Enhanced electrical conductivity of pitch-derived carbon via graphene template effects for high electrically conductive composites

Zhiping Lei,Yazhou Li,Zhao Lei,Xue Yang,Jingchong Yan,Zhanku Li,Hengfu Shui,Shibiao Ren,Zhicai Wang,Ying Kong,Shigang Kang 한국공업화학회 2023 Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Vol.117 No.-

Large-scale preparation of cheap and high-performance carbonaceous materials is in urgent need due tothe huge demand of carbonaceous materials-organic binder composites for Joule heating. Here, carbonbasedelectrothermal composites with high electrical conductivity were fabricated by adjusting the morphologyand structure of pitch-based carbonaceous materials (PC) through the use of graphene asstructure-directing agent to tune the orientation and carbonization of coal pitch. It is demonstrated thatthe addition of graphene can effectively promote the formation of graphitized carbon, increase the contentof sp2C, reduce defective carbon and increase the graphite interlayer spacing. 1% graphene-added PCPVDFcomposite exhibits 290% increase in the carrier concentration, 190% enhancement in mobility, and67% reduction in the volume resistivity compared to PC-PVDF composite. Molecular simulations elucidatethat the graphene edges favor pitch carbonization and improve the orientation factor and energy gap ofcarbon materials. This study provides clues for design of low-cost pitch-derived carbon materials-bindercomposites.

Meta-analysis of Circulating Tumor Cells as a Prognostic Marker in Lung Cancer

Ma, Xue-Lei,Xiao, Zhi-Lan,Liu, Lei,Liu, Xiao-Xiao,Nie, Wen,Li, Ping,Chen, Nian-Yong,Wei, Yu-Quan Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.4

Introduction: Recent studies have shown that circulating tumor cells (CTCs) play potential roles as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers with various cancer types. The aim of this study was to comprehensively and quantitatively summarize the evidence for the use of CTCs to predict the survival outcome of lung cancer patients. Materials and Methods: Relevant literature was identified using Medline and EMBASE. Patients' clinical characteristics, overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) together with CTC positive rates at different time points (before, during and after treatment) were extracted. A meta-analysis was performed to clarify the prognostic role of CTCs and the correlation between the CTC appearance and clinical characteristics. Results: A total of 12 articles containing survival outcomes and clinical characteristics and 15 articles containing only clinical characteristics were included for the global meta-analysis. The hazard ratio (HR) for OS predicted by pro-treatment CTCs was 2.61 [1.82, 3.74], while the HR for PFS was 2.37 [1.41, 3.99]. The HR for OS predicted by post-treatment CTCs was 4.19 [2.92, 6.00], while the HR for PFS was 4.97 [3.05, 8.11]. Subgroup analyses were conducted according to histological classification and detection method. Odds ratio (OR) showed the appearance of pro-treatment CTCs correlated with the lymph node status, distant metastasis, and TNM staging, while post-treatment CTCs correlated with TNM staging only. Conclusion: Detection of CTCs in the peripheral blood indicates a poor prognosis in patients with lung cancer.

Prognostic Role of Circulating Tumor Cells in Patients with Pancreatic Cancer: a Meta-analysis

Ma, Xue-Lei,Li, Yan-Yan,Zhang, Jing,Huang, Jing-Wen,Jia, Hong-Yuan,Liu, Lei,Li, Ping Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.15

Background: Isolation and characterization of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in patients suffering from a variety of different cancers have become hot biomarker topics. In this study, we evaluated the prognostic value of CTCs in pancreatic cancer. Materials and Methods: Initial literature was identified using Medline and EMBASE. The primary data were hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of survival outcomes, including overall survival (OS) and progression free survival/recurrence free survival (PFS/RFS). Results: A total of 9 eligible studies were included in this meta-analysis, published between 2002 and 2013. The estimated pooled HR and 95%CI for OS for all studies was 1.64 (95%CI 1.39-1.94, p<0.00001) and the pooled HR and 95%CI for RFS/DFS was 2.36 (95%CI 1.41-3.96, p<0.00001). The HRs and 95%CIs for OS and RFS/DFS in patients before treatment were 1.93 (95%CI 1.26-2.96, p=0.003) and 1.82 (95%CI 1.22-2.72, p=0.003), respectively. In patients receiving treatment, the HRs and 95%CI for OS and RFS/DFS were 1.37 (95%CI 1.00-1.86, p=0.05) and 1.89 (95%CI 1.01-3.51, p=0.05), respectively. Moreover, the pooled HR and 95%CI for OS in the post-treatment group was 2.20 (95%CI 0.80-6.02, p=0.13) and the pooled HR for RFS/DFS was 8.36 (95%CI 3.22-21.67, p<0.0001). Conclusions: The meta-analysis provided strong evidence supporting the proposition that CTCs detected in peripheral blood have a fine predictive role in pancreatic patients especially on the time point of post-treatment.

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.

SERS study of surface plasmon resonance induced carrier movement in Au@Cu₂O core-shell nanoparticles

Chen, Lei,Zhang, Fan,Deng, Xin-Yu,Xue, Xiangxin,Wang, Li,Sun, Yantao,Feng, Jing-Dong,Zhang, Yongjun,Wang, Yaxin,Jung, Young Mee Elsevier 2018 Spectrochimica acta. Part A, Molecular and biomole Vol.189 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>A plasmon induced carrier movement enhanced mechanism of surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) was investigated using a charge-transfer (CT) enhancement mechanism. Here, we designed a strategy to study SERS in Au@Cu<SUB>2</SUB>O nanoshell nanoparticles with different shell thicknesses. Among the plasmonically coupled nanostructures, Au spheres with Cu<SUB>2</SUB>O shells have been of special interest due to their ultrastrong electromagnetic fields and controllable carrier transfer properties, which are useful for SERS. Au@Cu<SUB>2</SUB>O nanoshell nanoparticles (NPs) with shell thicknesses of 48–56nm are synthesized that exhibit high SERS activity. This high activity originates from plasmonic-induced carrier transfer from Au@Cu<SUB>2</SUB>O to 4-mercaptobenzoic acid (MBA). The CT transition from the valence band (VB) of Cu<SUB>2</SUB>O to the second excited π-π* transition of MBA, and is of b<SUB>2</SUB> electronic symmetry, which was enhanced significantly. The Herzberg-Teller selection rules were employed to predict the observed enhanced b<SUB>2</SUB> symmetry modes. The system constructed in this study combines the long-range electromagnetic effect of Au NPs, localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) of the Au@Cu<SUB>2</SUB>O nanoshell, and the CT contribution to assist in understanding the SERS mechanism based on LSPR-induced carrier movement in metal/semiconductor nanocomposites.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> We designed a shell-dependent Au@Cu<SUB>2</SUB>O nanoshell for SERS study. </LI> <LI> SERS contribution enables us to understand the possible enhancement of hybrid nanostructures. </LI> <LI> LSPR-induced carrier movement in Au@Cu<SUB>2</SUB>O nanocomposites. </LI> </UL> </P> <P><B>Graphical Abstract</B></P> <P>We designed the shell-dependent Au@Cu<SUB>2</SUB>O core-shell nanoparticles (NPs) for SERS study. For the electron-hole pairs in the Cu<SUB>2</SUB>O, the plasmon induced resonant energy transfer from Au to the Cu<SUB>2</SUB>O and the direct electron transfer simultaneously which can be observed from the SERS intensity.</P> <P>[DISPLAY OMISSION]</P>

SPON2 Promotes M1-like Macrophage Recruitment and Inhibits Hepatocellular Carcinoma Metastasis by Distinct Integrin–Rho GTPase–Hippo Pathways

Zhang, Yan-Li,Li, Qing,Yang, Xiao-Mei,Fang, Fang,Li, Jun,Wang, Ya-Hui,Yang, Qin,Zhu, Lei,Nie, Hui-Zhen,Zhang, Xue-Li,Feng, Ming-Xuan,Jiang, Shu-Heng,Tian, Guang-Ang,Hu, Li-Peng,Lee, Ho-Young,Lee, Su-J American Association for Cancer Research 2018 Cancer research Vol.78 No.9

<P>Matricellular protein SPON2 acts as an HCC suppressor and utilizes distinct signaling events to perform dual functions in HCC microenvironment.</P><P>Tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) represent key regulators of the complex interplay between cancer and the immune microenvironment. Matricellular protein SPON2 is essential for recruiting lymphocytes and initiating immune responses. Recent studies have shown that SPON2 has complicated roles in cell migration and tumor progression. Here we report that, in the tumor microenvironment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), SPON2 not only promotes infiltration of M1-like macrophages but also inhibits tumor metastasis. SPON2-α4β1 integrin signaling activated RhoA and Rac1, increased F-actin reorganization, and promoted M1-like macrophage recruitment. F-Actin accumulation also activated the Hippo pathway by suppressing LATS1 phosphorylation, promoting YAP nuclear translocation, and initiating downstream gene expression. However, SPON2-α5β1 integrin signaling inactivated RhoA and prevented F-actin assembly, thereby inhibiting HCC cell migration; the Hippo pathway was not noticeably involved in SPON2-mediated HCC cell migration. In HCC patients, SPON2 levels correlated positively with prognosis. Overall, our findings provide evidence that SPON2 is a critical factor in mediating the immune response against tumor cell growth and migration in HCC.</P><P><B>Significance:</B> Matricellular protein SPON2 acts as an HCC suppressor and utilizes distinct signaling events to perform dual functions in HCC microenvironment.</P><P><B>Graphical Abstract:</B> http://cancerres.aacrjournals.org/content/canres/78/9/2305/F1.large.jpg. <I>Cancer Res; 78(9); 2305–17. ©2018 AACR</I>.</P><P><B>Graphical Abstract</B></P><P> [Figure]</P>

Synergistic Increase of Oxidative Stress and Tumor Markers in PAH-Exposed Workers

Gao, Mei-Li,Chen, Lei,Li, Yong-Fei,Xue, Xiao-Chang,Chen, Lan,Wang, Li-Na,Shah, Walayat,Kong, Yu Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.17

In this study, we investigated oxidative stress and tumor marker levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in 136 coke oven workers and in 60 control subjects, and evaluated the correlation between oxidative stress and tumor marker levels. Questionnaires on basic demographic information were also administered. Significant differences in employment time and percentages of alcohol drinkers were observed between the control and exposed groups. PAH exposure was assessed using urinary 1-hydroxy-pyrene (1-OHP) levels and was found to be significantly higher in workers than in the controls. Significant differences (P<0.001) of MDA, GST, LDH, NSE, Cyfra21-1, and of SCC and TNF-a (P<0.0001 and P<0.05, P<0.001, respectively) levels were observed among controls and coke-oven workers, except for bottom coke oven workers. Associations between age and risk of increased TNF-a, smoking and increased GST activities, and drinking with increased MDA concentrations, were marginal (P=0.055, P=0.048, P=0.057, respectively). The association between smoking with MDA (P=0.004), NSE (P=0.005), SCC (P=0.004) andTNF-a (P<0.001), and drinking with TNF-a levels was significant (P=0.012). In addition, a significant positive correlation between oxidative stress and tumor markers was found in the present study. These results suggest that a synergistic increase of oxidative stress and tumor markers induced by PAHs may play a role in toxic responses for PAHs in coke oven workers.

Diagnostic Accuracy of 18F-FDG-PET in Patients with Testicular Cancer: a Meta-analysis

Zhao, Jing-Yi,Ma, Xue-Lei,Li, Yan-Yan,Zhang, Bing-Lan,Li, Min-Min,Ma, Xue-Lei,Liu, Lei Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.8

Objective: Fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (18F-FDG-PET) is a new technique for identifying different malignant tumors using different uptake values between tumor cells and normal tissues. Here we assessed the diagnostic accuracy of 18F-FDG-PET in patients with testicular cancer by pooling data of existing trials in a meta-analysis. Methods: PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase and Cochrane Central Trials databases were searched and studies published in English relating to the diagnostic value of FDG-PET for testicular cancer were collected. The summary receiver operating characteristic (SROC) curve was used to examine the FDG-PET accuracy. Results: A total of 16 studies which included 957 examinations in 807 patients (median age, 31.1 years) were analyzed. A meta-analysis was performed to combine the sensitivity and specificity and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs), from diagnostic odds ratio (DOR), positive likelihood ratios (PLR), negative likelihood ratio (NLR). SROC were derived to demonstrate the diagnostic accuracy of FDG-PET for testicular cancer. The pooled sensitivity and specificity were 0.75 (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.70-0.80) and 0.87 (95% CI, 0.84-0.89), respectively. The pooled DOR was 35.6 (95% CI, 12.9-98.3). The area under the curve (AUC) was 0.88. The pooled PLR and pooled NLR were 7.80 (95% CI, 3.73-16.3) and 0.31 (95% CI, 0.23-0.43), respectively. Conclusion: In patients with testicular cancer, 18F-FDG-PET demonstrated a high SROC area, and could be a potentially useful tool if combined with other imaging methods such as MRI and CT. Nevertheless, the literature focusing on the use of 18F-FDG-PET in this setting still remains limited.

Differences in the mandibular premolar positions in Angle Class I subjects with different vertical facial types

Jun Duan,Feng Deng,Wan-Shan Li,Xue-Lei Li,Lei-Lei Zheng,Gui-Yuan Li,Yan-Jie Bai 대한치과교정학회 2015 대한치과교정학회지 Vol.45 No.4

Objective: To compare the positions of the mandibular premolars in Angle Class I subjects according to vertical facial type. The results will provide a theoretical basis for predicting effective tooth movement in orthodontic treatment. Methods: Cephalometric parameters were determined using cone-beam computed tomography in 120 Angle Class I subjects. Subjects were categorized as short, normal, and long face types according to the Frankfort mandibular angle. Parameters indicating the position of the mandibular right premolars and the mandible were also measured. Results: The angle between the mandibular first premolar axis and buccal cortex, the distance between the root apex and buccal cortex, angle of vestibularization, arc of vestibularization, and root apex maximum movable distance were significantly greater in the short face type than in the long and norm face types. The angle between the mandibular second premolar axis and buccal cortex, the distance from root apex to buccal cortex, and the arc of vestibularization were significantly greater in the short face type than in the normal face type. Conclusions: There are significant differences in the mandibular premolar positions in Class I subjects according to vertical facial type.

Environmental Sciences ; Roles of Sulfur in the Arsenic Tolerant Plant Adiantum capillus-veneris and the Hyperaccumulator Pteris vittata

( Xue Wen Li ),( Mei Lei ),( Tong Bin Chen ),( Xiao Ming Wan ) 한국응용생명화학회 2009 Applied Biological Chemistry (Appl Biol Chem) Vol.52 No.5