Risk Factors for Cervical Cancer in Rural Areas of Wuhan China: a Matched Case-control Study

Zhang, Bin,Zhou, Ai-Fen,Zhu, Chang-Cai,Zhang, Ling,Xiang, Bing,Chen, Zhong,Hu, Rong-Hua,Zhang, Ya-Qi,Qiu, Lin,Zhang, Yi-Ming,Xiong, Chao-Du,Du, Yu-Kai,Shi, Yu-Qin Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.12

Cervical cancer is a serious public health problem in developing countries. We investigated possible risk factors for cervical cancer in rural areas of Wuhan China using a matched case-control study with 33 women diagnosed with cervical cancer and 132 healthy women selected from the same area as matched controls. A questionnaire, which included questions about general demography conditions, environmental and genetic factors, the first sexual intercourse, first marriage age, age at first pregnancy, pregnancy first child's age, female personal health history, social psychological factors, dietary habits, smoking and alcohol status and other living habits was presented to all participants. At the same time, HPV infection of every participant was examined in laboratory testing. Results showed HPV infection (P<0.000, OR=23.4) and pregnancy first child's age (P<0.000, OR=13.1) to be risk factors for cervical cancer. Menopause (P=0.003, OR=0.073) was a protective factor against cervical cancer. However, there was no indication of associations of environmental (drinking water, insecticide, disinfectant) genetic (cancer family history), or life-style factors (smoking status, alcohol status, physical training, sleep quality), including dietary habits (intake of fruit and vegetable, meat, fried food, bean products and pickled food) or social psychological factors with cervical cancer. The results suggest that the risk of cervical cancer in Chinese rural women may be associated with HPV infection, menopause and the pregnancy first child's age.

Conceptual Graph Matching Method for Reading Comprehension Tests

Zhang, Zhi-Chang,Zhang, Yu,Liu, Ting,Li, Sheng The Korea Institute of Information and Commucation 2009 Journal of information and communication convergen Vol.7 No.4

Reading comprehension (RC) systems are to understand a given text and return answers in response to questions about the text. Many previous studies extract sentences that are the most similar to questions as answers. However, texts for RC tests are generally short and facts about an event or entity are often expressed in multiple sentences. The answers for some questions might be indirectly presented in the sentences having few overlapping words with the questions. This paper proposes a conceptual graph matching method towards RC tests to extract answer strings. The method first represents the text and questions as conceptual graphs, and then extracts subgraphs for every candidate answer concept from the text graph. All candidate answer concepts will be scored and ranked according to the matching similarity between their sub-graphs and question graph. The top one will be returned as answer seed to form a concise answer string. Since the sub-graphs for candidate answer concepts are not restricted to only covering a single sentence, our approach improved the performance of answer extraction on the Remedia test data.

The Feasibility of Using Biomarkers Derived from Circulating Tumor DNA Sequencing as Predictive Classifiers in Patients with Small-Cell Lung Cancer

Yu Feng,Yutao Liu,Mingming Yuan,Guilan Dong,Hongxia Zhang,Tongmei Zhang,Lianpeng Chang,Xuefeng Xia,Lifeng Li,Haohua Zhu,Puyuan Xing,Hongyu Wang,Yuankai Shi,Zhijie Wang,Xingsheng Hu 대한암학회 2022 Cancer Research and Treatment Vol.54 No.3

Purpose To investigate the feasibility of biomarkers based on dynamic circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) to classify small cell lung cancer (SCLC) into different subtypes. Materials and Methods Tumor and longitudinal plasma ctDNA samples were analyzed by next-generation sequencing of 1,021 genes. PyClone was used to infer the molecular tumor burden index (mTBI). Pre-treatment tumor tissues [T1] and serial plasma samples were collected (pre-treatment [B1], after two [B2], six [B3] cycles of chemotherapy and at progression [B4]). Results Overall concordance between T1 and B1 sequencing (n=30) was 66.5%, and 89.5% in the gene of <i>RB1</i>. A classification method was designed according to the changes of <i>RB1</i> mutation, named as subtype Ⅰ (both positive at B1 and B2), subtype Ⅱ (positive at B1 but negative at B2), and subtype Ⅲ (both negative at B1 and B2). The median progressive-free survival for subtype Ⅰ patients (4.5 months [95%CI: 2.6-5.8]) was inferior to subtype Ⅱ (not reached, p<0.0001) and subtype Ⅲ (10.8 months [95%CI: 6.0-14.4], p=0.002). The median overall survival for subtype Ⅰ patients (16.3 months [95%CI: 5.3-22.9]) was inferior to subtype Ⅱ (not reached, p=0.01) and subtype Ⅲ (not reached, p=0.02). Patients with a mTBI dropped to zero at B2 had longer median overall survival (not reached vs. 19.5 months, p=0.01). The changes of mTBI from B4 to B1 were sensitive to predict new metastases, with a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 85.7%. Conclusion Monitoring ctDNA based <i>RB1</i> mutation and mTBI provided a feasible tool to predict the prognosis of SCLC.

Numerical optimization of transmission bremsstrahlung target for intense pulsed electron beam

Xiao Yu,Jie Shen,Shijian Zhang,Jie Zhang,Nan Zhang,Ivan Sergeevich Egorov,Sha Yan,Chang Tan,Gennady Efimovich Remnev,Xiaoyun Le 한국원자력학회 2022 Nuclear Engineering and Technology Vol.54 No.2

The optimization of a transmission type bremsstrahlung conversion target was carried out with MonteCarlo code FLUKA for intense pulsed electron beams with electron energy of several hundred keV formaximum photon fluence. The photon emission intensity from electrons with energy ranging from300 keV to 1 MeV on tungsten, tantalum and molybdenum targets was calculated with varied targetthicknesses. The research revealed that higher target material element number and electron energy leadsto increased photon fluence. For a certain target material, the target thickness with maximum photonemission fluence exhibits a linear relationship with the electron energy. With certain electron energy andtarget material, the thickness of the target plays a dominant role in increasing the transmission photonintensity, with small target thickness the photon flux is largely restricted by low energy loss of electronsfor photon generation while thick targets may impose extra absorption for the generated photons. Thespatial distribution of bremsstrahlung photon density was analyzed and the optimal target thicknessesfor maximum bremsstrahlung photon fluence were derived versus electron energy on three targetmaterials for a quick determination of optimal target design

Comparison of Two Methods to Extract DNA from Formalin-Fixed, Paraffin-Embedded Tissues and their Impact on EGFR Mutation Detection in Non-small Cell Lung Carcinoma

Hu, Yu-Chang,Zhang, Qian,Huang, Yan-Hua,Liu, Yu-Fei,Chen, Hong-Lei Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.6

Objective: Molecular pathology tests are often carried for clinicopathological diagnosis and pathologists have established large collections of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue (FFPE) banks. However, extraction of DNA from FFPE is a laborious and challenging for researchers in clinical laboratories. The aim of this study was to compare two widely used DNA extraction methods: using a QIAamp DNA FFPE kit from Qiagen and a Cobas Sample Preparation Kit from Roche, and evaluated the effect of the DNA quality on molecular diagnostics. Methods: DNA from FFPE non-small cell lung carcinoma tissues including biopsy and surgical specimens was extracted with both QIAamp DNA FFPE and Cobas Sample Preparation Kits and EGFR mutations of non-small cell lung carcinomas were detected by real-time quantitative PCR using the extracted DNA. Results and Conclusion: Our results showed that DNA extracted by QIAamp and Cobas methods were both suitable to detect downstream EGFR mutation in surgical specimens. Howover, Cobas method could yield more DNA from biopsy specimens, and gain much better EGFR mutation results.

생물안전 3등급 연구시설 내 화재가 압력 변화에 미치는 영향에 관한 연구

이창헌(Chang-Heon Lee),장우(Yu Zhang),신원규(Weon Gyu Shin) 한국화재소방학회 2023 한국화재소방학회논문지 Vol.37 No.6

생물안전 3등급(BL-3) 연구시설은 공기 중의 미생물 전파를 방지하고, 미생물 노출로부터 연구자와 외부환경을 보호하기 위하여 음압을 유지해야 한다. 따라서, 생물안전 3등급 연구시설 내부 화재 시 발생하는 연기와 열이 내부 압력의 변화에 미치는 영향을 살펴볼 필요가 있다. 본 연구에서는 BL-3 연구시설의 화재 시 연구 시설 내부의 압력변화에 대해 더 깊이 이해하고자 하였다. CFAST 시뮬레이션 결과는 화재 초기에 실험실 내부에서 내부 압력이 급격히 증가하고 인접 출입문이 개방될 때까지 지속적으로 증가함을 보여주었다. 따라서, 화재 초기 진화가 BL-3 연구시설의 생물안전성을 유지하는 데 매우 중요할 것으로 판단된다. Biosafety Level 3 (BL-3) research facilities should maintain negative pressures to prevent the propagation of bioaerosols to the atmosphere and protect researchers and the surroundings from exposure to bioaerosols. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate the influence of smoke and heat on the pressure inside a BL-3 research facility during a fire. The aim of this study was to investigate how the internal pressure in a BL-3 research facility changes during a fire incident. The CFAST simulation results showed that the internal pressure in the laboratory facility rapidly increased at the onset of the fire and continued to increase until the neighboring door was opened. The findings emphasize the need to extinguish a fire at the early stage of the fire to safeguard BL-3 research facilities.

Recent advances of bioactive proteins/polypeptides in the treatment of breast cancer

Qi-Zhang Li,Ze-Rong Zhou,Cui-Yu Hu,Xian-Bin Li,Yu-Zhou Chang,Yan Liu,Yu-Liang Wang,Xuan-Wei Zhou 한국식품과학회 2023 Food Science and Biotechnology Vol.32 No.3

Proteins do not only serve as nutrients to fulfill the demand for food, but also are used as a source of bioactive proteins/polypeptides for regulating physical functions and promoting physical health. Female breast cancer has the highest incidence in the world and is a serious threat to women’s health. Bioactive proteins/polypeptides exert strong anti-tumor effects and exhibit inhibition of multiple breast cancer cells. This review discussed the suppressing effects of bioactive proteins/polypeptides on breast cancer in vitro and in vivo, and their mechanisms of migration and invasion inhibition, apoptosis induction, and cell cycle arrest. This may contribute to providing a basis for the development of bioactive proteins/polypeptides for the treatment of breast cancer.

β-elemene Induces Caspase-dependent Apoptosis in Human Glioma Cells in vitro through the Upregulation of Bax and Fas/FasL and Downregulation of Bcl-2

Li, Chen-Long,Chang, Liang,Guo, Lin,Zhao, Dan,Liu, Hui-Bin,Wang, Qiu-Shi,Zhang, Ping,Du, Wen-Zhong,Liu, Xing,Zhang, Hai-Tao,Liu, Yang,Zhang, Yao,Xie, Jing-Hong,Ming, Jian-Guang,Cui, Yu-Qiong,Sun, Ying Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.23

Background: ${\beta}$-elemene, extracted from herb medicine Curcuma wenyujin has potent anti-tumor effects in various cancer cell lines. However, the activity of ${\beta}$-elemene against glioma cells remains unclear. In the present study, we assessed effects of ${\beta}$-elemene on human glioma cells and explored the underlying mechanism. Materials and Methods: Human glioma U87 cells were used. Cell proliferation was determined with MTT assay and colony formation assay to detect the effect of ${\beta}$-elemene at different doses and times. Fluorescence microscopy was used to observe cell apoptosis with Hoechst 33258 staining and change of glioma apoptosis and cell cycling were analyzed by flow cytometry. Real-time quantitative PCR and Western-blotting assay were performed to investigated the influence of ${\beta}$-elemene on expression levels of Fas/FasL, caspase-3, Bcl-2 and Bax. The experiment was divided into two groups: the blank control group and ${\beta}$-elemne treatment group. Results: With increase in the concentration of ${\beta}$-elemene, cytotoxic effects were enhanced in the glioma cell line and the concentration of inhibited cell viability ($IC_{50}$) was $48.5{\mu}g/mL$ for 24h. ${\beta}$-elemene could induce cell cycle arrest in the G0/G1 phase. With Hoechst 33258 staining, apoptotic nuclear morphological changes were observed. Activation of caspase-3,-8 and -9 was increased and the pro-apoptotic factors Fas/FasL and Bax were upregulated, while the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 was downregulated after treatment with ${\beta}$-elemene at both mRNA and protein levels. Furthermore, proliferation and colony formation by U87 cells were inhibited by ${\beta}$-elemene in a time and does-dependent manner. Conclusions: Our results indicate that ${\beta}$-elemene inhibits growth and induces apoptosis of human glioma cells in vitro. The induction of apoptosis appears to be related with the upregulation of Fas/FasL and Bax, activation of caspase-3,-8 and -9 and downregulation of Bcl-2, which then trigger major apoptotic cascades.

Intravenous Tenecteplase for Acute Ischemic Stroke Within 4.5–24 Hours of Onset (ROSE-TNK): A Phase 2, Randomized, Multicenter Study

Wang Lu,Dai Ying-Jie,Cui Yu,Zhang Hong,Jiang Chang-Hao,Duan Ying-Jie,Zhao Yong,Feng Ye-Fang,Geng Shi-Mei,Zhang Zai-Hui,Lu Jiang,Zhang Ping,Zhao Li-Wei,Zhao Hang,Ma Yu-Tong,Song Cheng-Guang,Zhang Yi,Ch 대한뇌졸중학회 2023 Journal of stroke Vol.25 No.3

Background and Purpose Intravenous tenecteplase (TNK) efficacy has not been well demonstrated in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) beyond 4.5 hours after onset. This study aimed to determine the effect of intravenous TNK for AIS within 4.5 to 24 hours of onset. Methods In this pilot trial, eligible AIS patients with diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI)-fluid attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) mismatch were randomly allocated to intravenous TNK (0.25 mg/kg) or standard care within 4.5–24 hours of onset. The primary endpoint was excellent functional outcome at 90 days (modified Rankin Scale [mRS] score of 0–1). The primary safety endpoint was symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH). Results Of the randomly assigned 80 patients, the primary endpoint occurred in 52.5% (21/40) of TNK group and 50.0% (20/40) of control group, with no significant difference (unadjusted odds ratio, 1.11; 95% confidence interval 0.46–2.66; <i>P</i>=0.82). More early neurological improvement occurred in TNK group than in control group (11 vs. 3, <i>P</i>=0.03), but no significant differences were found in other secondary endpoints, such as mRS 0–2 at 90 days, shift analysis of mRS at 90 days, and change in National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score at 24 hours and 7 days. There were no cases of sICH in this trial; however, asymptomatic intracranial hemorrhage occurred in 3 of the 40 patients (7.5%) in the TNK group. Conclusion This phase 2, randomized, multicenter study suggests that intravenous TNK within 4.5–24 hours of onset may be safe and feasible in AIS patients with a DWI-FLAIR mismatch.

Fotemustine, Teniposide and Dexamethasone in Treating Patients with CNS Lymphoma

Wu, Jing-Jing,Wang, Xin-Hua,Li, Ling,Li, Xin,Zhang, Lei,Sun, Zhen-Chang,Fu, Xiao-Rui,Ma, Wang,Chang, Yu,Zhang, Xu-Dong,Han, Li-Juan,Zhang, Ming-Zhi Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.11

Purpose: We developed and evaluated a regimen including fotemustine, teniposide and dexamethasone (FTD) for treating patients with central nervous system (CNS) lymphoma based on pharmacokinetic properties of individual agents and in combination. Patients and Methods: In a comparison study, 8 patients with primary CNS lymphoma (PCNSL) and 8 with secondary CNS lymphoma (SCNSL) were treated with FTD (comprising fotemustine 100 mg/m2, 1h infusion, day 1; teniposide 60 mg/m2, >0.5 h infusion, on day 2, 3, 4; dexamethasone 40 mg, 1h infusion, on day 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5; and methotrexate 12 mg, cytosine arabinoside 50 mg plus dexamethasone 5 mg intrathecally, on day 2 and 7). Cycles were repeated every 3 weeks. After response assessment, patients received whole brain radiotherapy. Results: Of the 8 PCNSL patients, 4 (50%) achieved CR and 3 (38%) PR, an overall response rate of 88%. Four patients (50%) were in continuing remission at the end of this study after a median follow-up of 30 months (range 10 to 56 months). Of the 8 SCNSL patients the overall response rate was 63% (CR+PR: 38%+25%). All responses were achievable with predictable toxicity mainly reflecting reversible myelosuppression. Conclusion: This study suggests that FTD could be an effective treatment for CNS lymphoma, and is worthy of further evaluation.