Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 38 in total

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  1. Global Burden of Disease 2019 Cancer Collaboration, Kocarnik JM, Compton K, Dean FE, Fu W, Gaw BL, et al.
    JAMA Oncol, 2022 Mar 01;8(3):420-444.
    PMID: 34967848 DOI: 10.1001/jamaoncol.2021.6987
    IMPORTANCE: The Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2019 (GBD 2019) provided systematic estimates of incidence, morbidity, and mortality to inform local and international efforts toward reducing cancer burden.

    OBJECTIVE: To estimate cancer burden and trends globally for 204 countries and territories and by Sociodemographic Index (SDI) quintiles from 2010 to 2019.

    EVIDENCE REVIEW: The GBD 2019 estimation methods were used to describe cancer incidence, mortality, years lived with disability, years of life lost, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) in 2019 and over the past decade. Estimates are also provided by quintiles of the SDI, a composite measure of educational attainment, income per capita, and total fertility rate for those younger than 25 years. Estimates include 95% uncertainty intervals (UIs).

    FINDINGS: In 2019, there were an estimated 23.6 million (95% UI, 22.2-24.9 million) new cancer cases (17.2 million when excluding nonmelanoma skin cancer) and 10.0 million (95% UI, 9.36-10.6 million) cancer deaths globally, with an estimated 250 million (235-264 million) DALYs due to cancer. Since 2010, these represented a 26.3% (95% UI, 20.3%-32.3%) increase in new cases, a 20.9% (95% UI, 14.2%-27.6%) increase in deaths, and a 16.0% (95% UI, 9.3%-22.8%) increase in DALYs. Among 22 groups of diseases and injuries in the GBD 2019 study, cancer was second only to cardiovascular diseases for the number of deaths, years of life lost, and DALYs globally in 2019. Cancer burden differed across SDI quintiles. The proportion of years lived with disability that contributed to DALYs increased with SDI, ranging from 1.4% (1.1%-1.8%) in the low SDI quintile to 5.7% (4.2%-7.1%) in the high SDI quintile. While the high SDI quintile had the highest number of new cases in 2019, the middle SDI quintile had the highest number of cancer deaths and DALYs. From 2010 to 2019, the largest percentage increase in the numbers of cases and deaths occurred in the low and low-middle SDI quintiles.

    CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: The results of this systematic analysis suggest that the global burden of cancer is substantial and growing, with burden differing by SDI. These results provide comprehensive and comparable estimates that can potentially inform efforts toward equitable cancer control around the world.

  2. Watts EL, Perez-Cornago A, Appleby PN, Albanes D, Ardanaz E, Black A, et al.
    Int J Cancer, 2019 Dec 15;145(12):3244-3256.
    PMID: 30873591 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.32276
    Insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) and insulin-like growth factor binding proteins (IGFBPs) have been implicated in the aetiology of several cancers. To better understand whether anthropometric, behavioural and sociodemographic factors may play a role in cancer risk via IGF signalling, we examined the cross-sectional associations of these exposures with circulating concentrations of IGFs (IGF-I and IGF-II) and IGFBPs (IGFBP-1, IGFBP-2 and IGFBP-3). The Endogenous Hormones, Nutritional Biomarkers and Prostate Cancer Collaborative Group dataset includes individual participant data from 16,024 male controls (i.e. without prostate cancer) aged 22-89 years from 22 prospective studies. Geometric means of protein concentrations were estimated using analysis of variance, adjusted for relevant covariates. Older age was associated with higher concentrations of IGFBP-1 and IGFBP-2 and lower concentrations of IGF-I, IGF-II and IGFBP-3. Higher body mass index was associated with lower concentrations of IGFBP-1 and IGFBP-2. Taller height was associated with higher concentrations of IGF-I and IGFBP-3 and lower concentrations of IGFBP-1. Smokers had higher concentrations of IGFBP-1 and IGFBP-2 and lower concentrations of IGFBP-3 than nonsmokers. Higher alcohol consumption was associated with higher concentrations of IGF-II and lower concentrations of IGF-I and IGFBP-2. African Americans had lower concentrations of IGF-II, IGFBP-1, IGFBP-2 and IGFBP-3 and Hispanics had lower IGF-I, IGF-II and IGFBP-3 than non-Hispanic whites. These findings indicate that a range of anthropometric, behavioural and sociodemographic factors are associated with circulating concentrations of IGFs and IGFBPs in men, which will lead to a greater understanding of the mechanisms through which these factors influence cancer risk.
  3. Dixon JM, Weerahewa J, Hellin J, Rola-Rubzen MF, Huang J, Kumar S, et al.
    Agric Syst, 2021 Oct;193:103168.
    PMID: 36284566 DOI: 10.1016/j.agsy.2021.103168
    CONTEXT: The COVID-19 pandemic has been affecting health and economies across the world, although the nature of direct and indirect effects on Asian agrifood systems and food security has not yet been well understood.

    OBJECTIVES: This paper assesses the initial responses of major farming and food systems to COVID-19 in 25 Asian countries, and considers the implications for resilience, food and nutrition security and recovery policies by the governments.

    METHODS: A conceptual systems model was specified including key pathways linking the direct and indirect effects of COVID-19 to the resilience and performance of the four principal Asian farming and food systems, viz, lowland rice based; irrigated wheat based; hill mixed; and dryland mixed systems. Based on this framework, a systematic survey of 2504 key informants (4% policy makers, 6% researchers or University staff, 6% extension workers, 65% farmers, and 19% others) in 20 Asian countries was conducted and the results assessed and analysed.

    RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The principal Asian farming and food systems were moderately resilient to COVID-19, reinforced by government policies in many countries that prioritized food availability and affordability. Rural livelihoods and food security were affected primarily because of disruptions to local labour markets (especially for off-farm work), farm produce markets (notably for perishable foods) and input supply chains (i.e., seeds and fertilisers). The overall effects on system performance were most severe in the irrigated wheat based system and least severe in the hill mixed system, associated in the latter case with greater resilience and diversification and less dependence on external inputs and long market chains. Farming and food systems' resilience and sustainability are critical considerations for recovery policies and programmes, especially in relation to economic performance that initially recovered more slowly than productivity, natural resources status and social capital. Overall, the resilience of Asian farming and food systems was strong because of inherent systems characteristics reinforced by public policies that prioritized staple food production and distribution as well as complementary welfare programmes. With the substantial risks to plant- and animal-sourced food supplies from future zoonoses and the institutional vulnerabilities revealed by COVID-19, efforts to improve resilience should be central to recovery programmes.

    SIGNIFICANCE: This study was the first Asia-wide systems assessment of the effects of COVID-19 on agriculture and food systems, differentiating the effects of the pandemic across the four principal regional farming and food systems in the region.

  4. Huang J, Zagai U, Hallmans G, Nyrén O, Engstrand L, Stolzenberg-Solomon R, et al.
    Int J Cancer, 2017 Apr 15;140(8):1727-1735.
    PMID: 28032715 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.30590
    The association between H. pylori infection and pancreatic cancer risk remains controversial. We conducted a nested case-control study with 448 pancreatic cancer cases and their individually matched control subjects, based on the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) cohort, to determine whether there was an altered pancreatic cancer risk associated with H. pylori infection and chronic corpus atrophic gastritis. Conditional logistic regression models were applied to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs), adjusted for matching factors and other potential confounders. Our results showed that pancreatic cancer risk was neither associated with H. pylori seropositivity (OR = 0.96; 95% CI: 0.70, 1.31) nor CagA seropositivity (OR = 1.07; 95% CI: 0.77, 1.48). We also did not find any excess risk among individuals seropositive for H. pylori but seronegative for CagA, compared with the group seronegative for both antibodies (OR = 0.94; 95% CI: 0.63, 1.38). However, we found that chronic corpus atrophic gastritis was non-significantly associated with an increased pancreatic cancer risk (OR = 1.35; 95% CI: 0.77, 2.37), and although based on small numbers, the excess risk was particularly marked among individuals seronegative for both H. pylori and CagA (OR = 5.66; 95% CI: 1.59, 20.19, p value for interaction 
  5. Shah MA, Shitara K, Ajani JA, Bang YJ, Enzinger P, Ilson D, et al.
    Nat Med, 2023 Aug;29(8):2133-2141.
    PMID: 37524953 DOI: 10.1038/s41591-023-02465-7
    There is an urgent need for first-line treatment options for patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative, locally advanced unresectable or metastatic gastric or gastroesophageal junction (mG/GEJ) adenocarcinoma. Claudin-18 isoform 2 (CLDN18.2) is expressed in normal gastric cells and maintained in malignant G/GEJ adenocarcinoma cells. GLOW (closed enrollment), a global, double-blind, phase 3 study, examined zolbetuximab, a monoclonal antibody that targets CLDN18.2, plus capecitabine and oxaliplatin (CAPOX) as first-line treatment for CLDN18.2-positive, HER2-negative, locally advanced unresectable or mG/GEJ adenocarcinoma. Patients (n = 507) were randomized 1:1 (block sizes of two) to zolbetuximab plus CAPOX or placebo plus CAPOX. GLOW met the primary endpoint of progression-free survival (median, 8.21 months versus 6.80 months with zolbetuximab versus placebo; hazard ratio (HR) = 0.687; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.544-0.866; P = 0.0007) and key secondary endpoint of overall survival (median, 14.39 months versus 12.16 months; HR = 0.771; 95% CI, 0.615-0.965; P = 0.0118). Grade ≥3 treatment-emergent adverse events were similar with zolbetuximab (72.8%) and placebo (69.9%). Zolbetuximab plus CAPOX represents a potential new first-line therapy for patients with CLDN18.2-positive, HER2-negative, locally advanced unresectable or mG/GEJ adenocarcinoma. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03653507 .
  6. Hu Y, Ran J, Zheng Z, Jin Z, Chen X, Yin Z, et al.
    Acta Biomater, 2018 04 15;71:168-183.
    PMID: 29524675 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2018.02.019
    Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of the most difficult tissues to heal once injured. Ligament regeneration and tendon-bone junction healing are two major goals of ACL reconstruction. This study aimed to investigate the synergistic therapeutic effects of Stromal cell-derived factor 1 (SDF-1)-releasing collagen-silk (CSF) scaffold combined with intra-articular injection of ligament-derived stem/progenitor cells (LSPCs) for ACL regeneration and the amelioration in the long-term complication of osteoarthritis (OA). The stem cell recruitment ability of CSF scaffold and the multipotency, particularly the tendon forming ability of LSPCs from rabbits were characterized in vitro, while the synergistic effect of the CSF scaffold and LSPCs for ACL regeneration and OA amelioration were investigated in vivo at 1, 3, and 6 months with a rabbit ACL reconstruction model. The CSF scaffold was used as a substitute for the ACL, and LSPCs were injected into the joint cavity after 7 days of the ACL reconstruction. CSF scaffold displayed a controlled release pattern for the encapsulated protein for up to 7 days with an increased stiffness in the mechanical property. LSPCs, which exhibited highly I Collagen and CXCR4 expression, were attracted by SDF-1 and successfully relocated into the CSF scaffold at 1 month in vivo. At 3 and 6 months post-treatment, the CSF scaffold combined with LSPCs (CSFL group) enhanced the regeneration of ACL tissue, and promoted bone tunnel healing. Furthermore, the OA progression was impeded efficiently. Our findings here provided a new strategy that using stem cell recruiting CSF scaffold with tissue-specific stem cells, could be a promising solution for ACL regeneration.

    STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: In this study, we developed a silk scaffold with increased stiffness and SDF-1 controlled release capacity for ligament repair. This advanced scaffold transplantation combined with intra-articular injection of LSPCs (which was isolated from rabbit ligament for the first time in this study) promoted the regeneration of both the tendinous and bone tunnel portion of ACL. This therapeutic strategy also ameliorated cartilage degeneration and reduced the severity of arthrofibrosis. Hence, combining LSPCs injection with SDF-1-releasing silk scaffold is demonstrated as a therapeutic strategy for ACL regeneration and OA treatment in the clinic.

  7. Cottier-Cook EJ, Cabarubias JP, Brakel J, Brodie J, Buschmann AH, Campbell I, et al.
    Nat Commun, 2022 Dec 01;13(1):7401.
    PMID: 36456544 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-34783-8
    The rapid expansion and globalization of the seaweed production industry, combined with rising seawater temperatures and coastal eutrophication, has led to an increase in infectious diseases and pest outbreaks. Here, we propose a novel Progressive Management Pathway for improving Seaweed Biosecurity.
  8. Jin Y, So H, Cerin E, Barnett A, Mubarik S, Hezam K, et al.
    Front Nutr, 2022;9:1035439.
    PMID: 36687675 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2022.1035439
    BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The disease burden attributable to metabolic risk factors is rapidly increasing in China, especially in older people. The objective of this study was to (i) estimate the pattern and trend of six metabolic risk factors and attributable causes in China from 1990 to 2019, (ii) ascertain its association with societal development, and (iii) compare the disease burden among the Group of 20 (G20) countries.

    METHODS: The main outcome measures were disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) and mortality (deaths) attributable to high fasting plasma glucose (HFPG), high systolic blood pressure (HSBP), high low-density lipoprotein (HLDL) cholesterol, high body-mass index (HBMI), kidney dysfunction (KDF), and low bone mineral density (LBMD). The average annual percent change (AAPC) between 1990 and 2019 was analyzed using Joinpoint regression.

    RESULTS: For all six metabolic risk factors, the rate of DALYs and death increased with age, accelerating for individuals older than 60 and 70 for DALYs and death, respectively. The AAPC value in rate of DALYs and death were higher in male patients than in female patients across 20 age groups. A double-peak pattern was observed for AAPC in the rate of DALYs and death, peaking at age 20-49 and at age 70-95 plus. The age-standardized rate of DALYs increased for HBMI and LBMD, decreased for HFPG, HSBP, KDF, and remained stable for HLDL from 1990 to 2019. In terms of age-standardized rate of DALYs, there was an increasing trend of neoplasms and neurological disorders attributable to HFPG; diabetes and kidney diseases, neurological disorders, sense organ diseases, musculoskeletal disorders, neoplasms, cardiovascular diseases, digestive diseases to HBMI; unintentional injuries to LBMD; and musculoskeletal disorders to KDF. Among 19 countries of Group 20, in 2019, the age-standardized rate of DALYs and death were ranked fourth to sixth for HFPG, HSBP, and HLDL, but ranked 10th to 15th for LBMD, KDF, and HBMI, despite the number of DALYs and death ranked first to second for six metabolic risk factors.

    CONCLUSIONS: Population aging continuously accelerates the metabolic risk factor driven disease burden in China. Comprehensive and tight control of metabolic risk factors before 20 and 70 may help to mitigate the increasing disease burden and achieve healthy aging, respectively.

  9. Yang TS, Chen HH, Bo-Wen L, Kim TW, Kim JG, Ahn JB, et al.
    Asia Pac J Clin Oncol, 2023 Dec;19(6):672-680.
    PMID: 36855017 DOI: 10.1111/ajco.13920
    AIM: The OPTIM1SE study observed long-term real-world outcomes of cetuximab-based infusional 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) regimens for first-line treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) across Asia-Pacific and Middle East regions, aiming to characterize their use, effectiveness, and safety in routine practice.

    METHODS: OPTIM1SE was a prospective, open-label, observational study. Patients with untreated KRAS wild-type mCRC and distant metastases were treated per locally approved labels and monitored for 3 years via electronic medical records. The primary endpoint was the overall response rate (ORR). Secondary endpoints included safety, progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS).

    RESULTS: From November 19, 2013, to June 30, 2016, 520 patients were enrolled in 51 sites. Patients were mostly male (61.2%), with a mean age of 58.5 (±12.0) years; 420 patients received leucovorin, 5-FU, and irinotecan-based regimens and 94 received leucovorin, 5-FU, and oxaliplatin. The most common primary tumor site was the rectum (38.8%), with liver metastases (65.0%). ORR was 45.4% (95% CI, 41.1%-49.7%), including 26 patients (5.0%) with a complete response. Median PFS was 9.9 months (95% CI, 8.2-11.0); median OS (mOS) was 30.8 months (95% CI, 27.9-33.6). Higher mOS was associated with tumors of left compared with right-sided origin (hazard ratio, 0.69 [95% CI, 0.49-0.99]); higher ORR was also associated with liver metastases compared with all other metastases (55.4% vs. 40.2%). Adverse events were consistent with the known safety profile of cetuximab.

    CONCLUSION: Cetuximab-based 5-FU regimens were effective first-line treatments for mCRC in routine practice, particularly in patients with left-sided disease and liver metastases only.

  10. Lee WS, Arai K, Alex G, Treepongkaruna S, Kim KM, Choong CL, et al.
    PMID: 36574956 DOI: 10.1111/jgh.16097
    Pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (PIBD) is rising rapidly in many industrialised and affluent areas in the Asia Pacific region. Current available guidelines, mainly from Europe and North America, may not be completely applicable to clinicians caring for children with PIBD in this region due to differences in disease characteristics and regional resources constraints. This position paper is an initiative from the Asian Pan-Pacific Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (APPSPGHAN) with the aim of providing an up-to-date, evidence-based approach to PIBD in the Asia Pacific region, taking into consideration the unique disease characteristics and financial resources available in this region. A group of pediatric gastroenterologists with special interest in PIBD performed an extensive literature search covering epidemiology, disease characteristics and natural history, management and monitoring. Gastrointestinal infections, including tuberculosis, need to be excluded before diagnosing IBD. In some populations in Asia, the Nudix Hydrolase 15 (NUD15) gene is a better predictor of leukopenia induced by azathioprine than thiopurine-S-methyltransferase (TPMT). The main considerations in the use of biologics in the Asia Pacific region are high cost, ease of access, and potential infectious risk, especially tuberculosis. Conclusion: This position paper provides a useful guide to clinicians in the medical management of children with PIBD in the Asia Pacific region.
  11. Aoki N, Chen PY, Chen W, Chng WJ, Gan GG, Goh YT, et al.
    BMC Med Res Methodol, 2024 May 02;24(1):102.
    PMID: 38698331 DOI: 10.1186/s12874-024-02227-0
    BACKGROUND: Multiple myeloma (MM) is the second most common haematological cancer worldwide. Along with related diseases including monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), plasma cell leukaemia (PCL) and plasmacytoma, MM incidence is rising, yet it remains incurable and represents a significant disease burden. Clinical registries can provide important information on management and outcomes, and are vital platforms for clinical trials and other research. The Asia-Pacific Myeloma and Related Diseases Registry (APAC MRDR) was developed to monitor and explore variation in epidemiology, treatment regimens and their impact on clinical outcomes across this region. Here we describe the registry's design and development, initial data, progress and future plans.

    METHODS: The APAC MRDR was established in 2018 as a multicentre collaboration across the Asia-Pacific, collecting prospective data on patients newly diagnosed with MM, MGUS, PCL and plasmacytoma in Korea, Singapore, Malaysia and Taiwan, with China recently joining. Development of the registry required a multidisciplinary team of clinicians, researchers, legal and information technology support, and financial resources, as well as local clinical context from key opinion leaders in the APAC region. Written informed consent is obtained and data are routinely collected throughout treatment by hospital staff. Data are stored securely, meeting all local privacy and ethics requirements. Data were collected from October 2018 to March 2024.

    RESULTS: Over 1700 patients from 24 hospitals have been enrolled onto the APAC MRDR to date, with the majority (86%) being newly diagnosed with MM. Bortezomib with an immunomodulatory drug was most frequently used in first-line MM therapy, and lenalidomide-based therapy was most common in second-line. Establishment and implementation challenges include regulatory and a range of operational issues.

    CONCLUSION: The APAC MRDR is providing 'real-world' data to participating sites, clinicians and policy-makers to explore factors influencing outcomes and survival, and to support high quality studies. It is already a valuable resource that will continue to grow and support research and clinical collaboration in MM and related diseases across the APAC region.

  12. Zhang X, Li C, Zhou Y, Huang J, Yu T, Liu X, et al.
    iScience, 2020 Apr 24;23(4):101032.
    PMID: 32304863 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2020.101032
    Hanging Coffin is a unique and ancient burial custom that has been practiced in southern China, Southeast Asia, and near Oceania regions for more than 3,000 years. Here, we conducted mitochondrial whole-genome analyses of 41 human remains sampled from 13 Hanging Coffin sites in southern China and northern Thailand, which were dated between ∼2,500 and 660 years before present. We found that there were genetic connections between the Hanging Coffin people living in different geographic regions. Notably, the matrilineal genetic diversity of the Hanging Coffin people from southern China is much higher than those from northern Thailand, consistent with the hypothesized single origin of the Hanging Coffin custom in southern China about 3,600 years ago, followed by its dispersal in southern China through demic diffusion, whereas the major dispersal pattern in Southeast Asia is cultural assimilation in the past 2,000 years.
  13. Zhong M, Lin B, Pathak JL, Gao H, Young AJ, Wang X, et al.
    Front Med (Lausanne), 2020;7:580796.
    PMID: 33363183 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2020.580796
    Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that mainly transfers from human to human via respiratory and gastrointestinal routes. The S-glycoprotein in the virus is the key factor for the entry of SARS-CoV-2 into the cell, which contains two functional domains: S1 is an angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor binding domain, and S2 is necessary for fusion of the coronavirus and cell membranes. Moreover, it has been reported that ACE2 is likely to be the receptor for SARS-CoV-2. In addition, mRNA level expression of Furin enzyme and ACE2 receptor had been reported in airway epithelia, cardiac tissue, and enteric canals. However, the expression patterns of ACE2 and Furin in different cell types of oral tissues are still unclear. Methods: In order to investigate the potential infective channel of the new coronavirus via the oropharyngeal cavity, we analyze the expression of ACE2 and Furin in human oral mucosa using the public single-cell sequence datasets. Furthermore, immunohistochemistry was performed in mucosal tissue from different oral anatomical sites to confirm the expression of ACE2 and Furin at the protein level. Results: The bioinformatics results indicated the differential expression of ACE2 and Furin on epithelial cells from different oral anatomical sites. Immunohistochemistry results revealed that both the ACE2-positive and Furin-positive cells in the target tissues were mainly positioned in the epithelial layers, partly expressed in fibroblasts, further confirming the bioinformatics results. Conclusions: Based on these findings, we speculated that SARS-CoV-2 could invade oral mucosal cells through two possible routes: binding to the ACE2 receptor and fusion with cell membrane activated by Furin protease. Our results indicated that oral mucosa tissues are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 that could facilitate COVID-19 infection via respiratory and fecal-oral routes.
  14. He Z, Chin Y, Yu S, Huang J, Zhang CJP, Zhu K, et al.
    JMIR Public Health Surveill, 2021 Jan 25;7(1):e20495.
    PMID: 33232262 DOI: 10.2196/20495
    BACKGROUND: The influence of meteorological factors on the transmission and spread of COVID-19 is of interest and has not been investigated.

    OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the associations between meteorological factors and the daily number of new cases of COVID-19 in 9 Asian cities.

    METHODS: Pearson correlation and generalized additive modeling (GAM) were performed to assess the relationships between daily new COVID-19 cases and meteorological factors (daily average temperature and relative humidity) with the most updated data currently available.

    RESULTS: The Pearson correlation showed that daily new confirmed cases of COVID-19 were more correlated with the average temperature than with relative humidity. Daily new confirmed cases were negatively correlated with the average temperature in Beijing (r=-0.565, P

  15. Yang YF, Mattamel PB, Joseph T, Huang J, Chen Q, Akinwunmi BO, et al.
    Nutrients, 2021 Apr 21;13(5).
    PMID: 33918992 DOI: 10.3390/nu13051388
    BACKGROUND: The role of low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet (LCKD) as an adjuvant therapy in antitumor treatment is not well established. This systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was conducted to investigate the efficacy of LCKD as an adjuvant therapy in antitumor treatment compared to non-ketogenic diet in terms of lipid profile, body weight, fasting glucose level, insulin, and adverse effects; Methods: In this study, databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, CINAHL, and Cochrane trials were searched. Only RCTs that involved cancer participants that were assigned to dietary interventions including a LCKD group and a control group (any non-ketogenic dietary intervention) were selected. Three reviewers independently extracted the data, and the meta-analysis was performed using a fixed effects model or random effects model depending on the I2 value or p-value; Results: A total of six articles met the inclusion/exclusion criteria. In the overall analysis, the post-intervention results = standard mean difference, SMD (95% CI) showed total cholesterol (TC) level = 0.25 (-0.17, 0.67), HDL-cholesterol = -0.07 (-0.50, 0.35), LDL-cholesterol = 0.21 (-0.21, 0.63), triglyceride (TG) = 0.09 (-0.33, 0.51), body weight (BW) = -0.34 (-1.33, 0.65), fasting blood glucose (FBG) = -0.40 (-1.23, 0.42) and insulin = 0.11 (-1.33, 1.55). There were three outcomes showing significant results in those in LCKD group: the tumor marker PSA, p = 0.03, the achievement of ketosis p = 0.010, and the level of satisfaction, p = 0.005; Conclusions: There was inadequate evidence to support the beneficial effects of LCKDs on antitumor therapy. More trials comparing LCKD and non-KD with a larger sample size are necessary to give a more conclusive result.
  16. Wen X, Cao J, Mi J, Huang J, Liang J, Wang Y, et al.
    J Hazard Mater, 2021 03 05;405:124215.
    PMID: 33109407 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.124215
    High concentrations of antibiotics may induce bacterial resistance mutations and further lead to fitness costs by reducing growth of resistant bacteria. However, antibiotic concentrations faced by bacteria are usually low in common environments, which leads to questions about how resistant bacteria with fitness costs regulate metabolism to coexist or compete with susceptible bacteria during sublethal challenge. Our study revealed that a low proportion (< 15%) of resistant bacteria coexisted with susceptible bacteria due to the fitness cost without doxycycline. However, the cost for the resistant strain decreased at a doxycycline concentration of 1 mg/L and even disappeared when the doxycycline concentration was 2 mg/L. Metabonomics analysis revealed that bypass carbon metabolism and biosynthesis of secondary metabolites were the primary metabolic pathways enriching various upregulated metabolites in resistant bacteria without doxycycline. Moreover, the alleviation of fitness cost for resistant bacteria competed with susceptible bacteria at 1 mg/L doxycycline was correlated with the downregulation of the biomarkers pyruvate and pilocarpine. Our study offered new insight into the metabolic mechanisms by which the fitness cost of resistant mutants was reduced at doxycycline concentrations as low as 1 mg/L and identified various potential metabolites to limit the spread of antimicrobial resistance in the environment.
  17. Chen W, Liao X, Wu Y, Liang JB, Mi J, Huang J, et al.
    Waste Manag, 2017 Mar;61:506-515.
    PMID: 28117129 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2017.01.014
    Biochar, because of its unique physiochemical properties and sorption capacity, may be an ideal amendment in reducing gaseous emissions during composting process but there has been little information on the potential effects of different types of biochar on undesired gaseous emissions. The objective of this study was to examine the ability and mechanism of different types of biochar, as co-substrate, in mitigating gaseous emission from composting of layer hen manure. The study was conducted in small-scale laboratory composters with the addition of 10% of one of the following biochars: cornstalk biochar, bamboo biochar, woody biochar, layer manure biochar and coir biochar. The results showed that the cumulative NH3 production was significantly reduced by 24.8±2.9, 9.2±1.3, 20.1±2.6, 14.2±1.6, 11.8±1.7% (corrected for initial total N) in the cornstalk biochar, bamboo biochar, woody biochar, layer manure biochar and coir biochar treatments, respectively, compared to the control. Total CH4 emissions was significantly reduced by 26.1±2.3, 15.5±2.1, 22.4±3.1, 17.1±2.1% (corrected for the initial total carbon) for cornstalk biochar, bamboo biochar, woody biochar and coir biochar treatments than the control. Moreover, addition of cornstalk biochar increased the temperature and NO3(-)-N concentration and decreased the pH, NH4(+)-N and organic matter content throughout the composting process. The results suggested that total volatilization of NH3 and CH4 in cornstalk biochar treatment was lower than the other treatments; which could be due to (i) decrease of pH and higher nitrification, (ii) high sorption capacity for gases and their precursors, such as ammonium nitrogen from composting mixtures, because of the higher surface area, pore volumes, total acidic functional groups and CEC of cornstalk biochar.
  18. Wen X, Huang J, Cao J, Xu J, Mi J, Wang Y, et al.
    Ecotoxicol Environ Saf, 2020 Mar 15;191:110214.
    PMID: 31968275 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2020.110214
    Microbial remediation has the potential to inexpensively yet effectively decontaminate and restore contaminated environments, but the virulence of pathogens and risk of resistance gene transmission by microorganisms during antibiotic removal often limit its implementation. Here, a cloned tetX gene with clear evolutionary history was expressed to explore doxycycline (DOX) degradation and resistance variation during the degradation process. Phylogenetic analysis of tetX genes showed high similarity with those of pathogenic bacteria, such as Riemerella sp. and Acinetobacter sp. Successful tetX expression was performed in Escherichia coli and confirmed by SDS-PAGE and Western blot. Our results showed that 95.0 ± 1.0% of the DOX (50 mg/L) was degraded by the recombinant strain (ETD-1 with tetX) within 48 h, which was significantly higher than that for the control (38.9 ± 8.7%) and the empty plasmid bacteria (8.8 ± 5.1%) (P  0.05). The efficient and safe DOX-degrading capacity of the recombinant strain ETD-1 makes it valuable and promising for antibiotic removal in the environment.
  19. Xiang X, Wang Y, Huang G, Huang J, Gao M, Sun M, et al.
    J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol, 2023 Mar;227:106244.
    PMID: 36584773 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2022.106244
    OBJECTIVE: 17β-estradiol (17β-E2) has been implicated in activating autophagy by upregulating SIRT3 (Sirtuin 3) expression, thereby inhibiting the senescence of vascular endothelial cells. Herein, we further examined the molecular mechanisms that regulate SIRT3 expression in 17β-E2-induced autophagy.

    METHODS: Reverse-transcription-polymerase chain reaction was employed to measure the expression of plasmacytoma variant translocation 1 (PVT1), microRNAs (miRNAs), and SIRT3, and the dual-luciferase assay was used to determine their interaction. Electron microscopy observes autophagosomes, green fluorescent protein-microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (GFP-LC3) staining, and immunoblot analysis with antibodies against LC3,beclin-1, and P62 were conducted to measure autophagy. Cellular senescence was determined using immunoblot analysis with anti-phosphorylated retinoblastoma and senescence-associated β-galactosidase staining.

    RESULTS: Women with higher estrogen levels (during the 10-13th day of the menstrual cycle or premenopausal) exhibit markedly higher serum levels of PVT1 than women with lower estrogen levels (during the menstrual period or postmenopausal). The dual-luciferase assay showed that PVT1 acts as a sponge for miR-31, and miR-31 binds to its target gene, SIRT3. The 17β-E2 treatment increased the expression of PVT1 and SIRT3 and downregulated miR-31 expression in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Consistently, PVT1 overexpression suppresses miR-31 expression, promotes 17β-E2-induced autophagy, and inhibits H2O2-induced senescence. miR-31 inhibitor increases SIRT3 expression and leads to activation of 17β-E2-induced autophagy and suppression of H2O2-induced senescence.

    CONCLUSION: Our findings demonstrated that 17β-E2 upregulates PVT1 gene expression and PVT1 functions as a sponge to inhibit miR-31, resulting in the upregulation of SIRT3 expression and activation of autophagy and subsequent inhibition of H2O2-induced senescence in HUVECs.

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