Impact of selected fungi from an artificial diet on the growth and development of Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae)

Huan-Huan Gao,Nan Xu,Hao Chen,Qian Liu,Qian-Yun Pu,Dong-Yun Qin,Yi-Fan Zhai,Yi Yu 한국응용곤충학회 2017 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.20 No.1

Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae) is one of the very few Drosophila species which are able to lay eggs and feed on healthy ripening fruit. Adults and larvae are all able to obtain the nutrition in the decaying food, which will generate many microorganisms. However, the relationship between D. suzukii and microorganism is poorly understood. In this study, 13 species of fungi were identified in an artificial diet fed by D. suzukii. Short-term and continuously life table experiments were conducted to determine the impact of three of these fungus species including Geotrichum candidum, Talaromyces minioluteus and Actinomucor elegans on the growth and development of Drosophila suzukii. Results revealed that, compared to the control, G. candidum, T.minioluteus and A. elegans increased the mortality of D. suzukii adults in the short time, while extended the developmental time of pupal D. suzukii by 18.00%, 16.22% and 26.44%, respectively in the life table experiment. T. minioluteus reduced the total longevity of D. suzukii by 15.52%, while A. elegans enhanced the total longevity by 25.96%. G. candidum and A. elegans increased the fecundity bymore than two folds. T. minioluteus elongated the mean generation time (T) by 31.34%, whereas G. candidum shortened it by 15.26% but increased the net reproductive rate (R0) by 217.76%, intrinsic rate of increase (r) by 88.89% and finite rate of increase (λ) by 9.17%. It was concluded that G. candidumand A. elegans significantly had the beneficial effect on the growth and reproduction of D. suzukii, however, T. minioluteus had the negative effect on D. suzukii. Our results could provide a new integrated pest management strategy for D. suzukii which would be discussed in this study.

Green Tea Consumption May Be Associated with Cardiovascular Disease Risk and Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Type 2 Diabetics: A Cross-Sectional Study in Southeast China

Huan-Huan Yang,Hui Zhou,Wan-Zhan Zhu,Cai-Long Chen,Guo-Chong Chen,Lu-Gang Yu,Li-qiang Qin 한국식품영양과학회 2020 Journal of medicinal food Vol.23 No.10

Dietary factors play a crucial role in the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) by reducing cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. Therefore, we aimed to examine the associations between habitual green tea consumption and risk factors of CVD among T2DM patients. A total of 1013 patients with T2DM were included in a community-based cross-sectional study. Data on dietary habits, including tea consumption, were collected using a food frequency questionnaire. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to analyze the associations. In men, as compared with nongreen tea drinkers, odds ratios (ORs) (95% confidence interval [CI]) of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) were 2.06 (95% CI, 1.20–3.55) for those with green tea consumption of once per day and 2.45 (95% CI, 1.31–4.58) for more than or equal to twice per day (P-trend = .004); ORs (95% CI) of general obesity were 2.19 (95% CI, 1.02–4.68) and 2.70 (95% CI, 1.18–6.21), respectively (P-trend = .021); whereas no such association was found in women. Sensitivity analysis according to self-awareness of their T2DM status revealed that the positive association between green tea consumption and general obesity was not reliable. Higher intake of green tea was still positively associated with NAFLD, but it only persisted in participants aged ≥52 years or the lower dietary quality subgroup in further analyses. Our findings suggest that tea consumption was associated with an increased risk of NAFLD among male T2DM patients aged 52 years or older, and those with lower dietary quality, which needs to be confirmed in future prospective studies.

HDAC6 siRNA Inhibits Proliferation and Induces Apoptosis of HeLa Cells and its Related Molecular Mechanism

Qin, Hai-Xia,Cui, Hong-Kai,Pan, Ying,Yang, Jun,Ren, Yan-Fang,Hua, Cai-Hong,Hua, Fang-Fang,Qiao, Yu-Huan Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.7

Objective: To investigate the effects of histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) siRNA on cell proliferation and cell apoptosis of the HeLa cervical carcinoma cell line and the molecular mechanisms involved. Methods: Division was into three groups: A, the untreated group; B, the control siRNA group; and C, the HDAC6 siRNA group. Lipofectamine 2000 was used for siRNA transfection, and Western blot analysis was used to determine the protein levels. Cell proliferation and apoptosis were characterized using a CCK-8 assay and flow cytometry, respectively. Results: HDAC6 protein expression in the HDAC6 siRNA-transfection group was significantly lower (P < 0.05) than in the untreated and control siRNA groups. The CCK-8 kit results demonstrated that the proliferation of HeLa cells was clearly inhibited in the HDAC6 siRNA transfection group (P < 0.05). In addition, flow cytometry revealed that the early apoptotic rate ($26.0%{\pm}0.87%$) was significantly elevated (P < 0.05) as compared with the untreated group ($10.6%{\pm}1.19%$) and control siRNA group ($8.61%{\pm}0.98%$). Furthermore, Western blot analysis indicated that bcl-2 protein expression in the HDAC6 siRNA-transfection group was down-regulated, whereas the expression of p21 and bax was up-regulated. Conclusion: HDAC6 plays an essential role in the occurrence and development of cervical carcinoma, and the down-regulation of HDAC6 expression may be useful molecular therapeutic method.

Expression and Clinical Significance of Osteopontin in Calcified Breast Tissue

Huan, Jin-Liang,Xing, Li,Qin, Xian-Ju,Gao, Zhi-Guang,Pan, Xiao-Feng,Zhao, Zhi-Dong Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.10

Osteopontin (OPN) is an integrin-binding protein, believed to be involved in a variety of physiological cellular functions. The physiology of OPN is best documented in the bone where this secreted adhesive glycoprotein appears to be involved in osteoblast differentiation and bone formation. In our study, we used semi-quantitative RT-PCR of osteopontin in calcification tissue of breast to detect breast cancer metastasis. The obtained data indicate that the expression of osteopontin is related to calcification tissue of breast, and possibly with the incidence of breast cancer. The expression strength of OPN by RT-PCR detection was related to the degree of malignancy of breast lesions, suggesting a close relationship between OPN and breast calcification tissue. The results revealed that expression of OPN mRNA is related to calcification of breast cancer tissue and to the development of breast cancer. Determination of OPN mRNA expression can be expected to be a guide to clinical therapy and prediction of the prognosis of breast cancer patients.

Error compensation for snake arm maintainer under variable loads

Guodong Qin,Huapeng Wu,Aihong Ji,Huan Shen,Qian Li,Qingfei Han,Zhikang Yang,Shikun Wen 대한기계학회 2023 JOURNAL OF MECHANICAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Vol.37 No.2

The cable-driven snake arm maintainer (SAM) simplifies the electronics of the entire snake arm and is well suited for operation in narrow and high-risk environments. However, the structural features of the SAM, the large slenderness ratio and the effects of variable loads and rigid-flexible coupling deformation lead to large end position error. In order to improve the positional accuracy, a joint space error compensation model of a SAM is constructed using the matrix differentiation method. The error parameters under different loads and different poses are identified based on the principles of variable parameter error compensation and a linearized variable-load variable-parameter model. Parameter errors are then calculated by the Levenberg-Marquardt nonlinear damped least-squares algorithm. Finally, we verify the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm by simulation and error compensation experiments. The results of the study provide a theoretical basis for further accuracy improvement and application expansion of the SAM.

MicroRNA Let-7c inhibits Bcl-xl expression and regulates ox-LDL-induced endothelial apoptosis

( Bing Qin ),( Bo Xiao ),( De Sheng Liang ),( Ye Li ),( Ting Jiang ),( Huan Yang ) 생화학분자생물학회(구 한국생화학분자생물학회) 2012 BMB Reports Vol.45 No.8

Endothelial cells (ECs) apoptosis induced by oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) is thought to play a critical role in atherosclerosis. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of noncoding RNAs that posttranscriptionally regulate the expression of genes involved in diverse cell functions, including differentiation, growth, proliferation, and apoptosis. MiRNA let-7 family is known to be involved in the regulation of cell apoptosis. However, the function of let-7 in ox-LDL induced ECs apoptosis and atherosclerosis is still unknown. Here, we show that let-7c expression was markedly up-regulated in ox-LDL induced apoptotic human umbilical cord vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Let-7c over-expression enhanced apoptosis in ECs whereas inhibition of let-7c could partly alleviate apoptotic cell death mediated by ox-LDL. Searching for how let-7c affected apoptosis, we discovered that antiapoptotic protein Bcl-xl was a direct target of let-7c in ECs. Our data suggest that let-7c contributes to endothelial apoptosis through suppression of Bcl-xl. [BMB Reports 2012; 45(8): 464-469]

Optimizing the Utility of Pleural Fluid Adenosine Deaminase (ADA) for the Diagnosis of Tuberculous Pleural Effusion (TPE)

( Nai-chien Huan ),( Inn Shih Khor ),( Hema Yamini Ramarmuty ),( Ming Yao Lim ),( Kai Choon Ng ),( Alfieyanto Syaripuddin ),( Qin Zhi Lee ),( Wee Jing Teo ),( Kunji Kannan Sivaraman Kannan ) 대한결핵 및 호흡기학회 2020 대한결핵 및 호흡기학회 추계학술대회 초록집 Vol.128 No.-

Introduction Pleural fluid adenosine deaminase (pfADA) is a simple, rapid and inexpensive surrogate marker for tuberculous pleural effusion (TPE). A nationwide cut-off of 40U/L is currently used based on overseas data. There is a need to optimise the diagnostic utility of pfADA by establishing a local cut-off value. In this study, we aimed to: describe the demographics and clinical characteristics of patients with TPE and non-TPE; to determine the sensitivity and specificity of current pfADA of 40U/L; and to establish a new local pfADA cut-off for TPE. Methods We conducted a single centre, observational, prospective study of patients with exudative pleural effusion and pfADA measured from 1st October 2019 to 30th April 2020 at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Malaysia. Results The diagnosis of analysed patients (n=93) included TPE (n=41), malignancy (n=28), parapneumonic effusion (n=12) and other causes (n=12) (figurer 1). The mean pfADA was 51.15 (SD=13.77)U/L among TPE group and 18.86 (SD=12.33)U/L among non- TPE. When analysis was restricted to TPE patients, the local pfADA cut-off is 29.6U/L, with sensitivity of 97.6% and specificity of 90.4% (figure 2). The current pfADA of 40U/L has a sensitivity of 87.8% and specificity of 92.3%. Conclusion We established a local pfADA cut-off of 29.6U/L for TPE. Optimising the utility of pfADA helps to enhance clinicians’ treatment confidence of TPE when initial work-up were inconclusive.

Thermal study of a scanning beam in granular flow target

Lin Ping,Qin Yuanshuai,Hao Changwei,Tian Yuan,Wan Jiangfeng,Jia Huan,Yang Lei,Duan Wenshan,Cai Han-Jie,Zhang Sheng 한국원자력학회 2022 Nuclear Engineering and Technology Vol.54 No.11

The concept of dense granular-flow target (DGT) for the China Initiative Accelerator Driven Subcritical system (CiADS) is an attractive choice for high heat removal ability, low chemical toxicity, and radiotoxicity. A wobbling hollow beam is proposed to enhance the homogeneity of temperature rise of flowing particles in beam-target coupling zone. In this paper, the design procedure of target and beam parameters was discussed firstly. Then we simulated the heat deposition and transfer of the scanning beam in DGT to study the effect of beam parameters. The results show the flux density of proton beam plays a crucial role in the distribution of temperature rise while the contributions from scanning frequency heat transfer are also obvious. Moreover, heat transfer in transversal directions is insignificant, resulting in a low heat flux towards the sidewalls of DGT. This work not only contributes to the design of DGT, but also beneficial for understanding the beam-target coupling in porous materials

Efficacy and Safety of Gabapentin in the Treatment of Chronic Cough: A Systematic Review

( Guanglin Shi ),( Qin Shen ),( Caixin Zhang ),( Jun Ma ),( Anaz Mohammed ),( Huan Zhao ) 대한결핵 및 호흡기학회 2018 Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases Vol.81 No.3

Despite recent clinical guidelines, the optimal therapeutic strategy for the management of refractory chronic cough is still a challenge. The present systematic review was designed to assess the evidence for efficacy and safety of gabapentin in the treatment of chronic cough. A systematic search of PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library databases, and publications cited in bibliographies was performed. Articles were searched by two reviewers with a priori criteria for study selection. Seven relevant articles were identified, including two randomized controlled trials, one prospective case-series designed with consecutive patients, one retrospective case series of consecutive patients, one retrospective case series with unknown consecutive status, and two case reports comprising six and two patients, respectively. Improvements were detected in cough-specific quality of life (Leicester Cough Questionnaire score) and cough severity (visual analogue scale score) following gabapentin treatment in randomized controlled trials. The results of prospective case-series showed that the rate of overall improvement of cough and sensory neuropathy with gabapentin was 68%. Gabapentin treatment of patients with chronic cough showed superior efficacy and a good safety record compared with placebo or standard medications. Additional randomized and controlled trials are needed.

Comparison of Urologist Satisfaction for Different Types of Prostate MRI Reports: A Large Sample Investigation

Zhong Jinman,Qin Weijun,Li Yu,Wang Yang,Huan Yi,Ren Jing 대한영상의학회 2020 Korean Journal of Radiology Vol.21 No.12

Objective: To evaluate urologist satisfaction on structured prostate MRI reports, including report with tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) staging (report B) and with Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) score with/without TNM staging (report C, report with PI-RADS score only [report C-a] and report with PI-RADS score and TNM staging [C-b]) compared with conventional free-text report (report A). Materials and Methods: This was a prospective comparative study. Altogether, 3015 prostate MRI reports including reports A, B, C-a, and C-b were rated by 13 urologists using a 5-point Likert Scale. A questionnaire was used to assess urologist satisfaction based on the following parameters: correctness, practicality, and urologist subjectivity. Kruskal-Wallis H-test followed by Nemenyi test was used to compare urologists’ satisfaction parameters for each report type. The rate of urologist-radiologist recalls for each report type was calculated. Results: Reports B and C including its subtypes had higher ratings of satisfaction than report A for overall satisfaction degree, and parameters of correctness, practicality, and subjectivity (p < 0.05). There was a significant difference between report B and C (p < 0.05) in practicality score, but no statistical difference was found in overall satisfaction degree, and correctness and subjectivity scores (p > 0.05). Compared with report C-b (p > 0.05), report B and C-a (p < 0.05) showed a significant difference in overall satisfaction degree and parameters of practicality and subjectivity. In terms of correctness score, neither report C-a nor C-b had a significant difference with report B (p > 0.05). No statistical difference was found between report C-a and C-b in overall satisfaction degree and all three parameters (p > 0.05). The rate of urologist-radiologist recalls for reports A, B, C-a and C-b were 29.1%, 10.8%, 18.1% and 11.2%, respectively. Conclusion: Structured reports, either using TNM or PI-RADS are highly preferred over conventional free-text reports and lead to fewer report-related post-hoc inquiries from urologists.