• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.7
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• pp.3015-3023
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• 2012

The mitochondrial antioxidant protein manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) may represent a new type of tumor suppressor protein. Overexpression of the cDNA of this gene by plasmid or recombinant lentiviral transfection in various types of cancer leads to growth suppression both in vitro and in vivo. We previously determined that changes in MnSOD expression had bidirectional effects on adriamycin (ADR) when combined with nitric oxide (NO). Radiation induces free radicals in a manner similar to ADR, so we speculated that MnSOD combined with NO would also have a bidirectional effect on cellular radiosensitivity. To examine this hypothesis, TE-1 human esophageal squamous carcinoma cells were stably transfected using lipofectamine with a pLenti6-DEST plasmid containing human MnSOD cDNA at moderate to high overexpression levels or with no MnSOD insert. Blastidicin-resistant colonies were isolated, grown, and maintained in culture. We found that moderate overexpression of MnSOD decreased growth rates, plating efficiency, and increased apoptosis. However, high overexpression increased growth rates, plating efficiency, and decreased apoptosis. When combined with NO, moderate overexpression of MnSOD increased the radiosensitivity of esophageal cancer cells, whereas high MnSOD overexpression had the opposite effect. This finding suggests a potential new method to kill certain radioresistant tumors and to provide radioresistance to normal cells.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.7
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• pp.3191-3194
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• 2014

Adenocarcinoma of lung has high incidence and a poor prognosis, woith chemotherapy as the main therapeutic tool, most commonly with cisplatin. However, chemotherapy resistance develops in the majority of patients during clinic treatment. Mechanisms of resistance are complex and still unclear. Although annexin play important roles in various tumor resistance mechanisms, their actions in cisplatin-resistant lung adenocarcinoma remain unclear. Preliminary studies by our group found that in cisplatin-resistant lung cancer A549 cells and lung adenocarcinoma tissues, both mRNA and protein expression of annexins A1, A2 and A3 is increased. Using a library of annexin A1, A2 and A3 targeting combined molecules already established by ourselves we found that specific targeting decreased cisplatin-resistance. Taken together, the underlined effects of annexins A1, A2 and A3 on drug resistance and suggest molecular mechanisms in cisplatin-resistant A549 cells both in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, the study points to improved research on occurrence and development of lung adenocarcinoma, with provision of effective targets and programmes for lung adenocarcinoma therapy in the clinic.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.10
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• pp.5861-5865
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• 2013

We investigated the distribution of HPV genotypes in Uyghur women in Xinjiang region of China, and behavioral factors which could predispose them to HPV infection. In this cross-sectional study, women aged 15-59 years were recruited by cluster sampling method in Yutian region in 2009. Liquid-based cytology samples were analyzed centrally for HPV genotype with a linear array detector. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify behavioral risk factors for HPV infection. A total of 883 Uyghur women were recruited successfully. The prevalence of high-risk HPV and low-risk HPV were 7.25% and 1.58%, respectively; the most common HPVs were HPV16, 51, 31, 39 and 58. We found that age of first sexual intercourse was a strong predictor for HPV infection (odds ratio of 4.01 for ${\leq}15$ years versus ${\geq}25$). Having sexual partners ${\geq}3$ was the second predictor (OR 3.69, 95% CI 2.24-7.16). Cleaning the vagina after sex showed an increased risk of HPV infection (OR 2.72; 95% CI 1.98-5.13); Using the condom showed protective factors for HPV infection (OR 0.36; 95%CI0.12-0.53). HPV16, 51, 31, 39 and 58 were the priority types; the age of first sexual intercourse was identified as a major risk factor for HPV infection. Other notable risks were number of sexual partners and cleaning the vagina after sex. Changing these behavioral risk factors could help to reduce the occurrence of cervical cancer in this population.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.1993-1998
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• 2016

The effects of carbon-ion irradiation on cancer cell telomere function have not been comprehensively studied. In our previous report cancer cells with telomere dysfunction were more sensitive to carbon-ion irradiation, but the underlying mechanisms remained unclear. Here we found that telomerase activity was suppressed by carbon-ion irradiation via hTERT down-regulation. Inhibition of telomere activity by MST-312 further increased cancer cell radiosensitivity to carbon-ion radiation. hTERT suppression caused by either carbon-ion irradiation or MST-312 impaired mitochondrial function, as indicated by decreased membrane potential, mtDNA copy number, mitochondrial mass, total ATP levels and elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS). PGC-$1{\alpha}$ expression was repressed after carbion-ion irradiation, and hTERT inhibition by MST-312 could further exacerbate this effect. Lowering the mitochondrial ROS level by MitoTEMPO could partially counteract the induction of cellular senescence induced by carbon-ion radiation and MST-312 incubation. Taken together, the current data suggest that telomere-mitochondrion links play a role in the induction of senescence in MCF-7 cells after carbon-ion irradiation.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.1111-1116
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• 2015

Background: To investigate the relationship between pathologic tumor response to concurrent chemoradiotherapy and variation of serum VEGF in patients with esophageal cancer. Materials and Methods: Forty six patients with esophageal cancer who were treated with concurrent chemo-radiotherapy were enrolled. Endoscopic and pathologic examination was conducted before and four weeks afterwards. Serum level of VEGF was documented before, four weeks later and after chemo-radiotherapy. The relationship between pathologic response and the variation of serum level of VEGF and its influence on the prognosis were investigated. Results: Serum level of VEGF decreased remarkably during and after chemo-radiotherapy in patients whose pathologic response was severe (F=5.393, 4.587, P(0.05). There were no statistical differences of serum VEGF level before, during and after chemo-radiotherapy for patients whose pathologic response was moderate or mild. There were 18 (85.7%), 7 (53.8%) and 6 patients (50.0%) whose serum VEGF level dropped in the severe, moderate and mild group, respectively, with significant differences among these groups (p=0.046). Two year survival rates of patients with severe, moderate and mild pathologic response were 61.9%, 53.8% and 33.3% respectively, and no statistically difference between severe and mild group regarding OS (p=0.245) was tested. Conclusions: Tumor pathologic response during chemo-radiotherapy and the changes of serum VEGF lever could predict curative effects of chemo-radiotherapy in patients with esophageal cancer.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.177-192
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• 2004

Objectives : This study is designed to investigate the pathology, acupuncture and moxibustion therapy applicable of the dementia through literature of oriental medicine. Results : The findings of this study are as follows ; 1. The cause of dementia is internal damage of seven emotions(七情內傷), deficiency of the kidney essence(腎精不足), retention of dampness in the mental(痰迷心竅). 2. The acupuncture meridians used often for dementia are $Tok-maek(GV),\;Chok-t'aeyang\;Pang-gwang-Ky\check{o}ng(BL),\;Chok-yangm\check{o}yng\;Wi-Ky\check{o}ng(ST),\;Su-gwor\check{u}m\;Shimp'o-Ky\check{o}ng(PC),\;Su-so\check{u}m\;Shim-Ky\check{o}ng(HT)$. 3. The spots on the body suiTable for acupuncture used for therapy of the dementia are 98 points and extra points are 6 points, total therapeutic acupunture points are 104 points. And acupunture points are frequently used Shinmun(神門-HT7, 24), Paek'oe(百會-GV20, 19), Chok-samni(足三里-ST36, 18), Sugu(水溝-GV26, 17), P'ungnyung(豊隆-ST40, 16), Taech'u(大椎-GV14, 14), $Sam\check{u}mgyo(三陰交-SP6,\;14)$, Shimsu(心兪-BL15, 14), $Taen\check{u}ng(大陵-PC7,\;11)$, Nogung(勞宮-PC8, 11), Sosang(少商-LU11, 10), Kansa(間使-PC5, 10), Naegwan(內關-PC6, 10). 4. The acupoints used often on moxibustion are Paek'oe(百會-GV20), Chang-gang(長强-GV1), Taech'u(大椎-GV14), Kansa(間使-PC5). Conclusion : It is recommended that further study of many sided investigations in the future.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.1-11
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• 2009

Objectives : The object of this study is to investigate the balance/imbalance of skin capacitances between left and right meridians, and to analyze the change patterns of electric energy on meridians with the lapse of time. Method : Electric potential was measured on five source points (LU9, PC7, HT7, LI4, SI4) bilaterally for 4 hours. The energy balance/imbalance between left and right was investigated, and the change patterns with time were analyzed. Results and Conclusions : The amplitude of meridian energy on five source points and the energy balance/imbalance between left and right were varied in each individual. When a source point showed a balanced meridian energy bilaterally, the change patterns of meridian energy with time were similar between left and right. While, when it showed an imbalanced energy between left and right, the change patterns of meridian energy were also different between left and right. Through this study, we proposed a new diagnostic method of meridian energy.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.24 no.7
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• pp.898-904
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• 2014

The stability of Bacillus licheniformis alpha-amylase (BLA) under acid condition was enhanced through direct evolution using the error-prone polymerase chain reaction. One beneficial mutation site, H281I, was obtained in BLA. The specific activity of H281I was 161/352 U/mg, which was 62.6/27.5% higher than that of the wild-type (WT) (99/276 U/mg) at pH 4.5/6.5 and $95^{\circ}C$. The pH optimum for H281I was decreased about 1 unit, whereas no significant changes of optimum temperature and thermostability were observed compared with the wild type (WT). The $k_{cat}/K_m$ value of H281I was 1.7-/1.4-fold higher at pH 4.5/6.5, respectively, than that of WT. The structure model analysis indicated that the H281I mutation altered the predicted interaction between the amino acid residues at 281 and 273, thus creating a conducive local environment for substrate binding, as reflected by its decreased $K_m$, and consequently increased the specific activity.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.470-474
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• 2005

The efficiency of a short-term treatment with an intravaginal device containing progesterone (CIDR) combined with pregnant mares' serum gonadotrophin (PMSG) and prostaglandin analogue ($PGF_{2\alpha}$) was evaluated for the induction of estrus, initiation of cyclic activity, and fertility in postpartum suckled yak cows. Seventy-five postpartum suckled yak cows were assigned to three treatments: (1) insertion of a CIDR intravaginal progesterone (1.9 g) (day 0), an administration of $PGF_{2\alpha}$ (0.2 mg i.m.) on day 6 and PMSG (1,000 IU i.m.) at the time of CIDR withdrawal on day 7 (CPP group, n=28); (2) an administration of $PGF_{2\alpha}$ (0.2 mg i.m.) on day 6 and PMSG (1,000 IU i.m.) on day 7 (PP group, n=21); (3) untreated animals served as the control (CG group, n=26). Seven yak bulls were placed in pastures with the cows for natural mating. Estrus rate in the CPP group (28/28) was higher (p<0.01) than in the PP group (6/21) and in the CG group (0/26) within 96 h after the end of treatment. The first service conception rate in the CPP group (21/28) was higher (p<0.01) compared with in the PP group (2/9) as judged by serum $P_4$ concentration $\geq$2.35 ng/ml on day 21 after breeding. It is concluded that a short-term progesterone treatment combined with PMSG and prostaglandin increased the proportion of yak cows that exhibited behavioral estrus with more synchronized estrus response and satisfactory conception rate in postpartum suckled yak cows.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.6 no.7
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• pp.835-849
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• 2010

This study investigated propagation characteristics of piezo-activated guided waves in an aluminium rectangular-section tube for the purpose of damage identification. Changes in propagating velocity and amplitude of the first wave packet in acquired signals were observed in the frequency range from 50 to 250 kHz. The difference in guided wave propagation between rectangular- and circular-section tubes was examined using finite element simulation, demonstrating a great challenge in interpretation of guided wave signals in rectangular-section tubes. An active sensor network, consisting of nine PZT elements bonded on different surfaces of the tube, was configured to collect the wave signals scattered from through-thickness holes of different diameters. It was found that guided waves were capable of propagating across the sharp tube curvatures while retaining sensitivity to damage, even that not located on the surfaces where actuators/sensors were attached. Signal correlation between the intact and damaged structures was evaluated with the assistance of a concept of digital damage fingerprints (DDFs). The probability of the presence of damage on the unfolded tube surface was thus obtained, by which means the position of damage was identified with good accuracy.