Isolation and identification of a canine coronavirus strain from giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca)

Feng-Shan Gao,Xian-zhu Xia,Yu-Wei Gao,Ya-Duo Bai,Xiao-Huan Zou,Gui-Xue Hu 대한수의학회 2009 Journal of Veterinary Science Vol.10 No.3

Two giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) died of unknown causes in a Chinese zoo. The clinical disease profile suggested that the pandas may have suffered a viral infection. Therefore, a series of detection including virus isolation, electron microscopy, cytobiological assay, serum neutralization and RT-PCR were used to identify the virus. It was determined that the isolated virus was a canine coronavirus (CCV), on the basis of coronavirus, neutralization by canine anti-CCV serum, and 84.3% to 100% amino acid sequence similarity with CCV. The results suggest that the affected pandas had been infected with CCV.

Thermal and mechanical properties of poly(latic acid) reinforced with silanized basalt scales

Shan-Shan Yao,Ming-Zhan Gao,Zhao-Yang Feng,Fan-Long Jin,박수진 한국화학공학회 2022 Korean Journal of Chemical Engineering Vol.39 No.7

Biodegradable poly(lactic acid) (PLA)-based composites were prepared using PLA and basalt scale (BS) viaa solution-blending method. BS surfaces were treated using a silane coupling agent, and their surface properties werecharacterized by high-resolution scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry, and X-ray photoelectronspectrometry. Moreover, the influence of BS content on the thermal properties, flexural properties, impactstrength, and morphology of the PLA/silane-coupling-agent-treated BS (KH-BS) composites was analyzed. The thermalstability of the composites significantly increased due to the addition of KH-BS. Impact strength tests showed thatthe impact strength of the PLA/KH-BS composite with 4 wt% KH-BS was 3.14 kJ/m2, which is 51% higher than that ofpristine PLA (2.07 kJ/m2). The analysis of the fracture surfaces of the composites after the impact strength tests revealeda rough morphology with numerous river-like micro-cracks. The study results demonstrate that the addition of KH-BSsignificantly improves the thermal stability and impact strength of PLA/KH-BS composites.

Prevalence and Age, Gender and Geographical Area Distribution of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinomas in North China from 1985 to 2006

Feng, Xiao-Shan,Yang, Yan-Tong,Gao, She-Gan,Ru, Yi,Wang, Gong-Ping,Zhou, Bo,Wang, Yu-Feng,Zhang, Peng-Fei,Li, Pu-Yu,Liu, Yong-Xuan Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.5

Objective: To establish the prevalence and distribution profile of esophageal squamous cell carcinomas (ESCCs) over a 22-yr period in North China. Methods: Using endoscopy for primary diagnosis and histological analysis for the further confirmation, a total of 74,854 ESCC patients aged 20-89 between January 1985 and December 2006 were investigated to analyze the epidemiological profile including prevalence rates, distribution of age-of-onset, gender and geographical area of ESCC in Luoyang, the highest incidence area of North China. Results: A total of 4092 cases of ESCC were finally diagnosed among 74,854 patients who had their first endoscopies. The prevalence among males was higher than that among females (p<0.01), resulting in an overall male:female OR of 1.2 (95%CI, 1.2-1.3). The prevalence in rural areas was higher than in urban areas (p<0.01), resulting in an overall rural:urban OR of 2.6 (95%CI, 2.4-2.9). The rural:urban ORs and the 95% CI increased continuously from 2.6, 2.3-3.0 to 2.7, 2.2-3.3, respectively, for 4 consecutive periods during the 22-yr study period. Moreover, the median age of onset among females was higher than that among males (p<0.01). For both sexes and in both areas, the prevalence rates declined and the median age of onset rose for 4 consecutive periods in the 22-yrs time frame (p<0.01). Conculsions: These data reveal the epidemiological profile of ESCC in the area of North China, and suggest that urban areas and rural people account for a growing proportion of the ESCC patients although the prevalence of ESCC significantly declined and the median age-of-onset postponed over the 22-yrs period. Moreover, the prevalence status of ESCC in rural areas also underlines the need for public health initiatives aimed at reducing risk factors of this fatal disease.

Studies on CFST column to steel beam joints using endplates and long bolts under central column removal

Shan Gao,Bo Yang,Lanhui Guo,Man Xu,Feng Fu 국제구조공학회 2022 Steel and Composite Structures, An International J Vol.42 No.2

In this paper, four specimens of CFST column joints with endplates and long bolts are tested in the scenario of progressive collapse. Flush endplate and extended endplate are both adopted in this study. The experimental results show that increasing the thickness of the endplate could improve the behavior of the joint, but delay the mobilization of catenary action. The thickness of the endplate should not be relatively thick in comparison to the diameter of the bolts, otherwise catenary action would not be mobilized or work effectively. Effective bending deformation of the endplate could help the formation and development of catenary action in the joints. The performance of flexural action in the joint would affect the formation of catenary action in the joint. Extra middle-row bolts set at the endplates and structural components set below the bottom beam flange should be used to enhance the robustness of joints. A special weld access hole between beam and endplate should be adopted to mitigate the chain damage potential of welds. It is suggested that the structural components of joints should be independent of each other to enhance the robustness of joints. Based on the component method, a formula calculating the stiffness coefficient of preloaded long bolts was proposed whose results matched well with the experimental results.

Maternal nutrition altered embryonic MYOD1, MYF5, and MYF6 gene expression in genetically fat and lean lines of chickens

Li Feng,Yang Chunxu,Xie Yingjie,Gao Xiang,Zhang Yuanyuan,Ning Hangyi,Liu Guangtao,Chen Zhihui,Shan Anshan 아세아·태평양축산학회 2022 Animal Bioscience Vol.35 No.8

Objective: The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of daily feed intake during the laying period on embryonic myogenic differentiation 1 (MYOD1), myogenic factor 5 (MYF5), and myogenic factor 6 (MYF6) gene expression in genetically fat and lean lines of chickens. Methods: An experiment in a 2×2 factorial design was conducted with two dietary intake levels (100% and 75% of nutrition recommendation) and two broiler chicken lines (fat and lean). Two lines of hens (n = 384 for each line) at 23th week of age were randomly divided into 4 treatments with 12 replicates of 16 birds. The experiment started at 27th week of age (5% egg rate) and ended at 54th week of age. Hatched eggs from the medium laying period were collected. Real time polymerase chain reaction analysis was used to analyse the MYOD1, MYF5, and MYF6 mRNA levels of E7, E9, E11, E13, and E15 body tissues and E17, E19, and E21 chest and thigh muscle samples. Results: The results indicated that there were significant effects of line, dietary intake, and interactions between them on MYOD1, MYF5, and MYF6 gene mRNA expression levels in embryonic tissues. Low daily feed intake did not change the expression trend of MYOD1 mRNA in either line, but changed the peak values, especially in lean line. Low daily feed intake altered the trend in MYF5 mRNA expression level in both lines and apparently delayed its onset. There was no apparent effect of low daily feed intake on the trends of MYF6 mRNA expression levels in either line, but it significantly changed the values on many embryonic days. Conclusion: Maternal nutrient restriction affects myogenesis and is manifested in the expression of embryonic MYOD1, MYF5, and MYF6 genes. Long term selection for fat deposition in broiler chickens changes the pattern and intensity of myogenesis. Objective: The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of daily feed intake during the laying period on embryonic myogenic differentiation 1 (<i>MYOD1</i>), myogenic factor 5 (<i>MYF5</i>), and myogenic factor 6 (<i>MYF6</i>) gene expression in genetically fat and lean lines of chickens.Methods: An experiment in a 2×2 factorial design was conducted with two dietary intake levels (100% and 75% of nutrition recommendation) and two broiler chicken lines (fat and lean). Two lines of hens (n = 384 for each line) at 23th week of age were randomly divided into 4 treatments with 12 replicates of 16 birds. The experiment started at 27th week of age (5% egg rate) and ended at 54th week of age. Hatched eggs from the medium laying period were collected. Real time polymerase chain reaction analysis was used to analyse the <i>MYOD1</i>, <i>MYF5</i>, and <i>MYF6</i> mRNA levels of E7, E9, E11, E13, and E15 body tissues and E17, E19, and E21 chest and thigh muscle samples.Results: The results indicated that there were significant effects of line, dietary intake, and interactions between them on <i>MYOD1</i>, <i>MYF5</i>, and <i>MYF6</i> gene mRNA expression levels in embryonic tissues. Low daily feed intake did not change the expression trend of <i>MYOD1</i> mRNA in either line, but changed the peak values, especially in lean line. Low daily feed intake altered the trend in <i>MYF5</i> mRNA expression level in both lines and apparently delayed its onset. There was no apparent effect of low daily feed intake on the trends of <i>MYF6</i> mRNA expression levels in either line, but it significantly changed the values on many embryonic days.Conclusion: Maternal nutrient restriction affects myogenesis and is manifested in the expression of embryonic <i>MYOD1</i>, <i>MYF5</i>, and <i>MYF6</i> genes. Long term selection for fat deposition in broiler chickens changes the pattern and intensity of myogenesis.

Diagnostic value of Thyroglobulin Measurement with Fine-needle Aspiration Biopsy for Lymph Node Metastases in Patients with a History of Differentiated Thyroid Cancer

Zhang, Hai-Shan,Wang, Ren-Jie,Fu, Qing-Feng,Gao, Shi,Sun, Bu-Tong,Sun, Hui,Ma, Qing-Jie Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.24

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of FNA-Tg for detecting lymph node metastases in patients with a history of differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC). Materials and Methods: A total of 58 patients with DTC diagnosis and evidence of single or multiple suspicious cervical lymph nodes were assessed. All underwent total or near-total thyroidectomy with (35 cases) or without (23 cases) radioiodine (RAI) ablation, followed by thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) suppression therapy. A total of 68 lymph nodes were examined by ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (US-FNA) for both cytological examination and FNA-Tg measurement. Serum Tg and anti-thyroglobulin antibody (TgAb) levels were also measured. Diagnostic performance including sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of FNAC and FNA-Tg were calculated and compared. The Spearman's rank correlation coefficient was used to estimate the relationship between FNA-Tg and serum TgAb. Results: The FNA-Tg levels were significantly higher with DTC metastatic lymph nodes (median 927.7 ng/mL, interquartile range 602.9 ng/mL) than non-metastatic lymph nodes (median 0.1 ng/mL, interquartile range 0.4 ng/mL) (p<0.01). Considering 1.0 ng/mL as a threshold value for FNA-Tg, the sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, PPV and NPV of FNA-Tg were 95.7%, 95.5%, 95.6%, 97.8% and 91.3%, respectively. The sensitivity and accuracy of the combination of FNAC and FNA-Tg were significantly higher than that of FNAC alone (p<0.05). The diagnostic performance of FNA-Tg was not significantly different between cases with or without RAI ablation, and the serum TgAb levels did not interfere with FNA-Tg measurements. Conclusions: Measurement of FNA-Tg is useful. The combination of FNAC and FNA-Tg is more sensitive and accurate for detecting lymph node metastases in patients with a history of DTC than FNAC alone. Serum TgAbs appear to be irrelevant for measurement of FNA-Tg.

Nrf2 Overexpression Predicts Prognosis and 5-FU Resistance in Gastric Cancer

Hu, Xiu-Feng,Yao, Jun,Gao, She-Gan,Wang, Xin-Shuai,Peng, Xiu-Qing,Yang, Yan-Tong,Feng, Xiao-Shan Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.9

Objective: NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is activated in several human malignancies. However, the role of Nrf2 in gastric cancer (GC) remains incompletely understood. In this study, we therefore analyzed associations of Nrf2 expression status with clinical features and chemotherapeutic resistance in GC. Materials and Methods: A total of 186 samples from GC patients who underwent gastrectomy were used for prognostic assessment. A further 142 samples from GC cases who received first-line combination chemotherapy were applied for investigation of chemoresistance. The Nrf2 expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry in GC samples, and its relationship with clinicopathological parameters and chemotherapy sensitivity was analyzed. The effect of Nrf2 gene silencing on chemotherapy resistance was also examined by cell viability assay in vivo. Results: Of the 186 patients with GC, 104/186 (55.9%) showed high expression for Nrf2. The overexpression of Nrf2 was an independent predictor of overall survival [OS, hazard ratio (HR) 3.9; P=0.011] and disease-free survival (DFS, HR 4.3; P=0.002). The gene silencing of Nrf2 reduced resistance to cell death induced by 5-FU in GC cell lines. Conclusion: Our data show that Nrf2 is an independent prognostic factor in GC. Furthermore, Nrf2 confers resistance to chemotherapeutic drug 5-FU in GC cells. Taken together, Nrf2 is a potential prognostic marker and predictive for 5-FU resistance in GC.

Inhibition of cancer cell growth and migration by dihydroxynaphthyl aryl ketones

Wei Xiong,Yun-Feng Li,Shan Liu,Ting Chen,Hong-Tao Zhang,Zhi-Bin Yang,Ying-Ying Ding,De-Pei Gao,Guan-Shun Wang,Jian Dong,Jian Dong 대한독성 유전단백체 학회 2016 Molecular & cellular toxicology Vol.12 No.4

Dihydroxynaphthyl aryl ketones 1-5 exhibit activity as tubulin polymerization inhibitors by targeting the colchicine binding site of microtubules making them potential anticancer drugs. Therefore, analogues 1-5 have been evaluated for their cytotoxic activity against the cancer cell lines DU-145 (prostate), T24 (bladder) and MCF-7 (breast). notable differences in biological activity were observed for compounds 1-5, most likely related to the nature of the aryl substituent bonded to the carbonyl group. among the tested compounds, only compound 5 showed selectivity for cancer cells over healthy, non-transformed cells. T24 cancer cells treated with compound 5 presented a concentration-dependent decrease in cell proliferation and a loss of migration ability. The cytotoxicity of compounds 1-5 on the selected cell-based assays is discussed in terms of it lipophilicity and polarizability parameters.

Suppression of MED19 expression by shRNA induces inhibition of cell proliferation and tumorigenesis in human prostate cancer cells

( Xin Gang Cui ),( Dan Feng Xu ),( Chao Lv ),( Fa Jun Qu ),( Jin He ),( Ming Chen ),( Yu Shan Liu ),( Yi Gao ),( Jian Ping Che ),( Ya Cheng Yao ),( Hong Yu Yu ) 생화학분자생물학회(구 한국생화학분자생물학회) 2011 BMB Reports Vol.44 No.8

MED19 is a member of the Mediator that plays a key role in the activation and repression of signal transduction or the regulation of transcription in carcinomas. To tested the functional role of MED19 in human prostate cancer, we downregulated MED19 expression in prostate cancer cells (PC-3 and DU145) by lentivirus- mediated short hairpin (shRNA), and analyzed the effect of inhibition of MED19 on prostate cancer cell proliferation and tumorigenesis. The in vitro prostate cancer cell proliferation, colony formation, and in vivo tumor growth in nude mice xenografts was significantly reduced after the downregulation of MED19. Knock- down of MED19 caused S-phase arrest and induced apoptosis via modulation of Bid and Caspase 7. It was suggested that MED19 serves as a novel proliferation regulator that promotes growth of prostate cancer cells. [BMB reports 2011; 44(8): 547-552]

Effects of intrauterine growth restriction during late pregnancy on the cell growth, proliferation, and differentiation in ovine fetal thymuses

Zi Yang,Ma Chi,He Shan,Yang Huan,Zhang Min,Gao Feng,Liu Yingchun 아세아·태평양축산학회 2022 Animal Bioscience Vol.35 No.7

Objective: This study investigated the effects of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) during late pregnancy on the cell growth, proliferation, and differentiation in ovine fetal thymuses. Methods: Eighteen time-mated Mongolian ewes with singleton fetuses were allocated to three groups at d 90 of pregnancy: restricted group 1 (RG1, 0.18 MJ ME/body weight [BW]0.75/d, n = 6), restricted group 2 (RG2, 0.33 MJ ME/BW0.75/d, n = 6) and control group (CG, ad libitum, 0.67 MJ ME/BW0.75/d, n = 6). Fetuses were recovered at slaughter on d 140. Results: The G0/G1 phase cell number in fetal thymus of the RG1 group was increased but the proliferation index and the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) were reduced compared with the CG group (p<0.05). Fetuses in the RG1 group exhibited decreased growth hormone receptor (GHR), insulin-like growth factor 2 receptor (IGF-2R), and their mRNA expressions (p<0.05). For the RG2 fetuses, there were no differences in the proliferation index and PCNA expression (p>0.05), but growth hormone (GH) and the mRNA expression of GHR were lower than those of the CG group (p<0.05). The thymic mRNA expressions of cyclin-dependent protein kinases (CDKs including CDK1, CDK2, and CDK4), CCNE, E2-factors (E2F1, E2F2, and E2F5) were reduced in the RG1 and RG2 groups (p<0.05), and decreased mRNA expressions of E2F4, CCNA, CCNB, and CCND were occurred in the RG1 fetuses (p<0.05). The decreased E-cadherin (E-cad) as a marker for epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) was found in the RG1 and RG2 groups (p< 0.05), but the OB-cadherin which is a marker for activated fibroblasts was increased in fetal thymus of the RG1 group (p<0.05). Conclusion: These results indicate that weakened GH/IGF signaling system repressed the cell cycle progression in G0/G1 phase in IUGR fetal thymus, but the switch from reduced E-cad to increased OB-cadherin suggests that transdifferentiation process of EMT associated with fibrogenesis was strengthened. The impaired cell growth, retarded proliferation and modified differentiation were responsible for impaired maturation of IUGR fetal thymus. Objective: This study investigated the effects of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) during late pregnancy on the cell growth, proliferation, and differentiation in ovine fetal thymuses.Methods: Eighteen time-mated Mongolian ewes with singleton fetuses were allocated to three groups at d 90 of pregnancy: restricted group 1 (RG1, 0.18 MJ ME/body weight [BW]^0.75/d, n = 6), restricted group 2 (RG2, 0.33 MJ ME/BW^0.75/d, n = 6) and control group (CG, <i>ad libitum</i>, 0.67 MJ ME/BW^0.75/d, n = 6). Fetuses were recovered at slaughter on d 140.Results: The G0/G1 phase cell number in fetal thymus of the RG1 group was increased but the proliferation index and the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) were reduced compared with the CG group (p<0.05). Fetuses in the RG1 group exhibited decreased growth hormone receptor (GHR), insulin-like growth factor 2 receptor (IGF-2R), and their mRNA expressions (p<0.05). For the RG2 fetuses, there were no differences in the proliferation index and PCNA expression (p>0.05), but growth hormone (GH) and the mRNA expression of GHR were lower than those of the CG group (p<0.05). The thymic mRNA expressions of cyclin-dependent protein kinases (CDKs including CDK1, CDK2, and CDK4), CCNE, E2-factors (E2F1, E2F2, and E2F5) were reduced in the RG1 and RG2 groups (p<0.05), and decreased mRNA expressions of E2F4, CCNA, CCNB, and CCND were occurred in the RG1 fetuses (p<0.05). The decreased E-cadherin (E-cad) as a marker for epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) was found in the RG1 and RG2 groups (p<0.05), but the OB-cadherin which is a marker for activated fibroblasts was increased in fetal thymus of the RG1 group (p<0.05).Conclusion: These results indicate that weakened GH/IGF signaling system repressed the cell cycle progression in G0/G1 phase in IUGR fetal thymus, but the switch from reduced E-cad to increased OB-cadherin suggests that transdifferentiation process of EMT associated with fibrogenesis was strengthened. The impaired cell growth, retarded proliferation and modified differentiation were responsible for impaired maturation of IUGR fetal thymus.