Prognostic Role of MicroRNA-21 in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer: a Meta-analysis

Ma, Xue-Lei,Liu, Lei,Liu, Xiao-Xiao,Li, Yun,Deng, Lei,Xiao, Zhi-Lan,Liu, Yan-Tong,Shi, Hua-Shan,Wei, Yu-Quan Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.5

Introduction: Many studies have reported that microRNA-21 (miR-21) mihght predict the survival outcome in non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs) but the opposite opinion has also been expressed. The aim of this study was to summarize the evidence for a prognostic role of miR-21. Materials and Methods: All the eligible studies was searched by Medline and EMBASE and patients' clinical characteristics and survival outcome were extracted. Then a meta-analysis was performed to clarify the prognostic role of the miR-21 expression in different subgroups. Results: A total of 8 eligible articles were yielded covering survival outcomes or clinical characteristics. The combined hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) for overall survival (OS) was 2.19 [0.76, 6.30], while the combined HR (95% CI) of Asian group for OS had a significant result, 5.49 [2.46, 12.27]. The combined HR (95% CI) for recurrence free survival or disease free survival (RFS/DFS) was 2.31 [1.52, 3.49]. Odds ratios (ORs) showed that the miR-21 expression was associated with lymph node status and histological type. Conclusion: miR-21 expression could predict the prognostic outcome of NSCLC in Asians, despite some deficiencies in the study data.

Improving thermal shock and ablation resistance of high thermal conductivity carbon/carbon composites by introducing carbon nanotubes

Liu Xue-Song,Fu Qian-Gang,Wang Han-Hui,Tong Ming-De,Zhang Jia-Ping,Song Qiang 한국탄소학회 2020 Carbon Letters Vol.30 No.6

In order to improve the thermal shock and ablation resistance of high thermal conductivity carbon/carbon composites, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were introduced by electrophoretic deposition. After modifcation, the fexural strength of the composites increases by 53.0% due to the greatly strengthened interfaces. During thermal shock between 1100 °C and room temperature for 30 times, the strength continues to increase, attributed to the weakened interfaces in favor of fber and CNT pull-out. By introducing CNTs at interfaces, thermal conductivity of the composites along the fber axial direction decreases and that along the fber radial direction increases. As the thermal shock process prolongs, since the carbon structure integrity of CNT and matrix in the modifed composites is improved, the conductivity increases whatever the orientation is, until the thermal stress causes too many defects. As for the anti-ablation performance, the mass ablation rates of the CNT-modifed composites with fbers parallel to and vertical to the fame decrease by 69.6% and 43.9% respectively, and the diference in the mass ablation rate related with fber orientations becomes much less. Such performance improvement could be ascribed to the reduced oxidative damage and the enhanced interfaces.

Numerical Simulation of the Characteristics of Electrons in Bar-plate DC Negative Corona Discharge Based on a Plasma Chemical Model

Liu, Kang-Lin,Liao, Rui-Jin,Zhao, Xue-Tong The Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers 2015 Journal of Electrical Engineering & Technology Vol.10 No.4

In order to explore the characteristics of electrons in DC negative corona discharge, an improved plasma chemical model is presented for the simulation of bar-plate DC corona discharge in dry air. The model is based on plasma hydrodynamics and chemical models in which 12 species are considered. In addition, the photoionization and secondary electron emission effect are also incorporated within the model as well. Based on this model, electron mean energy distribution (EMED), electron density distribution (EDD), generation and dissipation rates of electron at 6 typical time points during a pulse are discussed emphatically. The obtained results show that, the maximum of electron mean energy (EME) appears in field ionization layer which moves towards the anode as time progresses, and its value decreases gradually. Within a pulse process, the electron density (ED) in cathode sheath almost keeps 0, and the maximum of ED appears in the outer layer of the cathode sheath. Among all reactions, R1 and R2 are regarded as the main process of electron proliferation, and R₂₂ plays a dominant role in the dissipation process of electron. The obtained results will provide valuable insights to the physical mechanism of negative corona discharge in air.

The Ubiquitin-Proteasome System and F-box Proteins in Pathogenic Fungi

( Tong Bao Liu ),( Chao Yang Xue ) 한국균학회 2011 Mycobiology Vol.39 No.4

The ubiquitin-proteasome system is one of the major protein turnover mechanisms that plays important roles in the regulation of a variety of cellular functions. It is composed of E1 (ubiquitin-activating enzyme), E2 (ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme), and E3 ubiquitin ligases that transfer ubiquitin to the substrates that are subjected to degradation in the 26S proteasome. The Skp1, Cullin, F-box protein (SCF) E3 ligases are the largest E3 gene family, in which the F-box protein is the key component to determine substrate specificity. Although the SCF E3 ligase and its F-box proteins have been extensively studied in the model yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, only limited studies have been reported on the role of F-box proteins in other fungi. Recently, a number of studies revealed that F-box proteins are required for fungal pathogenicity. In this communication, we review the current understanding of F-box proteins in pathogenic fungi.

Mutational Analysis of Key EGFR Pathway Genes in Chinese Breast Cancer Patients

Tong, Lin,Yang, Xue-Xi,Liu, Min-Feng,Yao, Guang-Yu,Dong, Jian-Yu,Ye, Chang-Sheng,Li, Ming Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.11

Background: The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a potential therapeutic target for breast cancer treatment; however, its use does not lead to a marked clinical response. Studies of non-small cell lung cancer and colorectal cancer showed that mutations of genes in the PIK3CA/AKT and RAS/RAF/MEK pathways, two major signalling cascades downstream of EGFR, might predict resistance to EGFR-targeted agents. Therefore, we examined the frequencies of mutations in these key EGFR pathway genes in Chinese breast cancer patients. Methods: We used a high-throughput mass-spectrometric based cancer gene mutation profiling platform to detect 22 mutations of the PIK3CA, AKT1, BRAF, EGFR, HRAS, and KRAS genes in 120 Chinese women with breast cancer. Results: Thirteen mutations were detected in 12 (10%) of the samples, all of which were invasive ductal carcinomas (two stage I, six stage II, three stage III, and one stage IV). These included one mutation (0.83%) in the EGFR gene (rs121913445-rs121913432), three (2.50%) in the KRAS gene (rs121913530, rs112445441), and nine (7.50%) in the PIK3CA gene (rs121913273, rs104886003, and rs121913279). No mutations were found in the AKT1, BRAF, and HRAS genes. Six (27.27%) of the 22 genotyping assays called mutations in at least one sample and three (50%) of the six assays queried were found to be mutated more than once. Conclusions: Mutations in the EGFR pathway occurred in a small fraction of Chinese breast cancers. However, therapeutics targeting these potential predictive markers should be investigated in depth, especially in Oriental populations.

Numerical Simulation of the Characteristics of Electrons in Bar-plate DC Negative Corona Discharge Based on a Plasma Chemical Model

Kang-Lin Liu,Rui-Jin Liao,Xue-Tong Zhao 대한전기학회 2015 Journal of Electrical Engineering & Technology Vol.10 No.4

In order to explore the characteristics of electrons in DC negative corona discharge, an improved plasma chemical model is presented for the simulation of bar-plate DC corona discharge in dry air. The model is based on plasma hydrodynamics and chemical models in which 12 species are considered. In addition, the photoionization and secondary electron emission effect are also incorporated within the model as well. Based on this model, electron mean energy distribution (EMED), electron density distribution (EDD), generation and dissipation rates of electron at 6 typical time points during a pulse are discussed emphatically. The obtained results show that, the maximum of electron mean energy (EME) appears in field ionization layer which moves towards the anode as time progresses, and its value decreases gradually. Within a pulse process, the electron density (ED) in cathode sheath almost keeps 0, and the maximum of ED appears in the outer layer of the cathode sheath. Among all reactions, R1 and R2 are regarded as the main process of electron proliferation, and R22 plays a dominant role in the dissipation process of electron. The obtained results will provide valuable insights to the physical mechanism of negative corona discharge in air.

Design of Coordination-Crosslinked Nitrile Rubber with Self-Healing and Reprocessing Ability

Zhi Fei Zhang,Xue Tong Liu,Kun Yang,Shu Gao Zhao 한국고분자학회 2019 Macromolecular Research Vol.27 No.8

In this work, we describe a simple approach to design of a coordination crosslinked elastomer with extraordinary mechanical properties: self-healing and recycling abilities by introducing Co-cyano coordination into nitrile rubber(NBR) matrix. The formation of reversible coordination crosslink network results in good mechanical properties superior to conventional sulfur-cured NBR, such as high stretchability and toughness. The reversibility of metal-ligand bond endows the polymer with self-healing capability and recycling or reprocessing abilities by rearrangement at elevated temperature. The fully cut samples after self-healing or reprocessing can restore their original tensile strength. It is also worth noting that the reclaimed NBR exhibited higher modulus than its original sample due to the compensation of new metal-ligand bonds formed during heating. This study provides possibilities to extend lifetime, reshaping and recycling capabilities of commercial rubber and reduce toxicity and environmental issues caused by waste rubber.

Identification and expression analysis of grape LRK10L-2 genes during grape fruit development

Ma Jin-Ping,Yin Xue-Ren,Wei Tong-Lu,Liu Hai-Nan,Pei Mao-Song,Yang Sheng-Di,Jin Hui-Ying,He Guang-Qi,Guo Da-Long 한국식물생명공학회 2022 Plant biotechnology reports Vol.16 No.1

LRK10L-2 is known to be related to the plant disease response, little information is available about the relationship of LRK10L-2 and fruit ripening. The protein physicochemical properties, conserved domains, gene structures, subcellular locali- zation, expression patterns during grape fruit development and promoter activity of the members of grape LRK10L-2 gene family were explored in this study. A total of 109 LRK10L-2 family gene members were identified, and mainly distributed on chromosome 16. Almost all of them were located in the plasma membrane. Most of the LRK10L-2 genes contain four or five motifs, ranging from 0 to 5 introns and have the cis-acting elements related to hormones in their promoter regions. There were 20 pairs of tandem duplicates and 293 pairs of segmental duplication in LRK10L-2 family genes. It was proved that the expression of LRK10L-2 gene varied at the different fruit development stages of 'Kyoho' and its early-ripening bud mutant, ‘Fengzao’. The subcellular localization of VIT_16s0098g00160 and VIT_16s0098g00400 were in the plasma membrane, and had a significant enrichment of the GUS signal in N.benthamiana leaves for the promoter. The results lay a solid basis for the further functional researches of the LRK10L-2 genes for grape fruit ripening.

Chinese herbal injections in combination with radiotherapy for advanced pancreatic cancer: A systematic review and network meta-analysis

Yun-Ru Chen,Ruo-Tong Zhao,Yi-Fang Xu,Yin-Jie Ma,Shao-Bo Hu,Xue-Hui Wang,Bing-Bing Fan,Yan-Ji Zhou,Yu-Bei Huang,Nicola Robinson,Jian-ping Liu,Zhao-Lan Liu 한국한의학연구원 2023 Integrative Medicine Research Vol.12 No.4

Background: Advanced pancreatic cancer (APC) is a fatal disease with limited treatment options. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of different Chinese herbal injections (CHIs) as adjuvants for radiotherapy (RT) in APC and compare their treatment potentials using network meta-analysis. Methods: We systematically searched three English and four Chinese databases for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from inception to July 25, 2023. The primary outcome was the objective response rate (ORR). Secondary outcomes included Karnofsky performance status (KPS) score, overall survival (OS), and adverse events (AEs). The treatment potentials of different CHIs were ranked using the surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA). The Cochrane RoB 2 tool and CINeMA were used for quality assessment and evidence grading. Results: Eighteen RCTs involving 1199 patients were included. Five CHIs were evaluated. Compound Kushen injection (CKI) combined with RT significantly improved ORR compared to RT alone (RR 1.49, 95 % CrI 1.21–1.86). Kanglaite (KLT) plus RT (RR 1.58, 95 % CrI 1.20–2.16) and CKI plus RT (RR 1.49, 95 % CrI 1.16–1.95) were associated with improved KPS score compared to radiation monotherapy, with KLT+RT being the highest rank (SUCRA 72.28 %). Regarding AEs, CKI plus RT was the most favorable in reducing the incidence of leukopenia (SUCRA 90.37 %) and nausea/vomiting (SUCRA 85.79 %). Conclusions: CKI may be the optimal choice of CHIs to combine with RT for APC as it may improve clinical response, quality of life, and reduce AEs. High-quality trials are necessary to establish a robust body of evidence. Protocol registration: PROSPERO, CRD42023396828.

ATM Signaling Pathway Is Implicated in the SMYD3-mediated Proliferation and Migration of Gastric Cancer Cells

Wang, Lei,Wang, Qiu-Tong,Liu, Yu-Peng,Dong, Qing-Qing,Hu, Hai-Jie,Miao, Zhi,Li, Shuang,Liu, Yong,Zhou, Hao,Zhang, Tong-Cun,Ma, Wen-Jian,Luo, Xue-Gang The Korean Gastric Cancer Association 2017 Journal of gastric cancer Vol.17 No.4

Purpose: We previously found that the histone methyltransferase suppressor of variegation, enhancer of zeste, trithorax and myeloid-nervy-deformed epidermal autoregulatory factor-1 domain-containing protein 3 (SMYD3) is a potential independent predictive factor or prognostic factor for overall survival in gastric cancer patients, but its roles seem to differ from those in other cancers. Therefore, in this study, the detailed functions of SMYD3 in cell proliferation and migration in gastric cancer were examined. Materials and Methods: SMYD3 was overexpressed or suppressed by transfection with an expression plasmid or siRNA, and a wound healing migration assay and Transwell assay were performed to detect the migration and invasion ability of gastric cancer cells. Additionally, an MTT assay and clonogenic assay were performed to evaluate cell proliferation, and a cell cycle analysis was performed by propidium iodide staining. Furthermore, the expression of genes implicated in the ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) pathway and proteins involved in cell cycle regulation were detected by polymerase chain reaction and western blot analyses. Results: Compared with control cells, gastric cancer cells transfected with si-SMYD3 showed lower migration and invasion abilities (P<0.05), and the absence of SMYD3 halted cells in G2/M phase and activated the ATM pathway. Furthermore, the opposite patterns were observed when SMYD3 was elevated in normal gastric cells. Conclusions: To the best of our knowledge, this study provides the first evidence that the absence of SMYD3 could inhibit the migration, invasion, and proliferation of gastric cancer cells and halt cells in G2/M phase via the ATM-CHK2/p53-Cdc25C pathway. These findings indicated that SMYD3 plays crucial roles in the proliferation, migration, and invasion of gastric cancer cells and may be a useful therapeutic target in human gastric carcinomas.