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.

Fixed-accuracy confidence interval estimation of P(X > c) for a two-parameter gamma population

Zhuang, Yan,Hu, Jun,Zou, Yixuan The Korean Statistical Society 2020 Communications for statistical applications and me Vol.27 No.6

The gamma distribution is a flexible right-skewed distribution widely used in many areas, and it is of great interest to estimate the probability of a random variable exceeding a specified value in survival and reliability analysis. Therefore, the study develops a fixed-accuracy confidence interval for P(X > c) when X follows a gamma distribution, Γ(α, β), and c is a preassigned positive constant through: 1) a purely sequential procedure with known shape parameter α and unknown rate parameter β; and 2) a nonparametric purely sequential procedure with both shape and rate parameters unknown. Both procedures enjoy appealing asymptotic first-order efficiency and asymptotic consistency properties. Extensive simulations validate the theoretical findings. Three real-life data examples from health studies and steel manufacturing study are discussed to illustrate the practical applicability of both procedures.

Systematic Analysis on the GSTM1 Null Phenotype and Prostate Cancer Risk in Chinese People

Shi, Jing,Zhuang, Yan,Liu, Yan,Yan, Cheng-Quan,Liu, Xian-Kui,Zhang, Ying Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.5

Objective: Glutathione S-transferase M 1 (GSTM1) is implicated as a risk factor for prostate cancer. However, this issue is not clear in Chinese population. This systemic analysis was conducted to evaluate the effect of GSTM1 null genotypes on prostate cancer risk in Chinese. Methods: Published studies investigating the associations between GSTM1 null genotypes and the risk of prostate cancer in China were identified by using a predefined search strategy. Main statisticals were pooled and estimated according to the primarily reported data. Results: The prevalence of the GSTM1 null genotype was higher in prostate cancer patients than in controls, with significance. Conclusion: The GSTM1 null genotypes is associated with increased risk of prostate cancer in Chinese.

Appraise and analysis of dynamical stability of cable-driven lower limb rehabilitation training robot

Yan-lin Wang,Ke-yi Wang,Wan-li Wang,Peng-cheng Yin,Zhuang Han 대한기계학회 2019 JOURNAL OF MECHANICAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Vol.33 No.11

This paper presents a problem that traditional methods cannot evaluate the dynamical stability of the under-constraint cable-driven lower limb rehabilitation training robot (CLLRTR). An analytical method is presented to evaluate the dynamical stability of CLLRTR. Firstly, position performance factor, posture performance factor and cable tension performance factor are defined based on the kinematics and dynamics of CLLRTR. An appraisal index and method of the dynamical stability for CLLRTR with the hybrid force-position-pose approach is proposed by using the weighted average method among three performance factors. Secondly, the stable workspace and robustness workspace with the external forces are defined according to the stability margin. Finally, the simulation analysis and the experimental study are used to illustrate the distribution of the dynamical stability in the whole workspace of CLLRTR. The results show that the experimental results are the same as the theoretical simulation analysis results. So the appraisal index of the dynamical stability can be used to evaluate the dynamical stability of CLLRTR. It will provide a foundation for the trajectory planning and control strategy of CLLRTR training pattern.

Measurement of the electron and ion temperatures by the x-ray imaging crystal spectrometer on joint Texas experimental tokamak

Yan, W.,Chen, Z. Y.,Jin, W.,Lee, S. G.,Shi, Y. J.,Huang, D. W.,Tong, R. H.,Wang, S. Y.,Wei, Y. N.,Ma, T. K.,Zhuang, G. American Institute of Physics 2016 Review of scientific instruments Vol.87 No.11

Analysis of dynamical stability of rigid-flexible hybrid-driven lower limb rehabilitation robot

Yan-lin Wang,Ke-yi Wang,Zi-xing Zhang,Zhuang Han,Wan-li Wang 대한기계학회 2020 JOURNAL OF MECHANICAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Vol.34 No.4

The research of the safety problem of the cable-driven lower limb rehabilitation robots (CDLR) is not considered in the related report. Hence, the purpose of this paper is to study the dynamical stability evaluation method of a rigid-flexible hybrid-driven lower limb rehabilitation robot system (RFHDLR) to meet the training requirements of different patients in different rehabilitation stages. In order to improve the flexibility and operational performance of the robot system, one rigid motion chain is introduced into the cable-driven parallel robot (CDPR) to form a RFHDLR. Secondly, the motion planning strategy of the rigid motion chain is analyzed. Then, based on the kinematics and dynamics of the robot system, the cable tension performance factor and the system stiffness performance factor of the robot system are defined, and the static stability evaluation method and index of RFHDLR are obtained by the weighting method. Considering the patient's ability to withstand the motion velocity and the effect of the volatility of slide motion velocity of the rigid motion chain on the safety of the robot system, the velocity performance factor of the robot system is proposed. The dynamical stability evaluation method and index of RFHDLR are discussed based on the static stability evaluation method and the velocity influence function. Finally, for the two planning strategies of the rigid motion chain, the experimental study of the planned training trajectory of the lower limb traction point is performed based on simulation analysis. The experimental results verify the correctness of the stability evaluation method and provide a reference for further studying the training task planning and the control strategy.

Growth of Nanosheet Array and Nanosheet Microsphere CuInS2 Thin Films on Transparent Conducting Substrates

Mixue Zhuang,Aixiang Wei,Jun Liu,Yu Zhao,Zhiqiang Yan 대한금속·재료학회 2014 ELECTRONIC MATERIALS LETTERS Vol.10 No.6

CuInS2 (CIS) thin films with controllable nanostructures were directly synthesized on transparent conductive fluorine- doped tin oxide (FTO) glass substrates through a solvothermal process, using the precursors of copper (II) chloride dihydrate, indium (III) nitrate, thiourea, hexadecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB), oxalic acid, and ethanol. The morphology, crystallographic structure, chemical composition, and optical properties of the CIS thin films were then investigated. The results indicate that CIS thin films with two types of “nanosheet arrays and nanosheet microspheres” can be synthesized by controlling the deposition process parameters. The nanosheets are well-crystallized single crystals with chalcopyrite structures. They exhibit strong absorption in the UV-visible light region and a band gap of 1.51 eV, rendering them suitable for application as the absorber layer of a thin film solar cell. Based on our experimental observations and analysis, we conclude that differences in nucleation and growth mechanism lead to CIS films with various nanostructures.

The Production of Bioflocculants by Bacillus licheniformis Using Molasses and Its Application in the Sugarcane Industry

Xiaoling Zhuang,Yuanpeng Wang,Qingbiao Li,Shan Yan,Ning He 한국생물공학회 2012 Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering Vol.17 No.5

A bioflocculant produced by B. licheniformis was investigated with regard to a low-cost culture medium and its industrial application. Molasses replaced sucrose as the sole carbon source in bioflocculant fermentation. The optimum low-cost culture medium was determined to be composed of 20 g/L molasses, 0.4 g/L urea, 0.4 g/L NaCl,0.2 g/L KH2PO4, 1.6 g/L K2HPO4, and 0.2 g/L MgSO4. The bioflocculant from B. licheniformis was then applied to treat sugarcane-neutralizing juice to remove colloids,suspended particles, and coloring matters in a sugar refinery factory. The optimal operation conditions were a bioflocculant dosage of 21 U/mL, pH 7.3 and a heating temperature of 100oC. The color and turbidity of the sugarcane juice reached IU 1267 and IU 206, respectively,after clarification with the bioflocculant; these values were almost the same as those acquired following treatment with polyacrylamide (PAM), the most widely applied flocculant in sugar industries. These results suggest the great potential for use of bioflocculants in the sugar refinery process. A bioflocculant produced by B. licheniformis was investigated with regard to a low-cost culture medium and its industrial application. Molasses replaced sucrose as the sole carbon source in bioflocculant fermentation. The optimum low-cost culture medium was determined to be composed of 20 g/L molasses, 0.4 g/L urea, 0.4 g/L NaCl,0.2 g/L KH2PO4, 1.6 g/L K2HPO4, and 0.2 g/L MgSO4. The bioflocculant from B. licheniformis was then applied to treat sugarcane-neutralizing juice to remove colloids,suspended particles, and coloring matters in a sugar refinery factory. The optimal operation conditions were a bioflocculant dosage of 21 U/mL, pH 7.3 and a heating temperature of 100oC. The color and turbidity of the sugarcane juice reached IU 1267 and IU 206, respectively,after clarification with the bioflocculant; these values were almost the same as those acquired following treatment with polyacrylamide (PAM), the most widely applied flocculant in sugar industries. These results suggest the great potential for use of bioflocculants in the sugar refinery process.

Investigation on the microstructure and fracture behavior of super-eutectic ZA alloy welded joint by pulse fiber laser

Fei Yan,Xiaozhong Du,Fang Chai,Chunming Wang,Kejia Zhuang,Juan Zhao,Wei Wang 대한기계학회 2018 JOURNAL OF MECHANICAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Vol.32 No.6

In this study, we present the experimental laser welding of super-eutectic ZA alloy. Microstructures of the ZA alloy′s bond area welded by pulsed laser were investigated using an optical microscope, scanning electron microscope, energy diffraction spectrum and X-Ray diffractometer. The results showed that microstructures in the weld mainly consisted of threadlike columnar crystals, coarse dendrites and fine equiaxed grains. Secondary particles were produced in the interdendritic zones because of the composition segregation. A poor Al area was formed inside the η grain while a rich Al area takes shape outside the η grain. The occurrence of the composition segregation can increase the grain boundary cracking tendency. The existence of a large number of η phase greatly intensified the brittle of this material. The presence of many cleavage steps in the fractograph principally depended on the secondary cleavage effect between two cleavage cracks on different planes. The evolution of cracks along the twinning plane was the result of the secondary cleavage substituting for the twinning deformation in the vicinity of the crack tip.

FADD Phosphorylation Modulates Blood Glucose Levels by Decreasing the Expression of InsulinDegrading Enzyme

Lin, Yan,Liu, Jia,Chen, Jia,Yao, Chun,Yang, Yunwen,Wang, Jie,Zhuang, Hongqin,Hua, Zi-Chun Korean Society for Molecular and Cellular Biology 2020 Molecules and cells Vol.43 No.4

Our previous study revealed a novel role of Fas-associated death domain-containing protein (FADD) in islet development and insulin secretion. Insulin-degrading enzyme (IDE) is a zinc metalloprotease that selectively degrades biologically important substrates associated with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). The current study was designed to investigate the effect of FADD phosphorylation on IDE. We found that the mRNA and protein levels of IDE were significantly downregulated in FADD-D mouse livers compared with control mice. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis showed that FADD regulates the expression of IDE at the transcriptional level without affecting the stability of the mRNA in HepG2 cells. Following treatment with cycloheximide, the IDE protein degradation rate was found to be increased in both FADD-D primary hepatocytes and FADD-knockdown HepG2 cells. Additionally, IDE expression levels were reduced in insulin-stimulated primary hepatocytes from FADD-D mice compared to those from control mice. Moreover, FADD phosphorylation promotes nuclear translocation of FoxO1, thus inhibiting the transcriptional activity of the IDE promoter. Together, these findings imply a novel role of FADD in the reduction of protein stability and expression levels of IDE.