Transcriptomic analysis reveal the responses of dendritic cells to VDBP

Cao Biwei,Wen Tao,Wei Meng,Xiong Yuan,Liu Wan,Zhu Li,Zhou Jing 한국유전학회 2022 Genes & Genomics Vol.44 No.10

Background: Vitamin D binding protein (VDBP) is an essential plasma carrier protein, which plays possible roles in reproductive health, disease and so on. However, the effects of VDBP on immunity have not been fully studied and the pertinent literatures remain very limited. Objective: In this study, we introduced the exogenous VDBP into DC2.4 and established a stable DC2.4/VDBP cell line to explore the role of this gene in immunity. Methods: Dendritic cells (DCs), as the most effective antigen presenting cells (APC) found so far, are directly involved in regulating some innate immunity. In order to evaluate the biological role of VDBP in DCs, we stably overexpressed VDBP in DCs, and conducted Cell Counting Kit‑8 (CCK-8 kit) and flow cytometry to detect changes in cell function. CCK-8 kit was used to monitor the viability of DCs after gene overexpression, and flow cytometry was used to detect changes in cell cycle distribution and apoptosis. Subsequently, in order to reveal the mechanism of VDBP regulating DCs, we adopted RNA sequencing (RNA-seq). Results: CCK-8 results revealed VDBP successfully inhibited viability of DCs. Besides, we found that overexpression of this gene greatly promoted apoptosis and obviously altered the cell cycle distribution of DCs in G1 and G2 phases. Moreover, RNA-seq was carried out and 151 differently expression genes (DEGs) were obtained. In addition, gene differential expression analysis showed that most of them were uniformly enriched in immunity-related pathways. Conclusion: These results indicated that VDBP greatly repressed proliferation, facilitated apoptosis and changed cell cycle in DCs via altering the expression levels of gene associated with their cellular immunity.

BCR/ABL mRNA Targeting Small Interfering RNA Effects on Proliferation and Apoptosis in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia

Zhu, Xi-Shan,Lin, Zi-Ying,Du, Jing,Cao, Guang-Xin,Liu, Gang Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.12

Background: To investigate the effects of small interference RNA (siRNA) targeting BCR/ABL mRNA on proliferation and apoptosis in the K562 human chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) cell line and to provide a theoretical rationale and experimental evidence for its potential clinical application for anti-CML treatment. Materials and Methods: The gene sequence for BCR/ABL mRNA was found from the GeneBank. The target gene site on the BCR/ABL mRNA were selected according to Max-Planck-Institute (MPI) and rational siRNA design rules, the secondary structure of the candidate targeted mRNA was predicted, the relevant thermodynamic parameters were analyzed, and the targeted gene sequences were compared with BLAST to eliminate any sequences with significant homology. Inhibition of proliferation was evaluated by MTT assay and colony-formation inhibiting test. Apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry (FCM) and the morphology of apoptotic cells was identified by Giemsa-Wright staining. Western blotting was used to analyze the expression of BCR/ABL fusion protein in K562 cells after siRNA treatment. Results: The mRNA local secondary structure calculated by RNA structure software, and the optimal design of specific siRNA were contributed by bioinformatics rules. Five sequences of BCR/ABL siRNAs were designed and synthesized in vitro. Three sequences, siRNA1384, siRNA1276 and siRNA1786, which showed the most effective inhibition of K562 cell growth, were identified among the five candidate siRNAs, with a cell proliferative inhibitory rate nearly 50% after exposure to 12.5nmol/L~50nmol/L siRNA1384 for 24,48 and 72 hours. The 50% inhibitory concentrations ($IC_{50}$) of siRNA1384, siRNA1276 and siRNA1786 for 24hours were 46.6 nmol/L, 59.3 nmol/L and 62.6 nmol/L, respectively, and 65.668 nmol/L, 76.6 nmol/L, 74.4 nmol/L for 72 hours. The colony-formation inhibiting test also indicated that, compared with control, cell growth of siRNA treated group was inhibited. FCM results showed that the rate of cell apoptosis increased 24 hours after transfecting siRNA. The results of annexinV/PI staining indicated that the rate of apoptosis imcreased (1.53%, 15.3%, 64.5%, 57.5% and 21.5%) following treamtne with siRNAs (siRNA34, siRNA372, siRNA1384, siRNA1276 and siRNA1786). Morphological analysis showed td typical morphologic changes of apoptosis such as shrunken, fragmentation nucleus as well as "apoptotic bodies" after K562 cell exposure to siRNA. Western blot analysis showed that BCR/ABL protein was reduced sharply after a single dose of 50nmol/L siRNA transfection. Conclusions: Proliferation of K562 cells was remarkbly inhibited by siRNAs (siRNA1384, siRNA1276 and siRNA1786) in a concentration-dependent manner in vitro, with effective induction of apoptosis at a concentration of 50 nmol/L. One anti-leukemia mechanism in K562 cells appeared that BCR/ABL targeted protein was highly down-regulated. The siRNAs (siRNA1384, siRNA1276 and siRNA1786) may prove valuable in the treatment of CML.

Airflow over low-sloped gable roof buildings: Wind tunnel experiment and CFD simulations

Ruizhou Cao,Zhixiang Yu,Zhixiang Liu,Xiaoxiao Chen,Fu Zhu 한국풍공학회 2020 Wind and Structures, An International Journal (WAS Vol.31 No.4

In this study, the impact of roof slope on the flow characteristics over low-sloped gable roofs was investigated using steady computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations based on a k- SST turbulence model. A measurement database of the flow field over a scaled model of 15° was created using particle image velocimetry (PIV). Sensitivity analyses for the grid resolutions and turbulence models were performed. Among the three common Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations (RANS) models, the k- SST model exhibited a better performance, followed by the RNG model and then the realizable k- model. Next, the flow properties over the differently sloped (0° to 25°) building models were determined. It was found that the effect of roof slope on the flow characteristics was identified by changing the position and size of the separation bubbles, 15° was found to be approximately the sensitive slope at which the distribution of the separation bubbles changed significantly. Additionally, it is suggested additional attention focused on the distributions of the negative pressure on the windward surfaces (especially "5" ° and "10" ° roofs) and the possible snow redistribution on the leeward surfaces.

Incidence and risk factors for venous thrombosis among patients with inflammatory bowel disease in China: a multicenter retrospective study

( Jing Liu ),( Xiang Gao ),( Ye Chen ),( Qiao Mei ),( Liangru Zhu ),( Jiaming Qian ),( Pinjin Hu ),( Qian Cao ) 대한장연구학회 2021 Intestinal Research Vol.19 No.3

Background/Aims: Risk of venous thrombosis is increased in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD); data on Asian IBD patients is limited and status quo of thrombosis screening and prophylaxis are unknown. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the incidence, screening, prophylaxis, and risk factors for venous thrombosis among Asian IBD patients. Methods: Medical files of patients with Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) from 17 hospitals across China between 2011 and 2016 were reviewed for venous thrombosis, use of screening and prophylaxis. A case-control study was performed among hospitalized patients with venous thrombosis and their age-, sex-matched IBD controls hospitalized around the same period; disease characteristics and known provoking factors of venous thrombosis were recorded. Risk factors were analyzed in both univariate and logistic regression analyses. Results: A total of 8,459 IBD patients were followed for 12,373 person-year. Forty-six patients (0.54%) had venous thrombosis, yielding an incidence of 37.18 per 10,000 person-year. Incidence increased with age, especially among CD. Less than 20% of patients received screening tests and 35 patients (0.41%) received prophylaxis. Severe disease flare was an independent risk factor for venous thrombosis (odds ratio [95% confidence interval]: CD, 9.342 [1.813-48.137]; UC, 5.198 [1.268-21.305]); past use of steroids and extensive involvement were 2 additional risk factors in CD and UC, respectively. Conclusions: Incidence of venous thrombosis in China was 37.18 per 10,000 person-year (0.54%). Use of screening and prophylaxis were rare. Severe disease flare was an independent risk factor for thrombosis among hospitalized patients. (Intest Res 2021;19:313-322)

Observer-based Adaptive Robust Control of Soft Pneumatic Network Actuators

Guizhou Cao,Yanhong Liu,Zhiwei Zhu 제어·로봇·시스템학회 2022 International Journal of Control, Automation, and Vol.20 No.5

Fabricated by elastomer materials, soft pneumatic network actuators (PNAs) not only enable versatile applications but also bring challenges to the high-performance control. This study presents new observer-based adaptive robust controllers for PNAs subjected to system uncertainties and unavailable states. First, a sliding patchbased observer and an observer-based controller are addressed for PNAs with known upper bounds, and stability of closed-looped systems is proved by the Lyapunov method. Second, a novel disturbance observer is proposed for the case of prior unknown bounds of uncertainties, and the stability of the closed-looped system controlled by an adaptive robust controller is also analyzed by the Lyapunov method. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed controllers is verified by simulations and experiments.

Controllability of separate heat pump distillation for separating isopropanol-chlorobenzene mixture

Zhaoyou Zhu,Xingzhen Liu,Yujuan Cao,Shisheng Liang,Yinglong Wang 한국화학공학회 2017 Korean Journal of Chemical Engineering Vol.34 No.3

The isopropanol-chlorobenzene mixture is separated via separate heat pump distillation (SHPD) to achieve significant energy savings. Rigorous steady state and dynamic characteristics for this SHPD process are simulated using Aspen Plus and Aspen Plus Dynamics. Optimized operation conditions including vapor flow rate to compressor are developed on the condition of minimum total annual cost. Two control strategies are proposed to solve feed disturbance issues and the improved structure with QRe/F (lower column reboiler duty/feed flow rate) ratio scheme can maintain the two product purities requirement with smaller transient deviation and shorter settling time.

RGB tricolor produced by white-based top-emitting organic light-emitting diodes with microcavity structure

Jin Cao,Xiang Liu,M.A. Khan,WenQing Zhu,XueYin Jiang,ZhiLin Zhang,ShaoHong Xu 한국물리학회 2007 Current Applied Physics Vol.7 No.3

RGB pixels by microcavity top-emitting organic light-emitting diode (TOLED) is benecial to both minimizing the loss of light andimproving the color purity and the eciency. Based on the multi-emitting layers, white organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) andmicrocavity TOLEDs were prepared. TOLEDs were fabricated using Ag/ITO as the reector and adjusting layer, Al/Ag as semi-trans-cavity and the color of the device have been changed. So we get RGB tricolor devices. The peak wavelengths are 476 nm, 539 nm,601 nm, Commission Internationale d’Eclairage (CIE) coordinates are (0.133,0.201), (0.335,0.567), (0.513,0.360), FWHM are 32 nm,50 nm, 73 nm for blue, green and red, respectively.

A Single-Arm Phase II Study of Nab-Paclitaxel Plus Gemcitabine and Cisplatin for Locally Advanced or Metastatic Biliary Tract Cancer

Ting Liu,Qing Li,Zhen Lin,Chunhua Liu,Wei Pu,Shasha Zeng,Jun Lai,Xuebin Cai,Lisha Zhang,Shuyang Wang,Miao Chen,Wei Cao,Hongfeng Gou,Qing Zhu 대한암학회 2024 Cancer Research and Treatment Vol.56 No.2

Purpose Patients with advanced biliary tract cancer (BTC) have a poor survival. We aim to evaluate the efficacy and safety of nab-paclitaxel plus gemcitabine and cisplatin regimen in Chinese advanced BTC patients.Materials and Methods Eligible patients with locally advanced or metastatic BTC administrated intravenous 100 mg/m² nab-paclitaxel, 800 mg/m² gemcitabine, and 25 mg/m² cisplatin every 3 weeks. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS). The secondary endpoints included overall survival (OS) and adverse events, while exploratory endpoint was the association of biomarkers with efficacy.Results After the median follow-up of 25.0 months, the median PFS and OS of 34 enrolled patients were 7.1 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 5.4 to 13.7) and 16.4 months (95% CI, 10.9 to 23.6), respectively. The most common treatment-related adverse events at ≥ 3 grade were neutropenia (26.5%) and leukopenia (26.5%). Survival analyses demonstrated that carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels could monitor patients’ survival outcomes. A significant increase in the number of infiltrating CD4+ cells (p=0.008) and a decrease in programmed death-1–positive (PD-1+) cells (p=0.032) were observed in the response patients.Conclusion In advanced BTC patients, nab-paclitaxel plus gemcitabine and cisplatin regimen showed therapeutic potential. Potential prognostic factors of CEA levels, number of CD4+ cells and PD-1+ cells may help us maximize the efficacy benefit.

Atorvastatin regulates the migration and invasion of prostate cancer through the epithelial-mesenchymal transformation and matrix metalloproteinase pathways

Zhanmeng Zhu,Yin Cao,Lingyun Liu,Zhiyi Zhao,Hongyu Yin,Hongliang Wang 대한비뇨의학회 2022 Investigative and Clinical Urology Vol.63 No.3

Purpose: Our purpose was to verify the effects of atorvastatin (ATO) on prostate cancer (PCa) proliferation, apoptosis, invasion, and metastasis and to further explore the drug’s mechanism of action. Materials and Methods: We used cell counting kit-8 (CCK8) and clone formation experiments to study the effect of ATO on the proliferation of PC3 cells. Flow cytometry and Hoechst 33342 staining were used to detect cell apoptosis. Cell migration and invasion were detected through wound healing experiments and transwell experiments. Western blotting was applied to detect apoptosis-related proteins (BAX, Bcl-2, PARP, and Caspase-3), epithelial-mesenchymal transformation (EMT) proteins, and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) expression. A mouse xenograft tumor model was established, and tumor volume and weight were determined. The expression levels of the above-mentioned proteins were determined through western blot. Results: ATO inhibited PC-3 cell proliferation and promoted cell apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. ATO significantly up-regulated the expression of BAX, PARP, and Caspase-3 and inhibited the expression of Bcl-2. Wound healing and transwell experiments showed that ATO inhibited invasion and metastasis in PC-3 cells, possibly because ATO could inhibit the EMT and the expression of MMPs in PC-3 cells. Studies in nude mice showed that ATO significantly reduced tumor volume and weight; the expression levels of related proteins were consistent with the in vitro results. Conclusions: ATO inhibits the occurrence and development of PCa and regulates the migration and invasion of PCa cells by inhibiting the EMT and MMPs.

Efficacy evaluation of novel organic iron complexes in laying hens: effects on laying performance, egg quality, egg iron content, and blood biochemical parameters

Jiuai Cao,Jiaming Zhu,Qin Zhou,Luyuan Zhao,Chenhao Zou,Yanshan Guo,Brian Curtin,Fei Ji,Bing Liu,Dongyou Yu Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2023 Animal Bioscience Vol.36 No.3

Objective: This study was conducted to determine the optimal dose of novel iron amino acid complexes (Fe-Lys-Glu) by measuring laying performance, egg quality, egg iron (Fe) concentrations, and blood biochemical parameters in laying hens. Methods: A total of 1,260 18-week-old healthy Beijing White laying hens were randomly divided into 7 groups with 12 replicates of 15 birds each. After a 2-wk acclimation to the basal diet, hens were fed diets supplemented with 0 (negative control, the analyzed innate iron content was 75.06 mg/kg), 15, 30, 45, 60, and 75 mg Fe/kg as Fe-Lys-Glu or 45 mg Fe/kg from FeSO₄ (positive control) for 24 wk. Results: Results showed that compared with the negative and positive control groups, dietary supplementation with 30 to 75 mg Fe/kg from Fe-Lys-Glu significantly (linear and quadratic, p<0.05) increased the laying rate (LR) and average daily egg weight (ADEW); hens administered 45 to 75 mg Fe/kg as Fe-Lys-Glu showed a remarkable (linear, p<0.05) decrease in feed conversion ratio. There were no significant differences among all groups in egg quality. The iron concentrations in egg yolk and serum were elevated by increasing Fe-Lys-Glu levels, and the highest iron content was found in 75 mg Fe/kg group. In addition, hens fed 45 mg Fe/kg from Fe-Lys-Glu had (linear and quadratic, p<0.05) higher yolk Fe contents than that with the same dosage of FeSO₄ supplementation. The red blood cell (RBC) count and hemoglobin content (linear and quadratic, p<0.05) increased obviously in the groups fed with 30 to 75 mg Fe/kg as Fe-Lys-Glu in comparison with the control group. Fe-Lys-Glu supplementation also (linear and quadratic, p<0.05) enhanced the activity of copper/zinc-superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn-SOD) in serum, as a result, the serum malonaldehyde content (linear and quadratic, p<0.05) decreased in hens received 60 to 75 mg Fe/kg as Fe-Lys-Glu. Conclusion: Supplementation Fe-Lys-Glu in laying hens could substitute for FeSO₄ and the optimal additive levels of Fe-Lys-Glu are 45 mg Fe/kg in layers diets based on the quadratic regression analysis of LR, ADEW, RBC, and Cu/Zn-SOD.