ZNF488 Enhances the Invasion and Tumorigenesis in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Via the Wnt Signaling Pathway Involving Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition

Dan Zong,Li Yin,Qian Zhong,Wen-jie Guo,Jian-hua Xu,Ning Jiang,Zhi-rui Lin,Man-zhi Li,Ping Han,Lin Xu,Xia He,Mu-sheng Zeng 대한암학회 2016 Cancer Research and Treatment Vol.48 No.1

Purpose The purpose of this study was to investigate the function of Zinc finger protein 488 (ZNF488) in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Materials and Methods The endogenous expression of ZNF488 in NPC tissues, normal nasopharyngeal epithelium tissues and NPC cell lines were detected by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. ZNF488 over-expressing and knock-down NPC cell line models were estab- lished through retroviral vector pMSCV mediated over-expression and small interfering RNA (siRNA) mediated knock-down. The invasion and migration capacities were evaluated by wound healing and transwell invasion assays in ZNF488 over-expressing and control cell lines. Soft-agar colony formation and a xenograft experiment were performed to study tumorigenic ability in vitro and in vivo. Immunofluorescence and western blotting analysis were used to examine protein changes followed by ZNF488 over-expression. Microarray analysis was performed to explore gene expression profilings, while luciferase reporter assay to evaluate the transcriptive activity of Tcf/Lef. Results ZNF488 was over-expressed in NPC tissues compared with normal tissues, especially higher in 5-8F and S18, which are well-established high metastatic NPC clones. Functional studies indicate that over-expression of ZNF488 provokes invasion, whereas knock-down of ZNF488 alleviates invasive capability. Moreover, over-expression of ZNF488 promotes NPC tumor growth both in vitro and in vivo. Our data further show that over-expression of ZNF488 induces epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) by activating the WNT/β -catenin signaling pathway. Conclusion Our data strongly suggest that ZNF488 acts as an oncogene, promoting invasion and tumorigenesis by activating the Wnt/β -catenin pathway to induce EMT in NPC.

Effects of whole-plant corn and hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth) mixture on silage quality and microbial communities

Yaqian Zong,Kai Zhou,Xinhui Duan,Bo Han,Hua Jiang,Chenggang He Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2023 Animal Bioscience Vol.36 No.12

Objective: Hairy vetch is considered to improve the nutritional value of corn because of its high protein and mineral levels. To better understand the mechanism underlying hairy vetch regulated whole-plant corn silage fermentation, this experiment investigated the fermentation quality and bacterial community of whole-plant corn and hairy vetch mixture. Methods: Whole-plant corn and hairy vetch were mixed at ratios of 10:0 (Mix 10:0), 8:2 (Mix 8:2), 6:4 (Mix 6:4), 4:6 (Mix 4:6), 2:8 (Mix 2:8), and 0:10 (Mix 0:10) on a fresh weight basis. After ensiling 60 days, samples were collected to examine the fermentation dynamics, ensiling characteristics, and bacterial communities. Results: Mix 0:10, Mix 2:8, and Mix 4:6 showed poor fermentation characteristics. Mix 8:2 and Mix 6:4 silages showed high quality, based on the low pH, acetic acid, and ammonia nitrogen levels and the high lactic acid, crude protein, and crude fat contents. The bacterial diversity was affected by the mixing ratio of the two forage species. The genus Lactobacillus dominated the bacterial community in Mix 10:0 silage, whereas with the addition of hairy vetch, the relative abundance of unclassified-Enterobacter increased from 7.67% to 41.84%, and the abundance of Lactobacillus decreased from 50.66% to 13.76%. Conclusion: The silage quality of whole-plant corn can be improved with inclusion levels of hairy vetch from 20% to 40%.

Predictive Factors Determining Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy Outcomes in Breast Cancer - a Single Center Experience

Yu, Yang,Xiang, Hua,He, Xiang-Ming,Yang, Hong-Jian,Zong, Xiang-Yun Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.4

From January 1, 2008 to March 31, 2010, 101 patients with stage II-III breast cancer were enrolled in this study and subjected to an anthracycline-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy regimen with or without docetaxel. Surgery was performed after 2-6 cycles of chemotherapy, and the clinical response was determined by pathological and histochemical assessments. The clinical response rate, as indicated by complete response (CR), partial response (PR), stable disease (SD), and progressive disease (PD), were 6.9, 52.5, 36.6, and 4.0%, respectively. A multivariable correlation analysis indicated that the overall clinical response rate correlated with the number of metastatic lymph nodes, number of chemotherapy cycles, and vessel invasion status. Importantly, the CR rate was only associated with the number of chemotherapy cycles. Nonparametric tests failed to detect a correlation between HER2 or Topo $II{\alpha}$ status and clinical response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in these patients. When they were stratified by HER2 or HR status, for HER2-positive patients the CR rate was associated with vessel invasion and Topo $II{\alpha}$ status. Based on our findings, we propose that HR, HER-2 and Topo $II{\alpha}$ are not putative predictive biomarkers of chemotherapy outcome for breast cancer patients. Topo $II{\alpha}$ expression level was only inversely correlated with CR rate among HR-positive patients. Importantly, the achievement of CR was largely related to the number of chemotherapy cycles.

Genetic Linkage of Genes for a Thermo-sensitive Genic Male Sterility in Maize: The genetic analysis of an TGMS Line Qiong-6ms in maize

Zhi Yuan Fu,Hui Ling Xie,Jian Sheng Li,Yan Min Hu,Zong Hua Liu,Zhong You He,Ji Hua Tang 한국유전학회 2008 Genes & Genomics Vol.30 No.6

Thermo-sensitive genic male sterile (TGMS) lines can provide new options for hybrid seed production using "two-line" system. A set of F2 and BC1 populations derived from the cross between Qiong-6ms and Dan958 were employed to analyze the inheritance of a TGMS line Qiong-6ms and map the TGMS genes in maize. The results demonstrated that the sterility of Qiong-6ms was governed by two duplicative recessive genes, named tms1 and tms2. The gene tms1 was mapped to chromosome 5 linked with the SSR markers umc1355, umc2302 and umc1784 at a distance of 3.0 cM, 1.3 cM and 0.9 cM respectively; while tms2 was localized on chromosome 3, linked with SSR markers bnlg1605 (0.5 cM) and umc2050 (4.2 cM). These markers, which are tightly linked with the tms1 and tms2 genes, will be helpful for marker assisted selection of TGMS lines in maize.

Stable Isotopes Reveal Water Vapor Sources of Precipitation over the Jiaolai Plain, Shandong Peninsula, China

Ying Wang,Bu-li Cui,Dong-sheng Li,Ya-xuan Wang,Wan-xin Yu,He-hua Zong 한국기상학회 2022 Asia-Pacific Journal of Atmospheric Sciences Vol.58 No.2

A prerequisite for using isotopic techniques to study the regional water cycle of a mountainous area is to examine the stable isotopic composition of precipitation. These findings are of great significance for an in-depth understanding of water cycle processes. In this study, each precipitation event was sampled and used to investigate the characteristics of stable hydrogen and oxygen isotopes in precipitation over the Jiaolai Plain and its surrounding areas. NCEP/NCAR data was used for the wind speed and direction, relative humidity, and precipitable amount in the study area during the sampling period. The water vapor sources of the precipitation over the plain were revealed through a comparative analysis of seasonal variations in precipitation isotopes between Global Network of Isotopes in Precipitation stations located along different vapor transport paths. The results showed that the local meteoric water line was δ2H = 6.38 δ18O + 0.72, with a gradient of less than 8. This indicates that the precipitation process was affected by non-equilibrium evaporation occurring when the drops fell below the cloud base. Temperature and amount effects were observed in the δ18O of the precipitation, although the altitude effect was not significant. The water vapor source of the precipitation was predominantly controlled by the East Asian Monsoon from June to September, with the primary source being evaporation from the adjacent Pacific Ocean. The plain was controlled by the Westerlies from October through May, with the predominant vapor source being local evaporation. Water vapor from the polar region had a minimal impact. These findings can serve as the basis for studying surface water–groundwater–seawater transformations.