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Liu EY, van Dams R, Steinberg ML, Raldow A. Radiopharmaceutical Therapy Practice Patterns Across Medicare Providers: An Opportunity for Growth in Radiation Oncology. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2023; 117:e599-e600. [PMID: 37785807 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2023.06.1960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S) Given the recent explosion of research and development of novel targeted agents with improved specificity for delivery, we examined the providers administering radiopharmaceutical therapy (RPT) through analysis of U.S. Medicare payments. We further evaluated differences by specialties with respect to total distinct patients, total services billed, and average Medicare payment and submitted charge. MATERIALS/METHODS This retrospective study queried the Provider Utilization & Payment Data prepared by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for 2020. The Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) codes used for analysis comprised: Radioactive material therapy into vein; Infusion/instillation of radioelement solution; Radioactive material therapy into artery; and Lu 177 dotatate therapeutic. Provider specialties for which there existed at least 5 entries were included. Outcome measurements included provider gender, practice region, total distinct patients, total services billed, average submitted charge, and average standardized Medicare payment. Descriptive and nonparametric statistics (Kruskal-Wallis Test, Dunn's test) were calculated by specialty. RESULTS A total of 171 providers were identified who billed for the above HCPCS codes within Diagnostic Radiology (DR) (n = 68, 39.8%), Nuclear Medicine (NM) (n = 59, 34.5%), Radiation Oncology (RO) (n = 24, 14.0%), and Interventional Radiology (IR) (n = 20, 11.7%). Geographically, 42.7% of providers were in the South, 23.4% in the West, 18.1% in the Midwest, and 15.8% in the Northeast. By gender, 21.1% identified as female, 78.9% as male. Descriptive statistics are summarized in Table 1. Total distinct patients was not significantly different across specialty (p = 0.872). Total services billed was significantly different for RO compared to IR (p<0.001), DR (p<0.001), and NM (p<0.001). There was no significant difference in average Medicare payment between RO and IR (p = 0.405), and between NM and DR (p = 0.063), though there was a significant difference in average submitted charge between NM and DR (p = 0.008). CONCLUSION The results of this study highlight the opportunity for growth in radiation oncologists' utilization of RPT. Given the upcoming demand, it is pivotal to recognize the critical role radiation oncologists play in careful oncologic decision making, appropriate dosing and delivery of therapies by clinical scenario, and considerable follow up necessitated in patients receiving these novel therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Y Liu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA
| | - R van Dams
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center, Boston, MA
| | - M L Steinberg
- Department of Radiation Oncology, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA
| | - A Raldow
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
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2
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Liu EY, Lin EY, Lee A, Venkat PS, Shiao JC, Wong A, Yu A, Hagio MA, Park SJ, Demanes J, Chang AJ. High-Dose Rate Brachytherapy Alone for Treatment of Unfavorable Intermediate Risk Prostate Cancer: A Propensity-Score Matched Analysis. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2023; 117:e408-e409. [PMID: 37785355 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2023.06.1551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S) To demonstrate the feasibility of high-dose rate brachytherapy (HDR BT) as monotherapy for unfavorable intermediate risk (UIR) prostate cancer by comparing survival outcomes of HDR BT alone against external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) + HDR BT boost, +/- androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) using propensity-score matched (PSM) data. MATERIALS/METHODS This retrospective study queried two data registries collecting patient data from 1991 to present. 633 patients with UIR prostate cancer treated with HDR BT alone, HDR BT+EBRT or HDR+EBRT+ADT were included. HDR BT patients received 42-45Gy/6 fractions (fx) or 27 Gy/2 fx. For HDR BT+EBRT, the HDR dose was 20-24 Gy/2 fx, 24 Gy/4 fx, or 15 Gy/1 fx. EBRT patients received 45 Gy/25 fx to the prostate +/- pelvic nodes. GU/GI toxicities were graded according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) v5.0. Time-to-event analyses were carried out to evaluate the relationship between treatments and five primary endpoints of interest: freedom from biochemical recurrence (FFBC), freedom from distant metastasis (FFDM), freedom from local failure (FFLF), cancer specific survival (CSS), and overall survival (OS) at 5 years. PSM was performed with one-to-n matching. Logistic regression was used to estimate the respective propensity scores. The five potential confounders identified were T-stage, Gleason score, pre-treatment PSA, age, and percent positive cores. Balance was checked using the standardized mean difference of covariates. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted on the matched data. Toxicity analysis was performed via association between a change in pre- and post-treatment GU/GI toxicity status and the treatment group, as well as incidence of post-treatment severe GI/GU toxicity (grade 3 or higher) and the treatment group. RESULTS Univariate analysis with Kaplan-Meier method and log rank test comparison between the three cohorts demonstrated no significant difference in all survival outcomes FFBC, FFDM, FFLF, CSS, OS (p = 0.15, 0.19, 0.29, 0.57, 0.28, respectively). Multivariate analysis with Cox proportional hazard regression showed no differences in HR for FFBC and OS (p = 0.95, 0.11) with addition of EBRT, or with EBRT+ADT (p = 0.17, 0.24); no fit was obtainable for FFDM, CSS, FFLF. Toxicities between the three cohorts were not significantly different when comparing post-treatment and baseline GI/GU symptoms (p = 0.53/1). No Grade 2 or 3 GI toxicities were identified, while 8%/1% HDR patients, 10%/1% HDR+EBRT patients, and 12%/2% HDR+EBRT+ADT patients experienced Grade 2/3 GU toxicities. The incidence of grade 3 or higher GU toxicities between the three groups was not significantly different (p = 0.91). CONCLUSION This propensity-score matched study demonstrates the feasibility of HDR BT alone for effective treatment of UIR prostate cancer when compared to HDR+EBRT or HDR+EBRT+ADT, while potentially minimizing the added toxicities of EBRT and the undesirable side effect profile of ADT.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Y Liu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA
| | - E Y Lin
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
| | - A Lee
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
| | - P S Venkat
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
| | - J C Shiao
- The University of Kansas Cancer Center, Kansas City, KS
| | - A Wong
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
| | - A Yu
- University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
| | - M A Hagio
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
| | - S J Park
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
| | - J Demanes
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
| | - A J Chang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
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Sey M, Wong A, McDonald C, Liu EY, Yan B. A108 ARE INPATIENTS STILL MORE LIKELY TO FAIL BOWEL PREPARATION IN THE SPLIT-DOSE ERA? FINDINGS FROM 47, 292 COLONOSCOPIES IN THE SOUTHWEST ONTARIO COLONOSCOPY COHORT. J Can Assoc Gastroenterol 2021. [DOI: 10.1093/jcag/gwab002.106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Prior studies before the widespread use of split-dose bowel preparation have shown a high rate of inadequate bowel preparation in hospitalized patients. Whether this is still true in the era of split-dose bowel preparation is unknown.
Aims
To determine the impact of inpatient status on bowel preparation quality in the contemporary era of split-dose bowel preparation.
Methods
The Southwest Ontario Colonoscopy cohort consists of all inpatient and outpatient colonoscopies performed between April 2017 and Oct 2018 at 21 hospitals serving a large geographic health region. Procedures done in patients < 18 years of age or by an endoscopist performing <50 colonoscopies/year were excluded. Data were collected through a mandatory quality assurance form that was completed by the endoscopist after each procedure. Pathology reports were manually reviewed. The primary outcome was adequate bowel preparation, defined on an ordinal scale as “good” or “fair” rather than “poor”. Secondary outcomes included adenoma detection rate (ADR), sessile serrated polyp detection rate (ssPDR), polyp detection rate (PDR), and cecal intubation rate (CIR).
Results
A total of 47,292 colonoscopies were performed by 75 physicians (36.2% by gastroenterologists, 60% by general surgeons, 4% others), of which 1,690 were inpatients (3.6%). Inpatients were older (mean 66.8 years vs 60.2 years, p<0.0001), more co-morbid (≥ASA grade 3, 53.6% vs 23.7%, p<0.0001), performed for symptomatic indications (95.7% vs 48.6%, p< 0.0001), have trainee involvement (47% vs 11.6% p<0.001), and less likely to receive split-dose bowel preparation (71.7% vs 91.6% p<0.001). On crude analysis, inpatients were less likely to have adequate bowel preparation (86.2% vs 97.6% p<0.001). On multi-variable analysis, inpatients had lower odds of achieving adequate bowel preparation (OR=0.41, 95% CI 0.33 - 0.50, p<0.001), lower ADR (OR=0.47, 95% CI 0.40 - 0.55, p<0.001), lower PDR (OR=0.54, 95% CI 0.47 - 0.61 p<0.001) and lower CIR (OR = 0.43, 95% CI 0.35 - 0.54, p<0.001).
Conclusions
In the era of split-dose bowel preparation, inpatient status is still an important predictor of inadequate bowel preparation with resultant lower quality outcome metrics.
Funding Agencies
None
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Affiliation(s)
- M Sey
- Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - A Wong
- Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - C McDonald
- Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada
| | - E Y Liu
- Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - B Yan
- Medicine, Gastroenterology, Western University, London, ON, Canada
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Liu EY, Xia Y, Kong X, Guo MS, Yu AX, Zheng BZ, Mak S, Xu ML, Tsim KW. Interacting with α 7 nAChR is a new mechanism for AChE to enhance the inflammatory response in macrophages. Acta Pharm Sin B 2020; 10:1926-1942. [PMID: 33163344 PMCID: PMC7606108 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2020.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2020] [Revised: 03/16/2020] [Accepted: 04/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Acetylcholine (ACh) regulates inflammation via α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7 nAChR). Acetylcholinesterase (AChE), an enzyme hydrolyzing ACh, is expressed in immune cells suggesting non-classical function in inflammatory responses. Here, the expression of PRiMA-linked G4 AChE was identified on the surface of macrophages. In lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory processes, AChE was upregulated by the binding of NF-κB onto the ACHE promotor. Conversely, the overexpression of G4 AChE inhibited ACh-suppressed cytokine release and cell migration, which was in contrast to that of applied AChE inhibitors. AChEmt, a DNA construct without enzymatic activity, was adopted to identify the protein role of AChE in immune system. Overexpression of G4 AChEmt induced cell migration and inhibited ACh-suppressed cell migration. The co-localization of α7 nAChR and AChE was found in macrophages, suggesting the potential interaction of α7 nAChR and AChE. Besides, immunoprecipitation showed a close association of α7 nAChR and AChE protein in cell membrane. Hence, the novel function of AChE in macrophage by interacting with α7 nAChR was determined. Together with hydrolysis of ACh, AChE plays a direct role in the regulation of inflammatory response. As such, AChE could serve as a novel target to treat age-related diseases by anti-inflammatory responses.
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Key Words
- ACh, acetylcholine
- AChE
- AChE, acetylcholinesterase
- BChE, butyrylcholinesterase
- CAP pathway, cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway
- CDC42, cell division cycle
- ChAT, choline acetyltransferase
- Cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway
- DPZ, donepezil
- GAL, galantamine hydrobromide
- IL, interleukin
- LPS, lipopolysaccharides
- MLA, methyllycaconitine citrate salt
- MMP, matrix metalloproteinase
- Macrophage
- NF-κB, nuclear factor-κB
- PHA, PHA-543613
- PRiMA, proline-rich membrane anchor
- TNF-α, tumor necrosis factor α
- nAChR, nicotinic AChR
- α7 nAChR
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Meng Z, Lee A, Liu EY, Dhillon AS, Wong C, Sultanian R, Zepeda-Gomez S, van Zanten S, Kohansal AR. A105 ENDOSCOPIC MUCOSAL RESECTION (EMR) OF LARGE SESSILE POLYPS: DATA FROM A MULTI-CENTER HEALTH ZONE. J Can Assoc Gastroenterol 2020. [DOI: 10.1093/jcag/gwz047.104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
EMR is the standard of care for management of large non-invasive colonic polyps. Current guidelines recommend repeat colonoscopy within 6 months after EMR of large sessile polyps to assess the EMR site for residual adenoma. We reviewed the outcomes and compliance to these guidelines in patients at the University of Alberta Hospital (UAH) and surrounding 7 hospitals.
Aims
The primary outcome was the proportion of patients who received a follow up colonoscopy within 180 days.
Methods
Retrospective data was collected on consecutive patients who had a large polyp resection (size >2cm as documented per endoscopy report) from January 1st, 2014 to January 1st, 2016. Information was collected on patients from UAH as well as seven surrounding hospitals within the Edmonton geographic zone. Data was extracted from electronic health records.
Results
Of 258 patients identified patients, 250 had complete data. Of these 250 patients, 151 (60.4 %) were male and median age was 67 (IQR 60 - 72). Eighty-two cases (32.8%) were performed at UAH, with 168 cases (67.2%) at other hospitals. Polyps were removed by gastroenterologists (n=215, 86.0%), surgeons (n=26, 10.4%), and others (n=9, 3.6%).
Fifty-two patients (20.8%) had no formal follow up on electronic health records, while 198 patients (79.2%) had a repeat colonoscopy. 57 patients (29.1 %) had a repeat colonoscopy within 180 days. The median follow-up time was 224 days (IQR 172–365).
Of the 82 cases performed at UAH, 74 (90.2%) had follow up. Out of the 168 cases at the other hospitals, 124 (73.8%) had follow up (p<0.01). Sixteen (21.9%) and 41 (33.3%) cases were followed up within 180days at UAH and other hospitals, respectively (p=0.09).
Of the 74 cases with follow up at UAH, 12 (15.7%) had residual tissue confirmed by pathology. Of the 124 cases at other hospitals, 26 (21.0%) had follow up (p=0.41). Median polyp size was 2.5cm (IQR 2.0cm - 3.5cm)
Conclusions
Only 29.1% of patients with large sessile polyp removal in the Edmonton zone had a repeat colonoscopy within 180 days. Patients with large polypectomy performed at the academic hospital were more likely to be followed up compared to non-academic hospitals. Further validation studies with larger data sets are needed. These findings highlight the need for standardized pathways to appropriately manage and survey large polyps post-EMR.
Funding Agencies
None
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Affiliation(s)
- Z Meng
- University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - A Lee
- University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - E Y Liu
- College of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - A S Dhillon
- Gastroenterology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - C Wong
- 10240 Kingsway Ave., Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - R Sultanian
- Division of Gastroenterology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - S Zepeda-Gomez
- Gastroenterology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | | | - A R Kohansal
- Gastroenterology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
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6
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Liu EY, Wong C. A27 INCREASING INCIDENCE OF COLORECTAL CANCER IN ADULTS UNDER AGE OF 50 IN ALBERTA. J Can Assoc Gastroenterol 2020. [DOI: 10.1093/jcag/gwz047.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Overall colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence has been decreasing in Canada since the early 2000s, most likely due to increased use of colorectal cancer screening for adults over the age of 50. However, the incidence of CRC may be rising in adults younger than age 50 both in Canada and the USA. The American Cancer Society in 2018 issued a qualified recommendation that people with an average risk of CRC should start screening at age 45. The burden of CRC in adults under the age of 50 is not well-characterized in Alberta.
Aims
The aim of this study is to determine the incidence trends in colorectal cancer in adults under the age of 50 compared to those over the age of 50 in Alberta.
Methods
This cohort study determined the incidence of colorectal cancer in patients under the age of 50 compared to those over the age of 50 reported to the Alberta Cancer Registry (ACR) from 2010 to 2017. Annualized percentage changes (APCs) in incidence rate were estimated using the Joinpoint Regression Program 4.7.0.0 (Nation Cancer Institute). APCs in relative risk of CRC in different age groups compared to the 50–74 age group were also estimated in the same methodology.
Results
From 2010 to 2017 there were 17167 incident cases of colorectal cancer. Of these, 92% were in adults over the age of 50 while 8% were in those under the age of 50. For adults under the age of 50, incidence of CRC increased from 6 to 7.2 per 100,000 with a mean annual percentage change of 2.58% between 2010 and 2017. This is in contrast to adults over the age of 50, where the incidence of CRC decreased from 170 to 128 per 100,000 with a mean annual percentage change of -1.64% from 2010 to 2015 and -9.42% from 2015 to 2017. Compared to the 50–74 age group, the average relative risk of CRC in the 46–49 age group is 0.26 with an annual increase of 0.55%; while in the 40–45 age group the average relative risk of CRC is 0.15 with an annual increase of 2.61%.
Conclusions
Similar to national incidence trends, the incidence of CRC in adults under the age of 50 is increasing in Alberta. Although the overall incidence in this population is relatively low, suspicion of CRC in adults under age 50 can help prevent delays in diagnosis.
Incidence of colorectal cancer in Alberta for adults under the age of 50 increased from 6 to 7.2 per 100,000 with a mean annual percentage change of 2.58% between 2010 and 2017.
Funding Agencies
None
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Affiliation(s)
- E Y Liu
- College of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - C Wong
- College of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
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Kong XP, Liu EY, Chen ZC, Xu ML, Yu AX, Wu QY, Xia YJ, Duan R, Dong TT, Tsim KW. Synergistic Inhibition of Acetylcholinesterase by Alkaloids Derived from Stephaniae Tetrandrae Radix, Coptidis Rhizoma and Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex. Molecules 2019; 24:molecules24244567. [PMID: 31847089 PMCID: PMC6943709 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24244567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2019] [Revised: 11/30/2019] [Accepted: 12/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Alkaloids having acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activity are commonly found in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM); for example, berberine from Coptis chinensis, galantamine from Lycoris radiata, and huperzine A from Huperzia serrata. In practice of TCM, Stephaniae Tetrandrae Radix (STR) is often combined with Coptidis Rhizoma (CR) or Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex (PCC) as paired herbs during clinical application. Fangchinoline from STR and coptisine and/or berberine from CR and/or PCC are active alkaloids in inhibiting AChE. The traditional usage of paired herbs suggests the synergistic effect of fangchinoline–coptisine or fangchinoline–berberine pairing in AChE inhibition. HPLC was applied to identify the main components in herbal extracts of STR, CR, and PCC, and the AChE inhibition of their main components was determined by Ellman assay. The synergism of herb combination and active component combination was calculated by median-effect principle. Molecular docking was applied to investigate the underlying binding mechanisms of the active components with the AChE protein. It was found that fangchinoline showed AChE inhibitory potency; furthermore, fangchinoline–coptisine/berberine pairs (at ratios of 1:5, 1:2, 1:1, and 2:1) synergistically inhibited AChE; the combination index (CI) at different ratios was less than one when Fa = 0.5, suggesting synergistic inhibition of AChE. Furthermore, the molecular docking simulation supported this enzymatic inhibition. Therefore, fangchinoline–coptisine/berberine pairs, or their parental herbal mixtures, may potentially be developed as a possible therapeutic strategy for Alzheimer’s patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang-Peng Kong
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Edible and Medicinal Bioresources, HKUST Shenzhen Research Institute, Hi-Tech Park, Shenzhen 518057, China; (X.-P.K.); (Z.-C.C.); (M.L.X.); (Q.-Y.W.); (Y.-J.X.); (R.D.)
- Institute of Pharmaceutical & Food Engineering, Shanxi University of Chinese Medicine, 121 Daxue Road, Yuci District, Jinzhong 030619, China
| | - Etta Y.L. Liu
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Edible and Medicinal Bioresources, HKUST Shenzhen Research Institute, Hi-Tech Park, Shenzhen 518057, China; (X.-P.K.); (Z.-C.C.); (M.L.X.); (Q.-Y.W.); (Y.-J.X.); (R.D.)
- Division of Life Science and Center for Chinese Medicine, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong, China
| | - Zhi-Cong Chen
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Edible and Medicinal Bioresources, HKUST Shenzhen Research Institute, Hi-Tech Park, Shenzhen 518057, China; (X.-P.K.); (Z.-C.C.); (M.L.X.); (Q.-Y.W.); (Y.-J.X.); (R.D.)
- Division of Life Science and Center for Chinese Medicine, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong, China
| | - Miranda Li Xu
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Edible and Medicinal Bioresources, HKUST Shenzhen Research Institute, Hi-Tech Park, Shenzhen 518057, China; (X.-P.K.); (Z.-C.C.); (M.L.X.); (Q.-Y.W.); (Y.-J.X.); (R.D.)
- Division of Life Science and Center for Chinese Medicine, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong, China
| | - Anna X.D. Yu
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Edible and Medicinal Bioresources, HKUST Shenzhen Research Institute, Hi-Tech Park, Shenzhen 518057, China; (X.-P.K.); (Z.-C.C.); (M.L.X.); (Q.-Y.W.); (Y.-J.X.); (R.D.)
- Division of Life Science and Center for Chinese Medicine, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong, China
| | - Qi-Yun Wu
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Edible and Medicinal Bioresources, HKUST Shenzhen Research Institute, Hi-Tech Park, Shenzhen 518057, China; (X.-P.K.); (Z.-C.C.); (M.L.X.); (Q.-Y.W.); (Y.-J.X.); (R.D.)
- Division of Life Science and Center for Chinese Medicine, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong, China
| | - Ying-Jie Xia
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Edible and Medicinal Bioresources, HKUST Shenzhen Research Institute, Hi-Tech Park, Shenzhen 518057, China; (X.-P.K.); (Z.-C.C.); (M.L.X.); (Q.-Y.W.); (Y.-J.X.); (R.D.)
- Division of Life Science and Center for Chinese Medicine, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong, China
| | - Ran Duan
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Edible and Medicinal Bioresources, HKUST Shenzhen Research Institute, Hi-Tech Park, Shenzhen 518057, China; (X.-P.K.); (Z.-C.C.); (M.L.X.); (Q.-Y.W.); (Y.-J.X.); (R.D.)
- Division of Life Science and Center for Chinese Medicine, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong, China
| | - Tina T.X. Dong
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Edible and Medicinal Bioresources, HKUST Shenzhen Research Institute, Hi-Tech Park, Shenzhen 518057, China; (X.-P.K.); (Z.-C.C.); (M.L.X.); (Q.-Y.W.); (Y.-J.X.); (R.D.)
- Division of Life Science and Center for Chinese Medicine, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong, China
- Correspondence: (T.T.X.D.); (K.W.K.T.); Tel.: +86-755-8671-5683 (T.T.X.D.); +852-2358-7332 (K.W.K.T.)
| | - Karl W.K. Tsim
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Edible and Medicinal Bioresources, HKUST Shenzhen Research Institute, Hi-Tech Park, Shenzhen 518057, China; (X.-P.K.); (Z.-C.C.); (M.L.X.); (Q.-Y.W.); (Y.-J.X.); (R.D.)
- Division of Life Science and Center for Chinese Medicine, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong, China
- Correspondence: (T.T.X.D.); (K.W.K.T.); Tel.: +86-755-8671-5683 (T.T.X.D.); +852-2358-7332 (K.W.K.T.)
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Xu ML, Luk WK, Liu EY, Kong XP, Wu QY, Xia YJ, Dong TT, Tsim KW. Differentiation of erythroblast requires the dimeric form of acetylcholinesterase: Interference with erythropoietin receptor. Chem Biol Interact 2019; 308:317-322. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2019.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2019] [Revised: 04/24/2019] [Accepted: 06/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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Yuen T, Liu EY, Kohansal AR. A271 GASTRIC METASTASES FROM PRIMARY BREAST CANCERS PRESENTING AS RARE CAUSES OF COMMON GASTROINTESTINAL DISORDERS. J Can Assoc Gastroenterol 2019. [DOI: 10.1093/jcag/gwz006.270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- T Yuen
- Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - E Y Liu
- Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - A R Kohansal
- Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
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Liu EY, Dhillon AS, Zepeda-Gomez S, Eccles JK, Halloran B. A286 OVERT GI BLEED DUE TO CHRONIC LYMPHOCYTIC LEUKEMIA INFILTRATION IN THE SMALL BOWEL. J Can Assoc Gastroenterol 2019. [DOI: 10.1093/jcag/gwz006.285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- E Y Liu
- College of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - A S Dhillon
- College of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - S Zepeda-Gomez
- College of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - J K Eccles
- College of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - B Halloran
- College of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
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11
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Affiliation(s)
- E Y Liu
- University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - J Crawford
- Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region, Regina, SK, Canada
| | - L Worobetz
- University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - S Bhasin
- University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
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12
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Liu EY, Vantomme E, Bhasin S. A51 RARE CAUSES OF DYSPHAGIA: A CASE SERIES. J Can Assoc Gastroenterol 2018. [DOI: 10.1093/jcag/gwy009.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- E Y Liu
- College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Regina, SK, Canada
| | - E Vantomme
- College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Regina, SK, Canada
| | - S Bhasin
- College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Regina, SK, Canada
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13
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Liu EY, Liu JF, Shao WW, Xiao L, Li GH, Chang XH, Qiu XY. [Tumor derived IgG suppress the proliferation of T cells in cord blood]. Beijing Da Xue Xue Bao Yi Xue Ban 2017; 49:824-828. [PMID: 29045963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To explore the function of tumor derived IgG (tIgG) and whether the tIgG can inhibit T cells activity. METHODS The tIgG was purified from ovarian cancer tissue. The cord blood monocyte cells (CBMC) and cord blood lymphocyte (CBL) were isolate from human umbilical cord blood. The CBMC and CBL were stimulated with phytohaemagg lutinin (PHA) in order to let the CBMC and CBL in the state of proliferation. Carboxyfluorescein succinimidyl amino ester (CFSE) was cultured with CBMC and CBL. CFSE had no cell toxicity, which could penetrate through the cell membrane and combine the intracellular protein. The fluorescence intensity decreased with the proliferation of cells step by step, so the proliferation of these cells could be detected in flow ctytometry. The tIgG which was purified from ovarian cancer tissue was divided into three groups, 1 mg/L group, 10 mg/L group, and 100 mg/L group, and the intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) was also divided into three groups too. The CBMC and CBL were treated by tIgG with 1 mg/L, 10 mg/L, and 100 mg/L in order to observe the proliferation of T cells. The cells were treated with IVIG as a positive control group, and the cells were treated with phosphate buffer saline (PBS) as a negative control. The proliferation of CD4+ or CD8+ T cells were detected in CBMC and CBL. The proliferation of the T cells in CBMC and CBL after 64 h and 86 h were detected. RESULTS In the system of CBMC, the tIgG could suppress the proliferation of CD4+ or CD8+ T cells. The results could also be found in the system of CBL. The CD4+ or CD8+ T cells in the group which were treated with PBS were more active than those in the group which were treated with tIgG and IVIG. The suppression in the group which were treated with tIgG, was stronger than that in the group treated with IVIG. In addition, the suppression of T cells in the group which were stimulated with tIgG as 100 mg/L was more effective than that in the group which were stimulated with tIgG as 10 mg/L. This could prove that tIgG had the function of immunomodulation. CONCLUSION The tIgG can be involved in immune escape of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Y Liu
- Department of Immunology, Peking University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing 100191, China
| | - J F Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beijing Jishuitan Hospital, Beijing 100035, China
| | - W W Shao
- Department of Immunology, Peking University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing 100191, China
| | - L Xiao
- Department of Immunology, Peking University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing 100191, China
| | - G H Li
- Department of Immunology, Peking University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing 100191, China
| | - X H Chang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing 100044, China
| | - X Y Qiu
- Department of Immunology, Peking University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing 100191, China
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14
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Zhong YD, Sun XY, Liu EY, Li YQ, Gao Z, Yu FX. Expressed sequence tag analysis of functional genes associated with adventitious rooting in Liriodendron hybrids. Genet Mol Res 2016; 15:gmr7606. [PMID: 27420958 DOI: 10.4238/gmr.15027606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Liriodendron hybrids (Liriodendron chinense x L. tulipifera) are important landscaping and afforestation hardwood trees. To date, little genomic research on adventitious rooting has been reported in these hybrids, as well as in the genus Liriodendron. In the present study, we used adventitious roots to construct the first cDNA library for Liriodendron hybrids. A total of 5176 expressed sequence tags (ESTs) were generated and clustered into 2921 unigenes. Among these unigenes, 2547 had significant homology to the non-redundant protein database representing a wide variety of putative functions. Homologs of these genes regulated many aspects of adventitious rooting, including those for auxin signal transduction and root hair development. Results of quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction showed that AUX1, IRE, and FB1 were highly expressed in adventitious roots and the expression of AUX1, ARF1, NAC1, RHD1, and IRE increased during the development of adventitious roots. Additionally, 181 simple sequence repeats were identified from 166 ESTs and more than 91.16% of these were dinucleotide and trinucleotide repeats. To the best of our knowledge, the present study reports the identification of the genes associated with adventitious rooting in the genus Liriodendron for the first time and provides a valuable resource for future genomic studies. Expression analysis of selected genes could allow us to identify regulatory genes that may be essential for adventitious rooting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y D Zhong
- The Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Genetic and Improvement of Jiangxi, Institute of Biology and Resources, Jiangxi Academy of Sciences, Nanchang, China
| | - X Y Sun
- The Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Genetic and Improvement of Jiangxi, Institute of Biology and Resources, Jiangxi Academy of Sciences, Nanchang, China
| | - E Y Liu
- The Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Genetic and Improvement of Jiangxi, Institute of Biology and Resources, Jiangxi Academy of Sciences, Nanchang, China
| | - Y Q Li
- The Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Genetic and Improvement of Jiangxi, Institute of Biology and Resources, Jiangxi Academy of Sciences, Nanchang, China
| | - Z Gao
- The Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Genetic and Improvement of Jiangxi, Institute of Biology and Resources, Jiangxi Academy of Sciences, Nanchang, China
| | - F X Yu
- The Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Genetic and Improvement of Jiangxi, Institute of Biology and Resources, Jiangxi Academy of Sciences, Nanchang, China
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15
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Shiao JC, Liu EY, Sui TD. Up-and-down shift in residence depth of slickheads (Alepocephalidae) revealed by otolith stable oxygen isotopic composition. J Fish Biol 2016; 88:1265-1272. [PMID: 26822590 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.12904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2015] [Accepted: 12/19/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Otolith δ(18)O profiles for four slickhead species (Alepocephalidae) suggested that Alepocephalus umbriceps, Talismania okinawensis and Rouleina watasei migrated hundreds of metres to shallower depths during the juvenile to young stages before returning to their original depth or even deeper waters. Xenodermichthys nodulosus gradually shifted residence depth from shallow to deeper water during their life. These migratory patterns indicated that the slickheads examined had allopatric residence depths at different life stages, which might enhance the pelagic survival and growth rates of the juvenile and young fishes.
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Affiliation(s)
- J C Shiao
- Institute of Oceanography, National Taiwan University, 1, Sec. 4, Roosevelt Rd., Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - E Y Liu
- Institute of Oceanography, National Taiwan University, 1, Sec. 4, Roosevelt Rd., Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - T D Sui
- Institute of Oceanography, National Taiwan University, 1, Sec. 4, Roosevelt Rd., Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
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Chang NN, Liu EY, Liao YC, Shiao JC. Vertical habitat shift of viviparous and oviparous deep-sea cusk eels revealed by otolith microstructure and stable-isotope composition. J Fish Biol 2015; 86:845-853. [PMID: 25613184 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.12605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2014] [Accepted: 11/12/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Otolith stable-oxygen-isotope composition and microstructure were analysed in order to investigate the vertical habitat shift of deep-sea cusk eels (Ophidiiformes). Otolith δ18 O profiles suggested that both viviparous blind cusk eels and oviparous cusk eels experienced a pelagic larval stage and then settled to the deep-sea floor over a vertical distance that ranged among individuals from 200 to >1000 m. This result shows that the larvae of viviparous Barathronus maculatus undertake an ontogenetic vertical migration after a period of larval drift that may facilitate their wide distribution on the sea floor.
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Affiliation(s)
- N N Chang
- Institute of Oceanography, National Taiwan University, 1, Sec. 4, Roosevelt Rd, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - E Y Liu
- Institute of Oceanography, National Taiwan University, 1, Sec. 4, Roosevelt Rd, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Y C Liao
- National Museum of Marine Science and Technology, No. 367, Pei-Ning Rd., Zhongzheng Dist., Keelung City, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - J C Shiao
- Institute of Oceanography, National Taiwan University, 1, Sec. 4, Roosevelt Rd, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
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17
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De Silva DA, Woon FP, Manzano JJF, Liu EY, Chang HM, Chen C, Wang JJ, Mitchell P, Kingwell BA, Cameron JD, Lindley RI, Wong TY, Wong MC. The relationship between aortic stiffness and changes in retinal microvessels among Asian ischemic stroke patients. J Hum Hypertens 2011; 26:716-22. [PMID: 21975690 DOI: 10.1038/jhh.2011.88] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Large-artery stiffness is a risk factor for stroke, including cerebral small-vessel disease. Retinal microvascular changes are thought to mirror those in cerebral microvessels. We investigated the relationship between aortic stiffness and retinal microvascular changes in Asian ischemic stroke patients. We studied 145 acute ischemic stroke patients in Singapore who had aortic stiffness measurements using carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cPWV). Retinal photographs were assessed for retinal microvessel caliber and qualitative signs of focal arteriolar narrowing, arteriovenous nicking and enhanced arteriolar light reflex. Aortic stiffening was associated with retinal arteriolar changes. Retinal arteriolar caliber decreased with increasing cPWV (r=-0.207, P=0.014). After adjusting for age, gender, hypertension, diabetes, mean arterial pressure and small-vessel stroke subtype, patients within the highest cPWV quartile were more likely to have generalized retinal arteriolar narrowing defined as lowest caliber tertile (odds ratio (OR) 6.84, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.45-32.30), focal arteriolar narrowing (OR 13.85, CI 1.82-105.67), arteriovenous nicking (OR 5.08, CI 1.12-23.00) and enhanced arteriolar light reflex (OR 3.83, CI 0.89-16.48), compared with those within the lowest quartile. In ischemic stroke patients, aortic stiffening is associated with retinal arteriolar luminal narrowing as well as features of retinal arteriolosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- D A De Silva
- Singapore General Hospital Campus, National Neuroscience Institute, Singapore.
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Liu Q, Zhou YQ, Zhou DN, Liu EY, Du K, Chen SG, Yao BA, Zhao JL. Semi-nested PCR detection of Babesia orientalis in its natural hosts Rhipicephalus haemaphysaloides and buffalo. Vet Parasitol 2006; 143:260-6. [PMID: 17005323 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2006.08.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2006] [Revised: 08/02/2006] [Accepted: 08/07/2006] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Babesiosis has recently been recognized as an emerging infectious disease of buffalo in China. In order to investigate the epidemiology and enzootic potential of this parasite in Hubei province, we sought to develop a semi-nested PCR to detect Babesia orientalis in buffalo and the potential tick vector-Rhipicephalus haemaphysaloides by amplifying a specific 257bp fragment of B. orientalis 18S rRNA gene. The practical limit of detection showed that it had high sensitivity and an approximate parasitemia of 0.00000012% was detected by the PCR system. The blood samples of 121 asymptomatic buffaloes collected from four babesia endemic counties and that of 71 asymptomatic buffaloes collected from three babesia free counties in Hubei province of China were examined for the presence of B. orientalis using both Wright-Giemsa stained blood smear and semi-nested PCR. Microscopic examination revealed that 5/121 animals were positive, whereas 24/121 animals were positive by the semi-nested PCR assay. Of 378 ticks (R. haemaphysaloides) collected from buffaloes and examined by the semi-nested PCR, 35 were positive. The results showed that the semi-nested PCR was a useful method to investigate the epidemiology of buffalo babesiosis (B. orientalis), which is widely distributed in Hubei province, China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Q Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, Hubei Province, PR China
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Liu Q, Zhao JL, Zhou YQ, Liu EY, Yao BA, Fu Y. Study on some molecular characterization of Babesia orientalis. Vet Parasitol 2005; 130:191-8. [PMID: 15925722 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2005.03.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2004] [Revised: 03/01/2005] [Accepted: 03/16/2005] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The study on buffalo babesiosis indicated that its pathogen was different from other Babesia on many aspects such as morphology, transmission and pathogenicity. Therefore, it was named as a new species-Babesia orientalis. In order to prove the validity of this taxon, molecular taxonomic study on the pathogen was done in this experiment. The complete 18S rRNA gene sequence of B. orientalis was determined by PCR. It was sequenced and blasted. The results indicated that the classification of the parasite belonged to the genus Babesia. The 1700 bp complete sequence was compared with 15 other Babesia sp. available in GenBank. The data were analyzed and a phylogenetic tree was established. The results indicated that the hereditary distance of the parasite was close to that of Babesia sp. from South Africa and Babesia ovis, and the hereditary distance was far from Babesia bigemina and B. bovis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Q Liu
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Hubei Wuhan 430070, China
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Liu JJ, Yao HY, Liu EY. Analysis of factors affecting the epidemiology of tuberculosis in China. Int J Tuberc Lung Dis 2005; 9:450-4. [PMID: 15830752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/02/2023] Open
Abstract
SETTING The tuberculosis (TB) epidemic situation is both a public health problem and a socio-economic issue in China. OBJECTIVE To examine the effects of socio-economic development and of the TB control strategy on the TB epidemic in China. METHODS Based on the four National Epidemiological Surveys of TB and the indices of socio-economic development in China, correlation co-efficiency was used to analyse the relationship between changes in the TB epidemic situation, the socio-economic level and the Health V TB control Project. RESULTS The prevalence of smear-positive TB had significant medium correlation with the per capita net income of the rural population, the consumption level of the urban population, the per capita GDP, the population density, and the proportion of rural to total population, among which the correlation with the first four was negative and with the last was positive. The decline in prevalence in the project areas was much greater than in the non-project areas (44.4% vs. 12.3%), while their GDP increases were similar. CONCLUSION With socio-economic development, correlation between the socio-economic indices and the TB epidemic becomes more significant. The TB control project is vital to reduce the prevalence of TB in China.
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Affiliation(s)
- J J Liu
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Tuberculosis Control and Prevention (NCTB), Beijing, China.
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Ling TK, Liu EY, Cheng AF. A 13-year study of antimicrobial susceptibility of common gram-negative bacteria isolated from the bloodstream in a teaching hospital. Chemotherapy 2001; 47:29-38. [PMID: 11125230 DOI: 10.1159/000048498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The choice of antimicrobial therapy for the treatment of bacteremia is often empirical and based on the knowledge of susceptibility profiles of the most common bacteria. We analyzed blood culture isolates from a teaching hospital for 13 years prospectively. This study examined the susceptibility profiles of 6,616 gram-negative bacteria. Escherichia coli ranked among the commonest bacteria, representing 43.6% (2,890) of all gram-negative isolates. Klebsiella sp. ranked second, 17.7% (1,171) and 16.7% were resistant to ceftazidime in 1997. There was a trend towards an increase in resistance to fluoroquinolones in the common gram-negative bacteria. Imipenem was the most active agent against gram-negative bacteria. The results of the susceptibility of gram-negative bacteria causing bacteremia provide valuable information for implementing the appropriate chemotherapy for bacteremia.
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Affiliation(s)
- T K Ling
- Department of Microbiology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong, SAR, PR China.
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Abstract
The susceptibility of 492 Enterobacteriaceae, 227 other gram-negative bacteria, 448 gram-positive bacteria and 108 anaerobic organisms was determined by the agar dilution method against trovafloxacin and other antibiotics. Trovafloxacin was highly active against most of the Enterobacteriaceae including Enterobacter spp. and Citrobacter spp. [minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC)90 <1 mg/l], Acinetobacter spp. and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MIC90 = 0.25 and 2 mg/l, respectively). The antimicrobial activity was extended to the gram-positive bacteria including streptococci, Streptococcus pneumoniae, coagulase-negative staphylococci and methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus with MIC90 <1 mg/l. Enterococci and methicillin-resistant S. aureus were inhibited (MIC90 = 2 mg/l; sparfloxacin and ciprofloxacin were 16 and 64 mg/l, respectively). Almost all anaerobic organisms were inhibited by trovafloxacin (MIC90 = 1 mg/l).
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Affiliation(s)
- T K Ling
- Department of Microbiology, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong, PR China.
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Abstract
Blood transfusion prolongs renal, cardiac, and skin allograft survival, but promotes rejection of bone marrow allografts. At present, it is unclear whether transfusion induces allograft tolerance or sensitization in corneal transplants. We performed eccentric penetrating keratoplasty on New Zealand albino rabbits, using Dutch rabbits as donors. Twenty-four recipient rabbits were randomly allocated into four groups. The control group received no pretreatment. The other three groups received a donor-specific whole-blood transfusion and/or cyclosporin seven days before the corneal transplants. A single blood transfusion accelerated allograft rejection by an average of 8.8 days (p = 0.0005). In contrast, a single cyclosporin pretreatment prolonged graft survival by an average of 5.3 days (p = 0.02). There was no evidence of interaction effects between transfusion and cyclosporin (p = NS). Therefore, unlike renal, cardiac, and skin allografts and similar to bone marrow allografts, prior blood transfusion accelerates corneal allograft rejection in our rabbit model. Although our data can not be extrapolated to human corneal transplants, our results raise the question whether blood transfusion can sensitize humans to corneal allografts.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Y Liu
- Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston
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