Correlation between DNA methylation and Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin expression in asthmatic airway epithelial cells

Yan‑Li Li,Xi‑Qian Xing,Yi Xiao,Yan‑Hong Liu,Yu‑Shan Zhou,Min Zhuang,Chao‑Qian Li 한국유전학회 2020 Genes & Genomics Vol.42 No.12

Background: The overexpression of TSLP and DNA methylation in asthma were both risk factors the relationship was not clear. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between methylation status of TSLP promoter and mRNA/protein expression in asthmatic airway epithelial cells. Methods: Human bronchial epithelial cells were cultured in vitro and divided into: Control group, treated with PBS, model group, sensitized with LPS (10 μg/mL) for 12 h (37 °C, 5% CO2). Other groups were cultured with the pCMV3 plasmid (M + NC/pCMV), pGPH1 plasmid (M + NC/pGPH), DNMT1/pCMV3 plasmid (M + DNMT1/pCMV), and DNMT1/pGPH1 plasmid (M + DNMT1/pGPH) for 48 h. The expression of DNA methyltransferase 1 and TSLP were measured using real-time PCR and western blotting. Results: Compared with the control group, TSLP mRNA (1.00 ± 0.00 vs. 2.82 ± 0.81 vs. 1, P < 0.001) and protein (1.07 ± 0.04 vs. 1.46 ± 0.11, P < 0.01) were significantly greater, and the methylation of promoter was lower (92.75 ± 1.26 vs. 58.57 ± 3.34, P < 0.05) in the model group. Compared with the model group, TSLP mRNA (2.82 ± 0.81 vs. 1.17 ± 0.10, P < 0.001) decreased, but TSLP promoter methylation increased (58.57 ± 3.34 vs. 92.58 ± 7.30, P < 0.05) in M + DNMT1/pCMV. TSLP mRNA and protein were higher (2.82 ± 0.81 vs. 5.32 ± 0.21, P < 0.001; 1.46 ± 0.11 vs. 1.94 ± 0.11, respectively, P < 0.01), TSLP promoter methylation was lower (58.57 ± 3.34 vs. 33.57 ± 4.29, P < 0.05) in M + DNMT1/pGPH. Conclusions: Overexpression of TSLP in asthmatic airway epithelial cells may be regulated by DNA demethylation.

Nodule Rich Protein 2 modulates nodule number in Medicago truncatula

Junhui Yan,Xinwei Yang,Yawen Wang,Liangliang Yu,Li Luo 한국식물생명공학회 2021 Plant biotechnology reports Vol.15 No.1

Symbiotic nitrogen fxation is beneft to sustainable agriculture and global nitrogen cycle. Many small peptides were identifed as regulators involving in the interaction between rhizobia and legume. Here we reported Nodule Rich Protein 2 (MtNRP2) encoding a small peptide in Medicago truncatula, belonged to a group of nodule rich protein restricted in legume species. MtNRP2 expressed highly in root nodule and its promoter was active during the initiation and development of root nodule and lateral root. To investigate the function of MtNRP2 in nodulation, we generated MtNRP2-overexpression and MtNRP2- knockdown transgenic Medicago. MtNRP2-overexpression transgenic lines performed normal nodulation phenotype compared with vector control. However, in the MtNRP2-RNAi transgenic plants, the decrease of MtNRP2 expression lead to the increase of infection threads number (7 day post inoculation) and nodules number (3 week post inoculation); meanwhile, the expression of MtRGF3 and MtPUB1 was inhibited. These results suggested that MtNRP2 negatively regulated nodulation in Medicago truncatula.

LPL gene Pvu II polymorphism and hypertriglycer-idemia: a meta-analysis involving 1,640 subjects

( Yan-yan Li ),( Yan-hong Zhou ),( Ge Gong ),( Hong-yu Geng ),( Xin-xing Yang ),( Xiang-ming Wang ),( Chuan-wei Zhou ),( Jian Xu ),( Yun Qian ) 대한내과학회 2017 The Korean Journal of Internal Medicine Vol.32 No.6

Background/Aims: Although lipoprotein lipase (LPL) gene Pvu II polymorphism has been associated with an increased risk of hypertriglyceridemia (HT), there is no clear consensus within the scientific community. Methods: A meta-analysis of 1,640 subjects from six individual studies was conducted to better elucidate the potential relationship between the LPL gene Pvu II polymorphism and HT within the Chinese population. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were evaluated by using fixed effect models. Results: Our analysis indicated a significant association between LPL gene Pvu II polymorphism and HT within the Chinese population under allelic (OR, 1.550; 95% CI, 1.320 to 1.830; p = 1.158 × 10^-7), recessive (OR, 0.540; 95% CI, 0.390 to 0.750; p = 0.0002), dominant (OR, 1.889; 95% CI, 1.501 to 2.377; p = 5.960 × 10^-8), homozygous (OR, 2.167; 95% CI, 1.531 to 3.067; p = 1.242 × 10^-5), heterozygous (OR, 1.810; 95% CI, 1.419 to 2.309; p = 1.842 × 10^-6), and additive genetic models (OR, 1.553; 95% CI, 1.320 to 1.828; p = 1.158 × 10^-7). Conclusions: Because LPL gene Pvu II restriction fragment length polymorphism polymorphism was associated with an elevated risk of HT, the P+ allele carriers of the LPL gene might be predisposed to HT.

Association between the DICER rs1057035 Polymorphism and Cancer Risk: Evidence from a Meta-analysis of 1,2675 Individuals

Yu, Yan-Yan,Kuang, Dan,Yin, Xiao-Xv Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.1

Background: DICER, one of the microRNA (miRNA) biogenesis proteins, is involved in the maturation of miRNAs and is implicated in cancer development and progression. The results from previous epidemiological studies on associations between DICER rs1057035 polymorphism and cancer risk were inconsistent. Thereforewe performed this meta-analysis to summarize possible associations. Materials and Methods: We searched all relevant articles on associations between DICER rs1057035 polymorphism and cancer risk from PubMed, EMBASE, Chinese Biomedical Literature and Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure until August 2014. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to assess any associations. Heterogeneity tests, sensitivity analyses and publication bias assessments were also performed in this meta-analysis. All analyses were conducted using STATA software. Results: Seven case-control studies, including 4,875 cancer cases and 7,800 controls were included in the meta-analysis. Overall, the results indicated that the C allele of DICER rs1057035 polymorphism was significantly associated with decreased cancer risk in allelic comparison, heterozygote and dominant genetic models (C vs T: OR=0.88, 95%CI 0.81-0.95, p=0.002; TC vs TT: OR=0.85, 95%CI 0.77-0.93, p=0.001; CC/TC vs TT: OR=0.86, 95%CI 0.78-0.94, p=0.001). In the subgroup analysis by ethnicity, a significantly decreased cancer risk was found in Asian but not Caucasian populations. Conclusions: The present meta-analysis suggests that the C allele of the DICER rs1057035 polymorphism probably decreases cancer risk. However, this association may be Asian-specific and the results should be treated with caution. Further well-designed studies based on larger sample sizes and group of populations are needed to validate these findings.

Comparison of Liver Transplantation and Liver Resection for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients with Portal Vein Tumor Thrombus Type I and Type II

Jia-Yu Lv,Ning-Ning Zhang,Ya-Wei Du,Ying Wu,Tian-Qiang Song,Ya-Min Zhang,Yan Qu,Yu-Xin Liu,Jie Gu,Ze-Yu Wang,Yi-Bo Qiu,Bing Yang,Da-Zhi Tian,Qing-Jun Guo,Li Zhang,Ji-San Sun,Yan Xie,Zheng-Lu Wang,Xin 연세대학교의과대학 2021 Yonsei medical journal Vol.62 No.1

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of liver transplantation (LT) and liver resection (LR) for hepatocellularcarcinoma (HCC) patients with portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT) and to investigate risk factors affecting prognosis. Materials and Methods: A total of 94 HCC patients with PVTT type I (segmental PVTT) and PVTT type II (lobar PVTT) were involvedand divided into LR (n=47) and LT groups (n=47). Recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) were comparedbefore and after inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW). Prognostic factors for RFS and OS were explored. Results: Two treatment groups were well-balanced using IPTW. In the entire cohort, LT provided a better prognosis than LR. Among patients with PVTT type I, RFS was better with LT (p=0.039); OS was not different significantly between LT and LR(p=0.093). In subgroup analysis of PVTT type I patients with α-fetoprotein (AFP) levels >200 ng/mL, LT elicited significantly longermedian RFS (18.0 months vs. 2.1 months, p=0.022) and relatively longer median OS time (23.6 months vs. 9.8 months, p=0.065). Among patients with PVTT type II, no significant differences in RFS and OS were found between LT and LR (p=0.115 and 0.335,respectively). Multivariate analyses showed treatment allocation (LR), tumor size (>5 cm), AFP and aspartate aminotransferase(AST) levels to be risk factors of RFS and treatment allocation (LR), AFP and AST as risk factors for OS. Conclusion: LT appeared to afford a better prognosis for HCC with PVTT type I than LR, especially in patients with AFP levels>200 ng/mL.

Knockdown of HMGN5 Expression by RNA Interference Induces Cell Cycle Arrest in Human Lung Cancer Cells

Chen, Peng,Wang, Xiu-Li,Ma, Zhong-Sen,Xu, Zhong,Jia, Bo,Ren, Jin,Hu, Yu-Xin,Zhang, Qing-Hua,Ma, Tian-Gang,Yan, Bing-Di,Yan, Qing-Zhu,Li, Yan-Lei,Li, Zhen,Yu, Jin-Yan,Gao, Rong,Fan, Na,Li, Bo,Yang, Jun Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.7

HMGN5 is a typical member of the HMGN (high mobility group nucleosome-binding protein) family which may function as a nucleosomal binding and transcriptional activating protein. Overexpression of HMGN5 has been observed in several human tumors but its role in tumorigenesis has not been fully clarified. To investigate its significance for human lung cancer progression, we successfully constructed a shRNA expression lentiviral vector in which sense and antisense sequences targeting the human HMGN5 were linked with a 9-nucleotide loop. Inhibitory effects of siRNA on endogenous HMGN5 gene expression and protein synthesis were demonstrated via real-time RT-PCR and western blotting. We found HMGN5 silencing to significantly inhibit A549 and H1299 cell proliferation assessed by MTT, BrdU incorporation and colony formation assays. Furthermore, flow cytometry analysis showed that specific knockdown of HMGN5 slowed down the cell cycle at the G0/G1 phase and decreased the populations of A549 and H1299 cells at the S and G2/M phases. Taken together, these results suggest that HMGN5 is directly involved in regulation cell proliferation in A549 and H1299 cells by influencing signaling pathways involved in cell cycle progression. Thus, our finding suggests that targeting HMGN5 may be an effective strategy for human lung cancer treatment.

Optimization of ship inner shell to improve the safety of seagoing transport ship

Yan-Yun YU,Yan LIN 대한조선학회 2013 International Journal of Naval Architecture and Oc Vol.5 No.3

A practical Ship Inner Shell Optimization Method (SISOM), the purpose of which is to improve the safety of the seagoing transport ship by decreasing the maximum Still Water Bending Moment (SWBM) of the hull girder under all typical loading conditions, is presented in this paper. The objective of SISOM is to make the maximum SWBM minimum, and the section areas of the inner shell are taken as optimization variables. The main requirements of the ship performances, such as cargo hold capacity, propeller and rudder immersion, bridge visibility, damage stability and prevention of pollution etc., are taken as constraints. The penalty function method is used in SISOM to change the above nonlinear constraint problem into an unconstrained one, which is then solved by applying the steepest descent method. After optimization, the optimal section area distribution of the inner shell is obtained, and the shape of inner shell is adjusted according to the optimal section area. SISOM is applied to a product oil tanker and a bulk carrier, and the maximum SWBM of the two ships is significantly decreased by changing the shape of inner shell plate slightly. The two examples prove that SISOM is highly efficient and valuable to engineering practice.

Reconstruction of structured models using incomplete measured data

Yan Yu,Bo Dong,Bo Yu 국제구조공학회 2017 Structural Engineering and Mechanics, An Int'l Jou Vol.62 No.3

The model updating problems, which are to find the optimal approximation to the discrete quadratic model obtained by the finite element method, are critically important to the vibration analysis. In this paper, the structured model updating problem is considered, where the coefficient matrices are required to be symmetric and positive semidefinite, represent the interconnectivity of elements in the physical configuration and minimize the dynamics equations, and furthermore, due to the physical feasibility, the physical parameters should be positive. To the best of our knowledge, the model updating problem involving all these constraints has not been proposed in the existed literature. In this paper, based on the semidefinite programming technique, we design a general-purpose numerical algorithm for solving the structured model updating problems with incomplete measured data and present some numerical results to demonstrate the effectiveness of our method.

Asymmetry of Cloud Vertical Structures and Associated Radiative Effects in Typhoon over the Northwest Pacific Based on CloudSat Tropical Cyclone Dataset

Yan Yafei,Tan Jianguo,Cui Linli,Yu Wei,Hu Yan 한국기상학회 2020 Asia-Pacific Journal of Atmospheric Sciences Vol.56 No.4

The clouds’ macro-, microphysical vertical structures and radiative effects in 4 shear-relative quadrants of typhoon over the northwest Pacific during development, maturity and extinction stages are studied based on CloudSat Tropical Cyclone dataset and China Meteorological Administration tropical cyclone dataset from 2nd June 2006 to 31th December 2015. The typhoon cloud is in an asymmetric “mushroom” shape, with the downshear quadrants (in particular of the downshear left quadrant (DL)) have denser clouds than the upshear quadrants. Cloud ice water content mainly distributes near typhoon center with wide vertical range (6–17 km). A large number of ice particles with small sizes are gathering in high levels, while small amount of ice particles with large sizes are gathering in low levels. As typhoon matures, the number concentration and size of cloud ice particles in inner ring increases, especially in the DL quadrant; while in the upshear left (UL) quadrant, a larger amount of ice particles with bigger sizes are transport to high levels (above 16 km) by deeper convection near storm center. The shortwave (longwave) cloud radiative effects (CRE) is mainly heating (cooling) upper layer atmosphere between 10 km and 17 km (between 14 km and 17 km), and the net CRE on atmosphere is heating almost at any levels in typhoon. The strongest heating of shortwave CRE and net CRE, as well as the strongest cooling of longwave CRE are in the DL quadrant at development stage and in the UL quadrant at maturity stage in inner core of storms. The existences of typhoon clouds mainly decrease solar radiation penetrating to the earth surface and increase longwave radiation absorbed by the whole atmosphere in typhoon’s inner core, and they are generally stronger in downshear (especially in DL) quadrants, except the maturity stage when the UL quadrant performs the strongest shortwave CRE on the surface and longwave CRE on the atmosphere in typhoon’s inner core.

Fusion Expression and Immunogenicity of EHEC EspA-Stx2A1 Protein: Implications for the Vaccine Development

Yan Cheng,Youjun Feng,Ping Luo,Jiang Gu,Shu Yu,Wei-jun Zhang,Yan-qing Liu,Qing-xu Wang,Quan-ming Zou,Xu-hu Mao 한국미생물학회 2009 The journal of microbiology Vol.47 No.4

Shiga toxin 2 (Stx2) is a major virulence factor for enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC), which is encoded by λ lysogenic phage integrated into EHEC chromosome. Stx2A1, A1 subunit of Stx2 toxin has gathered extensive concerns due to its potential of being developed into a vaccine candidate. However, the substantial progress is hampered in part for the lack of a suitable in vitro expression system. Here we report use of the prokaryotic system pET-28a::espA-Stx2A1/BL21 to carry out the fusion expression of Stx2A1 which is linked to E. coli secreted protein A (EspA) at its N-terminus. Under the IPTG induction, EspA- Stx2A1 fusion protein in the form of inclusion body was obtained successfully, whose expression level can reach about 40% of total bacterial protein at 25°C, much higher than that at 37°C. Western blot test suggested the refolded fusion protein is of excellent immuno-reactivity with both monoclonal antibodies, which are specific to EspA and Stx2A1, respectively. Anti-sera from Balb/c mice immunized with the EspA-Stx2A1 fusion protein were found to exhibit strong neutralization activity and protection capability in vitro and in vivo. These data have provided a novel feasible method to produce Stx2A1 in large scale in vitro, which is implicated for the development of multivalent subunit vaccines candidate against EHEC O157:H7 infections.