• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제15권1호
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• pp.273-276
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• 2014

Ellagic acid has been shown to inhibit tumor cell growth. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain elusive. In this study, our aim was to investigate whether ellagic acid inhibits the proliferation of MCF-7 human breast cancer cells via regulation of the TGF-${\beta}$/Smad3 signaling pathway. MCF-7 breast cancer cells were transfected with pEGFP-C3 or pEGFP-C3/Smad3 plasmids, and treated with ellagic acid alone or in combination with SIS3, a specific inhibitor of Smad3 phosphorylation. Cell proliferation was assessed by MTT assay and the cell cycle was detected by flow cytometry. Moreover, gene expression was detected by RT-PCR, real-time PCR and Western blot analysis. The MTT assay showed that SIS3 attenuated the inhibitory activity of ellagic acid on the proliferation of MCF-7 cells. Flow cytometry revealed that ellagic acid induced G0/G1 cell cycle arrest which was mitigated by SIS3. Moreover, SIS3 reversed the effects of ellagic acid on the expression of downstream targets of the TGF-${\beta}$/Smad3 pathway. In conclusion, ellagic acid leads to decreased phosphorylation of RB proteins mainly through modulation of the TGF-${\beta}$/Smad3 pathway, and thereby inhibits the proliferation of MCF-7 breast cancer cells.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제16권18호
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• pp.8031-8039
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• 2016

Background: Preclinical studies have demonstrated that ${\beta}$-adrenergic receptor antagonists could improve the prognosis of breast cancer. However, the conclusions of clinical and pharmacoepidemiological studies have been inconsistent. This review was conducted to re-assess the relationship between beta-adrenoceptor blockers and breast cancer prognosis. Materials and Methods: The literature was searched from PubMed, EMBASE and Web of Nature (Thompson Reuters) databases through using key terms, such as breast cancer and beta-adrenoceptor blockers. Results: Ten publications met the inclusion criteria. Six suggested that receiving beta-adrenoceptor blockers reduced the risk of breast cancer-specific mortality, and three of them had statistical significance (hazard ratio (HR)=0.42; 95% CI=0.18-0.97; p=0.042). Two studies reported that risk of recurrence and distant metastasis (DM) were both significantly reduced. One study demonstrated that the risk of relapse-free survival (RFS) was raised significantly with beta-blockers (BBS) (HR= 0.30; 95% CI=0.10-0.87; p=0.027). One reported longer disease-free interval (Log Rank (LR)=6.658; p=0.011) in BBS users, but there was no significant association between overall survival (OS) and BBS (HR= 0.35; 95% CI=0.12-1.0; p=0.05) in five studies. Conclusions: Through careful consideration, it is suggested that beta-adrenoceptor blockers use may be associated with improved prognosis in breast cancer patients. Nevertheless, larger size studies are needed to further explore the relationship between beta-blocker drug use and breast cancer prognosis.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제40권11호
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• pp.837-846
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• 2017

As a component of the neurovascular unit, cerebral smooth muscle cells (CSMCs) are an important mediator in the development of cerebral vascular diseases such as stroke. Epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) are the products of arachidonic acid catalyzed by cytochrome P450 epoxygenase. EETs are shown to exert neuroprotective effects. In this article, the role of EET in the growth and apoptosis of CSMCs and the underlying mechanisms under oxygen glucose deprivation (OGD) conditions were addressed. The viability of CMSCs was decreased significantly in the OGD group, while different subtypes of EETs, especially 14,15-EET, could increase the viability of CSMCs under OGD conditions. RAPA (serine/threonine kinase Mammalian Target of Rapamycin), a specific mTOR inhibitor, could elevate the level of oxygen free radicals in CSMCs as well as the anti-apoptotic effects of 14,15-EET under OGD conditions. However, SP600125, a specific JNK (c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase) pathway inhibitor, could attenuate oxygen free radicals levels in CSMCs as well as the anti-apoptotic effects of 14,15-EET under OGD conditions. These results strongly suggest that EETs exert protective functions during the growth and apoptosis of CSMCs, via the JNK/c-Jun and mTOR signaling pathways in vitro. We are the first to disclose the beneficial roles and underlying mechanism of 14,15-EET in CSMC under OGD conditions.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제14권7호
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• pp.4083-4087
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• 2013

We conducted an exploratory investigation of whether variation in six common SNPs of xeroderma pigmentosum complementation group F (XPF) is associated with risk of glioma in a Chinese population. Six single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were genotyped in 207 glioma cases and 236 cancer-free controls by a 384-well plate format on the Sequenom MassARRAY platform (Sequenom, San Diego, USA). The rs1800067 G and rs2276466 G allele frequencies were significantly higher in the glioma group than controls. Individuals with the rs1800067 GG genotype were at greater risk of glioma when compared with the A/A genotype in the codominant model, with an OR (95% CI) of 2.63 (1.04-7.25). The rs2276466 polymorphism was significantly associated with moderate increased risk of glioma in codominant and dominant models, with ORs (95% CI) of 1.90 (1.05-3.44) and 1.55 (1.07-2.47), respectively. The combination genotype of rs1800067 G and rs2276466 G alleles was associated with a reduced risk of glioma (OR=0.44, 95% CI=0.19-0.98). These findings indicate that genetic variants of the XPF gene have critical functions in the development of glioma.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제15권2호
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• pp.855-860
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• 2014

Background: The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between different sonographic features of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) on high-frequency ultrasound and cervical lymph node metastasis (CLNM). Materials and Methods: We enrolled 548 patients who underwent initial surgery for PTC between May 2011 and December 2012 in our hospital at diagnosis. The sonographic features of 513 PTC nodules in 513 eligible patients, who had single PTC nodules in their thyroid glands, were retrospectively investigated. All patients with a suspect malignant nodule (d<0.5cm) among multiple nodules were initially diagnosed by fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) to ascertain if the suspect nodule was PTC. The final diagnosis of all the thyroid nodules and existence of CLNM were based on postoperative pathology. Patients were divided into two groups: a positive group with CLNM (224 nodules) and a negative group without CLNM (289 nodules). The following factors were investigated: gender, age, echogenicity, echotexture, size, shape, location, margin, contour, calcification morphology, distance between the nodule and pre- or post-border of the thyroid capsule, vascularity and the differences between the two groups. Results: Correlation analysis showed that shorter distances between the nodule and pre- or postborder of thyroid capsule resulted in greater risk of CLNM (Spearman correlation coefficient=-0.22, p<0.0001). The significant factors in multivariate analysis were age<45yrs, larger size (d>1cm), "wider than tall" shape, extrathyroid extension and mixed flow (internal and peripheral) (p<0.05, OR=0.406, 2.093, 0.461, 1.610, 1.322). Conclusions: Significant sonographic features of PTC nodules in preoperative high-frequency ultrasound are crucial for predicting CLNM.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제15권14호
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• pp.5799-5804
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• 2014

Background: Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is the most widely used and studied method internationally for the local treatment of liver tumors. However, the extension of coagulation necrosis in one RFA procedure is limited and incomplete coverage of the damaged area can lead to a high local recurrence rate. Objective: In this study, we compared the effects of different solutions in enhancing hepatic radiofrequency by establishing a rabbit VX2 liver cancer model. We also determined the optimal solution to maximise effects on the extent of RFA-induced coagulation necrosis. Methods: Thirty VX2 tumor rabbits were randomly assigned to five groups: group A, RFA alone; group B, RFA with anhydrous ethanol injection; group C, RFA with 5% hypertonic saline injection; group D, RFA with lidocaine injection; and group E, RFA with a mixed solution. Routine ultrasound examinations and contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) of the ablation areas were performed after RFA. Then, we measured the major axis and transverse diameter and compared the areas of coagulation necrosis induced by RFA. Results: The mean ablation area range increased in groups B, C and especially E, and the scopes were greater compared with group A. Preoperative application of anhydrous ethanol, hypertonic saline, lidocaine and the mixed solution (groups B, C, D and E, respectively) resulted in larger coagulation necrosis areas than in group A (p<0.05). Among the groups, the coagulation necrosis areas in group E was largest, and the difference was statistically significant compared with other groups (p<0.05). Pathological findings were consistent with imaging results. Conclusions: A mixture of dehydrated alcohol, hypertonic saline and lidocaine injected with RFA increases the extent of coagulation necrosis in the liver with a single application, and the mixed solution is more effective than any other injection alone.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제23권3호
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• pp.382-389
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• 2013

Propionate is an important intermediate product during the methane fermentation of organic matter, and its degradation is crucial for maintaining the performance of an anaerobic digester. In order to understand the effect of temperature on propionate degradation, an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor with synthetic wastewater containing propionate as a sole carbon source was introduced. Under the hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 10 h and influent propionate of 2,000 mg/l condition, propionate removal was above 94% at 30-$35^{\circ}C$, whereas propionate conversion was inhibited when temperature was suddenly decreased stepwise from $30^{\circ}C$ to $25^{\circ}C$, to $20^{\circ}C$, and then to $18^{\circ}C$. After a long-term operation, the propionate removal at $25^{\circ}C$ resumed to the value at 30- $35^{\circ}C$, whereas that at $20^{\circ}C$ and $18^{\circ}C$ was still lower than the value at $35^{\circ}C$ by 8.1% and 20.7%, respectively. Microbial community composition analysis showed that Syntrophobacter and Pelotomaculum were the major propionate-oxidizing bacteria (POB), and most POB had not changed with temperature decrease in the UASB. However, two POB were enriched at $18^{\circ}C$, indicating they were low temperature tolerant. Methanosaeta and Methanospirillum were the dominant methanogens in this UASB and remained constant during temperature decrease. Although the POB and methanogenic composition hardly changed with temperature decrease, the specific $COD_{Pro}$ removal rate of anaerobic sludge (SCRR) was reduced by 21.4%-46.4% compared with the control ($35^{\circ}C$) in this system.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• 제45권2호
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• pp.203-210
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• 2013

The objective of this conducted research is to study the iodine removal efficiency in a self-priming venturi scrubber for submerged and non-submerged operating conditions experimentally and theoretically. The alkaline solution is used as an absorbent, which is prepared by dissolving sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and sodium thiosulphate ($Na2S_2O_3$) in water to remove the gaseous iodine ($I_2$) from the gas. Iodine removal efficiency is examined at various gas flow rates and inlet concentrations of iodine for submerged and non-submerged operating conditions. In the non-submerged venturi scrubber, only the droplets take part in iodine removal efficiency. However, in a submerged venturi scrubber condition, the iodine gas is absorbed from gas to droplets inside the venturi scrubber and from bubbles to surrounding liquid at the outlet of a venturi scrubber. Experimentally, it is observed that the iodine removal efficiency is greater in the submerged venturi scrubber as compare to a non-submerged venturi scrubber condition. The highest iodine removal efficiency of $0.99{\pm}0.001$ has been achieved in a submerged self-priming venturi scrubber condition. A mathematical correlation is used to predict the theoretical iodine removal efficiency in submerged and non-submerged conditions, and it is compared against the experimental results. The Wilkinson et al. correlation is used to predict the bubble diameter theoretically whereas the Nukiyama and Tanasawa correlation is used for droplet diameter. The mass transfer coefficient for the gas phase is calculated from the Steinberger and Treybal correlation. The calculated results for a submerged venturi scrubber agree well with experimental results but underpredicts in the case of the non-submerged venturi scrubber.

• 가정과삶의질연구
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• 제30권5호
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• pp.29-47
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• 2012

The purpose of this research is to identify the everyday life culture, housing satisfaction and housing importance of older Korean-Chinese living in Harbin, China. Social survey research using the questionnaire was conducted from August to October in 2011. A total of 94 usable samples were analyzed by the SPSS version the 18.0 statistical program using frequency, percentage, cross-tabulation, factor analysis, and Pearson's correlation. The major findings were as follows. Firstly, older Chinese in Harbin were assimilated into Chinese culture such as national holidays and respectful people, but acculturated in terms of their daily food, and their preference to live in a Korean-Chinese village. Secondly, they had mainly lived in multi-story houses, the so called Chinese-style apartments. The average size of their living space was $80.33m^2$ and they were usually unsatisfied with their neighbors and floor treatment lacking Ondol(溫突). Thirdly, 5 factors affecting on housing value orientation were 'physical characteristics','emotional characteristics', 'economic characteristics', 'social characteristics', 'neighbor characteristics/reputation of the house' and they explained 73.9%. 2 factors affecting on housing satisfaction were 'inner complex/inner space' and 'neighborhood environment' and they explained 69.4%. In conclusion, some policy is needed for Korean Chinese living in Harbin for their well-being when it comes to their housing needs and conditions. Given the nature of big city, Harbin and its attraction, younger Korean-Chinese tend to be rapidly assimilated into Chinese culture. However older people in Harbin think that it is important for their children to learn both countries' languages and cultures in order to be successful, so some concrete policies and supports are needed.

• Journal of Power Electronics
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• 제11권5호
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• pp.759-766
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• 2011

This paper focuses on monitoring and predicting the short circuit faults of the rotor windings of large turbo-generator systems. For the purpose of increasing efficiency and decreasing maintenance cost, a method that combines the HHT (Hilbert Huang Transform) with a wavelet has been studied. This method is based on analyzing a classical Albright detecting coil. Due to the Empirical Mode Decomposition (EMD) and the Intrinsic Mode Functions (IMF) of the HHT the exact location of a short circuit of rotor windings may be given. However, a part of the useful information is eliminated by the unreasonable decomposing scale of the wavelet. Based on the thermodynamics modeling method, this study was illustrated with a 50MW turbo-generator system that is installed in Northern China. The analysis results, which have very good agreement with those of a previous study, show that the method of combining the HHT with a wavelet is an effective way to analyze and predict the short circuit faults of the rotor windings of large generators, such as supercritical turbo-generator systems and wind turbo-generator systems. This work can offer a useful reference for analyzing smart grids by improving the power quality of a distribution network that is supplied by a turbo-generator system.