Guanine nucleotide-binding protein 2, GNBP2, accelerates the progression of clear cell renal cell carcinoma via regulation of STAT3 signaling transduction pathway

Cao Qingfei,Ma Jiaji,Li Weitao,Hong Peng,Shen Tong,Tong Ming 한국유전학회 2023 Genes & Genomics Vol.45 No.1

Background Guanine nucleotide-binding protein 2 (GNBP2) is a GTPase that has critical roles in host immunity and some types of cancer, but its function in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is not fully understood. Objective This work explored the role of GNBP2 in ccRCC progression and the underlying molecular mechanism. Methods Two public human cancer databases TNMplot and TISIDB were employed to analyze the expression pattern of GNBP2 during ccRCC progression and the correlation between GNBP2 expression and clinical features of ccRCC patients. GNBP2 functions in ccRCC cells were determined by EdU staining, flow cytometry, scratch wound assay, transwell assay, and xenograft model. Gene expression was evaluated using qPCR, Western blot, immunofluorescence staining, and immunohistochemical staining. Results GNBP2 expression was significantly elevated in ccRCC tissues and increased gradually with the increasing tumor grades. Patients with higher GNBP2 expression had shorter overall survival times. Knockdown of GNBP2 suppressed tumor cell proliferation and cell cycle progression and reduced the capability of migration and invasion, while GNBP2 overexpression exhibited protumor effects. GNBP2 silencing by RNA interference significantly inhibited the tumor growth of tumor-bearing nude mice and decreased the proliferation marker Ki67. Mechanistically, GNBP2 downregulation suppressed the STAT3 signaling transduction, as it reduced the phosphorylation of STAT3 and modulated the expression of the target genes, including c-Myc, MMP2, N-cadherin, and E-cadherin. Conclusion These findings reveal that GNBP2 promotes ccRCC progression by regulating STAT3 signaling transduction, indicating that GNBP2 might be a promising molecular target for ccRCC therapy.

Full-phase optimization of PDC bit cutter layout to reduce lateral force based on zoning method

Tong Cao,Kaian Yu,Xuyue Chen,Hongwu Zhu,Rui Zhang 대한기계학회 2021 JOURNAL OF MECHANICAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Vol.35 No.3

Balancing lateral force is essential to reduce bit vibrations and prolong bit service life. During the process of cutting, the instantaneous cutting situation is governed by the previous blades cutting. This paper introduces a notion called “zoning method” based on the cutting geometry of bit-rock interface, which is dedicated to distinguishing different phases of cutting. Furthermore, a full-phase optimization model is developed to optimize cutter layout for minimizing the lateral force in each cutting phase, the NSGA-II is used to solve for the Paretooptimal solutions, and the fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method is used to select the optimal solution. Finally, a case study of full-phase optimization of PDC bit cutter layout is conducted to highlight the advantage of the zoning method. The case study results show that the lateral force is reduced significantly in each cutting phase by using zoning method, which can help to achieve the real lateral force balance of PDC bit.

A hybrid algorithm for reliability analysis combining Kriging and subset simulation importance sampling

Cao Tong,Zhili Sun,Qianli Zhao,Qibin Wang,Shuang Wang 대한기계학회 2015 JOURNAL OF MECHANICAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Vol.29 No.8

To solve the problem of large computation when failure probability with time-consuming numerical model is calculated, we proposean improved active learning reliability method called AK-SSIS based on AK-IS algorithm [1]. First, an improved iterative stopping criterionin active learning is presented so that iterations decrease dramatically. Second, the proposed method introduces Subset simulationimportance sampling (SSIS) into the active learning reliability calculation, and then a learning function suitable for SSIS is proposed. Finally, the efficiency of AK-SSIS is proved by two academic examples from the literature. The results show that AK-SSIS requiresfewer calls to the performance function than AK-IS, and the failure probability obtained from AK-SSIS is very robust and accurate. Thenthis method is applied on a spur gear pair for tooth contact fatigue reliability analysis.

Analysis of the flow distribution and mixing characteristics in the reactor pressure vessel

Tong, L.L.,Hou, L.Q.,Cao, X.W. Korean Nuclear Society 2021 Nuclear Engineering and Technology Vol.53 No.1

The analysis of the fluid flow characteristics in reactor pressure vessel is an important part of the hydraulic design of nuclear power plant, which is related to the structure design of reactor internals, the flow distribution at core inlet and the safety of nuclear power plant. The flow distribution and mixing characteristics in the pressurized reactor vessel for the 1000MWe advanced pressurized water reactor is analyzed by using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) method in this study. The geometry model of the full-scaled reactor vessel is built, which includes the cold and hot legs, downcomer, lower plenum, core, upper plenum, top plenum, and is verified with some parameters in DCD. Under normal condition, it is found that the flow skirt, core plate holes and outlet pipe cause pressure loss. The maximum and minimum flow coefficient is 1.028 and 0.961 respectively, and the standard deviation is 0.019. Compared with other reactor type, it shows relatively uniform of the flow distribution at the core inlet. The coolant mixing coefficient is investigated with adding additional variables, showing that mass transfer of coolant occurs near the interface. The coolant mainly distributes in the 90° area of the corresponding core inlet, and mixes at the interface with the coolant from the adjacent cold leg. 0.1% of corresponding coolant is still distributed at the inlet of the outer-ring components, indicating wide range of mixing coefficient distribution.

Effects of inflow turbulence and slope on turbulent boundary layers over two-dimensional hills

Tong Wang,Shuyang Cao,Yaojun Ge 한국풍공학회 2014 Wind and Structures, An International Journal (WAS Vol.19 No.2

The characteristics of turbulent boundary layers over hilly terrain depend strongly on the hill slope and upstream condition, especially inflow turbulence. Numerical simulations are carried out to investigate the neutrally stratified turbulent boundary layer over two-dimensional hills. Two kinds of hill shape, a steep one with stable separation and a low one without stable separation, and two kinds of inflow condition, laminar and turbulent, are considered. An auxiliary simulation, based on the local differential quadrature method and the recycling technique, is performed to simulate the inflow turbulence to be imposed at the inlet boundary of the simulation with turbulent inflow, which preserves very well in the computational domain. A large separation bubble is established on the leeside of the steep hill with laminar inflow, while the reattachment point moves upstream under turbulent inflow condition. There is stable separation on the lee side of the low hill with laminar inflow, while not with turbulent inflow. Besides increase of turbulence intensity, inflow turbulence can efficiently enhance the speedup around hills.So in practice, it is unreasonable to study wind flow over hilly terrain without considering inflow turbulence.

Expression profiling of the mitogen-activated protein kinase gene family reveals their diverse response pattern in two different salt-tolerant Glycyrrhiza species

Cao Aiping,Gao Ling,Wang Fei,Tong Xuechen,Xie Shuangquan,Chen Xifeng,Lu Tianxin,Shen Haitao,Liu Hailiang,Jin Xiang,Li Hongbin 한국유전학회 2022 Genes & Genomics Vol.44 No.7

Background: Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MPKs) play important role in response to environmental stress as crucial signal receptors or sensors. Our previous study indicated that salt stress acts as a positive factor to stimulate the production of pharmacodynamic metabolites in the medicinal plant Glycyrrhiza uralensis. Currently, little is known about the MPK gene family and their functions in the medicinal plant G. uralensis. Objective: Identification, comprehensive bioinformatic analysis, expression profiling, and response pattern under salt stress of the G. uralensis GuMPK gene family. Methods: Genome-wide investigation and expression profiling of the MPK gene family in G. uralensis, and their phylogenetic relationships, evolutionary characteristics, gene structure, motif distribution, promoter cis-acting element, and expression pattern under salt stress in two different salt-tolerant Glycyrrhiza species were performed. Results: A total of 20 G. uralensis GuMPK genes were identified and categorized into five groups, and had conserved gene structure and motif distribution. Expression profiling of GuMPK genes suggested their potentially diverse functions in plant growth and in response to phytohormones and environmental stress, particularly GuMPK1, 2, 5, and 10 as key components for G. uralensis in response to abiotic stress. Further expression analysis under NaCl treatment in two different salt-tolerant Glycyrrhiza species displayed the MPKs' different response patterns, emphasizing the role of MPK2, 5, 7, and 16 as potentially crucial genes for Glycyrrhiza to respond to salt stress. Conclusion: Our results provide a genome-wide identification and expression profiling of MPK gene family in G. uralensis, and establish the foundation for screening key responsive genes and understanding the potential function and regulatory mechanism of GuMPKs in salt responsiveness.

Silencing of COX-2 by RNAi Modulates Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Breast Cancer Cells Partially Dependent on the PGE₂ Cascade

Cao, Juan,Yang, Xiao,Li, Wen-Tong,Zhao, Chun-Ling,Lv, Shi-Jun Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.22

In order to prove whether downregulation of COX-2 (Cyclooxygenase-2) could modulate the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of breast cancer, celecoxib and siRNA were respectively used to inhibit COX-2 function and expression in MDA-MB-231 cells. The EMT reversal effect in the RNAi treated group was better than that of the celecoxib group while there were no obvious differences in the medium $PGE_2$ levels between the two groups. The results show that COX-2 pathways may contribute considerably to EMT of breast cancer cells, partially dependent on the PGE2 cascade. Akt2, ZEB2 and Snail were measured to clarify the underlying mechanisms of COX-2 on EMT; COX-2 may modulate EMT of breast cancer by regulating these factors. This finding may be helpful to elucidate the mechanisms of selective COX-2 inhibitor action in EMT modulation in breast cancer.

Design and analysis of integrated-circuit package antenna (ICPA) for dual-band wireless transceivers

Tong, Ming-Sze,Yang, Mingwu,Cao, Qunsheng,Kim, Hyeong-Seok,Lu, Yilong,Chen, Yinchao,Chang, Tae-Gyu Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company 2006 International journal of RF and microwave computer Vol.16 No.3

<P>This article presents study of a dual-band integrated-circuit package antenna (ICPA), which operates concurrently on dual bands at 2.4 and 5.25 GHz. The antenna is designed and printed on the top surface of an IC package and fed by a single coaxial line, while the transceiver is implemented on the opposite side of the package, through the separation of a common ground plate. This “cavity-down” arrangement minimizes the electromagnetic interference between the antenna and transceiver, and satisfies the miniaturization of the design. The study consists of numerical computations, which are performed through an in-house computer solver based on the nonuniform finite-difference time-domain (NU-FDTD) method and experimental measurements. Together with the data computed using the high-frequency structure simulator (HFSS) software, the results show excellent agreement between the numerical and experimental data, and the proposed structure is deemed as a useful application in the area of highly integrated wireless transceivers. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J RF and Microwave CAE, 2006.</P>

Microwave-Assisted Controllable Synthesis of Nickel Nanoparticles Embedded in Mesoporous Silica for Catalytic Reduction of 4-Nitrophenol

Jingyuan Cao,Fei Wang,Shuai Liang,Xue Tong,Zhongnan Zhang,Jian Feng,Haifeng Wang,Xingmao Jiang 성균관대학교(자연과학캠퍼스) 성균나노과학기술원 2017 NANO Vol.12 No.10

Nickel nanoparticles embedded in mesoporous silica (Ni/SiO2) were successfully synthesized by microwave-assisted in situ self-assembly method using colloidal silica, urea and nickel nitrate as precursors and glucose as carbon template, which resulted in mesoporous structure of silica through removal of template. Ni nanoparticles were uniformly well-dispersed within mesoporous silica, which were 3.5–4.0nm in diameter and had a very narrow particle size distribution. In addition, particle size of Ni nanoparticles can be controllably adjusted by microwave power. As prepared Ni/SiO2 catalyst exhibited better catalytic activity for reduction of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) to 4-aminophenol (4-AP) than Ni/SiO2-IM catalyst, which was mainly attributed to confinement effect of mesoporous silica support. This simple and versatile method can also be extended to cover many kinds of other supported catalysts for broad applications in many other catalytic reactions in the future.

Semantic Trajectory Based Behavior Generation for Groups Identification

( Yang Cao ),( Zhi Cai ),( Fei Xue ),( Tong Li ),( Zhiming Ding ) 한국인터넷정보학회 2018 KSII Transactions on Internet and Information Syst Vol.12 No.12

With the development of GPS and the popularity of mobile devices with positioning capability, collecting massive amounts of trajectory data is feasible and easy. The daily trajectories of moving objects convey a concise overview of their behaviors. Different social roles have different trajectory patterns. Therefore, we can identify users or groups based on similar trajectory patterns by mining implicit life patterns. However, most existing daily trajectories mining studies mainly focus on the spatial and temporal analysis of raw trajectory data but missing the essential semantic information or behaviors. In this paper, we propose a novel trajectory semantics calculation method to identify groups that have similar behaviors. In our model, we first propose a fast and efficient approach for stay regions extraction from daily trajectories, then generate semantic trajectories by enriching the stay regions with semantic labels. To measure the similarity between semantic trajectories, we design a semantic similarity measure model based on spatial and temporal similarity factor. Furthermore, a pruning strategy is proposed to lighten tedious calculations and comparisons. We have conducted extensive experiments on real trajectory dataset of Geolife project, and the experimental results show our proposed method is both effective and efficient.