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Xu J, Mei L, Liu L, Wang K, Zhou Z, Zheng J. Early assessment of response to chemotherapy in lung cancer using dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI: a proof-of-concept study. Clin Radiol 2018; 73:625-631. [PMID: 29571650 DOI: 10.1016/j.crad.2018.02.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2017] [Accepted: 02/16/2018] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
AIM To evaluate the early treatment response to chemotherapy in patients with lung cancer using dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MATERIALS AND METHODS Twenty-two patients with lung cancer underwent DCE-MRI before chemotherapy and 1 week after the start of the first course of chemotherapy. Pharmacokinetic parameters (Ktrans, Kep, and Ve) derived from DCE MRI were generated using the post-processing platform. These parameters and corresponding changes were compared between responders and non-responders after treatment using Student's t or Mann-Whitney U-tests. Diagnostic efficiency of kinetic parameters in differentiating responders from non-responders after 1 week of chemotherapy was also investigated. RESULTS Thirteen responders after 1 week of chemotherapy had a significant decrease in Ktrans and Ve compared with the pretreatment value (p<0.05), and had no significant changes in Kep (p>0.05). Nine non-responders had no significant changes in Ktrans, Kep, and Ve compared with the pretreatment value (p>0.05). Changes in Ktrans (ΔKtrans) were significantly larger in responders than that in non-responders (p<0.05). Changes in Ve and Kep (ΔVe andΔKep) were without statistical significance after treatment between responders and non-responders (p>0.05). The cut-off value of ΔKtrans in best predicting tumour's chemotherapeutic response was 0.032/min and the corresponding AUC (area under the curve), sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were 0.821, 84.62%, 77.78%, and 81.82%, respectively. CONCLUSION DCE MRI may be useful for evaluating the early response to chemotherapy in patients with lung cancer, but larger, more definitive studies are needed.
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Yao FF, Zheng PY, Huang H, Bai LM, Ding YR, Mei L, Liu SM. [Effects of Lactobacillus paracasei N1115 combined with fructooligosaccharides on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease induced by high-fat diet in mice]. ZHONGHUA GAN ZANG BING ZA ZHI = ZHONGHUA GANZANGBING ZAZHI = CHINESE JOURNAL OF HEPATOLOGY 2017; 25:927-933. [PMID: 29325294 DOI: 10.3760/cma.j.issn.1007-3418.2017.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Objective: To investigate the effects of Lactobacillus paracasei N1115 combined with fructooligosaccharides (FOS) on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in mice and its possible mechanism. Methods: A total of 50 male C57 mice were randomly and equally divided into five experimental groups. Group 1 received a normal diet (ND). Other four groups received a high-fat diet (HFD) to establish NAFLD models. In addition to HFD, group 3 received Lactobacillus paracasei N1115 (2.2×10(9) CFU/mL), group 4 received FOS (4 g/kg per day), and group 5 received Lactobacillus paracasei N1115 (2.2×10(9) CFU/mL) and FOS (4 g/kg per day). All groups received continuous intervention for 16 weeks. The following indices were measured for all groups after intervention: general condition, the levels of fasting blood glucose, insulin, and lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and the levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and interferon (IFN)-γ in the serum and liver. The mRNA levels of Toll-like receptor (TLR)4, nuclear factor (NF)-κb, insulin receptor (InsR), and insulin receptor substrate (IRS)-1 were measured by real-time RT-PCR. The data were subjected to one-way analysis of variance and comparison between groups was made by Bonferroni method. Results: Compared with group 2, groups 3, 4, and 5 had significantly lower body weight, Lee's index, liver index, and the levels of blood glucose and insulin resistance (P < 0.05). The serum level of LPS in group 2 was significantly higher than that in the other experimental groups (group 1: 8.80 ± 0.85 U/L, group 3: 12.31 ± 1.01 U/L, group 4: 12.27 ± 0.98 U/L, and group 5: 10.17 ± 0.79 U/L vs group 2: 15.45 ± 1.14 U/L, F = 55.117, P < 0.001). The levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IFN-γ in the serum and liver in group 2 were also significantly higher than those in the other groups (P < 0.05). Group 2 had significantly higher mRNA levels of TLR4 and NF-κb in the liver than the other groups (F = 82.933, P < 0.001; F = 149.033, P < 0.001); however, it had significantly lower mRNA levels of InsR and IRS-1 in the liver than the other groups (F = 33.347, P < 0.001; F = 70.225, P < 0.001). Conclusion: Lactobacillus paracasei N1115 combined with FOS can reduce the level of LPS in the blood circulation, inhibit activation of the LPS/TLR4 signaling pathway, and reduce the release of inflammatory factor and the body's insulin resistance, so it can relieve NAFLD.
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Winkelman J, Mei L, Schoerning L, Gonenc A. Disrupted white matter integrity in insomnia and major depressive disorder: correlations with subjective and objective sleep parameters. Sleep Med 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.sleep.2017.11.1022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Bottary R, Mei L, Schoerning L, Jensen J, Winkelman J. Depression severity, but not objective or subjective sleep disturbance, mediates glutamate reductions in the ACC in major depressive disorder. Sleep Med 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.sleep.2017.11.1021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Balasubramanian G, Sharma T, Kern M, Mei L, Sanvanson P, Shaker R. Characterization of pharyngeal peristaltic pressure variability during volitional swallowing in healthy individuals. Neurogastroenterol Motil 2017; 29:10.1111/nmo.13119. [PMID: 28635131 PMCID: PMC6757324 DOI: 10.1111/nmo.13119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent technological advances incorporated in high resolution manometry have justifiably heightened interest in manometric evaluation of the pharynx. Despite this interest, from both physiologic and clinical perspective there remain a number of unanswered questions regarding the magnitude of variability of pharyngeal pressure phenomena. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to characterize in healthy individuals the inter-subject and recording-site specific variability of pharyngeal peristaltic pressure phenomena. METHODS We studied 32 healthy subjects (age: 21-83 years,20 under 35 years) during dry,5 and 10 mL water swallows ×3. Pharyngeal peristaltic pressures were recorded using a high resolution (HR) manometric system and a catheter assembly with 36 circumferential sensors spaced at 1 cm intervals positioned trans-nasally to traverse the pharynx, UES and proximal esophagus. KEY RESULTS Both site-specific pressure data and the Pharyngeal contractile integral (PhCI) showed wide dispersion ranging between values under 50 mm Hg to over 300 mm Hg and 100-600 mm Hg/cm/s,respectively. There was also wide range of dispersion of data for both the standard deviations and the coefficient of variation for all sites (P=.001). The coefficient of variation for PhCI ranged between 0.02 and 0.25 representing data dispersion of 2-25 percent of the mean among subjects (P=.001). Position, age and volume of swallowed fluid did not influence the magnitude of variability. CONCLUSIONS Deglutitive Pharyngeal peristalsis generates pressures with significant degree of site-related and inter-subject variability. This variability is not influenced by age, position and volume of swallowed fluid.
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Zhang X, Ye M, Li C, Hu Q, Du M, Wang X, Gong Z, Zhang D, Hong Q, Hu J, Mei L, Hou Y, Zhang X. A comparison of Bronchial Washing Fluid (BWF) and histologic samples in the analysis of EGFR mutation in NSCLC patients. Ann Oncol 2017. [DOI: 10.1093/annonc/mdx380.036] [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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Yu H, Yan H, Li J, Li Z, Zhang X, Ma Y, Mei L, Liu C, Cai L, Wang Q, Zhang F, Iwata N, Ikeda M, Wang L, Lu T, Li M, Xu H, Wu X, Liu B, Yang J, Li K, Lv L, Ma X, Wang C, Li L, Yang F, Jiang T, Shi Y, Li T, Zhang D, Yue W. Common variants on 2p16.1, 6p22.1 and 10q24.32 are associated with schizophrenia in Han Chinese population. Mol Psychiatry 2017; 22:954-960. [PMID: 27922604 DOI: 10.1038/mp.2016.212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2016] [Revised: 09/15/2016] [Accepted: 10/14/2016] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Many schizophrenia susceptibility loci have been identified through genome-wide association studies (GWASs) in European populations. However, until recently, schizophrenia GWASs in non-European populations were limited to small sample sizes and have yielded few loci associated with schizophrenia. To identify genetic risk variations for schizophrenia in the Han Chinese population, we performed a two-stage GWAS of schizophrenia comprising 4384 cases and 5770 controls, followed by independent replications of 13 single-nucleotide polymorphisms in an additional 4339 schizophrenia cases and 7043 controls of Han Chinese ancestry. Furthermore, we conducted additional analyses based on the results in the discovery stage. The combined analysis confirmed evidence of genome-wide significant associations in the Han Chinese population for three loci, at 2p16.1 (rs1051061, in an exon of VRK2, P=1.14 × 10-12, odds ratio (OR)=1.17), 6p22.1 (rs115070292 in an intron of GABBR1, P=4.96 × 10-10, OR=0.77) and 10q24.32 (rs10883795 in an intron of AS3MT, P=7.94 × 10-10, OR=0.87; rs10883765 at an intron of ARL3, P=3.06 × 10-9, OR=0.87). The polygenic risk score based on Psychiatric Genomics Consortium schizophrenia GWAS data modestly predicted case-control status in the Chinese population (Nagelkerke R2: 1.7% ~5.7%). Our pathway analysis suggested that neurological biological pathways such as GABAergic signaling, dopaminergic signaling, cell adhesion molecules and myelination pathways are involved in schizophrenia. These findings provide new insights into the pathogenesis of schizophrenia in the Han Chinese population. Further studies are needed to establish the biological context and potential clinical utility of these findings.
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Araújo I, Paula A, Alonso R, Mei L, Taparelli J, Stipp R, Puppin-Rontani R. S. mutans virulence decreased by a novel antimicrobial monomer-containing composite. Dent Mater 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.dental.2017.08.129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Ruan JY, Zhu Q, Mei L, Wang H. Expressions of H2AX in cervical squamous carcinoma and their clinical significances. EUR J GYNAECOL ONCOL 2017; 38:65-68. [PMID: 29767867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the expression and clinical significance of H2AX in cervical squamous carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS The expression of H2AX in the cervical squamous carcinoma of 37 patients and in the normal cervical tissue of 15 patients was detected by immuneohistochemical method. Chi-square, correlation analysis, and Kaplan-Meier were utilized to analyze the data. RESULTS The positive expression rate of H2AX in cervical squamous carcinoma was higher than that in normal cervical tissues (p = 0.016) . The expression of H2AX was negatively correlated with FIGO staging, vaginal invasion, and parametrial infiltration (p < 0.05). Survival analysis showed the expression intensity of H2AX had no significant effect on the prognosis. CONCLUSION H2AX was an anticancer protein for cervical squamous carcinoma.
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Su W, Zhu P, Wang R, Wu Q, Wang M, Zhang X, Mei L, Tang J, Kumar M, Wang X, Su L, Dong N. Congenital heart diseases and their association with the variant distribution features on susceptibility genes. Clin Genet 2016; 91:349-354. [PMID: 27426723 DOI: 10.1111/cge.12835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2016] [Revised: 07/11/2016] [Accepted: 07/13/2016] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Congenital heart disease (CHD), one of the causes of childhood morbidity and mortality, is mainly triggered by a combination of environmental and genetic factors. Several susceptible genes, such as NKX2-5, GATA4 and TBX5, have been reported as closely related to heart and vessel development. CHD subtypes are classified into diverse clinical phenotypes, such as atrial septal defects (ASD), ventricular septal defects (VSD), tetralogy of Fallot (TOF), and Holt-Oram syndrome (HOS). Here, we summarize the associations of the genetic variants in these three genes with CHD subtypes. CHD-associated variants of NKX2-5 locate mainly in the tinman domain and the homeodomain. Mutations in the homeodomain are correlated with ASD and atrioventricular (AV) block subtypes. VSD-associated variants of GATA4 are mainly at its terminal ends. Variants of TBX5 gene are primarily in exons 3, 4, 5 and 7 and highly associated with HOS subtype. Hence, the variant distribution of NKX2-5, GATA4 and TBX5 are tightly associated with particular CHD subtypes. Further structure-modelling analysis revealed that these mutated amino acid residuals maintain their DNA-binding ability and structural stability. Therefore structural features of these genes may be used to predict the high risk of CHD subtypes in infants.
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Loke C, Lee J, Sander S, Mei L, Farella M. Factors affecting intra-oral pH - a review. J Oral Rehabil 2016; 43:778-85. [DOI: 10.1111/joor.12429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
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Mei L, Hou Q, Fang F, Wang H. The antibody-based CA125-targeted maintenance therapy for the epithelial ovarian cancer: a meta-analysis. EUR J GYNAECOL ONCOL 2016; 37:455-460. [PMID: 29894066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To assess the effect and toxicity of CA125-targeted antibody used as maintenance therapy for advanced epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). MATERIALS AND METHODS Two reviewers searched PubMed, Medline, Embase, VIP databases, and the references of selected articles for randomized controlled trials comparing maintenance CA125-targeted antibody treatment with placebo/observation. One-, two-, three-, and five-year overall survival (OS) and progression free survival (PFS) were collected. Incidence and severity of adverse events were extracted. Meta-analysis of combined risk ratio (RR) for OS , PFS, and toxicity were conducted. RESULTS Four trials including 1,259 women were identified. Meta-analysis showed the combined RR was 1.02 (95% CI, 0.85-1.22) for three-year OS and 0.98 (95% CI, 0.70-1.39) for the three-year PFS. This review found that abagovomab and oregovomab caused toxicity no more than placebo. CONCLUSIONS CA125-targeted antibody used as maintenance therapy alone is not more effective than placebo but they were safe as maintenance therapy.
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Guan YF, Wu CY, Fang YY, Zeng YN, Luo ZY, Li SJ, Li XW, Zhu XH, Mei L, Gao TM. Neuregulin 1 protects against ischemic brain injury via ErbB4 receptors by increasing GABAergic transmission. Neuroscience 2015; 307:151-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2015.08.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2015] [Revised: 08/20/2015] [Accepted: 08/20/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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Piselli P, Busnach G, Citterio F, Frigerio M, Arbustini E, Burra P, Pinna AD, Bresadola V, Ettorre GM, Baccarani U, Buda A, Lauro A, Zanus G, Cimaglia C, Spagnoletti G, Lenardon A, Agozzino M, Gambato M, Zanfi C, Miglioresi L, Di Gioia P, Mei L, Ippolito G, Serraino D. Risk of Kaposi sarcoma after solid-organ transplantation: multicenter study in 4,767 recipients in Italy, 1970-2006. Transplant Proc 2015; 41:1227-30. [PMID: 19460525 DOI: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2009.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Given the high prevalence of infection with human herpesvirus type 8, Italy is an area of utmost interest for studying Kaposi sarcoma (KS). We investigated the risk of KS in transplant recipients compared with the general population. A longitudinal study was performed from 1970 to 2006 in 4767 kidney, heart, liver, and lung transplant recipients from 7 Italian transplantation centers. The sample included 72.3% male patients with an overall patient median age of 48 years. Patient-years (PYs) at risk for KS were computed from 30 days posttransplantation to the date of KS, death, last follow-up, or study closure (December 31, 2007). Standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) and 95% confidence intervals were computed to quantify the risk of KS in transplant recipients compared with the general Italian population. Incidence rate ratios were computed to identify risk factors using adjusted Poisson regression. Based on 33,621 PYs, KS was diagnosed in 73 patients (62 men): 31 in kidney recipients, 27 in heart recipients, 8 in liver recipients, and 7 in lung recipients. The overall incidence was 217 cases per 10(5) PYs, with a significantly increased SIR of 125. SIR was particularly high in women (n = 34) and lung recipients (n = 428) but decreased significantly with time posttransplantation. The primary predictors of increased risk of KS were male sex, older age, and lung transplantation. A 5-fold reduction was observed after 18 months posttransplantation. After adjustment, patients born in southern Italy compared with northern Italy demonstrated a significant 2.2-fold increased risk. Our findings confirm that in the early posttransplantation period, Italian patients who have undergone solid-organ transplantation, particularly those from southern Italy and those who are lung recipients, are at greater risk of KS compared with the general population. These findings underscore the need for appropriate models for monitoring transplant recipients for KS, especially those at greater risk and, in particular, in the early postoperative period.
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Lisak RP, Zhang B, Shen C, Mei L, Drachman DB, Kaminski HJ. Neuromuscular junction as Achilles' heel: Yet another autoantibody? Neurology 2015; 84:214-5. [DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000001140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
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Huang Y, Mei L, Gui B, Su W, Liang D, Wu L, Pan Q. A novel deletion mutation in RS1 gene caused X-linked juvenile retinoschisis in a Chinese family. Eye (Lond) 2014; 28:1364-9. [PMID: 25168411 DOI: 10.1038/eye.2014.196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2014] [Accepted: 06/26/2014] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE X-linked juvenile retinoschisis (XLRS), a leading cause of juvenile macular degeneration, is characterized by a spoke-wheel pattern in the macular region of the retina and splitting of the neurosensory retina. This study aimed to identify the underlying genetic defect in a Chinese family with XLRS. METHODS The proband underwent complete ophthalmic examinations, including fundus examination, fundus autofluorescence, and optical coherence tomography. DNA extracted from proband and his younger brother was screened for mutations in RS1 gene. The detected RS1 mutation was tested in all available family members and 200 healthy controls. RESULTS Reduced visual acuity, spoke-wheel pattern at the fovea, and split retina were observed in the proband. A novel frameshift mutation c.206-207delTG in the RS1 gene, leading to a truncated protein (p.L69fs16X), was identified in the proband and his younger brother. This mutation was not found in any unaffected member or in the healthy controls. The mother of the proband was hemizygous for this mutant allele. CONCLUSIONS We identified a novel causative mutation of RS1 in a Chinese family with XLRS. This finding expands the mutation spectrum of RS1 and provides evidence for a phenotype-genotype study in XLRS.
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Hu SS, Mei L, Chen JY, Huang ZW, Wu H. Expression of immediate-early genes in the inferior colliculus and auditory cortex in salicylate-induced tinnitus in rat. Eur J Histochem 2014; 58:2294. [PMID: 24704997 PMCID: PMC3980210 DOI: 10.4081/ejh.2014.2294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2013] [Revised: 01/31/2014] [Accepted: 01/31/2014] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Tinnitus could be associated with neuronal hyperactivity in the auditory center. As a neuronal activity marker, immediate-early gene (IEG) expression is considered part of a general neuronal response to natural stimuli. Some IEGs, especially the activity-dependent cytoskeletal protein (Arc) and the early growth response gene-1 (Egr-1), appear to be highly correlated with sensory-evoked neuronal activity. We hypothesize, therefore, an increase of Arc and Egr-1 will be observed in a tinnitus model. In our study, we used the gap prepulse inhibition of acoustic startle (GPIAS) paradigm to confirm that salicylate induces tinnitus-like behavior in rats. However, expression of the Arc gene and Egr-1 gene were decreased in the inferior colliculus (IC) and auditory cortex (AC), in contradiction of our hypothesis. Expression of N-methyl d-aspartate receptor subunit 2B (NR2B) was increased and all of these changes returned to normal 14 days after treatment with salicylate ceased. These data revealed long-time administration of salicylate induced tinnitus markedly but reversibly and caused neural plasticity changes in the IC and the AC. Decreased expression of Arc and Egr-1 might be involved with instability of synaptic plasticity in tinnitus.
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Zai J, Mei L, Wang C, Cao S, Fu ZF, Chen H, Song Y. N-glycosylation of the premembrane protein of Japanese encephalitis virus is critical for folding of the envelope protein and assembly of virus-like particles. Acta Virol 2014; 57:27-33. [PMID: 23530821 DOI: 10.4149/av_2013_01_27] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Premembrane (prM) and envelope (E) proteins, the major structural proteins of Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) each contain single potential N-glycosylation site. In this study, the role of N-glycosylation of these proteins on their folding and activity were investigated. Three mutant prM and/or E (prM-E) genes lacking N-glycosylation sites were generated by site-directed mutagenesis. The effects of the N-glycan on folding, secretion and cytotoxicity of mutant proteins were determined by comparison with their wild type (wt) counterparts. Removal of N-glycan from the prM protein resulted in a complete misfolding of the E protein and failure to form virus-like particles (VLPs). A similar removal of N-glycan from the E protein led to a low efficiency of its folding and VLPs formation. The secretion and cytotoxicity of the E protein was also markedly impaired in case the glycosylation sites in the prM or E or both proteins were removed. These results suggest that the N-glycosylation of the prM protein is critical to the folding of the E protein, which makes it pivotal in the cytotoxicity of JEV particles and their production.
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Mei L, Xu LZ. Standardized clinical pathways may potentially help to reduce the opacity of medical treatment in China - reflections on the murder of a doctor in Wenling, Zhejiang. Drug Discov Ther 2013; 7:209-211. [PMID: 24270386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
A doctor was murdered at Wenling First People's Hospital in Zhejiang, China on October 25, 2013. During the incident, a patient assaulted three doctors, resulting in the death of one of the doctors. This incident has led to a heated discussion about the unhealthy doctor-patient relationship in China. There are complex reasons for the strained doctor-patient relationship in China, but one aspect that helped lead to this situation is the opacity of medical treatment. Research has shown that implementation of clinical pathways reduces the variability of clinical practice and improves outcomes. Standardized clinical pathways can provide a standard for evaluation of the rationality of treatment and also suggest a recommended treatment, potentially reducing the opacity of medical treatment in China. However, the standardized clinical pathways that are currently in use in China still need to be improved. The implementation of clinical pathways needs to be increased, those pathways need to be formulated in detail, a supervisory body needs to be established, and the public needs to be better informed. These aspects should be studied further.
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Mei L, Tang Q, Cui YM, Tobe RG, Selotlegeng L, Ali AH, Xu LZ. Changes in and shortcomings of drug stockpiling, vaccine development and related policies during outbreaks of avian influenza A H5N1, H1N1, and H7N9 among humans. Drug Discov Ther 2013; 7:95-100. [PMID: 23917856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to provide a reference for the future stockpiling of drugs and developing vaccines for treatment of emerging infectious diseases by summarizing the status of drug stockpiling, vaccine development, and related policies during three major outbreaks of avian influenza among humans (H5N1 in 2003, H1N1 in 2009, and H7N9 in 2013). Documents regarding drug stockpiling and vaccine development during three influenza outbreaks have been reviewed. Results indicated that the response to pandemic influenza outbreaks has improved markedly in terms of stockpiles of antivirals and vaccine development. These improvements also suggest advances in related policy planning. These trends also foreshadow better prospects for prevention and control of emerging infectious diseases. However, the rationality of drug stockpiling and international cooperation still needs to be enhanced.
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Paula A, Taparelli J, Alonso R, Mei L, Puppin-Rontani R. Mechanical/physical properties of a composite with an antimicrobial-based triclosan monomer. Dent Mater 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.dental.2013.08.105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Mei L, Tobe RG, Geng H, Ma YB, Li RY, Wang WB, Selotlegeng L, Wang XZ, Xu LZ. A cross-sectional study of sputum handling by and supervision of patients with pulmonary tuberculosis treated at home in China. Biosci Trends 2012; 6:296-302. [PMID: 23337789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Disposal of sputum from patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) who are treated at home is an important aspect of preventing the spread of TB. However, few studies have examined disposal of sputum by patients with TB who are treated at home. Patients with pulmonary TB who are treated at home were surveyed regarding sputum handling and supervision. A cross-sectional survey of a representative sample of patients with pulmonary TB who are treated at home was conducted in Shandong Province. Participants were individuals with TB who had been registered with a local agency responsible for TB control. Participants completed a questionnaire with both qualitative and quantitative questions. How sputum was handled was determined and factors associated with sputum disposal were analyzed using a non-parametric test, logistic regression, and content analysis. Responses were received from 720 participants. Patients expectorated sputum 4.56 ± 10.367 times a day, and 68.6% of patients responded that they correctly disposed of their sputum. Supervision as part of TB control focused on the efforts of health agencies and paid little attention to waste management by patients. A non-parametric test showed that sputum disposal was significantly associated with gender, age, education, sputum smear results, attitudes toward waste management, and attitudes toward supervision (all p < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that gender (OR = 0.482, 95% CI: 0.329-0.704), sputum smear results (OR = 1.300, 95% CI: 1.037-1.629), and level of education (OR = 0.685, 95% CI: 0.528-0.889) were associated with receipt of TB health education (all p < 0.05). Sputum handling by and supervision of patients with pulmonary TB who are treated at home is severely wanting. From a policy perspective, special attention should be given to the definition, details, and methods of supervision of waste management by patients with TB to give them relevant health education and enhance their willingness to be supervised. A financial incentive should be provided to health workers supervising management of TB-related waste.
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Shih DQ, Nguyen M, Zheng L, Ibanez P, Mei L, Kwan LY, Bradford K, Ting C, Targan SR, Vasiliauskas EA. Split-dose administration of thiopurine drugs: a novel and effective strategy for managing preferential 6-MMP metabolism. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2012; 36:449-58. [PMID: 22784257 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2036.2012.05206.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2011] [Revised: 12/12/2011] [Accepted: 06/16/2012] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mercaptopurine and azathioprine (AZA) are efficacious in treating IBD. 6-tioguanine (6-TGN) levels correlate with therapeutic efficacy, whereas high 6-methylmercaptopurine (6-MMP) levels are associated with hepatotoxicity and myelotoxicity. Some IBD patients exhibit dose-limiting preferential 6-MMP production, which may lead to undesired side effects and impact efficacy. AIM To review the outcomes of thiopurine split-dosing in patients with preferential 6-MMP metabolism. METHODS A retrospective chart review of 179 IBD patients treated at the Cedars-Sinai IBD Center with AZA or mercaptopurine was performed. Preferential 6-MMP metabolisers with 6-MMP levels greater than 7000 pmol/8 × 10(8) erythrocytes who underwent split-dosing were identified and assessed for biochemical and clinical responses to these dose modifications. RESULTS A total of 20 of 179 patients met the criteria for preferential 6-MMP metabolism and underwent thiopurine split-dosing. Dividing the total daily thiopurine dose led to a reduction in 6-MMP levels (11785 vs. 5324 pmol/8 × 10(8) erythrocytes; P < 0.0001) without negatively affecting clinical disease activity or 6-TGN levels (239 vs. 216 pmol/8 × 10(8) erythrocytes; P = N.S.) and led to resolution of 6-MMP associated side effects (elevated transaminases, leucopenia and flu-like symptoms) in all but two patients. After mean follow-up of 36 months, 12 patients remained in clinical remission on split-dose mercaptopurine. Five of the remaining eight patients escalated to anti-TNF therapy, two progressed to surgery, and one switched to tioguanine therapy. CONCLUSION Split-dose administration of mercaptopurine/AZA represents an alternative option in IBD patients with preferential 6-MMP metabolism who might otherwise require steroid exposure or escalation of therapy.
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Mei L, Tao FH, Long D, Ming ZS, Liang LX, Rong LQ. Synthesis and catalytic activity of novel Ni-N complexes. RUSS J COORD CHEM+ 2012. [DOI: 10.1134/s1070328412080088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Mei L, Tai LS, Ming ZS, Jie S, Rong LQ. Synthesis and crystal structures of 1,2-diaminobenzene-Ni complexes. RUSS J COORD CHEM+ 2012. [DOI: 10.1134/s1070328412050077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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