The Efficacy of Enhanced Growth by Ectopic Expression of Ghrelin and Its Variants Using Injectable Myogenic Vectors

Xie, Q.F.,Wu, C.X.,Meng, Q.Y.,Li, N. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2004 Animal Bioscience Vol.17 No.1

Ghrelin is an acylated peptide recently identified as the endogenous ligand for the growth hormone (GH) secretagogues receptor 1a (GHS-R1a) and is involved in a novel system for regulating GH release. To understand the long-term effects of ghrelin, here we constructed six myogenic expression vectors containing the cDNA of swine mature ghrelin (pGEM-wt-sGhln, pGEM-wt-hGhln), ghrelin mutant of $Ser^3$ with $Trp^3$ (pGEM-mt-sGhln, pGEM-mt-hGhln) and truncated ghrelin derivative (pGEM-tmtsGhln, pGEM-tmt-hGhln) encompassing the first 7 residues of ghrelin (including $Ser^3$ substituted with $Trp^3$) and adding a basic amino acid, Lys (K) in the C-terminus. The constructs, pGEM-wt-sGhln, pGEM-mt-sGhln and pGEM-tmt-sGhln were linked with the ghrelin leader sequence, while the pGEM-wt-hGhln, pGEM-mt-hGhln and pGEM-tmt-hGhln were linked with a leader sequence from the human growth hormone releasing hormone (hGHRH). Intramuscular injection of 200 ${\mu}g$ pGEM-wt-sGhln or pGEM-tmt-sGhln augmented growth over 3 weeks in normal rats and peaked at day 21 or 14 post-injection respectively, whose body weight gains were on average approximately 6% or 19% heavier over controls. However, other injectable vectors had no such enhanced growth effects. Our results suggested that the efficacy of the ghrelin leader sequence was more effective than that of hGHRH in our system. Moreover, the results indicated that skeletal muscle might have the ability to posttranslationally modify the in vivo expressed ghrelin. And the most strikingly, the short ghrelin analog seems to mimic the biological effects more efficiently when compared with the full-length ghrelin.

Strain-Rate Sensitivity of Powder Metallurgy Superalloys Associated With Steady-State DRX During Hot Compression Process

Y. Q. Ning,B. C. Xie,C. Zhou,H. Q. Liang,M. W. Fu 대한금속·재료학회 2017 METALS AND MATERIALS International Vol.23 No.2

Strain-rate sensitivity (SRS) is an important parameter to describe the thermodynamic behavior in plasticdeformation process. In this research, the variation of SRS associated with steady-state DRX in P/Msuperalloys was quantitatively investigated. Based on the theoretical analysis and microstructural observationof the alloy after deformation, the SRS coefficient was employed to identify the deformation mechanismof the alloy. Meanwhile, the corresponding relationship between SRS coefficient m, stress exponent nand deformation mechanism was revealed. The stress exponent n in the Arrhenius constitutive model of P/Msuperalloys was calculated. In addition, it is found there is a relatively stable stress exponent range (n = 4-6),indicating that dislocation evolution played as the major hot deformation mechanism for P/M FGH4096superalloy. Furthermore, the Bergstrom model and Senkov model were used and combined together to estimatethe SRS coefficient in the steady-state DRX and the m value maintains at 0.2-0.22, which are consistentwith the microstructural evolution during hot deformation process. The SRS coefficient distribution mapand power dissipation efficiency distribution map were finally constructed associated with the microstructuralevolution during hot deformation, which can be used to optimize the processing parameters of thesuperalloys.

Cluster Analysis of 12 Chinese Native Chicken Populations Using Microsatellite Markers

Chen, G.H.,Wu, X.S.,Wang, D.Q.,Qin, J.,Wu, S.L.,Zhou, Q.L.,Xie, F.,Cheng, R.,Xu, Q.,Liu, B.,Zhang, X.Y.,Olowofeso, O. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2004 Animal Bioscience Vol.17 No.8

The genomes of Chinese native chicken populations were screened using microsatellites as molecular markers. A total of, 528 individuals comprisede12 Chinese native chicken populations were typed for 7 microsatellite markers covering 5 linkage groups and genetic variations and genetic distances were also determined. In the 7 microsatellite loci, the number of alleles ranged from 2 to 7 per locus and the mean number of alleles was 4.6 per locus. By using fuzzy cluster, 12 Chinese native chicken populations were divided into three clusters. The first cluster comprised Taihe Silkies, Henan Game Chicken, Langshan Chicken, Dagu Chicken, Xiaoshan Chicken, Beijing Fatty Chicken and Luyuan Chicken. The second cluster included Chahua Chicken, Tibetan Chicken, Xianju Chicken and Baier Chicken. Gushi Chicken formed a separate cluster and demonstrated a long distance when comparing with other chicken populations.

Coronary Atherosclerosis T₁-Weighed Characterization With Integrated Anatomical Reference

Xie, Y.,Kim, Y.J.,Pang, J.,Kim, J.S.,Yang, Q.,Wei, J.,Nguyen, C.T.,Deng, Z.,Choi, B.W.,Fan, Z.,Bairey Merz, C.N.,Shah, P.K.,Berman, D.S.,Chang, H.J.,Li, D. Elsevier Science B.V. Amsterdam 2017 JACC CARDIOVASCULAR IMAGING Vol.10 No.6

Objectives: The aim of this work is the development of coronary atherosclerosis T<SUB>1</SUB>-weighted characterization with integrated anatomical reference (CATCH) technique and the validation by comparison with high-risk plaque features (HRPF) observed on intracoronary optical coherence tomography (OCT) and invasive coronary angiography. Background: T<SUB>1</SUB>-weighted cardiac magnetic resonance with or without contrast media has been used for characterizing coronary atherosclerosis showing promising prognostic value. Several limitations include: 1) coverage is limited to proximal coronary segments; 2) spatial resolution is low and often anisotropic; and 3) a separate magnetic resonance angiography acquisition is needed to localize lesions. Methods: CATCH acquired dark-blood T<SUB>1</SUB>-weighted images and bright-blood anatomical reference images in an interleaved fashion. Retrospective motion correction with 100% respiratory gating efficiency was achieved. Reference control subjects (n = 13) completed both pre- and post-contrast scans. Stable angina patients (n = 30) completed pre-contrast scans, among whom 26 eligible patients also completed post-contrast scans. After cardiac magnetic resonance, eligible patients (n = 22) underwent invasive coronary angiography and OCT for the interrogation of coronary atherosclerosis. OCT images were assessed and scored for HRPF (lipid-richness, macrophages, cholesterol crystals, and microvessels) by 2 experienced analysts blinded to magnetic resonance results. Results: Per-subject analysis showed none of the 13 reference control subjects had coronary hyperintensive plaques (CHIP) in either pre-contrast or post-contrast CATCH. Five patients had CHIP on pre-contrast CATCH and 5 patients had CHIP on post-contrast CATCH. Patients with CHIP had greater lipid abnormality than those without. Per-segment analysis showed elevated pre- and post-contrast plaque to myocardium signal ratio in the lesions with HRPF versus those without. Positive correlation was observed between plaque to myocardium signal ratio and OCT HRPF scoring. CHIP on pre-contrast CATCH were associated with significantly higher stenosis level than non-CHIP on invasive coronary angiography. Conclusions: CATCH provided accelerated whole heart coronary plaque characterization with simultaneously acquired anatomical reference. CHIP detected by CATCH showed positive association with high-risk plaque features on invasive imaging studies.

Health-Related Quality of Life of Patients with Intermediate Hepatocellular Carcinoma after Liver Resection or Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization

Xie, ZR,Luo, YL,Xiao, FM,Liu, Q,Ma, Y Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.10

Background: The aim of our present study was to compare quality of life (QoL) between intermediate-stage (BCLC-B) HCC patients who had undergone either liver resection or transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE). Materials and Methods: A total of 102 intermediate-stage HCC patients participated in our study, including 58 who had undergone liver resection and 44 who had undergone TACE. Baseline demographic characteristics, tumor characteristics, and long-term outcomes, such as tumor recurrence, were compared and analyzed. QoL was assessed using the Short Form (SF)-36 health survey questionnaire with the mental and physical component scales (SF-36 MCS and PCS). This questionnaire was filled out at HCC diagnosis and 1, 3, 6, 12, 24 months after surgery. Results: For the preoperative QoL evaluation, the 8 domains related to QoL were comparable between the two groups. The PCS and MCS scores were significantly decreased in both the TACE and resection groups at1 month after surgery, and this decrease was greater in the resection group. These scores were significantly lower in the resection group compared with the TACE group (P<0.05). However, these differences disappeared at 3 and 6 months following surgery. One year after surgery, the resection group showed much higher PCS scores than the TACE patients (P=0.018), and at 2 years after surgery, the PCS and MCS scores for the resection group were significantly higher than those for the TACE group (P<0.05). Eleven patients (19.0%) in the resection group and 17 (38.6%) in the TACE group suffered HCC recurrence (P<0.05). Univariate and multivariate analyses indicated that tumor recurrence (HR=1.211, 95%CI: 1.086-1.415, P=0.012) was a significant risk factor for poorpostoperative QoL in the HCC patients.Conclusions: Due to its effects on reducing HCC recurrence and improving long-term QoL, liver resection should be the first choice for the treatment of patients with intermediate-stage HCC.

Dual-band photoluminescence of lead selenide quantum dots doped oxyfluoride glass-ceramics containing BaF₂ nanocrystals

Yin, Q.,Zhang, J.,Liu, C.,Xie, J.,So, B.J.,Heo, J.,Zhao, X. North-Holland 2014 Journal of non-crystalline solids Vol.385 No.-

In this work, PbSe QDs were precipitated in oxyfluoride glass-ceramics containing BaF<SUB>2</SUB> nanocrystals. Tunable and broad absorption and photoluminescence from PbSe QDs doped glass-ceramics were observed in the near-infrared wavelength range. When the glasses were heat-treated at temperatures below 560<SUP>o</SUP>C using one-step heat-treatment schedule, single photoluminescence band was observed from each sample. Upon high temperature (560<SUP>o</SUP>C or 570<SUP>o</SUP>C) one-step or two-step heat-treatment, dual-band photoluminescence was observed. These two photoluminescence bands in each spectrum were separated by a gap of ~110-150meV, and as a result, effective full width at half maximum as large as ~500nm was recorded.

Coordination polymer nanospheres: Preparation, upconversion properties and cytotoxicity study

Zhong, S.,Ji, Y.,Xie, Q.,Wang, L.,Li, Y.,Jeong, J.H. North-Holland 2013 Materials Letters Vol. No.

Coordination polymer (CP) nanospheres with diameters of 100-200nm have been successfully synthesized via a simple solvothermal approach employing glycol both as solvent and ligand in the presence of asparagine. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), inductive coupled plasma (ICP), thermogravimetric (TG) and differential thermal (DTA) analysis were used to characterize the products. Upconversion emission centering at about 676nm is realized in the coordination polymer spheres when excited with 980nm laser. Cytotoxicity study reveals that the coordination polymer nanospheres are biocompatible.

Preparation of Nd-doped manganese-zinc-ferrite/polyaniline composite materials

Yan, S. F.,Xie, Y.,Liu, J. M.,Pan, J. F.,Yu, Y. F.,Shi, L.,Zhang, K.,Lai, Q.,Liu, F. M.,Gao, Y. H.,Ling, Y. Informa UK (TaylorFrancis) 2014 Materials research innovations Vol.18 No.2

Anisotropic Sheet Forming Simulations Based on the ALAMEL Model

P. Eyckens,J. Gawad,Q. Xie,A. Van Bael,D. Roose,G. Samaey,J. Moerman,H. Vegter,P. Van Houtte 한국소성가공학회 2011 기타자료 Vol.2011 No.8

The grain interaction ALAMEL model [1] allows predicting the evolution of the crystallographic texture and the accompanying evolution in plastic anisotropy. A FE constitutive law, based on this multilevel model, is presented and assessed for a cup deep drawing process followed by an ironing process. A Numisheet2011 benchmark (BM-1) is used for the application. The FE material model makes use of the Facet plastic potential [2] for a relatively fast evaluation of the yield locus. A multi-scale approach [3] has been recently developed in order to adaptively update the constitutive law by accommodating it to the evolution of the crystallographic texture. The identification procedure of the Facet coefficients, which describe instantaneous plastic anisotropy, is accomplished through virtual testing by means of the ALAMEL model, as described in more detail in the accompanying conference paper [4]. Texture evolution during deformation is included explicitly by re-identification of Facet coefficients in the course of the FE simulation. The focus of this paper lies on the texture-induced anisotropy and the resulting earing profile during both stages of the forming process. For the considered AKDQ steel material, it is seen that texture evolution during deep drawing is such that the anisotropic plastic flow evolves towards a more isotropic flow in the course of deformation. Texture evolution only slightly influences the obtained cup height for this material. The ironing step enlarges the earing height.

High Sustained Virologic Response with Daclatasvir plus Asunaprevir in HCV GT-1b Chinese, Korean and Taiwanese without Baseline NS5A Polymorphisms

( F. Mcphee ),( L. Wei ),( Q. Xie ),( Y. Suzuki ),( J. Toyota ),( Y. Karino ),( K. Chayama ),( Y. Kawakami ),( M. L. Yu ),( S. H. Ahn ),( N. Zhou ),( H. Kumada ) 대한간학회 2016 춘·추계 학술대회 (KASL) Vol.2016 No.1

Aims: Daclatasvir (DCV) plus asunaprevir (ASV) has demonstrated highsustained virologic response (SVR) in HCV genotype (GT-)1b infection.NS5A-Y93H and NS5A-L31 resistance-associated polymorphisms(RAPs) to DCV are known to impact DCV+ASV response in GT-1b-infectedJapanese. The effect of RAPs on SVR at posttreatment week12 (SVR12) to DCV+ASV was explored in mainland Chinese, Korean,and Taiwanese.Methods: Pooled data from 2 studies of DCV (60 mg daily) + ASV(100 mg capsule, twice-daily) for 24 weeks in GT-1b-infected interferon/ribavirin-naive and -experienced patients from mainland China,Korea, and Taiwan. Similar Japanese data (4 studies; n=445) werepooled for comparison. SVR12 with versus without baseline Y93Hand/or L31 RAPs was compared by age (<65 vs ≥65 years), cirrhosisstatus, and baseline HCV-RNA.Results: SVR12 and baseline NS5A sequences were available for 282patients (126 mainland Chinese [45%〕, 80 Koreans [28%〕, 76Taiwanese [27%〕). NS5A-Y93H and/or -L31 RAPs were observed pretreatmentin 8% mainland Chinese, 14% Korean, and 18%Taiwanese patients, compared with 19% in Japanese. SVR12 in allnon-Japanese patients is shown (Figure); rates were broadly similarbetween countries and with Japanese data (Japanese: 96% overallwithout RAPs, 41% with RAPs). Responses were lower among patientswith baseline RAPs. By contrast, SVR12 in patients without RAPs washigh (92-100%), irrespective of cirrhosis, age, or baseline HCV-RNA.Conclusions: At least 95% of HCV GT-1b-infected patients from mainlandChina, Korea or Taiwan without baseline NS5A-Y93H or -L31polymorphisms who had HCV-RNA ≤7 log10 IU/mL achieved SVR12on DCV+ASV, regardless of cirrhosis status and age.