Effects of near-fault loading and lateral bracing on the behavior of RBS moment connections

Qi-Song “Kent” Yu,Chia-Ming Uang 국제구조공학회 2001 Steel and Composite Structures, An International J Vol.1 No.1

An experimental study was conducted to evaluate the effects of loading sequence and lateral bracing on the behavior of reduced beam section (RBS) steel moment frame connections. Four full-scale moment connections were cyclically tested-two with a standard loading history and the other two with a near-fault loading history. All specimens reached at least 0.03 radian of plastic rotation without brittle fracture of the beam flange groove welds. Two specimens tested with the nearfault loading protocol reached at least 0.05 radian of plastic rotation, and both experienced smaller buckling amplitudes at comparable drift levels. Energy dissipation capacities were insensitive to the types of loading protocol used. Adding a lateral bracing near the RBS region produced a higher plastic rotation; the strength degradation and buckling amplitude were reduced. A non-linear finite element analysis of a one-and-a-half-bay beam-column subassembly was also conducted to study the system restraint effect. The study showed that the axial restraint of the beam could significantly reduce the strength degradation and buckling amplitude at higher deformation levels.

Genetic variations in the bitter taste receptor gene TAS2R38 are related to cigarette smoking behavior in Han Chinese smokers

Qi Fei-Yan,Zhu Zhou-Hai,Li Meng,Guan Ying,Peng Qi-Yuan,Lu She-Ming,Liu Zhi-Hua,Wang Ming-Feng,Miao Ming-Ming,Chen Zhang-Yu,Li Xue-Mei,Bai Jie,Yao Jian-Hua 한국유전학회 2022 Genes & Genomics Vol.44 No.11

Background: Smoking behavior is influenced by multiple genes, including the bitter taste gene TAS2R38. It has been reported that the correlation between TAS2R38 and smoking behavior has ethnicity-based differences. However, the TAS2R38 status in Chinese smokers is still unclear. Objective: This study aims to investigate the possible relationship between genetic variations in TAS2R38 (A49P, V262A and I296V) and smoking behaviors in the Han Chinese population. Methods: The haplotype analyses were performed and smoking behavior questionnaire was completed by 1271 individuals. Genetic association analyses for smoking behavior were analyzed using chi-square test. Further, for investigating the molecular mechanism of TAS2R38 variants effect on smoking behavior, we conducted TAS2R38-PAV and TAS2R38-AVI expression plasmids and tested the cellular calcium assay by cigarette smoke compounds stimulus in HEK293. Results: Significant associations of genetic variants within TAS2R38 were identified with smoking behavior. We found a higher PAV/PAV frequency than AVI/AVI in moderate and high nicotine dependence (FTND ≥ 4; X2 = 4.611, 1 df, p = 0.032) and strong cigarette smoke flavor intensity preference (X2 = 4.5383, 1 df, p = 0.033) in participants. Furthermore, in the in vitro cellular calcium assay, total particle matter (TPM), N-formylnornicotine and cotinine, existing in cigarette smoke, activated TAS2R38-PAV but not TAS2R38-AVI-transfected cells. Conclusion: Our data highlights that genetic variations in TAS2R38 are related to smoking behavior, especially nicotine dependence and cigarette smoke flavor intensity preference. Our findings may encourage further consideration of the taste process to identify individuals susceptible to nicotine dependence, particularly Han Chinese smokers.

Recent advances of bioactive proteins/polypeptides in the treatment of breast cancer

Qi-Zhang Li,Ze-Rong Zhou,Cui-Yu Hu,Xian-Bin Li,Yu-Zhou Chang,Yan Liu,Yu-Liang Wang,Xuan-Wei Zhou 한국식품과학회 2023 Food Science and Biotechnology Vol.32 No.3

Proteins do not only serve as nutrients to fulfill the demand for food, but also are used as a source of bioactive proteins/polypeptides for regulating physical functions and promoting physical health. Female breast cancer has the highest incidence in the world and is a serious threat to women’s health. Bioactive proteins/polypeptides exert strong anti-tumor effects and exhibit inhibition of multiple breast cancer cells. This review discussed the suppressing effects of bioactive proteins/polypeptides on breast cancer in vitro and in vivo, and their mechanisms of migration and invasion inhibition, apoptosis induction, and cell cycle arrest. This may contribute to providing a basis for the development of bioactive proteins/polypeptides for the treatment of breast cancer.

TERT rs2736098 Polymorphism and Cancer Risk: Results of a Meta-analysis

Qi, Hao-Yu,Zou, Peng,Zhao, Lin,Zhu, Jue,Gu, Ai-Hua Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.7

Objective: Several studies have demonstrated associations between the TERT rs2736098 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and susceptibility to cancer development. However, there are conflicting results. A systematic meta-analysis was therefore performed to establish the cancer risk associated with the polymorphism. Methods: In this meta-analysis, a total of 6 case-control studies, including 5,567 cases and 6,191 controls, were included. Crude odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were used to assess the strength of associations in several genetic models. Results: Our results showed no association reaching the level of statistical significance for overall risk. Interestingly, in the stratified analyses (subdivided by ethnicity), significantly increased risks were found in the Asian subgroup which indicates the TERT rs2736098 polymorphism may have controversial involvement in cancer susceptibility. Conclusions: Overall, this meta-analysis indicates that the TERT rs2736098 polymorphism may have little involvement in cancer susceptibility.

Impact of fatty liver on long-term outcomes in chronic hepatitis B: a systematic review and matched analysis of individual patient data meta-analysis

Yu Jun Wong,Vy H. Nguyen,Hwai-I Yang,Jie Li,Michael Huan Le,Wan-Jung Wu,Nicole Xinrong Han,Khi Yung Fong,Elizabeth Chen,Connie Wong,Fajuan Rui,Xiaoming Xu,Qi Xue,Xin Yu Hu,Wei Qiang Leow,George Boon-B 대한간학회 2023 Clinical and Molecular Hepatology(대한간학회지) Vol.29 No.3

Background/Aims: Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and fatty liver (FL) often co-exist, but natural history data of this dual condition (CHB-FL) are sparse. Via a systematic review, conventional meta-analysis (MA) and individual patient-level data MA (IPDMA), we compared liver-related outcomes and mortality between CHB-FL and CHB-no FL patients. Methods: We searched 4 databases from inception to December 2021 and pooled study-level estimates using a random- effects model for conventional MA. For IPDMA, we evaluated outcomes after balancing the two study groups with inverse probability treatment weighting (IPTW) on age, sex, cirrhosis, diabetes, ALT, HBeAg, HBV DNA, and antiviral treatment. Results: We screened 2,157 articles and included 19 eligible studies (17,955 patients: 11,908 CHB-no FL; 6,047 CHB-FL) in conventional MA, which found severe heterogeneity (I2=88–95%) and no significant differences in HCC, cirrhosis, mortality, or HBsAg seroclearance incidence (P=0.27–0.93). IPDMA included 13,262 patients: 8,625 CHB-no FL and 4,637 CHB-FL patients who differed in several characteristics. The IPTW cohort included 6,955 CHB-no FL and 3,346 CHB-FL well-matched patients. CHB-FL patients (vs. CHB-no FL) had significantly lower HCC, cirrhosis, mortality and higher HBsAg seroclearance incidence (all P≤0.002), with consistent results in subgroups. CHB-FL diagnosed by liver biopsy had a higher 10-year cumulative HCC incidence than CHB-FL diagnosed with non-invasive methods (63.6% vs. 4.3%, P<0.0001). Conclusions: IPDMA data with well-matched CHB patient groups showed that FL (vs. no FL) was associated with significantly lower HCC, cirrhosis, and mortality risk and higher HBsAg seroclearance probability.

Value of Porous Titanium Alloy Plates for Chest Wall Reconstruction after Resection of Chest Wall Tumors

Qi, Yu,Li, Xin,Zhao, Song,Han, Yong Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.11

Objective: To explore the value of porous titanium alloy plates for chest wall reconstruction after resection of chest wall tumors. Materials and Methods: A total of 8 patients with chest wall tumors admitted in our hospital from Jan. 2006 to Jan. 2009 were selected and underwent tumor resection, then chest wall repair and reconstruction with porous titanium alloy plates for massive chest wall defects. Results: All patients completed surgery successfully with tumor resection-induced chest wall defects being $6.5{\times}7cm{\sim}12{\times}15.5$ cm in size. Two weeks after chest wall reconstruction, only 1 patient had subcutaneous fluidify which healed itself after pressure bandaging following fluid drainage. Postoperative pathological reports showed 2 patients with costicartilage tumors, 1 with squamous cell carcinoma of lung, 1 with lung adeno-carcinoma, 1 with malignant lymphoma of chest wall, 2 with chest wall metastasis of breast cancers and 1 with chest wall neurofibrosarcoma. All patients had more than 2~5 years of follow-up, during which time 1 patient with breast cancer had surgical treatment due to local recurrence after 7 months and none had chest wall reconstruction associated complications. The mean survival time of patients with malignant tumors was ($37.3{\pm}5.67$) months. Conclusions: Porous titanium alloy plates are safe and effective in the chest wall reconstruction after resection of chest tumors.

Estradiol regulates miR-135b and mismatch repair gene expressions via estrogen receptor-β in colorectal cells

Yu-qi He,Jian-qiu Sheng,Xian-long Ling,Lei Fu,Peng Jin,Lawrence Yen,Jianyu Rao 생화학분자생물학회 2012 Experimental and molecular medicine Vol.44 No.12

Estrogen has anti-colorectal cancer effects which are thought to be mediated by mismatch repair gene (MMR) activity. Estrogen receptor (ER) expression is associated with microRNA (miRNA) expression in ER-positive tumors. However, studies of direct link between estrogen (especially estradiol E2), miRNA expression, and MMR in colorectal cancer (CRC) have not been done. In this study, we first evaluated the effects of estradiol (E2) and its antagonist ICI182,780 on the expression of miRNAs (miR-31, miR-155 and miR-135b) using COLO205, SW480 and MCF-7 cell lines, followed by examining the association of tissue miRNA expression and serum E2 levels using samples collected from 18 colorectal cancer patients. E2inhibited the expressions of miRNAs in COLO205 cells,which could be reversed by E2 antagonist ICI 182.780. The expression of miR-135b was inversely correlated with serum E2 level and ER-β mRNA expression in CRC patients’ cancer tissues. There were significant correlations between serum E2 level and expression of ER-β, miR-135b, and MMR in colon cancer tissue. This study suggests that the effects of estrogen on MMR function may be related to regulating miRNA expression via ER-β, which may be the basis for the anti-cancer effect in colorectal cells.

Factors for Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection in Early Colorectal Neoplasms: A Single Center Clinical Experience in China

Yu-Qi He,Xin Wang,Lang Yang,Jian Zhang,Qian Kang,Shan Tang,Peng Jin,Jian-Qiu Sheng,Ai-Qin Li 대한소화기내시경학회 2015 Clinical Endoscopy Vol.48 No.5

Background/Aims: Early colorectal (CR) neoplasm can be cured by endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD), but clinical experience and factors associated with complications from ESD for CR neoplasms in China have not been reported . Methods: Seventy-eight cases of early CR neoplasm treated with endoscopic resection performed between December 2012 and December 2013 at Beijing Military General Hospital were included. Factors associated with ESD complications and procedure times were evaluated. Results: The en bloc resection rate was 88.5% (69/78), tumor size was 32.1±10.7 mm, and procedure time was 71.8±49.5 minutes. The major complication was perforation, which occurred in 8.97% of the ESD procedures. Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that only tumor size (p=0.022) was associated with ESD perforation. Tumor size (p<0.001) and the non-lifting sign (p=0.017) were independent factors for procedure time, and procedure time (p=0.016) was a key factor for en bloc resection. After a median 10 months (range, 4 to 16) of follow-up, no patients had local recurrence. Conclusions: This study indicated that ESD is an applicable method for large early CR neoplasm in the colon and rectum. Tumor size and the non-lifting sign might be considerable factors for increased complication rate and procedural time of ESD.

Impression of Jinan

Qi Yu Zhe,Kim, Kie Su 한국콘텐츠학회 2022 한국콘텐츠학회 ICCC 논문집 Vol.2022 No.12

Constructing ZnCo2O4@CTP microspheres as a high-energy lithium storage material

Yu-Rui Ji,Si-Yu Qi,Jian-Cang Wang,Pengfei Wang,Ning Ren,Ting-Feng Yi 한국공업화학회 2023 Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Vol.120 No.-

Transition metal oxides are deemed as a promising substitute for graphite anode materials of Li-ion batteries(LIBs) on account of their large specific capacity. Nonetheless, the large volume change in the processof charging and discharging leads to low capacity retention. Herein, a well-designed ZnCo2O4@coaltar pitch based porous carbon (ZCO-CTP) microsphere is prepared to construct the high-performanceanode of LIBs. The coating modification of CTP significantly reduces the polarization and charge transferresistance and improves the migration ability of ions and electrons, thus achieving a superior reversiblecapacity and cycling stability of ZCO-CTP anode. The battery with obtained ZCO-CTP5 provides a largecharge capacity of 406.17 mAh/g at 1000 mA g1 compared with pristine ZCO (only 157.78 mAh/g). Even after 1000 cycles at 1000 mA g1, the battery can achieve a charge/discharge capacity of598.46/601.17 mAh/g. We believe that the application of CTP will provide a new perspective for theexploitation of high-performance anode materials for LIBs.