Cytosolic escape of mitochondrial DNA triggers cGAS-STING-NLRP3 axis-dependent nucleus pulposus cell pyroptosis

Zhang Weifeng,Li Gaocai,Luo Rongjin,Lei Jie,Song Yu,Wang Bingjin,Ma Liang,Liao Zhiwei,Ke Wencan,Liu Hui,Hua Wenbin,Zhao Kangcheng,Feng Xiaobo,Wu Xinghuo,Zhang Yukun,Wang Kun,Yang Cao 생화학분자생물학회 2022 Experimental and molecular medicine Vol.54 No.-

Low back pain (LBP) is a major musculoskeletal disorder and the socioeconomic problem with a high prevalence that mainly involves intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration, characterized by progressive nucleus pulposus (NP) cell death and the development of an inflammatory microenvironment in NP tissue. Excessively accumulated cytosolic DNA acts as a damage-associated molecular pattern (DAMP) that is monitored by the cGAS-STING axis to trigger the immune response in many degenerative diseases. NLRP3 inflammasome-dependent pyroptosis is a type of inflammatory programmed death that promotes a chronic inflammatory response and tissue degeneration. However, the relationship between the cGAS-STING axis and NLRP3 inflammasome-induced pyroptosis in the pathogenesis of IVD degeneration remains unclear. Here, we used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and histopathology to demonstrate that cGAS, STING, and NLRP3 are associated with the degree of IVD degeneration. Oxidative stress induced cGAS-STING axis activation and NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis in a STING-dependent manner in human NP cells. Interestingly, the canonical morphological and functional characteristics of mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) opening with the cytosolic escape of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) were observed in human NP cells under oxidative stress. Furthermore, the administration of a specific pharmacological inhibitor of mPTP and self-mtDNA cytosolic leakage effectively reduced NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated pyroptotic NP cell death and microenvironmental inflammation in vitro and degenerative progression in a rat disc needle puncture model. Collectively, these data highlight the critical roles of the cGAS-STING-NLRP3 axis and pyroptosis in the progression of IVD degeneration and provide promising therapeutic approaches for discogenic LBP.

A New Kmeans Clustering Algorithm for Point Cloud

Kun Zhang,Weihong Bi,Xiaoming Zhang,Xinghu Fu,Li Zhu,Kunpeng Zhou 보안공학연구지원센터 2015 International Journal of Hybrid Information Techno Vol.8 No.9

With development of 3D scanner, it becomes more convenient to access point data. However, for processing the large-scale point cloud, it raised a new challenge for computer graphics. This paper places an emphasis on the point data own characteristics, and then the point data have been divided into certain point sets by clustering algorithm, that is will be divided into different clusters. In order to suit for the point data organization or space division, the clustering algorithm would be improved. This paper provided a new Kmeans algorithm with density constraints. Before processing the point cloud by Kmeans algorithm with density constraints, the density of the point cloud have been defined in this paper, the density of the point cloud can be used for quantification of the convergence. Finally, the Kmeans algorithm with density constraints is verified by the experiment results. Our experiment showed that the improved Kmeans can reduce the processing time, especially, As the increase of the value of K, that is number of cluster, the calculating time of the clustering algorithm can be decreased greatly. In addition, with the increases of the the scale of data size, the stability of the improved Kmeans algorithm has been verified.

Inter-domain Alliance Authentication Protocol Based on Blind Signature

Zhang Jie,Zhang Qi-kun,Gan Yong,Yin Yifeng,Tan Yu-an 보안공학연구지원센터 2015 International Journal of Security and Its Applicat Vol.9 No.12

In large distributed networks, many computers must be mutual coordination to complete some works under the certain conditions, these computers may come from different domains. For ensuring secure cross domains to access resources among these computers in different domains, this paper proposes a multi-domain union authentication protocol. The protocol adopts blind signature to achieve mutual authentication among entities in different domains. This scheme overcomes the complexity of certificate transmission and the network bottlenecks in the scheme of PKI-based. It can trace the entity identity and supports two-way entities anonymous authentication, which avoid the authority counterfeiting its member to access other domain’s resources. Analysis shows that its advantages on security and communication-consumption.

Low Microsomal Epoxide Hydrolase Expression is Associated with Bladder Carcinogenesis and Recurrence

Zhang, Zhe,Yu, Xiu-Yue,Zhang, Guo-Jun,Guo, Kun-Feng,Kong, Chui-Ze Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.2

Microsomal epoxide hydrolase (mEH) plays a significant role in the metabolism of numerous xenobiotics and is associated with several forms of cancer. Here, we investigated the role of mEH expression in bladder carcinogenesis, subsequent progression and recurrence. The expression of mEH was analyzed by Western blot in 50 bladder urothelial carcinoma and 20 normal epithelial tissues. There was a significantly higher mEH expression in the normal epithelium (P<0.05) and mEH expression was lower in high stage than in low stage tumors (P<0.05). Further, immunohistochmistry in 106 bladder urothelial carcinoma demonstrated mEH expression to be negatively correlated with histological grade, pT stage and recurrence (P<0.05). These findings suggest the important role of mEH in bladder carcinogenesis, cancer development and recurrence, providing support for efforts to develop mEH-based gene therapy.

3D Electromagnetic-Temperature Field Close-Coupling Calculation of Losses and Heat in the Damper Winding of a Large Tubular Hydro-Generator

Kun Wen,Li Han,Zhi-ting Zhou,Zhen-nan Fan,Yong Liao,Jun Wang,Zhang Sun,Bing Yao,Bide Zhang 대한전기학회 2019 Journal of Electrical Engineering & Technology Vol.14 No.3

To obtain more precise and rational calculation details of the loss and heat of a damper winding in a tubular hydro-generator, this study develops a three-dimensional, fi nite-element, electromagnetic-temperature fi eld close-coupling model of the damper winding. On the basis of multi-physical fi eld coupled theory, the model fully considers the temperature eff ects of the damper winding resistivities and heat conductivities, and the eddy current loss in the end region of the damper winding. The model was verifi ed by direct tests of the damper winding temperature. Unlike the conventional weak-coupling model, the proposed close-coupling model fully captures the interaction between the electromagnetic and temperature fi elds. Therefore, of the model more accurately and reasonably calculates the loss and heat of the damper winding than the conventional model. The proposed calculation model can properly assess the loss and heat of damper windings in large hydro-generators, which is helpful for improving the design standards of hydro-generators.

Study of a hybrid modular exhaust turbocharging system and its application on an 8-cylinder marine diesel engine

Kun Zhang,Xinyu Huang,Sai He,Kangyao Deng,Yi Cui,Aiqiang Luo 대한기계학회 2016 JOURNAL OF MECHANICAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Vol.30 No.6

For turbocharging engines, the structure of the exhaust system directly affects the flow and energy transfer process of the exhaust gas, which has a big influence on the turbocharger performance. To evaluate the performance of various kinds of exhaust systems, two indicators, “available energy loss coefficient” and “pressure wave interference coefficient”, are proposed to evaluate the steady flow loss and transient flow anti-interference characteristics. Two kinds of exhaust system modular, Modular pulse converter (MPC) and Modular multi-purpose pulse converter (MMPC), are analyzed and compared by the three-dimensional calculation. The results show that the MMPC structure has a smaller available energy loss and a better anti-interference performance in the exhaust process. To solve the problems of scavenging interferences and exhaust temperature discrepancy on a highly boosted 8-cylinder marine diesel engine, a Hybrid modular exhaust (HME) system is proposed. Effects of MMPC, HME and MIXPC (Mixed pulse converter) on the engine performance are compared by one-dimensional simulation. This is followed by an engine test for performance comparison between MMPC and HME, which shows that the HME system can effectively relieve the problems of scavenging interference, and the maximum exhaust temperature discrepancy of all cylinders is reduced from 60°C to 31°C under the rated condition.

Studies on the Small Body Size Mouse Developed by Mutagen N-Ethyl-N-nitrosourea

Zhang, Qian-Kun,Cho, Kyu-Hyuk,Cho, Jae-Woo,Cha, Dal-Sun,Park, Han-Jin,Yoon, Seok-Joo,Zhang, ShouFa,Song, Chang-Woo Korean Society of ToxicologyKorea Environmental Mu 2008 Toxicological Research Vol. No.

Mutant mouse which show dwarfism has been developed by N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU) mutagenesis using BALB/c mice. The mutant mouse was inherited as autosomal recessive trait and named Small Body Size (SBS) mouse. The phenotype of SBS mouse was not apparent at birth, but it was possible to distinguish mutant phenotype from normal mice 1 week after birth. In this study, we examined body weight changes and bone mineral density (BMD), and we also carried out genetic linkage analysis to map the causative gene(s) of SBS mouse. Body weight changes were observed from birth to 14 weeks of age in both affected (n = 30) and normal mice (n = 24). BMD was examined in each five SBS and normal mice between 3 and 6 weeks of age, respectively. For the linkage analysis, we produced backcross progeny [(SBS${\times}$C57BL/6J) $F_1{\times}$ SBS] $N_2$ mice (n = 142), and seventy-four microsatellite markers were used for primary linkage analysis. Body weight of affected mice was consistently lower than that of the normal mice, and was 43.7% less than that of normal mice at 3 weeks of age (P < 0.001). As compared with normal mice at 3 and 6 weeks of age, BMD of the SBS mice was significantly low. The results showed 15.5% and 14.1 % lower in total body BMD, 15.3% and 8.7% lower in forearm BMD, and 29.7% and 20.1% lower in femur BMD, respectively. The causative gene was mapped on chromosome 10. The map order and the distance between markers were D10Mit248 - 2.1 cM - D10Mit51 - 4.2 cM - sbs - 0.7 cM - D10Mit283 - 1.4cM - D10Mit106 - 11.2cM - D10Mit170.

Fabrication of Two-Dimensional PEDOT:PSS Nanosheets Through In Situ Formed Complexes

Kun Zhang,Shiren Wang 성균관대학교(자연과학캠퍼스) 성균나노과학기술원 2015 NANO Vol.10 No.1

This paper presents a simple and e®ective method to fabricate water-soluble two-dimensional (2D) conductive poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly (sodium 4-styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT: PSS) nanosheets. Linear PSS is water-soluble and exhibits a quasi 1D structure in the dilute solution. Addition of 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) monomers into acidic solutions would form 2D molecular complexes due to charge attraction. In situ polymerization of the ethylenedioxythiophene monomers produces 2D poly EDOT nanosheets. Both transmission electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy characterizations have confirmed the 2D polymeric nanosheets. Further Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) characterization also validated that the 2D nanosheet is composed of EDOT-based units and Raman spectroscopy indicated the strong interactions between ethylenedioxythiophene units in the 2D nanostructures. The electrical conductivity is measured to as high as 551.58 S/m for the thin film of as-produced 2D PEDOT: PSS nanosheets.

Eddy current and coupled landscapes for nonadiabatic and nonequilibrium complex system dynamics

Zhang, Kun,Sasai, Masaki,Wang, Jin National Academy of Sciences 2013 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF Vol.110 No.37

<P>Physical and biological systems are often involved with coupled processes of different time scales. In the system with electronic and atomic motions, for example, the interplay between the atomic motion along the same energy landscape and the electronic hopping between different landscapes is critical: the system behavior largely depends on whether the intralandscape motion is slower (adiabatic) or faster (nonadiabatic) than the interlandscape hopping. For general nonequilibrium dynamics where Hamiltonian or energy function is unknown a priori, the challenge is how to extend the concepts of the intra- and interlandscape dynamics. In this paper we establish a theoretical framework for describing global nonequilibrium and nonadiabatic complex system dynamics by transforming the coupled landscapes into a single landscape but with additional dimensions. On this single landscape, dynamics is driven by gradient of the potential landscape, which is closely related to the steady-state probability distribution of the enlarged dimensions, and the probability flux, which has a curl nature. Through an example of a self-regulating gene circuit, we show that the curl flux has dramatic effects on gene regulatory dynamics. The curl flux and landscape framework developed here are easy to visualize and can be used to guide further investigation of physical and biological nonequilibrium systems.</P>

Strategies for Improving the Electronic Information Industry Security based on IOII

Kun Zhang,Zhenji Zhang 보안공학연구지원센터 2016 International Journal of Security and Its Applicat Vol.10 No.7