Synergistic Effects of Leflunomide and Benazepril in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Nephropathy

Jin, Hua,Piao, Shang Guo,Jin, Ji Zhe,Jin, Ying Shun,Cui, Zhen Hua,Jin, Hai Feng,Zheng, Hai Lan,Li, Jin Ji,Jiang, Yu Ji,Yang, Chul Woo,Li, Can S.Karger 2014 The Nephron Journals Vol.126 No.3

<P>Abstract</P><P><B><I>Background:</I></B> Leflunomide (LEF) and benazepril have renoprotective effects on diabetic nephropathy (DN) through their anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic activities. This study investigated whether combined treatment using LEF and benazepril affords superior protection compared with the respective monotherapies. <B><I>Methods:</I></B> Diabetes was induced with streptozotocin (STZ, 65 mg/kg) by intraperitoneal injection in male Wistar rats. Two weeks after STZ injection, diabetic rats were treated daily for 12 weeks with LEF (10 mg/kg), benazepril (10 mg/kg), or a combination of both. Basic parameters (body weight, fasting blood glucose level, and 24 h urinary protein excretion), histopathology, inflammatory [inflammatory cell infiltration (ED-1), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), and Toll-like receptor-2 (TLR-2)] and glomerulosclerotic factors [transforming growth factor-β<SUB>1</SUB> (TGF-β<SUB>1</SUB>) and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF)], and oxidative stress (8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine, 8-OHdG) were studied. <B><I>Results:</I></B> Benazepril or LEF treatment significantly prevented body weight loss and 24 h urinary protein excretion induced by diabetes; combined treatment with LEF and benazepril further improved these parameters compared with giving each drug alone (all p < 0.01). Increased expression of inflammatory (MCP-1 and TLR-2) and glomerulosclerotic (TGF-β<SUB>1</SUB> and CTGF) factors in diabetic rat kidney was reduced by treatment with either LEF or benazepril and was further reduced by the combined administration of the two drugs (p < 0.01). These effects were accompanied by suppression of urinary 8-OHdG excretion. There was no significant between-group difference in blood glucose level. <B><I>Conclusions:</I></B> LEF treatment lessens DN, and combined treatment with LEF and benazepril provides synergistic effects in preventing DN.</P><P>© 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel</P>

A novel M2e-multiple antigenic peptide providing heterologous protection in mice

Feng Wen,Ji-Hong Ma,Hai Yu,Fu-Ru Yang,Meng Huang,Yan-Jun Zhou,Ze-Jun Li,Xiu-Hui Wang,Guo-Xin Li,Yi-Feng Jiang,Wu Tong,Guangzhi Tong 대한수의학회 2016 Journal of Veterinary Science Vol.17 No.1

Swine influenza viruses (SwIVs) cause considerable morbidity and mortality in domestic pigs, resulting in a significant economic burden. Moreover, pigs have been considered to be a possible mixing vessel in which novel strains loom. Here, we developed and evaluated a novel M2e-multiple antigenic peptide (M2e-MAP) as a supplemental antigen for inactivated H3N2 vaccine to provide cross-protection against two main subtypes of SwIVs, H1N1 and H3N2. The novel tetra-branched MAP was constructed by fusing four copies of M2e to one copy of foreign T helper cell epitopes. A high-yield reassortant H3N2 virus was generated by plasmid based reverse genetics. The efficacy of the novel H3N2 inactivated vaccines with or without M2e-MAP supplementation was evaluated in a mouse model. M2e-MAP conjugated vaccine induced strong antibody responses in mice. Complete protection against the heterologous swine H1N1 virus was observed in mice vaccinated with M2e-MAP combined vaccine. Moreover, this novel peptide confers protection against lethal challenge of A/Puerto Rico/8/34 (H1N1). Taken together, our results suggest the combined immunization of reassortant inactivated H3N2 vaccine and the novel M2e-MAP provided cross-protection against swine and human viruses and may serve as a promising approach for influenza vaccine development.

Protective efficacy of a high-growth reassortant swine H3N2 inactivated vaccine constructed by reverse genetic manipulation

Feng Wen,Ji-Hong Ma,Hai Yu,Fu-Ru Yang,Meng Huang,Yan-Jun Zhou,Ze-Jun Li,Guangzhi Tong 대한수의학회 2014 JOURNAL OF VETERINARY SCIENCE Vol.15 No.3

Novel reassortant H3N2 swine influenza viruses (SwIV)with the matrix gene from the 2009 H1N1 pandemic virushave been isolated in many countries as well as duringoutbreaks in multiple states in the United States, indicatingthat H3N2 SwIV might be a potential threat to public health. Since southern China is the world’s largest producer of pigs,efficient vaccines should be developed to prevent pigs fromacquiring H3N2 subtype SwIV infections, and thus limit thepossibility of SwIV infection at agricultural fairs. In thisstudy, a high-growth reassortant virus (GD/PR8) wasgenerated by plasmid-based reverse genetics and tested as acandidate inactivated vaccine. The protective efficacy of thisvaccine was evaluated in mice by challenging them withanother H3N2 SwIV isolate [A/Swine/Heilongjiang/1/05(H3N2) (HLJ/05)]. Prime and booster inoculation withGD/PR8 vaccine yielded high-titer serum hemagglutinationinhibiting antibodies and IgG antibodies. Completeprotection of mice against H3N2 SwIV was observed, withsignificantly reduced lung lesion and viral loads invaccine-inoculated mice relative to mock-vaccinatedcontrols. These results suggest that the GD/PR8 vaccine mayserve as a promising candidate for rapid intervention ofH3N2 SwIV outbreaks in China.

Investigation of the SHM-oriented model and dynamic characteristics of a super-tall building

Hai-Bei Xiong,Ji-Xing Cao,Feng-Liang Zhang,Xiang Ou,Chen-Jie Chen 국제구조공학회 2019 Smart Structures and Systems, An International Jou Vol.23 No.3

Shanghai Tower is a 632-meter super high-rise building located in an area with wind and active earthquake. A sophisticated structural health monitoring (SHM) system consisting of more than 400 sensors has been built to carry out a long-term monitoring for its operational safety. In this paper, a reduced-order model including 31 elements was generated from a full model of this super tall building. An iterative regularized matrix method was proposed to tune the system parameters, making the dynamic characteristic of the reduced-order model be consistent with those in the full model. The updating reduced-order model can be regarded as a benchmark model for further analysis. A long-term monitoring for structural dynamic characteristics of Shanghai Tower under different construction stages was also investigated. The identified results, including natural frequency and damping ratio, were discussed. Based on the data collected from the SHM system, the dynamic characteristics of the whole structure was investigated. Compared with the result of the finite element model, a good agreement can be observed. The result provides a valuable reference for examining the evolution of future dynamic characteristics of this super tall building.

Inclinometer-based method to monitor displacement of high-rise buildings

Xiong, Hai-Bei,Cao, Ji-Xing,Zhang, Feng-Liang Techno-Press 2018 Structural monitoring and maintenance Vol.5 No.1

Horizontal displacement of high-rise building is an essential index for assessing the structural performance and safety. In this paper, a novel inclinometer-based method is proposed to address this issue and an algorithm based on three spline interpolation principle is presented to estimate the horizontal displacement of high-rise buildings. In this method, the whole structure is divided into different elements by different measured points. The story drift angle curve of each element is modeled as a three spline curve. The horizontal displacement can be estimated after integration of the story drift angle curve. A numerical example is designed to verify the proposed method and the result shows this method can effectively estimate the horizontal displacement with high accuracy. After that, this method is applied to a practical slender structure - Shanghai Tower. Nature frequencies identification and deformation monitoring are conducted from the signal of inclinometers. It is concluded that inclinometer-based technology can not only be used for spectrum analysis and modal identification, but also for monitoring deformation of the whole structure. This inclinometer-based technology provides a novel method for future structural health monitoring.

Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms of the GnRHR Gene Associated with Reproductive Traits of Japanese Flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus)

He, Feng,Wen, Hai-Shen,Li, Ji-Fang,Yu, Da-Hui,Ma, Rui-Qin,Shi, Dan,Mu, Wei-Jie,Zhang, Yuan-Qing,Hu, Jian,Liu, Miao,Han, Wei-Guo,Zhang, Jia-Nan,Wang, Qing-Qing,Yuan, Yu-Ren,Liu, Qun Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2011 Animal Bioscience Vol.24 No.4

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor (GnRHR) gene is expressed at the anterior pituitary gland and plays a key role in gonad development. This study aimed to investigate molecular genetic characteristics of the GnRHR gene and elucidate the effects of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of GnRHR gene on sex steroid level in Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus). We used polymerase chain reaction single-strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) and sequencing of the GnRHR gene in 75 individuals. We identified three SNPs in the GnRHR gene: P1 locus (C759A and C830T) in the coding region of exon2 which were both linked together and P2 locus (G984T) in the coding region of exon3, which added a new transcript factor (ADR1) and a new methylation site (CG). Only C830T of P1 leads to amino acid changes Thr266Ile. Statistical analysis showed that P1 was significantly associated with $17{\beta}$-estradiol ($E_2$) level (p<0.01) and gonadosomatic index (GSI) (p<0.05). Individuals with genotype BB of P1 had significantly higher serum $E_2$ levels (p<0.01) and GSI (p<0.05) than those of genotype AA or AB. Another SNP, P2, synonymous mutation, was significantly associated with GSI (p<0.05). Individuals with genotype AB of P2 had significantly higher GSI (p<0.05) than that of genotype AA. In addition, there was a significant association between one diplotype based on three SNPs and reproductive traits. The genetic effects for both serum $E_2$ level and GSI of diplotype D4 were super diplotypes (p<0.05). These results suggest that the SNPs in Japanese Flounder GnRHR are associated with $E_2$ level and GSI.

Bioaugmentation Treatment of Mature Landfill Leachate by New Isolated Ammonia Nitrogen and Humic Acid Resistant Microorganism

( Da Hai Yu ),( Ji Yu Yang ),( Fei Teng ),( Li Li Feng ),( Xue Xun Fang ),( He Jun Ren ) 한국미생물 · 생명공학회 2014 Journal of microbiology and biotechnology Vol.24 No.7

The mature landfill leachate, which is characterized by a high concentration of ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) and humic acid (HA), poses a challenge to biotreatment methods, due to the constituent toxicity and low biodegradable fraction of the organics. In this study, we applied bioaugmentation technology in landfill leachate degradation by introducing a domesticated NH3-N and HA resistant bacteria strain, which was identified as Bacillus cereus (abbreviated as B. cereus Jlu) and Enterococcus casseliflavus (abbreviated as E. casseliflavus Jlu), respectively. The isolated strains exhibited excellent tolerant ability for NH3-N and HA and they could also greatly improved the COD (chemical oxygen demand), NH3-N and HA removal rate, and efficiency of bioaugmentation degradation of landfill leachate. Only 3 days was required for the domesticated bacteria to remove about 70.0% COD, compared with 9 days`` degradation for the undomesticated (autochthonous) bacteria to obtain a similar removal rate. An orthogonal array was then used to further improve the COD and NH3-N removal rate. Under the optimum condition, the COD removal rate in leachate by using E. casseliflavus Jlu and B. cereus Jlu increased to 86.0% and 90.0%, respectively after, 2 days of degradation. The simultaneous removal of NH3-N and HA with more than 50% and 40% removal rate in leachate by employing the sole screened strain was first observed.

Enhanced development of porcine embryos cloned from bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells

Jin, Hai-feng,Kumar, B Mohana,Kim, Jung-Gon,Song, Hye-Jin,Jeong, Yeon-Ji,Cho, Seong-Keun,Balasubramanian, Sivasankaran,Choe, Sang-Yong,Rho, Gyu-Jin UPV/EHU Press 2007 The international journal of developmental biology Vol.51 No.1

<P>In the present study, we have characterized an isolated population of porcine bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) for multilineage commitment and compared the developmental potential of cloned embryos with porcine MSCs and fetal fibroblasts (FFs). MSCs exhibited robust alkaline phosphatase activity and later transformed into mineralized nodules following osteoinduction. Furthermore, MSCs underwent adipogenic and chondrogenic differentiation by producing lipid droplets and proteoglycans, respectively. Primary cultures of FFs from a female fetus at ~30 day of gestation were established. Donor cells at 3-4 passage were employed for nuclear transfer (NT). Cell cycle analysis showed that the majority of MSCs in confluence were in the G0/G1 stage. Cumulus-oocyte complexes were matured and fertilized in vitro (IVF) as control. The cleavage rate was significantly (P<0.05) higher in IVF than in NT embryos with MSCs and FFs (84.54.6% vs. 52.25.4% and 50.85.2%, respectively). However, blastocyst rates in IVF and NT embryos derived from MSCs (20.62.5% and 18.43.0%) did not differ, but were significantly (P<0.05) higher than NT derived from FFs (9.52.1%). Total cell number and the ratio of ICM to total cells among blastocysts cloned from MSCs (34.45.2 and 0.380.08, respectively) were significantly (P<0.05) higher than those from FFs (22.65.5 and 0.180.12, respectively). Proportions of TUNEL positive cells in NT embryos from FFs (7.31.8%) were significantly (P<0.05) higher than in MSCs (4.61.3%) and IVF (2.50.9%). The results clearly demonstrate that multipotent bone marrow MSCs have a greater potential as donor cells than FFs in achieving enhanced production of cloned porcine embryos.</P>

Density Functional Theoretical Study on Intermolecular Interactions of 3,6-Dihydrazino-1,2,4,5-tetrazine Dimers

Yin Hu,Hai-Xia Ma,Jun-Feng Li,Rong Gao,Ji-Rong Song 대한화학회 2010 Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society Vol.31 No.10

Seven fully optimized geometries of 3,6-dihydrazino-1,2,4,5-tetrazine (DHT) dimers have been obtained with density functional theory (DFT) method at the B3LYP/6-311++G** level. The intermolecular interaction energy was calculated with zero point energy (ZPE) correction and basis set superposition error (BSSE) correction. The greatest corrected intermolecular interaction energy of the dimers is ‒23.69 kJ·mol‒1. Natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis is performed to reveal the origin of the interaction. Based on the vibrational analysis, the changes of thermodynamic properties from the monomers to dimer with the temperature ranging from 200.0 K to 800.0 K have been obtained using the statistical thermodynamic method. It was found that the hydrogen bonds dominantly contribute to the dimers,while the binding energies are not only determined by hydrogen bonding. The dimerization process can not occur spontaneously at given temperatures.

Investigation of Microstructural Evolution and Electrical Properties for Ni-Sn Transient Liquid-Phase Sintering Bonding

Hong-Liang Feng,Ji-Hua Huang,Jian Yang,Shao-Kun Zhou,Rong Zhang,Yue Wang,Shu-Hai Chen 대한금속·재료학회 2017 ELECTRONIC MATERIALS LETTERS Vol.13 No.6

Ni/Ni-Sn/Ni sandwiched simulated package structures weresuccessfully bonded under low temperature and low pressure byNi-Sn transient liquid-phase sintering bonding. The results showthat, after isothermally holding for 240 min at 300 °C and 180 minat 340 °C, Sn was completely transformed into Ni3Sn4 intermetalliccompounds. When the Ni3Sn4 phases around Ni particles werepressed together, the porosity of the bonding layer increased, whichobviously differed from the normal sintering densification process. With further analysis of this phenomenon, it was found that largevolume shrinkage (14.94% at 340 °C) occurred when Ni reactedwith Sn to form Ni3Sn4, which caused void formation. Amechanistic model of the microstructural evolution in the bondinglayer was proposed. Meanwhile, the resistivity of the bonding layerwas measured and analyzed by using the four-probe method; themicrostructural evolution was well reflected by the resistivity ofthe bonding layer. The relationship between the resistivity andmicrostructure was also discussed in detail.