Topology Optimization Method of Lattice Structures Based on a Genetic Algorithm

Feng Ruo-qiang,Liu Feng-cheng,Xu Wei-jia,Liu Yang 한국강구조학회 2016 International Journal of Steel Structures Vol.16 No.3

A two-stage topology optimization method of lattice structures based on a genetic algorithm is proposed. The first stage is the form-finding analysis of lattice structures, and the optimal initial shape was achieved with the numerical inverse hanging method. The second stage is the topology optimization of single-layer lattice structures, which can be realized by changing the mesh size and the tube configurations to minimize the total weight of steel tubes subject to the design requirements. The mesh configuration optimization is realized through the adjustment of the nodal horizontal co-ordinates and the removal of tubes with lower stress. The maximum displacement of the structure, the maximum stress of the circular steel tubes, and the nonlinear buckling load are the state variables, and a genetic algorithm (GA) is the optimization algorithm. Different stress-limiting values used to delete the tubes were discussed. The numerical examples show that the two-stage topology optimization method for lattice structures proposed in this paper is correct and efficient. Furthermore, the forms of the optimized structure are rich, and the structure is lightweight and efficient.

Mitochondrial citrate accumulation drives alveolar epithelial cell necroptosis in lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury

Yang Hui-Hui,Jiang Hui-Ling,Tao Jia-Hao,Zhang Chen-Yu,Xiong Jian-Bing,Yang Jin-Tong,Liu Yu-Biao,Zhong Wen-Jing,Guan Xin-Xin,Duan Jia-Xi,Zhang Yan-Feng,Liu Shao-Kun,Jiang Jian-Xin,Zhou Yong,Guan Cha-Xi 생화학분자생물학회 2022 Experimental and molecular medicine Vol.54 No.-

Necroptosis is the major cause of death in alveolar epithelial cells (AECs) during acute lung injury (ALI). Here, we report a previously unrecognized mechanism for necroptosis. We found an accumulation of mitochondrial citrate (citratemt) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated AECs because of the downregulation of Idh3α and citrate carrier (CIC, also known as Slc25a1). shRNA- or inhibitor–mediated inhibition of Idh3α and Slc25a1 induced citratemt accumulation and necroptosis in vitro. Mice with AEC-specific Idh3α and Slc25a1 deficiency exhibited exacerbated lung injury and AEC necroptosis. Interestingly, the overexpression of Idh3α and Slc25a1 decreased citratemt levels and rescued AECs from necroptosis. Mechanistically, citratemt accumulation induced mitochondrial fission and excessive mitophagy in AECs. Furthermore, citratemt directly interacted with FUN14 domain-containing protein 1 (FUNDC1) and promoted the interaction of FUNDC1 with dynamin-related protein 1 (DRP1), leading to excessive mitophagy-mediated necroptosis and thereby initiating and promoting ALI. Importantly, necroptosis induced by citratemt accumulation was inhibited in FUNDC1-knockout AECs. We show that citratemt accumulation is a novel target for protection against ALI involving necroptosis.

A RuO2IrO2 electrocatalyst with an optimal composition and novel microstructure for oxygen evolving in the single cell

Feng Ye,Yanpeng Cao,Weiwei Han,Yakun Yang,Yuancheng Feng,Peng Liu,Chao Xu,Xiaoze Du,양우철,Liu Guicheng 한국화학공학회 2022 Korean Journal of Chemical Engineering Vol.39 No.3

A highly active RuO2IrO2 electrocatalyst was developed via dip-coating/calcination method for oxygen evolution reaction (OER). The catalyst on Ti substrate with a 7/3 molar ratio between Ru and Ir showed the highest electrocatalytic activity for OER among composite samples in different molar ratios. Moreover, the properties of RuO2IrO2 grown on carbon paper were evaluated by proton exchange membrane water electrolysis single cell. Compared with the micron-particle structure of RuO2IrO2 catalyst on the Ti substrate, the catalyst grown on the carbon paper showed a novel nano dendrite shape and can be used directly as the gas diffusion electrode. Owing to the large surface area of the catalyst, the nano dendrite-shaped RuO2IrO2 catalyst exhibits excellent OER performance in the single cell. Furthermore, a cell voltage of 2.50 V is achieved under 200mA cm2 at 30 oC by using the optimal composition RuO2IrO2 (Ru : Ir=7/3) and the commercial 20% Pt/C as anode and cathode, respectively.

ATP6V0d2 Suppresses Alveoli Macrophage Alternative Polarization and Allergic Asthma via Degradation of PU.1

Liu Na,Feng Yuchen,Liu Huicheng,Wu Wenliang,Liang Yuxia,Li Pingfei,Wei Zhengping,Wu Min,Tang Zhao-Hui,Han Junyan,Cheng Xiang,Liu Zheng,Laurence Arian,Li Huabin,Zhen Guohua,Yang Xiang-Ping 대한천식알레르기학회 2021 Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Research Vol.13 No.3

Purpose Macrophages are important regulators of environmental allergen-induced airway inflammation and asthma. ATP6V0d2 is a subunit of vacuolar ATPase highly expressed in macrophages. However, the functions of ATP6V0d2 in the regulation of pathogenesis of allergic asthma remain unclear. The aim of this study is to determine the function and related molecular mechanisms of macrophage protein ATP6V0d2 in allergic asthma. Methods We compared the disease severity between female C57BL/6 wild-type and ATP6V0d2−/− mice in an ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthma model. We also investigated the association of expression of ATP6V0d2, PU.1 and CCL17 with disease severity among asthmatic patients. Results The expression of ATP6V0d2 in sputum cells of asthmatic patients and in the lungs of OVA-challenged mice was enhanced compared to healthy subjects and their counterparts, respectively. However, ATP6V0d2-deficient mice exaggerated inflammatory cell infiltration as well as enhanced alternative activated macrophage (AAM) polarization and mucus production in an OVA-induced asthma model. Furthermore, we found that Atp6v0d2 promoted lysosomal degradation of Pu.1, which induced AAM polarization and Ccl17 production. Among asthma patients, ATP6V0d2 expression was inversely associated with disease severity, whereas PU.1 and CCL17 expression was positively associated with disease severity. Conclusions Our results identify macrophage Atp6v0d2, as an induced feedback inhibitor of asthma disease severity by promoting Pu.1 lysosomal degradation, which may in turn leads to reduced AAM polarization and Ccl17 production.

Long non-coding RNA RP11-6O2.4 indicates poor prognosis and suppresses cell cycle progression through the p38-MAPK signaling pathway in gastric cancer

Yang Feng,Zhiming Fu,Yajun Luo,Wang Tan,Zilin Liu,Pengcheng Ye,Fei Lu,Wanping Xiang,Linghan Tang,Lin Yao,Mengyun Song,Qingmei Huang,Yilun Liu,Jiangwei Xiao 대한독성 유전단백체 학회 2019 Molecular & cellular toxicology Vol.15 No.3

Backgrounds: The role of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNA) in gastric cancer (GC) has been highlighted in studies conducted over the past decade. However, the potential clinical value and the mechanisms of action of RP11-6O2.4 in GC have not been thoroughly elucidated to date. The specific aim of the present study was to assess RP11-6O2.4 and to explore its role in human GC. Methods: Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was performed to analyze the expression levels of RP11-6O2.4 in GC tissues, paired adjacent noncancerous tissues (ANTs) and GC cell lines. In addition, the correlation between RP11-6O2.4 expression and the clinical characteristics and prognosis of patients with GC was statistically analyzed. The effects of RP11- 6O2.4 on the GC cell cycle transformation through the p38-MAPK signaling pathway were explored by flow cytometry, qPCR and Western blot analysis after treatment with SB203580, a p38MAPK specific inhibitor, in vitro. Results: The expression levels of RP11-6O2.4 in GC tissues were significantly lower than the paired ANTs (P<0.05). In addition, RP11-6O2.4 expression was significantly lower in cases with older age, longer maximum tumor diameter, higher ASA grade and deeper invasive depth (P<0.05). RP11-6O2.4 expression was significantly higher in cases with well/middle differentiation than poor/no differentiation; higher in cases without lymph node metastasis than in lymph node metastasis; and higher in cases in stage Ⅰ/Ⅱ than in stage Ⅲ/Ⅳ. An in vitro assay showed that RP11-6O2.4 induced G0/ G1 phase cell cycle arrest, likely by regulating the p38- MAPK signaling pathway. Conclusion: The above mentioned data suggested that RP11-6O2.4 was a tumor-suppressor gene in GC. RP11- 6O2.4 might play an important role in the cell cycle transformation by regulating the p38-MAPK signaling pathway, thereby representing a specific biomarker and a potential molecular target for the treatment of GC.

Preparation and characterization of hexaferrites Ba0.40Sr0.60-xNdxFe12.00-xZnxO19 by the solid-state reaction route

Yujie Yang,Xiansong Liu,Shuangjiu Feng,Xucai Kan,Qingrong Lv,Feng Hu,Jiangli Ni,Chaocheng Liu,Wei Wang 한양대학교 세라믹연구소 2020 Journal of Ceramic Processing Research Vol.21 No.4

The microstructural, spectral, magnetic and electric properties of hexaferrites Ba0.40Sr0.60-xNdxFe12.00-xZnxO19 (0.00 ≤ x ≤ 0.30)synthesized by the solid-state reaction route have been studied. XRD results confirmed that the hexaferrites with Nd-Zncontent (x) of 0.00 ≤ x ≤ 0.24 were single M-type phase, and the hexaferrite with x = 0.30 exhibited the M-type phase andimpurity phase. The remanence (Br) increased with x from 0.00 to 0.06, and then decreased when x ≥ 0.06. The intrinsiccoercivity (Hcj) and magnetic induction coercivity (Hcb) decreased with x from 0.00 to 0.30. Br indicated a linear decreasingbehavior with increasing temperature from 20 oC to 140 oC. Hcj raised linearly with increasing temperature from 20 oC to 140oC. The value of aBr basically remained constant with Nd-Zn content (x). The value of aHcj increased with x from 0.00 to 0.12,and began to decrease when x ≥ 0.12. The electrical resitivity (ρ) presented a decreasing trend with x from 0.00 to 0.30.

Temperature-dependent development of Lista haraldusalis (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) on Platycarya strobilacea

Jian-Feng Liu,Man Liu,Mao-Fa Yang,Dimitris C. Kontodimas,Xiao-Fei Yu,Qi-Xian Lian 한국응용곤충학회 2014 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.17 No.4

The effect of constant temperatures on development and survival of Lista haraldusalis (Walker) (Lepidoptera:Pyralidae), a newly reported insect species used to produce insect tea in Guizhou province (China), was studiedin laboratory conditions at seven temperatures (19 °C, 22 °C, 25 °C, 28 °C, 31 °C, 34 °C, and 37 °C) on Platycaryastrobilacea. Increasing the temperature from 19 °C to 31 °C led to a significant decrease in the developmentaltime from egg to adult emergence, and then the total developmental time increased at 34 °C. Egg incubationwas the stage where L. haraldusalis experienced the highest mortality at all temperatures. The survival ofL. haraldusalis was significantly higher at 25 °C and 28 °C, whereas none of the eggs hatched at 37 °C. Commonand Ikemoto linear models were used to describe the relationship between the temperature and the developmentalrate for each immature stage of L. haraldusalis. The estimated values of the lower temperature thresholdand thermal constant of the total immature stages using Common and Ikemoto linear models were 11.34 °C and11.20 °C, and 939.85 and 950.41 degree-days, respectively. Seven nonlinear models were used to fit the experimentaldata to estimate the developmental rate of L. haraldusalis. Based on the biological significance for modelevaluation, Ikemoto linear, Logan-6, and SSI were the best models that fitted each immature stage ofL. haraldusalis and they were used to estimate the temperature thresholds. These thermal requirements and temperaturethresholds are crucial for facilitating the development of factory-based mass rearing of L. haraldusalis.

Surface-Displayed Porcine IFN-λ3 in Lactobacillus plantarum Inhibits Porcine Enteric Coronavirus Infection of Porcine Intestinal Epithelial Cells

Yong-Shi Liu,Qiong Liu,Yanlong Jiang,Wentao Yang,Hai-Bin Huang,Chun-Wei Shi,Gui-Lian Yang,Chun-Feng Wang 한국미생물·생명공학회 2020 Journal of microbiology and biotechnology Vol.30 No.4

Interferon (IFN)-λ plays an essential role in mucosal cells which exhibit strong antiviral activity. Lactobacillus plantarum (L. plantarum) has substantial application potential in the food and medical industries because of its probiotic properties. Alphacoronaviruses, especially porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) and transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV), cause high morbidity and mortality in piglets resulting in economic loss. Co-infection by these two viruses is becoming increasingly frequent. Therefore, it is particularly important to develop a new drug to prevent diarrhea infected with mixed viruses in piglets. In this study, we first constructed an anchored expression vector with CWA (C-terminal cell wall anchor) on L. plantarum. Second, we constructed two recombinant L. plantarum strains that anchored IFN-λ3 via pgsA (N-terminal transmembrane anchor) and CWA. Third, we demonstrated that both recombinant strains possess strong antiviral effects against coronavirus infection in the intestinal porcine epithelial cell line J2 (IPEC-J2). However, recombinant L. plantarum with the CWA anchor exhibited a more powerful antiviral effect than recombinant L. plantarum with pgsA. Consistent with this finding, Lb.plantarum-pSIP-409-IFN- λ3-CWA enhanced the expression levels of IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs) (ISG15, OASL, and Mx1) in IPEC-J2 cells more than did recombinant Lb.plantarum-pSIP-409-pgsA'-IFN-λ3. Our study verifies that recombinant L. plantarum inhibits PEDV and TGEV infection in IPEC-J2 cells, which may offer great potential for use as a novel oral antiviral agent in therapeutic applications for combating porcine epidemic diarrhea and transmissible gastroenteritis. This study is the first to show that recombinant L. plantarum suppresses PEDV and TGEV infection of IPEC-J2 cells.

No Association Between the USP7 Gene Polymorphisms and Colorectal Cancer in the Chinese Han Population

Li, Xin,Wang, Yang,Li, Xing-Wang,Liu, Bao-Cheng,Zhao, Qing-Zhu,Li, Wei-Dong,Chen, Shi-Qing,Huang, Xiao-Ye,Yang, Feng-Ping,Wang, Quan,Wang, Jin-Fen,Xiao, Yan-Zeng,Xu, Yi-Feng,Feng, Guo-Yin,Peng, Zhi-Ha Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.5

Colorectal cancer (CRC), now the third most common cancer across the world, is known to aggregate in families. USP7 is a very important protein with an important role in regulating the p53 pathway, which is critical for genomic stability and tumor suppression. We here genotyped eight SNPs within the USP7 gene and conducted a case-control study in 312 CRC patients and 270 healthy subjects in the Chinese Han population. No significant associations were found for any single SNP and CRC risk. Our data eliminate USP7 as a potential candidate gene towards for CRC in the Han Chinese population.

Increased Serotonin Signaling Contributes to the Warburg Effect in Pancreatic Tumor Cells Under Metabolic Stress and Promotes Growth of Pancreatic Tumors in Mice

Jiang, Shu-Heng,Li, Jun,Dong, Fang-Yuan,Yang, Jian-Yu,Liu, De-Jun,Yang, Xiao-Mei,Wang, Ya-Hui,Yang, Min-Wei,Fu, Xue-Liang,Zhang, Xiao-Xin,Li, Qing,Pang, Xiu-Feng,Huo, Yan-Miao,Li, Jiao,Zhang, Jun-Feng Elsevier 2017 Gastroenterology Vol.153 No.1

<P><B>Background & Aims</B></P> <P>Desmoplasia and poor vascularity cause severe metabolic stress in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (PDACs). Serotonin (5-HT) is a neuromodulator with neurotransmitter and neuroendocrine functions that contributes to tumorigenesis. We investigated the role of 5-HT signaling in the growth of pancreatic tumors.</P> <P><B>Methods</B></P> <P>We measured the levels of proteins that regulate 5-HT synthesis, packaging, and degradation in pancreata from Kras<SUP>G12D/+</SUP>/Trp53<SUP>R172H/+</SUP>/Pdx1-Cre (KPC) mice, which develop pancreatic tumors, as well as in PDAC cell lines and a tissue microarray containing 81 human PDAC samples. We also analyzed expression levels of proteins involved in 5-HT synthesis and degradation by immunohistochemical analysis of a tissue microarray containing 311 PDAC specimens, and associated expression levels with patient survival times. 5-HT level in 14 matched PDAC tumor and non-tumor tissues were analyzed by ELISA. PDAC cell lines were incubated with 5-HT and cell survival and apoptosis were measured. We analyzed expression of the 5-HT receptor HTR2B in PDAC cells and effects of receptor agonists and antagonists, as well as HTR2B knockdown with small hairpin RNAs. We determined the effects of 5-HT stimulation on gene expression profiles of BxPC-3 cells. Regulation of glycolysis by 5-HT signaling via HTR2B was assessed by immunofluorescence and immunoprecipitation analyses, as well as by determination of the extracellular acid ratio, glucose consumption, and lactate production. Primary PDACs, with or without exposure to SB204741 (a selective antagonist of HTR2B), were grown as xenograft tumors in mice, and SB204741 was administered to tumor-bearing KPC mice; tumor growth and metabolism were measured by imaging analyses.</P> <P><B>Results</B></P> <P>In immunohistochemical analysis of a tissue microarray of PDAC specimens, increased levels of TPH1 and decreased level of MAOA, which regulate 5-HT synthesis and degradation, correlated with stage and size of PDACs and shorter patient survival time. We found levels of 5-HT to be increased in human PDAC tissues compared with non-tumor pancreatic tissues, and PDAC cell lines compared with non-transformed pancreatic cells. Incubation of PDAC cell lines with 5-HT increased proliferation and prevented apoptosis. Agonists of HTR2B, but not other 5-HT receptors, promoted proliferation and prevented apoptosis of PDAC cells. Knockdown of HTR2B in PDAC cells, or incubation of cells with HTR2B inhibitors, reduced their growth as xenograft tumors in mice. We observed a correlation between 5-HT and glycolytic flux in PDAC cells; levels of metabolic enzymes involved in glycolysis, the phosphate pentose pathway, and hexosamine biosynthesis pathway increased significantly in PDAC cells following 5-HT stimulation. 5-HT stimulation led to formation of the HTR2B–LYN–p85 complex, which increased PI3K–Akt–mTOR signaling and the Warburg effect by increasing protein levels of MYC and HIF1A. Administration of SB204741 to KPC mice slowed growth and metabolism of established pancreatic tumors and prolonged survival of the mice.</P> <P><B>Conclusions</B></P> <P>Human PDACs have increased levels of 5-HT, and PDAC cells increase expression of its receptor, HTR2B. These increases allow for tumor glycolysis under metabolic stress and promote growth of pancreatic tumors and PDAC xenograft tumors in mice.</P>