Early Recognition of Pediatric Strokes in the Emergency Department: Epidemiology, Clinical Presentation, and Factors Impeding Stroke Diagnosis in Children

Si Qi Tan(Si Qi Tan),Wen Qi Cher(Wen Qi Cher),Shu-Ling Chong(Shu-Ling Chong),Angelina Su Yin Ang(Angelina Su Yin Ang ),Sashikumar Ganapathy(Sashikumar Ganapathy ),Derrick Wei Shih Chan(Derrick Wei Shi 대한소아신경학회 2022 대한소아신경학회지 Vol.31 No.1

Purpose: Strokes are challenging to diagnose in pediatric emergency departments (EDs) as level of suspicion is low and atypical presentations are common. We analyzed clinical features, epidemiology and factors of delayed identification in arterial ischemic strokes (AIS) and hemorrhagic strokes (HS). Methods: Single-center retrospective cohort study of children aged between 29 days and 18 years old diagnosed with stroke between July 2016 to June 2021. Results: Among 36 children, 11 (30.5%) had AIS, 25 (69.4%) had HS. Median age for AIS was 9 years (interquartile range [IQR], 2 to 9) and HS 9 years (IQR, 1 to 11.5) (P=0.715). Focal neurological deficit was seen in 72.7% of AIS and 20% of HS (P=0.006). Only 18.2% of AIS and 52.0% of HS presented within 6 hours of symptoms. Median time from symptom onset to ED presentation was 24 hours (IQR, 12 to 28) for AIS and 7 hours (IQR, 1.8 to 48) for HS (P=0.595). Most (85.6%) arrived by own transport. Median time from presentation to neuroimaging was 7 hours (IQR, 0.9 to 7) for AIS and 4.8 (IQR, 1.3 to 16.8) hours for HS (P=0.376). Eleven patients, 9/25 (36.0%) HS and 2/11 (18.2%) AIS, did not have stroke as differential diagnosis at ED (P=0.714). Common initial diagnoses were viral illness or headaches. On univariate analysis, age <1 (odds ratio [OR], 17.5; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.2 to 250.4; P=0.035) and absence of focal neurological deficit (OR, 13.091; 95% CI, 1.5 to 117.9; P=0.022) were significant factors for delayed identification. Conclusion: Index of suspicion for pediatric strokes among caregivers and clinicians should be increased. Public awareness campaigns are recommended.

Over Expression of BCL2 and Low Expression of Caspase 8 Related to TRAIL Resistance in Brain Cancer Stem Cells

Qi, Ling,Ren, Kuang,Fang, Fang,Zhao, Dong-Hai,Yang, Ning-Jiang,Li, Yan Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.12

Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) has been investigated as an effective agent to treat various cancers. Cancer stem cells are resistant to TRAIL treatment, but the mechanism of TRAIL resistance remains unknown. In this study, brain cancer stem cells were isolated by CD133 magnetic sorting, and the number of CD133 positive cells detected by flow cytometry. The self-renewing capacity of brain cancer stem cells was examined by a neurosphere formation assay, and the percentage of cell death after TRAIL treatment was examined by an MTS assay. Expression of DR5, FADD, caspase 8 and BCL2 proteins was detected by western blot. The amount of CD133 positive cells was enriched to 71% after CD133 magnetic sorting. Brain cancer stem cell neurosphere formation was significantly increased after TRAIL treatment. TRAIL treatment also reduced the amount of viable cells and this decrease was inhibited by a caspase 8 inhibitor or by the pan-caspase inhibitor z-VAD (P<0.05). Brain cancer stem cells expressed lower levels caspase 8 protein and higher levels of BCL2 protein when compared with CD133 negative cells (P<0.05). Our data suggest that TRAIL resistance is related to overexpression of BCL2 and low expression of caspase 8 which limit activation of caspase 8 in brain cancer stem cells.

Unified Description of Event-by-event Fluctuations in Some Global Observables in Nucleus-nucleus Collisions at High Energies

Qi-Wen Lu,Ling-Ling Liu,Fu-Hu Liu,N. N. Abd Allah 한국물리학회 2011 THE JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN PHYSICAL SOCIETY Vol.59 No.4

Event-by-event fluctuations in the multiplicity, the total transverse energy, the mean transverse energy, and the mean transverse momentum in nucleus-nucleus collisions at high energies are uniformly described by using a multi-component Erlang distribution obtained in the framework of a multisource thermal model. The calculated results are compared and found to be in agreement with the experimental data of the WA98, NA49, and PHENIX Collaborations.

Effect of compressible membrane’s nonlinear stress-strain behavior on spiral case structure

Qi-Ling Zhang,He-Gao Wu 국제구조공학회 2012 Structural Engineering and Mechanics, An Int'l Jou Vol.42 No.1

With an active structural involvement in spiral case structure (SCS) that is always the design and research focus of hydroelectric power plant (HPP), the compressible membrane sandwiched between steel spiral case and surrounding reinforced concrete was often assumed to be linear elastic material in conventional design analysis of SCS. Unfortunately considerable previous studies have proved that the foam material serving as membrane exhibits essentially nonlinear mechanical behavior. In order to clarify the effect of membrane (foam) material’s nonlinear stress-strain behavior on SCS, this work performed a case study on SCS with a compressible membrane using the ABAQUS code after a sound calibration of the employed constitutive model describing foam material. In view of the successful capture of fitted stress-strain curve of test by the FEM program, we recommend an application and dissemination of the simulation technique employed in this work for membrane material description to structural designers of SCS. Even more important, the case study argues that taking into account the nonlinear stress-strain response of membrane material in loading process is definitely essential. However, we hold it unnecessary to consider the membrane material’s hysteresis and additionally, employment of nonlinear elastic model for membrane material description is adequate to the structural design of SCS. Understanding and accepting these concepts will help to analyze and predict the structural performance of SCS more accurately in design effort.

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.

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.

Effect of compressible membrane's nonlinear stress-strain behavior on spiral case structure

Zhang, Qi-Ling,Wu, He-Gao Techno-Press 2012 Structural Engineering and Mechanics, An Int'l Jou Vol.42 No.1

With an active structural involvement in spiral case structure (SCS) that is always the design and research focus of hydroelectric power plant (HPP), the compressible membrane sandwiched between steel spiral case and surrounding reinforced concrete was often assumed to be linear elastic material in conventional design analysis of SCS. Unfortunately considerable previous studies have proved that the foam material serving as membrane exhibits essentially nonlinear mechanical behavior. In order to clarify the effect of membrane (foam) material's nonlinear stress-strain behavior on SCS, this work performed a case study on SCS with a compressible membrane using the ABAQUS code after a sound calibration of the employed constitutive model describing foam material. In view of the successful capture of fitted stress-strain curve of test by the FEM program, we recommend an application and dissemination of the simulation technique employed in this work for membrane material description to structural designers of SCS. Even more important, the case study argues that taking into account the nonlinear stress-strain response of membrane material in loading process is definitely essential. However, we hold it unnecessary to consider the membrane material's hysteresis and additionally, employment of nonlinear elastic model for membrane material description is adequate to the structural design of SCS. Understanding and accepting these concepts will help to analyze and predict the structural performance of SCS more accurately in design effort.

Magnolol exerts anti-asthmatic effects by regulating Janus kinase-signal transduction and activation of transcription and Notch signaling pathways and modulating Th1/Th2/Th17 cytokines in ovalbumin-sensitized asthmatic mice

Huang, Qi,Han, Lele,Lv, Rong,Ling, Ling The Korean Society of Pharmacology 2019 The Korean Journal of Physiology & Pharmacology Vol.23 No.4

Allergic asthma, is a common chronic inflammatory disease of the airway presenting with airway hyperresponsiveness and airway remodelling. T helper cells-derived cytokines are critically associated with asthma pathogenesis. Janus kinase-signal transduction and activation of transcription (JAK/STAT) signaling is found to be involved in asthma. Magnolol is a plant-derived bioactive compound with several pharmacological effects. The study aimed to assess the effects of magnolol in ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthmatic model. BALB/c mice were sensitized and challenged with OVA. Magnolol (12.5, 25, or 50 mg/kg body weight) was administered to separate groups of animals. Dexamethasone was used as the positive control. Cellular infiltration into the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were reduced on magnolol treatment. The levels of Th2 and Th17 cytokines were reduced with noticeably raised levels of interferon gamma. Lung function was improved effectively along with restoration of bronchial tissue architecture. OVA-specific immunoglobulin E levels in serum and BALF were decreased by magnolol. Magnolol reduced Th17 cell population and effectively modulated the JAK-STAT and Notch 1 signaling. The results suggest the promising use of magnolol in therapy for allergic asthma.

Roles of E-Cadherin (CDH1) Genetic Variations in Cancer Risk: a Meta-analysis

Deng, Qi-Wen,He, Bang-Shun,Pan, Yu-Qin,Sun, Hui-Ling,Xu, Ye-Qiong,Gao, Tian-Yi,Li, Rui,Song, Guo-Qi,Wang, Shu-Kui Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.8

E-Cadherin (CDH1) genetic variations may be involved in invasion and metastasis of various cancers by altering gene transcriptional activity of epithelial cells. However, published studies on the association of CDH1 gene polymorphisms and cancer risk remain contradictory, owing to differences in living habits and genetic backgrounds. To derive a more better and comprehensive conclusion, the present meta-analysis was performed including 57 eligible studies of the association between polymorphisms of CDH1 gene promoter -160 C>A, -347 G>GA and 3'-UTR +54 C>T and cancer risk. Results showed that these three polymorphisms of CDH1 were significantly associated with cancer risk. For -160 C>A polymorphism, -160A allele carriers (CA and CA+AA) had an increased risk of cancer compared with the homozygotes (CC), and the similar result was discovered for the -160A allele in the overall analyses. In the subgroup analyses, obvious elevated risk was found with -160A allele carriers (AA, CA, CA+AA and A allele) for prostate cancer, while a decreased colorectal cancer risk was shown with the AA genotype. For the -347 G>GA polymorphism, the GAGA genotype was associated with increased cancer risk in the overall analysis with homozygous and recessive models. In addition, results of subgroup analysis indicated that the elevated risks were observed in colorectal cancer and Asian descendants. For +54 C>T polymorphism, a decreased risk of cancer was found in heterozygous, dominant and allele models. Moreover, +54T allele carriers (CT, CT+TT genotype and T allele) showed a potential protective factor in gastric cancer and Asian descendants.

Enhanced Photocatalytic Performance of Heterojunction BiOI/BiOIO3 Nanocomposites Under Simulated Solar Light

Yi Ling Qi,Xu Chun Song,Yi Fan Zheng 성균관대학교(자연과학캠퍼스) 성균나노과학기술원 2017 NANO Vol.12 No.3

Novel heterostructure BiOI/BiOIO3 nanocomposites were successfully prepared through a facile deposition method at room temperature. BiOIO3 is a noncentrosymmetric compound that has an internal self-built electric field. BiOI was applied as a visible light absorber to sensitize semiconductors owing to its smallest bandgap. The coupling between BiOIO3 and BiOI can combine their advantages and improve photocatalytic properties. Compared with the single BiOI and BiOIO3, the heterostructure BiOI/BiOIO3 nanocomposites displayed a significantly enhanced photocatalytic activity for the Rhodamine B (RhB) degradation. The enhanced photocatalytic performance is deduced closely related to the formation of BiOI/BiOIO3 heterojunction interface whose presence is regarded to be a favorable factor for the transfer and separation of the photogenerated electrons and holes.