TGF-β promotes pericyte-myofibroblast transition in subretinal fibrosis through the Smad2/3 and Akt/mTOR pathways

Zhao Zhenzhen,Zhang Yumeng,Zhang Chaoyang,Zhang Jingting,Luo Xueting,Qiu Qinghua,Luo Dawei,Zhang Jingfa 생화학분자생물학회 2022 Experimental and molecular medicine Vol.54 No.-

Subretinal fibrosis remains a major obstacle to the management of neovascular age-related macular degeneration. Choroidal pericytes were found to be a significant source of subretinal fibrosis, but the underlying mechanisms of pericyte-myofibroblast transition (PMT) remain largely unknown. The goal of this study was to explore the role and potential mechanisms by which PMT contributes to subretinal fibrosis. Choroidal neovascularization (CNV) was induced by laser photocoagulation in transgenic mice with the collagen1α1-green fluorescent protein (Col1α1-GFP) reporter, and recombinant adeno-associated virus 2 (rAAV2)-mediated TGF-β2 (rAAV2-TGF-β2) was administered intravitreally to further induce PMT. Primary mouse choroidal GFP-positive pericytes were treated with TGF-β2 in combination with siRNAs targeting Smad2/3, the Akt inhibitor MK2206 or the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin to examine cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation into myofibroblasts. The involvement of the Akt/mTOR pathway in PMT in subretinal fibrosis was further investigated in vivo. Intraocular TGF-β2 overexpression induced GFP-positive pericyte infiltration and PMT in subretinal fibrosis, which was mimicked in vitro. Knockdown of Smad2/3 or inhibition of Akt/mTOR decreased cell proliferation, PMT and migration in primary mouse pericytes. Combined inhibition of Smad2/3 and mTOR showed synergistic effects on attenuating α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) expression and cell proliferation. In mice with laser-induced CNV, the administration of the Akt/mTOR inhibitors suppressed pericyte proliferation and alleviated the severity of subretinal fibrosis. Our results showed that PMT plays a pivotal role in subretinal fibrosis, which was induced by TGF-β2 through the Smad2/3 and Akt/mTOR pathways. Thus, inhibiting PMT may be a novel strategy for the treatment of subretinal fibrosis.

괴산군 환경색채 개발에 관한 연구 - 공공시설물 적용 방안을 중심으로 -

짜오쩐쩐 ( Zhao Zhenzhen ),구수민 ( Gu Soo-min ),홍창기 ( Hong Chang-kee ) 커뮤니케이션디자인학회 2023 커뮤니케이션 디자인학연구 Vol.84 No.-

본 연구는 환경색채 개발이 이루어지지 않은 충청북도 괴산군의 환경색채를 개발하고 활용 및 적용할 수 있는 방안에 대해 모색하고자 한다. 괴산군은 연풍면내 괴산역이 신설되어 2023년 개통될 예정이다. 이에 공공시설물과 건축물을 시각적으로 큰 영향을 미치는 지역색채를 활용하여 적용한다면 타 지역과의 차별성을 확보하고 괴산군 지역정체성을 구축하는 감성적 모델로서 역할을 할 것이다. 괴산군 환경색채 개발방향은 특성화, 기능성, 상징성을 기본개념으로 자원 및 현황파악, 대표자원 항목 추출, 대표자원 색채 추출, 행정구역별 주조색, 강조색, 보조색 도출, 행정구역별 대표 1색 선정 총 5가지 프로세스로 진행되며 괴산군 행정구역 11곳의 대표 1색들을 모아 괴산군의 대표 11색을 도출한다. 대표색상의 선정은 행정구역의 상징성을 띌 수 있는 자원의 항목 우선으로 선정하며, 자원을 이루고 있는 색상 4가지를 추출하여 도출한다. 자원의 색상은 국가기술표준원의 ‘한국표준색 색채분석’ 프로그램과 충주시 색채 가이드라인 제안에서 활용한 'Photographic Analysis Software' 두가지 프로그램을 사용하여 추출하였다. 이를 통해 괴산군의 대표 11색은 각 행정구역의 상징적인 색을 조합한 것으로 각 행정구역의 정체성이 내포되어 있으며, 행정구역별 주조색, 강조색, 보조색의 도출을 통해 추출된 색채의 다양한 활용 방안을 제시하였다. 범용적이며 활용도가 높은 공공시설물을 위한 공공환경색채의 적용을 위해 색채는 제작에 용이하며 경제적인 구조적 모듈화를 적용할 수 있는 시설물에 적용을 할 수 있을 것이다. This study aims to find ways to develop, utilize, and apply the environmental colors of Goesan-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do, where environmental colors have not been developed. The selection of representative colors is selected as the priority of the items of resources that can represent the symbolism of the administrative district, and the four colors that make up the resources are extracted and derived. The colors of the resources were extracted using two programs: the Korean Standard Color Analysis program by the National Institute of Technology and Standards and the Photographic Analysis Software used in the Chungju color guideline proposal. Through this, Goesan-gun's representative 11 colors are a combination of symbolic colors of each administrative district, and each administrative district's identity is implied, and various ways to utilize the extracted colors were suggested through the derivation of casting, emphasis, and auxiliary colors for each administrative district. In order to apply public environmental colors for general-purpose and highly utilized public facilities, colors are easy to produce and can be applied to facilities that can apply economic structural modularization.

국립중앙박물관 '힐링 동산' 앱의 게이미피케이션 분석 연구

짜오쩐쩐 ( Zhao Zhenzhen ),홍창기 ( Hong Chang-kee ) 커뮤니케이션디자인학회 2024 커뮤니케이션 디자인학연구 Vol.86 No.-

박물관 4.0 시대의 발전 아래, 전 세계의 박물관들이 문화 교류와 사용자 경험 향상을 위해 모바일 앱과 같은 디지털 기술을 적극적으로 도입하고 있다. 특히, 한국 국립중앙박물관이 출시한 '힐링 동산' 앱은 게이미피케이션 전략을 통해 박물관 소장품과 사용자 간의 상호작용 경험을 개선하였으며, 이를 통해 박물관 앱이 더욱 매력적이고 흥미로운 콘텐츠로 성장하였다. 본 연구는 '힐링 동산' 앱을 중심으로 게이미피케이션 전략이 앱의 매력을 높이는 데 어떤 영향을 미치는지, 그리고 게이미피케이션 요소가 앱의 상호작용 경험을 향상시키는 방법을 탐구하고자 하였다. 이를 위해 먼저 박물관 앱의 여섯 가지 주요 구성 요소를 분석하고, Gartner(2011)가 제시한 네 가지 게이미피케이션 디자인 원칙을 이론적 기반으로 하여 게이미피케이션 원칙에 부합하는 십 가지 요소를 정리하였다. 그 후 '힐링 동산' 앱의 구성 요소 중 게이미피케이션 요소의 실제 적용 사례를 분석하여 게이미피케이션 요소가 앱의 구성 요소와 어떻게 융합되며, 박물관 앱의 매력도와 사용자의 심층적 경험을 증진하는지 확인하고자 하였다. 분석 결과, '힐링 동산'의 게이미피케이션 전략은 사용자를 끌어들이고 심층적인 상호작용 경험을 제공하는 데 효과적임이 확인되었으며, 사용자의 관심, 참여도 및 몰입감을 현저히 향상시켰다. 그러나 랭킹 시스템과 네비게이션 디자인의 부족은 사용자 경험의 일관성과 참여도에 영향을 미쳤다. 본 연구는 박물관 앱 디자인에 대한 중요한 통찰을 제공하며, 특히 게이미피케이션 전략을 통해 사용자 경험을 향상시키는 방법에 대해 기여할 것이다. 게이미피케이션 요소는 전통적인 정보 중심 모델에서 더 상호작용적이고 경험 중심적인 모델로 박물관 앱을 혁신하는 데 도움이 되는 전략을 제시할 수 있을 것이다. In the development of the Museum 4.0 era, museums around the world have started to explore the application of digital technologies such as mobile applications in promoting cultural exchange and enhancing user experience. Among these, the 'Peaceful Hill' application launched by the National Museum of Korea applies a gamification strategy to museum applications, enhancing the interactive experience between museum collections and users, making the museum app more attractive and engaging. This study focuses on exploring the effectiveness of gamification strategies in enhancing the appeal of applications and the methods by which gamification elements help improve interactive experiences. The study first identifies six essential components of museum applications, then, based on Gartner's (2011) four gamification design principles - rapid feedback, goals and rules, story, and tasks - compiles ten gamification elements that align with these principles. Finally, the study analyzes the practical application of gamification elements within the 'Peaceful Hill' application, understanding how these elements integrate with the components of the application and the experiences in enhancing the appeal and depth of user experience in museum apps. The analysis shows that the gamification strategy in 'Healing Garden' is somewhat effective in attracting users and providing a deep interactive experience, significantly enhancing user interest, engagement, and immersion. However, shortcomings in leaderboard and navigation design affected the coherence and participation of the user experience. This research provides valuable insights into the design of museum applications, especially in enhancing user experience through gamification strategies. Gamification elements offer an innovative approach, helping museum apps transition from a traditional information-oriented model to a more interactive and experience-oriented mode.

Effect of Mg Content on the Damping Behavior of Al–Mg Alloys

Zhenzhen Li,Hongge Yan,Jihua Chen,Weijun Xia,Bin Su,Lu Zhao,Min Song 대한금속·재료학회 2021 METALS AND MATERIALS International Vol.27 No.9

This article investigated the effect of Mg content (4.5, 6.5 and 9.2, in wt%) on the damping capacities of Al–Mg alloys. The results indicate that the damping behavior can be divided into three regions. Region I refers to the low strain amplituderegion (ε < 5 × 10−5), where the damping capacity decreases with increasing the Mg content and has almost no relation withthe strain amplitude. Region II is the middle strain amplitude region (5 × 10−5 < ε < 8 × 10−4), where the damping capacityincreases rapidly with the strain. Region III refers to the high strain amplitude region (8 × 10−4 < ε < 2 × 10−3), where thedamping capacity remains constant and is independent of the strain when the strain is high enough, but increases with the Mgcontent. The damping values Q−1 of Al–4.5Mg, Al–6.5Mg and Al–9.2Mg alloys are 0.01501 ± 0.00032, 0.01633 ± 0.00032and 0.01862 ± 0.00119 at the strain of 1 × 10−3, respectively. The damping capacity in Region I is mainly determined bythe lattice distortion caused by Mg addition and the restoring force caused by pinning points and Suzuki segregation. Theextended dislocations break away from the pinning effect of Mg atoms and become moveable in Region II, and the movementof extended dislocations is the dominant damping mechanism in Region III.

Comparative genomics analysis of Pediococcus acidilactici species

Li Zhenzhen,Song Qi,Wang Mingming,Ren Junli,Liu Songling,Zhao Shancen 한국미생물학회 2021 The journal of microbiology Vol.59 No.6

Pediococcus acidilactici is a reliable bacteriocin producer and a promising probiotic species with wide application in the food and health industry. However, the underlying genetic features of this species have not been analyzed. In this study, we performed a comprehensive comparative genomic analysis of 41 P. acidilactici strains from various ecological niches. The bacteriocin production of 41 strains were predicted and three kinds of bacteriocin encoding genes were identified in 11 P. acidilactici strains, namely pediocin PA-1, enterolysin A, and colicin-B. Moreover, whole-genome analysis showed a high genetic diversity within the population, mainly related to a large proportion of variable genomes, mobile elements, and hypothetical genes obtained through horizontal gene transfer. In addition, comparative genomics also facilitated the genetic explanation of the adaptation for host environment, which specify the protection mechanism against the invasion of foreign DNA (i.e. CRISPR/Cas locus), as well as carbohydrate fermentation. The 41 strains of P. acidilactici can metabolize a variety of carbon sources, which enhances the adaptability of this species and survival in different environments. This study evaluated the antibacterial ability, genome evolution, and ecological flexibility of P. acidilactici from the perspective of genetics and provides strong supporting evidence for its industrial development and application.

Research on the Technology of Alternative Continuous Wide Spectral Spatial Heterodyne Spectrometer

Wenli Zhang,Fengchun Tian,Zhenzhen Zhao,An Song,Li Zhang 한국광학회 2017 Current Optics and Photonics Vol.1 No.4

An innovative system for the alternative continuous wide spectral spatial heterodyne spectrometer (ACWSSHS)is proposed. The relationship between the ACWS-SHS and the wide spectral spatial heterodynespectrometer (WS-SHS) at the resolution limit, the spectral range, the grating diffraction efficiency and theinterference fringes contrast ratio has been analyzed theoretically. Through the comparison of the theoreticalanalysis and simulation results, it is found that the two systems for the WS-SHS and the ACWS-SHShave the same resolution limit and spectral range, which are  and , while in the ACWS-SHS systemthe critical diffraction efficiency of echelle grating is 68.39% and the critical contrast ratio of interferencefringes is 0.4135, which is much better than the performance of the WS-SHS system. Therefore, the ACWSSHSreduces the high requirements for the precision of equipment and expands the application field ofSHS effectively.

Effect of the Outer Diameter on the Behavior of Square RC Columns Strengthened with Self-Compacting Concrete Filled Circular Steel Tube

Yi-Yan Lu,Zhenzhen Liu,Shan Li,Xiaobo Zhao 한국강구조학회 2019 International Journal of Steel Structures Vol.19 No.3

This paper aimed to investigate the optimum outer diameter of square RC columns strengthened with self-compacting concrete fi lled circular steel tube. An experiment of twelve strengthened RC columns (SRC) and two referential RC columns subjected to axial load was presented. The variables considered in the test were the confi nement index and the diameter of the strengthened section. The experimental results showed that, with the same confi nement index, the material strength utilization of SRC columns dropped with the increasing of strengthened section diameter. There existed an optimum outer diameter to take full use of material strength. With the outer diameter below the optimum value, the material strength utilization increased with increasing confi nement index. As the outer diameter beyond the optimum one, the material strength utilization decreased with improving confi nement index.

Fuzzy Logic based Admission Control for On-grid Energy Saving in Hybrid Energy Powered Cellular Networks

( Heng Wang ),( Chaowei Tang ),( Zhenzhen Zhao ),( Hui Tang ) 한국인터넷정보학회 2016 KSII Transactions on Internet and Information Syst Vol.10 No.10

To efficiently reduce on-grid energy consumption, the admission control algorithm in the hybrid energy powered cellular network (HybE-Net) with base stations (BSs) powered by on-grid energy and solar energy is studied. In HybE-Net, the fluctuation of solar energy harvesting and energy consumption may result in the imbalance of solar energy utilization among BSs, i.e., some BSs may be surplus in solar energy, while others may maintain operation with on-grid energy supply. Obviously, it makes solar energy not completely useable, and on-grid energy cannot be reduced at capacity. Thus, how to control user admission to improve solar energy utilization and to reduce on-grid energy consumption is a great challenge. Motivated by this, we first model the energy flow behavior by using stochastic queue model, and dynamic energy characteristics are analyzed mathematically. Then, fuzzy logic based admission control algorithm is proposed, which comprehensively considers admission judgment parameters, e.g., transmission rate, bandwidth, energy state of BSs. Moreover, the index of solar energy utilization balancing is proposed to improve the balance of energy utilization among different BSs in the proposed algorithm. Finally, simulation results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm performs excellently in improving solar energy utilization and reducing on-grid energy consumption of the HybE-Net.

Coexpression of Kex2 Endoproteinase and Hac1 Transcription Factor to Improve the Secretory Expression of Bovine Lactoferrin in Pichia pastoris

Jie Sun,Jie Jiang,Xinyang Zhai,Shaoming Zhu,Zhenzhen Qu,Wei Yuan,Zhao Wang,Chun Wei 한국생물공학회 2019 Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering Vol.24 No.6

The large-scale production of functional recombinant lactoferrin has become a major goal because of its medicinal value and global demand. Secreting recombinant proteins into a culture medium offers a way to simplify protein purification and avoid toxicity from intracellularly accumulated materials. In this study, after 84 h of induction with methanol in a shaking flask, the recombinant bovine lactoferrin (rbLf) titer in the culture supernatant of the strain that integrated two copies of the rbLf gene was only 121.6 μg/L. A bottleneck might have existed in the folding and secretion pathways of rbLf. We then attempted to further improve the rbLf titer by overexpressing the transcription factor Hac1p and α-signal peptide-cutting protease Kex2p with different promoters. Results showed that the inducible coexpression of Hac1p and Kex2p linked with the 2A sequence improved the rbLf titer 5.0-fold (735.8 μg/L) after 84 h of induction with methanol. The maximal titer in a shaking flask was 1,150.5 μg/L after 120 h of induction. The rbLf titer achieved 35.6 mg/L in a 5 L fed-batch fermenter. Thus, Kex2 and Hac1 overexpression driven by methanol-induced promoter alleviated the bottleneck in the folding and secretion pathways and greatly improved the secretory expression of rbLf in Pichia pastoris.