Causal Relations between Exposome and Stroke: A Mendelian Randomization Study

Hong-Qi Li,Yi-Wei Feng,Yu-Xiang Yang,Xin-Yi Leng,Prof Can Zhang,Shi-Dong Chen,Kevin Kuo,Shu-Yi Huang,Xue-Qing Zhang,Yi Dong,Xiang Han,Xin Cheng,Mei Cui,Lan Tan,Qiang Dong,Jin-Tai Yu 대한뇌졸중학회 2022 Journal of stroke Vol.24 No.2

Background and Purpose To explore the causal relationships of elements of the exposome with ischemic stroke and its subtypes at the omics level and to provide evidence for stroke prevention. Methods We conducted a Mendelian randomization study between exposure and any ischemic stroke (AIS) and its subtypes (large-artery atherosclerotic disease [LAD], cardioembolic stroke [CE], and small vessel disease [SVD]). The exposure dataset was the UK Biobank involving 361,194 subjects, and the outcome dataset was the MEGASTROKE consortium including 52,000 participants. Results We found that higher blood pressure (BP) (systolic BP: odds ratio [OR], 1.02; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01 to 1.04; diastolic BP: OR, 1.03; 95% CI, 1.01 to 1.05; pulse pressure: OR, 1.03; 95% CI, 1.00 to 1.06), atrial fibrillation (OR, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.13 to 1.25), and diabetes (OR, 1.13; 95% CI, 1.07 to 1.18) were significantly associated with ischemic stroke. Importantly, higher education (OR, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.60 to 0.79) decreased the risk of ischemic stroke. Higher systolic BP (OR, 1.06; 95% CI, 1.02 to 1.10), pulse pressure (OR, 1.08; 95% CI, 1.02 to 1.14), diabetes (OR, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.13 to 1.45), and coronary artery disease (OR, 1.58; 95% CI, 1.25 to 2.00) could cause LAD. Atrial fibrillation could cause CE (OR, 1.90; 95% CI, 1.71 to 2.11). For SVD, higher systolic BP (OR, 1.04; 95% CI, 1.00 to 1.07), diastolic BP (OR, 1.06; 95% CI, 1.01 to 1.12), and diabetes (OR, 1.22; 95% CI, 1.10 to 1.36) were causal factors. Conclusions The study revealed elements of the exposome causally linked to ischemic stroke and its subtypes, including conventional causal risk factors and novel protective factors such as higher education.

Isolation and Applied Potential of Lactic Acid Bacteria from Chinese Traditional Fermented Food in Specific Ecological Localities

Huaxi Yi,Lanwei Zhang,Xue Han,Ming Du,Yingchun Zhang,Jingyan Li,Kai Sun,Yawen Hou 한국식품과학회 2011 Food Science and Biotechnology Vol.20 No.6

The isolation and screening of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) from natural sources have been one of the powerful means to obtain strains for the food industry. A total of 275 indigenous isolates were obtained from 43samples of traditional fermented foods in specific ecological niches throughout the northwestern China, and among which 13 strains of LAB were selected for their potential in food preservation and production. Among the 13 isolates, Lactobacillus (10) was dominant over Lactococcus (3). The distribution of the isolates was as follows: Lactobacillus paracasei ssp. paracasei (J23, M10,M20, M22), Lactobacillus rhamnosus (J20, M18),Lactococcus lactis ssp. lactis (X20, Q7), Lactobacillus casei (Q1, Q12), Lactobacillus plantarum (J11),Lactococcus lactis ssp. cremoris (X8), Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus (Q5). All 13 isolates produced bacteriocin with a broad inhibitory spectrum against selected Gram-positive as well as Gram-negative pathogenic and spoilage species. Biochemical analysis revealed that they possessed high acidification and coagulation activity. Several strains possessed the high activity of 2 or 3technological characteristics, related to novel starters and food preservatives.

Effect of Treatment of In Vitro Matured Pig Oocytes with Calcium Ionophore on Monospermic Penetration In Vitro

Song, Xue-Xiong,Zhao, Xian-Mian,Han, Yi-Bing,Niwa, Koji Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2002 Animal Bioscience Vol.15 No.2

The present study examined whether treatment of in vitro matured pig oocytes with calcium ionophore (A23187) could prevent polyspermic penetration in vitro. When oocytes cultured for maturation for 33, 36 or 44 h were subsequently treated with $50{\mu}M$ A23187 in medium with fetal calf serum (FCS) for 1, 2 and 3 h and then cultured for 12 h without spermatozoa, virtually no activation occurred. In the absence of FCS, however, 31-42, 45-49 and 56-64% of oocytes were activated, respectively. When oocytes treated with $50 {\mu}M$ A23187 in medium with FCS for 3 h were inseminated in vitro, the penetration rates (14-57%) were lower (p<0.01) with a higher (p<0.01) incidence (35-67%) of monospermy compared with untreated oocytes (69-80% penetration and 15-17% monospermy). However, sperm penetration was completely blocked in all oocytes treated with A23187 in the absence of FCS. When oocytes matured for 33 h were treated with different concentrations of A23187 for 3 h and inseminated in vitro, the penetration rate did not change but there was an increased incidence (p<0.05) of monospermy at $10-20{\mu}M$ and $2.5-5{\mu}M$ A23187 in the presence and absence of FCS, respectively, compared with at $0{\mu}M$ A23187. With these lower concentrations of A23187, treatment of oocytes for at least 60 and 30 min in the presence and absence of FCS, respectively, was required to increase the incidence of monospermy without reducing penetration rate. These results indicate that a high concentration ($50{\mu}M$) of A23187 in medium without FCS, but not in medium with FCS, stimulated in vitro matured pig oocytes to induce parthenogenetic activation and a complete block to sperm penetration in vitro. However, treatment of oocytes with lower concentrations of A23187 ( $10-20{\mu}M$ and $2.5-5{\mu}M$) both in the presence and absence of FCS maintained sperm penetration in vitro and increased the incidence of monospermy.

In Vivo Experimental Study on the Effects of Fluid in Increasing the Efficiency of Radiofrequency Ablation

Sun, Yi-Xin,Cheng, Wen,Han, Xue,Liu, Zhao,Wang, Qiu-Cheng,Shao, Hua Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.14

Background: Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is the most widely used and studied method internationally for the local treatment of liver tumors. However, the extension of coagulation necrosis in one RFA procedure is limited and incomplete coverage of the damaged area can lead to a high local recurrence rate. Objective: In this study, we compared the effects of different solutions in enhancing hepatic radiofrequency by establishing a rabbit VX2 liver cancer model. We also determined the optimal solution to maximise effects on the extent of RFA-induced coagulation necrosis. Methods: Thirty VX2 tumor rabbits were randomly assigned to five groups: group A, RFA alone; group B, RFA with anhydrous ethanol injection; group C, RFA with 5% hypertonic saline injection; group D, RFA with lidocaine injection; and group E, RFA with a mixed solution. Routine ultrasound examinations and contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) of the ablation areas were performed after RFA. Then, we measured the major axis and transverse diameter and compared the areas of coagulation necrosis induced by RFA. Results: The mean ablation area range increased in groups B, C and especially E, and the scopes were greater compared with group A. Preoperative application of anhydrous ethanol, hypertonic saline, lidocaine and the mixed solution (groups B, C, D and E, respectively) resulted in larger coagulation necrosis areas than in group A (p<0.05). Among the groups, the coagulation necrosis areas in group E was largest, and the difference was statistically significant compared with other groups (p<0.05). Pathological findings were consistent with imaging results. Conclusions: A mixture of dehydrated alcohol, hypertonic saline and lidocaine injected with RFA increases the extent of coagulation necrosis in the liver with a single application, and the mixed solution is more effective than any other injection alone.

Four new compounds from the bulbs of Lycoris aurea with neuroprotective effects against $CoCl_2$ and $H_2O_2$-induced SH-SY5Y cell injuries

Jin, An,Li, Xue,Zhu, Yun-Yun,Yu, Heng-Yi,Pi, Hui-Fang,Zhang, Peng,Ruan, Han-Li 대한약학회 2014 Archives of Pharmacal Research Vol.37 No.3

Three new alkaloids, $2{\alpha}$-hydroxy-6-O-n-butyloduline, O-n-butyllycorenine, (-)-N-(chloromethyl)lycoramine (1-3), and a new phenolic compound, ((7S)-7-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-7-hydroxypropyl)-2'-methylbenzene-3',6'-diol (14), along with ten known alkaloids (4-13), were isolated from the bulbs of Lycoris aurea collected from Huaihua County of Hunan Province, China. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods including HRESIMS, UV, IR, and NMR. All the isolated compounds were tested for their neuroprotective effects against $CoCl_2$ and $H_2O_2$-induced SH-SY5Y cell death. Compounds 1-7 and 10 exhibited significant neuroprotective effects against $CoCl_2$-induced SH-SY5Y cell injury, while compounds 1-5, 7, 10 and 12 showed obvious neuroprotective effects against $H_2O_2$-induced SH-SY5Y cell death.

Microscopic Study on the Mechanism of Tool Bond Wear in Cutting Ni–Fe-Cr-Co–Cu Series Nickel-Base Superalloy

Zhao Peng Hao,Xue Han,Yi Hang Fan,Zai Zhen Lou 한국정밀공학회 2021 International Journal of Precision Engineering and Vol.22 No.4

In the process of nickel-based alloy machining, chips are easy to bond on the tool surface, which weaken the tool performance and make the tool wear. Therefore, it is very important to study the mechanism of tool bond wear in the process of nickel-based superalloy machining. In order to reflect the wear process of the tool from the perspective of micro cutting, the molecular dynamics simulation model for cutting Ni–Fe-Cr-Co–Cu nickel-based alloy with SiC tool was established. The Morse potential functions between the tool and workpiece are calculated, and the simulation results are analyzed visually. It is found that the bond wear is the main wear form of tool in the process of cutting nickel-based alloy, and the wear processes are divided into three stages: contact, adhesion and shedding. The stress and strain in the cutting area are calculated and it is found that the bond occurs when the tool-workpiece extrusion is strong. Through the calculation of radial distribution function and formation energy, it is found that Ni-Si compound is formed on the tool surface, and the newly generated Ni-Si compound reduces the tool performance compared with the silicon carbide structure. This study provides a more complete microscopic explanation of the tool wear mechanism, which is helpful to find a method to prolong tool life.

Alkaloids from the bulbs of Lycoris longituba and their neuroprotective and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activities

Yun-Yun Zhu,Xue Li,Heng-Yi Yu,Yu-Fang Xiong,Peng Zhang,Hui-Fang Pi,Han-Li Ruan 대한약학회 2015 Archives of Pharmacal Research Vol.38 No.5

Three novel alkaloids (1–3), together withnineteen known ones (4–22), were isolated from the bulbsof Lycoris longituba. Their structures were elucidated onthe basis of extensive spectroscopic analyses, which belongto several Amaryllidaceae alkaloid skeletons. Amongthem, the harmane-type alkaloids (the new compound 1and the known compounds 5, 6 and 7) were found for thefirst time from Lycoris genus. The isolates were tested fortheir neuroprotective activities against CoCl2, H2O2 andAb25–35-induced SH-SY5Y cell injuries, and the majorityof them exhibited neuroprotective activities of differentdegrees. The acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitoryactivities of the isolated alkaloids were also evaluated,while compounds 12, 14–20 and 22 exhibited extremelysignificant AChE inhibitory activities.

Common Variations of DNA Repair Genes are Associated with Response to Platinum-based Chemotherapy in NSCLCs

Li, Xian-Dong,Han, Ji-Chang,Zhang, Yi-Jie,Li, Hong-Bing,Wu, Xue-Yan Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.1

Aim: Individual differences in chemosensitivity and clinical outcome of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients may be induced by host inherited factors. We investigated the impact of XPD Arg156Arg, XPD Asp312Asn, XPD Asp711Asp and XPD Lys751Gln gene polymorphisms on the efficacy of platinum-based chemotherapy in NSCLC patients. Methods: A total of 496 were consecutively selected from the Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University between Jan. 2003 and Nov. 2006, and all patients were followed-up until Nov. 2011. The genotyping of XPD Arg156Arg, XPD Asp312Asn, XPD Asp711Asp and XPD Lys751Gln was conducted by duplex polymerase-chain-reaction with the confronting-two-pair primer methods. Results: Individuals with XPD 312 C/T+T/T and XPD 711 C/T+T/T exhibited poor responses to chemotherapy when compared with the wild-type genotype, with adjusted ORs(95% CI) of 0.67(0.38-0.97) and 0.54(0.35-0.96), respectively. Cox regression showed the median PFS and OS of patients of XPD 312 C/T+T/T genotype and XPD 711 C/T+T/T genotype to be significantly lower than those with wild-type homozygous genotype. Conclusion: We found polymorphisms in XPD to be associated with response to platinum-based chemotherapy in NSCLC, and our findings provide information for therapeutic decisions for individualized therapy.

Over-expression of GmHAL3 modulates salt stresses tolerance in transgenic arabidopsis

Na Guo,Ming-xia Wang,Chen-chen Xue,Dong Xue,Jin-yan Xu,Hai-tang Wang,Jun-Yi Gai,Han Xing,Jin-ming Zhao;Han Xing 한국식물학회 2016 Journal of Plant Biology Vol.59 No.5

The halotolerance protein HAL3, also known as SIS2, is a yeast protein that regulates the cell cycle and tolerance to salt stress through inhibition of the Ppz1 type 1 protein phosphatase. Although the roles of HAL3 have been demonstrated during the growth, development, and stress adaptation of Arabidopsis thaliana and Nicotiana tabacum, the function of HAL3 in other plant species, including soybean (Glycine max), has not been elucidated. In this study, GmHAL3a and GmHAL3b were isolated from Glycine max, and their roles were analyzed. GmHAL3a and GmHAL3b transcripts were detected in the roots, stems, leaves and seeds, with higher levels in the roots, and were induced by sodium chloride (NaCl), lithium chloride (LiCl), sorbitol, cold and ABA treatment. Overexpression of GmHAL3a or GmHAL3b in Arabidopsis accelerated the onset of flowering and resulted in more vigorous seed germination and increased tolerance to NaCl, LiCl, and sorbitol stress in seedlings, compared with wild type (WT) and empty vector control (VC) plants. Transgenic Arabidopsis plants accumulated proline and eliminated superoxide radical (O2 −) in response to the stress. In addition, transcription levels of the stress-related genes RD22 and P5CS1 were substantially higher in transgenic Arabidopsis than in WT and VC plants. Taken together, the data indicate that GmHAL functions as a positive regulator of the response to salt, lithium cations and sorbitol stress.

Numerical Analysis on Fluid Flow and Heat Transfer in the Smelting Furnace of Mitsubishi Process for Cu Refining

Jong-ha Park,Soo-sang Park,Xue-feng Han,Kyung-woo Yi 대한금속·재료학회 2016 METALS AND MATERIALS International Vol.22 No.1

To understand complex behavior in the smelting furnace of Mitsubishi continuous process for copper refining, comprehensive 3-D numerical simulation and field experiment were performed. The numerical simulation results showed that strong and complex velocity fields of gas, matte and slag were generated in the furnace and large amounts of matte and slag were splashed into the gas area. Temperature measurements at the lance during field operation revealed that wide range of temperature variation appeared depending on the injection condition of concentrates. Numerical simulation results provided good agreements with experiments results and showed that the chemical reaction induces temperature increase during gas injection period. On the other hand, lance temperature is decreasing because of cold concentrates during gas and particles injection period. From the FFT analysis results, the fluctuations of matte and slag volume fraction near the lance induce temperature fluctuations of the lance. Through these experimental and simulation results, it was revealed that the lances in the smelting furnace were exposed to severe conditions such as high temperature, repeated large temperature change and cyclic change of large temperature gradient across the thickness.