Radiosensitivity Enhancement by Arsenic Trioxide in Conjunction with Hyperthermia in the EC-1 Esophageal Carcinoma Cell Line

Cui, Yan-Hui,Liang, Hai-Jun,Zhang, Qing-Qin,Li, Si-Qing,Li, Xiao-Rui,Huo, Xiao-Qing,Yang, Qing-Hui,Li, Wei-Wei,Gu, Jian-Fa,Hua, Qin-Liang,Lu, Ping,Miao, Zhan-Hui Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.4

Objective: To explore the effect on radiosensitivity of arsenic trioxide ($As_20_3$) in conjunction with hyperthermia on the esophageal carcinoma EC-1 cell line. Method: Inhibition of EC-1 cell proliferation at different concentrations of $As_20_3$ was assessed using the methyl thiazolyl blue colorimetric method (MTT method), with calculation of $IC_{50}$ value and choice of 20% of the $IC_{50}$ as the experimental drug concentration. Blank control, $As_20_3$, hyperthermia, radiotherapy group, $As_20_3$ + hyperthermia, $As_20_3$ + radiotherapy, hyperthermia + radiotherapy and $As_20_3$ + hyperthermia + radiotherapy groups were established, and the cell survival fraction (SF) was calculated from flat panel colony forming analysis, and fitted by the 'multitarget click mathematical model'. Flow cytometry (FCM) was used to detect changes in cell apoptosis and the cell cycle. Results: $As_20_3$ exerted inhibitory effects on proliferation of esophageal carcinoma EC-1 cells, with an $IC_{50}$ of 18.7 ${\mu}mol/L$. After joint therapy of $As_20_3$ + hyperthermia + radiotherapy, the results of FCM showed that cells could be arrested in the $G_2$/M phase, and as the ratio of cells in $G_0/G_1$ and S phases decreased, cell death became more pronounced. Conclusion: $As_20_3$ and hyperthermia exert radiosensitivity effects on esophageal carcinoma EC-1 cells, with synergy in combination. Mechanistically, $As_20_3$ and hyperthermia mainly influence the cell cycle distribution of EC-1 esophageal carcinoma cells, decreasing the repair of sublethal damage and inducing apoptosis, thereby enhancing the killing effects of radioactive rays.

Neutrophil Count and the Inflammation-based Glasgow Prognostic Score Predict Survival in Patients with Advanced Gastric Cancer Receiving First-line Chemotherapy

Li, Qing-Qing,Lu, Zhi-Hao,Yang, Li,Lu, Ming,Zhang, Xiao-Tian,Li, Jian,Zhou, Jun,Wang, Xi-Cheng,Gong, Ji-Fang,Gao, Jing,Li, Jie,Li, Yan,Shen, Lin Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.2

Purpose: To explore the value of systemic inflammatory markers as independent prognostic factors and the extent these markers improve prognostic classification for patients with inoperable advanced or metastatic gastric cancer (GC) receiving palliative chemotherapy. Methods: We studied the prognostic value of systemic inflammatory factors such as circulating white blood cell count and its components as well as that combined to form inflammation-based prognostic scores (Glasgow Prognostic Score (GPS), Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR), Platelet Lymphocyte Ratio (PLR), Prognostic Index (PI) and Prognostic Nutritional Index (PNI)) in 384 patients with inoperable advanced or metastatic gastric cancer (GC) receiving first-line chemotherapy. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to examine the impact of inflammatory markers on overall survival (OS). Results: Univariate analysis revealed that an elevated white blood cell, neutrophil and/or platelet count, a decreased lymphocyte count, a low serum albumin concentration, and high CRP concentration, as well as elevated NLR/PLR, GPS, PI, PNI were significant predictors of shorter OS. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that only elevated neutrophil count (HR 3.696, p=0.003) and higher GPS (HR 1.621, p=0.01) were independent predictors of poor OS. Conclusion: This study demonstrated elevated pretreatment neutrophil count and high GPS to be independent predictors of shorter OS in inoperable advanced or metastatic GC patients treated with first-line chemotherapy. Upon validation of these data in independent studies, stratification of patients using these markers in future clinical trials is recommended.

Computed Tomography Manifestations of Histologic Subtypes of Retroperitoneal Liposarcoma

Lu, Jing,Qin, Qin,Zhan, Liang-Liang,Yang, Xi,Xu, Qing,Yu, Jing,Dou, Li-Na,Zhang, Hao,Yang, Yan,Chen, Xiao-Chen,Yang, Yue-Hua,Cheng, Hong-Yan,Sun, Xin-Chen Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.15

Objective: Liposarcoma (LPS) is the most common soft tissue sarcoma and accounts for approximately 20% of all mesenchymal malignancies, often occurring in deep soft tissue of retroperitoneal space. Accurate preoperative diagnosis is therefore necessary. We explored whether computed tomography (CT) could be used to differentiate between the various types of retroperitoneal liposarcoma (RPLS). Method: Forty-seven cases of RPLS, diagnosed surgically and histologically, were analyzed retrospectively. CT features were correlated with postoperative pathological appearance. Results: The study radiologist identified 29, 11, 2, 2 and 3 RPLS as atypical lipomatous tumor/well-differentiated liposarcoma (ALT/WDL), dedifferentiated liposarcoma (DDL), myxoid/round cell liposarcoma (ML/RCL), pleomorphic liposarcoma (PL) and mixed-type liposarcoma. Analysis of CT scans revealed the following typical findings of the different subtypes of RPLS: ALT/WDL was mainly visible as a well-delineated fatty hypodense tumor with uniform density and integrity margin; DDL was marked by the combination of focal nodular density and hypervascularity. ML/RCL, PL and mixed liposarcoma showed malignant biological behaviour and CT findings need further studies. Conclusions: CT scanning can reveal important details including internal components, margins and surrounding tissues. Based on CT findings, tumor type can be roughly evaluated and biopsy location and therapeutic scheme guided.

Lethal and sublethal effects of sulfoxaflor on the small brown planthopper Laodelphax striatellus

Lu Xu,Chun-Qing Zhao,Ya-Nan Zhang,Ying Liud,,Zhong-Yan Gu 한국응용곤충학회 2016 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.19 No.3

Laodelphax striatellus (Fallén), as an important pest of gramineous crops, has developed resistance to multiple classes of insecticides, impairing control efficiency. However, the application of insecticides is still the main controlmeasure for it.Herein, the lethal effects of seven insecticides aswell as sulfoxaflor,which has been introduced and registered for controlling L. striatellus in China, were investigated. The acute toxicity of these insecticides on the L. striatellus adultswas rankedas sulfoxaflor N abamectin N dinotefuran N emamectin benzoate N ethofenprox N imidacloprid N chlorantraniliprole N chlorpyrifos. The toxicity of sulfoxaflor against the adultswas highestwith LD50 at 1.07–1.09 ng/insect. In addition, the sublethal effects of lower lethal dose LD3 (0.06 ng/insect), low lethal dose LD10 (0.15 ng/insect) and moderate lethal dose LD30 (0.49 ng/insect) of sulfoxaflor for L. striatellus were assessed as well. Both LD10 and LD30 induced slower nymphal development period, shorter oviposition period and longer pre-oviposition period in L. striatellus. The LD30 also shortened the longevity of females. Hormesis on fecunditywas observed in L. striatellus exposed to LD3. Therefore, the net reproductive rate (R0) was increased by LD3. The intrinsic rate of increase (rm) was reduced by LD10 and LD30 while mean generation time(T) and doubling time (DT) were prolonged. The acute sulfoxaflor doses in its toxicological properties need to be considered when develop L. striatellus control strategy with sulfoxaflor. These results demonstrate that sulfoxaflor is a valid candidate for L. striatellus management.

Experimental and Numerical Study on Fatigue Behavior of RC Beams Strengthened with U-Shaped Steel Casing

Qingli Lin,Yi-Yan Lu,Ling Hu,Xiaobo Zhao 한국강구조학회 2022 International Journal of Steel Structures Vol.22 No.2

To achieve a rapid and great enhancement in the fl exural performance of reinforced concrete beams, this study proposes a new strengthening method using U-shaped steel casing and focuses on studying the fatigue performance of strengthened beams. In this paper, ten specimens were tested under fatigue loads. Testing results demonstrated that no obvious damage was observed from the strengthened beam after 2 million fatigue cycles compared with the reference beam which failed at 58.97 × 10 4 fatigue cycles, indicating the good joint performance of the U-shaped steel casing and the RC beam. The strengthened beams generally failed by the sudden rupture of the bottom steel plate accompanied by concrete crushing. The mid-span defl ection and material strains all increased rapidly at the beginning, then steadily developed during nearly 80% of the fatigue life, and grew rapidly again after the weld toe cracking until the strengthened beam failed. The fatigue life was signifi cantly extended with the increase of either the height of the steel box or the thickness of the bottom plate, while it was dramatically shortened with the increase in the fatigue load amplitude. To facilitate the use of the outcomes, a simplifi ed formula for predicting the concrete residual strain of strengthened beams was derived. The predicted results matched the experimental ones well. The derived formula is theoretically only applicable to strengthened beams with dimensions same as the specimens in the experimental tests under similar loading conditions. Reasonably good agreements were found between the fi nite element analyses and experimental results. The developed fi nite element model can well simulate the failure mode under static load and the damage evolution under fatigue load. Based on the stress analysis results, the fatigue lives of the strengthened beams were predicted relatively accurately using the Fe-safe software, with the deviations mostly less than 15%.

Polymorphisms in the Perilipin Gene May Affect Carcass Traits of Chinese Meat-type Chickens

Lu Zhang,Qing Zhu,Yiping Liu,Elizabeth R. Gilbert,Diyan Li,Huadong Yin,Yan Wang,Zhiqin Yang,Zhen Wang,Yuncong Yuan,Xiao-Ling Zhao 아세아·태평양축산학회 2015 Animal Bioscience Vol.28 No.6

Improved meat quality and greater muscle yield are highly sought after in high-quality chicken breeding programs. Past studies indicated that polymorphisms of the Perilipin gene (PLIN1) are highly associated with adiposity in mammals and are potential molecular markers for improving meat quality and carcass traits in chickens. In the present study, we screened single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in all exons of the PLIN1 gene with a direct sequencing method in six populations with different genetic backgrounds (total 240 individuals). We evaluated the association between the polymorphisms and carcass and meat quality traits. We identified three SNPs, located on the 5′ flanking region and exon 1 of PLIN1 on chromosome 10 (rs315831750, rs313726543, and rs80724063, respectively). Eight main haplotypes were constructed based on these SNPs. We calculated the allelic and genotypic frequencies, and genetic diversity parameters of the three SNPs. The polymorphism information content (PIC) ranged from 0.2768 to 0.3750, which reflected an intermediate genetic diversity for all chickens. The CC, CT, and TT genotypes influenced the percentage of breast muscle (PBM), percentage of leg muscle (PLM) and percentage of abdominal fat at rs315831750 (p<0.05). Diplotypes (haplotype pairs) affected the percentage of eviscerated weight (PEW) and PBM (p<0.05). Compared with chickens carrying other diplotypes, H3H7 had the greatest PEW and H2H2 had the greatest PBM, and those with diplotype H7H7 had the smallest PEW and PBM. We conclude that PLIN1 gene polymorphisms may affect broiler carcass and breast muscle yields, and diplotypes H3H7 and H2H2 could be positive molecular markers to enhance PEW and PBM in chickens.

RNAi suppression of nuclear receptor genes results in increased susceptibility to sulfoxaflor in brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens

Lu Xu,Chun-Qing Zhao,De-Jin Xu,Guang-Chun Xu,Xiao-Long Xu,Zhao-Jun Han,Ya-Nan Zhang,Zhong-Yan Gu 한국응용곤충학회 2017 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.20 No.2

Nuclear receptors (NRs), which belong to a superfamily of ligand-dependent transcription factors, play essential roles in gene regulation to affect numerous physiological pathways. Twenty NR genes were identified in Nilaparvata lugens by using genomic, transcriptomic and GenBank databases, and categorized into NR0-NR6 subfamilies according to standard nomenclature. Among them, three NR geneswere classed into NR0, four into NR1, eight into NR2, one into NR3, one into NR4, two into NR5, and one into NR6, respectively. A phylogenetic tree of NRs from N. lugens and other representative species was constructed, which provided evolutionary insight into genetic distance. In order to investigate the NRs,whichwere induced by sulfoxaflor, time- and tissue-specific expression profiles of NR genes in fourth-instar nymphs were determined following LD50 sulfoxaflor treatment (0.28 ng/insect) and compared with control samples. NlUSP, NlE78, NlTLL, NlHR51, NlHR83, NlPNR and NlFTZ-F1 were highly expressed following 12–48 h of sulfoxaflor treatment. NlHR39 and NlDSF transcripts were detected in the head and the thorax, respectively. High-level and constitutive expression of NlHR3, NlTLL, NlHR83, NlFTZF1 and NlHR4 were found in the abdomen. Feeding of dsRNAs reduced the expression of NlHR3, NlUSP, NlTLL, NlHR83, NlPNR, NlFTZ-F1 and NlHR4 (35.48–49.77%) and caused significant nymph mortality (69.21–81.45%). These NRs, considered as insecticide targets, may play important function in sulfoxaflor detoxification.

Description of a new species of Spininola (Lepidoptera, Nolidae, Nolinae), and the first records of other two species from China

Yan-Qing Hu,Yongyue Lu,Min Wang 한국응용곤충학회 2019 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.22 No.2

The paper includes the description of a new species, Spininola longshengensis sp. nov. Further two species, Spininola trilinea (Marumo, 1923) and S. armata László, Ronkay & Witt, 2010, are reported from China for the first time. Adults and their genitalia are illustrated.

Ammonium Acetate Supplement Strategy for Enhancement of Chaetominine Production in Liquid Culture of Marine-Derived Aspergillus fumigatus CY018

( Chang-qing Liu ),( Xing-chen Wei ),( Fa-liang An ),( Yan-hua Lu ) 한국미생물생명공학회(구 한국산업미생물학회) 2019 Journal of microbiology and biotechnology Vol.29 No.4

Pharmacological research on (CHA), a marine-derived quinazolinone alkaloid with significant cytotoxic activity, is restricted by low yields and is a problem that needs to be settled urgently. In this work, the selection of additional nitrogen sources and the optimization of additional concentrations and longer fermentation times using ammonium acetate, were investigated. CHA production was optimized to 62.1 mg/l with the addition of 50 mM ammonium acetate at 120 h of the fermentation in the shaker flask. This feeding strategy significantly increased 3- deoxy-arabino-heptulosonate-7-phosphate synthase activity and transcript levels of critical genes (laeA, dahp, and trpC) in the shikimate pathway compared with the non-treatment group. In addition, the selection of the feeding rate (0.01 and 0.03 g/l·h) was investigated in a 5-L bioreactor. As a result, CHA production was increased by 57.9 mg/l with a 0.01 g/l·h ammonium acetate feeding rate. This work shows that the strategy of ammonium acetate supplementation had an effective role in improving CHA production by Aspergillus fumigatus CY018. It also shows that this strategy could serve as an important example of large-scale fermentation of a marine fungus in submerged culture.

Single cell gap polymer-stabilized blue-phase transflective LCDs using internal nanowire grid polarizer

Hong-Qing Cui,Zhi-Cheng Ye,Wei Hu,XiaoWen Lin,T.C. Chung,Tean-Sen Jen,Yan-Qing Lu 한국정보디스플레이학회 2011 Journal of information display Vol.12 No.3

Optically isotropic liquid crystal (LC) mixture such as blue-phase LC and nanostructured LC composites exhibit the advantages of fast response time, high contrast ratio and wide-viewing angle due to the induced birefringence along the horizontal electric field. Utilizing this mixture, a novel single cell gap in-plane switching-type polymer-stabilized blue-phase transflective liquid crystal display by embedding the nanowire grid polarizer as a polarization-dependent reflective polarizer in the R region is proposed. This device can be used as a normal black mode without any quarter-wave plate or patterned in-cell phase retarder. Moreover, the transmittance is identical to the reflectance so that it will be suitable for single gamma driving. Detailed electro-optic performances, such as voltage-dependent light efficiency and viewing angle of the proposed device configuration, are investigated.