Authors: Liu, Dong-Yao | Zhou, Yan-Huang
Article Type: Research Article
Abstract: The 2-dimensional unsteady expansion process of plasma jet ablated in capillary because of the discharging of pulse power is simulated with CE/SE (conservation element / solution element) scheme in this paper. The high resolution computational space-time CE/SE scheme is simplified and improved to solve the axisymmetric two dimensional Euler equations of the unsteady expansion process of ablation plasma jet in open air. The variation and distribution of pressure and velocity of ablation plasma jet in flow field are illustrated and analysed. The shock wave and discontinuity of the jet are clearly depicted according to results of simulation, and simulating results …are well agreement with experiment. Show more
Keywords: Plasma jet, simulation, CE/SE scheme
DOI: 10.3233/JAE-2010-1121
Citation: International Journal of Applied Electromagnetics and Mechanics, vol. 33, no. 1-2, pp. 259-269, 2010
Authors: Cheng, Shumin | Zhou, Yan | Bao, Yanling
Article Type: Research Article
Abstract: With the increasing diversification and complexity of information, it is vital to mine effective knowledge from information systems. In order to extract information rapidly, we investigate attribute reduction within the framework of dynamic incomplete decision systems. Firstly, we introduce positive knowledge granularity concept which is a novel measurement on information granularity in information systems, and further give the calculation method of core attributes based on positive knowledge granularity. Then, two incremental attribute reduction algorithms are presented for incomplete decision systems with multiple objects added and deleted on the basis of positive knowledge granularity. Furthermore, we adopt some numerical examples to …illustrate the effectiveness and rationality of the proposed algorithms. In addition, time complexity of the two algorithms are conducted to demonstrate their advantages. Finally, we extract five datasets from UCI database and successfully run the algorithms to obtain corresponding reduction results. Show more
Keywords: Incomplete decision system, positive knowledge granularity, incremental attribute reduction
DOI: 10.3233/JIFS-230349
Citation: Journal of Intelligent & Fuzzy Systems, vol. 45, no. 6, pp. 11937-11947, 2023
Authors: Jiang, Yuan | Kang, Mu-yi | Liu, Zheng | Zhou, Yan-fang
Article Type: Research Article
Abstract: This paper, probing into the present situation of urban domestic garbage by analyzing its growing trend, compositional change and regional difference, reveals the problems existing in its disposal and management in China. Meanwhile, a questionnaire was conducted in five big cities around China for surveying urban residents' attitudes towards garbage disposal and management policies and measures. Results showed the output of urban domestic garbage in Chinese cities is ever increasing, and the recoverable materials and energy in garbage composition are also increasing. The population growth, economic development, and increase of residents' expenditure level are the main factors influencing the growing …output and changing composition of the garbage. Information acquired from the questionnaire showed that majority of the urban residents are in favor of the garbage reduction policies and managerial measures and are willing to collaborate with municipal government in battling against garbage.Based on the analysis and questionnaire, some polieymaking-oriented suggestions such as operating the garbage disposal from a social welfare service to a sector of profit-gaining enterprises, transferring the garbage management from passive end control to active source control, promoting the classified garbage collection in cities around China, and charging garbage fees for its cleanup and disposal, have also been put forward in the paper. Show more
Keywords: urban domestic garbage, garbage collection, garbage disposal, garbage management
Citation: Journal of Environmental Sciences, vol. 15, no. 4, pp. 531-540, 2003
Authors: Grill, Joshua D. | Zhou, Yan | Karlawish, Jason | Elashoff, David
Article Type: Research Article
Abstract: Most patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) do not have a spouse. Despite this, the majority of AD research participants enroll with a spouse study partner. It remains unclear if differences between AD patients who do and do not have a spouse may bias study results. In this study, we examined whether AD patients with different study partner types (spouse versus adult child) demonstrate different rates of disease progression over two years on three outcome measures commonly used in AD research, including clinical trials. We used data from the National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center Uniform Data Set to examine disease progression in …participants age 55–90 with probable AD dementia. We examined disease progression as measured by the Clinical Dementia Rating Scale-Sum of the Boxes score, the Mini Mental Status Examination, and the Functional Assessment Questionnaire. Analyses were performed on data for all available eligible participants from the NACC UDS and after performing a propensity-matching model to better account for inherent differences between the populations of interest. Propensity matching was successful only when models did not include age and gender. For both propensity-matched analyses and those of all available data, we did not observe any differences between the study partner populations for any outcome measure. These results suggest that if investigators can improve in recruiting AD patients with adult child caregivers to research, the implications to study results may be minimal. Show more
Keywords: Adult children, Alzheimer's disease, caregivers, clinical trial, disease progression, spouses
DOI: 10.3233/JAD-131052
Citation: Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, vol. 38, no. 3, pp. 507-514, 2014
Authors: ZHOU, Yan-mei | LIU, Rui-xia | TANG, Hong-xiao
Article Type: Research Article
Abstract: The sorption behavior was determined for a model polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH), i.e., phenanthrene (PHN), from water to three humic acids (HAs) and three sediments in different reacting time. The chemical compositions of HA samples were measured using cross polarization magic angle spinning carbon-13 (CPMAS^{13} C) NMR along with elemental analysis. The dissolved humic substances dissociating from solid HAs and sediments were characterized by ^1 H NMR. The experiments indicated that the sorption modes and mechanisms of natural sorbents for PHN varied significantly between short (<7 d) and long contact time and the reaction time should be taken into consideration …in studying the overall sorption process. The sorption capacity (K'_1 ) and exponent (n) might be relative to the properties of dissolved humic materials in initial stage but the solid aromatic organic matter after long time reaction. According to the experiments performed in this investigation and the previous researches, a conceptive sorption model was established. Show more
Keywords: sorption, phenanthrene, humic acid, sediment, CPMAS ^{13}C NMR
Citation: Journal of Environmental Sciences, vol. 16, no. 3, pp. 408-413, 2004
Authors: Huang, Lili | Zhou, Yan | Sun, Qiuwei | Cao, Lei | Zhang, Xueguang
Article Type: Research Article
Abstract: BACKGROUND and OBJECTIVE: Gastric adenocarcinoma (GAC) is one of the most common malignancies. Increasing data have indicated a correlation between soluble B7-H3 (sB7-H3) levels and tumor malignancies. In this study, we aim to investigate the level of soluble B7-H3 in serum of GAC patients. Further, we analyze the correlation between sB7-H3 level and tissue B7-H3 expression and explore the clinical evaluation value of sB7-H3 associated with pathological characteristics and prognosis of GAC patients. METHODS: One hundred and twenty-eight serum and tissue samples of GAC, 20 serum and tissue samples of gastritis patients and 77 serum, 5 tissue samples of healthy …controls were collected. The serum levels of sB7-H3 were detected by Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), while the expression of membrane B7-H3 (mB7-H3) and Ki67 were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. The correlation between sB7-H3 and mB7-H3, sB7-H3 and Ki67, sB7-H3 or mB7-H3 and clinical features were analyzed by Pearson’s Chi-square test. RESULTS: Both serum level of sB7-H3 and tissue B7-H3 of GAC patients were significantly higher than those of gastritis patients and healthy controls. sB7-H3 level was correlated with total B7-H3 expression in tissues (r = 0.2801, P = 0.0014). Notably, the concentration of sB7-H3 was correlated with its expression of membrane form in tumor cells (r = 0.3251, P = 0.002) while not in stromal cells (r = 0.07676, P = 0.3891). Moreover, the levels of sB7-H3 in patients with TNM stage III/IV or with infiltration depth T3/T4 or with lymph node metastasis were significantly higher than those of patients with TNM stage I/II (P = 0.0020) or with Infiltration depth T1/T2 (P = 0.0169) or with no lymph node metastasis (P = 0.0086). Tumor B7-H3 score, but not stromal B7-H3 score, in patients with TNM stage III/IV or with lymph node metastasis was significantly higher than those with TNM stage I/II (P = 0.0150) or with no lymph node metastasis (P = 0.182). CONCLUSIONS: Soluble B7-H3 level may reflect the tissue B7-H3 expression on tumor cells of GAC tissues. Elevated level of sB7-H3 in serum suggests poor clinical pathological characteristics of GAC patients. Show more
Keywords: Gastric adenocarcinoma, soluble B7-H3, membrane B7-H3, prognosis
DOI: 10.3233/CBM-210178
Citation: Cancer Biomarkers, vol. 33, no. 1, pp. 123-129, 2022
Authors: Wang, Wenjie | Li, Huiyu | Zhou, Yan | Jie, Shenghua
Article Type: Research Article
Abstract: Background: Microvesicles (MVs) are produced through the outward vesicles budding and fission from the cell surface. Recently, it was discovered that extracellular MVs circulate in bodily fluids of cancer patients and could serve as potential diagnostic biomarkers. However, the diagnostic and prognostic roles of peripheral circulating MVs for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain unclear. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate whether the peripheral blood MVs could serve as potential biomarkers for detection of HCC. Methods: Peripheral blood samples were obtained prior to treatment from 55 patients with HCC, 40 patients with liver cirrhosis and 21 healthy controls. MVs …were isolated from peripheral blood by centrifugation and measured by using bicinchoninic acid assay. Results: Peripheral blood MVs levels were significantly elevated in HCC patients compared to those in liver cirrhosis (p< 0.001). Furthermore, MVs levels was correlated with the HCC tumor size, pathological classification and TNM stage (p< 0.01). Of note, MVs levels were significantly reduced in the 1 month post-operative blood samples when compared to those in the pre-operative samples in the 17 HCC cases tested. MVs levels did not relate to liver enzymes, AFP levels, alcohol drinking or smoking habits (p> 0.05). In contrast, serum MVs levels correlated with the age of patients, leukocytes, platelets and prothrombin time. The results of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis indicated better performance of MVs than AFP for early detection of HCC. The areas under the ROC curve of MVs for discriminating patients with early (TNM stage I) and relatively early (TNM stage II) HCC from liver cirrhosis was 0.83 (95% CI: 0.74–0.93) and 0.94 (95% CI: 0.88–1.00), respectively. Conclusions: Peripheral blood MVs levels were increased in patients with HCC and associated with the progression of disease. Serum MVs might serve as novel biomarkers for the diagnosis of HCC at early stage. Show more
Keywords: HCC, MVs, AFP, diagnosis
DOI: 10.3233/CBM-130370
Citation: Cancer Biomarkers, vol. 13, no. 5, pp. 351-357, 2013
Authors: Hu, Ying | Yang, Yifeng | Hou, Xuewen | Zhou, Yan | Nie, Shengdong
Article Type: Research Article
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To investigate relationships between the severity of white matter hyperintensities (WMH), functional brain activity, and cognition in cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) based on resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) data. METHODS: A total of 103 subjects with CSVD were included. The amplitude of low frequency fluctuations (ALFF), regional homogeneity (ReHo), functional connectivity (FC) and their graph properties were applied to explore the influence of WMH burden on functional brain activity. We also investigated whether there are correlations between different functional brain characteristics and cognitive assessments. Finally, we selected disease-related rs-fMRI features in combination with ensemble learning to classify …CSVD patients with low WMH load and with high WMH load. RESULTS: The high WMH load group demonstrated significantly abnormal functional brain activity based on rs-MRI data, relative to the low WMH load group. ALFF and graph properties in specific brain regions were significantly correlated with patients’ cognitive assessments in CSVD. Moreover, altered rs-fMRI signal can help predict the severity of WMH in CSVD patients with an overall accuracy of 92.23%. CONCLUSIONS: This study provided a comprehensive analysis and evidence for a pattern of altered functional brain activity under different WMH load in CSVD based on rs-fMRI data, enabling accurately individual prediction of status of WMH. Show more
Keywords: Cerebral small vessel disease, white matter hyperintensities, rs-fMRI, cognition, aging
DOI: 10.3233/XST-221218
Citation: Journal of X-Ray Science and Technology, vol. 30, no. 6, pp. 1213-1227, 2022
Authors: Qiao, Lin | Fan, Lijun | He, Yao | Zhou, Yan
Article Type: Research Article
Abstract: Aiming at the problem that manufacturing enterprises that rely more on asset projects currently lack effective means of divestiture of non performing assets, starting from incomplete information theory, this paper derives an optimal decision-making model for the divestiture path of non performing assets caused by the quality and safety crisis of manufacturing enterprises in an incomplete information environment, and uses the comprehensive method of SUMDII to establish a comprehensive integrated optimization model that reflects subjective evaluation and objective information. In addition, this study provides specific decision-making methods and implementation steps for optimizing the stripping path of non-performing assets. The empirical …analysis results verify and demonstrate the feasibility, operability, accuracy, and applicability of the established model. The results show that the model designed in the study exhibits strong stability in sensitivity testing. When the parameter vectors are taken as (1,0,0,0), (1,1,0,0), (1,1,0,0), and (1,1,1,1), respectively, the ranking results corresponding to the first three parameter vectors are stable, all of which are A2 > A4 > A1 > A3. At the same time, the applied decision-making result of the model is A4 > A1 > A2 > A3, which is consistent with the best scheme evaluated by experts and superior to most comparative models. At the same time, in the analysis of decision-making characteristics, the research and design model has the most comprehensive review of decision-making elements, which is superior to other comparative models. It can be seen that the model designed by the research can lead to higher quality NPL divestiture schemes, which can help manufacturing enterprises improve asset quality and weaken the negative impact of the quality and safety crisis in manufacturing enterprises. Show more
Keywords: Non-performing asset, stripping path optimization, stochastic and uncertain multi-attribute decision-making with incomplete information, fuzzy rough sets, projection pursuit, optimization decision-making
DOI: 10.3233/JIFS-224162
Citation: Journal of Intelligent & Fuzzy Systems, vol. 45, no. 2, pp. 2267-2278, 2023
Authors: Pan, Wan | Zhou, Yan | Ji, Yueping | Zhou, Lianfang | Wang, Li
Article Type: Research Article
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: In order to improve nursing quality management and protect patient medical safety, it is necessary to change the default mode and completely integrate information technology and nursing quality control utilising lean management. METHODS: A database was created, the nurse quality control scoring standard was entered into the computer and after the inspection, and various inspection reports were entered into the computer to precisely and promptly preserve data. The computer was then utilised to precisely assess the intensity and quality of nursing work, compute, count, and analyse the stored data, output the quality of nursing work in each department as …a report, and adopt lean management for the gathered issues. RESULTS: To reach the objective of raising nursing quality, data analysis makes it simple to identify flaws and consistently strengthen the weak points. In order to create an information-based nursing quality control system with a simple and effective method as well as results that are scientific and objective, lean management is brought into the construction process. Show more
Keywords: Lean management, information based nursing quality control system, experience
DOI: 10.3233/THC-230730
Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. 32, no. 4, pp. 2081-2090, 2024
Authors: Zhou, Yan | Liu, Yubao | Han, Yutong | Yan, Hongxia
Article Type: Research Article
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Intensive care unit acquired weakness (ICU-AW) is a secondary neuromuscular complication in critically ill patients, characterized by profound weakness in all four limbs. Studies have shown that bundles of care are nursing strategies that combine a series of evidence-based interventions, which collectively optimize patients’ clinical outcomes compared to individual interventions. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to conduct a meta-analysis of the effects of bundle interventions on ICU-AW deeply exploring the characteristics of bundle interventions, patient outcomes related to ICU-AW, and primarily investigating the effects of bundle interventions on ICU-AW. The main focus is to explore the clinical value of bundle …interventions in treatment of ICU-acquired weakness in patients. METHODS: Computer and manual searches were conducted using keywords to retrieve relevant studies on the effects of bundle interventions on ICU-AW from databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library and EMbase. The search period ranged from database inception to the present. The control group received standard ICU care, including basic nursing, while the intervention group received bundle nursing interventions. RESULTS: A total of 10 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving 1545 participants (790 in the intervention group and 755 in the control group) were included. Meta-analysis results showed that the intervention group had significantly higher muscle strength (MD = 7.41, 95% CI: 6.65–8.16, P < 0.00001) and daily living ability (MD = 34.01, 95% CI: 32.54–35.48, P < 0.00001) than the control group. Additionally, the incidence of ICU-AW (OR = 0.39, 95% CI: 0.26–0.59, P < 0.00001), mechanical ventilation time (MD = - 3.71, 95% CI: - 3.58∼ - 2.76, P < 0.0001), and ICU length of stay (MD = - 2.73, 95% CI: - 3.14∼ - 2.31, P < 0.00001) were significantly lower in the intervention group than in the control group. CONCLUSION: ICU-AW has a severe negative impact on the recovery and functional restoration of ICU patients, increasing the treatment complexity for healthcare providers and the mortality and disability rates for patients. The bundled care approach may help reduce the incidence of ICU-AW, promote the restoration of daily activity function, enhance muscle strength, and reduce ICU stay and mechanical ventilation time for ICU patients. However, the long-term effects of bundle interventions still require further in-depth research. Show more
Keywords: Nursing interventions, muscle weakness, intensive care unit, incidence, meta-analysis
DOI: 10.3233/THC-241542
Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. Pre-press, no. Pre-press, pp. 1-13, 2024
Authors: Zhao, Huairui | Hua, Jia | Geng, Xiaochuan | Xu, Jianrong | Guo, Yi | Suo, Shiteng | Zhou, Yan | Wang, Yuanyuan
Article Type: Research Article
Abstract: BACKGROUND: High-precision detection for individual and clustered microcalcifications in mammograms is important for the early diagnosis of breast cancer. Large-scale differences between the two types and low-contrast images are major difficulties faced by radiologists when performing diagnoses. OBJECTIVE: Deep learning-based methods can provide end-to-end solutions for efficient detection. However, multicenter data bias, the low resolution of network inputs, and scale differences between microcalcifications lead to low detection rates. Aiming to overcome the aforementioned limitations, we propose a pyramid feature network for microcalcification detection in mammograms, MicroDMa, with adaptive image adjustment and shortcut connections. METHODS: First, mammograms from multiple centers are …represented as histograms and cropped by adaptive image adjustment, which mitigates the impact of dataset bias. Second, the proposed shortcut connection pyramid network ensures that the feature map contains more information for multiscale objects, while a shortcut path that jumps over layers enhances the efficiency of feature propagation from bottom to top. Third, the weights of each feature map at different scales in the fusion are trainable; thus, the network can automatically learn the contributions of all feature maps in the fusion stage. RESULT: Experiments were conducted on our in-house dataset and the public dataset INbreast. When the average number of positives per image is one on the in-house dataset, the recall rates of MicroDMa are the 96.8% for individual microcalcification and 98.9% for clustered microcalcification, which are higher than 69.1% and 91.2% achieved by recent deep learning model. Free-response receiver operating characteristic curve of MicroDMa is also higher than other methods when models are performed on INbreast. CONCLUSION: MicroDMa network is better than other methods and it can effectively help radiologists detect and identify two types of microcalcifications in clinical applications. Show more
Keywords: Deep learning, detection, pyramid network, mammography, breast microcalcification, convolutional neural network
DOI: 10.3233/THC-220235
Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. 31, no. 3, pp. 841-853, 2023
Authors: Pan, Liang | Shan, Rui-Ying | Gao, Su-Fang | Zhou, Yan | Bao, Yuan-Yuan | Fu, Wenjing
Article Type: Research Article
Abstract: BACKGROUND: In malignant tumours of the female reproductive system, cervical cancer is second only to breast cancer, seriously threatening the health and safety of most women. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical value of 3.0 T multimodal nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics’ (FIGO) staging of cervical cancer. METHODS: The clinical data of 30 patients with pathologically diagnosed cervical cancer admitted to our hospital from January 2018 to August 2022 were analysed retrospectively. Before treatment, all patients were examined with conventional MRI, diffusion-weighted imaging and multi-directional contrast-enhanced imaging. RESULTS: The accuracy of multimodal MRI …in the FIGO staging of cervical cancer (29/30, 96.7%) was significantly higher than the accuracy obtained in a control group (21/30, 70.0%), with a statistically significant difference (p = 0.013). In addition, there was good agreement between two observers applying multimodal imaging (kappa = 0.881) and moderate agreement between two observers in the control group (kappa = 0.538). CONCLUSION: Multimodal MRI can evaluate cervical cancer comprehensively and accurately to enable accurate FIGO staging, providing significant evidence for clinical operation planning and subsequent combined therapy. Show more
Keywords: Multimodal imaging, uterine cervical neoplasms, magnetic resonance imaging
DOI: 10.3233/THC-230252
Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. 32, no. 2, pp. 823-830, 2024
Authors: Chen, Wenjiao | Guo, Qin | Zhang, Huo | Du, Yiping | Zhou, Yan | Huang, Zebo | Zhang, Meiling | Qin, Songbing
Article Type: Research Article
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most common tumors. There were several classifications of GC recently. The value of Lauren classification in evaluating the prognosis after radical gastrectomy was still unclear and the prognosis of gastric cancer remained relatively poor in the absence of prognostic biomarkers. This study aimed to explore microRNA (miRNA) in the prognosis of GC with different Lauren classification. METHODS: A retrospective study of 1144 patients was performed in this study. Quantificational reverse transcription-PCR (qRT-PCR) was used to examine the expression of miRNAs. Univariate and multivariate analysis were performed to evaluate prognosis value of Lauren classification. …RESULTS: Total 1144 GC patients were recruited in this cohort, including 302 diffuse type (26.4%), 436 intestinal type (38.1%) and 406 mixed type (35.5%) GC. Multivariate analysis showed that Lauren classification, patients’ age, tumor size, tumor infiltrating depth, vascular nerve infiltrating and metastatic lymph nodes ration were significantly correlated with GC patients’ OS and DFS. The miR-141-3p, miR-200b-3p and miR-133a-5p were significantly down-regulated in diffuse type compared to intestinal type GC tissues, the miR-105-5p had significant lower expression in diffuse type compared with intestinal type and mixed type GC tissues. As a consequence of univariate analysis, low miR-141-3p in diffuse type GC showed significant worse OS and DFS than high miR-141-3p. CONCLUSIONS: Lauren classification was an independent prognostic factor in GC. MiR-141-3p was an independent prognostic factor and a promising prognostic biomarker in Lauren classification GC. Show more
Keywords: Gastric cancer, Lauren classification, microRNA, prognosis
DOI: 10.3233/CBM-230303
Citation: Cancer Biomarkers, vol. 41, no. 1, pp. 41-54, 2024
Screening and identification of key biomarkers in alimentary tract cancers: A bioinformatic analysis
Authors: Cai, Zeling | Wei, Yi | Chen, Shuai | Gong, Yu | Fu, Yue | Dai, Xianghua | Zhou, Yan | Yang, Haojun | Tang, Liming | Liu, Hanyang
Article Type: Research Article
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Alimentary tract cancers (ATCs) are the most malignant cancers in the world. Numerous studies have revealed the tumorigenesis, diagnosis and treatment of ATCs, but many mechanisms remain to be explored. METHODS: To identify the key genes of ATCs, microarray datasets of oesophageal cancer, gastric cancer and colorectal cancer were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. In total, 207 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were screened. KEGG and GO function enrichment analyses were conducted, and a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was generated and gene modules analysis was performed using STRING and Cytoscape. RESULTS: Five hub genes were screened, and …the associated biological processes indicated that these genes were mainly enriched in cellular processes, protein binding and metabolic processes. Clinical survival analysis showed that COL10A1 and KIF14 may be significantly associated with the tumorigenesis or pathology grade of ATCs. In addition, relative human ATC cell lines along with blood samples and tumour tissues of ATC patients were obtained. The data proved that high expression of COL10A1 and KIF14 was associated with tumorigenesis and could be detected in blood. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the identification of hub genes in the present study helped us to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of tumorigenesis and identify potential diagnostic indicators and targeted treatment for ATCs. Show more
Keywords: Alimentary tract cancers, differentially expressed genes, microarray datasets, enrichment analysis, survival analysis
DOI: 10.3233/CBM-201580
Citation: Cancer Biomarkers, vol. 29, no. 2, pp. 221-233, 2020
Authors: Deng, Jianliang | Chen, Wenjiao | Du, Yuan | Wang, Weiming | Zhang, Guoqiang | Tang, Yuehua | Qian, Zhangjun | Xu, Ping | Cao, Zhihong | Zhou, Yan
Article Type: Research Article
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Cullin1 and MMP-2 have been identified as important markers in various cancers, but their roles in colorectal cancer (CRC) have remained to be discovered. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression pattern and significance of Cullin1 and MMP-2 in CRC. METHODS: A total of 470 CRC patients were enrolled. Archival paraffin-embedded CRC tissue samples were used to generate tissue microarray blocks, which were immunohistochemically stained for Cullin1 and MMP-2. Prognostic and predictive role of Cullin1 and MMP-2 expression was evaluated by univariate and multivariate analysis, respectively. Values of p < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: …Cullin1 and MMP-2 protein levels were significantly upregulated in CRC tissues compared with adjacent noncancerous tissues. High tumoral Cullin1 or MMP-2 expression significantly correlated with shorter overall survival (OS), as well as with clinicopathologic characteristics in patients. Multivariate regression analysis showed that high Cullin1 and MMP-2 expressions, separately and together, were independent negative markers of OS. CONCLUSION: Cullin1 and MMP-2 expressions could be novel diagnostic and prognostic markers for CRC patients. Show more
Keywords: Cullin1, MMP-2, colorectal cancer, diagnosis, prognosis
DOI: 10.3233/CBM-160341
Citation: Cancer Biomarkers, vol. 19, no. 1, pp. 57-64, 2017
Authors: Yao, Qiang | Wang, Weimin | Jin, Jun | Min, Ke | Yang, Jian | Zhong, Yubing | Xu, Chunni | Deng, Jianliang | Zhou, Yan
Article Type: Research Article
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Expressions of Caspase-8 and Caspase-3 have been identified as important markers in many malignant tumors, but their roles in colorectal cancer (CRC) have not been confirmed. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of Caspase-8 and Caspase-3 in CRC. METHODS: We enrolled 470 CRC patients in this study. Archival paraffin-embedded CRC tissue samples were used to construct tissue microarray (TMA), expressions of Caspase-8 and Caspase-3 that were stained by immunohistochemistry. Prognostic and predictive role of Caspase-8 and Caspase-3 expressions, alone or united, were evaluated by univariate and multivariate analysis respectively. RESULTS: In comparison with adjacent normal …tissues, Caspase-8 and Caspase-3 protein levels were upregulated in CRC tissues significantly, furthermore, high expressions of Caspase-8 and Caspase-3 were correlated with decreased overall survival (OS) (p < 0.05), and also with unfavorable clinicopathologic characteristics. Cox regression analysis showed that high Caspase-8 and Caspase-3 expressions were independent negative markers of OS. CONCLUSION: Caspase-8 and Caspase-3 expressions in tumor tissues are novel candidate prognostic markers for CRC patients. It was the first time to be identified that Caspase-8 and Caspase-3 expressions had synergistic role as efficient prognostic indicators for CRC patients. Show more
Keywords: Caspase-8, Caspase-3, colorectal cancer (CRC), diagnosis, prognosis
DOI: 10.3233/CBM-170967
Citation: Cancer Biomarkers, vol. 21, no. 4, pp. 899-908, 2018
Authors: Zhou, Jiang | Zhou, Yan | Hu, Hao | Shen, Mei-Ping | Ge, Ying-Qian | Tao, Xin-Wei | Xu, Xiao-Quan | Su, Guo-Yi | Wu, Fei-Yun
Article Type: Research Article
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To assess the feasibility of using virtual non-contrast (VNC) images derived from dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) to replace true non-contrast (TNC) images of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) patients. METHODS: Images of 96 PTC patients were retrospectively analyzed. TNC images were acquired under the single-energy mode of DECT after the plain scanning. The arterial and venous phase VNC (VNC-a and VNC-v) images were generated by the post-processing algorithm from the arterial phase and venous phase of contrast-enhanced CT images, respectively. Mean attenuation values, image noise, number and length of calcification were measured. Radiation dose was also calculated. Last, subjective score …of image quality was evaluated by a 5-point scale. RESULTS: Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of each tissue in TNC images is significantly higher than that of VNC images (p <0.050). Contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) of fat, muscle, thyroid nodules and internal carotid artery in TNC images is significantly higher than that of VNC images, while CNR in TNC images is lower for cervical vertebra (p <0.001). Calcification is detected on TNC images of 44 patients, while it is omitted on VNC images of 14 patients (31.8%). The subjective score of TNC images is higher than VNC images (p <0.001). The effective dose reduction is 47.6% by avoiding plain scanning. CONCLUSIONS: Considering the different attenuation value, SNR, CNR and especially reduced detection rate of calcification, we deem that VNC images cannot be directly used to replace TNC images in PTC patients, despite the reduced radiation dose. Show more
Keywords: Dual-energy computed tomography (DECT), virtual non-contrast images, papillary thyroid carcinoma, image quality, radiation dose
DOI: 10.3233/XST-210884
Citation: Journal of X-Ray Science and Technology, vol. 29, no. 4, pp. 711-720, 2021
Authors: Xie, Xin-Yan | Huang, Lin-Ya | Cheng, Gui-Rong | Liu, Dan | Hu, Fei-Fei | Zhang, Jing-Jing | Han, Gang-Bin | Liu, Xiao-Chang | Wang, Jun-Yi | Zhou, Juan | Zeng, De-Yang | Liu, Jing | Nie, Qian-Qian | Song, Dan | Yu, Ya-Fu | Hu, Chen-Lu | Fu, Yi-Di | Li, Shi-Yue | Cai, Cheng | Cui, Yu-Yang | Cai, Wan-Ying | Li, Yi-Qing | Fan, Ren-Jia | Wan, Hong | Xu, Lang | Ou, Yang-Ming | Chen, Xing-Xing | Zhou, Yan-Ling | Chen, Yu-Shan | Li, Jin-Quan | Wei, Zhen | Wu, Qiong | Mei, Yu-Fei | Tan, Wei | Song, Shao-Jun | Zeng, Yan
Article Type: Research Article
Abstract: Background: As a prodromal stage of dementia, significant emphasis has been placed on the identification of modifiable risks of mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Research has indicated a correlation between exposure to air pollution and cognitive function in older adults. However, few studies have examined such an association among the MCI population inChina. Objective: We aimed to explore the association between air pollution exposure and MCI risk from the Hubei Memory and Aging Cohort Study. Methods: We measured four pollutants from 2015 to 2018, 3 years before the cognitive assessment of the participants. Logistic regression models were employed to calculate odds …ratios (ORs) to assess the relationship between air pollutants and MCI risk. Results: Among 4,205 older participants, the adjusted ORs of MCI risk for the highest quartile of PM2.5 , PM10 , O3 , and SO2 were 1.90 (1.39, 2.62), 1.77 (1.28, 2.47), 0.56 (0.42, 0.75), and 1.18 (0.87, 1.61) respectively, compared with the lowest quartile. Stratified analyses indicated that such associations were found in both males and females, but were more significant in older participants. Conclusions: Our findings are consistent with the growing evidence suggesting that air pollution increases the risk of mild cognitive decline, which has considerable guiding significance for early intervention of dementia in the older population. Further studies in other populations and broader geographical areas are warranted to validate these findings. Show more
Keywords: Air pollution, Hubei Memory and Aging Cohort Study, mild cognitive impairment, older Chinese population
DOI: 10.3233/JAD-231186
Citation: Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, vol. 98, no. 3, pp. 941-955, 2024