A simple model for the f?d transition of actinide and heavy lanthanide ions in crystals

Chang-Kui Duan,Michael F. Reid,Gang Ruan 한국물리학회 2006 Current Applied Physics Vol.6 No.3

The original simple model for 4f5d transitions [C.K. Duan, M.F. Reid, G.W. Burdick, Phys. Rev. B 6 (2002) 155108; C.K. Duan,M.F. Reid, J. Solid State Chem. 171 (2003) 299], which assumes a stronger exchange Coulomb interaction between 4forbitals and 5dorbitals than the 4fspinorbit interaction, is extended to the case where the eect of thef(4ffor heavy lanthanide and 5ffor actinidef5dspectra of heavy lanthanide and actinide ions in crystals.

Effect of JAK-STAT pathway in regulation of fatty liver hemorrhagic syndrome in chickens

Zhu, Yaling,Mao, Huirong,Peng, Gang,Zeng, Qingjie,Wei, Qing,Ruan, Jiming,Huang, Jianzhen Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2021 Animal Bioscience Vol.34 No.1

Objective: To explore the molecular mechanisms of fatty liver hemorrhagic syndrome (FLHS) in laying hens, an experiment was conducted to reveal the differences in histopathological observation and gene expression between FLHS group and normal group. Methods: We compared the histopathological difference using hematoxylin and eosin staining and proceeded with RNA sequencing of adipose tissue to search differentially expressed genes and enriched biological processes and pathways. Then we validated the mRNA expression levels by real-time polymerase chain reaction and quantified protein levels in the circulation by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: We identified 100 differentially expressed transcripts corresponding to 66 genes (DEGs) were identified between FLHS-affected group and normal group. Seven DEGs were significantly enriched in the immune response process and lipid metabolic process, including phospholipase A2 group V, WAP kunitz and netrin domain containing 2, delta 4-desaturase sphingolipid 2, perilipin 3, interleukin-6 (IL-6), ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF), and suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3). And these genes could be the targets of immune response and be involved in metabolic homeostasis during the process of FLHS in laying hens. Based on functional categories of the DEGs, we further proposed a model to explain the etiology and pathogenesis of FLHS. IL-6 and SOCS3 mediate inflammatory responses and the satiety hormone of leptin, induce dysfunction of Jak-STAT signaling pathway, leading to insulin resistance and lipid metabolic disorders. Conversely, CNTF may reduce tissue destruction during inflammatory attacks and confer protection from inflammation-induced insulin resistance in FLHS chickens. Conclusion: These findings highlight the therapeutic implications of targeting the JAK-STAT pathway. Inhibition of IL6 and SOCS3 and facilitation of CNTF could serve as a favorable strategy to enhance insulin action and improve glucose homoeostasis, which are of importance for treating obesity-related disorders for chickens.

A prospective study of the prostate health index density and multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging in diagnosing clinically significant prostate cancer

Yuanchong Chen,Dong Xu,Mingjian Ruan,Haixia Li,Guiting Lin,Gang Song 대한비뇨의학회 2023 Investigative and Clinical Urology Vol.64 No.4

Purpose: To evaluate the predictive performance of the prostate health index (PHI) and PHI density (PHID), for clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa) in patients with a PI-RADS score ≤3. Materials and Methods: Patients tested for total prostate-specific antigen (tPSA, ≤100 ng/mL), free PSA (fPSA), and p2PSA at Peking University First Hospital were prospectively enrolled. Possible predictive factors of csPCa were analyzed using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Results were expressed as area under the curve (AUC) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). The cutoff values of PHI and PHID were determined. Results: We enrolled 222 patients in this study. The prevalence of csPCa in the PI-RADS ≤3 subgroup (n=89) was 22.47% (20/89). Age, tPSA, F/T, prostate volume, PSA density, PHI, PHID, and PI-RADS score were significantly associated with csPCa. PHID (AUC: 0.829 [95% CI: 0.717–0.941]) was the best predictor of csPCa. PHID >0.956 was set as the threshold of suspicious csPCa with a sensitivity of 85.00% and a specificity of 73.91%, avoiding 94.44% of unnecessary biopsies but missing 15.00% csPCa. A threshold of PHI ≥52.83 showed the same sensitivity but a rather lower specificity of 65.22% that avoided 93.75% of unnecessary biopsies. Conclusions: PHI and PHID have the best predictive performance of csPCa in patients with PI-RADS score ≤3. A threshold value of PHID ≥0.956 may be used as the criterion for biopsy in these patients.

Carotid Plaque Stiffness Measured with Supersonic Shear Imaging and Its Correlation with Serum Homocysteine Level in Ischemic Stroke Patients

Jing Shang,Wen Wang,Jun Feng,Guo-gang Luo,Ying Dang,Jian Sun,Yan-qiu Yang,Li-tao Ruan 대한영상의학회 2018 Korean Journal of Radiology Vol.19 No.1

Objective: To ascertain the feasibility of using shear wave velocity (SWV) in assessing the stiffness of carotid plaque by supersonic shear imaging (SSI) and explore preliminary clinical value for such evaluation. Materials and Methods: Supersonic shear imaging was performed in 142 patients with ischemic stroke, including 76 males and 66 females with mean age of 66 years (range, 45–80 years). The maximum, minimum, and mean values of SWV were measured for 129 carotid plaques. SWVs were compared between echolucent and echogenic plaques. Correlations between SWVs and serum homocysteine levels were investigated. Based on neurological symptom, the surrogate marker of vulnerable plaque (VP), binary logistic regression was performed and area under curve (AUC) of homocysteine only and homocysteine combing SWVmean was calculated respectively. Results: Echogenic plaques (n = 51) had higher SWVs than echolucent ones (n = 78) (SWVmin 3.91 [3.24−4.17] m/s vs. 1.51 [1.04−1.94] m/s; SWVmean, 4.29 [3.98−4.57] m/s vs. 2.09 [1.69−2.41] m/s; SWVmax, 4.67 [4.33−4.86] m/s vs. 2.62 [2.32−3.31] m/s all p values < 0.01). Pearson correlation analysis showed that stiffness of plaques was negatively correlated with homocysteine level. R values for SWVmin, SWVmean, and SWVmax were -0.205, -0.213, and -0.199, respectively. Binary logistic regression analysis showed that sex (p = 0.008), low-density lipoprotein (p = 0.015), triglycerides (p = 0.011), SWVmean (p = 0.004), and hyper-homocysteinemia (p = 0.010) were significantly associated with symptomatic ischemic stroke. Receiver operating characteristic curves revealed that SWVmean combing serum homocysteine level (AUC = 0.67) presented better diagnostic value than serum homocysteine only (AUC = 0.60) for symptomatic ischemic stroke. Conclusion: Supersonic shear imaging could be used to quantitatively evaluate stiffness of both echolucent and echogenic carotid plaques. More importantly, SWVs of plaques were not only correlated to serum homocysteine level, but also associated with symptomatic ischemic stroke, suggesting that SSI might be useful for understanding more about VP.

Genetic Diversity of Hard Ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) in the South and East Regions of Kazakhstan and Northwestern China

Yicheng Yang,Jin Tong,Hongyin Ruan,Meihua Yang,Chunli Sang,Gang Liu,Wurelihazi Hazihan,Bin Xu,Sandor Hornok,Kadyken Rizabek,Kulmanova Gulzhan,Zhiqiang Liu,Yuanzhi Wang 대한기생충학열대의학회 2021 The Korean Journal of Parasitology Vol.59 No.1

To date, there is no report on the genetic diversity of ticks in these regions. A total of 370 representative ticks from the south and east regions of Kazakhstan (SERK) and Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (XUAR) were selected for molecular comparison. A fragment of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (cox1) gene, ranging from 631 bp to 889 bp, was used to analyze genetic diversity among these ticks. Phylogenetic analyses indicated 7 tick species including Hyalomma asiaticum, Hyalomma detritum, Hyalomma anatolicum, Dermacentor marginatus, Rhipicephalus sanguineus, Rhipicephalus turanicus and Haemaphysalis erinacei from the SERK clustered together with conspecific ticks from the XUAR. The network diagram of haplotypes showed that i) Hy. asiaticum from Almaty and Kyzylorda Oblasts together with that from Yuli County of XUAR constituted haplogroup H-2, and the lineage from Chimkent City of South Kazakhstan was newly evolved; and ii) the R. turanicus ticks sampled in Israel, Almaty, South Kazakhstan, Usu City, Ulugqat and Baicheng Counties of XUAR were derivated from an old lineage in Alataw City of XUAR. These findings indicate that: i) Hy. asiaticum, R. turanicus and Ha. erinacei shared genetic similarities between the SERK and XUAR; and ii) Hy. marginatum and D. reticulatus show differences in their evolution.