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Pang L, Zhao X, Dickens BL, Lim JT, Cook AR, Netea MG, Donnelly JP, Herbrecht R, Johnson EM, Maertens JA, Kullberg BJ, Troke PF, Marr KA, Chai LYA. Using routine blood parameters to anticipate clinical outcomes in invasive aspergillosis. Clin Microbiol Infect 2019; 26:781.e1-781.e8. [PMID: 31669427 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2019.10.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2019] [Revised: 10/03/2019] [Accepted: 10/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE In invasive aspergillosis (IA), monitoring response to antifungal treatment is challenging. We aimed to explore if routine blood parameters help to anticipate outcomes following IA. METHODS Post hoc secondary analysis of two multicenter randomized trials was performed. The Global Comparative Aspergillosis Study (GCA, n = 123) and the Combination Antifungal Study (CAS, n = 251) constituted the discovery and validation cohorts respectively. The outcome measures were response to treatment and survival to 12 weeks. Interval platelet, galactomannan index (GMI) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels prior and during antifungal treatment were analysed using logistic regression, Kaplan-Meier survival and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses. RESULTS The 12-week survival was 70.7% and 63.7% for the GCA and CAS cohorts respectively. In the GCA cohort, every 10 × 109/L platelet count increase at week 2 and 4 improved 12-week survival odds by 6-18% (odds ratio (OR) 1.06-1.18, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.02-1.33). Survival odds also improved 13% with every 10 mg/dL CRP drop at week 1 and 2 (OR 0.87, 95% CI 0.78-0.97). In the CAS cohort, week 2 platelet count was also associated with 12-week survival with 10% improved odds for every 10 × 109/L platelet increase (OR, 1.10, 95% CI 1.04-1.15). A GMI drop of 0.1 unit was additionally found to increase the odds of treatment response by 3% at the baseline of week 0 (OR 0.97, 95% CI 0.95-0.99). Week 2 platelet and CRP levels performed better than GMI on ROC analyses for survival (area under ROC curve 0.76, 0.87 and 0.67 respectively). A baseline platelet count higher than 30 × 109/L clearly identified patients with >75% survival probability. CONCLUSIONS Higher serial platelets were associated with overall survival while GMI trends were linked to IA treatment response. Routine and simple laboratory indices may aid follow-up of response in IA patients.
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Pang L, Landau DP, Binder K. Probing predictions due to the nonlocal interface Hamiltonian: Monte Carlo simulations of interfacial fluctuations in Ising films. Phys Rev E 2019; 100:023303. [PMID: 31574628 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.100.023303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2019] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Extensive Monte Carlo simulations have been performed on an Ising ferromagnet under conditions that would lead to complete wetting in a semi-infinite system. We studied an L×L×D slab geometry with oppositely directed surface fields so that a single interface is formed and can undergo a localization-delocalization transition. Under the chosen conditions the interface position is, on average, in the middle of the slab, and its fluctuations allow a sensitive test of predictions that the effective interactions between the interface and the confining surfaces are nonlocal. The decay of distance dependent correlation functions are measured within the surface, in the middle of the slab, and between middle and the surface for slabs of varying thickness D. From Fourier transforms of these correlation functions a nonlinear correlation length is extracted, and its behavior is found to confirm theoretical predictions for D>6 lattice spacings.
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Gao Y, Feng XF, Wen J, Hei FX, Ding GW, Pang L. [Spatio-temporal distribution and correlation of reported cases of hepatitis C and HIV/AIDS in China, 2012-2017]. ZHONGHUA LIU XING BING XUE ZA ZHI = ZHONGHUA LIUXINGBINGXUE ZAZHI 2019; 40:155-159. [PMID: 30744264 DOI: 10.3760/cma.j.issn.0254-6450.2019.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Objective: To compare the time and spatial distribution of hepatitis C and HIV/AIDS cases and its correlation, in China from 2012 to 2017. Methods: Data on reported hepatitis C and HIV/AIDS cases was gathered from the Direct Reporting System of Infectious Diseases Information Network in China, 2012 to 2017 while annually collected provincial data was based on the date of review and current address. Correlation of the data was analyzed, using both simple correlation and linear regression methods. Results: The number of reported cases of hepatitis C remained stable in China, in 2012-2017, with the number of annual reported cases as 201 622, 203 155, 202 803, 207 897, 206 832 and 214 023, respectively. The number of reported cases on HIV/AIDS showed a steady growing trend, from 82 434, 90 119, 103 501, 115 465, 124 555 to 134 512. However, the numbers of hepatitis C and HIV/AIDS cases were in the same, top six provinces: Henan, Guangdong, Xinjiang, Guangxi, Hunan and Yunnan. Results from the simple correlation analysis indicated that there was a positive correlation (r>0.5, P<0.01) existed between the above-said two kinds of cases at the provincial level in China, in 2012-2017. Again, results from the linear regression analysis also showed that the correlation coefficient r(s) and year was strongly correlated (r=0.966) while r(s) had been linearly increasing with time. Conclusions: Our data showed that there were temporal and spatial correlations existed between the reported cases of hepatitis C and HIV/AIDS at the provincial level, suggesting that relevant prevention and control programs be carried out in areas with serious epidemics. Combination of the two strategies should be encouraged, especially on prevention and treatment measures related to blood transmission.
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Pang L, Zhao QL, Sheng TY, He GP, Di JJ, Su TT, Tan PP. Enhanced pressure & proximity sensitivities of a flexible transparent capacitive sensor with PZT nanowires. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019. [DOI: 10.1088/1757-899x/479/1/012035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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Ding GW, Ye SD, Hei FX, Lian QL, Pei XD, Bai JY, Zhou D, Yang Q, Hui S, Wang W, Tu AX, Pang L. [Sentinel surveillance for viral hepatitis C in China, 2016-2017]. ZHONGHUA LIU XING BING XUE ZA ZHI = ZHONGHUA LIUXINGBINGXUE ZAZHI 2019; 40:41-45. [PMID: 30669729 DOI: 10.3760/cma.j.issn.0254-6450.2019.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Objective: To understand the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in 5 populations in China during 2016-2017 and provide evidence for the estimation of prevalence trend of hepatitis C and evaluation on the prevention and control effect. Methods: A total of 87 national sentinel surveillance sites for hepatitis C were set up in 31 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities) of China to obtain the information about HCV infection prevalence in 5 populations, including volunteer blood donors, people receiving physical examination, patients receiving invasive diagnosis and treatment, patients receiving hemodialysis, and clients visiting family planning outpatient clinics. From April to June, 2016 and 2017, cross-sectional surveys were repeatedly conducted in the 5 populations and blood samples were collected from them for HCV antibody detection. Results: In 2016, 86 sentinel sites completed the surveillance (one sentinel site was not investigated), and 115 841 persons were surveyed. The overall HCV positive rate was 0.38% (442/115 841, 95%CI: 0.23%-0.53%). In 2017, all the 87 sentinel sites completed the surveillance, and 120 486 persons were surveyed. The overall HCV positive rate was 0.37% (449/120 486, 95%CI: 0.23%-0.52%). In 2016 and 2017, the anti-HCV positive rates were 4.46% (223/5 005, 95%CI: 2.18%-6.73%) and 4.39% (216/4 919, 95%CI: 2.29%-6.50%) respectively in hemodialysis patients, 0.85% (44/5 200, 95%CI: 0.27%-1.42%) and 0.70% (36/5 150, 95%CI: 0.15%-1.24%) respectively in patients receiving invasive diagnosis and treatment and remained to be ≤0.25% in volunteer blood donors, people receiving physical examination and clients visiting family planning outpatient clinics. Results for the comparison of the anti-HCV positive rates in the 5 populations indicated that the differences were significant (F=23.091, P<0.001 in 2016 and F=20.181, P<0.001 in 2017). Conclusions: Data from the sentinel surveillance of HCV infection on prevalence in China showed that the anti-HCV positive rates varied in the 5 populations during 2016-2017. The anti-HCV positive rate appeared the highest in the hemodialysis patients, followed by that in the patients receiving invasive diagnosis and treatment, and the prevalence of HCV infection in other 3 populations were at low levels.
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Bischoff FZ, Mathieu K, Vargas J, Pang L, Kulp AM, Dewing A, Liu X, Bast RC, Hazle J, Zhang M. Abstract P6-01-05: Detection of HER2 positive tumor cells using functionalized iron oxide nanoparticles. Cancer Res 2019. [DOI: 10.1158/1538-7445.sabcs18-p6-01-05] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Background: Iron oxide nanoparticles (NPs) have been used for a variety of in-vivo and ex-vivo applications within the biomedical sciences. Moreover, when intended for clinical in-vivo applications, NPs need to meet rigorous requirements to ensure safety as well as bio-functionality including blood circulation time and specificity for cellular targets. PrecisonMRX® NPs are extensively characterized superparamagnetic NPs composed of a 25nm magnetite cores that are currently employed in a variety of in-vivo applications including non-invasive/in vivo diagnosis of cancer, Magnetic Particle Imaging, MRI, and magnetic hyperthermia.
Objective: Here we report on the extensive pre-clinical development and functionality of antibody (Herceptin)-conjugated NPs for in-vivo and ex-vivo detection of HER2+ tumor cells by Magnetic Relaxometry (MRX).
Results: We observed: 1) specific binding and detection of HER2 positive tumor cells in-vitro; 2) specific detection of HER2+ tumors in mice; 3) binding and amplitude of magnetic signal to be proportional to the level of HER2 expression in-vitro and in-vivo; 4) the nanoconstruct remains stable in circulation; 5) the particles do not induce a pro-inflammatory response nor activate complement; 6) the particles are biodegradable; and do not induce acute or delayed signs of morbidity in mice.
Conclusion: Precision MRX® nanoparticles offer great clinical promise including the in- vivo detection of tumor cells by magnetic relaxometry. Given the stability and safety of these NPs, our pre-clinical results support progressing to clinical testing. A first-in human ex-vivo clinical research study design and strategy will be discussed.
Citation Format: Bischoff FZ, Mathieu K, Vargas J, Pang L, Kulp AM, Dewing A, Liu X, Bast RC, Hazle J, Zhang M. Detection of HER2 positive tumor cells using functionalized iron oxide nanoparticles [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2018 Dec 4-8; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P6-01-05.
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Chi Y, Sun J, Pang L, Jiajue R, Jiang Y, Wang O, Li M, Xing X, Hu Y, Zhou X, Meng X, Xia W. Mutation update and long-term outcome after treatment with active vitamin D 3 in Chinese patients with pseudovitamin D-deficiency rickets (PDDR). Osteoporos Int 2019; 30:481-489. [PMID: 30382318 DOI: 10.1007/s00198-018-4607-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2017] [Accepted: 06/15/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Pseudovitamin D-deficiency rickets is a rare disease which is caused by CYP27B1. In this study, we identified 9 mutations in 7 PDDR patients. In addition, we observed the response to long-term treatment of calcitriol in 15 Chinese patients with PDDR, which showed that the biochemical abnormalities had been corrected satisfactorily after 1-year treatment. INTRODUCTION Pseudovitamin D-deficiency rickets is a rare autosomal recessive disorder resulting from a defect in 25-hydroxyvitamin D 1α-hydroxylase, which is encoded by CYP27B1. The purpose of this study was to identify the CYP27B1 mutations and investigate the response to long-term treatment of calcitriol in Chinese patients with PDDR. METHODS We investigated CYP27B1 mutations in seven individuals from six separate families. To investigate the response to long-term (13 years) treatment with calcitriol in PDDR patients, we additionally collected clinical data of eight families from our previous report and analyzed their biochemical parameter and radiographic changes during the treatment. RESULTS Nine different mutations were identified: two novel missense mutations (G194R, R259L), three novel and one reported deletion mutations (c1442delA, c1504delA, c311-321del, and c. 48-60del), two novel nonsense mutations (c.85G>T, c.580G>T), and a reported insertion mutation (c1325-1332insCCCACCC). The statistical analysis revealed that parathyroid hormone (PTH) and ALP significantly decreased after 6-month and 1-year treatment with calcitriol respectively. Urine calcium was measured in all the patients without kidney stones being documented. After 6-year treatment, the radiographic abnormalities had also been improved. Two patients who had reached their final height are both with short stature (height Z-score below - 2.0). CONCLUSIONS We identified seven novel mutations of CYP27B1 gene in seven Chinese PDDR families. Our findings revealed after 1-year treatment of active vitamin D3, PTH and ALP significantly decreased. The correction of the biochemical abnormalities had not improved the final height satisfactorily.
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Banerjee PP, Pang L, Soldan SS, Miah SM, Eisenberg A, Maru S, Waldman A, Smith EA, Rosenberg-Hasson Y, Hirschberg D, Smith A, Ablashi DV, Campbell KS, Orange JS. KIR2DL4-HLAG interaction at human NK cell-oligodendrocyte interfaces regulates IFN-γ-mediated effects. Mol Immunol 2018; 115:39-55. [PMID: 30482463 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2018.09.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2018] [Revised: 09/11/2018] [Accepted: 09/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Interactions between germline-encoded natural killer (NK) cell receptors and their respective ligands on tumorigenic or virus-infected cells determine NK cell cytotoxic activity and/or cytokine secretion. NK cell cytokine responses can be augmented in and can potentially contribute to multiple sclerosis (MS), an inflammatory disease of the central nervous system focused upon the oligodendrocytes (OLs). To investigate mechanisms by which NK cells may contribute to MS pathogenesis, we developed an in vitro human model of OL-NK cell interaction. We found that activated, but not resting human NK cells form conjugates with, and mediate cytotoxicity against, human oligodendrocytes. NK cells, when in conjugate with OLs, rapidly synthesize and polarize IFN-γ toward the OLs. IFN-γ is capable of reducing myelin oligodendrocyte and myelin associated glycoproteins (MOG and MAG) content. This activity is independent of MHC class-I mediated inhibition via KIR2DL1, but dependent upon the interaction between NK cell-expressed KIR2DL4 and its oligodendrocyte-expressed ligand, HLA-G. NK cells from patients with MS express higher levels of IFN-γ following conjugation to OLs, more actively promote in vitro reduction of MOG and MAG and have higher frequencies of the KIR2DL4 positive population. These data collectively suggest a mechanism by which NK cells can promote pathogenic effects upon OLs.
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Pang L, Stessin A, Hsia A, Mani K, Hou W, Ryu S. Effect of Whole Brain Radiation Therapy on the Absolute Brain Volume Loss. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2018.07.1036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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Pang L, McLaughlin C, Gagne N, Melhus C, Huber K. Effects of Circumferential Bronchial Tree Irradiation on the Development of Radiation Pneumonitis Following Lung SBRT. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2018.07.1883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Zhang G, He M, Xu Y, Li X, Cai Z, Guo Z, Meng P, Ji N, He X, Pang L. Hemoglobin A1c predicts hemorrhagic transformation and poor outcomes after acute anterior stroke. Eur J Neurol 2018; 25:1432-e122. [PMID: 29959811 DOI: 10.1111/ene.13747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2018] [Accepted: 06/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Hemorrhagic transformation (HT) is a major complication of acute ischaemic stroke that is potentially related to clinical deterioration. The objective of this study was to assess whether chronic hyperglycemia is a predictive factor of HT in patients with acute anterior stroke. METHODS Patients with acute anterior stroke were included in this study. Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) was measured in the morning after hospitalization. HT was detected by computed tomography scans or gradient echo magnetic resonance imaging performed 4 (±2) days after onset. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to assess the risks for HT and short-term outcomes. RESULTS Of the 426 patients included, 93 (21.8%) had HT: 61 (14.3%) presented with hemorrhagic infarction and 32 (7.5%) presented with parenchymal hematoma. A total of 54 patients received thrombolytic treatment and 18 (33.3%) were found to have HT. In the multivariate analysis, HbA1c [odds ratio (OR), 1.294; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.097-1.528], infarction size (OR, 3.358; 95% CI, 1.748-6.449) and thrombolytic therapy (OR, 3.469; 95% CI, 1.757-6.847) were predictors of HT. The predictive effect of HbA1c on HT was still observed in both groups when patients were stratified according to the levels of fasting blood glucose. HbA1c was found to be a predictor of poor outcomes in the multilogistic regression analysis (OR, 1.482; 95% CI, 1.228-1.788). CONCLUSIONS Higher HbA1c was independently related to HT and poor neurological outcomes in patients with ischaemic stroke. These findings have significant implications for the treatment of diabetes and glucose management in patients with diabetes mellitus and/or acute ischaemic stroke.
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Lim KK, Kwan YH, Tan CS, Low LL, Chua AP, Lee WY, Pang L, Tay HY, Chan SY, Ostbye T. The association between distance to public amenities and cardiovascular risk factors among lower income Singaporeans. Prev Med Rep 2017; 8:116-121. [PMID: 29021948 PMCID: PMC5633842 DOI: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2017.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2017] [Revised: 08/21/2017] [Accepted: 09/09/2017] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Existing evidence on the association between built environment and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors focused on the general population, which may not generalize to higher risk subgroups such as those with lower socio-economic status (SES). We examined the associations between distance to 5 public amenities from residential housing (public polyclinic, subsidized private clinic, healthier eatery, public park and train station) and 12 CVD risk factors (physical inactivity, medical histories and unhealthy dietary habits) among a study sample of low income Singaporeans aged ≥ 40 years (N = 1972). Using data from the Singapore Heart Foundation Health Mapping Exercise 2013–2015, we performed a series of logistic mixed effect regressions, accounting for clustering of respondents in residential blocks and multiple comparisons. Each regression analysis used the minimum distance (in km) between residential housing and each public amenity as an independent continuous variable and a single risk factor as the dependent variable, controlling for demographic characteristics. Increased distance (geographical inaccessibility) to a train station was significantly associated with lower odds of participation in sports whereas greater distance to a subsidized private clinic was associated with lower odds of having high cholesterol diagnosed. Increasing distance to park was positively associated with higher odds of less vegetable and fruits consumption, deep fried food and fast food consumption in the preceding week/month, high BMI at screening and history of diabetes, albeit not achieving statistical significance. Our findings highlighted potential effects of health-promoting amenities on CVD risk factors in urban low-income setting, suggesting gaps for further investigations. We examined associations between access to 5 amenities and 12 CVD risk factors. Only 2/60 associations were statistically significant. Poorer access to train station was associated with lower odds of sports. Poorer access to primary care was associated with lower high cholesterol diagnosis.
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Dong X, Pang L, Xu Y. ELDER ABUSE AND SUICIDAL IDEATION IN COMMUNITY-DWELLING CHINESE OLDER ADULTS. Innov Aging 2017. [DOI: 10.1093/geroni/igx004.3879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
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Powles T, Bellmunt J, Castellano D, O’Donnell P, Grivas P, Vuky J, Plimack E, Hahn N, Balar A, Pang L, Savage M, Perini R, Keefe S, Bajorin D, De Wit R. Pembrolizumab produces clinically meaningful responses as first-line therapy in cisplatin-ineligible advanced urothelial cancer: Results from subgroup analyses of KEYNOTE-052. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/s1569-9056(17)30236-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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Ji S, Deng H, Jin W, Yan P, Wang R, Pang L, Zhou J, Zhang J, Chen X, Zhao X, Shen J. Beta-catenin participates in dialysate-induced peritoneal fibrosis via enhanced peritoneal cell epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. FEBS Open Bio 2017; 7:265-273. [PMID: 28174691 PMCID: PMC5292666 DOI: 10.1002/2211-5463.12182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2016] [Revised: 12/11/2016] [Accepted: 12/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Long‐term exposure to peritoneal dialysate with high glucose (HG) leads to peritoneal fibrosis and thus decreases dialysis efficiency. In this study, we explored the role of β‐catenin in this process. C57BL/6 mice received daily intraperitoneal injection with 10% of the body weight of saline (control), 4.25% glucose peritoneal dialysis fluid (PDF), or PDF combined with 5 mg·kg−1 of the β‐catenin inhibitor ICG‐001 (PDF+ICG) for 30 days. Also, mice peritoneal epithelial cells (mPECs) were cultured in 4.25% glucose (HG) or combined with 10 μm ICG‐001 (HG+ICG) for 48 h. We found greater thickness of the parietal peritoneum in the PDF‐treated mice. Additionally, lower expression of E‐cadherin, higher expression of Vimentin, β‐catenin, and Snail, and activation of β‐catenin was observed in the mice and in HG‐treated mPECs, all of which were reversed by ICG‐001. The changes in E‐cadherin and Vimentin indicated occurrence of the epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition (EMT). Thus, β‐catenin signaling participates in the process of HG‐induced peritoneal fibrosis, and the EMT of peritoneal epithelial cells is one of the underlying mechanisms of this pathological change.
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Blaschke AP, Derx J, Zessner M, Kirnbauer R, Kavka G, Strelec H, Farnleitner AH, Pang L. Setback distances between small biological wastewater treatment systems and drinking water wells against virus contamination in alluvial aquifers. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2016; 573:278-289. [PMID: 27570196 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.08.075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2016] [Revised: 08/10/2016] [Accepted: 08/11/2016] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Contamination of groundwater by pathogenic viruses from small biological wastewater treatment system discharges in remote areas is a major concern. To protect drinking water wells against virus contamination, safe setback distances are required between wastewater disposal fields and water supply wells. In this study, setback distances are calculated for alluvial sand and gravel aquifers for different vadose zone and aquifer thicknesses and horizontal groundwater gradients. This study applies to individual households and small settlements (1-20 persons) in decentralized locations without access to receiving surface waters but with the legal obligation of biological wastewater treatment. The calculations are based on Monte Carlo simulations using an analytical model that couples vertical unsaturated and horizontal saturated flow with virus transport. Hydraulic conductivities and water retention curves were selected from reported distribution functions depending on the type of subsurface media. The enteric virus concentration in effluent discharge was calculated based on reported ranges of enteric virus concentration in faeces, virus infectivity, suspension factor, and virus reduction by mechanical-biological wastewater treatment. To meet the risk target of <10-4infections/person/year, a 12 log10 reduction was required, using a linear dose-response relationship for the total amount of enteric viruses, at very low exposure concentrations. The results of this study suggest that the horizontal setback distances vary widely ranging 39 to 144m in sand aquifers, 66-289m in gravel aquifers and 1-2.5km in coarse gravel aquifers. It also varies for the same aquifers, depending on the thickness of the vadose zones and the groundwater gradient. For vulnerable fast-flow alluvial aquifers like coarse gravels, the calculated setback distances were too large to achieve practically. Therefore, for this category of aquifer, a high level of treatment is recommended before the effluent is discharged to the ground surface.
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Hardjojo A, Gunachandran A, Pang L, Abdullah M, Wah W, Teo S, Chen M, Wong F, Phang J. Evaluating performance of natural language processing for detection of symptoms presence and duration within primary care setting in Singapore. Int J Infect Dis 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2016.11.286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
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Brand OJ, Pasini A, Habgood A, Knox AJ, Jenkins G, Pang L. S52 Suberanilohydroxamic acid (SAHA) inhibits collagen deposition in a transforming growth factor β1-driven precision cut lung slice (PCLS) model of pulmonary fibrosis. Thorax 2016. [DOI: 10.1136/thoraxjnl-2016-209333.58] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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Pasini A, Brand OJ, Jenkins G, Knox AJ, Pang L. S53 Effect of epigenetic inhibitors on lung fibroblast phenotype change in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Thorax 2016. [DOI: 10.1136/thoraxjnl-2016-209333.59] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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Lin J, Pang L, Liu XL, Xing J. Role of vitacamphore in improving central pro-inflammatory cytokines following transient global ischemia. J BIOL REG HOMEOS AG 2016; 30:1091-1098. [PMID: 28078859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Pro-inflammatory cytokines (PICs) including interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) are responsive to ischemic stress. This process thereby modulates the responsiveness of many cell types under diseased conditions. The current study was to examine the role played by vitacamphore (VCP) in regulating the levels of PICs and protein expression of PIC receptors in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus of rats after cardiac arrest (CA)-induced transient global ischemia. CA was induced by asphyxia followed by cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in rats. ELISA and Western blot analyses were employed to determine PICs and their receptors in the cortex and hippocampus. Our results show that IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α were significantly elevated in the cortex and hippocampus after CA. This was accompanied with increasing of PIC receptors, namely IL-1R, IL-6R and TNFR1. Systemic injection of VCP attenuated amplification of PIC signal pathway in these brain regions. VCP also improved Neurological Severity Score and brain tissue edema in CA rats. Notably, VCP resulted in a significant increase in survival of CA rats as compared with controls. In conclusion, VCP is likely to play a beneficial role in modulating transient global ischemia induced by CA via PIC signal mechanisms.
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Balar A, Bellmunt J, O'Donnell P, Castellano D, Grivas P, Vuky J, Powles T, Plimack E, Hahn N, de Wit R, Pang L, Savage M, Perini R, Keefe S, Bajorin D. Pembrolizumab (pembro) as first-line therapy for advanced/unresectable or metastatic urothelial cancer: Preliminary results from the phase 2 KEYNOTE-052 study. Ann Oncol 2016. [DOI: 10.1093/annonc/mdw435.25] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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Gu Z, Fang W, Shen Y, Wei Y, Chen K, Yu Z, Tan L, Fu J, Pang L, Li Y, Han Y, Wang Y, Zhang P, Zhou X, Liu Y, Liu Y, Chen C, Zhang R, Cui Y, Chen H. F-121LYMPH NODAL METASTASES IN THYMIC MALIGNANCIES: A CHINESE ALLIANCE FOR RESEARCH OF THYMOMAS RETROSPECTIVE DATABASE ANALYSIS. Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg 2016. [DOI: 10.1093/icvts/ivw260.119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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Anderson JR, Mortimer K, Pang L, Smith KM, Bailey H, Hodgson DB, Shaw DE, Knox AJ, Harrison TW. Evaluation of the PPAR-γ Agonist Pioglitazone in Mild Asthma: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0160257. [PMID: 27560168 PMCID: PMC4999189 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0160257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2016] [Accepted: 07/15/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ) is a nuclear receptor that modulates inflammation in models of asthma. To determine whether pioglitazone improves measures of asthma control and airway inflammation, we performed a single-center randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial. Methods Sixty-eight participants with mild asthma were randomized to 12 weeks pioglitazone (30 mg for 4 weeks, then 45 mg for 8 weeks) or placebo. The primary outcome was the adjusted mean forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) at 12 weeks. The secondary outcomes were mean peak expiratory flow (PEF), scores on the Juniper Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ) and Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (AQLQ), fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), bronchial hyperresponsiveness (PD20), induced sputum counts, and sputum supernatant interferon gamma-inducible protein-10 (IP-10), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), and eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) levels. Study recruitment was closed early after considering the European Medicines Agency’s reports of a potential increased risk of bladder cancer with pioglitazone treatment. Fifty-five cases were included in the full analysis (FA) and 52 in the per-protocol (PP) analysis. Results There was no difference in the adjusted FEV1 at 12 weeks (-0.014 L, 95% confidence interval [CI] -0.15 to 0.12, p = 0.84) or in any of the secondary outcomes in the FA. The PP analysis replicated the FA, with the exception of a lower evening PEF in the pioglitazone group (-21 L/min, 95% CI -39 to -4, p = 0.02). Conclusions We found no evidence that treatment with 12 weeks of pioglitazone improved asthma control or airway inflammation in mild asthma. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01134835
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Sun X, Guo N, Li J, Yan X, He Z, Li D, Jin M, Xie G, Pang L, Zhang Q, Liu N, Duan ZJ. Rotavirus infection and histo-blood group antigens in the children hospitalized with diarrhoea in China. Clin Microbiol Infect 2016; 22:740.e1-3. [PMID: 27345178 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2016.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2016] [Revised: 04/23/2016] [Accepted: 06/12/2016] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
To explore the association between rotavirus (RV) infection and histo-blood group antigens (HBGAs), a cross-sectional study was conducted in children hospitalized with diarrhoea in China from November 2014 to February 2015. In total, 424 sets of stool, saliva and buccal cell samples were collected. For the 125 RV-negative samples, 92% (104/125) were secretors/partial secretors, 8% (10/125) were non-secretors. Among the 299 RV-positive samples, 277 were P[8] and 22 were P[4]. All P[4] and P[8] positive individuals were secretors/partial secretors except for one P[8] (0.3%, 1/299), which was a non-secretor. These findings indicate that P[8] and P[4] RVs preferably infect secretors/partial secretors (p <0.001).
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Chen Z, Zhan L, Lu Z, Ma Y, Gao Z, Guo H, Pang L, Jin Q. Etanercept Inhibits Pro-inflammatory Cytokines Expression in Titanium Particle-Stimulated Peritoneal Macrophages. TROP J PHARM RES 2015. [DOI: 10.4314/tjpr.v14i6.7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
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