<i>S100A9</i> and <i>EGFR</i> gene signatures predict disease progression in muscle invasive bladder cancer patients after chemotherapy

Kim, W. T.,Kim, J.,Yan, C.,Jeong, P.,Choi, S. Y.,Lee, O. J.,Chae, Y. B.,Yun, S. J.,Lee, S. C.,Kim, W. J. Oxford University Press 2014 Annals of Oncology Vol.25 No.5

<P>In our previous gene expression profile analysis, IL1B, S100A8, S100A9, and EGFR were shown to be important mediators of muscle invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) progression. The aim of the present study was to investigate the ability of these gene signatures to predict disease progression after chemotherapy in patients with locally recurrent or metastatic MIBC. Patients with locally advanced MIBC who received chemotherapy were enrolled. The expression signatures of four genes were measured and carried out further functional analysis to confirm our findings. Two of the four genes, S100A9 and EGFR, were determined to significantly influence disease progression (P = 0.023, 0.045, respectively). Based on a receiver operating characteristic curve, a cut-off value for disease progression was determined. Patients with the good-prognostic signature group had a significantly longer time to progression and cancer-specific survival time than those with the poor-prognostic signature group (P < 0.001, 0.042, respectively). In the multivariate Cox regression analysis, gene signature was the only factor that significantly influenced disease progression [hazard ratio: 4.726, confidence interval: 1.623-13.763, P = 0.004]. In immunohistochemical analysis, S100A9 and EGFR positivity were associated with disease progression after chemotherapy. Protein expression of S100A9/EGFR showed modest correlation with gene expression of S100A9/EGFR (r = 0.395, P = 0.014 and r = 0.453, P = 0.004). Our functional analysis provided the evidence demonstrating that expression of S100A9 and EGFR closely associated chemoresistance, and that inhibition of S100A9 and EGFR may sensitize bladder tumor cells to the cisplatin-based chemotherapy. The S100A9/EGFR level is a novel prognostic marker to predict the chemoresponsiveness of patients with locally recurrent or metastatic MIBC.</P>

Rotating crystals of magnetic Janus colloids

Yan, J.,Bae, S. C.,Granick, S. The Royal Society of Chemistry 2015 SOFT MATTER Vol.11 No.1

<P>Monodisperse magnetic colloids are found to self-assemble into unusual crystals in the presence of rotating magnetic fields. First, we confirm a predicted phase transition (S. Jäger and S. H. L. Klapp, <I>Soft Matter</I>, 2011, <B>7</B>, 6606–6616), directly coupled to the dynamic transition of single particle motion, from a disordered state to a hexagonal crystal. Next, going beyond what had been predicted, we report how hydrodynamic coupling produces shear melting, dislocations, and periodically mobile domain boundaries. These uniform magnetic colloids, whose structures are modulated <I>in situ</I> using the protocols described here, demonstrate a strategy of stimulus-response in the colloid domain with potential applications.</P> <P>Graphic Abstract</P><P>Shear melting, dislocations, and periodically mobile domain boundaries are observed in rotating magnetic crystals. <IMG SRC='http://pubs.rsc.org/services/images/RSCpubs.ePlatform.Service.FreeContent.ImageService.svc/ImageService/image/GA?id=c4sm01962h'> </P>

Response of plasma rotation to resonant magnetic perturbations in J-TEXT tokamak

Yan, W,Chen, Z Y,Huang, D W,Hu, Q M,Shi, Y J,Ding, Y H,Cheng, Z F,Yang, Z J,Pan, X M,Lee, S G,Tong, R H,Wei, Y N,Dong, Y B IOP 2018 Plasma physics and controlled fusion Vol.60 No.3

<P>The response of plasma toroidal rotation to the external resonant magnetic perturbations (RMP) has been investigated in Joint Texas Experimental Tokamak (J-TEXT) ohmic heating plasmas. For the J-TEXT’s plasmas without the application of RMP, the core toroidal rotation is in the counter-current direction while the edge rotation is near zero or slightly in the co-current direction. Both static RMP experiments and rotating RMP experiments have been applied to investigate the plasma toroidal rotation. The core toroidal rotation decreases to lower level with static RMP. At the same time, the edge rotation can spin to more than 20 km s<SUP>−1</SUP> in co-current direction. On the other hand, the core plasma rotation can be slowed down or be accelerated with the rotating RMP. When the rotating RMP frequency is higher than mode frequency, the plasma rotation can be accelerated to the rotating RMP frequency. The plasma confinement is improved with high frequency rotating RMP. The plasma rotation is decelerated to the rotating RMP frequency when the rotating RMP frequency is lower than the mode frequency. The plasma confinement also degrades with low frequency rotating RMP.</P>

Comparison of mRNA, Protein, and Urinary Nucleic Acid Levels of S100A8 and S100A9 between Prostate Cancer and BPH

Yun, S. J.,Yan, C.,Jeong, P.,Kang, H. W.,Kim, Y. H.,Kim, E. A.,Lee, O. J.,Kim, W. T.,Moon, S. K.,Kim, I. Y. Springer Science + Business Media 2015 Annals of Surgical Oncology Vol.22 No.7

Semisupervised Tripled Dictionary Learning for Standard-Dose PET Image Prediction Using Low-Dose PET and Multimodal MRI

Wang, Yan,Shen, Dinggang,Ma, Guangkai,An, Le,Shi, Feng,Zhang, Pei,Lalush, David S.,Wu, Xi,Pu, Yifei,Zhou, Jiliu IEEE 2017 IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering Vol.64 No.3

<P>Objective: To obtain high-quality positron emission tomography (PET) image with low-dose tracer injection, this study attempts to predict the standard-dose PET (S-PET) image from both its low-dose PET (L-PET) counterpart and corresponding magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Methods: It was achieved by patch-based sparse representation (SR), using the training samples with a complete set of MRI, L-PET and S-PET modalities for dictionary construction. However, the number of training samples with complete modalities is often limited. In practice, many samples generally have incomplete modalities (i.e., with one or two missing modalities) that thus cannot be used in the prediction process. In light of this, we develop a semisupervised tripled dictionary learning (SSTDL) method for S-PET image prediction, which can utilize not only the samples with complete modalities (called complete samples) but also the samples with incomplete modalities (called incomplete samples), to take advantage of the large number of available training samples and thus further improve the prediction performance. Results: Validation was done on a real human brain dataset consisting of 18 subjects, and the results show that our method is superior to the SR and other baseline methods. Conclusion: This paper proposed a new S-PET prediction method, which can significantly improve the PET image quality with low-dose injection. Significance: The proposed method is favorable in clinical application since it can decrease the potential radiation risk for patients.</P>

Multi-Level Canonical Correlation Analysis for Standard-Dose PET Image Estimation

Le An,Pei Zhang,Adeli, Ehsan,Yan Wang,Guangkai Ma,Feng Shi,Lalush, David S.,Weili Lin,Dinggang Shen IEEE 2016 IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON IMAGE PROCESSING - Vol.25 No.7

<P>Positron emission tomography (PET) images are widely used in many clinical applications, such as tumor detection and brain disorder diagnosis. To obtain PET images of diagnostic quality, a sufficient amount of radioactive tracer has to be injected into a living body, which will inevitably increase the risk of radiation exposure. On the other hand, if the tracer dose is considerably reduced, the quality of the resulting images would be significantly degraded. It is of great interest to estimate a standard-dose PET (S-PET) image from a low-dose one in order to reduce the risk of radiation exposure and preserve image quality. This may be achieved through mapping both S-PET and low-dose PET data into a common space and then performing patch-based sparse representation. However, a one-size-fits-all common space built from all training patches is unlikely to be optimal for each target S-PET patch, which limits the estimation accuracy. In this paper, we propose a data-driven multi-level canonical correlation analysis scheme to solve this problem. In particular, a subset of training data that is most useful in estimating a target S-PET patch is identified in each level, and then used in the next level to update common space and improve estimation. In addition, we also use multi-modal magnetic resonance images to help improve the estimation with complementary information. Validations on phantom and real human brain data sets show that our method effectively estimates S-PET images and well preserves critical clinical quantification measures, such as standard uptake value.</P>

Quantitative Trait Loci Mapping for Porcine Backfat Thickness

Wu, X.L.,Lee, C.,Jiang, J.,Peng, Y.L.,Yan, H.F.,Yang, S.L.,Xiao, B.N.,Liu, X.C.,Shi, Q.S. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2002 Animal Bioscience Vol.15 No.7

A partial genome scan using porcine microsatellites was carried out to detect quantitative trait loci (QTL) for backfat thickness (BFT) in a pig reference population. This population carried QTL on chromosomes 1, 13 and 18. The QTL on chromosome 1 was located between marker loci S0113 and SW1301. The QTL corresponded to very low density lipoprotein receptor gene (VLDLR) in location and in biological effects, suggesting that VLDLR might be a candidate gene. The QTL found on chromosome 13 was found between marker loci SWR1941 and SW864, but significance for the marker-trait association was inconsistent by using data with different generations. The QTL on chromosome 18 was discovered between markers S0062 and S0117, and it was in proximity of the regions where IGFBP3 and GHRHR were located. The porcine obese gene might be also a candidate gene for the QTL on chromosome 18. In order to understand genetic architecture of BFT better, fine mapping and positional comparative candidate gene analyses are necessary.

Effects of absorbents on growth performance, blood profiles and liver gene expression in broilers fed diets naturally contaminated with aflatoxin

Liu, J.B.,Yan, H.L.,Cao, S.C.,Hu, Y.D.,Zhang, H.F. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2020 Animal Bioscience Vol.33 No.2

Objective: The study was conducted to evaluate the effects of the absorbent (a mixture of activated carbon and hydrated sodium calcium aluminosilicate) on growth performance, blood profiles and hepatic genes expression in broilers fed diets naturally contaminated with aflatoxin. Methods: A total of 1,200 one-day-old male chicks were randomly assigned to 6 treatments with 10 replicate cages per treatment. The dietary treatments were as follows: i) control (basal diets); ii) 50% contaminated corn; iii) 100% contaminated corn; iv) control+1% adsorbent; v) 50% contaminated corn+1% absorbent; vi) 100% contaminated corn+1% absorbent. Results: During d 1 to 21, feeding contaminated diets reduced (p<0.05) body weight (BW), average daily gain (ADG), and average daily feed intake (ADFI), but increased (p<0.05) feed-to-gain ratio (F/G). The absorbent supplementation increased (p<0.05) BW, ADG, and ADFI. There were interactions (p<0.05) in BW, ADG, and ADFI between contaminated corn and absorbent. Overall, birds fed 100% contaminated diets had lower (p<0.05) final BW and ADG, but higher (p<0.05) F/G compared to those fed control diets. The absorbent addition increased (p<0.05) serum albumin concentration on d 14 and 28 and total protein (TP) level on d 28, decreased (p<0.05) alanine transaminase activity on d 14 and activities of aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase on d 28. Feeding contaminated diets reduced (p<0.05) hepatic TP content on d 28 and 42. The contaminated diets upregulated (p<0.05) expression of interleukin-6, catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD), but downregulated (p<0.05) glutathione S-transferase (GST) expression in liver. The absorbent supplementation increased (p<0.05) interleukin-1β, CAT, SOD, cytochrome P450 1A1 and GST expression in liver. There were interactions (p<0.05) in the expression of hepatic CAT, SOD, and GST between contaminated corn and absorbent. Conclusion: The results suggest that the naturally aflatoxin-contaminated corn depressed growth performance, while the adsorbent could partially attenuate the adverse effects of aflatoxin on growth performance, blood profiles and hepatic genes expression in broilers.

Effect of different levels of protein concentrates supplementation on the growth performance, plasma amino acids profile and mTOR cascade genes expression in early-weaned yak calves

Q.H. Peng,N.A. Khan,B. Xue,T.H. Yan,Z.S. Wang 아세아·태평양축산학회 2018 Animal Bioscience Vol.31 No.2

Objective: This study evaluated the effects of different levels of protein concentrate supplementation on the growth performance of yak calves, and correlated the growth rate to changes occurring in the plasma- amino acids, -insulin profile, and signaling activity of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) cascade to characterize the mechanism through which the protein synthesis can be improved in early weaned yaks. Methods: For this study, 48 early (3 months old) weaned yak calves were selected, and assigned into four dietary treatments according to randomized complete block design. The four blocks were balanced for body weight and sex. The yaks were either grazed on natural pasture (control diet) in a single herd or the grazing yaks was supplemented with one of the three protein rich supplements containing low (17%; LP), medium (19%; MP), or high (21%; HP) levels of crude proteins for a period of 30 days. Results: Results showed that the average daily gain of calves increased (0.14 vs 0.23-0.26 kg; p<0.05) with protein concentrates supplementation. The concentration of plasma methionine increased (p<0.05; 8.6 vs 10.1-12.4 μmol/L), while those of serine and tyrosine did not change (p>0.05) when the grazing calves were supplemented with protein concentrates. Compared to control diet, the insulin level of calves increased (p<0.05; 1.86 vs 2.16-2.54 μIU/mL) with supplementation of protein concentrates. Addition of protein concentrates up-regulated (p<0.05) expression of mTOR-raptor, mammalian vacuolar protein sorting 34 homolog, the translational regulators eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E binding protein 1, and S6 kinase 1 genes in both Longissimus dorsi and semitendinosus. In contrast, the expression of sequestosome 1 was down-regulated in the concentrate supplemented calves. Conclusion: Our results show that protein supplementation improves the growth performance of early weaned yak calves, and that plasma methionine and insulin concentrations were the key mediator for gene expression and protein deposition in the muscles.

Hypothalamic-Pituitary Axis Regulates Hydrogen Sulfide Production

Hine, Christopher,Kim, Hyo-Jeong,Zhu, Yan,Harputlugil, Eylul,Longchamp, Alban,Matos, Marina Souza,Ramadoss, Preeti,Bauerle, Kevin,Brace, Lear,Asara, John M.,Ozaki, C. Keith,Cheng, Sheue-yann,Singha, S Cell Press 2017 Cell metabolism Vol.25 No.6

<▼1><P><B>Summary</B></P><P>Decreased growth hormone (GH) and thyroid hormone (TH) signaling are associated with longevity and metabolic fitness. The mechanisms underlying these benefits are poorly understood, but may overlap with those of dietary restriction (DR), which imparts similar benefits. Recently we discovered that hydrogen sulfide (H<SUB>2</SUB>S) is increased upon DR and plays an essential role in mediating DR benefits across evolutionary boundaries. Here we found increased hepatic H<SUB>2</SUB>S production in long-lived mouse strains of reduced GH and/or TH action, and in a cell-autonomous manner upon serum withdrawal in vitro. Negative regulation of hepatic H<SUB>2</SUB>S production by GH and TH was additive and occurred via distinct mechanisms, namely direct transcriptional repression of the H<SUB>2</SUB>S-producing enzyme cystathionine γ-lyase (CGL) by TH, and substrate-level control of H<SUB>2</SUB>S production by GH. Mice lacking CGL failed to downregulate systemic T<SUB>4</SUB> metabolism and circulating IGF-1, revealing an essential role for H<SUB>2</SUB>S in the regulation of key longevity-associated hormones.</P></▼1><▼2><P><B>Highlights</B></P><P>•<P>Hepatic H<SUB>2</SUB>S production capacity is elevated in long-lived hypopituitary mouse models</P>•<P>Growth hormone (GH) represses hepatic H<SUB>2</SUB>S production post-transcriptionally</P>•<P>Thyroid hormone (TH) acts via TRβ to repress cystathionine γ-lyase and H<SUB>2</SUB>S levels</P>•<P>H<SUB>2</SUB>S negatively regulates circulating TH and IGF-1 levels</P></P></▼2><▼3><P>Reduced thyroid hormone (TH) and growth hormone (GH) activity are hallmarks of genetic models of longevity in mice. Here, Hine et al. find that TH and GH negatively regulate hepatic production of the longevity-associated gas hydrogen sulfide, which feeds back to negatively regulate circulating TH and IGF-1 levels.</P></▼3>