Health-related Quality of Life After Treatment for Malignant Bone Tumors: A Follow-up Study in China

Sun, Yong-Jian,Hu, Yan-Jun,Jin, Dan,Li, Jian-Wei,Yu, Bin Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.7

Aim: We conducted the present study to assess health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among bone cancer patients after surgical treatment in one large teaching hospitals in China, and assess the risk factors for improving the physical or mental HRQoL. Methods: 344 eligible adult patients who were admitted to the hospital with malignant bone tumors during the period of Jun. 2008 to Dec. 2011, and a reference group with 361 health cases was recruited in the same hospital during the same period. All 344 patients were followed up for one year. The HRQoL before treatment and after one year was evaluated with the Medical Outcome Short Form 36 (SF-36). Results: All 8 domains of HRQoL had the lowest scores greatly improved over the first year after discharge. However, the patients still had significantly lower scores in every domain than the reference group one year after discharge. Age and type of surgery were associated with HRQoL in the mental domain. Conclusion: The HRQoL of patients with malignant bone tumors greatly improved one year after the treatment. This study also highlighted the utility of HRQoL assessment for prognostic evaluation of patients after surgical treatment for bone cancer.

Pharmacological blockade of cholesterol trafficking by cepharanthine in endothelial cells suppresses angiogenesis and tumor growth

Lyu, Junfang,Yang, Eun Ju,Head, Sarah A.,Ai, Nana,Zhang, Baoyuan,Wu, Changjie,Li, Ruo-Jing,Liu, Yifan,Yang, Chen,Dang, Yongjun,Kwon, Ho Jeong,Ge, Wei,Liu, Jun O.,Shim, Joong Sup Elsevier 2017 Cancer letters Vol.409 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>Cholesterol is an important modulator of membrane protein function and signaling in endothelial cells, thus making it an emerging target for anti-angiogenic agents. In this study, we employed a phenotypic screen that detects intracellular cholesterol distribution in endothelial cells (HUVEC) and identified 13 existing drugs as cholesterol trafficking inhibitors. Cepharanthine, an approved drug for anti-inflammatory and cancer management use, was amongst the candidates, which was selected for in-depth mechanistic studies to link cholesterol trafficking and angiogenesis. Cepharanthine inhibited the endolysosomal trafficking of free-cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein in HUVEC by binding to Niemann-Pick disease, type C1 (NPC1) protein and increasing the lysosomal pH. The blockade of cholesterol trafficking led to a cholesterol-dependent dissociation of mTOR from the lysosomes and inhibition of its downstream signaling. Cepharanthine inhibited angiogenesis in HUVEC and in zebrafish in a cholesterol-dependent manner. Furthermore, cepharanthine suppressed tumor growth in vivo by inhibiting angiogenesis and it enhanced the antitumor activity of the standard chemotherapy cisplatin in lung and breast cancer xenografts in mice. Altogether, these results strongly support the idea that cholesterol trafficking is a viable drug target for anti-angiogenesis and that the inhibitors identified among existing drugs, such as cepharanthine, could be potential anti-angiogenic and antitumor agents.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> A phenotypic screen identified 13 existing drugs, including cepharanthine, as cholesterol trafficking inhibitors. </LI> <LI> Cepharanthine inhibited lysosomal cholesterol trafficking by binding to NPC1 protein and increasing the lysosomal pH. </LI> <LI> The blockade of cholesterol trafficking led to a cholesterol-dependent dissociation of mTOR from the lysosomes. </LI> <LI> Cepharanthine inhibited angiogenesis in HUVEC and in zebrafish in a cholesterol-dependent manner. </LI> <LI> Cepharanthine treatment enhanced the antitumor activity of cisplatin in lung and breast cancer xenografts in mice. </LI> </UL> </P>

Lipid Emulsion as a Drug Delivery System for Breviscapine: Formulation Development and Pptimization

( Jun Wei Li ),( Li Gao ),( Yi Dong Yan ),( Roshan Pradhan ),( Jong Oh Kim ),( Qi Zhe Quan ) 영남대학교 약품개발연구소 2012 영남대학교 약품개발연구소 연구업적집 Vol.22 No.0

In this study, we developed an optimized formulation of a breviscapine lipid emulsion (BLE) and evaluated the physicochemical properties and in vivo pharmacokinetics of BLE in rats. For the preparation of the lipid emulsion, soybean oil and oleic acid were used as the oil phase, lecithin and poloxamer 188 as surfactants and glycerol as co-surfactant. An optimized formulation consisting of soybean oil (10.0%), oleic acid (0.9%), lecithin (1.5%), poloxamer 188 (0.4%), and glycerol (2.25%) was selected. The results showed that the average particle size, polydispersity index, and zeta potential of the optimized formulation were 183.5 ± 5.5 nm, 0.098 ± 0.046, and -35.0 ± 2.5 mV, respectively. The BLE was stable for at least three month at room temperature. After a single intravenous dose of 4 mg/kg to rats, the AUC of scutellarin from the lipid emulsion was about 1.5-fold higher than that of the commercial product (breviscapine injection). In conclusion, the optimizedformulation of BLE showed positive results over the commercial product in terms of the physicochemical properties and pharmacokinetics of BLE in rats.

B-cell Lymphoma 2 rs17757541 C>G Polymorphism was Associated with an Increased Risk of Gastric Cardiac Adenocarcinoma in a Chinese Population

Li, Qiong,Yin, Jun,Wang, Xu,Wang, Li-Ming,Shi, Yi-Jun,Zheng, Liang,Tang, Wei-Feng,Ding, Guo-Wen,Liu, Chao,Liu, Rui-Ping,Gu, Hai-Yong,Sun, Jia-Ming,Chen, Suo-Cheng Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.7

Aim: Apoptosis has been considered as a fundamental component in cancer pathogenesis, and related genetic factors might play an important role in gastric cardiac adenocarcinoma (GCA) genesis. Methods: We conducted a hospital based case.control study to evaluate the genetic effects of functional single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs): BCL2 rs17757541 C>G, BCL2 rs12454712 T>C, FAS rs2234767 G>A, FASL/FASLG rs763110 C>T, ERBB2 rs1136201 A>G and VEGFR2/KDR rs11941492 C>T on the development of GCA. A total of 243 GCA cases and 476 controls were recruited for the study and genotypes were determined using a custom-by-design 48-Plex SNPscan$^{TM}$ Kit. Results: The BCL2 rs17757541 C>G polymorphism was associated with increased risk of GCA. However, there was no significant associations with the other five SNPs. Stratified analyses indicated a significantly increased risk of GCA associated with the BCL2 rs17757541 C>G polymorphism among males, older patients and those with a history of smoking or drinking. Conclusion: These findings indicated that the functional polymorphism BCL2 rs17757541 C>G might contribute to GCA susceptibility. However, our results were limited by small sample size. Future larger studies are required to confirm our current findings.

Biotransformation of Panax ginseng extract by rat intestinal microflora

Wei-Wei Dong,Jinhua Zhao,Fei-Liang Zhong,Wen-Jing Zhu,Jun Jiang,Songquan Wu,Deok-Chun Yang,Donghao Li,Lin-Hu Quan 고려인삼학회 2017 Journal of Ginseng Research Vol.41 No.4

Background: In general, after Panax ginseng is administered orally, intestinal microbes play a crucial role in its degradation and metabolization process. Studies on the metabolism of P. ginseng by microflora are important for obtaining a better understanding of their biological effects. Methods: In vitro biotransformation of P. ginseng extract by rat intestinal microflora was investigated at 37C for 24 h, and the simultaneous determination of the metabolites and metabolic profile of P. ginseng saponins by rat intestinal microflora was achieved using LCeMS/MS. Results: A total of seven ginsenosides were detected in the P. ginseng extract, including ginsenosides Rg1, Re, Rf, Rb1, Rc, Rb2, and Rd. In the transformed P. ginseng samples, considerable amounts of deglycosylated metabolite compound K and Rh1 were detected. In addition, minimal amounts of deglycosylated metabolites (ginsenosides Rg2, F1, F2, Rg3, and protopanaxatriol-type ginsenosides) and untransformed ginsenosides Re, Rg1, and Rd were detected at 24 h. The results indicated that the primary metabolites are compound K and Rh1, and the protopanaxadiol-type ginsenosides were more easily metabolized than protopanaxatriol-type ginsenosides. Conclusion: This is the first report of the identification and quantification of the metabolism and metabolic profile of P. ginseng extract in rat intestinal microflora using LCeMS/MS. The current study provided new insights for studying the metabolism and active metabolites of P. ginseng.

Integrated Voltage and Power Flow Management Considering the Cost of Operation in Active Distribution Networks

Wei Wei,Tao Xu,Xiaoxue Wang,Chengshan Wang,Lingxu Guo,Jun Lin,Tianchu Li 대한전기학회 2016 Journal of Electrical Engineering & Technology Vol.11 No.2

The increasing penetration of distributed energy resources on the distribution networks have brought a number of technical impacts where voltage and thermal variations have been identified as the dominant effects. Active network management in distribution networks aims to integrate distributed energy resources with flexible network management so that distributed energy resources are organized to make better use of existing capacity and infrastructure. This paper propose active solutions which aims to solve the voltage and thermal issues in a distributed manner utilizing a collaborative approach. The proposed algorithms have been fully tested on a distribution network with distributed generation units.

Prevalence of Spina Bifida Occulta and Its Relationship With Overactive Bladder in Middle-Aged and Elderly Chinese People

Jun Wei Wu,Yu Rong Xing,Yi Bo Wen,Tian Fang Li,Quan De Feng,Xiao Ping Shang,Yun Long Li,Jin Jin Feng,Xin Xin Wang,Rong Qun Zhai,Xiang Fei He,Tao Chen,Xin Jian Liu,Jian Guo Wen 대한배뇨장애요실금학회 2016 International Neurourology Journal Vol.20 No.2

Purpose: To investigate the prevalence of spina bifida occulta (SBO) and its relationship with the presence of overactive bladder (OAB) in middle-aged and elderly people in China. Methods: A cross-sectional community-based survey was carried out at 7 communities in Zhengzhou City, China from December 15, 2013 to June 10, 2014, where residents aged over 40 years were randomly selected to participate. All of the participants underwent lumbosacral radiographic analysis and relevant laboratory tests. A questionnaire including basic information, past medical history and present illness, and the OAB symptom score was filled out by all participants. Chi-square tests and logistic regression were used for data analysis with a P-value of <0.05 denoting statistical significance. Results: A total of 1,061 subjects were qualified for the final statistical analysis (58.8±11.7 years; male, 471 [44.4%]; female, 590 [55.6%]). The overall prevalence of SBO was 15.1% (160 of 1,061): 18.3% (86 of 471) in men and 12.5% (74 of 590) in women. Among these subjects, 13.7% (145 of 1,061) had OAB: 13.2% (62 of 471) in men and 14.1% (83 of 590) in women. The results of logistic regression showed that age, SBO, history of cerebral infarction (HCI), and constipation were risk factors for OAB (P<0.05), while sex, history of childhood enuresis (HCE), body mass index (BMI), and diabetes mellitus (DM) were not (P>0.05). In men, age, SBO, and constipation were risk factors for OAB (P<0.05), while HCE, BMI, DM, HCI, and benign prostate hyperplasia were not (P>0.05). In women, age, SBO, and HCI were risk factors for OAB (P<0.05), while HCE, BMI, DM, vaginal delivery, and constipation were not (P>0.05). Conclusions: The prevalence of SBO is high and it is related to OAB in middle-aged and elderly people in China.

Proanthocyanidins accelerate the germination of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) seeds

Li-jun Zhu,Xing-guang Deng,Li-juan Zou,Jun-qiang Wu,Da-wei Zhang,Honghui Lin 한국식물학회 2016 Journal of Plant Biology Vol.59 No.2

Proanthocyanidins (PAs) are the end products of the flavonoid biosynthetic pathway in many seeds, but their biological function is rarely unknown during seed germination. In the present study, we observed that PAs pretreatment accelerated cucumber seeds germination with maximum efficiency at 0.15% by measuring germination percentage and radical length. Using inhibitors of abscisic acid (ABA), gibberellins (GA) and alternative oxidase (AOX) and H2O2 scavenger pretreatment and gene expression analysis, we found that the accelerated effect of 0.15% PAs on seed germination was due to the decreased ABA biogenesis and enhanced GA production. ROS are induced by PAs pretreatment. Then, the enhanced ROS contributed to GA and ethylene accumulation and ABA decrease in seeds. Moreover, the improvement of GA was involved in the further induction of antioxidant enzymes activities. Therefore, our findings uncover a novel role of PAs in seed germination and clarify the relationships between ROS, ABA, GA and ethylene during seed germination.

Celastrol, produced by Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F. enhances defense response in cucumber seedlings against diverse environmental stresses

Li-jun Zhu,Xing-guang Deng,Li-juan Zou,Peng-xu Li,Jun-qiang Wu,Da-wei Zhang,Honghui Lin 한국식물학회 2017 Journal of Plant Biology Vol.60 No.1

Celastrol is an active triterpenoid compound isolated from Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F.. Many reports have highlighted that celastrol is an effective, safe and desirable approach to the treatment of cancers. However, their biological function during environmental stresses in plants is rarely reported. In the present study, the effects of celastrol on the tolerance against high light (HL), polyethylene glycol (PEG) and cold stress in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) were investigated. Celastrol pretreatment could enhance cucumber seedlings stress tolerance at a concentration of 1 μg ml–1. The results showed that pretreatment with 1 μg ml–1 celastrol clearly induced the activities of antioxidative enzymes, which subsequently alleviated stress-induced oxidative damage in plant cells. We also provided evidence that celastrol upregulated ABA biosynthetic gene NCED2 expression and ABA accumulation in cucumber seedlings, which resulted to the enhanced tolerance in response to environmental stresses. Furthermore, the celastrol-pretreated seedlings showed less photosystem damaged caused by the stress conditions, when compared with the control. Therefore, our findings provide a novel role of celastrol in plant against environmental stresses and indicate that the celastrol-induced activities of antioxidative enzymes and ABA content might contribute to the stress tolerance.

Mechanism of Fatty Acid Synthase in Drug Tolerance Related to Epithelial-mesenchymal Transition of Breast Cancer

Li, Jun-Qin,Xue, Hui,Zhou, Lan,Dong, Li-Hua,Wei, Da-Peng,Li, Hua Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.18

Objective: The mechanism of action of fatty acid synthase (FASN) in drug tolerance of breast cancer cells with epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) features was investigated. Methods: The breast cancer cell line MCF-7-MEK5 with stably occurring EMT and tumour necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$) tolerance was used as the experimental model, whereas MCF-7 acted as the control. Tumour cells were implanted into nude mice for in vivo analysis, and cerulenin was used as a FASN inhibitor. RT-PCR, real-time quantitative PCR and Western blot were employed to detect the expression of FASN, TNFR-1, TNFR-2, Wnt-1, ${\beta}$-catenin and cytC at the RNA and protein levels. Results: Compared with MCF-7, TNFR-1 expression in MCF-7-MEK5 was slightly changed, TNFR-2 was decreased, and FASN, Wnt-1, ${\beta}$-catenin and cytC were increased. The expression of Wnt-1 and ${\beta}$-catenin in MCF-7-MEK5 decreased after cerulenin treatment, whereas cytC expression increased. Conclusions: The important function of FASN in the drug tolerance of breast cancer may be due to the following mechanisms: FASN downregulated TNFR-2 expression through lipid rafts to make the cells less sensitive to TNF-${\alpha}$, and simultaneously activated the Wnt-$1/{\beta}$-catenin signalling pathway. Thus, cytC expression increased, which provided cells with anti-apoptotic capacity and induced drug tolerance.