Salivary Pepsin as an Intrinsic Marker for Diagnosis of Sub-types of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease-related Disorders

( Yan-jun Wang ),( Xiu-qiong Lang ),( Dan Wu ),( Yu-qin He ),( Chun-hui Lan ),( Xiao-xiao ),( Bin Wang ),( Duo-wu Zou ),( Ji-min Wu ),( Yong-bin Zhao ),( Peter W Dettmar ),( Dong-feng Chen ),( Min Yan 대한소화기 기능성질환·운동학회 2020 Journal of Neurogastroenterology and Motility (JNM Vol.26 No.1

Background/Aims To determine the value of salivary pepsin in discriminating sub-types of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and GERD-related disorders. Methods Overall, 322 patients with different sub-types of GERD and 45 healthy controls (HC) were studied. All patients took Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Questionnaire (GerdQ) and underwent endoscopy and 24-hour esophageal pH monitoring and manometry. Salivary pepsin concentration (SPC) was detected by using colloidal gold double-antibody immunological sandwich assay. Oral esomeprazole treatment was administrated in the patients with non-erosive reflux disease (NERD) and extra-esophageal symptoms (EES). Results Compared to HC, patients with erosive esophagitis, NERD, EES, EES plus typical GERD symptoms, or Barrett’s esophagus had a higher prevalence of saliva and SPC (all P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in the positive rate for pepsin in patients with functional heartburn or GERD with anxiety and depression, compared to HC. After esomeprazole treatment, the positive rate and SPC were significantly reduced in NERD (both P < 0.001) and in EES (P = 0.001 and P = 0.002, respectively). Of the 64 NERD patients, 71.9% (n = 46) were positive for salivary pepsin, which was significantly higher than the rate (43.8%, n = 28) of pathological acid reflux as detected by 24-hour esophageal pH monitoring (P = 0.002). Conclusions Salivary pepsin has an important significance for the diagnosis of GERD and GERD-related disorders. Salivary pepsin and 24-hour esophageal pH monitoring may complement with each other to improve the diagnostic efficiency.

A Comparative Study on Ternary Low-Platinum Catalysts with Various Constructions for Oxygen Reduction and Methanol Oxidation Reactions

Yan-Ni Wu,Hai-Fu Guo,Peng Hu,Xiao-Peng Xiao,Zhao-Wang Xiao,Shi-Jun Liao 성균관대학교(자연과학캠퍼스) 성균나노과학기술원 2016 NANO Vol.11 No.7

Three types of ternary low-platinum nanocatalysts, alloy PdPtIr/C, core–shell PdPt@PtIr/C and Pd@PtIr/C, have been prepared, and their catalytic behaviors toward methanol oxidation reaction (MOR)/oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) are comparatively investigated via cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry analysis in an acidic medium. Through a two-step colloidal technique, the synthesized core–shell structured catalyst PtPd@PtIr/C with alloy core and alloy shell show the best catalytic activity toward MOR and the best poisoning tolerance. The alloy PdPtIr/C catalyst prepared via a one-step colloidal technique exhibits the best performance toward ORR among the three catalysts. All the three catalysts are characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and other characterization techniques.

Finite-time and Fixed-time Bipartite Consensus Tracking for Second-order Multi-agent Systems via an Integral Sliding-mode Approach

Xiao-Feng Zhao,Tao Han,Bo Xiao,Xi-Sheng Zhan,Huaicheng Yan 제어·로봇·시스템학회 2023 International Journal of Control, Automation, and Vol.21 No.12

This paper investigates the finite-time and fixed-time bipartite consensus tracking (Fin- and Fix-TBCT) problems for second-order multi-agent systems (MASs) under a signed directed communication network, in which both cooperative and competition exist. To achieve bipartite consensus tracking (BCT) within finite time and fixed time, two novel distributed control protocols utilizing integral sliding-mode control concept are presented and discussed, respectively. By virtue of Lyapunov stability and homogeneity with dilation, several sufficient conditions for achieving Fin- and Fix-TBCT for second-order MASs are obtained. Eventually, numerical simulation results are provided to verify the validity of the obtained theoretical results.

Activation of JNKs is essential for BMP9-induced osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells

Yan Fang Zhao,Jing Xu,Wen Juan Wang,Jin Wang,Juan Wen He,Li Li,Qian Dong,Yan Xiao,Xing Lian Duan,Xue Yang,Yi Wen Liang,Tao Song,Min Tang,Dan Zhao,Jin Yong Luo 생화학분자생물학회(구 한국생화학분자생물학회) 2013 BMB Reports Vol.46 No.8

Transcriptional activation of insulin-like growth factor binding protein 6 by 17β-estradiol in SaOS-2 cells

Yu-yan Zhao,Lei Guo,Xiao-juan Zhao,Hong Liu,Tian Lei,Dong-jie Ma,Xiao-yu Gao 생화학분자생물학회 2009 Experimental and molecular medicine Vol.41 No.7

Osteoblasts can synthesize the insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) and the IGF-binding proteins (IGFBPs), which may either enhance or attenuate IGF-stimulated bone cell proliferation. Since estrogen induced osteoblastic differentiation and proliferation through an estrogen- responsive gene in target cells, we investigated the effects of estrogen on IGFBP-6 expression in the human osteoblastic-like cell line SaOS-2. Expressions of IGFBP-6 protein and mRNA increased 2.8 and 2-fold, respectively, in the presence of 17-β-estradiol (E2) (0.01 to 1 μM) and estrogen receptor (ER) in SaOS-2 cells. On the other hand, E2 induced a 2-fold increase in SaOS-2 cell proliferation. To identify genomic sequences associated with estrogen responsiveness, the 5'-promoter region (-44 to +118) of the IGFBP-6 gene was cloned into a chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) reporter vector. E2 induced a 3-fold increase in CAT activity in SaOS-2 cells transiently transfected with this construct. Identification of the estrogen- responsive element (ERE) [5'-CCTTCA CCTG-3'] (-9 to +1) in this IGFBP-6 gene promoter region was confirmed using electromobility shift assays and deletion analysis. This functional ERE was important for E2-induced trans-activation of the IGFBP-6 gene. These results demonstrate that E2 exhibits a positive effect on IGFBP-6 gene transcription through estrogen- liganded ER binding to the functional ERE in the IGFBP-6 gene promoter in SaOS-2 cells. Osteoblasts can synthesize the insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) and the IGF-binding proteins (IGFBPs), which may either enhance or attenuate IGF-stimulated bone cell proliferation. Since estrogen induced osteoblastic differentiation and proliferation through an estrogen- responsive gene in target cells, we investigated the effects of estrogen on IGFBP-6 expression in the human osteoblastic-like cell line SaOS-2. Expressions of IGFBP-6 protein and mRNA increased 2.8 and 2-fold, respectively, in the presence of 17-β-estradiol (E2) (0.01 to 1 μM) and estrogen receptor (ER) in SaOS-2 cells. On the other hand, E2 induced a 2-fold increase in SaOS-2 cell proliferation. To identify genomic sequences associated with estrogen responsiveness, the 5'-promoter region (-44 to +118) of the IGFBP-6 gene was cloned into a chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) reporter vector. E2 induced a 3-fold increase in CAT activity in SaOS-2 cells transiently transfected with this construct. Identification of the estrogen- responsive element (ERE) [5'-CCTTCA CCTG-3'] (-9 to +1) in this IGFBP-6 gene promoter region was confirmed using electromobility shift assays and deletion analysis. This functional ERE was important for E2-induced trans-activation of the IGFBP-6 gene. These results demonstrate that E2 exhibits a positive effect on IGFBP-6 gene transcription through estrogen- liganded ER binding to the functional ERE in the IGFBP-6 gene promoter in SaOS-2 cells.

Mechanisms of Extracellular NO and Ca2+ Regulating the Growth of Wheat Seedling Roots

Xiang Zhao,Xiao-wei Zhao,Hui He,Yan-xiao Wang,Xiao Zhang 한국식물학회 2010 Journal of Plant Biology Vol.52 No.4

Our previous studies suggested the cross talk of nitric oxide (NO) with Ca2+ in regulating stomatal movement. However, its mechanism of action is not well defined in plant roots. In this study, sodium nitroprusside (SNP, a NO donor) showed an inhibitory effect on the growth of wheat seedling roots in a dose-dependent manner, which was alleviated through reducing extracellular Ca2+ concentration. Analyzing the content of Ca2+ and K+ in wheat seedling roots showed that SNP significantly promoted Ca2+ accumulation and inhibited K+ accumulation at a higher concentration of extracellular Ca2+, but SNP promoted K+ accumulation in the absence of extracellular Ca2+. To gain further insights into Ca2+ function in the NOregulated growth of wheat seedling roots, we conducted the patch-clamped protoplasts of wheat seedling roots in a whole cell configuration. In the absence of extracellular Ca2+,NO activated inward-rectifying K+ channels, but had little effects on outward-rectifying K+ channels. In the presence of 2 mmol L−1 CaCl2 in the bath solution, NO significantly activated outward-rectifying K+ channels, which was partially alleviated by LaCl3 (a Ca2+ channel inhibitor). In contrast,2 mmol L−1 CaCl2 alone had little effect on inward or outward-rectifying K+ channels. Thus, NO inhibits the growth of wheat seedling roots likely by promoting extracellular Ca2+ influx excessively. The increase in cytosolic Ca2+ appears to inhibit K+ influx, promotes K+outflux across the plasma membrane, and finally reduces the content of K+ in root cells.

Downregulation of LINC01508 contributes to cisplatin resistance in ovarian cancer via the regulation of the Hippo-YAP pathway

Lan Xiao,Xiao-Yan Shi,Ze-Lian Li,Min Li,Min-Min Zhang,Shi-Jie Yan,Zhao-Lian Wei 대한부인종양학회 2021 Journal of Gynecologic Oncology Vol.32 No.5

Background: Some long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been found to contribute to cisplatin resistance. Here, we identified a novel lncRNA that was downregulated in cisplatin- resistant to ovarian cancer (OC) cells and aimed to examine the contribution of LINC01508 to cisplatin resistance in OC cells. Methods: Differences in the lncRNA expression profile between OV2008 and C13K cells were assessed by lncRNA expression microarray. The expression of LINC01508 in ovarian epithelial cells, four OC cells, and OC, benign ovary tumor and normal ovary, cisplatin- resistant and non-resistant OC specimens were evaluated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). The role of LINC01508 in OC cisplatin-resistant was evaluated by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), flow cytometry, colony formation, wound healing, Transwell, and tumor growth inhibition study in vivo. The clinical associations of LINC01508 in OC were evaluated using correlation analysis. The effects of verteporfin (VP) on cisplatin were explored to reveal the function of the hippo-YAP pathway on the cisplatin tolerance of C13K. Results: LINC01508 was downregulated in cisplatin-resistant OC cells and platinum- resistant OC tissue (p<0.01). LINC01508 downregulation was correlated with tumor size, residual tumor, and platinum resistance. The overexpression of LINC01508 improves in vitro and in vivo sensitivity to cisplatin while predicts the poor overall survival which need further follow-up research. The increased level of LINC01508 could suppress the cisplatin resistance of OC cells through the inhibition of the hippo-YAP pathway. Conclusions: The study proposes that dysregulation of LINC01508 expression results in resistance of OC to cisplatin through the inhibition of the hippo-YAP pathway.

The Efficacy of Aspirin in Preventing the Recurrence of Colorectal Adenoma: a Renewed Meta-Analysis of Randomized Trials

Zhao, Tai-Yun,Tu, Jing,Wang, Yin,Cheng, Da-Wei,Gao, Xian-Kui,Luo, Hao,Yan, Bi-Chun,Xu, Xiao-Li,Zhang, Hong-Ling,Lu, Xing-Jun,Wang, Yao-Jun Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2016 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.17 No.5

Background: Through search the possible randomized control trials, we make a renewed meta-analysis in order to assess the impact of aspirin in preventing the recurrence of colorectal adenoma. Materials and Methods: The Medicine/PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Chinese biomedical literature service system (SinoMed) databases were searched for the related randomized controlled trials until to the April 2016. Three different authors respectively evaluated the quality of studies and extracted data, and we used the STATA software to analyze, investigate heterogeneity between the data, using the fixed-effects model to calculate and merge data. Results: 7 papers were included the renewed meta-analysis, among these studies, two pairs were identified as representing the same study population, with the only difference being the duration of follow-up. Thus there were only five papers included our meta-analysis, and one Chinese paper were also included the work. Results were categorized by the length of follow-up, different kinds of people, varied dose of oral aspirin. The relative of adenoma in patients taking aspirin vs placebo were 0.73 (95% CI 0.55-0.98, P=0.039) with 1 year follow up; 0.84 (95% CI 0.72-0.98, P=0.484) with greater than 1 year follow up; for the advanced adenoma, the RR 0.68 (95% CI 0.49-0.94, P=0.582),for one year; RR=0.75 (95% CI 0.52-1.07, P=0.552) for greater one year. Furthermore the white population could divided into two subgroups according to the different length of follow-up time. When the length of follow-up time less than 3-year, The RR of two subgroups respective were RR=0.86 (95% CI 0.76-0.98, P=0.332), $I^2=0%$, RR=0.68 (95% CI 0.47-0.98, P=0.552), $I^2=64.6%$, But with the extension of follow-up time greater than 2-year, with the white, oral aspirin without considering dose had no efficacy on preventing the recurrence of any adenoma, the RR was 0.86 (95% CI 0.71-1.05, P=0.302), $I^2=16.4%$. Conclusions: This meta-analysis indicated that oral aspirin is associated with a remarkable decrease in the recurrence of any adenoma and advanced adenomas in patients follow-up for 1 year without concerning the dose of aspirin, but with the extension of follow-up time for greater than 1 year, oral aspirin can be effective on preventing the recurrence of any adenoma, but for the advanced adenoma, the result indicated that oral aspirin had no efficacy, According to the inclusion of ethnic groups, we also divided relevant papers into two subgroups as the yellow and white group. Then the follow-up time was less than 3 years, oral aspirin without considering the dose, had an significant efficacy on preventing the recurrence of any adenoma. But with the follow-up greater than 2 years, oral aspirin had no effect in the white.

Shoot organogenesis and somatic embryogenesis in leaf tissue of Pulsatilla tongkangensis Y.N. Lee & T.C. Lee

Zhao Xiao-mei,Lian Yu-ji,Jin Ze-lin,Zhang Xue-jie,Y Yan,Fan Shou-jin 한국식물생명공학회 2022 Plant biotechnology reports Vol.16 No.4

Leaf material explants of Pulsatilla tongkangensis Y. N. Lee & T. C. Lee were used to regenerate plants of this endangered species by somatic embryogenesis and organogenesis from meristematic nodules, induced by MS medium supplemented with zeatin (Zn) and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). Globular structures were induced on the surface of the explants after 2 weeks and after 6–7 weeks of culture, multiple shoots developed from the nodules. Morpho-histological analysis of light green globular, heart-shaped structures resembling somatic embryos revealed, however, that these were organogenic, with strongly vacuolated parenchymatous cells surrounded by a single layer of epithermal cells, and tracheid elements, but no root pole. Milky-white callus also developed around the nodules after 4–6 weeks. Morpho-histological analysis of the globular, heart-, and torpedo-shaped stages of regenerants present in this callus confirmed the development of somatic embryos in the milky-white structures, characterized by deeply staining, small cells with rich cytoplasm, very little vascular tissue in the developing embryos, and no vascular connection with the surrounding callus. The highest rooting frequency (93.33%) was achieved on MS medium containing 1.5 mg/l NAA. Plantlets were acclimatized and successfully transferred to pots. Our results provide a plant regeneration system with potential for germplasm conservation of endangered plants and the rapid propagation and molecular breeding of P. tongkangensis.

Polarity-enhanced Gas-Sensing Performance of Au-Loaded ZnO Nanospindles Synthesized via Precipitation and Microwave Irradiation

Yan Li,Tan Lv,Fang-Xian Zhao,Xiao-xue Lian,Yun-ling Zou,Qiong Wang 대한금속·재료학회 2016 ELECTRONIC MATERIALS LETTERS Vol.12 No.3

Loading noble metal and exploring suitable morphology to achieveexcellent gas-sensing performance is very crucial for the fabrication ofgas sensors. We have successfully synthesized Au-loaded ZnO (Au/ZnO) nanospindles (NSs) through a really facile procedure involving aprecipitation and subsequent microwave irradiation. The as-preparedproducts have been characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanningelectron microscope (SEM). The formation and gas-sensing mechanismof Au/ZnO NSs were discussed. The SEM micrographs revealed aninteresting morphological evolution of the Au/ZnO NSs with Auloadingcontent ranging from 0 at. % to 7 at. %. The nanostructures wereemployed for gas-sensing measurement toward various gases. Itindicated that the Au/ZnO NSs based sensor showed a highly enhancedresponse (226.81) to 400 ppm acetone gas at a relatively low workingtemperature (270°C), and exhibited a fast response (1 s) and recoveryspeed (10 s). The highly enhanced acetone gas sensitivity of Au/ZnONSs based sensor could be attributed to its enhanced polarity owing tothe peculiar morphology, Schottcky barriers, as well as catalytic effect ofAu NPs.