Shorter Telomere Length Is Associated with Increased Breast Cancer Risk in a Chinese Han Population: A Case-Control Analysis

Zhaoxia Wang,Zhenxing Zhang,Yanling Guo,Huifeng Shui,Guoqi Liu,Tianbo Jin,Huijie Wang 한국유방암학회 2018 Journal of breast cancer Vol.21 No.4

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the association of telomere length with breast cancer risk. We simultaneously explored the association between telomerase reverse transcriptase gene polymorphisms and telomere length. Methods: We used real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction to measure relative telomere length (RTL) in genomic DNA extracted from peripheral blood from 183 breast cancer cases and 191 healthy controls. Genotyping was performed using the Sequenom MassARRAY platform. Results: Our results show that breast cancer patients had significantly shorter RTLs than control subjects (p< 0.05). When the RTLs were categorized into tertiles, we found that the lowest RTL was significantly associated with increased breast cancer risk compared with the highest RTL (odds ratio [OR], 2.33; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.40–3.90; p=0.001). Subgroup analyses indicated that risk of breast cancer was also significantly increased in the lowest RTL compared with the highest RTL in age >40 years (OR, 2.41; 95% CI, 1.31–4.43; p=0.005), body mass index ≤24 kg/m2 (OR, 2.81; 95% CI, 1.55–5.10; p=0.001), and postmenopausal women (OR, 3.94; 95% CI, 1.63–9.51; p=0.002), respectively. In addition, individuals with the AA genotype of rs2853677 have longer telomeres than those of breast cancer patients with the AG genotype (p= 0.011). Conclusion: Our results suggest that shorter RTL was associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. An association was found between the AA genotype of rs2853677 and longer RTLs in the case group. Functional studies are warranted to validate this association and further investigate our findings.

H∞ Control Problem of Discrete 2-D Switched Mixed Delayed Systems Using the Improved Lyapunov-Krasovskii Functional

Zhaoxia Duan,Imran Ghous,Yuanqing Xia,Jahanzeb Akhtar 제어·로봇·시스템학회 2020 International Journal of Control, Automation, and Vol.18 No.8

This paper deals with the problem of exponential stability and H∞ control of two-dimensional (2-D) switched discrete systems with mixed time-varying delays. Firstly, this work suggests some improvements to Lyapunov-Krasovskii functional (LKF) discussed in the previous literature. Such improvements have been achieved by introducing some new terms containing the summations of state vector in single and double forms in an effort to capture the extra information related to time delays. Secondly, delay-dependent conditions based on the improved LKF are derived for the exponential stability and H∞ performance of 2-D switched systems in the form of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs) by virtue of the average dwell time approach. Thirdly, a state-feedback controller is designed to ensure the exponential stability of the overall closed-loop system under consideration with a desirable H∞ disturbance attenuation level γ. Finally, a suitable example is provided which highlights the benefits of the proposed results by comparing them with the results available in literature both in terms of conservativeness and computational burden.

ON THE MEAN VALUES OF L(1, χ)

Zhaoxia Wu,Wenpeng Zhang 대한수학회 2012 대한수학회보 Vol.49 No.6

Let $p$ > 2 be a prime, and let $k{\geq}1$ be an integer. Let χ be a Dirichlet character modulo $p$, and let $L(s,{\chi})$ be the Dirichlet L-function corresponding to χ. In this paper we consider the mean values of $$\sum_{{\chi}\;mod\;p\\{\chi}(-1)=-1}{\chi}(2^k)|L(1,\chi)|^2$$.

Determination of the Critical Slip Surface of Slope Based on the Improved Quantum Genetic Algorithm and Random Forest

Zhaoxia Xu,Xiaoping Zhou 대한토목학회 2022 KSCE JOURNAL OF CIVIL ENGINEERING Vol.26 No.5

Intelligent optimization algorithms are widely used to determine the critical slip surface of slopes. However, the critical slip surface may not converge to a proper solution because of the nonconvex and discontinuous nature of the objective function. An intelligent optimization algorithm is developed by combining the improved quantum genetic algorithm (QGA) and random forest (RF) regression method to identify the critical slip surface of the slope. A dynamic adjustment strategy is used to control the update and evolution direction of the population to obtain the global optimal solution, which not only ensures the convergence of the results but also effectively avoids premature convergence. The RF regression method is applied to estimate the fitness, which can help avoid the mechanical analysis of the slide body of the slope and increase the calculation efficiency. An external penalty function is used to penalize solutions that do not meet the constraints of the slip surface. This aspect reduces probability of such solutions appearing in the next generation, thereby ensuring that the identified critical slip surface has practical significance. The results obtained for four slope cases are in agreement with those of previous investigations, which demonstrates the accuracy and effectiveness of the proposed method. In addition, the results of the four slope cases show that the convergence speed is higher for a larger population.

The Video-Urodynamic and Electrophysiological Characteristics in Patients With Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury

Zhaoxia Wang,Han Deng,Xing Li,Limin Liao 대한배뇨장애요실금학회 2021 International Neurourology Journal Vol.25 No.4

Purpose: To investigate the video-urodynamic and pelvic floor electrophysiological characteristics in patients with traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI). Methods: This retrospective reviewed the clinical records, urodynamic and pelvic floor electrophysiological data of 647 patients with traumatic SCI and out of spinal shock. Patients were classified based on American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) Impairment Scale and urodynamic findings. Results: Of the 647 patients, detrusor overactivity (DO) with or without detrusor sphincter dyssynergia (DSD) was found in 79.5%, 61%, 35.2%, 35%, and 19.2% of patients with cervical, thoracic (T1–9), thoracic (T10–12), lumbar, and conical cauda injury, respectively. Other patients manifested detrusor areflexia (DA). Patients with DO and/or DSD had a longer duration of SCI at each injury level than patients with DA. In suprasacral injury patients with DA, 63.0% (58 of 92) had a normal bulbocavernosus reflex (BCR) response. Compared with patients without bladder sensation (BS), bladder capacity during urine leakage was far higher in those with BS. The manifestation of BCR and somatosensory-evoked potential (SEP) was associated with the level of injury. Conclusions: This study showed a significant correlation between the level of SCI and video-urodynamic findings, but clinical examination cannot by predict bladder function; urodynamic testing is also necessary. In addition, the role of BCR and SEP for guiding bladder management is limited. Moreover, BS is important for urinary control in patients with traumatic SCI.

Reduction of Graphene Oxide and its Effect on Square Resistance of Reduced Graphene Oxide Films

Zhaoxia Hou,Yin Zhou,Guangbin Li,Shaohong Wang,Meihan Wang,Xiaodan Hu,Siming Li 대한화학회 2015 Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society Vol.36 No.6

Graphite oxide was prepared via the modified Hummers’ method and graphene via chemical reduction. Deoxygenation efficiency of graphene oxide was compared among single reductants including sodium borohydride, hydrohalic acids, hydrazine hydrate, and vitamin C. Two-step reduction of graphene oxide was primarily studied. The reduced graphene oxide was characterized by XRD, TG, SEM, XPS, and Raman spectroscopy. Square resistance was measured as well. Results showed that films with single-step N2H4 reduction have the best transmittance and electrical conductivity with square resistance of ~5746 Ω/sq at 70% transmittance. This provided an experimental basis of using graphene for electronic device applications.

Silver Seeds and Aromatic Surfactants Facilitate the Growth of Anisotropic Metal Nanoparticles: Gold Triangular Nanoprisms and Ultrathin Nanowires

Qian, Zhaoxia,Park, So-Jung American Chemical Society 2014 Chemistry of materials Vol.26 No.21

<P>Here, we report that the introduction of silver seeds can lead to fast and high-yield syntheses of two highly anisotropic metal nanoparticles: triangular gold nanoprisms and ultrathin metal nanowires. Uniform sub-50 nm gold triangular nanoprisms were formed in high yields when silver seeds were introduced to the growth solution containing a small amount of silver ions and an aromatic surfactant, benzyldimethylhexadecylammonium chloride. On the other hand, gold seeds grew into spherical particles under the same condition. The formation of gold triangular nanoprisms from silver seeds was attributed to a relatively more reactive nature of silver seeds, which allows for the necessary structure evolution at the initial stage of nanoparticle growth. At high silver ion concentrations, ultrathin nanowires with the diameter of 1.6 nm were formed in nearly 100% yield. While both seeds (gold and silver) produced the same type of nanowires, silver seeds significantly facilitated the formation of nanowires, and the nanowire growth was almost instantaneous with silver seeds. We believe that the use of silver seeds in combination with aromatic surfactants can open up new possibilities for shape control of metal nanoparticles.</P><P><B>Graphic Abstract</B> <IMG SRC='http://pubs.acs.org/appl/literatum/publisher/achs/journals/content/cmatex/2014/cmatex.2014.26.issue-21/cm502494m/production/images/medium/cm-2014-02494m_0008.gif'></P><P><A href='http://pubs.acs.org/doi/suppl/10.1021/cm502494m'>ACS Electronic Supporting Info</A></P>

ON THE MEAN VALUES OF L(1, χ)

Wu, Zhaoxia,Zhang, Wenpeng Korean Mathematical Society 2012 대한수학회보 Vol.49 No.6

Let $p$ > 2 be a prime, and let $k{\geq}1$ be an integer. Let ${\chi}$ be a Dirichlet character modulo $p$, and let $L(s,{\chi})$ be the Dirichlet L-function corresponding to ${\chi}$. In this paper we consider the mean values of $$\sum_{{\chi}\;mod\;p\\{\chi}(-1)=-1}{\chi}(2^k)|L(1,\chi)|^2$$.

A Novel Filter for Harmonics and Inter-harmonics Analysis and Suppression in AC Electronic Load

Huang Zhaoxia,Zou Xudong,Li Fen,Zou Yunping,Tong Li 전력전자학회 2011 ICPE(ISPE)논문집 Vol.2011 No.5

AC electronic load (ACEL) based on current-controlled AC/DC/AC PWM converters is a simple kind of application for ac power source burn-in test with energy recycling capability. According to instantaneous power theory, the harmonics relationship in steady state between the ac side and the dc side of AC/DC converter and DC/AC converter in ACEL is investigated. When the frequency of the tested source is different from that of the grid, the harmonics and inter-modulation production in the dc bus is analyzed in detail, The accuracy of the harmonics relationship and theoretical expectation in ACEL are demonstrated by Matlab/Simulink simulations under different operation conditions. In addition, to decrease intrinsic-harmonics voltage of dc bus, a novel algorithm for output current reference is put forward. The proposed method is validated to be effective for suppressing the output current harmonics and inter-harmonics inject to the grid by simulations and experiments.

Raspberry-like Metamolecules Exhibiting Strong Magnetic Resonances

Qian, Zhaoxia,Hastings, Simon P.,Li, Chen,Edward, Brian,McGinn, Christine K,Engheta, Nader,Fakhraai, Zahra,Park, So-Jung American Chemical Society 2015 ACS NANO Vol.9 No.2

<P>We report a synthetic approach to produce raspberry-like plasmonic nanostructures with unusually strong magnetic resonances, termed raspberry-like metamolecules (raspberry-MMs). The synthesis based on the surfactant-assisted templated seed-growth method allows for the simultaneous one-step synthesis and assembly of well-insulated gold nanoparticles. The aromatic surfactant used for the syntheses forms a thin protective layer around the nanoparticles, preventing them from touching each other and making it possible to pack discrete nanoparticles at close distances in a single cluster. The resulting isotropic gold nanoparticle clusters (<I>i</I>.<I>e</I>., raspberry-MMs) exhibit unusually broad extinction spectra in the visible and near-IR region. Finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) modeling showed that the raspberry-MMs support strong magnetic resonances that contribute significantly to the broadband spectra. The strong magnetic scattering was also verified by far-field scattering measurements, which show that in the near-IR region the magnetic dipole resonance can be even stronger than the electric dipole resonance in these raspberry-MMs. Structural parameters such as the size and the number of gold nanoparticles composing raspberry-MMs can be readily tuned in our synthetic method. A series of syntheses with varying structure parameters, along with FDTD modeling and mode analyses of corresponding model structures, showed that the close packing of a large number of metal nanoparticles in raspberry-MMs is responsible for the unusually strong magnetic resonances observed here.</P><P><B>Graphic Abstract</B> <IMG SRC='http://pubs.acs.org/appl/literatum/publisher/achs/journals/content/ancac3/2015/ancac3.2015.9.issue-2/nn5050678/production/images/medium/nn-2014-050678_0007.gif'></P><P><A href='http://pubs.acs.org/doi/suppl/10.1021/nn5050678'>ACS Electronic Supporting Info</A></P>