Clinical Value of Dual-phase ¹⁸F-FDG SPECT with Serum Procalcitonin for Identification of Etiology in Tumor Patients with Fever of Unknown Origin

Zhang, Qun,Shan, Chun,Wu, Pei,Huang, Xin-En Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.2

Objective: The purpose of the study was to evaluate clinical value of dual-phase $^{18}F$-FDG SPECT with serum procalcitonin (PCT) in identifying cancers in patients with fever of unknown origin (FUO). Methods: PCT test and dual-phase $^{18}F$-FDG SPECT were sequentially performed on 50 consecutive patients with FUO. Two radiologists evaluated all $^{18}F$-FDG SPECT data independently. A consensus was reached if any difference of opinions existed. Final diagnosis was based on a comprehensive analysis of results for the PCT test, dual-phase $^{18}F$-FDG SPECT and bacterial cultivation, regarded as a gold standard. Results: Among 50 patients, 34 demonstrated PCT ${\geq}0.5{\mu}g/L$. Coincidence imaging showed in 37 patients with inflammatory lesions, and 13 with malignancy. Finally, 36 bacterial, 1 fungal and 1 viral infections, as well as 12 cancerous fevers were confirmed by dual-phase $^{18}F$-FDG SPECT with PCT, combined with bacterial cultivation and clinical follow-up. Conclusion: Our study demonstrated that dual-phase $^{18}F$-FDG SPECT in association with PCT could be a valuable tool for diagnosis in tumor patients with FUO.

Elevated Serum Ferritin Levels in Patients with Hematologic Malignancies

Zhang, Xue-Zhong,Su, Ai-Ling,Hu, Ming-Qiu,Zhang, Xiu-Qun,Xu, Yan-Li Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.15

Purpose: To retrospectively analyze variability and clinical significance of serum ferritin levels in Chinese patients with hematologic malignancies. Materials and Methods: Serum ferritin were measured by radioimmunoassay, using a kit produced by the Beijing Institute of Atomic Energy. Patients with hematologic malignancies, and treated in the Department of Hematology in Nanjing First Hospital and fulfilled study criteria were recruited. Results: Of 473 patients with hematologic malignancies, 262 patients were diagnosed with acute leukemia, 131 with lymphoma and 80 with multiple myeloma. Serum ferritin levels of newly diagnosed and recurrent patients were significantly higher than those entering complete remission stage or in the control group (p<0.001). Conclusions: Serum ferritin lever in patients with hematologic malignancies at early stage and recurrent stage are significantly increased, so that detection and surveillance of changes of serum ferritin could be helpful in assessing conditions and prognosis of this patient cohort.

Phase II Study on Voriconazole for Treatment of Chinese Patients with Malignant Hematological Disorders and Invasive Aspergillosis

Zhang, Xue-Zhong,Huang, Xin-En,Xu, Yan-Li,Zhang, Xiu-Qun,Su, Ai-ling,Shen, Zheng-Shan Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.5

Objective: To investigate the efficacy and safety of voriconazole in treating Chinese patients with hematological malignancies and invasive aspergillosis. Methods: From March 2007 to April 2012, patients with diagnoses confirmed by CT, GM test and/or PCR assays, were recruited into this study. Aspergillosis of all patients were treated with voriconazole 6 mg/kg intravenous infusion (iv) every 12 h for 1 day, followed by 4 mg/kg IV every 12 h for 10-15 days; Then, switch to oral administration that was 200mg every 12h for 4-12 weeks. Efficacy and safety were evaluated according to Practice Guideline of Infectious Diseases Society of America. Results: The overall response rate of 38 patients after voriconazole treatment was 81.6%. The median time to pyretolysis was 4.5 days. Treatment related side effects were mild and found in only 15.8% of cases. No treatment related deaths occurred. Conclusions: Voriconazole can considered to be a safe and effective front-line therapy to treat patients with hematological malignancies and invasive aspergillosis. Alternatively it could be used as a remedial treatment when other antifungal therapies are ineffective.

Analysis on Postoperative Efficacy of Radical Hepatectomy for Patients with Non-HBV/HCV Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Zhang, Zhi-Ming,Zhang, Yu-Mei,Yao, Feng,Yi, Ping,Huang, Shang,Liu, Jian-Yong,Xiang, Bang-De,Yuan, Wei-Ping,Li, Le-Qun Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.8

Objective: Patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in stage Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC)-A were grouped based on whether they were accompanied with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection or not so as to explore the clinical characteristics and prognostic conditions of HCC patients with non-HBV/hepatitis C virus (HCV). Materials and Methods: Clinical data of 64 stage BCLC-A HCC patients with non-HBV/HCV infection (observation group) who received radical hepatectomy in the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Guangxi Medical University from January, 2006 to November, 2014 were retrospectively analyzed and compared with those of 409 stage BCLC-A HCC patients with HBV infection (control group) in corresponding period. Results: The postoperative 1-, 3- and 5-year recurrent rates of the observation group were 25%, 38.6% and 48.8%, with postoperative mean and median disease-free survival time being 49.1 months and 62.0 months, respectively. Additionally, the postoperative 1-, 3- and 5-year survival rates of observation group were 90.1%, 72.7% and 62.0%, with the mean and median survival times being 54.4 months and 70.0 months, respectively. Conclusions: The 1-year recurrent rate is the highest in HCC patients with non-HBV/HCV, and almost half of the patients have recurrence within 1 year, after which the recurrent rate decreases along with the time.

Influence of Expression Plasmid of Connective Tissue Growth Factor and Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 shRNA on Hepatic Precancerous Fibrosis in Rats

Zhang, Qun,Shu, Fu-li,Jiang, Yu-Feng,Huang, Xin-En Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.16

Background: In this study, influence caused by expression plasmids of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) short hairpin RNA (shRNA) on mRNA expression of CTGF,TIMP-1,procol-${\alpha}1$ and PCIII in hepatic tissue with hepatic fibrosis, a precancerous condition, in rats is analyzed. Materials and Methods: To screen and construct shRNA expression plasimid which effectively interferes RNA targets of CTGF and TIMP-1 in rats. 50 cleaning Wistar male rats are allocated randomly at 5 different groups after precancerous fibrosis models and then injection of shRNA expression plasimids. Plasmid psiRNA-GFP-Com (CTGF and TIMP-1 included), psiRNA-GFP-CTGF, psiRNA-GFP-TIMP-1 and psiRNA-DUO-GFPzeo of blank plasmid are injected at group A, B, C and D, respectively, and as model control group that none plasimid is injected at group E. In 2 weeks after last injection, to hepatic tissue at different groups, protein expression of CTGF, TIMP-1, procol-${\alpha}1$ and PC III is tested by immunohistochemical method and,mRNA expression of CTGF,TIMP-1,procol-${\alpha}1$ and PCIII is measured by real-time PCR. One-way ANOVA is used to comparison between-groups. Results: Compared with model group, there is no obvious difference of mRNA expression among CTGF,TIMP-1,procol-${\alpha}1$, PC III and of protein expression among CTGF, TIMP-1, procol-${\alpha}1$, PC III in hepatic tissue at group injected with blank plasmid. Expression quantity of mRNA of CTGF, TIMP-1, procol-${\alpha}1$ and PCIII at group A, B and C decreases, protein expression of CTGF, TIMP-1, procol-${\alpha}1$, PC III in hepatic tissue is lower, where the inhibition of combination RNA interference group (group A) on procol-${\alpha}1$ mRNA transcription and procol-${\alpha}1$ protein expression is superior to that of single interference group (group B and C) (P<0.01 or P<0.05). Conclusions: RNA interference on CTGF and/or TIMP-1 is obviously a inhibiting factor for mRNA and protein expression of CTGF, TIMP-1, procol-${\alpha}1$ and PCIII. Combination RNA interference on genes of CTGF and TIMP-1 is superior to that of single RNA interference, and this could be a contribution for prevention of precancerous condition.

Histone Deacetylase Inhibitor Trichostatin A Enhances Antitumor Effects of Docetaxel or Erlotinib in A549 Cell Line

Zhang, Qun-Cheng,Jiang, Shu-Juan,Zhang, Song,Ma, Xiao-Bin Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.7

Background and Objective: Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors represent a promising class of potential anticancer agents for treatment of human malignancies. In this study, we investigated the effect of trichostatin A (TSA), one such HDAC inhibitor, in combination with docetaxel (TXT), a cytotoxic chemotherapy agent or erlotinib, a novel molecular target therapy drug, on lung cancer A549 cells. Methods: A549 cells were treated with TXT, erlotinib alone or in combination with TSA, respectively. Cell viability, apoptosis, and cell cycle distribution were evaluated using MTT (3- (4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl) -2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay, Hochst33258 staining and flow cytometry. Moreover, immunofluorescent staining and Western blot analysis were employed to examine alterations of ${\alpha}$-tubulin, heat shock protein 90 (hsp90), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), and caspase-3 in response to the different exogenous stimuli. Results: Compared with single-agent treatment, co-treatment of A549 cells with TSA/TXT or TSA/erlotinib synergistically inhibited cell proliferation, induced apoptosis, and caused cell cycle delay at the $G_2/M$ transition. Treatment with TSA/TXT or TSA/erlotinib led to a significant increase of cleaved caspase-3 expression, also resulting in elevated acetylation of ${\alpha}$-tubulin or hsp90 and decreased expression of EGFR, which was negatively associated with the level of acetylated hsp90. Conclusions: Synergistic anti-tumor effects are observed between TXT or erlotinib and TSA on lung cancer cells. Such combinations may provide a more effective strategy for treating human lung cancer.

Role of a Novel Pyridostigmine Bromide-Phospholipid Nanocomplex in Improving Oral Bioavailability

Qun-you Tan,Jing-qing Zhang,Ni-ni Hu,Guo-dong Liu,Hua-feng Yin,Li Zhang,Hong Wang,Lu-yang Lu 대한약학회 2012 Archives of Pharmacal Research Vol.35 No.3

A novel pyridostigmine bromide (PB)-phospholipid nanocomplex (PBPLC) was prepared to increase the bioavailability of PB. A central composite design approach was employed for process optimization. The physicochemical properties of PBPLC were investigated by means of differential scanning calorimetry, ultraviolet spectroscopy, Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy and the n-octano/water partition coefficient. The intestinal permeability of PBPLC was observed via a single pass intestinal perfusion in rats. After oral administration of PBPLC, the concentrations of PB at predetermined time points were determined by HPLC, and the pharmacokinetic parameters were computed by DAS 2.1.1 software. Multiple linear regression analysis for process optimization revealed that the optimal PBPLC was obtained when the values of X1, X2, and X3 were 8, 40oC, and 4 mg/mL, respectively. The average particle size and zeta potential of PBPLC with the optimized formulation were 204.60 nm and −25.12 mV, respectively. Non-covalent interactions between PB and phospholipids were found in the PBPLC. The n-octanol/water partition coefficient of PBPLC was substantially increased. PBPLC had better intestinal permeability in comparison with free PB. Mean plasma drug concentration-time curves of PBPLC and free PB after oral administration were both in accordance with the two-compartment open model. The values of pharmacokinetic parameters of PBPLC and free PB were the peak time (Tmax) 2 h vs 2 h, the maximum concentration (Cmax) 22.79 μg/mL vs 6.00 μg/mL, and the value of the area under the concentration vs time curve (AUC0-∞) 7128.21 μg·min/mL vs 1772.36 μg·min/mL, respectively. In conclusion, compared with free PB, PBPLC remarkably improves the oral bioavailability of PB, which is likely due to its higher lipophilicity and permeability.

Chimerism Evaluation of ‘Hongrou Huyou’, a Grafted Chimera between Citrus changshan-huyou and Citrus unshiu

Min Zhang,Zequn Zhang,Qun Wu,Fuzhi Ke,Jianguo Xu,Siqing Zhao,Gang Wang,Chi Zhang 한국원예학회 2020 원예과학기술지 Vol.38 No.1

Chimeras occur spontaneously or artificially and are valuable in horticultural crop breeding. A new diploid citrus chimera, named ‘Hongrou Huyou’ (abbreviated HH) (Citrus changshan-huyou + C. unshiu), was found during a bud sports investigation in China. The morphology, flesh carotenoid content, and molecular markers were evaluated in HH and the two grafted donors. The results showed that characteristics derived from L2/L3, such as the fruit size, winged leaf, seed, pollen, and rind aroma, were similar to those of C. changshan-huyou (CH), whereas the juice sac and stomatal characteristics originating from L1 were the same as those of the satsuma mandarin. High-performance liquid chromatography analysis of carotenes from the flesh of HH showed that the content was the same as that of the satsuma mandarin, with β-cryptoxanthin producing the main carotenoid spectrum, whereas lutein and violaxanthin were the main carotenoids in CH. Nuclear simple sequence repeat, chloroplast simple sequence repeat, and mitochondrial simple sequence repeat analyses showed that the leaves, outer pericarp (epidermis and flavedo), segment wall, and juice sac of HH contained the nuclear, chloroplast, and mitochondrial genomes of both donors; however, the albedo of HH only contained the genetic material of CH. Thus, HH is confirmed to be a periclinal chimera that consists of L1 from C. unshiu and L2/L3 from CH.

CK2 phosphorylates AP-2α and increases its transcriptional activity

( Kai Qun Ren ),( Shuang Lin Xiang ),( Fang Li He ),( Wen Feng Zhang ),( Xiao Feng Ding ),( Yan Yang Wu ),( Li Ping Yang ),( Jian Lin Zhou ),( Xiang Gao ),( Jian Zhang ) 생화학분자생물학회(구 한국생화학분자생물학회) 2011 BMB Reports Vol.44 No.7

Transcription factor AP-2α involves in the process of mammalian embryonic development and tumorigenesis. Many studies have shown that AP-2α functions in association with other interacting proteins. In a two-hybrid screening, the regulatory subunit β of protein casein kinase 2 (CK2β) was identified as an interacting protein of AP-2α; we confirmed this interaction using in-vitro GST pull-down and in-vivo co-immunoprecipitation assays; in an endogenous co-immunoprecipitation experiment, we further found the catalytic subunit α of protein casein kinase 2 (CK2α) also exists in the complex. Phosphorylation analysis revealed that AP-2α was phosphorylated by CK2 kinase majorly at the site of Ser429, and such phosphorylation could be blocked by CK2 specific inhibitor 4,5,6,7-tetrabromobenzotriazole (TBB) in a dose-dependent manner. Luciferase assays demonstrated that both CK2α and CK2β enhanced the transcription activity of AP-2α; moreover, CK2β increased the stability of AP-2α. Our data suggest a novel cellular function of CK-2 as a transcriptional co-activator of AP-2α.

民國時期住房權入憲的回顧與反思

張群(Zhang Qun) 경북대학교 아시아연구소 2010 아시아연구 Vol.- No.11

民國時期에 住宅難이 심각했다. 住宅難을 해결하여 사회 질서를 안정시키기 위하여 國民黨政府는 民法등 住宅難과 관련된 法律을 반포한 후 憲法차원에서 약소세력의 住宅權보장 문제를 고려하기 시작하였다. 民國의 이러한 정신을 가장 먼저 나타낸 것이 바로 訓政約法이다. 여기에는 명확한房租管制조항이 포함되었다. 곧이어 土地法과 住宅賃貸借條例등이 반포되었다. 그러나 전쟁으로 인해 이것이 철저히 관철되지는 못하였다. 1930年代중반의 “五五憲草”와 1940年代중반의 國大制憲時期에도 住宅保障入憲의 提議가 있었지만, 1947년 1월 1일에 정식으로 반포된 中華民國憲法에는 구체적인 조항이 채택되지 못하였다. 어떤 학자들은 이 憲法에 “住者有其屋”조항이 포함되었다고 하지만, 이런 주장은 통설로 인정되지 못하였다. 이 憲法中의 生存權조항도 住房權保障에 대한 직접적인 추진 작용을 하지 못하였다. 따라서 民國憲法史上주택문제는 해결되지 못하였다. 이는 현실사회의 불안과 지도자층의 주택문제에 대한 인식의 부재 등에도 그 원인이 있었지만,1947年民國憲法중에 이미 “人民之生存權、工作權與財產權,應予保障”이라고 명확히 규정되었기 때문이다. 이 조항은 기본주거조건이 포함된 보증이라고 해석할 수 있다. 따라서 住宅權을 전문적으로 열거할 필요가 있을지에 대해서는 의문이 든다. 이외에 住宅權의 실현은 엄청난 자금과 인력이 필요하였기 때문에 단시일 내에 실현될 수 없었다. 이런 까닭으로 住宅權의 入憲자체는 매우 신중하게 다루어야 할 문제였다. 1949년 이후,대부분의 중국 헌법은 모두 재산권의 시각에서 주택에 대해 특별히 보호하였다. 그러나 2004년에 삭제되었다. 주택을 인간성 존엄에 있어서의 중요성과 인격재산 및 생존재산의 특징으로 보면 헌법에서 住宅權에 대해 특별히 보호하는 것은 매우 필요한 것이다. 미래의 헌법 개정에서는 物權法등의 규정을 빌려 현행 헌법 제13조항 뒤에 住宅特別保護에 관한 규정을 추가할 필요가 있다. 예를 들면, 徵收住宅은 반드시 먼저 徵收人의 居住條件을 보장해야 하며 강제축출을 금지해야 한다. 이와 같은 규정은 현실적인 주택문제의 수요를 해결할 수 있을 뿐만 아니라 新中國헌법에서 주택을 특별히 보호하려는 전통에 대한 계승이 될 수 있다. Housing shortage was a heavy problem in the period of Minguo. In order to solve the problem, the Government of Republic of China enacted the Civic Code in 1929 and the Land Law in 1930, establishing public housing, maximum rent, warrant of habitability and other policies. Then KMP(Kuomintang) began to take the constitutional protection of housing right into account. In 1931 the rent control policy was wrote in Xunzheng Yuefa and the government enacted three Rent Acts during the follow time(1937~1949). But they were not implemented thoroughly because of the Anti-Japan War. During the next constitutional convention including Wuwu Xiancao(1935) and Guoda Zhixian (1946), housing right was still advised to write in the new constitution but refused by the Legislature(1936) and the National Assembly(1946). It was firstly resulted by the state of emergency and the political subject such as military and party were the most important and urgent problem and the constitution maker had to take them precedence. It was also because of the widespread one-sided view that the housing problem was decided by the land policy and may be solved easily after the nationalization of city land. We can learn from the experience that we should research the housing problem from new perspective and be more serious to take the constitutional protection of housing right. We should also think to modify the constitution to improve the protection of housing in the future.