White-Matter Hyperintensities and Lacunar Infarcts Are Associated with an Increased Risk of Alzheimer’s Disease in the Elderly in China

Shuai Ye,Shuyang Dong,Jun Tan,Le Chen,Hai Yang,Yang Chen,Zeyan Peng,Yingchao Huo,Juan Liu,Mingshan Tang,Yafei Li,Huadong Zhou,Yong Tao 대한신경과학회 2019 Journal of Clinical Neurology Vol.15 No.1

Background and Purpose This study investigated the contribution of white-matter hyperintensities (WMH) and lacunar infarcts (LI) to the risk of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) in an elderly cohort in China. Methods Older adults who were initially cognitively normal were examined with MRI at baseline, and followed for 5 years. WMH were classified as mild, moderate, or severe, and LI were classified into a few LI (1 to 3) or many LI (≥4). Cognitive function was assessed using the Mini Mental State Examination and the Activities of Daily Living scale. Results Among the 2,626 subjects, 357 developed AD by the end of the 5-year follow-up period. After adjusting for age and other potential confounders, having only WMH, having only LI, and having both WMH and LI were associated with an increased risk of developing AD compared with having neither WMH nor LI. Moderate and severe WMH were associated with an increased risk of developing AD compared with no WMH. Furthermore, patients with many LI had an increased risk of developing AD compared with no LI. Conclusions Having moderate or severe WMH and many LI were associated with an increased risk of developing AD, with this being particularly striking when both WMH and LI were present.

Effect of CeO2 addition on crystallization and thermophysical properties of Li2O-ZnO-SiO2 glass-ceramics

Ruixue Li,Qian Zhang,Xingliang Peng,Weizhen Liu 한양대학교 세라믹연구소 2020 Journal of Ceramic Processing Research Vol.21 No.1

The effect of CeO2 addition on crystallization and thermo-physical properties of lithium zinc silicate (LZS) glasses containingLi2O-ZnO-SiO2-Al2O3-Na2O-P2O5 was investigated. The changes of CeO2 contents (2-8 wt.%) had an obvious influence on thetransition temperatures (Tg) and crystallization temperatures (Tc) of LZS glass-ceramics, and they increased with CeO2 contentincreasing. According to XRD analysis, CeO2 promoted the formation of cristobalite and β-spodumene crystals, and β-spodumene increased obviously. As the CeO2 content increasing, the microstructure and microhardness (being 6.88 Gpa at 880oC) of glass-ceramics had great changes. The average thermal expansion coefficient (20 - 450 oC) showed first increasing thendecreasing, having a wide range. The maximum of thermal expansion coefficient was obtained when the glass-ceramicscontained 4 wt.% CeO2, being 175×10−7 K−1 (at 700 oC) and 178×10−7 K−1 (at 880 oC) respectively. Excellent thermo-physicalproperties indicate the glass has greater potential application, such as being used as sealing glass.

Microstructure and property evolution of diamond-like carbon films co-doped by Al and Ti with different ratios

Zhou, Yong,Guo, Peng,Sun, Lili,Liu, Linlin,Xu, Xiaowei,Li, Wenxian,Li, Xiaowei,Lee, Kwang-Ryeol,Wang, Aiying Elsevier Sequoia 2019 Surface & coatings technology Vol.361 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>Diamond-like carbon (DLC) films with weak carbide metal Al and carbide metal Ti co-doping (Al/Ti-DLC) were prepared by a hybrid ion beam deposition system. The atomic ratios of doped Al to Ti were tailored via designing the special Al/Ti combined sputtering target. The composition, microstructure, roughness, residual stress, hardness, toughness, and tribological behaviors of the deposited films were systematically evaluated to explore the dependence of structural properties on Al/Ti ratios. Results indicated that the high-throughput preparation of DLC films with different Al/Ti atomic ratios was achieved by tailoring the sputtering target and process parameters without the difference in both the film thickness and total Al/Ti content. With the Al/Ti ratios in the films decreased from 8.8 to 3.0, the residual stress, hardness, and toughness of Al/Ti-DLC films increased obviously, originating from the increased fraction of titanium carbide and the reduced Al content. However, the coefficient of friction and wear rate with decreasing the Al/Ti ratio were obviously improved, which was related with the transformation of underlying friction mechanism from the sliding interface graphitization to dangling bond-passivation. The present results not only suggest a high-throughput method to fabricate co-doped DLC films, but also promote the scientific understanding and engineering application of DLC films with high performance.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Ti/Al co-doped diamond-like carbon films were fabricated by a hybrid ion beam method. </LI> <LI> Different Al/Ti ratios were successfully achieved at one time using designed target. </LI> <LI> Al/Ti ratios had no effect on the chemical state of co-doped Ti and Al atoms. </LI> <LI> The mechanical and tribological properties were strongly dependent on Ti/Al ratios. </LI> <LI> Different friction mechanisms were observed with Al/Ti ratios ranged from 8.8 to 3.0. </LI> </UL> </P>

Breastfeeding and Ovarian Cancer Risk: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of 40 Epidemiological Studies

Li, Da-Peng,Du, Chen,Zhang, Zuo-Ming,Li, Guang-Xiao,Yu, Zhi-Fu,Wang, Xin,Li, Peng-Fei,Cheng, Cheng,Liu, Yu-Peng,Zhao, Ya-Shuang Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.12

The present systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to assess any association between breastfeeding and the risk of ovarian cancer. A systematic search of published studies was performed in PUBMED and EMBASE and by reviewing reference lists from retrieved articles through March 2013. Data extraction was conducted independently by two authors. Pooled relative risk ratios were calculated using random-effect models. Totals of 5 cohort studies and 35 case-control studies including 17,139 women with ovarian cancer showed a 30% reduced risk of ovarian cancer when comparing the women who had breastfed with those who had never breastfed (pooled RR = 0.70, 95% CI: 0.64-0.76; p = 0.00), with significant heterogeneity in the studies (p = 0.00; I2 = 76.29%). A significant decreasd in risk of epithelial ovarian cancer was also observed (pooled RR = 0.68, 95% CI: 0.61-0.76). When the participants were restricted to only parous women, there was a slightly attenuated but still significant risk reduction of ovarian cancer (pooled RR = 0.76, 95% CI: 0.69-0.83). For total breastfeeding duration, the pooled RRs in the < 6 months, 6-12 months and > 12 months of breastfeeding subgroups were 0.85 (95% CI: 0.77-0.93), 0.73 (95% CI: 0.65-0.82) and 0.64 (95%CI: 0.56-0.73), respectively. Meta-regression of total breastfeeding duration indicated an increasing linear trend of risk reduction of ovarian cancer with the increasing total breastfeeding duration (p = 0.00). Breastfeeding was inversely associated with the risk of ovarian cancer, especially long-term breastfeeding duration that demonstrated a stronger protective effect.

Sputum Metabolomic Profiling Reveals Metabolic Pathways and Signatures Associated With Inflammatory Phenotypes in Patients With Asthma

Liu Ying,Zhang Xin,Zhang Li,Oliver Brian G,Wang Hong Guang,Liu Zhi Peng,Chen Zhi Hong,Wood Lisa,Hsu Alan Chen-Yu,Xie Min,McDonald Vanessa,Wan Hua Jing,Luo Feng Ming,Liu Dan,Li Wei Min,Wang Gang 대한천식알레르기학회 2022 Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Research Vol.14 No.4

Purpose: The molecular links between metabolism and inflammation that drive different inflammatory phenotypes in asthma are poorly understood. We aimed to identify the metabolic signatures and underlying molecular pathways of different inflammatory asthma phenotypes. Methods: In the discovery set (n = 119), untargeted ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS) was applied to characterize the induced sputum metabolic profiles of asthmatic patients with different inflammatory phenotypes using orthogonal partial least-squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA), and pathway topology enrichment analysis. In the validation set (n = 114), differential metabolites were selected to perform targeted quantification. Correlations between targeted metabolites and clinical indices in asthmatic patients were analyzed. Logistic and negative binomial regression models were established to assess the association between metabolites and severe asthma exacerbations. Results: Seventy-seven differential metabolites were identified in the discovery set. Pathway topology analysis uncovered that histidine metabolism, glycerophospholipid metabolism, nicotinate and nicotinamide metabolism, linoleic acid metabolism as well as phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan biosynthesis were involved in the pathogenesis of different asthma phenotypes. In the validation set, 24 targeted quantification metabolites were significantly expressed between asthma inflammatory phenotypes. Finally, adenosine 5′-monophosphate (adjusted relative risk [adj RR] = 1.000; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.000–1.000; P = 0.050), allantoin (adj RR = 1.000; 95% CI = 1.000–1.000; P = 0.043) and nicotinamide (adj RR = 1.001; 95% CI = 1.000–1.002; P = 0.021) were demonstrated to predict severe asthma exacerbation rates. Conclusions: Different inflammatory asthma phenotypes have specific metabolic profiles in induced sputum. The potential metabolic signatures may identify therapeutic targets in different inflammatory asthma phenotypes.

No Association Between the USP7 Gene Polymorphisms and Colorectal Cancer in the Chinese Han Population

Li, Xin,Wang, Yang,Li, Xing-Wang,Liu, Bao-Cheng,Zhao, Qing-Zhu,Li, Wei-Dong,Chen, Shi-Qing,Huang, Xiao-Ye,Yang, Feng-Ping,Wang, Quan,Wang, Jin-Fen,Xiao, Yan-Zeng,Xu, Yi-Feng,Feng, Guo-Yin,Peng, Zhi-Ha Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.5

Colorectal cancer (CRC), now the third most common cancer across the world, is known to aggregate in families. USP7 is a very important protein with an important role in regulating the p53 pathway, which is critical for genomic stability and tumor suppression. We here genotyped eight SNPs within the USP7 gene and conducted a case-control study in 312 CRC patients and 270 healthy subjects in the Chinese Han population. No significant associations were found for any single SNP and CRC risk. Our data eliminate USP7 as a potential candidate gene towards for CRC in the Han Chinese population.

Genome-wide identification and evolutionary analysis of WOX gene family in cucurbit crops

Li Chun,He Zhen,Liang Genyun,Yang Nan,Cai Peng,Liang Ying,Li Yuejian,Fang Chao,Liu Duchen,Xia Feng,Liu Xiaojun 한국원예학회 2024 Horticulture, Environment, and Biotechnology Vol.65 No.1

The WUSCHEL-related homeobox (WOX) gene family is essential for plant growth and development. However, the identifi cation and evolutionary analysis of WOX genes in the Cucurbitaceae have not been well investigated. In the present work, we performed a genome-wide analysis to identify WOX genes in eleven cucurbit crops. In total, 127 WOX genes were identifi ed in eleven cucurbit crops, and classifi ed into three diff erent clades: the ancient clade, the intermediate clade and the WUS clade. The same clade has comparable gene organization and conserved motif patterns. The cis -acting ele ment analysis revealed that WOX genes were involved in light, hormone and stress in cucurbit crops. Gene duplication analysis indicated that dispersed duplication and whole genome duplication were the two primary causes of WOX genes expansion. There were 24 and 129 gene pairs found within cucurbit crops, and between Cucumis sativus and other cucur bit crops, respectively. After gene duplication, all WOX genes were subjected to substantial purifying selection pressure according to the selective pressure analysis. Functional divergence analysis revealed that ancient and intermediate clades may have descended from some essential amino acid sites rather than diff erent evolution rate. Our research provides a comprehensive analysis of WOX genes which will be helpful for further research into their function study in Cucurbita ceae plants.

A novel inverse opal zirconia pigment with controllable color saturation

Li-li Wang,Xin-xin Liu,Xiao-peng Li,Xiu-feng Wang,Li-na Feng,Xu-ri Hou 한양대학교 세라믹연구소 2021 Journal of Ceramic Processing Research Vol.22 No.2

The inverse opal zirconia pigments were prepared by template method using polystyrene microspheres with the size of 340 ± 10nm as raw material and the in situ carbon was formed to achieve controllable and adjustable color saturation by sintering atvarious temperatures in nitrogen atmosphere with various nitrogen flow rates. The effects of nitrogen atmosphere, nitrogenflow rate and sintering temperature on the morphology, phase and color saturation of the inverse opal zirconia wereinvestigated. The results showed that when the inverse opal zirconia was sintered at 450 oC to 600 oC in nitrogen atmosphere,the green color saturation could be adjusted by changing the nitrogen flow rate from 0.2 L/min to 0.8 L/min. When thenitrogen rate was 0.8L/min, the green color saturation of the inverse opal zirconia could be adjusted by changing the sinteringtemperature from 450 oC to 600 oC. It indicated that the more the amount of in-situ carbon was generated, the more stray lightwas absorbed and the higher green color saturation of the inverse opal zirconia could be obtained. Further increasing thesintering temperature to 700 oC would destroy the inverse opal morphology of zirconia and affect the carbonization of theorganic component.

Knowledge Acquisition Approach Based on Rough Set in Online Aided Decision System for Food Processing Quality and Safety

Liu Peng,Liu Wen,Li Qiang,Yang Li,Duan Min,Dai Yue 보안공학연구지원센터 2014 International Journal of u- and e- Service, Scienc Vol.7 No.6

For the problem that the use effect of food processing information system is poor due to absence of knowledge acquisition measures and knowledge self-updating function, a knowledge acquisition approach based on rough set is put forward. First, the approach establishes a set of predicted samples for the relationship between food processing parameters and product quality; then uses the discretization of continuous attribute, attribute reduction and rule extraction algorithm of rough set to acquire automatically predicted knowledge from a large number of predicted sample sets, and then saves the predicted knowledge in the knowledge base of expert system; finally, realizes the extraction of knowledge of food processing process based on the inference engine, which greatly enhances the effectiveness and practicality of the acquired knowledge in online aided decision system of the food processing quality and safety.

Application of Joint Detection of AFP, CA19-9, CA125 and CEA in Identification and Diagnosis of Cholangiocarcinoma

Li, Yong,Li, Da-Jiang,Chen, Jian,Liu, Wei,Li, Jian-Wei,Jiang, Peng,Zhao, Xin,Guo, Fei,Li, Xiao-Wu,Wang, Shu-Guang Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.8

Objective: To explore the application of joint detection of serum AFP, CA19-9, CA125 and CEA in identification and diagnosis of cholangiocarcinoma (CC). Materials and Methods: The levels of serum AFP, CA19-9, CA125 and CEA of both 30 patients with CC and 30 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) were assessed. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to evaluate the diagnostic effects of single and joint detection of those 4 kinds of tumor markers for CC. Results: The levels of serum CA19-9, CA125 and CEA in CC patients were higher than that in HCC patients,whereas that of serum AFP was significantly lower s. The area under ROC curve of single detection of serum AFP, CA19-9, CA125 and CEA were 0.05, 0.86, 0.84 and 0.83, with the optimal cutoff values of 15.4 ng/ml, 125.1 U/ml, 95.7 U/ml and 25.9 ng/ml, correspondingly, and the percentage correct single diagnosis was <79%. With joint detection, the diagnostic effect of combined AFP, CA19-9, CA125 and CEA was the highest, with an area under the ROC curve of 0.94 (95%CI 0.88~0.99). Conclusions: Single detection of serum CA19-9, CA125 and EA is not meaningful. The sensitivity, specificity, the rate of correct diagnosis and the area under ROC curve of joint detection of AFP, CA19-9, CA125 and CEA are highest, indicating that the joint detection of these 4 tumor markers is of great importance in the diagnosis of CC.