang Chen,Jian-guo Sun,Jing-bo Wu,Hai-xia Long,Cong-hui Zhu,Tong Xiang,Hu Ma,Zhong-quan Zhao,Quan Yao,An-mei Zhang,Bo Zhu 한국분자세포생물학회 2012 Molecules and cells Vol.33 No.3

Increasing evidence demonstrates that miRNAs are in-volved in the dysregulation of tumor initiating cells (TICs) in various tumors. Due to a lack of definitive markers, cell sorting is not an ideal separation method for lung adeno-carcinoma initiating cells. In this study, we combined pa-clitaxel with serum-free medium cultivation (inverse-induc-tion) to enrich TICs from A549 cells, marked by CD133/ CD326, defined features of stemness. We next investigated aberrant microRNAs in this subpopulation compared to normal cells with miRNA microarray and found that 50 miRNAs exhibited a greater than 2-fold change in expres-sion. As further validation, 10 miRNAs were chosen to perform quantitative RT-PCR on the A549 cell line and primary samples. The results suggest that aberrant ex-pression of miRNAs such as miR-29ab, miR-183, miR-17-5p and miR-127-3P may play an important role in regulat-ing the bio-behavior of TICs.

Migraine Susceptibility Genes in Han Chinese of Fujian Province

Qi-fang Lin,Zi-chun Chen,Xian-guo Fu,Jing Yang,Luo-yuan Cao,Long-teng Yao,Yong-tong Xin,Gen-bin Huang 대한신경과학회 2017 Journal of Clinical Neurology Vol.13 No.1

Background and Purpose Five single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (rs4379368, rs10504861, rs10915437, rs12134493 and rs13208321) were recently identified in a Western population with migraine. These migraine-associated SNPs have not been evaluated in a Han Chinese population. This study investigated the associations of specific SNPs with migraine in a Han population. Methods This was a case-control study of Han Chinese residing in Fujian Province. Polymerase chain reaction—restriction-fragment-length polymorphism analysis and direct sequencing were used to characterize the relationships of SNPs in a control group of 200 subjects and in a migraine group of 201 patients. Results The frequencies of the five SNPs did not differ between patients with migraine and healthy non migraine controls. However, subgroup analysis indicated certain SNPs were more strongly associated with migraine with aura or migraine without aura than with controls. The CT genotype of rs4379368 was more common in migraine patients with aura (75%) than in migraine patients without aura (47.9%) and controls (48.5%) (p<0.05), and the TT genotype of rs10504861 was more common in migraine patients with aura than in controls (8.3% vs. 0.5%) (p<0.05). Meanwhile, the CC genotype of rs12134493 was less common in migraine patients without aura than in controls (80.6% vs. 88%) (p<0.05). Conclusions Our findings suggest that the rs4379368 and rs10504861 SNPs are markers for susceptibility to migraine with aura and that rs12134493 is a marker for the risk of migraine without aura in this Han population. Future studies should further explore if these associations vary by ethnicity.

Experimental Study on the Mechanism of Intermittent Water and Mud Inrush Caused by Dredging and Rainfall considering Sedimentary Characteristics in Karst Tunnels

Xin Huang,Tong Wang,Zhenhao Xu,Zhengguo Zhu,Jiaqi Guo,Peng Lin,Yongchao Tian 대한토목학회 2023 KSCE Journal of Civil Engineering Vol.27 No.5

The mechanism of intermittent water and mud inrush is a difficult problem faced by disaster prevention and safe construction in karst tunnels. Aiming at revealing the mechanism of intermittent water and mud inrush, we developed an integrated testing system for filling medium deposition in karst caves and intermittent water and mud inrush. By conducting a serial of laboratory experiments, we analyzed the sedimentary characteristics of the filling medium in karst caves and the catastrophic process of intermittent water and mud inrush induced by dredging and rainfall under realistic sedimentary conditions. The results show that the filling medium exhibits layered deposition characteristics, which are affected by the water circulation time, the amount of sediments carried by water and the water flow rate. The first inrush incubation time reduces with the water head increases. The critical water head and the disaster incubation time increase with the deposition height increases. Under the same conditions, the first inrush incubation time of gravel type, silt type, and clay type filling medium decrease sequentially. The results can provide a theoretical basis for preventing intermittent water and mud inrush disasters in karst tunnels.

Basic Behavior of Centrifugal Hollow Concrete-filled Steel Tube (H-CFST) Stub Columns under Axial Compression

Zhong Shan Tong,Xu Guo Lin 한국강구조학회 2005 International Journal of Steel Structures Vol.5 No.5

High-strength steel structural members can offer significant economic advantages compared to normal strength steel bytyand result in increased deflections. In concrete-filed tube (CFT) construction, these concerns are minimized in that the fulltensile strength of the steel can be utilized while the concrete fill restrains buckling of the tube and reduces member deflections.Despite the improved structural performance that CFT construction may ofer over steel or reinforced concrete alone, use ofCFT elements as flexural members is limited in the United States, because connection designs are stil in development. Aresearch study at the University of Washington was undertaken to develop reliable base connections for CFT columns for aconcrete footing conections with slender tubes of high-strength steel. A parametric study was conducted to determine theinfluence of the primary connection parameters and the test variables. Three columns were constructed and tested to evaluatethe influence of the embedment depth and vertical reinforcement in the footing. The results show that shallow embedmentdepths may result in significant resistance and deformation capacities but result in severe damage to the footing at higher driftthe footing which allows the system to sustain large inelastic deformation demands.

Curcumol Induces Apoptosis in SPC-A-1 Human Lung Adenocarcinoma Cells and Displays Anti-neoplastic Effects in Tumor Bearing Mice

Tang, Qi-Ling,Guo, Ji-Quan,Wang, Qi-You,Lin, Hai-Shu,Yang, Zhou-Ping,Peng, Tong,Pan, Xue-Diao,Liu, Bing,Wang, Su-Jun,Zang, Lin-Quan Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.6

Curcumol is a sesquiterpene originally isolated from curcuma rhizomes, a component of herbal remedies commonly used in oriental medicine. Its beneficial pharmacological activities have attract significant interest recently. In this study, anti-cancer activity of curcumol was examined with both in vitro and in vivo models. It was found that curcumol exhibited time- and concentration-dependent anti-proliferative effects in SPC-A-1 human lung adenocarcinoma cells with cell cycle arrest in the G0/G1 phase while apoptosis-induction was also confirmed with flow cytometry and morphological analyses. Interestingly, curcumol did not display growth inhibition in MRC-5 human embryonic lung fibroblasts, suggesting the anti-proliferative effects of curcumol were specific to cancer cells. Anti-neoplastic effects of curcumol were also confirmed in tumor bearing mice. Curcumol (60 mg/ kg daily) significantly reduced tumor size without causing notable toxicity. In conclusion, curcumol appears a favorable anti-cancer candidate for further development.