Virtual Non-Contrast Computer Tomography (CT) with Spectral CT as an Alternative to Conventional Unenhanced CT in the Assessment of Gastric Cancer

Tian, Shi-Feng,Liu, Ai-Lian,Wang, He-Qing,Liu, Jing-Hong,Sun, Mei-Yu,Liu, Yi-Jun Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.6

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate computed tomography (CT) virtual non-contrast (VNC) spectral imaging for gastric carcinoma. Materials and Methods: Fifty-two patients with histologically proven gastric carcinomas underwent gemstone spectral imaging (GSI) including non-contrast and contrast-enhanced hepatic arterial, portal venous, and equilibrium phase acquisitions prior to surgery. VNC arterial phase (VNCa), VNC venous phase (VNCv), and VNC equilibrium phase (VNCe) images were obtained by subtracting iodine from iodine/water images. Images were analyzed with respect to image quality, gastric carcinoma-intragastric water contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), gastric carcinoma-perigastric fat CNR, serosal invasion, and enlarged lymph nodes around the lesions. Results: Carcinoma-water CNR values were significantly higher in VNCa, VNCv, and VNCe images than in normal CT images (2.72, 2.60, 2.61, respectively, vs 2.35, $p{\leq}0.008$). Carcinoma-perigastric fat CNR values were significantly lower in VNCa, VNCv, and VNCe images than in normal CT images (7.63, 7.49, 7.32, respectively, vs 8.48, p< 0.001). There were no significant differences of carcinoma-water CNR and carcinoma-perigastric fat CNR among VNCa, VNCv, and VNCe images. There was no difference in the determination of invasion or enlarged lymph nodes between normal CT and VNCa images. Conclusions: VNC arterial phase images may be a surrogate for conventional non-contrast CT images in gastric carcinoma evaluation.

Gut microbiota metabolic characteristics in coronary artery disease patients with hyperhomocysteine

Tian Ran,Liu Hong-Hong,Feng Si-Qin,Wang Yi-Fei,Wang Yi-Yang,Chen Yu-Xiong,Wang Hui,Zhang Shu-Yang 한국미생물학회 2022 The journal of microbiology Vol.60 No.4

Hyperhomocysteine (HHcy) is known as a risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD). Despite the knowledge that gut microbiota related metabolism pathway shares metabolites with that of Hcy, little has been shown concerning the association between HHcy and gut microbiota. To explore their relationship in the context of CAD, 105 patients and 14 healthy controls were recruited from one single medical center located in Beijing, China. Their serum and fecal samples were collected, with multi-omics analyses performed via LC/MS/ MS and 16S rRNA gene V3-V4 region sequencing, respectively. Participants from the prospective cohort were divided into CAD, CAD & HHcy and healthy controls (HC) groups based on the diagnosis and serum Hcy concentration. The results revealed significant different metabolic signatures between CAD and CAD & HHcy groups. CAD patients with HHcy suffered a heavier atherosclerotic burden compared to CAD patients, and the difference was closely associated to betaine-homocysteine S-methyltransferase (BHMT)-related metabolites and trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO)-related metabolites. Dimethylglycine (DMG) exhibited a strong positive correlation with serum total Hcy (tHcy), and TMAO and trimethylysine (TML) were associated with heavier atherosclerotic burden. Multiple other metabolites were also identified to be related to distinct cardiovascular risk factors. Additionally, Clostridium cluster IV and Butyricimonas were enriched in CAD patients with elevated tHcy. Our study suggested that CAD patients with elevated tHcy were correlated with higher atherosclerotic burden, and the impaired Hcy metabolism and cardiovascular risk were closely associated with BHMT-related metabolites, TMAO-related metabolites and impaired gut microbiota homeostasis.

Impact Of Swine-Manure Derived Biochar Amendment On Soil Phosphorus Species And Phosphatase Activities: A Quantitative 31p Nmr Analysis

Yi Jin,Xinqiang Liang,Miaomiao He,Yu Liu,Yue Zhao,Chaodong Fu,Guangming Tian 한국토양비료학회 2014 한국토양비료학회 학술발표회 초록집 Vol.2014 No.6

Factors that Influence the Presciption of Antipsychotics for Patients with Schizophrenia in China

Tian-Mei Si,Liang Shu,Ke-Qing Li,Xie-He Liu,Qi-Yi Mei,Gao-Hua Wang,Pei-Shen Bai,Li-Ping Ji,Xian-Sheng Chen,Cui Ma,Jian-Guo Shi,Hong-Yan Zhang,Hong Ma,Xin Yu 대한정신약물학회 2011 CLINICAL PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY AND NEUROSCIENCE Vol.9 No.3

Objective: To investigate the patterns of antipsychotic use in China and to analyze the factors that influence antipsychotic prescriptions. Methods: A standardized survey was conducted from May 20 to 24 2002 in five different regions of China with varying economic levels. The patterns of antipsychotic medication use were analyzed in a sample of 4,779 patients with schizophrenia. The survey gathered information on demographic characteristics, clinical profiles, and antipsychotic medications prescribed. Multiple logistic regression was used to analyze factors related to patterns of antipsychotic medication use. Results: A plurality of patients with schizophrenia was treated with clozapine (39%); this was followed by risperidone, sulpride,chlorpromazine, perphenazine, and haloperidol. More than 56.3% of patients were treated with only one atypical antipsychotic. The mean daily dose of chlorpromazine was 365±253 mg (mean±standard deviation), and 6.5% of patients were treated with depot injections of typical antipsychotic medications. A total of 73.7% (n=3,523) of patients with schizophrenia received monotherapy,24.8% (n=1,183) received two antipsychotics, 1.1% (n=52) received three antipsychotics, and one received four different antipsychotics. Patients often simultaneously received other classes of medications including anticholinergic agents, benzodiazepines,β-blockers, antidepressants, and mood stabilizers. Economic status and clinical symptoms were the main factors that contributed to the patterns of antipsychotic prescription. Conclusion: The present study suggests that atypical antipsychotic medications, especially clozapine, are the primary psychiatric treatments of choice in the management of schizophrenia in China. Moreover, the economic status and clinical profile of the patient are the major factors affecting the prescription of antipsychotic medication.

Use of Clozapine for the Treatment of Schizophrenia: Findings of the 2006 Research on the China Psychotropic Prescription Studies

Tian-Mei Si,Yun-shu Zhang,Liang Shu,Ke-Qing Li,Xie-He Liu,Qi-Yi Mei,Gao-Hua Wang,Pei-Shen Bai,Li-Ping Ji,Xian-Sheng Cheng,Cui Ma,Jian-Guo Shi,Hong-Yan Zhang,Hong Ma,Xin Yu 대한정신약물학회 2012 CLINICAL PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY AND NEUROSCIENCE Vol.10 No.2

Objective: Clozapine is one of the most commonly used antipsychotic drugs in China. To date, few studies have investigated the patterns the prescription of clozapine nationwide. The present study examined these patterns in China in 2006 and identified the demographic and clinical characteristics associated with the use of clozapine. Methods: Using a standardized protocol and data collection procedure, we surveyed 5,898 patients with schizophrenia in 10provinces with differing levels of economic development. Results: Overall, clozapine had been prescribed for 31.9% (n=1,883) of the patients; however we found considerable variation among the 10 provinces. The frequency of clozapine use was highest in Sichuan (39.3%) and lowest in Beijing (17.3%). The mean daily dose of clozapine was 210.36±128.72 mg/day, and 25.1% of the patients were treated with clozapine in combination with other antipsychotics. Compared with the group not receiving clozapine, clozapine-user had been treated for longer durations and had experienced a greater number of relapses and hospitalizations. Furthermore, those in the clozapine-user had lower family incomes, were less able to seek psychiatric services, and more likely to be male and have a positive family history of schizophrenia. A multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that age, sex, professional help-seeking behaviors, duration of illness, economic status, educational level, and clinical manifestations were associated with the use of clozapine. Conclusion: Clozapine use is common in China. However, use of the antipsychotic varies among provinces, and demographic and clinical factors play important roles in the prescription of clozapine.

Research on a Multi-Objective Control Strategy for Current-source PWM Rectifiers under Unbalanced and Harmonic Grid Voltage Conditions

Yi-Wen Geng,Hai-Wei Liu,Ren-Xiong Deng,Fang-Fang Tian,Hao-Feng Bai,Kai Wang 전력전자학회 2018 JOURNAL OF POWER ELECTRONICS Vol.18 No.1

Unbalanced and distorted grid voltages cause the grid side current of a current source PWM rectifier to be heavily distorted. They can also cause the DC-link current to fluctuate with a huge amplitude. In order to enhance the performance of a current-source PWM rectifier under unbalanced and harmonic grid voltage conditions, a mathematical model of a current-source PWM rectifier is established and a flexible multi-objective control strategy is proposed to control the DC-link current and grid-current. The fundamental positive/negative sequence, 5th and 7th order harmonic components of the grid voltage are first separated with the proposed control strategy. The grid current reference are optimized based on three objectives: 1) sinusoidal and symmetrical grid current, 2) sinusoidal grid current and elimination of the DC-current 2nd order fluctuations, and 3) elimination of the DC-current 2nd and 6th order fluctuations. To avoid separation of the grid current components, a multi-frequency proportional-resonant controller is applied to control the fundamental positive/negative sequence, 5th and 7th order harmonic current. Finally, experimental results verify the effectiveness of proposed control strategy.

RON and MET Co-overexpression Are Significant Pathological Characteristics of Poor Survival and Therapeutic Targets of Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Tian-Hao Weng,Min-Ya Yao,Xiang-Ming Xu,Chen-Yu Hu,Shu-Hao Yao,Yi-Zhi Liu,Zhi-Gang Wu,Tao-Ming Tang,Pei-Fen Fu,Ming-Hai Wang,Hang-Ping Yao 대한암학회 2020 Cancer Research and Treatment Vol.52 No.3

Purpose Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is highly malignant and has poor prognosis and a high mortality rate. The lack of effective therapy has spurred our investigation of new targets for treating this malignant cancer. Here, we identified RON (macrophage-stimulating 1 receptor) and MET (MET proto-oncogene, receptor tyrosine kinase) as a prognostic biomarker and therapeutic targets for potential TNBC treatment. Materials and Methods We analyzed RON and MET expression in 187 primary TNBC clinical samples with immunohistochemistry. We validated the targeted therapeutic effects of RON and MET in TNBC using three tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs): BMS-777607, INCB28060, and tivantinib. The preclinical therapeutic efficacy of the TKIs was mainly estimated using a TNBC xenograft model. Results Patients with TNBC had widespread, abnormal expression of RON and MET. There was RON overexpression, MET overexpression, and RON and MET co-overexpression in 63 (33.7%), 63 (33.7%), and 43 cases (23.0%), respectively, which had poor prognosis and short survival. In vivo, the TKI targeting RON ant MET inhibited the activation of the downstream signaling molecules, inhibited TNBC cell migration and proliferation, and increased TNBC cell apoptosis; in the xenograft model, they significantly inhibited tumor growth and shrank tumor volumes. The TKI targeting RON and Met, such as BMS-777607 and tivantinib, yielded stronger anti-tumor effects than INCB28060. Conclusion RON and MET co-overexpression can be significant pathological characteristics in TNBC for poor prognosis. TKIs targeting RON and MET have stronger drug development potential for treating TNBC.

A Novel Self-Healing Polyurethane with High Transparency and Strength: Effects of Multiple Supermolecular Forces

Yuan Liu,Yanmei Liao,Yintao Long,Yuxiang Qian,Shengqiang Nie,Yi Wang,Jia Zeng,Chunmei Zhang,Linbo Tian,Jun Luo 한국고분자학회 2022 폴리머 Vol.46 No.3

It is a considerable challenge for expanding the applications of self-healing polyurethane because of the dilemma in balancing its mechanical and self-healing properties. Herein, a series of self-healing polyurethane systems (PUT-x) with short-range ordered rigid aromatic structures were synthesized by simply adjusting two kinds of diisocyanates, and by ingenious addition of aromatic chain extender. We hope to regulate the π-π interactions and further to manipulate the properties of obtained polyurethanes via adjusting the amount of the benzene rings in the molecular chains of the PUT-x systems. The PUT-5 with decent self-healing ability, optimal mechanical properties, acceptable thermal stability and favorable transparency was selected to incorporate liquid metal and fluorescent powder to fabricate conductive wire and anti-counterfeiting film. Significantly, the liquid metal could be recycled from the conductive wire conveniently without using strong acids or strong bases. Moreover, PUT-5 exemplarily withstood long-term soaking in normal saline, and no deformation could be identified.

Analysis of Clostridium Cluster I Community Diversity in Pit Mud Used in Manufacture of Chinese Luzhou-flavor Liquor

Maoke Liu,Ke Zhao,Yuming Tang,Daoqun Ren,Wanchun Yao,Xinhui Tian,Xinyu Zhang,Bin Yi,Bo Deng 한국식품과학회 2015 Food Science and Biotechnology Vol.24 No.3

Chinese Luzhou-flavor liquor is prepared using distillation of mixed, fermented grains, such as sorghum and rice. Fermentation occurs in cellars lined with pit mud containing microbes. The identity and community diversity of bacteria in pit mud of fermentation cellars contributes to the aromatic compounds of the liquor. In order to determine the contribution of genus Clostridium to this fermentation, the community diversity of Clostridium cluster I in pit mud of different cellar ages (1, 50, 100, and 400 years) was investigated based on denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis followed by 16S rRNA sequencing. Differences in the community structure within pit mud depended on wall and bottom layer cellar locations. A better understanding of the role of Clostridium in Luzhou-flavor liquor manufacture will be useful.

Three-dimensional digitalization modeling characterization of pores in high-rank coal in the southern Qinshui basin

Shiqi Liu,Shuxun Sang,Jingsheng Ma,Xin Wang,Yi Du,Tian Wang 한국지질과학협의회 2019 Geosciences Journal Vol.23 No.1

Pore connectivity is an important property of coal. To explore the connectivity of pore-fractures in terms of macropores and mesopores in high-rank coal, two coal samples collected from the coal seam #3 in the southern Qinshui basin were selected. A pore-fracture network model of high-rank coal on the nanometer (10–100 nm) to micrometer (0.1–10 μm) scale is constructed, and key parameters are extracted using the 3D (three-dimensional) digital spatial characterization based on 3D scanning with FIB-SEM (Focused Ion Beam Scanning Electron Microscopy). Then, the connectivity of the pore-fractures and the contribution of pores with different genetic types to the connectivity of the high-rank coal are confirmed. The results show that the pores and throats of high-rank coal in coal seam #3 in the southern Qinshui basin are very narrow, with predominant mesopores < 50 nm in width. The tortuosity of the coal samples is low, an the cross-section is predominantly square and triangular in shape, which means that the capillary resistance is small. The connectivity of the pores is poor, and mesopores play an important role in the pore connectivity. Linear differential shrinkage pores are the main connected pores on the nanometer scale and communicate with irregularly rounded and elliptic differential shrinkage pores, secondary pores, and mineral pores. The types and contents of the minerals in coals determine the morphological characteristics and degree of development of the differential shrinkage pores, and have an important influence on the pore connectivity in high-rank coal. The content of quartz determines the degree of development of the linear differential shrinkage pores, and is the primary reasons for the differences in the connectivity of the two samples.