Excess trehalose and glucose affects chitin metabolism in brown planthopper (Nilaparvata lugens)

Qi-Da Shen,Meng-Meng Yang,Guo-Qiang Xie,Hui-JuanWang,Lu Zhang,Ling-Yu Qiu,Shi-GuiWang,Bin Tang 한국응용곤충학회 2017 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.20 No.2

Trehalose is a non-reducing disaccharide that is hydrolyzed by trehalase to yield two glucose molecules. Trehalase is the first enzyme involved in the chitin biosynthesis pathway, and it plays a pivotal role in insect growth and molting. In this study, Nilaparvata lugens, an economically important rice pest in Southeast Asia, was injectedwith trehalose or glucose to investigate their effects on chitin metabolism. Excess trehalose and glucose significantly increased the rate of deformity (molting and/or wing deformities) and mortality in N. lugens. Trehalose, glycogen, and glucose contents were also significantly decreased in N. lugens treated with trehalose or glucose. Chitin content and the expression of NlHK, NlUAP, NlG6PI1, NlGFAT, NlGNPNA, NlPGM1, NlPGM2, NlCHS1, NlCHS1a, NlCHS1b, NlCht3, NlCht4, NlCht6, and NlCht7 were significantly decreased, whereas the expression of NlCht2, NlIDGF, and NlENGase was significantly increased in treated insects. Furthermore, a significant increase in the expression of NlTRE1-1, NlTRE2, and NlTPS1 and a decrease, in the expression of NlTPS2 were observed. Results of this study suggested that excess trehalose and glucose could affect chitin metabolism by regulating the expression of pivotal genes to decrease the chitin content, resulting in the inability of N. lugens to complete its molting process.

A robotic multiple-shape-memory ionic polymer–metal composite (IPMC) actuator: modeling approach

Shen, Qi,Stalbaum, Tyler,Minaian, Nazanin,Oh, Il-Kwon,Kim, Kwang J IOP 2019 Smart materials & structures Vol.28 No.1

<P>The multiple-shape-memory ionic polymer–metal composite (MSM-IPMC) actuator can demonstrate complex 3D deformation. The MSM-IPMC has two distinct characteristics, which are the electromechanical actuation effect and the thermal-mechanical shape memory effect. The bending, twisting, and oscillating motions of the actuator could be controlled simultaneously or separately by means of thermal-mechanical and electromechanical transduction. In this study, a theoretical model for the MSM-IPMC was developed and experimentally investigated. Based on previous studies on the electromechanical actuation effect of ionic polymer–metal composite (IPMC), a comprehensive physics-based model of MSM-IPMC which couples the actuation effect and the multiple shape memory effect was developed. To verify the model, an MSM-IPMC sample was prepared and used in experimental testing. The simulation results were shown to be in good agreement with the experimental results obtained. The multiple shape memory and recovery rate of three different polymers, namely the Nafion, Aquivion and GEFC of different ions, which are the hydrogen, lithium and sodium, were also tested. Based on the results, it is shown that all the polymers demonstrate the multiple shape memory effect with varying amounts of programmable shapes. The ion type was shown to have an influence on the broad glass transition range of the polymers, which in turn dictated the number of possible programmable shapes for each membrane. The current study is beneficial for the better understanding of the multiple shape memory effect of MSM-IPMC.</P>

A Colorimetric and Fluorescent pH Probe for Extremely Acidic Conditions and its Application in pH Test Paper

Qi-Hua You,Jinhai Shen,Ganping Shen,Liyun Peng,Yuanqin Lu,Qi Fu,Yuqing Xu,Lei Zhang 대한화학회 2018 Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society Vol.39 No.3

Here, we report a highly water-soluble colorimetric and fluorescent pH probe that works in the pH range 0.2–3.0. The probe showed a rapid response, high stability, and excellent reversibility to acidity. Moreover, the fluorescence of probe was not influenced by the existence of high concentration of cations. The pKa of probe was calculated to be 2.25 ± 0.06. Furthermore, the pH test papers coated with the probe exhibited a distinct color change in acidic conditions.

Theoretical and experimental investigation of the shape memory properties of an ionic polymer–metal composite

Shen, Qi,Palmre, Viljar,Kim, Kwang J,Oh, Il-Kwon Institute of Physics Publishing 2017 Smart materials & structures Vol.26 No.4

<P>An ionic polymer–metal composite (IPMC) is typically based on a Nafion membrane with electrode plating on both sides and has a promising potential for biomimetic robotics, biomedical devices and human affinity applications. In this paper, the shape memory properties of IPMC were theoretically and experimentally studied. We presented the multiple shape memory properties of a Nafion cylinder. A physics based model of the IPMC was proposed. The free energy density theory was utilized to analyze the shape properties of the IPMC. To verify the model, IPMC samples with Nafion as the base membrane were prepared and experiments were conducted. A simulation of the model was performed and the results were compared with the experimental data. It was successfully demonstrated that the theoretical model can well explain the shape memory properties of the IPMC. The results showed that the reheat glass transition temperature of the IPMC is lower than the programming temperature. It was also found that the back-relaxation of the IPMC decreases as the programming temperature increases. The current study may be useful in order to better understand the shape memory effect of IPMC.</P>

FORMATION OF II–VI SEMICONDUCTOR NANOCRYSTALS WITH TUNABLE VISIBLE EMISSION IN AQUEOUS SOLUTION PROMOTED BY HYDRAZINE

QI-HUI SHEN,YAN LIU,XI YU,XIAO-YANG LIU,MING-QIANG ZOU,JIN-FENG LI,JIAN-GUANG ZHOU 성균관대학교(자연과학캠퍼스) 성균나노과학기술원 2012 NANO Vol.7 No.6

II?VI Semiconductor nanocrystals (NCs) with tunable visible emission, such as CdS, CdSe and CdTe, were synthesized in aqueous solution using thiols as capping molecules. Hydrazine was found to promote the growth of NCs through a special mechanism. In only a few hours, the synthesis process was completed at room temperature. Under moderate conditions, the capping molecules not only changed the growth rate of NCs simply by varying the concentration, but also altered the spectral properties of NCs. The capping molecules with amino groups were propitious to the growth of CdS NCs, whereas the kinetic growth of CdS NCs was more a®ected by the surface passivation e±ciency of NCs than by steric hindrance in the system. The fastest growth of the CdS NCs was achieved when glutathione was used as a capping molecule, while the emission of CdS and CdSe NCs were shown to remain steady and tunable using the same capping molecule. The growth rate of 3-mercaptopropionic acid-capped CdS and CdSe NCs slowed down signi¯-cantly, while CdTe NCs were obtained with excellent emission properties when capped with the same molecule. Furthermore, our approach will also be useful for the study of the kinetic growth of NCs in aqueous solution.

Comparison of the Efficacy and Safety of EFGR Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Monotherapy with Standard Second-line Chemotherapy in Previously Treated Advanced Non-small-cell Lung Cancer: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Qi, Wei-Xiang,Shen, Zan,Lin, Feng,Sun, Yuan-Jue,Min, Da-Liu,Tang, Li-Na,He, Ai-Na,Yao, Yang Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.10

Purpose: To compare the efficacy and safety of epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitormonotherapy (EFGR-TKIs: gefitinib or erlotinib) with standard second-line chemotherapy (single agent docetaxel or pemetrexed) in previously treated advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods: We systematically searched for randomized clinical trials that compared EGFR-TKI monotherapy with standard second-line chemotherapy in previously treated advanced NSCLC. The end points were overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), overall response rate (ORR), 1-year survival rate (1-year SR) and grade 3 or 4 toxicities. The pooled hazard ratio (HR) or risk ratio (RR), with their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated employing fixed- or random-effects models depending on the heterogeneity of the included trials. Results: Eight randomized controlled trials (totally 3218 patients) were eligible. Our meta-analysis results showed that EGFR-TKIs were comparable to standard second-line chemotherapy for advanced NSCLC in terms of overall survival (HR 1.00, 95%CI 0.92-1.10; p=0.943), progression-free survival (HR 0.90, 95%CI 0.75-1.08, P=0.258) and 1-year-survival rate (RR 0.97, 95%CI 0.87-1.08, P=0.619), and the overall response rate was higher in patients who receiving EGFR-TKIs(RR 1.50, 95%CI 1.22-1.83, P=0.000). Sub-group analysis demonstrated that EGFR-TKI monotherapy significantly improved PFS (HR 0.73, 95%CI: 0.55-0.97, p=0.03) and ORR (RR 1.96, 95%CI: 1.46-2.63, p=0.000) in East Asian patients, but it did not translate into increase in OS and 1-year SR. Furthermore, there were fewer incidences of grade 3 or 4 neutropenia, febrile neutropenia and neutrotoxicity in EGFR-TKI monotherapy group, excluding grade 3 or 4 rash. Conclusion: Both interventions had comparable efficacy as second-line treatments for patients with advanced NSCLC, and EGFR-TKI monotherapy was associated with less toxicity and better tolerability. Moreover, our data also demonstrated that EGFR-TKImonotherapy tended to be more effective in East Asian patients in terms of PFS and ORR compared with standard second-line chemotherapy. These results should help inform decisions about patient management and design of future trials.

Joint-transform Correlator Multiple-image Encryption System Based on Quick-response Code Key

Qi Chen,Xueju Shen,Yue Cheng,Fuyu Huang,Chao Lin,HeXiong Liu 한국광학회 2019 Current Optics and Photonics Vol.3 No.4

A method for joint-transform correlator (JTC) multiple-image encryption based on a quick-response (QR) code key is proposed. The QR codes converted from different texts are used as key masks to encrypt and decrypt multiple images. Not only can Chinese text and English text be used as key text, but also symbols can be used. With this method, users have no need to transmit the whole key mask; they only need to transmit the text that is used to generate the key. The correlation coefficient is introduced to evaluate the decryption performance of our proposed cryptosystem, and we explore the sensitivity of the key mask and the capability for multiple-image encryption. Robustness analysis is also conducted in this paper. Computer simulations and experimental results verify the correctness of this method.

Carnosic acid protects against acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity by potentiating Nrf2-mediated antioxidant capacity in mice

Qi Guo,Zhiyang Shen,Hongxia Yu,Gaofeng Lu,Yong Yu,Xia Liu,Pengyuan Zheng 대한생리학회-대한약리학회 2016 The Korean Journal of Physiology & Pharmacology Vol.20 No.1

Acetaminophen (APAP) overdose is one of the most common causes of acute liver failure. The study aimed to investigate the protective effect of carnosic acid (CA) on APAP-induced acute hepatotoxicity and its underlying mechanism in mice. To induce hepatotoxicity, APAP solution (400 mg/kg) was administered into mice by intraperitoneal injection. Histological analysis revealed that CA treatment significantly ameliorated APAP-induced hepatic necrosis. The levels of both alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) in serum were reduced by CA treatment. Moreover, CA treatment significantly inhibited APAP-induced hepatocytes necrosis and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) releasing. Western blot analysis showed that CA abrogated APAP-induced cleaved caspase-3, Bax and phosphorylated JNK protein expression. Further results showed that CA treatment markedly inhibited APAP-induced pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-a, IL-1b, IL-6 and MCP-1 mRNA expression and the levels of phosphorylated IkBa and p65 protein in the liver. In addition, CA treatment reduced APAP- induced hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA) contents and reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation. Conversely, hepatic glutathione (GSH) level was increased by administration of CA in APAP-treated mice. Mechanistically, CA facilitated Nrf2 translocation into nuclear through blocking the interaction between Nrf2 and Keap1, which, in turn, upregulated anti-oxidant genes mRNA expression. Taken together, our results indicate that CA facilitates Nrf2 nuclear translocation, causing induction of Nrf2-dependent genes, which contributes to protection from acetaminophen hepatotoxicity.

Efficacy and Toxicity of Anti-VEGF Agents in Patients with Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer: a Meta-analysis of Prospective Clinical Studies

Qi, Wei-Xiang,Fu, Shen,Zhang, Qing,Guo, Xiao-Mao Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.19

Background: Blocking angiogenesis by targeting vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling pathway to inhibit tumor growth has proven to be successful in treating a variety of different metastatic tumor types, including kidney, colon, ovarian, and lung cancers, but its role in castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) is still unknown. We here aimed to determine the efficacy and toxicities of anti-VEGF agents in patients with CRPC. Materials and Methods: The databases of PubMed, Web of Science and abstracts presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology up to March 31, 2014 were searched for relevant articles. Pooled estimates of the objective response rate (ORR) and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) response rate (decline ${\geq}50%$) were calculated using the Comprehensive Meta-Analysis (version 2.2.064) software. Median weighted progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) time for anti-VEGF monotherapy and anti-VEGF-based doublets were compared by two-sided Student's t test. Results: A total of 3,841 patients from 19 prospective studies (4 randomized controlled trials and 15 prospective nonrandomized cohort studies) were included for analysis. The pooled ORR was 12.4% with a higher response rate of 26.4% (95%CI, 13.6-44.9%) for anti-VEGF-based combinations vs. 6.7% (95%CI, 3.5-12.7%) for anti-VEGF alone (p=0.004). Similarly, the pooled PSA response rate was 32.4% with a higher PSA response rate of 52.8% (95%CI: 40.2-65.1%) for anti-VEGF-based combinations vs. 7.3% (95%CI, 3.6-14.2%) for anti-VEGF alone (p<0.001). Median PFS and OS were 6.9 and 22.1 months with weighted median PFS of 5.6 vs. 6.9 months (p<0.001) and weighted median OS of 13.1 vs. 22.1 months (p<0.001) for anti-VEGF monotherapy vs. anti-VEGF-based doublets. Conclusions: With available evidence, this pooled analysis indicates that anti-VEGF monotherapy has a modest effect in patients with CRPC, and clinical benefits gained from anti-VEGF-based doublets appear greater than anti-VEGF monotherapy.

An Adaptively Speculative Execution Strategy Based on Real-Time Resource Awareness in a Multi-Job Heterogeneous Environment

( Qi Liu ),( Weidong Cai ),( Qiang Liu ),( Jian Shen ),( Zhangjie Fu ),( Xiaodong Liu ),( Nigel Linge ) 한국인터넷정보학회 2017 KSII Transactions on Internet and Information Syst Vol.11 No.2

MapReduce (MRV1), a popular programming model, proposed by Google, has been well used to process large datasets in Hadoop, an open source cloud platform. Its new version MapReduce 2.0 (MRV2) developed along with the emerging of Yarn has achieved obvious improvement over MRV1. However, MRV2 suffers from long finishing time on certain types of jobs. Speculative Execution (SE) has been presented as an approach to the problem above by backing up those delayed jobs from low-performance machines to higher ones. In this paper, an adaptive SE strategy (ASE) is presented in Hadoop-2.6.0. Experiment results have depicted that the ASE duplicates tasks according to real-time resources usage among work nodes in a cloud. In addition, the performance of MRV2 is largely improved using the ASE strategy on job execution time and resource consumption, whether in a multi-job environment.