Fenofibrate Increases Radiosensitivity in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma via Inducing G2/M Arrest and Apoptosis

Liu, Jia,Ge, Yang-Yang,Zhu, Hong-Cheng,Yang, Xi,Cai, Jing,Zhang, Chi,Lu, Jing,Zhan, Liang-Liang,Qin, Qin,Yang, Yan,Yang, Yue-Hua,Zhang, Hao,Chen, Xiao-Chen,Liu, Zhe-Ming,Ma, Jian-Xin,Cheng, Hong-Yan,S Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.16

Radiation therapy is an important treatment for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). However, how to promote radiation sensitivity in HNSCC remains a challenge. This study aimed to investigate the radiosensitizing effects of fenofibrate on HNSCC and explore the underlying mechanisms. HNSCC cell lines CNE-2 and KB were subjected to ionizing radiation (IR), in the presence or absence of fenofibrate treatment. Cell growth and survival, apoptosis and cell cycle were evaluated. In addition, CNE-2 cells were xenografted into nude mice and subjected to IR and/or fenofibrate treatment. The expression of cyclinB and CDK1 was detected by Western blotting. Our results showed that fenofibrate efficiently radiosensitized HNSCC cells and xenografts in mice, and induced apoptosis and G2/M arrest via reducing the activity of the CDK1/cyclinB1 kinase complex. These data suggest that fenofibrate could be a promising radiosensitizer for HNSCC radiotherapy.

Sputum Metabolomic Profiling Reveals Metabolic Pathways and Signatures Associated With Inflammatory Phenotypes in Patients With Asthma

Liu Ying,Zhang Xin,Zhang Li,Oliver Brian G,Wang Hong Guang,Liu Zhi Peng,Chen Zhi Hong,Wood Lisa,Hsu Alan Chen-Yu,Xie Min,McDonald Vanessa,Wan Hua Jing,Luo Feng Ming,Liu Dan,Li Wei Min,Wang Gang 대한천식알레르기학회 2022 Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Research Vol.14 No.4

Purpose: The molecular links between metabolism and inflammation that drive different inflammatory phenotypes in asthma are poorly understood. We aimed to identify the metabolic signatures and underlying molecular pathways of different inflammatory asthma phenotypes. Methods: In the discovery set (n = 119), untargeted ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS) was applied to characterize the induced sputum metabolic profiles of asthmatic patients with different inflammatory phenotypes using orthogonal partial least-squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA), and pathway topology enrichment analysis. In the validation set (n = 114), differential metabolites were selected to perform targeted quantification. Correlations between targeted metabolites and clinical indices in asthmatic patients were analyzed. Logistic and negative binomial regression models were established to assess the association between metabolites and severe asthma exacerbations. Results: Seventy-seven differential metabolites were identified in the discovery set. Pathway topology analysis uncovered that histidine metabolism, glycerophospholipid metabolism, nicotinate and nicotinamide metabolism, linoleic acid metabolism as well as phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan biosynthesis were involved in the pathogenesis of different asthma phenotypes. In the validation set, 24 targeted quantification metabolites were significantly expressed between asthma inflammatory phenotypes. Finally, adenosine 5′-monophosphate (adjusted relative risk [adj RR] = 1.000; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.000–1.000; P = 0.050), allantoin (adj RR = 1.000; 95% CI = 1.000–1.000; P = 0.043) and nicotinamide (adj RR = 1.001; 95% CI = 1.000–1.002; P = 0.021) were demonstrated to predict severe asthma exacerbation rates. Conclusions: Different inflammatory asthma phenotypes have specific metabolic profiles in induced sputum. The potential metabolic signatures may identify therapeutic targets in different inflammatory asthma phenotypes.

Molecular dynamics study of H4TTP crystal morphology

Chen Jing,Li Jun,Li Yongxiang,Liu Qiao'e,Zhang Xuan,Ruan Jian,Wang Xiaojun,Liu Wendong,Kim Chan Kyung 대한화학회 2022 Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society Vol.43 No.7

To understand the role of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) on the crystal growth morphology of 2,3,5,6-tetra(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)pyrazine (H4TTP), the vacuum morphology of H4TTP crystal was predicted by the Bravais–Friedel–Donnay–Harker (BFDH) and the attachment energy (AE) models. The growth morphology of H4TTP in DMSO solvent was predicted using a modified AE model. The results show that the main growth surfaces of H4TTP in vacuum are (1 0 0), (0 0 2), (0 1 1), and (1 1 0) surfaces. Among them, (1 0 0) surface is the most important growth surface. (0 0 2) surface is the roughest crystal surface, while (1 1 0) surface is the flattest. (1 1 0) surface grows rapidly, and (1 0 0) surface has the greatest morphological importance. The analysis of radial distribution function shows that (1 0 0) surface has the strongest hydrogen bonding interactions in the interface between H4TTP and DMSO solvent.

Inhibition of Metastasis and Invasion of Ovarian Cancer Cells by Crude Polysaccharides from Rosa Roxburghii Tratt in Vitro

Chen, Yang,Liu, Zhong-Jing,Liu, Jia,Liu, Li-Kun,Zhang, Er-Shao,Li, Wei-Ling Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.23

Background: Rosa Roxburghii Tratt is a promising wild fruit crop in Southwest China. Its extracts have been used as traditional Chinese medicine, which benefit immune responses and cure various health disorders. However, whether Rosa Roxburghii Tratt polysaccharides could inhibit metastasis and invasion of ovarian cancer cells remains unknown. Materials and Methods: Effects of crude polysaccharides from Rosa Roxburghii Tratt on the viability of ovarian cancer A2780 cells were detected by MTT assay. Ovarian carcinoma cell migration and invasion after exposure to Rosa Roxburghii Tratt polysaccharides were quantified by wound healing and Transwell assays, respectively. Western blotting was applied to assess protein levels of MMP-9. Results: The results indicated that Rosa Roxburghii Tratt polysaccharides significantly reduced wound closure rate of A2780 cells, inhibited their migration and invasion, and suppressed the expression of MMP-9. Conclusions: Our findings indicated that Rosa Roxburghii Tratt polysaccharides have potential for develop as anti-metastatic cancer drug preparations for ovarian cancer patients.

Interaction between dietary digestible tryptophan and soy oligosaccharides in broiler chickens: effects on caecal skatole level and microflora

Jing Chen,Hansong Jing,Haiying Liu,Xin Zhu,Guiqin Yang Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2023 Animal Bioscience Vol.36 No.3

Objective: This study was conducted to evaluate the interactive effects of dietary digestible tryptophan (dTry) and soy oligosaccharides (SO) on growth performance, caecal skatole level, and microflora of broiler chickens aged from 14 to 42 days. Methods: Three hundred and sixty broiler chicks were allocated equally to 36 cages at 14-day-of-age according to body weight and gender. Using a 3×2 factorial arrangement, 3 dietary dTry levels (0.18%, 0.23%, and 0.28%) supplemented with 0 or 3.5 g/kg of SO were used to create 6 diets (treatments). Each diet was fed to six replicates of 10 birds (60 birds/treatment), growth performance was measured. Caecal content samples were collected at 42 days of age. Results: Results showed that significantly different dTry level×SO interactions were found for average daily gain (ADG), caecal levels of indole, propionic acid, and butyric acid, and microbial Shannon index (p<0.05). Birds fed diet containing 0.23% dTry level with SO supplementation had higher ADG and lower feed/gain ratio than those fed the other diets (p<0.05). Broilers fed diets containing 0.28% dTry increased their caecal levels of indole and skatole compared with those containing 0.18% or 0.23% dTry (p<0.01), regardless of SO addition. SO supplementation to diets decreased the caecal skatole level by 16.17% (p<0.05), and increased the relative frequency of Clostridium IV (p<0.05), regardless of dietary dTry level. Conclusion: These results indicated that diets containing 0.23% dTry with SO supplementation positively promoted ADG, and decreased caecal skatole levels of broiler chickens. The dietary dTry level, SO affected the caecal skatole level, however, there was no interaction between them.

Culture-Positive Spontaneous Ascitic Infection in Patients with Acute Decompensated Cirrhosis: Multidrug-Resistant Pathogens and Antibiotic Strategies

Jing Liu,Yanhang Gao,Xianbo Wang,Zhiping Qian,Jinjun Chen,Yan Huang,Zhongji Meng,Xiaobo Lu,Guohong Deng,Feng Liu,Zhiguo Zhang,Hai Li,Xin Zheng 연세대학교의과대학 2020 Yonsei medical journal Vol.61 No.2

Purpose: This study investigated multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens and antibiotic strategies of culture-positive spontaneousascitic infection (SAI) in patients with acute decompensated cirrhosis. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 432 acute decompensated cirrhotic patients with culture-positive SAI from11 teaching hospitals in China (January 2012 to May 2018). A Cox proportional hazards model analysis was conducted to identifyindependent predictors of 28-day mortality. Results: A total of 455 strains were isolated from 432 ascitic culture samples. Gram-negative bacteria (GNB), gram-positive bacteria(GPB), and fungi caused 52.3, 45.5, and 2.2% of all SAI episodes, respectively. Episodes were classified as nosocomial (41.2%), healthcare-related (34.7%), and community-acquired (24.1%). Escherichia coli (13.4%) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (2.4%) were extendedspectrumβ-lactamase producing isolates. The prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus was 1.1%. Ceftazidime,cefepime, aztreonam, and amikacin were recommended as first-line antibiotics agents for non-MDR GNB infections; piperacillin/tazobactam and carbapenems for MDR GNB in community-acquired and healthcare-related or nosocomial infections, respectively;and vancomycin or linezolid for GPB infections, regardless of drug-resistance status. Multivariate analysis revealed days ofhospital stay before SAI, upper gastrointestinal bleeding, white blood cell count, alanine aminotransferase, serum creatinine concentration,total bilirubin, and international normalized ratio as key independent predictors of 28-day mortality. Conclusion: MDR pathogens and antibiotic strategies were identified in patients with acute decompensated cirrhosis with culture-positive SAI, which may help optimize therapy and improve clinical outcomes.

Adjuvant Radiotherapy after Breast Conserving Treatment for Breast Cancer:A Dosimetric Comparison between Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy and Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy

Liu, Zhe-Ming,Ge, Xiao-Lin,Chen, Jia-Yan,Wang, Pei-Pei,Zhang, Chi,Yang, Xi,Zhu, Hong-Cheng,Liu, Jia,Qin, Qin,Xu, Li-Ping,Lu, Jing,Zhan, Liang-Liang,Cheng, Hong-Yan,Sun, Xin-Chen Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.8

Background: Radiotherapy is an important treatment of choice for breast cancer patients after breast-conserving surgery, and we compare the feasibility of using dual arc volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT2), single arc volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT1) and Multi-beam Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy (M-IMRT) on patients after breast-conserving surgery. Materials and Methods: Thirty patients with breast cancer (half right-sided and half left-sided) treated by conservative lumpectomy and requiring whole breast radiotherapy with tumor bed boost were planned with three different radiotherapy techniques: 1) VMAT1; 2) VMAT2; 3) M-IMRT. The distributions for the planning target volume (PTV) and organs at risk (OARs) were compared. Dosimetries for all the techniques were compared. Results: All three techniques satisfied the dose constraint well. VMAT2 showed no obvious difference in the homogeneity index (HI) and conformity index (CI) of the PTV with respect to M-IMRT and VMAT1. VMAT2 clearly improved the treatment efficiency and can also decrease the mean dose and V5Gy of the contralateral lung. The mean dose and maximum dose of the spinal cord and contralateral breast were lower for VMAT2 than the other two techniques. The very low dose distribution (V1Gy) of the contralateral breast also showed great reduction in VMAT2 compared with the other two techniques. For the ipsilateral lung of right-sided breast cancer, the mean dose was decreased significantly in VMAT2 compared with VMAT1 and M-IMRT. The V20Gy and V30Gy of the ipsilateral lung of the left-sided breast cancer for VMAT2 showed obvious reduction compared with the other two techniques. The heart statistics of VMAT2 also decreased considerably compared to VMAT1 and M-IMRT. Conclusions: Compared to the other two techniques, the dual arc volumetric modulated arc therapy technique reduced radiation dose exposure to the organs at risk and maintained a reasonable target dose distribution.

Acetate-assisted Synthesis of Chromium(III) Terephthalate and Its Gas Adsorption Properties

Jing-jing Zhou,Kai-yu Liu,Chun-long Kong,Liang Chen 대한화학회 2013 Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society Vol.34 No.6

We report a facile synthetic approach of high-quality chromium(III) terephthalate [MIL-101(Cr)] by acetateassisted method in the absence of toxic HF. Results indicate that the morphology and surface area of the MIL- 101(Cr) can be tuned by modifying the molar ratio of acetate/Cr(NO3)3. The Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area of MIL-101(Cr) synthesized at the optimized condition can exceed 3300 m2/g. It is confirmed that acetate could promote the dissolution of di-carboxylic linker and accelerate the nucleation ratio. So the pure and small size of MIL-101(Cr) with clean pores can be obtained. CO2, CH4 and N2 adsorption isotherms of the samples are studied at 298 K and 313 K. Compared with the traditional method, MIL-101(Cr) synthesized by acetate-assisted method possess enhanced CO2 selective adsorption capacity. At 1.0 bar 298 K, it exhibits 47% enhanced CO2 adsorption capacity. This may be attributed to the high surface area together with clean pores of MIL-101(Cr).

Discovery of Chitin Deacetylase Inhibitors through Structure-Based Virtual Screening and Biological Assays

( Yaodong Liu ),( Sibtain Ahmed ),( Yaowei Fang ),( Meng Chen ),( Jia An ),( Guang Yang ),( Xiaoyue Hou ),( Jing Lu ),( Qinwen Ye ),( Rongjun Zhu ),( Qitong Liu ),( Shu Liu ) 한국미생물생명공학회 2022 Journal of microbiology and biotechnology Vol.32 No.4

Chitin deacetylase (CDA) inhibitors were developed as novel antifungal agents because CDA participates in critical fungal physiological and metabolic processes and increases virulence in soil-borne fungal pathogens. However, few CDA inhibitors have been reported. In this study, 150 candidate CDA inhibitors were selected from the commercial Chemdiv compound library through structure-based virtual screening. The top-ranked 25 compounds were further evaluated for biological activity. The compound J075-4187 had an IC50 of 4.24 ± 0.16 μM for AnCDA. Molecular docking calculations predicted that compound J075-4187 binds to the amino acid residues, including active sites (H101, D48). Furthermore, compound J075-4187 inhibited food spoilage fungi and plant pathogenic fungi, with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) at 260 μg/ml and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) at 520 μg/ml. Therefore, compound J075-4187 is a good candidate for use in developing antifungal agents for fungi control.

mRNA Expression of Ovine Angiopoietin-like Protein 4 Gene in Adipose Tissues

Zhang, Jing,Jing, Jiong-Jie,Jia, Xia-Li,Qiao, Li-Ying,Liu, Jian-Hua,Liang, Chen,Liu, Wen-Zhong Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2016 Animal Bioscience Vol.29 No.5

Angiopoietin-like protein 4 (ANGPTL4) is involved in a variety of functions, including lipoprotein metabolism and angiogenesis. To reveal the role of ANGPTL4 in fat metabolism of sheep, ovine ANGPTL4 mRNA expression was analyzed in seven adipose tissues from two breeds with distinct tail types. Forty-eight animals with the gender ratio of 1:1 for both Guangling Large Tailed (GLT) and Small Tailed Han (STH) sheep were slaughtered at 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 months of age, respectively. Adipose tissues were collected from greater and lesser omental, subcutaneous, retroperitoneal, perirenal, mesenteric, and tail fats. Ontogenetic mRNA expression of ANGPTL4 in these adipose tissues from GTL and STH was studied by quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction. The results showed that ANGPTL4 mRNA expressed in all adipose tissues studied with the highest in subcutaneous and the lowest in mesenteric fat depots. Months of age, tissue and breed are the main factors that significantly influence the mRNA expression. These results provide new insights into ovine ANGPTL4 gene expression and clues for its function mechanism.