Asparagus Polysaccharide and Gum with Hepatic Artery Embolization Induces Tumor Growth and Inhibits Angiogenesis in an Orthotopic Hepatocellular Carcinoma Model

Weng, Ling-Ling,Xiang, Jian-Feng,Lin, Jin-Bo,Yi, Shang-Hui,Yang, Li-Tao,Li, Yi-Sheng,Zeng, Hao-Tao,Lin, Sheng-Ming,Xin, Dong-Wei,Zhao, Hai-Liang,Qiu, Shu-Qi,Chen, Tao,Zhang, Min-Guang Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.24

Liver cancer is one of leading digestive malignancies with high morbidity and mortality. There is an urgent need for the development of novel therapies for this deadly disease. It has been proven that asparagus polysaccharide, one of the most active derivates from the traditional medicine asparagus, possesses notable antitumor properties. However, little is known about the efficacy of asparagus polysaccharide as an adjuvant for liver cancer chemotherapy. Herein, we reported that asparagus polysaccharide and its embolic agent form, asparagus gum, significantly inhibited liver tumor growth with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) therapy in an orthotopic hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tumor model, while significantly inhibiting angiogenesis and promoting tumor cell apoptosis. Moreover, asparagine gelatinous possessed immunomodulatory functions and showed little toxicity to the host. These results highlight the chemotherapeutic potential of asparagus polysaccharide and warrant a future focus on development as novel chemotherapeutic agent for liver cancer TACE therapy.

Effects of Selenizing Codonopsis pilosula Polysaccharide on Macrophage Modulatory Activities

( Tao Qin ),( Zhe Ren ),( Dandan Lin ),( Yulong Song ),( Jian Li ),( Yufang Ma ),( Xuehan Hou ),( Yifan Huang ) 한국미생물 · 생명공학회 2016 Journal of microbiology and biotechnology Vol.26 No.8

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the immune-enhancing activity of selenizing Codonopsis pilosula polysaccharide (sCPPS5) in nonspecific immune response. In in vitro experiment, the results showed that sCPPS5 could promote the phagocytic uptake, NO production, and TNF-α and IL-6 secretion of RAW264.7 cells. sCPPS5 could also strongly increase the IκB-α degradation in the cytosol and the translocation of NF-κB p65 subunit into the nucleus of RAW264.7 cells. In the vivo experiment, sCPPS5 at medium doses could significantly improve the phagocytic index of peritoneal macrophages and induce the secretion of TNF-α and IL-6. Moreover, the effect of sCPPS5 was significantly better than Codonopsis pilosula polysaccharide (CPPS). These results indicated that selenylation modification could significantly enhance the immune-enhancing activity of CPPS in the nonspecific immune response.

A mortar mix proportion design algorithm based \r\non artificial neural networks

Tao Ji,Xu Jian Lin 한국계산역학회 2006 Computers and Concrete, An International Journal Vol.3 No.5

The concepts of four parameters of nominal water-cement ratio, equivalent water-cement ratio, average paste thickness, fly ash-binder ratio were introduced. It was verified that the four parameters and the mix proportion of mortar can be transformed each other. The behaviors (strength, workability, et al.) of mortar primarily determined by the mix proportion of mortar now depend on the four parameters. The prediction models of strength and workability of mortar were built based on artificial neural networks (ANNs). The calculation models of average paste thickness and equivalent water-cement ratio of mortar can be obtained by the reversal deduction of the two prediction models, respectively. A mortar mix proportion design algorithm was proposed. The proposed mortar mix proportion design algorithm is expected to reduce the number of trial and error, save cost, laborers and time.

Evaluation of the Stability of Aspirin in Solid State by the Programmed Humidifying and Non-isothermal Experiments

Lin-Li Li,Xian-Cheng Zhan,Jian-Lin Tao 대한약학회 2008 Archives of Pharmacal Research Vol.31 No.3

The influence of both moisture and heat on the stability of aspirin was investigated by a single pair of experiments, one with programmed humidity control and the other non-isothermal, rather than many standard isothermal studies, each at constant relative humidity. In experiments, we adopted the acid-base back titration method to measure the content of aspirin in the presence of its degradation products. It was found that the degradation of aspirin could be expressed as ln[(c0-c)/c]=kt+D, where D was a lag time item not related to humidity and temperature. The relationship between the degradation rate constant k and humidity Hr and temperature T could be described as Arrhenius equation multiplied by an exponential item of relative humidity: k = A · exp(mHr) · exp(-(Ea/RT)), where A, Ea and m were the pre-exponential factor, observed activation energy, and a parameter related to humidity, respectively. The results obtained from the programmed humidifying and non-isothermal experiments, A=(1.09±2.04)×1012 h-1, Ea=(93.5±2.2) kJ ·mol-1 and m=1.18±0.19, were comparable to those from isothermal studies at constant humidity, A=(1.71±0.35)×1012 h-1, Ea=(94.9±0.7) kJ ·mol-1 and m=1.20±0.02. Since the programmed humidifying and non-isothermal experiments save time, labor and materials, it is suggested that the new experimental method can be used to investigate the stability of drugs unstable to both moisture and heat, instead of many classical isothermal experiments at constant humidity.

Optimization of Servo Parameters for Enhanced Dynamic Behavior of Direct Feed System with Hybrid FEM and PLS Regression

Xiankun Lin,Tao Liu,Jian Wang 한국정밀공학회 2018 International Journal of Precision Engineering and Vol.19 No.11

Optimal servo dynamics of a direct feed system driven by linear motor play an important role in improvement of its dynamic behavior and the precision of its processing products. An optimization method for enhancement of the dynamics of the drive system is proposed with hybrid FEM and PLS regression. Dynamic stiffness spectrogram of the servo system, also as optimization performance evaluation, is applied to obtain its resonance frequency. A force pulse excitation-based dynamic stiffness measurement scheme is introduced to acquire the spectrum diagram. For simulation of the stiffness characteristic, a FE model of the drive mechanism is developed with dynamic conjunctions, which parameters are considered to be related to the servo parameters. A relationship model between the stiffness variables of the conjunctions and the servo parameters is established with PLS regression. Based on the regression equation, the optimization model is constructed for the dynamics enhancement. To validate the feasibility of the scheme, an experiment was conducted on a domestic test rig. The results show that the method can effectively extend non-resonant frequency and improve the dynamics with 10.4 Hz higher in first-order modal frequency and 6.7 Hz higher in second-order than the corresponding results of the samples in the mean value from random tests.

Inclined Slice Method to Earth Pressure of Narrow Cohesionless Backfill against Rigid Walls under Various Displacement Modes

Yu-jian Lin,Fu-quan Chen,Jun-tao Yang 대한토목학회 2020 KSCE JOURNAL OF CIVIL ENGINEERING Vol.24 No.4

The displacement modes of retaining walls in engineering are complicated, and the backfill behind retaining walls is often narrow. Failure mechanisms of soils under various displacement modes of retaining walls have not been clarified yet in previous studies. According to results of the finite element limit analysis, multiple sliding surfaces were observed developing reflectively between interfaces on both sides in the active limit state. In rotational displacement modes, some layers of soil near the rotated point maintained in the non-limit state which was not considered in the previous studies. Based on numerical analysis results, failure wedges were divided into differential soil slice elements by an inclined slice method. An analytical model was established to estimate the earth pressure of the narrow backfill under various displacement modes using the limit equilibrium method. The calculated results are consistent with the data gathered from previous tests. Compared with previous studies, the proposed method can reflect failure mechanisms of the narrow backfill and be adapted to various displacement modes of the retaining wall. The accuracy of the calculation results is high in the non-limit state soil layer. In addition, the boundary criterion between the narrow and semi-limit backfills was determined. Based on extensive parametric studies, it can be concluded that increasing the soil-wall interface friction and decreasing the backfill area would be conducive to decreasing the earth pressure and the depth of resultant application point.

Real-World Data of Pyrotinib-Based Therapy in Metastatic HER2-Positive Breast Cancer: Promising Efficacy in Lapatinib-Treated Patients and in Brain Metastasis

Ying Lin,Mingxi Lin,Jian Zhang,Biyun Wang,Zhonghua Tao,Yiqun Du,Sheng Zhang,Jun Cao,Leiping Wang,Xichun Hu 대한암학회 2020 Cancer Research and Treatment Vol.52 No.4

Purpose Pyrotinib is a newly-developed irreversible pan-ErbB receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor. This study reported the first real-world data of pyrotinib-based therapy in metastatic human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer (BC), focusing on efficacy in lapatinib-treated patients and in brain metastasis. Materials and Methods One hundred thirteen patients with metastatic HER2-positive BC treated with pyrotinib-based therapy in Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center under non-clinical trial settings from September 1, 2018 to March 1, 2019 were included. Results Over half patients have received more than two lines of systematic therapy and exposed to two or more kinds of anti-HER2 agents. Most patients received a combined therapy, commonly of pyrotinib plus capecitabine, or vinorelbine or trastuzumab. Median progression-free survival (PFS) was 6.3 months (range, 5.54 to 7.06 months) and objective response rate (ORR) was 29.5%, with two patients (1.9%) achieving complete response. Lapatinib-naïve patients had significantly longer PFS than lapatinib-treated patients (9.0 months vs. 5.4 months, p=0.001). ORR for lapatinib-treated patients was 23.2%. Thirty-one of 113 patients have brain metastasis. Median PFS was 6.7 months and intracranial ORR was 28%. For patients without concurrent radiotherapy and/or brain surgery, the ORR was very low (6.3%). But for patients receiving concurrent radiotherapy and/or brain surgery, the ORR was 66.7%, and three patients achieved complete response. Most common adverse event was diarrhea. Conclusion Pyrotinib-based therapy demonstrated promising effects in metastatic HER2-positive BC and showed activity in lapatinib-treated patients. For patients with brain metastasis, pyrotinib-based regimen without radiotherapy showed limited efficacy, but when combined with radiotherapy it showed promising intracranial control.

Auditory Deficits in Patients With Mild and Moderate Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome: A Speech Syllable Evoked Auditory Brainstem Response Study

Qiuyang Fu,Tao Wang,Yong Liang,Yong Lin,Xiangdong Zhao,Jian Wa,Suxiao Fa 대한이비인후과학회 2019 Clinical and Experimental Otorhinolaryngology Vol.12 No.1

Objectives. The energy consumption process of cochlea and neural signal transduction along the auditory pathway are highly dependent on blood oxygen supply. At present, it is under debate on whether the obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) would affect the auditory function since the patients suffer from low oxygen saturation. Moreover, it is difficult to detect the functional state of auditory in less severe stage of OSAS. Recently, speech-evoked auditory brainstem response (speech-ABR) has been reported to be a new electrophysiological tool in characterizing the auditory dysfunction. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the auditory processes in adult patients with mild and moderate OSAS by speech-ABR. Methods. An experimental group of 31 patients with mild to moderate OSAS, and a control group without OSAS diagnosed by apnea hypopnea index in polysomnogram were recruited. All participants underwent otologic examinations and tests of pure-tone audiogram, distortion product otoacoustic emissions, click-evoked auditory brainstem response (click-ABR) and speech-ABR, respectively. Results. The results of pure-tone audiogram, distortion product otoacoustic emissions, and click-ABR in OSAS group showed no significant differences compared with the control group (P>0.05). Speech-ABRs for OSAS participants and controls showed similar morphological waveforms and typical peak structures. There were significant group differences for the onset and offset transient peaks (P<0.05), where OSAS group had longer latencies for peak V (6.69±0.33 ms vs. 6.39±0.23 ms), peak C (13.48±0.30 ms vs. 13.31±0.23 ms), and peak O (48.27±0.39 ms vs. 47.60±0.40 ms) compared to the control group. The latency of these peaks showed significant correlations with apnea hypopnea index for peak V (r=0.37, P=0.040), peak C (r=0.36, P=0.045), as well as peak O (r=0.55, P=0.001). Conclusion. These findings indicate that some auditory dysfunctions may be present in patients with mild and moderate OSAS, and the damages were aggravated with the severity of OSAS, whi

Evaluation of the Stability of Aspirin in Solid State by the Programmed Humidifying and Non-isothermal Experiments

Zhan, Xian-Cheng,Tao, Jian-Lin,Li, Lin-Li 대한약학회 2008 Archives of Pharmacal Research Vol.31 No.3

single pair of experiments, one with programmed humidity control and the other non-isothermal, rather than many standard isothermal studies, each at constant relative humidity. In experiments, we adopted the acid-base back titration method to measure the content of aspirin in the presence of its degradation products. It was found that the degradation of aspirin could be expressed as In[($C_o-c$)/c]=kt+D, where D was a lag time item not related to humidity and temperature. The relationship between the degradation rate constant k and humidity $H_r$, and temperature T could be described as Arrhenius equation multiplied by an exponential item of relative humidity: k= A . exp($mH_r$)${\cdot}$exp(-($E_a/RT$)), where A, $E_a$ and m were the pre-exponential factor, observed activation energy, and a parameter related to humidity, respectively. The results obtained from the programmed humidifying and non-isothermal experiments, A=$(1.09{\pm}2.04){\times}10^{12}\;h^{-1}$, $E_a=(93.5{\pm}2.2)\;kJ{\cdot}mol^{-1}$ and m=$1.18{\pm}O.19$, were comparable to those from isothermal studies at constant humidity, A=$(1.71{\pm}o.35){\times}10^{12}\;h^{-1}$, $E_a=(94.9{\pm}0.7)\;kJ{\cdot}mol^{-1}$ and m=$1.20{\pm}0.02$. Since the programmed humidifying and non-isothermal experiments save time, labor and materials, it is suggested that the new experimental method can be used to investigate the stability of drugs unstable to both moisture and heat, instead of many classical isothermal experiments at constant humidity.

Monitoring microRNAs Using a Molecular Beacon in CD133⁺/CD338⁺ Human Lung Adenocarcinoma-initiating A549 Cells

Yao, Quan,Sun, Jian-Guo,Ma, Hu,Zhang, An-Mei,Lin, Sheng,Zhu, Cong-Hui,Zhang, Tao,Chen, Zheng-Tang Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.1

Lung cancer is the most common causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide, and a lack of effective methods for early diagnosis has greatly impacted the prognosis and survival rates of the affected patients. Tumor-initiating cells (TICs) are considered to be largely responsible for tumor genesis, resistance to tumor therapy, metastasis, and recurrence. In addition to representing a good potential treatment target, TICs can provide clues for the early diagnosis of cancer. MicroRNA (miRNA) alterations are known to be involved in the initiation and progression of human cancer, and the detection of related miRNAs in TICs is an important strategy for lung cancer early diagnosis. As Hsa-miR-155 (miR-155) can be used as a diagnostic marker for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), a smart molecular beacon of miR-155 was designed to image the expression of miR-155 in NSCLC cases. TICs expressing CD133 and CD338 were obtained from A549 cells by applying an immune magnetic bead isolation system, and miR-155 was detected using laser-scanning confocal microscopy. We found that intracellular miR-155 could be successfully detected using smart miR-155 molecular beacons. Expression was higher in TICs than in A549 cells, indicating that miR-155 may play an important role in regulating bio-behavior of TICs. As a non-invasive approach, molecular beacons could be implemented with molecular imaging to diagnose lung cancer at early stages.