Associations of Plasma Glucagon Levels with Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate, Albuminuria and Diabetic Kidney Disease in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Hua-Xing Huang,Liang-Lan Shen,Hai-Yan Huang,Li-Hua Zhao,Feng Xu,Dong-Mei Zhang,Xiu-Lin Zhang,Tong Chen,Xue-Qin Wang,Yan Xie,Jian-Bin Su 대한당뇨병학회 2021 Diabetes and Metabolism Journal Vol.45 No.6

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is characterized by elevated fasting glucagon and impaired suppression of postprandial glucagon secretion, which may participate in diabetic complications. Therefore, we investigated the associations of plasma glucagon with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), albuminuria and diabetic kidney disease (DKD) in T2DM patients.Methods: Fasting glucagon and postchallenge glucagon (assessed by area under the glucagon curve [AUCgla]) levels were determined during oral glucose tolerance tests. Patients with an eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m2 and/or a urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) ≥30 mg/g who presented with diabetic retinopathy were identified as having DKD.Results: Of the 2,436 recruited patients, fasting glucagon was correlated with eGFR and UACR (r=–0.112 and r=0.157, respectively; P<0.001), and AUCgla was also correlated with eGFR and UACR (r=–0.267 and r=0.234, respectively; P<0.001). Moreover, 31.7% (n=771) presented with DKD; the prevalence of DKD was 27.3%, 27.6%, 32.5%, and 39.2% in the first (Q1), second (Q2), third (Q3), and fourth quartile (Q4) of fasting glucagon, respectively; and the corresponding prevalence for AUCgla was 25.9%, 22.7%, 33.7%, and 44.4%, respectively. Furthermore, after adjusting for other clinical covariates, the adjusted odds ratios (ORs; 95% confidence intervals) for DKD in Q2, Q3, and Q4 versus Q1 of fasting glucagon were 0.946 (0.697 to 1.284), 1.209 (0.895 to 1.634), and 1.521 (1.129 to 2.049), respectively; the corresponding ORs of AUCgla were 0.825 (0.611 to 1.114), 1.323 (0.989 to 1.769), and 2.066 (1.546 to 2.760), respectively. Additionally, when we restricted our analysis in patients with glycosylated hemoglobin <7.0% (n=471), we found fasting glucagon and AUCgla were still independently associated with DKD.Conclusion: Both increased fasting and postchallenge glucagon levels were independently associated with DKD in T2DM patients.

Intercalation of Biomolecules into NiAl-NO3 Layered Double Hydroxide Films Synthesized in Situ on Anodic Alumina/Aluminium Support

Hua-Zhang Zhao,Ying-Yue Chang,Jing Yang,Qin-Zheng Yang 대한금속·재료학회 2013 ELECTRONIC MATERIALS LETTERS Vol.9 No.2

Layered double hydroxide (LDH) films were synthesized in situ on anodic alumina/aluminium (AAO/Al). Glucose oxidase (GOD) and L-ascorbic acid (vitamin C, VC) were intercalated respectively into the in-situ grown LDH films by anion-exchange in aqueous solutions. Dodecylsulfate (SDS) was used to expand the lamellar structure before GOD intercalation into the LDH film. The resulting products were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), x-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA). The results showed that VC and GOD were successfully intercalated into the in-situ synthesized LDH film. These biomolecules loaded LDH films could have potential applications in electrode modification, safe storage and effective delivery of bioactive compounds.

Interaction and micellar behavior of ternary mixture of amphoteric amino sulfonate surfactant with traditional anionic and nonionic surfactants: Effect of hydrophilicity

Qing Hua Zhang,Rui Sheng,Zhao Hua Ren,Jing Huang,Yun Xiao Wang,Ben Ru Wang,Xi Lei Huang,Qin Cheng,Xue Mei Wu,Tong Bo Wang 한국공업화학회 2023 Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Vol.120 No.-

The micellization and the molecular interaction behaviors for two ternary mixtures constituted by anamphoteric sodium 3-(n-dodecyl ethylenediamino)-2-hydroxypropyl sulfonate (C12AS), an anionicsodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate (SDBS) and a nonionic octylphenol polyoxyethylated ether with thenumber (n) of oxyethylene glycol ethers OP-n (n = 10 or 7) in aqueous solution were investigated usingthe tensiometry and the effect of hydrophilicity on them was also discussed. In the framework of pseudophaseseparation model and based on the regular solution theory, the related micellization parametersincluding the mixed critical micelle concentration (cmc) values in the ideal and real cases, the activitycoefficients and the compositions in mixed micelle, etc. and thermodynamic parameters were estimatedby the Clint’s model and the Rubingh’ model. The mixed cmc value is dependent on the composition inaqueous solution and influenced by the hydrophilicity of nonionic surfactant. With increasing the nonionicin ternary mixture, the mixed cmc value is initially decreased and then slightly rise. An increasingin the hydrophilicity of nonionic will make the minimum value of mixed cmc be increased from1.299 mM to 1.705 mM. The resulting phenomena can be explained reasonably by the electrostatic effect,the steric hindrance, the hydrogen bonding, etc. Thermodynamic data indicate that the contribution ofentropy or enthalpy plays a vital role on the spontaneous process of micellization and the share ofentropy or enthalpy in free energy change is dependent largely on the amount of nonionic surfactantand the hydrophilicity. In ternary mixtures of C12AS/SDBS/OP-10, an increase in an amount of OP-10 willinduce the change from the enthalpy-driven micellization process to the entropically favorable process. Once an abundant amount of OP-7 is added, while, the enthalpy will make a main contribution on themicellization process, which can be described by the drop in the share of entropy at the composition(0.6970/0.0000/0.3030) of ternary mixture from 0.6478 to 0.4901. These findings will help with understandingthe molecular interaction behavior for the ternary surfactant mixture and the effect of the additionof nonionic surfactant and its hydrophilicity.

Plant cover associated with aboveground net primary productivity (ANPP) mediates insect community composition in steppes of Northwest China

Zi-Hua Zhao,Gadi V.P. Reddy,Shuhua Wei,Mengmeng Zhu,Kaiyang Zhang,Hongqian Yu,Zhanjun Wang,Qi Jiang,Rong Zhang 한국응용곤충학회 2018 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.21 No.1

Temperate steppe is one of the most important natural habitats for the conservation of arthropod and birdbiodiversity across the Eurasian Tectonic Plate. Since 1950, fragmentation of the steppe habitat has caused a lossof biodiversity and degradation of the species communities found in natural steppe. Therefore, in this study, bothplants and insects were sampled at 56 sites in the steppe biome of northwestern China to explore the effects ofplant community on insect community composition and diversity. The insect community structure varied in thefour different steppe types (meadow steppe, typical steppe, desert steppe, and steppe desert). Plant cover (diversity)was an important driving force, which could enhance number of families and abundance of an insectcommunity. Aboveground net primary productivity and water content of plants had no significant effects oninsect community, although the plant community as a whole did mediate insect composition and communitystructure. Future research should explore the ecological role of particular functional groups in plant and insectcommunities. Supplemental sowing to improve plant diversity in steppe habitat may be another strategy toenhance biodiversity and achieve sustainable management.

Food Microbiology and Biotechnology : Potential Probiotic Characterization of Lactobacillus plantarum Strains Isolated from Inner Mongolia “Hurood” Cheese

( Jian Zhang ),( Xue Zhang ),( Li Zhang ),( Yu Juan Zhao ),( Chun Hua Niu ),( Zhen Nai Yang ),( Sheng Yu Li ) 한국미생물 · 생명공학회 2014 Journal of microbiology and biotechnology Vol.24 No.2

Total 121 lactic acid bacteria were isolated from homemade Inner Mongolia extra hard Hurood cheese. Seven of these strains, identified as Lactobacillus plantarum, were studied for probiotic characteristics. All seven strains survived at pH 3.0 for 3 h, or in the presence of oxgall at 0.3% or 0.6% for 4 h, but their viabilities were affected to different extents at pH 2.0 for 3 h. Strains C37 and C51 showed better adherence to Caco-2 cells, and higher hydrophobicity. The seven L. plantarum strains were different in in vitro free radical scavenging activities and cholesterolreducing ability. In vivo evaluation of the influence of L. plantarum C37 on the intestinal flora in a mouse model showed strain C37 could increase the viable counts of lactobacilli in feces of mice and decrease the viable counts of enterococci. When L. plantarum C37 was used to prepare probiotic Hurood cheese, it was able to maintain high viable counts (>7.8 log CFU/g) during the whole storage period, but the composition of the cheese was not changed. These results indicate that L. plantarum C37 could be considered as a promising probiotic strain.

Associations of hypoxia inducible factor-1a gene polymorphisms with susceptibility to digestive tract cancers: a case–control study and meta-analysis

Zhi-Hai Ni,Xian-Jun Liang,Jing-Gang Mo,Yi Zhang,Jian-Hua Liang,Yu-Sha Yang,Yong Zhou,Zhao-Hua Li,Jian-Liang Zhang,Yin-Lu Ding,Peng Zhang,Jin-Qing Wang 한국유전학회 2015 Genes & Genomics Vol.37 No.11

We aim to investigate the correlations of hypoxia inducible factor-1a (HIF-1a) C1772T (rs11549465) and G1790A (rs11549467) gene polymorphisms with digestive tract cancers. A sum of 267 digestive tract cancers patients were hospitalized in Taizhou Central Hospital of Zhejiang Province as case group between December 2012 and December 2014. Additionally, 275 healthy people who had a physical examination in our hospital at the same time were selected as control group. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism was utilized for detecting allele and genotype frequency of different locus in case and control group. Meta-analysis was performed using Comprehensive Metaanalysis 2.0 (Biostat Inc., Englewood, New Jersey, USA). Our result showed statistical significance only exists in family history of cancer between case and control group (P\0.05). Both C1772T (rs11549465) and G1790A (rs11549467) polymorphisms showed positive correlations with an increasing risk of digestive tract cancers. The frequencies of TT genotype of C1772T (rs11549465) and GA, AA genotypes of G1790A (rs11549467) polymorphisms in case group were evidently higher compared with the controls (all P\0.05). Besides, the comparison of allele and dominant models of HIF-1a C1772T (rs11549465) and G1790A (rs11549467) between two groups showed a significant difference (all P\0.05). Meta-analysis results further confirmed that the onset risk of digestive tract cancers may be improved under allele and dominant models of HIF-1a C1772T (rs11549465) and G1790A (rs11549467) (all P\0.05). Single nucleotide polymorphisms of HIF-1a C1772T (rs11549465) and G1790A (rs11549467) may play a role in development of digestive tract cancers.

Antimicrobial Constituents from Fruits of Ailanthus Altissima SWINGLE

Zhao Chun-Chao,Shao Jian-Hua,Li Xian,Xu Jing,Zhang Peng The Pharmaceutical Society of Korea 2005 Archives of Pharmacal Research Vol.28 No.10

A new naturally occurring sterol, compound 5, and six known stigmasterols were isolated from fruits of Ailanthus altissima Swingle by repeated column chromatography and RP-HPLC. Their structures were identified as, 5${\alpha}$-stigmastane-3,6-dione (1), 3${\beta}$-hydroxystigmast-5-en-7-one (2), stigmast-5-ene-3${\beta}$, 7${\alpha}$-diol (3), 6${\alpha}$-hydroxystigmast-4-en-3-one (4), 5${\alpha}$-stigmastane-3${\beta}$, 6${\beta}$-diol (5), stigmast-4-ene-3${\beta}$, 6${\alpha}$-diol (6), stigmast-5-ene-3${\beta}$, 7${\alpha}$, 20$\xi$-triol (7) by spectral analysis and comparison with the published data. These compounds have not been reported from genus Ailanthus, whereas compound 7 was identified by NMR for the first time. In addition, the $95\%$ ethanol extract and compounds from the fruits of Ailanthus altissima SWINGLE were assayed for in vitro antimicrobial activity. The extract was potent active against the assayed bacteria while compounds 3 and 7 exhibited moderate activity.

Continuous DC-CIK Infusions Restore CD8⁺ Cellular Immunity, Physical Activity and Improve Clinical Efficacy in Advanced Cancer Patients Unresponsive to Conventional Treatments

Zhao, Yan-Jie,Jiang, Ni,Song, Qing-Kun,Wu, Jiang-Ping,Song, Yu-Guang,Zhang, Hong-Mei,Chen, Feng,Zhou, Lei,Wang, Xiao-Li,Zhou, Xin-Na,Yang, Hua-Bing,Ren, Jun,Lyerly, Herbert Kim Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.6

Background: There are few choices for treatment of advanced cancer patients who do not respond to or tolerate conventional anti-cancer treatments. Therefore this study aimed to deploy the benefits and clinical efficacy of continuous dendritic cell-cytokine induced killer cell infusions in such patients. Materials and Methods: A total of 381 infusions (from 67 advanced cases recruited) were included in this study. All patients underwent peripheral blood mononuclear cell apheresis for the following cellular therapy and dendritic cells-cytokine induced killer cells were expanded in vitro. Peripheral blood T lymphocyte subsets were quantified through flow cytometry to address the cellular immunity status. Clinical efficacy and physical activities were evaluated by RECIST criteria and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group scores respectively. Logistic regression model was used to estimate the association between cellular infusions and clinical benefits. Results: An average of $5.7{\pm}2.94{\times}10^9$ induced cells were infused each time and patients were exposed to 6 infusions. Cellular immunity was improved in that cytotoxic $CD8^+CD28^+$ T lymphocytes were increased by 74% and suppressive $CD8^+CD28^-$ T lymphocytes were elevated by 16% (p<0.05). Continuous infusion of dendritic cells-cytokine induced killer cells was associated with improvement of both patient status and cellular immunity. A median of six infusions were capable of reducing risk of progression by 70% (95%CI 0.10-0.91). Every elevation of one ECOG score corresponded to a 3.90-fold higher progression risk (p<0.05) and 1% increase of $CD8^+CD28^-$ T cell proportion reflecting a 5% higher risk of progression (p<0.05). Conclusions: In advanced cancer patients, continuous dendritic cell-cytokine induced killer cell infusions are capable of recovering cellular immunity, improving patient status and quality of life in those who are unresponsive to conventional cancer treatment.

Genetic Variations in TERT-CLPTM1L Genes and Risk of Lung Cancer in a Chinese Population

Zhao, Meng-Meng,Zhang, Yue,Shen, Li,Ren, Yang-Wu,Li, Xue-Lian,Yin, Zhi-Hua,Zhou, Bao-Sen Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.6

Background: This study was conducted to investigate the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) and cleft lip and palate transmembrane1-like (CLPTM1L) and lung cancer risk in a Chinese population. Methods: We performed a hospital-based case-control study, including 980 lung cancer cases and 1000 cancer-free controls matched for age and sex. Each case and control was interviewed to collect information by well-trained interviewers. A total of 5 ml of venous blood was collected for genotype testing of TERT rs2736098 and CLPTM1L rs401681 using TaqMan methodology. Results: The results revealed that the variant homozygote TERT rs2736098TT was associated with an increased risk of lung cancer (OR=2.017, 95%CI=1.518-2.681), especially lung adenocarcinoma (OR=2.117, 95%CI=1.557-3.043) and small cell carcinoma (OR=1.979, 95%CI: 1.174-3.334), compared with the TERT rs2736098CC genotype. Similar results were observed in non-smokers. Conclusion: The TERT rs2736098 polymorphism might affect the susceptibility to lung cancer in Chinese populations. The associations need to be verified in larger and different populations.

Deformation analyses during subway shield excavation considering stiffness influences of underground structures

Zhang, Zhi-guo,Zhao, Qi-hua,Zhang, Meng-xi Techno-Press 2016 Geomechanics & engineering Vol.11 No.1

Previous studies for soil movements induced by tunneling have primarily focused on the free soil displacements. However, the stiffness of existing structures is expected to alter tunneling-induced ground movements, the sheltering influences for underground structures should be included. Furthermore, minimal attention has been given to the settings for the shield machine's operation parameters during the process of tunnels crossing above and below existing tunnels. Based on the Shanghai railway project, the soil movements induced by an earth pressure balance (EPB) shield considering the sheltering effects of existing tunnels are presented by the simplified theoretical method, the three-dimensional finite element (3D FE) simulation method, and the in-situ monitoring method. The deformation prediction of existing tunnels during complex traversing process is also presented. In addition, the deformation controlling safety measurements are carried out simultaneously to obtain the settings for the shield propulsion parameters, including earth pressure for cutting open, synchronized grouting, propulsion speed, and cutter head torque. It appears that the sheltering effects of underground structures have a great influence on ground movements caused by tunneling. The error obtained by the previous simplified methods based on the free soil displacements cannot be dismissed when encountering many existing structures.