MAGED4 Expression in Glioma and Upregulation in Glioma Cell Lines with 5-Aza-2'-Deoxycytidine Treatment

Zhang, Qing-Mei,Shen, Ning,Xie, Sha,Bi, Shui-Qing,Luo, Bin,Lin, Yong-Da,Fu, Jun,Zhou, Su-Fang,Luo, Guo-Rong,Xie, Xiao-Xun,Xiao, Shao-Wen Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.8

Melanoma-associated antigen (MAGE) family genes have been considered as potentially promising targets for anticancer immunotherapy. MAGED4 was originally identified as a glioma-specific antigen. Current knowledge about MAGED4 expression in glioma is only based on mRNA analysis and MAGED4 protein expression has not been elucidated. In the present study, we investigated this point and found that MAGED4 mRNA and protein were absent or very lowly expressed in various normal tissues and glioma cell line SHG44, but overexpressed in glioma cell lines A172,U251,U87-MG as well as glioma tissues, with significant heterogeneity. Furthermore, MAGED4 protein expression was positively correlated with the glioma type and grade. We also found that the expression of MAGED4 inversely correlated with the overall methylation status of the MAGED4 promoter CpG island. Furthermore, when SHG44 and A172 with higher methylation were treated with the DNA demethylating agent 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-AZA-CdR) reactivation of MAGED4 mRNA was mediated by significant demethylation in SHG44 instead of A172. However, 5-AZA-CdR treatment had no effect on MAGED4 protein in both SHG44 and A172 cells. In conclusion, MAGED4 is frequently and highly expressed in glioma and is partly regulated by DNA methylation. The results suggest that MAGED4 might be a promising target for glioma immunotherapy combined with 5-AZA-CdR to enhance its expression and eliminate intratumor heterogeneity.

Capabilities of stochastic response surface method and response surface method in reliability analysis

Shui-Hua Jiang,Dian-Qing Li,Chuang-Bing Zhou,Li-Min Zhang 국제구조공학회 2014 Structural Engineering and Mechanics, An Int'l Jou Vol.49 No.1

The stochastic response surface method (SRSM) and the response surface method (RSM) are often used for structural reliability analysis, especially for reliability problems with implicit performance functions. This paper aims to compare these two methods in terms of fitting the performance function, accuracy and efficiency in estimating probability of failure as well as statistical moments of system output response. The computational procedures of two response surface methods are briefly introduced first. Then their capabilities are demonstrated and compared in detail through two examples. The results indicate that the probability of failure mainly reflects the accuracy of the response surface function (RSF) fitting the performance function in the vicinity of the design point, while the statistical moments of system output response reflect the accuracy of the RSF fitting the performance function in the entire space. In addition, the performance function can be well fitted by the SRSM with an optimal order polynomial chaos expansion both in the entire physical and in the independent standard normal spaces. However, it can be only well fitted by the RSM in the vicinity of the design point. For reliability problems involving random variables with approximate normal distributions, such as normal, lognormal, and Gumbel Max distributions, both the probability of failure and statistical moments of system output response can be accurately estimated by the SRSM, whereas the RSM can only produce the probability of failure with a reasonable accuracy.

System Reliability Analysis of Rock Slope Stability Involving Correlated Failure Modes

Dian-Qing Li,Shui-Hua Jiang,Yi-Feng Chen,Chuang-Bing Zhou 대한토목학회 2011 KSCE JOURNAL OF CIVIL ENGINEERING Vol.15 No.8

This paper aims to propose a systematic quantitative method for system reliability evaluation of rock slope with plane failure involving multiple correlated failure modes. A probabilistic fault tree approach is presented to model system reliability of rock slope. An n-dimensional equivalent reliability method is employed to perform the system reliability analysis of the slope involving multiple correlated failure modes. Reliability sensitivity analyses at three different levels, namely, the single limit state function level, single failure mode level, and system reliability level, are carried out to study the effect of variables on reliability. An example is presented to demonstrate the validity and capability of the proposed approach. The results indicate that the system reliability of rock slope involving multiple correlated failure modes can be evaluated efficiently using the proposed approach. The system probability of failure is overestimated if the correlations between different failure modes are ignored. The relative importance of different failure modes to the system reliability can differ considerably. The sensitivity coefficients of basic random variables strongly depend on the selected sensitivity analysis level. The system reliability is sensitive to the location of the tension crack and the percentage of the tension crack filled with water.

A comparative study of three collocation point methods for odd order stochastic response surface method

Dian-Qing Li,Shui-Hua Jiang,Yong-Gang Cheng,Chuang-Bing Zhou 국제구조공학회 2013 Structural Engineering and Mechanics, An Int'l Jou Vol.45 No.5

This paper aims to compare three collocation point methods associated with the odd order stochastic response surface method (SRSM) in a systematical and quantitative way. The SRSM with the Hermite polynomial chaos is briefly introduced first. Then, three collocation point methods, namely the point method, the root method and the without origin method underlying the odd order SRSMs are highlighted. Three examples are presented to demonstrate the accuracy and efficiency of the three methods. The results indicate that the condition that the Hermite polynomial information matrix evaluated at the collocation points has a full rank should be satisfied to yield reliability results with a sufficient accuracy. The point method and the without origin method are much more efficient than the root method, especially for the reliability problems involving a large number of random variables or requiring complex finite element analysis. The without origin method can also produce sufficiently accurate reliability results in comparison with the point and root methods. Therefore, the origin often used as a collocation point is not absolutely necessary. The odd order SRSMs with the point method and the without origin method are recommended for the reliability analysis due to their computational accuracy and efficiency. The order of SRSM has a significant influence on the results associated with the three collocation point methods. For normal random variables, the SRSM with an order equaling or exceeding the order of a performance function can produce reliability results with a sufficient accuracy. The order of SRSM should significantly exceed the order of the performance function involving strongly non-normal random variables.

Capabilities of stochastic response surface method and response surface method in reliability analysis

Jiang, Shui-Hua,Li, Dian-Qing,Zhou, Chuang-Bing,Zhang, Li-Min Techno-Press 2014 Structural Engineering and Mechanics, An Int'l Jou Vol.49 No.1

The stochastic response surface method (SRSM) and the response surface method (RSM) are often used for structural reliability analysis, especially for reliability problems with implicit performance functions. This paper aims to compare these two methods in terms of fitting the performance function, accuracy and efficiency in estimating probability of failure as well as statistical moments of system output response. The computational procedures of two response surface methods are briefly introduced first. Then their capabilities are demonstrated and compared in detail through two examples. The results indicate that the probability of failure mainly reflects the accuracy of the response surface function (RSF) fitting the performance function in the vicinity of the design point, while the statistical moments of system output response reflect the accuracy of the RSF fitting the performance function in the entire space. In addition, the performance function can be well fitted by the SRSM with an optimal order polynomial chaos expansion both in the entire physical and in the independent standard normal spaces. However, it can be only well fitted by the RSM in the vicinity of the design point. For reliability problems involving random variables with approximate normal distributions, such as normal, lognormal, and Gumbel Max distributions, both the probability of failure and statistical moments of system output response can be accurately estimated by the SRSM, whereas the RSM can only produce the probability of failure with a reasonable accuracy.

A comparative study of three collocation point methods for odd order stochastic response surface method

Li, Dian-Qing,Jiang, Shui-Hua,Cheng, Yong-Gang,Zhou, Chuang-Bing Techno-Press 2013 Structural Engineering and Mechanics, An Int'l Jou Vol.45 No.5

This paper aims to compare three collocation point methods associated with the odd order stochastic response surface method (SRSM) in a systematical and quantitative way. The SRSM with the Hermite polynomial chaos is briefly introduced first. Then, three collocation point methods, namely the point method, the root method and the without origin method underlying the odd order SRSMs are highlighted. Three examples are presented to demonstrate the accuracy and efficiency of the three methods. The results indicate that the condition that the Hermite polynomial information matrix evaluated at the collocation points has a full rank should be satisfied to yield reliability results with a sufficient accuracy. The point method and the without origin method are much more efficient than the root method, especially for the reliability problems involving a large number of random variables or requiring complex finite element analysis. The without origin method can also produce sufficiently accurate reliability results in comparison with the point and root methods. Therefore, the origin often used as a collocation point is not absolutely necessary. The odd order SRSMs with the point method and the without origin method are recommended for the reliability analysis due to their computational accuracy and efficiency. The order of SRSM has a significant influence on the results associated with the three collocation point methods. For normal random variables, the SRSM with an order equaling or exceeding the order of a performance function can produce reliability results with a sufficient accuracy. The order of SRSM should significantly exceed the order of the performance function involving strongly non-normal random variables.

The CHEK2 I157T Variant and Colorectal Cancer Susceptibility: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Liu, Chuan,Wang, Qing-Shui,Wang, Ya-Jie Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.5

Background: The cell cycle checkpoint kinase 2 (CHEK2) gene I157T variant may be associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer, but it is unclear whether the evidence is sufficient to recommend testing for the mutation in clinical practice. Materials and Methods: We systematically searched PubMed, EMBASES, Elsevier and Springer for relevant articles before Apr 2012. Summary odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated using a fixed-effects or random-effects models with Review Manager 5.0 software. Results: A total of seven studies including 4,029 cases and 13,844 controls based on the search criteria were included for analysis. A significant association of the CHEK2 I157T C variant with unselected CRC was found (OR = 1.61, 95% CI = 1.40-1.87, P < 0.001). We also found a significant association with sporadic CRC (OR = 1.48, 95% CI = 1.23-1.77, P < 0.001) and separately with familial CRC (OR = 1.97, 95% CI = 1.41-2.74, P < 0.001). Conclusion: This meta-analysis demonstrates that the CHEK2 I157T variant may be another important CRC-predisposing gene, which increases CRC risk, especially in familial CRC.

The CHEK2 I157T Variant and Breast Cancer Susceptibility: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Liu, Chuan,Wang, Ying,Wang, Qing-Shui,Wang, Ya-Jie Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.4

Background: The cell cycle checkpoint kinase 2 (CHEK2) gene I157T variant may be associated with an increased risk of breast cancer, but it is unclear whether the evidence is sufficient to recommend testing for the mutation in clinical practice. Materials and Methods: We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, Elsevier and Springer for relevant articles published before Nov 2011. Summary odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) incidence rates were calculated using a random-effects model with STATA (version 10.0) software. Results: A total of fifteen case-control studies, including 19,621 cases and 27,001 controls based on the search criteria, were included for analysis. A significant association was found between carrying the CHEK2 I157T variant and increased risk of unselected breast cancer (OR = 1.48, 95% CI = 1.31-1.66, P < 0.0001), familial breast cancer (OR = 1.48, 95% CI = 1.16-1.89, P < 0.0001), and early-onset breast cancer (OR = 1.47, 95% CI = 1.29-1.66, P < 0.0001). We found an even stronger significant association between the CHEK2 I157T C variant and increased risk of lobular type breast tumors (OR = 4.17, 95% CI = 2.89-6.03, P < 0.0001). Conclusion: Our research indicates that the CHEK2 I157T variant may be another important genetic mutation which increases risk of breast cancer, especially the lobular type.

ACOS5 is Required for Primexine Formation and Exine Pattern Formation During Microsporogenesis in Arabidopsis

Hui-hui Xie,Lin Chen,Fa-qing Xu,Wan-sheng Guo,Shui Wang,Zhong-Nan Yang,Sen Zhang 한국식물학회 2017 Journal of Plant Biology Vol.60 No.4

Pollen exine, mainly composed of sporopollenin,plays important roles during microspore development. It hasbeen reported that Acyl-CoA Synthetase5 (ACOS5) is requiredfor sporopollenin biosynthesis in Arabidopsis. Here we showthat ACOS5 is essential for primexine formation duringArabidopsis microspore development. Through genetic screen,we identified a point mutation of ACOS5 allele, acos5-2,showing abnormal microspore development. Its microsporeswere degenerated and aborted after released from the tetrads. Transmission electron microscopy showed that primexineformation was reduced in acos5-2 mutant as compared tothat of the wild-type. Consequently, sporopollenin wasaggregated and randomly deposited on the microspores. Insitu hybridization indicated that the key regulators of tapetumdevelopment, DYT1 and TDF1, are required for the expressionof ACOS5 in tapetum. Furthermore, the GUS reporter showedthat the 593-bp promoter sequence was sufficient for theexpression of ACOS5 in the anther. Our data provide evidencethat ACOS5 is required for primexine formation andsporopollenin deposition during microspore development.

Stimulation of Osteogenic Differentiation in Stromal Cells of Giant Cell Tumour of Bone by Zoledronic Acid

Yang, Tao,Zheng, Xiao-Fei,Li, Mei,Lin, Xi,Yin, Qing-Shui Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.9

Therapeutic effects of zoledronic acid (ZOL) on giant cell tumour of bone (GCT) have been proven. Apoptosis induction was considered to be one of the mechanisms of ZOL tumour inhibition. In this study, we presented the possibility of an osteogenic differentiation stimulation mechanism of ZOL and further investigated dosage and time effects. We treated stromal cells of GCT (GCTSC) with ZOL for 48 hours at different concentrations ($0{\mu}M$, $0.01{\mu}M$, $0.1{\mu}M$, $1{\mu}M$, 5${\mu}M$, $30{\mu}M$) and assessed apoptotic and osteogenic differentiation markers with immunohistochemical techniques and real-time quantitative RT-PCR. Our results suggested that ZOL enhanced mRNA expression of Cbfa-1, osterix and osteocalcin genes with a maximum effect at $1{\mu}M$ in GCTSC. Time course experiments indicated a time dependent osteogenic differentiation effect. In conclusion, ZOL may be considered as an adjuvant in the treatment of GCT not only by inducing apoptosis but also by stimulating osteogenic differentiation of remaining tumor stromal cells after surgery.