<i>Paragonimus westermani</i>: Biochemical and immunological characterizations of paramyosin

Zhao, Qin-Ping,Moon, Sung-Ung,Na, Byoung-Kuk,Kim, Seon-Hee,Cho, Shin-Hyeong,Lee, Hyeong-Woo,Kong, Yoon,Sohn, Woon-Mok,Jiang, Ming-Sen,Kim, Tong-Soo Elsevier 2007 Experimental parasitology Vol.115 No.1

<P><B>Abstract</B></P><P>Paramyosin of the helminth parasite is a muscle protein that plays multifunctional roles in host-parasite relationships. In this study, we have cloned a gene encoding <I>Paragonimus westermani</I> paramyosin (PwPmy) and characterized biochemical and immunological properties of the recombinant protein. The recombinant PwPmy (rPwPmy) was shown to bind both human immunoglobulin G (IgG) and collagen. The protein was constitutively expressed in various developmental stages of the parasite and its expression level increased progressively as the parasite matured. Immunohistological analysis revealed that PwPmy was mainly localized in subtegumental muscle, tegument and cells surrounding the oral sucker, intestine, and ovary of the parasite. Sera from patients with paragonimiasis showed antibody reactivity against rPwPmy, and IgG1 and IgG4 were predominant. Immunization of mice with rPwPmy also induced high IgG responses. Biochemical and immunological characterization of PwPmy may provide valuable information for the further study to develop a vaccine or a chemotherapeutic agent for paragonimiasis.</P>

Sleep Duration and Cancer Risk: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Prospective Studies

Zhao, Hao,Yin, Jie-Yun,Yang, Wan-Shui,Qin, Qin,Li, Ting-Ting,Shi, Yun,Deng, Qin,Wei, Sheng,Liu, Li,Wang, Xin,Nie, Shao-Fa Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.12

To assess the risk of cancers associated with sleep duration using meta-analysis of published cohort studies, we performed a comprehensive search using PubMed, Embase and Web of Science through October 2013. We combined hazard ratios (HRs) from individual studies using meta-analysis approaches. A random effect dose-response analysis was used to evaluate the relationship between sleep duration and cancer risk. Subgroup analyses and sensitivity analyses were also performed. Publication bias was evaluated using Funnel plots and Begg's test. A total of 13 cohorts from 12 studies were included in this meta-analysis, which included 723, 337 participants with 15, 156 reported cancer outcomes during a follow-up period ranging from 7.5 to 22 years. The pooled adjusted HRs were 1.06 (95% CI: 0.92, 1.23; P for heterogeneity =0.003) for short sleep duration, 0.91 (95% CI: 0.78, 1.07; P for heterogeneity <0.0001) for long sleep duration. In subgroup analyses stratified by cancer type, long duration of sleep showed an inverse relation with hormone-related cancer (HR=0.79; 95% CI: 0.65, 0.97; P for heterogeneity =0.009) and a greater risk of colorectal cancer (HR=1.29; 95% CI: 1.09, 1.52; P for heterogeneity =0.346). Further meta-analysis on dose-response relationships showed that the relative risks of cancer were 1.00 (95% CI: 0.99, 1.01; P for linear trend=0.9151) for one hour of sleep increment per day, and 1.00 (95% CI: 0.98, 1.01; P for linear trend=0.7749) for one hour of sleep increment per night. No significant dose-response relationship between sleep duration and cancer was found on non-linearity testing (P=0.5053). Our meta-analysis suggests a positive association between long sleep duration and colorectal cancer, and an inverse association with incidence of hormone related cancers like those in the breast. Studies with larger sample size, longer follow-up times, more cancer types and detailed measure of sleep duration are warranted to confirm these results.

Schedule Optimization for Ttethernet-based Time-triggered Automotive Systems

Zhao Rui,Qin Guihe,Yan Jie,Qin Jun 한국자동차공학회 2020 International journal of automotive technology Vol.21 No.6

TTEthernet is a new high availability network protocol for the automotive domain, providing support for the transmissions of time-critical periodic frames in a time-triggered (TT) traffic and event-triggered frames in a rate-constrained (RC) or best-effort (BE) traffic. The design of a system scheduling with communication over the TTEthernet is not an easy task because of protocol and timing constraints as well as the demand for high quality-of-service and extensibility. In this paper, we study the co-optimization problem of the tasks and signals scheduling for TTEthernet-based time-triggered automotive systems. We propose a Mixed-Integer Linear Programming (MILP) framework for optimizing the signal packing, signal scheduling and task scheduling, subject to all protocol, processor and timing constraints with respect to latency- or extensibility- related metrics. Extensive experiments are conducted to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed approach in a variety of scenarios.

A Multi-center Survey of HPV Knowledge and Attitudes Toward HPV Vaccination among Women, Government Officials, and Medical Personnel in China

Zhao, Fang-Hui,Tiggelaar, Sarah M.,Hu, Shang-Ying,Zhao, Na,Hong, Ying,Niyazi, Mayinuer,Gao, Xiao-Hong,Ju, Li-Rong,Zhang, Li-Qin,Feng, Xiang-Xian,Duan, Xian-Zhi,Song, Xiu-Ling,Wang, Jing,Yang, Yun,Li, Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.5

Objectives: To assess knowledge of HPV and attitudes towards HPV vaccination among the general female population, government officials, and healthcare providers in China to assist the development of an effective national HPV vaccination program. Methods: A cross-sectional epidemiologic survey was conducted across 21 urban and rural sites in China using a short questionnaire. 763 government officials, 760 healthcare providers, and 11,681 women aged 15-59 years were included in the final analysis. Data were analyzed using standard descriptive statistics and logistic regression. Results: Knowledge of HPV among the general female population was low; only 24% had heard of HPV. Less than 20% of healthcare providers recognized sexually na$\ddot{i}$ve women as the most appropriate population for HPV vaccination. There was high acceptance of the HPV vaccine for all categories of respondents. Only 6% of women were willing to pay more than US $300 for the vaccine. Conclusions: Aggressive education is necessary to increase knowledge of HPV and its vaccine. Further proof of vaccine safety and efficacy and government subsidies combined with increased awareness could facilitate development and implementation of HPV vaccination in China.

Prediction of potential economic impact of Bactrocera zonata (Diptera: Tephritidae) in China: Peaches as the example hosts

Qin Yujia,Ullah Farman,Fang Yan,Singh Sandeep,Zhao Zhonghua,Zhao Zihua,Li Zhihong 한국응용곤충학회 2021 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.24 No.4

The peach fruit fly (PFF), Bactrocera zonata (Diptera: Tephritidae), is among the most destructive Bactrocera fruit fly species in Asia and Africa. The peach fruit fly is currently absent from China but has high risk of invasion to China. This study primarily quantifies the direct potential economic impact of B. zonata in China using Monte Carlo simulation model, taking peaches as the example hosts. The results showed that under nil management scenario, the potential economic loss in China caused by B. zonata would be 0.82–3.07 billion dollars (90% confidence level), and potential savings after management will be 0.20–1.00 billion dollars (90% confidence level). Quarantine measures against B. zonata and field control should be strengthened to prevent its introduction and reduce the potential economic impact in China.

AEG-1 aggravates inflammation via promoting NALP3 inflammasome formation in murine endometriosis lesions

Juan Zhao,Wei Ma,Weizhi Chen,Jie Gao,Chunling Li,Yahong Tong,Qin Zhou,Xiuling Zhao,Menghua Wang,Huan Xiao,Yanrong Jin 한국통합생물학회 2019 Animal cells and systems Vol.23 No.6

Endometriosis (EMs) is one of the most common gynaecological diseases in women of childbearing age. Astrocyte elevated gene-1 (AEG-1) is associated with the invasion, migration, apoptosis and prognosis of various cancers. However, the roles of AEG-1 in EMs and its corresponding molecular mechanism are still unknown. In this study, animal models of EMs were established and mice were divided into two groups (n = 10): Sham group and EMs group. The EMs cells were isolated from EMs model. The AEG-1 gene was knocked down by shRNA, while the SOCS1 gene was knocked down by siRNA. Histological changes, AEG-1 expression in tissues and inflammatory factors level were detected by H&E staining, immunohistochemistry and ELISA, respectively. RTqPCR and western blotting were used to determine the expression level of related proteins. The present study found AEG-1 was up-regulated in the EMs model. Enhanced AEG-1 promoted inflammatory cell infiltration, and elevated the levels of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α in EM group (p < 0.05). Besides, AEG-1 overexpression promoted the expression of NALP3, ASC and Cleavedcaspase- 1, while decreased SOCS1 level (p < 0.05). Decrease of SOCS1 further promoted the formation of NALP3 inflammasome. The inhibitory effect of AEG-1 on SOCS1 was weakened after the addition of MG-132 (p < 0.01). Furthermore, silencing AEG-1 alone increased SOCS1 level, decreased the levels of inflammatory cytokines, thereby inhibited the formation of NALP3 inflammasome. All these results demonstrated that AEG-1 aggravated inflammation via promoting NALP3 inflammasome formation in murine endometriosis lesions.

MicroRNA-214-mediated UBC9 expression in glioma

( Zhi Qiang Zhao ),( Xiao Chao Tan ),( Ani Zhao ),( Li Yuan Zhu ),( Bin Yin ),( Jiang Ang Yuan ),( Bo Qin Qiang ),( Xiao Zhong Peng ) 생화학분자생물학회(구 한국생화학분자생물학회) 2012 BMB Reports Vol.45 No.11

It has been reported that ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme 9 (Ubc9), the unique enzyme2 in the sumoylation pathway, is up-regulated in many cancers. However, the expression and regulation of UBC9 in glioma remains unknown. In this study, we found that Ubc9 was up-regulated in glioma tissues and cell lines compared to a normal control. UBC9 knockdown by small interfering RNA (siRNA) affected cell proliferation and apoptosis in T98G cells. Further experiments revealed that microRNA (miR)-214 directly targeted the 3` untranslated region (UTR) of UBC9 and that there was an inverse relationship between the expression levels of miR-214 and UBC9 protein in glioma tissues and cells. MiR-214 overexpression suppressed the endogenous UBC9 protein and affected T98G cell proliferation. These findings suggest that miR-214 reduction facilitates UBC9 expression and is involved in the regulation of glioma cell proliferation.

Sulforaphane kills Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Ra and Mycobacterium smegmatis mc2155 through a reactive oxygen species dependent mechanism

Zhao Yongjie,Shang Shengwen,Song Ya,Li Tianyue,Han Mingliang,Qin Yuexuan,Wei Meili,Xi Jun,Tang Bikui 한국미생물학회 2022 The journal of microbiology Vol.60 No.11

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis) is a highly pathogenic intracellular pathogen that causes tuberculosis (TB), the leading cause of mortality from single infections. Redox homeostasis plays a very important role in the resistance of M. tuberculosis to antibiotic damage and various environmental stresses. The antioxidant sulforaphane (SFN) has been reported to exhibit anticancer activity and inhibit the growth of a variety of bacteria and fungi. Nonetheless, it remains unclear whether SFN exhibits anti-mycobacterial activity. Our results showed that the SFN against M. tuberculosis H37Ra exhibited bactericidal activity in a time and dose-dependent manner. The anti-tubercular activity of SFN was significantly correlated with bacterial reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. In addition, SFN promoted the bactericidal effect of macrophages on intracellular bacteria in a dose-dependent manner, mediated by increasing intracellular mitochondrial ROS levels and decreasing cytoplasmic ROS levels. Taken together, our data revealed the previously unrecognized antimicrobial functions of SFN. Future studies focusing on the mechanism of SFN in macrophages against M. tuberculosis are essential for developing new host-directed therapeutic approaches against TB.

Distribution of pathological types and epidemiological characteristics based on kidney biopsy in Northwest China

Qin Yunlong,Zhao Jin,Wei Xiao-fei,Wang Yuwei,Yu Zixian,Zhang Yumeng,Sun Shiren 대한신장학회 2023 Kidney Research and Clinical Practice Vol.42 No.1

Background: The spectrum of biopsy-confirmed kidney disease varies with regions and periods. We describe the distribution ofpathological types and epidemiological characteristics of kidney diseases in Northwest China due to regional differences in geographicalenvironment, social economy, and dietary habits.Methods: Kidney biopsy cases from 2005 to 2020 in Xijing Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. Pathological characteristics of patientsin different periods were analyzed using the t test or chi-square test. Joinpoint regression was used to analyze trends in pathologicaltypes and disease spectrum.Results: A total of 10,528 eligible patients were included. Primary glomerular disease (PGD) accounted for the majority of the casesand exhibited an obvious downward trend, whereas secondary glomerular disease (SGD) showed an obvious upward trend. AmongPGD, immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) remained the most common pathological type, and the detection rate of membranousnephropathy (MN) was significantly increased. Among SGD, Henoch-Schönlein purpura nephritis (HSPN) was the most commonpathological type and may present a significant characteristic of Northwest China. Diabetic nephropathy (DN) exhibited the most obviousupward trend in the whole process, whereas the fastest growth since 2012 was in hypertensive nephropathy.Conclusion: The proportion of SGD increased whereas PGD declined. IgAN remained the most common PGD, and HSPN was themost common SGD. MN and DN showed the most obvious upward trend among PGD and SGD, respectively. Changes in the spectrumof kidney disease, especially the constituent ratio of SGD, pose a great challenge to public health.

GAS5 regulates viability and apoptosis in TGF-β1-stimulated bronchial epithelial cells by regulating miR-217/HDAC4 axis

Zhao Sihui,Ning Yunfang,Qin Na,Ping Nan,Yu Yong,Yin Guoyan 한국유전학회 2021 Genes & Genomics Vol.43 No.8

Background Asthma is a serious respiratory disease that afects the physical and mental health of children. Airway epithelial apoptosis concomitantly mediated by transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) is a crucial component of asthma pathogenesis. LncRNA growth Arrest Specifc 5 (GAS5), microRNA-217 (miR-217) and Histone deacetylase 4 (HDAC4) shown a close relationship with TGF-β1-induced injury of airway epithelial. However, the mechanism underlying TGF-β1-induced injury of airway epithelial in asthma still needs to be investigated. Objective We aimed to investigate the efect and underlying mechanism of GAS5/miR-217/HDAC4 axis in TGF-β1- stimulated bronchial epithelial cells. Methods The levels of were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). All protein levels were determined by western blot. Cell viability and apoptosis rate were assessed by Methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) and Flow cytometry, respectively. The targeting relationship between miR-217 and GAS5 or HDAC4 was examined with dual-luciferase reporter assay. Results TGF-β1, GAS5, HDAC4 were up-regulated, while miR-217 was down-regulated in bronchial mucosal tissues of asthmatic children and TGF-β1-treated BEAS-2B cells. TGF-β1 could reduce cell viability and induce apoptosis, while these efects could be reversed by downregulation of GAS5 or HDAC4. Mechanically, GAS5 acted as a sponge for miR-217 to regulate the expression of HDAC4. Furthermore, overexpression of HDAC4 rescued the efects of GAS5 knockdown on viability and apoptosis of TGF-β1-induced BEAS-2B cells. GAS5 knockdown induced cell viability and hampered cell apoptosis in TGF-β1-stimulated BEAS-2B cells by regulating the miR-217/HDAC4 axis. Conclusions The lncRNA GAS5/miR-217/HDAC4 axis played an important role in regulating TGF-β1-induced bronchial epithelial cells injury, thus contributing to asthma.