Subjective and Objective Assessment of Monoenergetic and Polyenergetic Images Acquired by Dual-Energy CT in Breast Cancer

Wang Xiaoxia,Liu Daihong,Jiang Shixi,Zeng Xiangfei,Li Lan,Yu Tao,Zhang Jiuquan 대한영상의학회 2021 Korean Journal of Radiology Vol.22 No.4

Objective: To objectively and subjectively assess and compare the characteristics of monoenergetic images [MEI (+)] and polyenergetic images (PEI) acquired by dual-energy CT (DECT) of patients with breast cancer. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study evaluated the images and data of 42 patients with breast cancer who had undergone dual-phase contrast-enhanced DECT from June to September 2019. One standard PEI, five MEI (+) in 10-kiloelectron volt (keV) intervals (range, 40–80 keV), iodine density (ID) maps, iodine overlay images, and Z effective (Zeff) maps were reconstructed. The contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) and the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) were calculated. Multiple quantitative parameters of the malignant breast lesions were compared between the arterial and the venous phase images. Two readers independently assessed lesion conspicuity and performed a morphology analysis. Results: Low keV MEI (+) at 40–50 keV showed increased CNR and SNRbreast lesion compared with PEI, especially in the venous phase ([CNR: 40 keV, 20.10; 50 keV, 14.45; vs. PEI, 7.27; p < 0.001], [SNRbreast lesion: 40 keV, 21.01; 50 keV, 16.28; vs. PEI, 10.77; p < 0.001]). Multiple quantitative DECT parameters of malignant breast lesions were higher in the venous phase images than in the arterial phase images (p < 0.001). MEI (+) at 40 keV, ID, and Zeff reconstructions yielded the highest Likert scores for lesion conspicuity. The conspicuity of the mass margin and the visual enhancement were significantly better in 40-keV MEI (+) than in the PEI (p = 0.022, p = 0.033, respectively). Conclusion: Compared with PEI, MEI (+) reconstructions at low keV in the venous phase acquired by DECT improved the objective and subjective assessment of lesion conspicuity in patients with malignant breast lesions. MEI (+) reconstruction acquired by DECT may be helpful for the preoperative evaluation of breast cancer.

Integrin-linked Kinase Functions as a Tumor Promoter in Bladder Transitional Cell Carcinoma

Wang, De-Lin,Lan, Jian-Hua,Chen, Liang,Huang, Biao,Li, Zeng,Zhao, Xiu-Min,Ma, Qiang,Sheng, Xia,Li, Wen-Bin,Tang, Wei-Xue Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.6

The aim of this study was to elucidate the role of the integrin-linked kinase (ILK) gene in development of human bladder transitional cell carcinoma (BTCC). Expression of ILK protein and ILK mRNA in 56 cases of human BTCC tissue and in 30 cases of adjacent normal bladder tissue was detected by immunohistochemistry S-P and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), respectively. Four specific miRNA RNAi vectors targeting human ILK were synthesized and transfected into BIU-87 cells by liposome to obtain stable expression cell strains. The influence of ILK on proliferation of BTCC was detected by MTT, FCM on athymic mouse tumorigenesis. The positive rate of ILK protein in BTCC tissue (53.6%) was much higher than adjacent normal bladder tissue (10.0%) (p<0.05). Similarly, expression of ILK mRNA in BTCC tissue ($0.540{\pm}0.083$) was significantly higher than in adjacent normal bladder tissue ($0.492{\pm}0.070$) (p<0.05). MTT showed that the proliferation ability of miRNA-ILK transfected group was clearly decreased (p<0.05), the cell cycle being arrested in G0/G1-S, an tumorigenesis in vivo was also significantly reduced (p<0.05). ILK gene transcription and protein expression may be involved in the development of BTCC, so that ILK might be the new marker for early diagnosis and the new target for gene treatment.

Long noncoding RNA DANCR promotes colorectal cancer proliferation and metastasis via miR-577 sponging

Yong Wang,Zhi Lu,Ningnin Wang,Jianzhou Feng,Junjie Zhang,Lan Luan,Wei Zhao,Xiandong Zeng 생화학분자생물학회 2018 Experimental and molecular medicine Vol.50 No.-

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play key roles in various malignant tumors, including colorectal cancer (CRC). Long non-coding RNA differentiation antagonizing non-protein coding RNA (DANCR) is overexpressed in CRC patients, but whether it affects CRC proliferation and metastasis via regulation of heat shock protein 27 (HSP27) remains unclear. In the present study, we found that DANCR was highly expressed and correlated with proliferation and metastasis in CRC. In addition, we demonstrated that DANCR and HSP27 were both targets of microRNA-577 (miR-577) and shared the same binding site. Furthermore, we revealed that DANCR promoted HSP27 expression and its mediation of proliferation/metastasis via miR-577 sponging. Finally, using an in vivo study, we confirmed that overexpression of DANCR promoted CRC tumor growth and liver metastasis. The present study demonstrated the function of DANCR in CRC and might provide a new target in the treatment of CRC.

Rapid Identification and Characterization of Antioxidants from Ligularia fischeri

Xiang-Lan Piao,Xiao-Yuan Mi,Yan-Ze Tian,Qian Wu,Hui-Shan Piao,Zhikai Zeng,Xiangshu Piao,Ding Wang 대한약학회 2009 Archives of Pharmacal Research Vol.32 No.12

The objectives of this study were to investigate the radical-scavenging activity of Ligularia fischeri on oxidative damage by the radical 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and to rapidly identify the active components using the bioassay-linked fractionation method. The MeOH extract and fractions of CH2Cl2, BuOH, and H2O from L. fischeri showed DPPH radical-scavenging effects in a dose-dependent manner (p < 0.01). In particular, the BuOH fraction had the most effective (p < 0.05) antioxidative capacity. The active constituents from the BuOH fraction of L. fischeri were rapidly isolated by bioassay-linked HPLC method and identified as hyperoside and 2''-acetylhyperoside with potent antioxidant effects against the DPPH radical, with IC50 values of 1.31 and 7.09 μg/mL, respectively. They have not been reported from L. fischeri yet.

Weighted Average Consensus of Second-order Multi-agent Systems with Various Intelligence Levels via Sampled-data Control

Jinhui Zeng,Pin Wang,Zheng Lan,Xueming Luo,Jianghong Li,Jiaxi Hu 제어·로봇·시스템학회 2023 International Journal of Control, Automation, and Vol.21 No.5

In this paper, weighted average consensus of second-order multi-agent systems (MASs) via sampleddata control is investigated. Specially, since the intelligence degree of each agent may be different in practical applications, the concept of intelligence level is introduced to characterize the intelligence degrees of agents in this paper. A novel distributed continuous-time control protocol with various intelligence levels is put forward based on sampled data in order to reduce the updating rates and computational burden of the controller. A necessary and sufficient condition is derived to achieve weighted average consensus under the proposed protocol. Moreover, according to the acquired result, the authors also give the choosing approaches of the feedback gains and sampling period. Finally, several numerical simulations are provided to illustrate the reliability of the theoretical results.

Auricular acupressure promotes uterine involution after cesarean section: A randomized controlled trial

Shu-xin Wang,Jing-chun Zeng,Ting Li,Wan-lan Zhang,Yan-fang Li,Run-jin Zhou,Zi-jun Liu,Yu-ling Liu,Xun Zhuang,Rui Zhang,Li-ming Lu,Guo-hua Lin 한국한의학연구원 2021 Integrative Medicine Research Vol.10 No.3

Background: Postpartum subinvolution of the uterus is a more common condition after cesarean section. Auricular acupressure (AA) is widely used for the treatment of postpartum diseases. However, few studies have explored the effects of AA as a treatment of uterine involution following cesarean section to date. This study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of AA for uterine involution after cesarean section. Methods: A total of 109 women who underwent cesarean section participated in this study. They were randomly allocated to either real AA or sham AA in a 1:1 ratio by a computer program. For 3 days, the real AA and sham AA groups received treatment 3 times daily. A series of assessments at 42 days after cesarean section, namely on the uterine size, the incidence of hydrometra, the first anal exsufflation time, bleeding volume at 6 hours, bleeding volume at 6–24 hours along with other general assessments were carried out. Results: A total of 89 women completed the study. The uterine size at 42 days after a cesarean section was 6.3 cm smaller in the real AA group than in the sham AA group (P < 0.01). The incidence of hydrometra on day 42 postpartum was lower in the real AA group than in the sham AA group (P < 0.01). The lochia duration and the first anal exsufflation time after cesarean section were shorter in the real AA group than in the sham AA group (P < 0.05). Conclusion: AA improves uterine involution after cesarean section. Trial registration: ChiCTR1800015569.

432-μm Laser’s Beam-waist Measurement for the Polarimeter/Interferometer on the EAST Tokamak

Z. X. Wang,H. Q. Liu,Y. X. Jie,M. Q. Wu,T. Lan,X. Zhu,Z. Y. Zou,Y. Yang,X. C. Wei,L. Zeng,G. S. Li,X. Gao 한국물리학회 2014 THE JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN PHYSICAL SOCIETY Vol.65 No.8

A far-infrared (FIR) polarimeter/interferometer (PI) system is under development for measurementsof the current-density and the electron-density profiles in the EAST tokamak. The systemwill utilize three identical 432-μm CHCOOH lasers pumped by a CO2 laser. Measurements of thelaser beam’s waist size and position are basic works. This paper will introduce three methods witha beam profiler and several focusing optical elements. The beam profiler can be used to show thespatial energy distribution of the laser beam. The active area of the profiler is 12.4 × 12.4 mm2. Some focusing optical elements are needed to focus the beam in order for the beam profiler toreceive the entire laser beam. Two principles and three methods are used in the measurement. Thefirst and the third methods are based on the same principle, and the second method adopts an otherprinciple. Due to the fast and convenient measurement, although the first method is a special formof the third and it can only give the size of beam waist, it is essential to the development of theexperiment and it can provide guidance for the choices of the sizes of the optical elements in the nextstep. A concave mirror, a high-density polyethylene (HDPE) lens and a polymethylpentene (TPX)lens are each used in the measurement process. The results of these methods are close enough forthe design of PI system’s optical path.

Combined Expression of Metastasis Related Markers Naa10p, SNCG and PRL-3 and its Prognostic Value in Breast Cancer Patients

Min, Li,Ma, Ruo-Lan,Yuan, Hua,Liu, Cai-Yun,Dong, Bing,Zhang, Cheng,Zeng, Yan,Wang, Li,Guo, Jian-Ping,Qu, Li-Ke,Shou, Cheng-Chao Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.7

Combinations of multiple biomarkers representing distinct aspects of metastasis may have better prognostic value for breast cancer patients, especially those in late stages. In this study, we evaluated the protein levels of N-${\alpha}$-acetyltransferase 10 protein (Naa10p), synuclein-${\gamma}$ (SNCG), and phosphatase of regenerating liver-3 (PRL-3) in 365 patients with breast cancer by immunohistochemistry. Distinct prognostic subgroups of breast cancer were identified by combination of the three biomarkers. The Naa10p+SNCG-PRL-3-subgroup showed best prognosis with a median distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) of 140 months, while the Naa10p-SNCG+PRL-3+subgroup had the worst prognosis with a median DMFS of 60.5 months. Multivariate analysis indicated Naa10p, SNCG, PRL-3, and the TNM classification were all independent prognostic factors for both DMFS and overall survival (OS). The three biomarker combination of Naa10p, SNCG and PRL-3 performed better in patients with lymph node metastasis, especially those with more advanced tumors than other subgroups. In conclusion, the combined expression profile of Naa10p, SNCG and PRL-3, alone or in combination with the TNM classification system, may provide a precise estimate of prognosis of breast cancer patients.

Study of the Enhancement of Magnetic Properties of NdFeB Materials Fabricated by Modified HDDR Process

Meng Fu,Fa-zeng Lian,Ji-jie Wang,Wen-li Pei,Yu-lan Chen,Hong-cai Yang 한국자기학회 2004 Journal of Magnetics Vol.9 No.4

The HDDR (Hydrogenation-Disproportionation-Desorption-Recombination) process is a special method to produce anisotropic NdFeB powders for bonded magnet. The effect of the modified HDDR process on magnetic properties of Nd₂Fe₁₄B-based magnet with several composition Nd_(11.2)Fe_(66.5-x)Co_(15.4)B_(6.8)Zr_(0.1)Ga_x (x = 0~1.0) and that of microelement Ga, disproportional temperature and annealing temperature on jHc, grain size were investigated in order to produce anisotropic powder with high magnetic properties. It was found that modified HDDR process is very effective to enhance magnetic properties and to fine grain size. The addition of Ga could change disproportionation character remarkably of the alloy and could improve magnetic properties of magnet powder. Increasing annealing temperature induces significant grain growth. And grain size produced by modified HDDR process is significantly smaller than those produced by conventional HDDR process.

Siderophore Production by Rhizosphere Biological Control Bacteria Brevibacillus brevis GZDF3 of Pinellia ternata and Its Antifungal Effects on Candida albicans

Miaomiao Sheng,Huake Jia,Gongyou Zhang,Lina Zeng,Tingting Zhang,Yaohang Long,Jing Lan,Zuquan Hu,Zhu Zeng,Bing Wang,Hongmei Liu 한국미생물·생명공학회 2020 Journal of microbiology and biotechnology Vol.30 No.5

Brevibacillus brevis GZDF3 is a gram-positive, plant growth-promoting rhizosphere bacterium (PGPR) isolated from the rhizosphere soil of Pinellia ternata (an important herb in traditional Chinese medicine). The GZDF3 strain produces certain active compounds, such as siderophores, which are the final metabolite products of non-ribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS) and independent non-ribosomal peptide synthetase (NIS) activity. With the present study, we attempted to investigate the siderophore production characteristics and conditions of Bacillus sp. GZDF3. The antibacterial activity of the siderophores on pathogenic fungi was also investigated. Optimal conditions for the synthesis of siderophores were determined by single factor method, using sucrose 15 g/l, asparagine 2 g/l, 32°C, and 48 h. The optimized sucrose asparagine medium significantly increased the production of siderophores, from 27.09% to 54.99%. Moreover, the effects of different kinds of metal ions on siderophore production were explored here. We found that Fe3+ and Cu2+ significantly inhibited the synthesis of siderophores. The preliminary separation and purification of siderophores by immobilized-metal affinity chromatography (IMAC) provides strong antibacterial activity against Candida albicans. The synergistic effect of siderophores and amphotericin B was also demonstrated. Our results have shown that the GZDF3 strain could produce a large amount of siderophores with strong antagonistic activity, which is helpful in the development of new biological control agents.