Identification and Molecular Analysis of Ixodid Ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) Infesting Domestic Animals and Tick-Borne Pathogens at the Tarim Basin of Southern Xinjiang, China

Li Zhao,Jizhou Lv,Fei Li,Kairui Li,Bo He,Luyao Zhang,Xueqing Han,Huiyu Wang,Nicholas Johnson,Xiangmei Lin,Shaoqiang Wu,Yonghong Liu 대한기생충학ㆍ열대의학회 2020 The Korean Journal of Parasitology Vol.58 No.1

Livestock husbandry is vital to economy of the Tarim Basin, Xinjiang Autonomous Region, China. However, there have been few surveys of the distribution of ixodid ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) and tick-borne pathogens affecting domestic animals at these locations. In this study, 3,916 adult ixodid ticks infesting domestic animals were collected from 23 sampling sites during 2012-2016. Ticks were identified to species based on morphology, and the identification was confirmed based on mitochondrial 16S and 12S rRNA sequences. Ten tick species belonging to 4 genera were identified, including Rhipicephalus turanicus, Hyalomma anatolicum, Rh. bursa, H. asiaticum asiaticum, and Rh. sanguineus. DNA sequences of Rickettsia spp. (spotted fever group) and Anaplasma spp. were detected in these ticks. Phylogenetic analyses revealed possible existence of undescribed Babesia spp. and Borrelia spp. This study illustrates potential threat to domestic animals and humans from tick-borne pathogens.

Flexible air breathable electroluminescent device based on electrospinning process

Ce Li,Shaoqiang Gu,Tao Ma,Dongchan Li 대한금속·재료학회 2022 ELECTRONIC MATERIALS LETTERS Vol.18 No.6

Alternative current electroluminescent device with excellent air permeability were fabricated by a facile electrospinningmethod, and the optimal fabrication conditions of the device substrate and light-emitting layer, such as voltage, acceptancedistance, concentration, and propulsion rate, were determined. The microscopic morphology, luminance and air permeabilityof the samples were explored and analyzed. The characterization results show that the flexible alternative current electroluminescentdevice fabricated by electrospinning method exhibits excellent mechanical properties and high air permeability. The device can reach 55.74 cd/m2 at a voltage of 130 V and a frequency of 3 kHz, and the air permeability can reach 5.81 g/(h·m2). It is discussed that its excellent breathability is attributed to the overall microns fabric structure. On the basis ofthese results, we believe our electrospinningac process will accelerate development of more comfortable electroluminescentdevices with the flexibility required for real-world applications.

Polymicrobial and Monomicrobial Infections after Spinal Surgery: A Retrospective Study to Determine which Infection is more Severe

Shaoqiang Liu,Qiang Qi,Zhongqiang Chen,Ning Liu,Zhaoqing Guo,Chuiguo Sun,Weishi Li,Yan Zeng,Zhongjun Liu 대한척추외과학회 2017 Asian Spine Journal Vol.11 No.3

Study Design: A retrospective clinical review. Purpose: To investigate the difference in clinical manifestations and severity between polymicrobial and monomicrobial infections after spinal surgery. Overview of Literature: Surgical site infections (SSIs) after spinal surgery are a major diagnostic and therapeutic challenge for spinal surgeons. Polymicrobial infections after spinal surgery seem to result in poorer outcomes than monomicrobial infections because of complementary resistance to antibiotics. However, comparison of the clinical manifestations and severity between polymicrobial and monomicrobial infections are limited. Methods: Sixty-seven patients with SSIs after spinal surgery were studied: 20 patients with polymicrobial infections and 47 with monomicrobial infections. Pathogenic bacteria identified were counted and classified. Age, sex, and body mass index were compared between the two groups to identify homogeneity. The groups were compared for clinical manifestations by surgical site, postoperative time to infection, infection site, incisional drainage, incisional swelling, incisional pain, neurological signs, temperature, white blood cell count, and the percentage of neutrophils. Finally, the groups were compared for severity by hospital stay, number of rehospitalizations, number of debridements, duration of antibiotics administration, number of antibiotics administered, and implant removal. Results: Polymicrobial infections comprised 29.9% of SSIs after spinal surgery, and most polymicrobial infections (70.0%) were caused by two species of bacteria only. There was no difference between the groups in terms of clinical manifestations and severity. In total, 96 bacterial strains were isolated from the spinal wounds: 60 strains were gram-positive and 36 were gram-negative pathogenic bacteria. Staphylococcus aureus , Staphylococcus epidermidis , Escherichia coli , and Enterobacter cloacae were cultured in order of the frequency of appearance. Conclusions: Most polymicrobial infections were caused by two bacterial species after spinal surgery. There was no difference in clinical manifestations or severity between polymicrobial and monomicrobial infections.

The influence of the extent of lymph node metastasis on the prognosis for patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma

Jianping Wang*,Man Shu*,Hong Peng,Shaoqiang Li,Dongming Li,Jingxian Shen,Ming Kuang,Ying Zhang,Zebin Chen 대한외과학회 2023 Annals of Surgical Treatment and Research(ASRT) Vol.104 No.5

Purpose: Reports showed that some of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) patients with lymph node metastasis (LNM) may also gain survival benefit undergone resection. However, the effect of the extent of LNM on prognosis and surgical indication is barely discussed. Methods: From September 1994 to November 2018, primary ICC patients undergone initial curable surgery were enrolled. Based on the extent of LNM, we divided these patients into 4 groups, including patients with no LNM (group N0), LNM to hepatoduodenal ligament or common hepatic artery (region A, group A), LNM to gastrohepatic lymph nodes for left liver ICC and periduodenal and peripancreatic lymph node for right liver ICC (region B, group B), or LNM beyond these regions (region C, group C). Multivariable Cox regression analysis was performed to identify the prognostic factors for recurrence- free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) in all groups. Results: A total of 133 patients were enrolled. There were 56, 21, 17, and 39 patients in groups N0, A, B, and C, respectively. There was significant difference between groups N0 and C in RFS (P < 0.001) and OS (P = 0.002). When we compared group N0 + A + B with group C, we also found that RFS (P < 0.001) and OS (P = 0.007) were significantly different. In multivariable analysis, the extent of LNM was an independent risk factor for RFS (P < 0.050). Conclusion: ICC patients with the LNM to regions A and B could still achieve good prognosis with resection. Surgery should be carefully considered when LNM to region C.

Hepatic Resection Provides Survival Benefit for Selected Intermediate-Stage (BCLC-B) Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients

Zhang Zhaohui,Shen Shunli,Chen Bin,Li Shaoqiang,Hua Yunpeng,Kuang Ming,Liang Lijian,Peng Bao Gang 대한암학회 2019 Cancer Research and Treatment Vol.51 No.1

Purpose The intermediate stage of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer [BCLC] B) comprises a highly heterogeneous population, and the treatment strategy is still controversial. Because of the heterogeneity, a subclassification of intermediate-stage HCCs was put forward by Bolondi according to the ‘beyond Milan and within up-to-7’ criteria and Child-Pugh score. In this study, we aim to analyze the prognosis of BCLC-B stage HCC patients who received hepatic resection according to the Bolondi’s subclassification. Materials and Methods One thousand and one hundred three patients diagnosed with HCC and treated with hepatic resection were enrolled in our hospital between 2006 and 2012. According to Bolondi’s subclassification, the BCLC-B patients were divided into four groups. Recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) were analyzed. Results According to Bolondi’s subclassification, the BCLC-B patients were divided into four groups: B1 (n=41, 18.7%), B2 (n=160, 73.1%), B3 (n=11, 5.0%), and B4 (n=7, 3.2%). Significant difference was observed between B1 and other groups (B1 vs. B2, p=0.022; B1 vs. B3, p < 0.001; B1 vs. B4, p < 0.001), but no difference for B2 vs. B4 (p=0.542) and B3 vs. B4 (p=0.542). In addition, no significant differences were observed between BCLC-A and BCLCB1 group for both RFS (p=0.087) and OS (p=0.643). In multivariate analysis, BCLC-B subclassification was not a risk factor for both OS (p=0.263) and RFS (p=0.892). Conclusion In our study, HCC patients at B1 stage were benefited from hepatic resection and had similar survival to BCLC-A stage patients. Our study provided rationality of hepatic resection for selected BCLC-B stage HCC patients instead of routine transarterial chemoembolization.

Reproductive Variables and Risk of Breast Malignant and Benign Tumours in Yunnan Province, China

Yanhua, Che,Geater, Alan,You, Jing,Li, Li,Shaoqiang, Zhou,Chongsuvivatwong, Virasakdi,Sriplung, Hutcha Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.5

Introduction and aim: To compare reproductive factor influence on patients with pathological diagnosed malignant and benign tumor in the Breast Department, The First Peoples' Hospital of Kunming in Yunnan province, China. Methods: A hospital-based case-control study was conducted on 263 breast cancer (BC) cases and 457 non-breast cancer controls from 2009 to 2011. The cases and controls information on demographics, medical history, and reproductive characteristics variables were collected using a self-administered questionnaire and routine medical records. Histology of breast cancer tissue and benign breast lesion were documented by pathology reports. Since some variables in data analysis had zero count in at least one category, binomial-response GLM using the bias-reduction method was applied to estimate OR's and their 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). To adjust for age and menopause status, a compound variable comprising age and menopausal status was retained in the statistical models. Results: multivariate model analysis revealed significant independent positive associations of BC with short menstrual cycle, old age at first live birth, never breastfeeding, history of oral contraception experience, increased number of abortion, postmenopausal status, and nulliparity. Categorised by age and menopausal status, perimenopausal women had about 3-fold and postmenopausal women had more than 5-fold increased risk of BC compared to premenopausal women. Discussion and Conclusion: This study has confirmed the significant association of BC and estrogen related risk factors of breast cancer including longer menstrual cycle, older age of first live birth, never breastfeeding, nulliparity, and number of abortions more than one. The findings suggest that female hormonal factors, especially the trend of menopause status play a significant role in the development of BC in Yunnan women.

Declined Preoperative Aspartate Aminotransferase to Neutrophil Ratio Index Predicts Poor Prognosis in Patients with Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma after Hepatectomy

Lingyun Liu,Wei Wang,Yi Zhang,Jianting Long,Zhaohui Zhang,Qiao Li,Bin Chen,Shaoqiang Li,Yunpeng Hua,Shunli Shen,Baogang Peng 대한암학회 2018 Cancer Research and Treatment Vol.50 No.2

Purpose Various inflammation-based prognostic biomarkers such as the platelet to lymphocyte ratio and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio, are related to poor survival in patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC). This study aims to investigate the prognostic value of the aspartate aminotransferase to neutrophil ratio index (ANRI) in ICC after hepatic resection. Materials and Methods Data of 184 patients with ICC after hepatectomy were retrospectively reviewed. The cut-off value of ANRI was determined by a receiver operating characteristic curve. Preoperative ANRI and clinicopathological variables were analyzed. The predictive value of preoperative ANRI for prognosis of ICC was identified by univariate and multivariate analyses. Results The optimal cut-off value of ANRI was 6.7. ANRI was associated with tumor size, tumor recurrence, white blood cell, neutrophil count, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine transaminase. Univariate analysis showed that ANRI, sex, tumor number, tumor size, tumor differentiation, lymph node metastasis, resection margin, clinical TNM stage, neutrophil count, and carcinoembryonic antigen were markedly correlated with overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) in patients with ICC. Multivariable analyses revealed that ANRI, a tumor size > 6 cm, poor tumor differentiation, and an R1 resection margin were independent prognostic factors for both OS and DFS. Additionally, preoperative ANRI also had a significant value to predict prognosis in various subgroups of ICC, including serum hepatitis B surface antigennegative and preoperative elevated carbohydrate antigen 19-9 patients. Conclusion Preoperative declined ANRI is a noninvasive, simple, and effective predictor of poor prognosis in patients with ICC after hepatectomy.

SKP2 Contributes to AKT Activation by Ubiquitination Degradation of PHLPP1, Impedes Autophagy, and Facilitates the Survival of Thyroid Carcinoma

Chongwen Xu,Yuan Shao,Wanli Ren,Hao Dai,Fangli Yang,Xiang Li,Shaoqiang Zhang,Junsong Liu,Xiaobao Yao,Qian Zhao,Xin Sun,Zhiwei Zheng 한국분자세포생물학회 2023 Molecules and cells Vol.46 No.6

Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is the most common subtype of thyroid carcinoma. Despite a good prognosis, approximately a quarter of PTC patients are likely to relapse. Previous reports suggest an association between S-phase kinase-associated protein 2 (SKP2) and the prognosis of thyroid cancer. SKP1 is related to apoptosis of PTC cells; however, its role in PTC remains largely elusive. This study aimed to understand the expression and molecular mechanism of SKP2 in PTC. SKP2 expression was upregulated in PTC tissues and closely associated with clinical diagnosis. In vitro and in vivo knockdown of SKP2 expression in PTC cells suppressed cell growth and proliferation and induced apoptosis. SKP2 depletion promoted cell autophagy under glucose deprivation. SKP2 interacted with PH domain leucine-rich repeat protein phosphatase-1 (PHLPP1), triggering its degradation by ubiquitination. Furthermore, SKP2 activates the AKT-related pathways via PHLPP1, which leads to the cytoplasmic translocation of SKP2, indicating a reciprocal regulation between SKP2 and AKT. In conclusion, the upregulation of SKP2 leads to PTC proliferation and survival, and the regulatory network among SKP2, PHLPP1, and AKT provides novel insight into the molecular basis of SKP2 in tumor progression.