Plasma Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor and CCL3 as Potential Biomarkers for Distinguishing Patients with Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma from High-Risk Individuals Who Have Positive Epstein-Barr Virus Capsid Antigen-Specific IgA

Ning Xue,Jian-Hua Lin,Shan Xing,Dan Liu,Shi-Bing Li,Yan-Zhen Lai,Xue-Ping Wang,Min-Jie Mao,Qian Zhong,Mu-Sheng Zeng,Wan-Li Liu 대한암학회 2019 Cancer Research and Treatment Vol.51 No.1

Purpose The purpose of this study was to identify novel plasma biomarkers for distinguishing nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients from healthy individuals who have positive Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) viral capsid antigen (VCA-IgA). Materials and Methods One hundred seventy-four plasma cytokines were analyzed by a Cytokine Array in eight healthy individuals with positive EBV VCA-IgA and eight patients with NPC. Real-time polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and immunohistochemistry were employed to detect the expression levels of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) and CC chemokine ligand 3 (CCL3) in NPC cell lines and tumor tissues. Plasma MIF and CCL3 were measured by ELISA in 138 NPC patients, 127 EBV VCA-IgA negative (VN) and 100 EBV VCA-IgA positive healthy donors (VP). Plasma EBV VCA-IgA was determined by immunoenzymatic techniques. Results Thirty-four of the 174 cytokines varied significantly between the VP and NPC group. Plasma MIF and CCL3 were significantly elevated in NPC patients compared with VN and VP. Combination of MIF and CCL3 could be used for the differential diagnosis of NPC from VN cohort (area under the curve [AUC], 0.913; sensitivity, 90.00%; specificity, 80.30%), and combination of MIF, CCL3, and VCA-IgA could be used for the differential diagnosis of NPC from VP cohort (AUC, 0.920; sensitivity, 90.00%; specificity, 84.00%), from (VN+VP) cohort (AUC, 0.961; sensitivity, 90.00%; specificity, 92.00%). Overexpressions of MIF and CCL3 were observed in NPC plasma, NPC cell lines and NPC tissues. Conclusion Plasma MIF, CCL3, and VCA-IgA combination significantly improves the diagnostic specificity of NPC in high-risk individuals.

Adaptive Approaches to Identify the Interface in Low Frequency Vibration-Assisted Drilling of CFRP/Ti6Al4V Stacks

Chaoren Yan,Yan Chen,Ning Qian,Nan Guo,Yongqing Wang,Haojun Yang,Biao Zhao 한국정밀공학회 2022 International Journal of Precision Engineering and Vol.23 No.8

Low frequency vibration-assisted drilling (LFVAD) of CFRP/Ti stacks is a promising method of one-shot drilling to increase efficiency and extend tool life while adaptive approaches are applied to adjust the cutting parameters in each layer. Thus, the interfacial recognition method is significant to automatically change the cutting parameters. In this paper, two recognition methods are proposed based on the analysis of the features of cutting forces under the LFVAD process in both time and frequency domains. With the recorded thrust force signals at different wear stages, both the proposed methods identify the transition point when the drill bit starts to contact the Ti layer within allowable time delay. Compared with the traditional threshold method, the time domain method and the frequency domain method respectively increase the identifying speed by 19.8% and 46.7%, besides the reduction of implementation cost. In contrast, the time domain method reduces the programming and calculation time, while the frequency domain method improves the average recognition speed. Furthermore, an adaptive drilling system embedded with the established time-domain method is designed and the accuracy of the method is proved of 100% in a drilling test of all 20 CFRP/Ti stack holes. Moreover, the effect of the adaptive LFVAD process in improving tool wear and increasing machining efficiency is verified by reducing the force growth rate by 11.7% and time decrease of 37% in a hole-making cycle compared with the traditional LFVAD process.

Longitudinal Ultrasonic Vibration Assisted Rapid Solid Phase Bonding of 2024 Aluminum Alloy Using Ag as Interlayer for Structure Lightweight Design

Baoqun Ning,Yong Nie,Qian Wang,Yu Fu,Yue Li,Jian Han,Yingfeng Shao,Jiuchun Yan 대한금속·재료학회 2021 METALS AND MATERIALS International Vol.27 No.7

This paper introduced a method of rapid solid-phase bonding Al block with Ag as the intermediate layer by longitudinalultrasonic vibration under eutectic temperature in the atmospheric environment. This method is suitable for the application ofstructural lightweight design. It was observed that Al and Ag difuse with each other in the weld seam to form an intermetallic compound Ag2Al with close hexagonal structure. The efects of diferent reaction temperatures and ultrasonic vibrationtimes on the microstructure and mechanical properties of intermetallic compound Ag2Al were discussed. The infuence ofthe efect of ultrasonic softening waves on surface oxide flm rupture and element difusion was explored. With the increaseof ultrasonic vibration time, the intermetallic compounds grew along with the interface and the thickness increased. Whenthe welding temperature was 500 °C and the ultrasonic vibration was 20 s, the highest average strength of the welded jointreaches 46.68 MPa.

In vitro Chemosensitivity in Breast Cancer Using ATP-tumor Chemosensitivity Assay

Chun-Jian Qi,Yong-Ling Ning,Yu-Lan Zhu,Hai-Yan Min,Heng Ye,Ke-Qing Qian 대한약학회 2009 Archives of Pharmacal Research Vol.32 No.12

Chemotherapy for breast cancer is given on the basis of empirical information from clinical trials, an approach which falls to take into account the known heterogeneity of chemosensitivity between patients. This study aimed to demonstrate the degree of heterogeneity of chemosensitivity in breast cancers. In this study, we examined the heterogeneity of chemosensitivity in breast cancer specimens (n = 50) using an ex vivo ATP-tumor chemosensitivity assay (ATP-TCA). Assay evaluability was 92% in surgical biopsies or pleural aspirates. A variety of chemosensitivity agents were tested. We found that the most active single agent tested was paclitaxel, to which 65.9% of samples were sensitive. Combinations of agents also showed more strong sensitivity cases. The Adriamycin+5-FU demonstrated a strong sensitivity in 23 of 43 (52.3%) of samples. Adriamycin+paclitaxel was more effective, with strong sensitivity in 37 of 43 cases tested (86.0%). There was a marked heterogeneity of chemosensitivity in breast cancer. Chemosensitivity testing may provide a practical method of testing new regimens before clinical trials in breast cancer patients.

The role of extracellular vesicles in osteoarthritis treatment via microenvironment regulation

Han Yin,Muzhe Li,Guangzhao Tian,Yang Ma,Chao Ning,Zineng Yan,Jiang Wu,Qian Ge,Xiang Sui,Shu-Yun Liu,Jinxuan Zheng,Weimin Guo,Quan-Yi Guo 한국생체재료학회 2022 생체재료학회지 Vol.26 No.4

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease that is common among the middle-aged and older populations, causes patients to experience recurrent pain in their joints and negatively affects their quality of life. Currently, therapeutic options for patients with OA consist of medications to alleviate pain and treat the symptoms; however, due to typically poor outcomes, patients with advanced OA are unlikely to avoid joint replacement. In recent years, several studies have linked disrupted homeostasis of the joint cavity microenvironment to the development of OA. Recently, extracellular vesicles (EVs) have received increasing attention in the field of OA. EVs are natural nano-microcarrier materials with unique biological activity that are produced by cells through paracrine action. They are composed of lipid bilayers that contain physiologically active molecules, such as nucleic acids and proteins. Moreover, EVs may participate in local and distal intercellular and intracellular communication. EVs have also recently been shown to influence OA development by regulating biochemical factors in the OA microenvironmental. In this article, we first describe the microenvironment of OA. Then, we provide an overview of EVs, summarize the main types used for the treatment of OA, and describe their mechanisms. Next, we review clinical studies using EVs for OA treatment. Finally, the specific mechanism underlying the application of miRNA-enriched EVs in OA therapy is described.

Propofol attenuates hydrogenperoxide- induced apoptosis in human umbilical vein endothelial cells via multiple signaling pathways

Cheng Lan Xie,Yin Bing Pan,Liu Qing Hu,Yan Ning Qian 대한마취통증의학회 2015 Korean Journal of Anesthesiology Vol.68 No.5

Background: Propofol has been reported to protect vascular endothelial cells against oxidative stress. In this study we investigated its effect on hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced apoptosis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and examined the possible signaling pathways. Methods: HUVECs were pretreated with propofol (1, 5, 25, and 50 μM) for 30 min and then co-incubated with 0.4 mM H2O2 for 4 h. Cell viability was assessed using a Cell Counting Kit-8. Cell apoptosis was analyzed using flow cytometry with annexin V/propidium iodide staining, and evaluated by quantifying caspase-3, Bax, and Bcl-2 expression levels. The expression levels of p38 mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK), phosphorylated (p)-p38 MAPK, cJun-N-terminal kinases (JNK), phosphorylated (p)-JNK, Akt and phosphorylated Akt [(p)-Akt] (Ser473) were measured by western blotting. Results: H2O2 treatment induced the activation of caspase-3, downregulated Bcl-2 expression, and up-regulated Bax expression, all of which were dose-dependently attenuated by propofol pretreatment. Furthermore, propofol significantly ameliorated H2O2-induced phosphorylation of p38 MAPK, JNK, and Akt in HUVECs. Conclusions: Propofol can protect HUVECs against H2O2-induced apoptosis via a mechanism that may involve p38 MAPK, JNK, and Akt signaling pathways.

Prognostic Values of VEGF and Endostatin with Malignant Pleural Effusions in Patients with Lung Cancer

Zhang, Yu,Yu, Li-Ke,Lu, Guo-Jun,Xia, Ning,Xie, Hai-Yan,Hu, Wei,Hao, Ke-Ke,Xu, Chun-Hua,Qian, Qian Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.19

Aims: Angiogenesis is important in malignant pleural effusion (MPE) formation and it is regulated by a number of pro- and anti-angiogenic cytokines. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of angiogenic factor vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and angiogenesis inhibitor endostatin in lung cancer patients with MPE, and investigate the relationship between these two kinds of agent. Methods: Using enzyme-linked immunoadsorbent assay, the concentrations of VEGF and endostatin were measured in pleural effusions (PE) and serum from a total of 70 lung cancer patients with MPE and 20 patients with tuberculosis. Results: Compared to patients with tuberculosis, the levels of VEGF and endostatin in both PE and serum were significantly higher in patients with lung cancer. There were statistically significant correlations between VEGF levels in PE and serum (r=0.696, p<0.001), endostatin levels in PE and serum (r=0.310, p=0.022), and VEGF and endostatin levels in PE (r=0.287, p=0.019). Cox multivariate analysis revealed that elevated pleural VEGF and endostatin levels and serum endostatin level were independent predictors of shorter overall survival. Conclusion: Both pro- and anti-angiogenic factors are likely contributors to PE formation. Our results suggest that the levels of VEGF and endostatin in PE, together with endostatin in serum, may be potential prognostic parameters for lung cancer patients with MPE.

Longitudinal Intrinsic Brain Activity Changes in Cirrhotic Patients before and One Month after Liver Transplantation

Yue Cheng,Li-Xiang Huang,Li Zhang,Ming Ma,Shuang-Shuang Xie,Qian Ji,Xiao-Dong Zhang,Gao-Yan Zhang,Xue-Ning Zhang,Hong-Yan Ni,Wen Shen 대한영상의학회 2017 Korean Journal of Radiology Vol.18 No.2

Objective: To evaluate the spontaneous brain activity alterations in liver transplantation (LT) recipients using resting-state functional MRI. Materials and Methods: Twenty cirrhotic patients as transplant candidates and 25 healthy controls (HCs) were included in this study. All patients repeated the MRI study one month after LT. Amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (ALFF) values were compared between cirrhotic patients (both pre- and post-LT) and HCs as well as between the pre- and post-LT groups. The relationship between ALFF changes and venous blood ammonia levels and neuropsychological tests were investigated using Pearson’s correlation analysis. Results: In the cirrhotic patients, decreased ALFF in the vision-related regions (left lingual gyrus and calcarine), sensorimotor-related regions (left postcentral gyrus and middle cingulate cortex), and the default-mode network (bilateral precuneus and left inferior parietal lobule) were restored, and the increased ALFF in the temporal and frontal lobe improved in the early period after LT. The ALFF decreases persisted in the right supplementary motor area, inferior parietal lobule, and calcarine. The ALFF changes in the right precuneus were negatively correlated with changes in number connection test-A scores (r = 0.507, p < 0.05). Conclusion: LT improved spontaneous brain activity and the results for associated cognition tests. However, decreased ALFF in some areas persisted, and new-onset abnormal ALFF were possible, indicating that complete cognitive function recovery may need more time.