Imaging Features of Soft-Tissue Calcifications and Related Diseases: A Systematic Approach

Zhen-An Hwang,서경진,Dillon Chen,Wing P. Chan,Jim S. Wu 대한영상의학회 2018 Korean Journal of Radiology Vol.19 No.6

Soft-tissue calcification refers to a broad category of lesions. Calcifications are frequently identified by radiologists in daily practice. Using a simple algorithm based on the distribution pattern of the lesions and detailed clinical information, these calcified lesions can be systematically evaluated. The distribution pattern of the calcific deposits enables initial division into calcinosis circumscripta and calcinosis universalis. Using laboratory test results (serum calcium and phosphate levels) and clinical history, calcinosis circumscripta can be further categorized into four subtypes: dystrophic, iatrogenic, metastatic, and idiopathic calcification. This pictorial essay presents a systematic approach to the imaging features of softtissue calcifications and related diseases.

Isolation of Probiotic Piliated Lactobacillus rhamnosus Strains from Human Fecal Microbiota Using SpaA Antiserum-Based Colony Immunoblotting

( Zhen-quan Yang ),( Yu Xue ),( Sheng-qi Rao ),( Mi Zhang ),( Lu Gao ),( Yong-qi Yin ),( Da-wei Chen ),( Xiao-hui Zhou ),( Xin-an Jiao ) 한국미생물생명공학회(구 한국산업미생물학회) 2017 Journal of microbiology and biotechnology Vol.27 No.11

Piliated Lactobacillus rhamnosus (pLR) strains possess higher adherent capacity than non-piliated strains. The objective of this study was to isolate and characterize probiotic pLR strains in human fecal samples. To this end, mouse polyclonal antiserum (anti-SpaA) against the recombinant pilus protein (SpaA) of L. rhamnosus strain GG (LGG) was prepared and tested for its reactivity and specificity. With the anti-SpaA, a method combining the de Man, Rogosa, and Sharpe (MRS) agar plating separation and colony immunoblotting (CIB) was developed to isolate pLR from 124 human fecal samples. The genetic and phenotypic characteristics of the resultant pLR isolates were compared by randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) fingerprinting, and examination of adhesion to Caco-2 cells, hydrophobicity, autoaggregation, and in vitro gastrointestinal tolerance. Anti-SpaA specifically reacted with three pLR strains of 25 test strains, as assessed by western blotting, immunofluorescence flow cytometry, and immunoelectron microscopy (IEM) assays. The optimized MRS agar separation plus anti- SpaA-based CIB procedure could quantitatively detect 2.5 × 10³ CFU/ml of pLR colonies spiked in 10⁶ CFU/ml of background bacteria. Eight pLR strains were identified in 124 human fecal samples, and were confirmed by 16S RNA gene sequencing and IEM identification. RAPD fingerprinting of the pLR strains revealed seven different patterns, of which only two isolates from infants showed the same RAPD profiles with LGG. Strain PLR06 was obtained with high adhesion and autoaggregation activities, hydrophobicity, and gastrointestinal tolerance. Anti-SpaA-based CIB is a rapid and inexpensive method for the preliminary screening of novel adherent L. rhamnosus strains for commercial purposes.

Anomalous magnetization jumps in granular Pb superconducting films

Zhang An-Lei,Jiang Wan-Yan,Chen Xing-Hong,Zhang Xiao-Ke,Lu Wen-Lai,Chen Fei,Feng Zhen-Jie,Cao Shi-Xun,Zhang Jin-Cang,Ge Jun-Yi 한국물리학회 2022 Current Applied Physics Vol.35 No.-

In granular superconductors, the grain boundaries are closely related to the vortex dynamics and the macroscopic superconducting properties. In our research, Pb films with different grain sizes were prepared by tuning the substrate temperature. With the grain size decreasing, Pb films are prone to feature the anomalous magnetization jumps in the M − T curves, while in the M − H curves flux avalanche happens. Both phenomena appear in the same region of the H − T phase diagram and thus are considered to have the same origin. The further theoretical analysis shows that with grain size decreasing the pinning mechanism evolves from a mixed δTc and δl pinning to the δl pinning mechanism. The results shed light on the study of pinning mechanism for granular superconductors and is beneficial to the potential application of manipulating vortex pinning by regulation of intrinsic defects.

Correlation of Overexpression of Nestin with Expression of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition-Related Proteins in Gastric Adenocarcinoma

Liu, Jin-Kai,Chen, Wan-Cheng,Ji, Xiao-Zhen,Zheng, Wen-Hong,Han, Wei,An, Jing Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.7

Background: Nestin is associated with neoplastic transformation. However, the mechanisms by which nestin contributes regarding invasion and malignancy of gastric adenocarcinoma (GAC) remain unknown. Recent studies have shown that the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is important in invasion and migration of cancer cells. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the expression of nestin and its correlation with EMT-related proteins in GAC. Materials and Methods: The expression of nestin and EMT-related proteins was examined in GAC specimens and cell lines by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. Clinicopathological features and survival outcomes were retrospectively analyzed. Results: Positive nestin immunostaining was most obviously detected in the cytoplasm, nucleus or both cytoplasm and nucleus of tumor cells in 19.2% (24/125) of GAC tissues, which was significantly higher than that in normal gastric mucosa tissues (1.7%, 1/60) (p=0.001). Nestin expression was closely related to several clinicopathological factors and EMT-related proteins (E-cadherin, vimentin and Snail) and displayed a poor prognosis. Interestingly, simultaneous cytoplasmic and nuclear nestin expression correlated with EMT-related proteins (E-cadherin, vimentin and Snail) (p<0.05) and lymph node metastasis (p=0.041) and a shorter survival time (p<0.05), but this was not the case with cytoplasmic or nuclear nestin expression. Conclusions: Nestin, particularly expression in both cytoplasm and nucleus, might be involved in regulating EMT and malignant progression in GAC, with potential as an unfavorable indicator in tumor diagnosis and a target for clinical therapy.

Developments of double skin composite walls using novel enhanced C-channel connectors

Jia-Bao Yan,An-Zhen Chen,Tao Wang 국제구조공학회 2019 Steel and Composite Structures, An International J Vol.33 No.6

The developments of double skin composite (DSC) walls with novel enhanced C-channel connectors (DSCW-EC) were reported. Followed axial compression tests on prototype walls were carried to evaluate structural performances of this novel DSC composite structures. The testing program consists of five specimens and focused on the layout of the novel enhanced C-channel (EC) connectors, which include the web direction of C-channels, steel-faceplate thickness, vertical and horizontal spacing of Cchannels. Crushing in concrete core and buckling of steel faceplate were two main observed failed modes from the compression tests. However, elastic or plastic buckling of the steel faceplate varies with designed parameters in different specimens. The influences of those investigated parameters on axial compressive behaviors of DSCW-ECs were analyzed and discussed. Recommendations on the layout of novel EC connectors were then given based on these test results and discussions. This paper also developed analytical models for predictions on ultimate compressive resistance of DSCW-ECs. Validation against the reported test results show that the developed theoretical models predict well the ultimate compressive resistance of DSCW-ECs.

The SH2 domain is crucial for function of Fyn in neuronal migration and cortical lamination

( Xi Lu ),( Xin De Hu ),( Ling Zhen Song ),( Lei An ),( Ming Hui Duan ),( Shu Lin Chen ),( Shan Ting Zhao ) 생화학분자생물학회(구 한국생화학분자생물학회) 2015 BMB Reports Vol.48 No.2

Neurons in the developing brain form the cortical plate (CP) in an inside-out manner, in which the late-born neurons are located more superficially than the early-born neurons. Fyn, a member of the Src family kinases, plays an important role in neuronal migration by binding to many substrates. However, the role of the Src-homology 2 (SH2) domain in function of Fyn in neuronal migration remains poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate that the SH2 domain is essential for the action of Fyn in neuronal migration and cortical lamination. A point mutation in the Fyn SH2 domain (FynR176A) impaired neuronal migration and their final location in the cerebral cortex, by inducing neuronal aggregation and branching. Thus, we provide the first evidence of the Fyn SH2 domain contributing to neuronal migration and neuronal morphogenesis. [BMB Reports 2015; 48(2): 97-102]