Hepatitis B Virus DNA Negativity Acts as a Favorable Prognostic Factor in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients

Li, Xing,Zhong, Xiang,Chen, Zhan-Hong,Xing, Yan-Fang,Wu, Dong-Hao,Chen, Jie,Ma, Xiao-Kun,Lin, Qu,Wen, Jing-Yun,Wei, Li,Wang, Tian-Tian,Ruan, Dan-Yun,Lin, Ze-Xiao,Wu, Xiang-Yuan,Dong, Min Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.22

Background: This retrospective study was aimed to investigate the efficacy of prophylactic agents in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients receiving TACE and compare the difference between lamivudine and entecavir. Materials and Methods: A consecutive series of 203 HBV-related HCC patients receiving TACE were analyzed including 91 patients given prophylactic agents. Virologic events, defined as an increase in serum HBV DNA level to more than 1 log10 IU/ml higher than the nadir level, hepatitis flares due to HBV reactivation and progression free survival (PFS) were the main endpoints. Results: Some 48 (69.6%) reached virologic response. Prophylaxis significantly reduced virologic events (8.8% vs 58.0%, p=0.000) and hepatitis flares (1.1% vs 13.4%, p=0.001). Patients presenting undetectable HBV DNA levels displayed a significantly improved PFS as compared to those who never achieved undetectable HBV DNA. Prophylaxis and e-antigen positivity were the only significant variables associated with virologic events. In addition, prophylaxis was the only independent protective factor for hepatitis flares. Liver cirrhosis, more cycles of TACE, HBV DNA negativity, a lower Cancer of the Liver Italian Program score, non-metastasis and no hepatitis flares were protective factors for PFS. Prophylactic lamivudine demonstrated similar efficacy as entecavir. Conclusions: Prophylactic agents are efficacious for prevention of HBV reactivation in HCC patients receiving TACE. Achievement of undetectable HBV DNA levels displayed a significant capability in improving PFS. Moreover, persistent tumor residual lesions, positive HBV DNA and hepatitis B flares might be causes of tumor progression in these patients.

Efficacy of Prophylactic Entecavir for Hepatitis B Virus-Related Hepatocellular Carcinoma Receiving Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization

Li, Xing,Zhong, Xiang,Chen, Zhan-Hong,Wang, Tian-Tian,Ma, Xiao-Kun,Xing, Yan-Fang,Wu, Dong-Hao,Dong, Min,Chen, Jie,Ruan, Dan-Yun,Lin, Ze-Xiao,Wen, Jing-Yun,Wei, Li,Wu, Xiang-Yuan,Lin, Qu Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.18

Background and Aims: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation was reported to be induced by transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) in HBV-related hepatocellular carcinonma (HCC) patients with a high incidence. The effective strategy to reduce hepatitis flares due to HBV reactivation in this specific group of patients was limited to lamivudine. This retrospective study was aimed to investigate the efficacy of prophylactic entecavir in HCC patients receiving TACE. Methods: A consecutive series of 191 HBV-related HCC patients receiving TACE were analyzed including 44 patients received prophylactic entecavir. Virologic events, defined as an increase in serum HBV DNA level to more than 1 log10 copies/ml higher than nadir the level, and hepatitis flares due to HBV reactivation were the main endpoints. Results: Patients with or without prophylactic were similar in host factors and the majorities of characteristics regarding to tumor factors, HBV status, liver function and LMR. Notably, cycles of TACE were parallel between the groups. Ten (22.7%) patients receiving prophylactic entecavir reached virologic response. The patients receiving prophylactic entecavir presented significantly reduced virologic events (6.8% vs 54.4%, p=0.000) and hepatitis flares due to HBV reactivation (0.0% vs 11.6%, p=0.039) compared with patients without prophylaxis. Kaplan-Meier analysis illustrated that the patients in the entecavir group presented significantly improved virologic events free survival (p=0.000) and hepatitis flare free survival (p=0.017). Female and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status 2 was the only significant predictors for virological events in patients without prophylactic antiviral. Rescue antiviral therapy did not reduce the incidence of hepatitis flares due to HBV reactivation. Conclusion: Prophylactic entecavir presented promising efficacy in HBV-related cancer patients receiving TACE. Lower performance status and female gender might be the predictors for HBV reactivation in these patients.

Evaluation of the Stability of Aspirin in Solid State by the Programmed Humidifying and Non-isothermal Experiments

Zhan, Xian-Cheng,Tao, Jian-Lin,Li, Lin-Li 대한약학회 2008 Archives of Pharmacal Research Vol.31 No.3

single pair of experiments, one with programmed humidity control and the other non-isothermal, rather than many standard isothermal studies, each at constant relative humidity. In experiments, we adopted the acid-base back titration method to measure the content of aspirin in the presence of its degradation products. It was found that the degradation of aspirin could be expressed as In[($C_o-c$)/c]=kt+D, where D was a lag time item not related to humidity and temperature. The relationship between the degradation rate constant k and humidity $H_r$, and temperature T could be described as Arrhenius equation multiplied by an exponential item of relative humidity: k= A . exp($mH_r$)${\cdot}$exp(-($E_a/RT$)), where A, $E_a$ and m were the pre-exponential factor, observed activation energy, and a parameter related to humidity, respectively. The results obtained from the programmed humidifying and non-isothermal experiments, A=$(1.09{\pm}2.04){\times}10^{12}\;h^{-1}$, $E_a=(93.5{\pm}2.2)\;kJ{\cdot}mol^{-1}$ and m=$1.18{\pm}O.19$, were comparable to those from isothermal studies at constant humidity, A=$(1.71{\pm}o.35){\times}10^{12}\;h^{-1}$, $E_a=(94.9{\pm}0.7)\;kJ{\cdot}mol^{-1}$ and m=$1.20{\pm}0.02$. Since the programmed humidifying and non-isothermal experiments save time, labor and materials, it is suggested that the new experimental method can be used to investigate the stability of drugs unstable to both moisture and heat, instead of many classical isothermal experiments at constant humidity.

Staged Improvement in Awareness of Disease for Elderly Cancer Patients in Southern China

Li, Xing,Dong, Min,Wen, Jing-Yun,Wei, Li,Ma, Xiao-Kun,Xing, Yan-Fang,Deng, Yun,Chen, Zhan-Hong,Chen, Jie,Ruan, Dan-Yun,Lin, Ze-Xiao,Wang, Tian-Tian,Wu, Dong-Hao,Liu, Xu,Hu, Hai-Tao,Lin, Jia-Yu,Li, Zhu Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.15

Background: In mainland China, awareness of disease of elderly cancer patients largely relies on the patients' families. We developed a staged procedure to improve their awareness of disease. Materials and Methods: Participants were 224 elderly cancer patients from 9 leading hospitals across Southern China. A questionnaire was given to the oncologists in charge of each patient to evaluate the interaction between family and patients, patient awareness of their disease and participation in medical decision-making. After first cycles of treatment, increased information of disease was given to patients with cooperation of the family. Then patient awareness of their disease and participation in medical decision-making was documented. Results: Among the 224 cancer elderly patients, 26 (11.6%) made decisions by themselves and 125 (55.8%) delegated their rights of decision-making to their family. Subordinate family members tended to play a passive role in decision-making significantly. Patients participating more in medical decision-making tended to know more about their disease. However, in contrast to the awareness of disease, patient awareness of violation of medical recommendations was reversely associated with their participation in medical decision-making. Improvement in awareness of diagnosis, stages and prognosis was achieved in about 20% elderly cancer patients. About 5% participated more actively in medical decision-making. Conclusions: Chinese elderly cancer patient awareness of disease and participation in medical decision-making is limited and relies on their family status. The staged procedure we developed to improve patient awareness of disease proved effective.

Antioxidant Flavone Glycosides from the Root of Pteroxygonum giraldii

Li, Bao-Lin,Yang, Zhan-Jun,Jiang, Lin-Ling,Zhang, Xi-Quan,Gu, Hong-Mei,Wang, Hui-Chun,Tian, Xian-Hua Korean Chemical Society 2009 Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society Vol.30 No.7

Two new flavone glycosides, giraldiin A and B, together with three known compounds, annulatin, myricetin 3-O-$\alpha$- L-rhamnopyranoside and gallic acid, were isolated from the ethanol extract of the root of Pteroxygonum giraldii Damm. et Diels. The structures of giraldiin A and B are designated as 3'-($\alpha$-L-arabinopyranosyloxy)-4',5,5',7- tetrahydroxy-3-methoxyflavone and 4'-($\beta$-D-glucopyranosyloxy)-5,5',7-trihydroxy-2',3-dimethoxyflavone, respectively, on the basis of detailed spectroscopic analyses. The free radical scavenging activity of giraldiin A was evaluated by decolouring spectrophotometry of pentamethine cyanine dye (Cy5) with $Fe^{2+}-H_2O_2$ Fenton radical generating system. The results indicated the hydroxyl free radical scavenging activity of giraldiin A (E$D_{50}$ = 23.7 nmol/mL) is higher than that of some known antioxidants such as rutin, puerarin, daidzein and 2,6-di-tertbutyl-4-methylphenol.

Evaluation of the Stability of Aspirin in Solid State by the Programmed Humidifying and Non-isothermal Experiments

Lin-Li Li,Xian-Cheng Zhan,Jian-Lin Tao 대한약학회 2008 Archives of Pharmacal Research Vol.31 No.3

The influence of both moisture and heat on the stability of aspirin was investigated by a single pair of experiments, one with programmed humidity control and the other non-isothermal, rather than many standard isothermal studies, each at constant relative humidity. In experiments, we adopted the acid-base back titration method to measure the content of aspirin in the presence of its degradation products. It was found that the degradation of aspirin could be expressed as ln[(c0-c)/c]=kt+D, where D was a lag time item not related to humidity and temperature. The relationship between the degradation rate constant k and humidity Hr and temperature T could be described as Arrhenius equation multiplied by an exponential item of relative humidity: k = A · exp(mHr) · exp(-(Ea/RT)), where A, Ea and m were the pre-exponential factor, observed activation energy, and a parameter related to humidity, respectively. The results obtained from the programmed humidifying and non-isothermal experiments, A=(1.09±2.04)×1012 h-1, Ea=(93.5±2.2) kJ ·mol-1 and m=1.18±0.19, were comparable to those from isothermal studies at constant humidity, A=(1.71±0.35)×1012 h-1, Ea=(94.9±0.7) kJ ·mol-1 and m=1.20±0.02. Since the programmed humidifying and non-isothermal experiments save time, labor and materials, it is suggested that the new experimental method can be used to investigate the stability of drugs unstable to both moisture and heat, instead of many classical isothermal experiments at constant humidity.

Purification and Characterization of a New Endo-β-1,3-glucanase Exhibiting a High Specificity for Curdlan for Production of β-1,3-Glucan Oligosaccharides

Jing Li,Li Zhu,Xiao-Bei Zhan,Min Xu,Chi Chung Lin,Zhiyong Zheng,Wei-Jiang Li 한국식품과학회 2014 Food Science and Biotechnology Vol.23 No.3

Endo-β-1,3-glucanase (Endo23) was purifiedfrom a Trichoderma reesei GIMCC 3.498 fermentationbroth using anion exchange and 2-stage size exclusionchromatography. Purification of 44.5× and a 12% recoveryyield of enzyme activity were achieved. The Mw andisoelectric point were estimated to be 24 kDa and 3.85using SDS-PAGE and IEF, respectively. The highestsubstrate specificity was observed for water-insoluble curdlan. The optimal conditions for hydrolyzing curdlan were pH5.0 and 50oC. The main hydrolytic products were glucobioseand glucotriose. Minor amounts of glucose and glucotetraosewere detected. Hg2+, Fe2+, Fe3+, and Sn2+ inhibited thehydrolysis activity of Endo23 at 5 and 50 mM. K+ slightlypromoted Endo23 activity. Endo23 belongs to the categoryEC3.2.1.39. The peptide sequences of Endo23 showedidentity with conserved sequences that typically exist in β-1,3-glucanases of the glycoside hydrolase family. TheEndo23 sequence was partially similar to a hypotheticallignocellulase from Penicillium oxalicum 114-2.

Non-Association of IL-16 rs4778889 T/C Polymorphism with Cancer Risk in Asians: a Meta-analysis

Xu, Lin-Lin,Song, Zhi-Chun,Shang, Kun,Zhao, Li-Qin,Zhu, Zhan-Sheng Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.2

The IL-16 rs4778889 T/C polymorphism is associated with cancer risk. However, the results are conflicting. We performed this meta-analysis to derive a more precise estimation of the relationship. A comprehensive literature search was performed using PubMed, Embase and Web of Science databases. Odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to assess the strength of association. A total of 6 studies including 1,603 cases and 2,342 controls were identified. With all studies involved, results showed no statistically significant association between IL-16 rs4778889 T/C polymorphism and cancer risk (CC vs. CT+TT: OR=0.74, 95%CI:0.55-1.02, $P_h=0.15$; CC+CT vs. TT: OR=0.89, 95%CI: 0.72-1.10, $P_h=0.03$; CC vs. TT: OR=0.73, 95%CI: 0.53-1.00, $P_h=0.08$; CT vs. TT: OR=0.91, 95%CI: 0.79-1.05, $P_h=0.08$; C vs. T: OR=0.89, 95%CI: 0.74-1.07, $P_h=0.02$). In addition, the results were not changed when studies were stratified by cancer type. However, to verify our findings, it is essential to perform more well-designed studies with larger sample sizes in the future.

Antioxidant Flavone Glycosides from the Root of Pteroxygonum giraldii

Bao-Lin Li,Lin-Ling Jiang,Hui-Chun Wang,Zhan-Jun Yang,Xi-Quan Zhang,Hong-Mei Gu,Xian-Hua Tian 대한화학회 2009 Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society Vol.30 No.7

Two new flavone glycosides, giraldiin A and B, together with three known compounds, annulatin, myricetin 3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside and gallic acid, were isolated from the ethanol extract of the root of Pteroxygonum giraldii Damm. et Diels. The structures of giraldiin A and B are designated as 3'-(α-L-arabinopyranosyloxy)-4',5,5',7-tetrahydroxy-3-methoxyflavone and 4'-(β-D-glucopyranosyloxy)-5,5',7-trihydroxy-2',3-dimethoxyflavone, respectively,on the basis of detailed spectroscopic analyses. The free radical scavenging activity of giraldiin A was evaluated by decolouring spectrophotometry of pentamethine cyanine dye (Cy5) with Fe2+-H2O2 Fenton radical generating system. The results indicated the hydroxyl free radical scavenging activity of giraldiin A (ED50 = 23.7 nmol/mL) is higher than that of some known antioxidants such as rutin, puerarin, daidzein and 2,6-di-tertbutyl-4-methylphenol.

Portable Laser Doppler Flowmeter for Microcirculation Detection

Chang-Lin Hu,Meng-Lin Li,Zhan-Sheng Lin,Yen-Yu Chen,Yuan-Hsiang Lin 대한의용생체공학회 2013 Biomedical Engineering Letters (BMEL) Vol.3 No.2

Purpose The microcirculatory system of the human body is closely related to its physiological conditions. The laser Doppler flowmeter can detect symptoms through variations in the microcirculation; however, the present commercial Doppler flowmeter is very expensive, heavy, and inconvenient to carry. Therefore, an inexpensive, small, and portable laser Doppler flowmeter is proposed. Methods In this study, we designed a laser Doppler flowmeter transmitting receiving module based on the fundamental principles of laser Doppler, using a common computer for flow calculation. A self-designed correction system was used to validate the portable laser Doppler flowmeter. Results The coefficient of correlation between the mean frequency offset <ω> of the flowmeter and the actual mimicked blood flow rate reached a high value of R = 0.99, and the variations in microcirculation flow could be accurately measured. Conclusions The results proved that the low-cost portable laser Doppler flowmeter can be used extensively in early symptom detection for disease prevention and control.