The complete mitochondrial genome of a threatened loach (Sinibotia reevesae) and its phylogeny

Yuan‑Chao Zou,Bi‑Wen Xie,Chuan‑Jie Qin,Yong‑Ming Wang,Deng‑Yue Yuan,Rui Li,Zheng‑Yong Wen 한국유전학회 2017 Genes & Genomics Vol.39 No.7

In present study, the complete mitochondrial genome of Sinibotia reevesae was first sequenced using the next-generation sequencing technology and annotated using bioinformatic tools. The circular mitochondrial genome was 16,572 bp in length, and contained 13 proteincoding genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, and 1 displacement loop locus. It presents a typical gene organization and order for completely sequenced cypriniformes mitogenomes. The control region could be divided into three parts included the extended termination associated sequence domain, the central conserved domain and the conserved sequence block. Interestingly, two stemloop domains were found in control region and OL region, respectively. Furthermore, phylogenetic analyses using concatenated amino acid and nucleotide sequences of the 13 protein-coding genes with two different methods (Maximum likelihood and Bayesian analysis) both highly supported the close relationship of S. reevesae and Sinibotia superciliaris, which was in line with the previous classifications based on morphological and molecular studies. These data provide useful information for a better understanding of the mitogenomic diversities and evolution in fish as well as novel genetic markers for studying population genetics and species identification.

Cryopreservation of in Vitro Shoot Tips of Banana by Vitrification and Its Regeneration

Li Ming Wu,Ji Wu Zeng,Shu Ang Peng,Gan Jun Yi,Bi Rong Zhou,Yuan Li Wu 한국원예학회 2006 한국원예학회 기타간행물 Vol.- No.-

Functional Evaluation of Transplanted Kidneys with Reduced Field-of-View Diffusion-Weighted Imaging at 3T

Yuan Xie,Yanjun Li,Jiqiu Wen,Xue Li,Zhe Zhang,Jianrui Li,Yan’e Zhao,Peng Wang,Jun Zhang,Ying Tian,Long Jiang Zhang,Guang Ming Lu 대한영상의학회 2018 Korean Journal of Radiology Vol.19 No.2

Objective: To determine the feasibility of reduced field-of-view diffusion-weighted imaging (rFOV DWI) with multi-b values to detect functional variability in transplanted kidneys. Materials and Methods: Using a 3T MRI scanner, multi-b rFOV DWI of transplanted kidney or native kidney was performed in 40 renal transplantation recipients and 18 healthy volunteers. The patients were stratified, according to an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR): Group 1, eGFR ≥ 60 mL/min/1.73 m2; Group 2, eGFR ≥ 30 mL/min/1.73 m2 and < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2; Group 3, eGFR < 30 mL/min/1.73 m2. Total apparent diffusion coefficient (ADCT), perfusion-free ADC (ADCD) and perfusion fraction (FP) of kidneys were calculated and compared among the four groups. Correlations between the imaging results and eGFR were assessed. Results: All volunteers had eGFR ≥ 60 mL/min/1.73 m2, while 16, 16, and 8 patients were included in Groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. In the renal cortex, ADCT was higher in Group 1 ([1.65 ± 0.13] x 10-3 mm2/s) than Group 3 ([1.44 ± 0.11] x 10-3 mm2/s) (p < 0.05), and the inter-group differences of FP values were significant (all p < 0.05) (0.330 ± 0.024, 0.309 ± 0.019, 0.278 ± 0.033, and 0.250 ± 0.028 for control group, Groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively). Renal cortical ADCT, ADCD, FP, and renal medullary ADCT and FP correlated positively with eGFR (r = 0.596, 0.403, 0.711, 0.341, and 0.323, respectively; all p < 0.05). When using 0.278 as the cutoff value, renal cortical FP had a sensitivity of 97.1% and a specificity of 66.7% for predicting decreased renal function. Conclusion: Multi-b rFOV DWI presents transplanted kidneys with high resolution, which is a promising functional tool for non-invasively monitoring function of transplanted kidneys.

The Prognostic Value of Treatment-Related Lymphopenia in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Patients

Li-Ting Liu,Qiu-Yan Chen,Lin-Quan Tang,Shan-Shan Guo,Ling Guo,Hao-Yuan Mo,Ming-Yuan Chen,Chong Zhao,Xiang Guo,Chao-Nan Qian,Mu-Sheng Zeng,Jin-Xin Bei,Jing Tan,Shuai Chen,Ming-Huang Hong,Jian-Yong Shao 대한암학회 2018 Cancer Research and Treatment Vol.50 No.1

Purpose This study was conducted to evaluate the prognostic value of treatment-related lymphopenia in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Materials and Methods A total of 413 consecutive stage II-IVb NPC patients treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) were enrolled. The overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) were calculated with the Kaplan-Meier method, and differences were compared using the log-rank test. Results A minimum (mini)–absolute lymphocyte counts (ALC) of < 390 cells/μL or ALC after 3 months of CCRT (post3m-ALC) < 705 cells/μL was significantly associated with worse outcome than mini-ALC ! 390 cells/μL (OS, p=0.002; PFS, p=0.005; DMFS, p=0.004) or post3m-ALC ! 705 cells/μL (OS, p < 0.001; PFS, p < 0.001; DMFS, p=0.001). Patients with lymphopenia (mini-ALC < 390 cells/μL and post3m-ALC < 705 cells/μL) had a worse prognosis than those without lymphopenia (mini-ALC ! 390 cells/μL and post3m-ALC ! 705 cells/μL) (OS, p < 0.001; PFS, p < 0.001; DMFS, p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed that post3m-ALC was an independent prognostic factor for OS (hazard ratio [HR], 1.76; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.12 to 2.78; p=0.015), PFS (HR, 1.86; 95% CI, 1.23 to 2.82; p=0.003), and DMFS (HR, 1.87; 95% CI, 1.13 to 3.08; p=0.014). Multivariate analysis also revealed that patients with lymphopenia had a high risk of death (HR, 3.79; 95% CI, 1.75 to 8.19; p=0.001), disease progression (HR, 2.93; 95% CI, 1.59 to 5.41; p=0.001), and distant metastasis (HR, 3.89; 95% CI, 1.67 to 9.10; p=0.002). Multivariate analysis performed with time dependent Cox regression demonstrated ALC was an independent prognostic factor for OS (HR, 0.995; 95% CI, 0.991 to 0.999; p=0.025) and PFS (HR, 0.993; 95% CI, 0.988 to 0.998; p=0.006). Conclusion Treatment-related lymphopenia was a poor prognostic factor in NPC patients.

Knockout of the EgriBLOS2 gene results in the transparent integuments of Ectropis grisescens larvae

Li Jia-Li,Zhuang Xiang-Lin,Yuan Ting-Ting,Cai Xiao-Ming,Luo Zong-Xiu,Bian Lei,Chen Zong-Mao,Li Zhao-Qun,Liu Nai-Yong 한국응용곤충학회 2022 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.25 No.1

The body colors of insects have evolved specialized roles in body protection, signaling and physiology. In some case, the larvae can camouflage their body colors to adapt the habitants and protect themselves. However, the genetic and molecular basis on larval body colors of the tea geometrid, Ectropis grisescens, remains poorly known. Here, we reported an effect of the lysosome-related organelles complex-1, subunit 2 (EgriBLOS2) gene knockout on larval integuments of E. grisescens, by using a clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9) system. Combining transcriptomic data and PCR approaches, we first identified the EgriBLOS2 gene from E. grisescens, which encoded 137 amino acids and comprised 3 introns. In the phylogenetic analysis, EgriBLOS2 clustered in the Lepidoptera clade with high conservation to members in other lepidopteran species. Developmental expression profiles revealed that EgriBLOS2 was constantly tran scribed at each stage, in which its expression was significantly lower in 2nd instar larvae than that of other instars. After injecting EgriBLOS2-specific guide RNA and Cas9 messenger RNA into eggs, 70% of larvae showed the translucent integuments in G0 generation, with an emphasis on black splayed patterns in the 2nd and 8th segments of abdomens. However, some typical characteristics of larvae were not obviously changed in mutant instars, such as ocelli, mouthparts and other appendants. This study has unraveled the roles of EgriBLOS2 in the formation of larval integument colors, and provides an alternative strategy for pest management based on the colors in this species.

Novel and Effective Almagate Enema for Hemorrhagic Chronic Radiation Proctitis and Risk Factors for Fistula Development

Yuan, Zi-Xu,Ma, Teng-Hui,Zhong, Qing-Hua,Wang, Huai-Ming,Yu, Xi-Hu,Qin, Qi-Yuan,Chu, Li-Li,Wang, Lei,Wang, Jian-Ping Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2016 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.17 No.2

Radiation proctitis is a common complication after radiotherapy for pelvic malignant tumors. This study was conducted to assess the efficacy of novel almagate enemas in hemorrhagic chronic radiation proctitis (CRP) and evaluate risk factors related to rectal deep ulcer or fistula secondary to CRP. All patients underwent a colonoscopy to confirm the diagnosis of CRP and symptoms were graded. Typical endoscopic and pathological images, risk factors, and quality of life were also recorded. A total of 59 patients were enrolled. Gynecological cancers composed 93.1% of the primary malignancies. Complete or obvious reduction of bleeding was observed in 90% (53/59) patients after almagate enema. The mean score of bleeding improved from 2.17 to 0.83 (P<0.001) after the enemas. The mean response time was 12 days. No adverse effects were found. Moreover, long-term successful rate in controlling bleeding was 69% and the quality of life was dramatically improved (P=0.001). The efficacy was equivalent to rectal sucralfate, but the almagate with its antacid properties acted more rapidly than sucralfate. Furthermore, we firstly found that moderate to severe anemia was the risk factor of CRP patients who developed rectal deep ulcer or fistulas (P= 0.015). We also found abnormal hyaline-like thick wall vessels, which revealed endarteritis obliterans and the fibrosis underlying this disease. These findings indicate that almagate enema is a novel effective, rapid and well-tolerated method for hemorrhagic CRP. Moderate to severe anemia is a risk factor for deep ulceration or fistula.

Association Study of Single-Nucleotide Polymorphisms of STAT2/STAT3/IFN-γ Genes in Cervical Cancer in Southern Chinese Han Women

Yuan, Yuan,Fan, Jie-Lin,Yao, Fang-Ling,Wang, Kang-Tao,Yu, Ying,Carlson, Jennifer,Li, Ming Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.8

Objective: Interferon-${\gamma}$ (IFN-${\gamma}$) and signal transducers and activators of transcription (STATs) each play an important role in carcinogenesis associated with viral infection. Cervical cancer is almost invariably associated with infection by human papillomavirus (HPV), and previous studies suggested that dysregulation of the signal pathway involved in IFN-${\gamma}$ and STATs is associated. Our objective was to evaluate the association of SNPs in STAT2, STAT3, and IFN-${\gamma}$ with cervical cancer susceptibility in Chinese Han women in Hunan province. Materials and Methods: Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood samples of 234 cervical cancer patients and 216 healthy female controls. STAT2 and STAT3 genotyping was performed using polymerase chain reaction-restriction enzyme (PCR-RE) analysis. IFN-${\gamma}$ genotyping was detected by PCR-amplification of specific allele (PASA). Results: For STAT2 rs2066807 polymorphisms, there was no significant difference of genotype distribution (P=0.827) and allele frequencies (P=0.830, OR=1.09, 95% CI: 0.51-2.31) between cases and controls. For STAT3 rs957970 polymorphisms, there was no significant difference of genotype distribution (P=0.455) and allele frequencies (P=0.560, OR=0.92, 95% CI: 0.71-1.20) between cases and controls. For IFN-${\gamma}$ +874A/T polymorphisms, there was no significant difference of genotype distribution (P=0.652) and allele frequencies (P=0.527, OR=1.12, 95% CI: 0.79-1.59) between cases and controls. Conclusion: These results suggest that polymorphisms in STAT2, STAT3 and IFN-${\gamma}$ genes are not likely to be strong predictors of cervical cancer in Han women in southern China.

Efficient slope reliability analysis using a surrogate-assisted normal search particle swarm optimization algorithm

Yuan Yi-li,Hu Chang-ming,LI LIANG,Hou Xu-hui 한국CDE학회 2024 Journal of computational design and engineering Vol.11 No.1

Sampling of training data is the most important step in active learning slope reliability analysis, which controls the analysis accuracy. In this study, a novel surrogate-assisted normal search particle swarm optimization (SANSPSO) was proposed to enhance the accuracy and robustness of existing methodologies. In SANSPSO, the sampling process was considered a minimum problem with an objective function defined as the absolute value of the performance function. Initiated with a normal search paradigm and supplemented by three algorithm strategies, this approach seeks to preserve the continuity of the solution while refining the algorithm’s efficacy and efficiency. To reduce computation cost, surrogate-assistance was used, in which a surrogate model substitutes the objective function in most iterations. This surrogate model evolves during the iteration process and ultimately replaces the actual performance function within Monte Carlo simulation. Finally, this study presents a comparative study with five state-of-the-art methods across four explicit problems and three engineering cases, where test data suggest that the SANSPSO methodology yields a 20% improvement in accuracy and a 30% rise in stability under different dimensional problems relative to the most efficacious of the alternate methods assessed because of the improved and more consistent prediction of limit state function. These findings substantiate the validity and robustness of the SANSPSO approach.

Design of A Semi-spherical Microphone Array Based Sound Localization System

Ming-Yuan Shieh,Ming-Hung Tsai,Chin-Chien Chen,Jeng-Han Li 제어로봇시스템학회 2009 제어로봇시스템학회 국제학술대회 논문집 Vol.2009 No.8

This paper proposes a semi-spherical microphone array based sound localization system for a service robot. The hardware of the proposed system basically contains 12 capacitor microphones disposed in two layers on the semi-sphere of 19 cm diameter. It aims to estimate the degree relationship between the main speaker and the robot and provides the robot useful information for more effective human-robot interactions. The proposed system can determine the location of the voice according to energy information between the main speaker and robot not only in normal environment but also in blatant and/or reverberative spaces. The experimental results show that the proposed system has obtained satisfactory recognition efficiency, moreover, raised the robotic friendliness and adaptability.

Friction and Wear Characteristics of 20Cr Steel Substrate and TiAlN Coating under Different Lubrication Conditions

Yuan-ming Li,Qi-Bin Yue,Hua-Ying Li,Hui-Bo He 한국정밀공학회 2018 International Journal of Precision Engineering and Vol.19 No.10

TiAlN coating was deposited on the surface of 20Cr steel samples by physical vapor deposition. TiAlN coated samples and 20Cr steel matrix samples were in three conditions of friction to do reciprocating friction and wear tests with a Si3N4 ceramic ball friction pair which was loaded 2, 5 and 8 N. The wear images and the distribution of elements were obtained by the scanning electron microscope and the energy spectrometer respectively. Then the three-dimensional profile meter was used to get the profile of the grinding marks and the step meter gained two-dimensional contour curve. Results of investigation showed that the friction coefficient of TiAlN waterbased lubrication friction increased with the increase of the load, and TiAlN oil-based lubrication friction had the same rule. Under 5 and 8 N loads, the friction coefficients were higher than both of TiAlN and 20Cr steel matrix dry friction in the middle friction stage. As concluded through the experimental analysis, abrasive wear was the main wear mechanism of dry friction; the fatigue wear and oxidation wear were accompanied in some conditions. Water had a great influence on the micro morphology of the grinding mark. The wear of 20Cr steel matrix is the most serious.