Identification of Specific Gene Modules in Mouse Lung Tissue Exposed to Cigarette Smoke

Xing, Yong-Hua,Zhang, Jun-Ling,Lu, Lu,Li, De-Guan,Wang, Yue-Ying,Huang, Song,Li, Cheng-Cheng,Zhang, Zhu-Bo,Li, Jian-Guo,Xu, Guo-Shun,Meng, Ai-Min Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.10

Background: Exposure to cigarette may affect human health and increase risk of a wide range of diseases including pulmonary diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, lung fibrosis and lung cancer. However, the molecular mechanisms of pathogenesis induced by cigarettes still remain obscure even with extensive studies. With systemic view, we attempted to identify the specific gene modules that might relate to injury caused by cigarette smoke and identify hub genes for potential therapeutic targets or biomarkers from specific gene modules. Materials and Methods: The dataset GSE18344 was downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and divided into mouse cigarette smoke exposure and control groups. Subsequently, weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was used to construct a gene co-expression network for each group and detected specific gene modules of cigarette smoke exposure by comparison. Results: A total of ten specific gene modules were identified only in the cigarette smoke exposure group but not in the control group. Seven hub genes were identified as well, including Fip1l1, Anp32a, Acsl4, Evl, Sdc1, Arap3 and Cd52. Conclusions: Specific gene modules may provide better understanding of molecular mechanisms, and hub genes are potential candidates of therapeutic targets that may possible improve development of novel treatment approaches.

Finite-time Asymmetric Bipartite Consensus for Signed Networks of Dynamic Agents

Xing Guo,Jinling Liang,Jianquan Lu 제어·로봇·시스템학회 2019 International Journal of Control, Automation, and Vol.17 No.4

This paper addresses the finite-time asymmetric bipartite consensus problem for multi-agent systems(MAS) associated with signed graphs. Different from bipartite consensus in the previous literatures, asymmetricbipartite consensus means that the states of all agents will converge to two values with different signs and modulus. Two distinct nonlinear consensus control protocols are constructed for the considered system to achieve the finitetimeasymmetric bipartite consensus and the fixed-time asymmetric bipartite consensus, respectively. Under thefirst proposed protocol, it is shown that within a finite time, the considered system can realize asymmetric bipartiteconsensus. To strengthen the obtained result, the second protocol is proposed, which guarantees that all agentscould achieve the asymmetric bipartite consensus in fixed time, that is, the finite-time consensus can be reachedbefore a settling time which is irrelevant with the initial states of the agents. Finally, numerical simulations aregiven to verify effectiveness of the proposed consensus control protocols.

Molecular characterization and inhibition analysis of the acetylcholinesterase gene from the silkworm maggot, Exorista sorbillans

( Guo Jun Lang ),( Ming Yan Zhang ),( Bao Ling Li ),( Lin Lin Yu ),( Xing Meng Lu ),( Chuan Xi Zhang ) 생화학분자생물학회 (구 한국생화학분자생물학회) 2010 BMB Reports Vol.43 No.8

Several organophosphorus (OP) insecticides can selectively kill the silkworm maggot, Exorista sorbillans (Es) (Diptera: Tachinidae), while not obviously affecting the host (Bombyx mori) larvae, but the mechanism is not yet clear. In this study, the cDNA encoding an acetylcholinesterase (AChE) from the field Es was isolated. One point mutation (Gly353Ala) was identified. The Es-353G AChE and Es-353A AChE were expressed in baculovirus- insect cell system, respectively. The inhibition results showed that for eserine and Chlorpyrifos, Es-353A AChE was significantly less sensitive than Es-353G AChE. Meanwhile, comparison of the I(50) values of eserine, dichlorvos, Chlorpyrifos and omethoate of recombinant Es AChEs with its host (Bombyx mori) AChEs indicated that, both Es AChEs are more sensitive than B. mori AChEs. The results give an insight of the mechanism that some OP insecticides can selectively kills Es while without distinct effect on its host, B. mori. [BMB reports 2010; 43(8): 573-578]

Chemical, optical, and electrical characterization of Ga2O3 thin films grown by plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition

Xing Li,Hong-Liang Lu,Hong-Ping Ma,Jian-Guo Yang,Jin-Xin Chen,Wei Huang,Qixin Guo,Jijun Feng,David Wei Zhang 한국물리학회 2019 Current Applied Physics Vol.19 No.2

Thin Ga2O3 films were grown on Si (100) using trimethylgallium (TMG) and oxygen as the precursors through plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition. The depositions were made over a temperature range of 80–250 °C with a growth per cycle of around 0.07 nm/cycle. Surface self-saturating growth was obtained with TMG pulse time ≥20 ms at a temperature of 150 °C. The root mean square surface roughness of the obtained Ga2O3 films increased from 0.1 nm to 0.3 nm with increasing the growth temperature. Moreover, the x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis indicated that the obtained film was Ga-rich with the chemical oxidation states Ga3+ and Ga1+, and no carbon contamination was detected in the films after Ar+ sputtering. The electron density of films measured by x-ray reflectivity varied with the growth temperature, increasing from 4.72 to 5.80 g/cm3 . The transmittance of Ga2O3 film deposited on a quartz substrate was obtained through ultraviolet visible (UV–Vis) spectroscopy. An obvious absorption in the deep UV region was demonstrated with a wide band gap of 4.6–4.8 eV. The spectroscopic ellipsometry analysis indicated that the average refractive index of the Ga2O3 film was 1.91 at 632.8 nm and increased with the growth temperature due to the dense structure of the films. Finally, the I-V and C-V characteristics proved that the Ga2O3 films prepared in this work had a low leakage current of 7.2 × 10−11 A/cm2 at 1.0 MV/cm and a high permittivity of 11.9, suitable to be gate dielectric.

Expression and Significance of Microsomal Prostaglandin Synthase-1 (mPGES-1) and Beclin-1 in the Development of Prostate Cancer

Xu, Lu-Wei,Qian, Ming,Jia, Rui-Peng,Xu, Zheng,Wu, Jian-Ping,Li, Wen-Cheng,Huang, Wen-Bin,Chen, Xing-Guo Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.4

The aim of this study was to investigate the expression and significance of microsomal prostaglandin synthase-1 (mPGES-1) and Beclin-1 in the development of prostate cancer (PCa). Immunohistochemistry was performed on paraffin-embedded sections with rabbit polyclonal against mPGES-1 and Beclin-1 in 40 PCa, 40 benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and 10 normal prostate specimens for this purpose. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was applied for mRNA expression of mPGES-1 and Beclin-1, while MTT assays were used to ascertain the best working concentration of the mPGES-1 inhibitor (CAY10526). The effect of CAY10526 treatment on expression of Beclin-1 in DU-145 cells was studied using Western blot analysis. Localization of Beclin-1 and mPGES-1 was in endochylema. Significant differences in expression was noted among PCa, BPH and normal issues (P<0.05). Beclin-1 expression inversely correlated with mPGES-1 expression in PCa tissue (P<0.05). CAY10526 could significantly block mPGES-1 expression and the proliferation of DU-145 cells (P<0.05), while increasing Beclin-1 levels (P<0.05). Overexpression of mPGES-1 could decrease the autophagic PCa cell death. Inhibiting the expression of mPGES-1 may lead to DU-145 cell death and up-regulation of Beclin-1. The results suggest that inhibition of mPGES-1 may have therapeutic potential for PCa in the future.

Preparation of Novel Pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine Derivatives via a New Concise Synthetic Approach

Na Guo,Haiyong Jia,Xing You,Du Jiang,Kui Lu,Peng Yu 대한화학회 2015 Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society Vol.36 No.4

The pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine core structure, a bioisostere of quinolones, is found in several molecules that possess important biological activity. We describe here a new, concise, three-step synthesis of pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridines starting from L-alanine. A series of 4,7-dihydro-4-oxo-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine-5-carboxylic acid derivatives, which have not been previously reported, were synthesized using this approach.

Efficacy and Safety of Endostar^® Combined with Chemotherapy in Patients with Advanced Soft Tissue Sarcomas

Zhang, Lu-Ping,Liao, Xing-Yun,Xu, Yan-Mei,Yan, Lv-Jun,Yan, Gui-Fang,Wang, Xin-Xin,Duan, Yu-Zhong,Sun, Jian-Guo Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.7

Background: Soft tissue sarcomas (STS) are a heterogeneous group of tumors, and approximately 40-50% of patients with STS develop metastatic disease. The median overall survival of those patients was 12 months and their 5-year survival rate was 8%. Therefore, study on more effective treatment, especially the targeting therapies, is urgently needed. Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Endostar$^{(R)}$ combined with chemotherapy in patients with advanced STS. Methods: A retrospective case-series study was conducted in Cancer Institute of PLA, Xinqiao Hospital. A total of 71 patients suffering from advanced STS (IIB - IV) were included, of whom 49 cases treated with chemotherapy alone were defined as the control group and the rest 22 cases treated with the traditional chemotherapy combined with Endostar$^{(R)}$ were defined as the test group. The short-term therapeutic effects including objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR) and safety were evaluated in the two groups. In the follow-up, progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were also observed. Results: In the test and control groups, the ORR was 18.2% and 12.2%, respectively (P=0.767), and the DCR was 86.4% and 61.2%, respectively (P=0.034). The median time to progression in the test and control groups was 120 days and 70 days with significant difference (P = 0.017), while the median overall survival was 452 days and 286 days without significant difference (P=0.503). The one-year survival rate in the test group and control group was 56.2% and 35.4%, respectively, while the two-year survival rate was 30.2% and 26.5%, respectively. No significant difference in the side effects was found between the two groups. Conclusions: Endostar$^{(R)}$ combined with chemotherapy resulted in a higher DCR and longer PFS in the patients with advanced STS, and the toxicity was tolerable.

Activating Transcription Factor 1 is a Prognostic Marker of Colorectal Cancer

Huang, Guo-Liang,Guo, Hong-Qiang,Yang, Feng,Liu, Ou-Fei,Li, Bin-Bin,Liu, Xing-Yan,Lu, Yan,He, Zhi-Wei Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.3

Objective: Identifying cancer-related genes or proteins is critical in preventing and controlling colorectal cancer (CRC). This study was to investigate the clinicopathological and prognostic value of activating transcription factor 1 (ATF1) in CRC. Methods: Protein expression of ATF1 was detected using immunohistochemistry in 66 CRC tissues. Clinicopathological association of ATF1 in CRC was analyzed with chi-square test or Fisher's exact test. The prognostic value of ATF1 in CRC is estimated using the Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox regression models. Results: The ATF1 protein expression was significantly lower in tumor tissues than corresponding normal tissues (51.5% and 71.1%, respectively, P = 0.038). No correlation was found between ATF1 expression and the investigated clinicopathological parameters, including gender, age, depth of invasion, lymph node status, metastasis, pathological stage, vascular tumoral emboli, peritumoral deposits, chemotherapy and original tumor site (all with P > 0.05). Patients with higher ATF1 expression levels have a significantly higher survival rate than that with lower expression (P = 0.026 for overall survival, P = 0.008 for progress free survival). Multivariate Cox regression model revealed that ATF1 expression and depth of invasion were the predictors of the overall survival (P = 0.008 and P = 0.028) and progress free survival (P = 0.002 and P = 0.005) in CRC. Conclusions: Higher ATF1 expression is a predictor of a favorable outcome for the overall survival and progress free survival in CRC.

Hydraulic fracture initiation pressure of anisotropic shale gas reservoirs

Zhu, Haiyan,Guo, Jianchun,Zhao, Xing,Lu, Qianli,Luo, Bo,Feng, Yong-Cun Techno-Press 2014 Geomechanics & engineering Vol.7 No.4

Shale gas formations exhibit strong mechanical and strength anisotropies. Thus, it is necessary to study the effect of anisotropy on the hydraulic fracture initiation pressure. The calculation model for the in-situ stress of the bedding formation is improved according to the effective stress theory. An analytical model of the stresses around wellbore in shale gas reservoirs, in consideration of stratum dip direction, dip angle, and in-situ stress azimuth, has been built. Besides, this work established a calculation model for the stress around the perforation holes. In combination with the tensile failure criterion, a prediction model for the hydraulic fracture initiation pressure in the shale gas reservoirs is put forward. The error between the prediction result and the measured value for the shale gas reservoir in the southern Sichuan Province is only 3.5%. Specifically, effects of factors including elasticity modulus, Poisson's ratio, in-situ stress ratio, tensile strength, perforation angle (the angle between perforation direction and the maximum principal stress) of anisotropic formations on hydraulic fracture initiation pressure have been investigated. The perforation angle has the largest effect on the fracture initiation pressure, followed by the in-situ stress ratio, ratio of tensile strength to pore pressure, and the anisotropy ratio of elasticity moduli as the last. The effect of the anisotropy ratio of the Poisson's ratio on the fracture initiation pressure can be ignored. This study provides a reference for the hydraulic fracturing design in shale gas wells.

The Entrainment Effect of a Debris Avalanche on the Erodible Substrate in the Presence of Water Flow

Peng-yuan Lu,Xing-guo Yang,Jia-wen Zhou 대한토목학회 2018 KSCE JOURNAL OF CIVIL ENGINEERING Vol.22 No.1

Debris avalanches generally entrain the erodible deposits on their runout path, which can greatly influence their movement process, particularly in the presence of water flow. To study the entrainment effect of debris avalanches, physical modeling experiments were conducted that considered the impact of hopper elevation, the grain size of substrate materials and water flow. The experiment results indicate that the materials entrained by a debris avalanche increase with an increase in elevation of the hopper and particle size of the substrate materials in the rear region of the substrate. The presence of water flow can magnify the entrainment effect and enhance the mobility of the debris avalanche. However, the effect of water flow on the entrainment effect is significantly related to the grain size of the deposits. With a decrease in grain size, a water stream is easier to generate, which can cause intense scouring of the substrate materials and enhance the mobility of the mixed flow of debris and entrained deposits, ultimately leading to a greater affected area.