Albumin-to-Fibrinogen Ratio as an Independent Prognostic Parameter in Untreated Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: A Retrospective Study of 191 Cases

Yi-Xin Zou,Jia Qiao,Hua-Yuan Zhu,Rui-Nan Lu,Yi Xia,Lei Cao,Wei Wu,Hui Jin,Wen-Jie Liu,Jin-Hua Liang,Jia-Zhu Wu,Li Wang,Lei Fan,Wei Xu,Jian-Yong Li 대한암학회 2019 Cancer Research and Treatment Vol.51 No.2

Purpose Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is one of the most frequent type of B-cell chronic lymphoproliferative disorders and chronic inflammation takes part in the development of CLL. However, there has been no valid immune biomarker to predict the prognosis of untreated CLL patients. Materials and Methods In this retrospective study, we analyzed the clinical correlations and prognostic value of albumin-to-fibrinogen ratio (AFR) detected at diagnosis in 191 CLL patients. Results The cut-off value of AFR was 9.7 calculated by X-tile. Patients who were more than 65 years old were often accompanied by low level of AFR (p < 0.001). Survival analysis showed that patients with low level of AFR had shorter overall survival (OS) than patients with high level of AFR (p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis illustrated that AFR had a negative impact on OS (p=0.003) and was independent of parameters involved in CLL international prognostic index and other prognostic markers such as CD38 and ZAP-70. Conclusion These data provide a comprehensive view of AFR and shows that AFR at diagnosis is an adverse prognostic factor in untreated CLL patients.

An integrated dendrite-free zinc metal electrode for corrosion inhibition in aqueous system

Yi-Fan Hu,Li-Feng Zhou,He Gong,He Jia,Peng Chen,Yi-Song Wang,Li-Ying Liu,Tao Du 한국화학공학회 2022 Korean Journal of Chemical Engineering Vol.39 No.9

Zinc ion batteries have gotten increasing attention as a potential candidate for lithium-ion batteries, due totheir high specific capacity (820 mAh·g1), energy density, and safety. Inevitably, dendrite and corrosion create sometrouble for this system. Herein, an integrated Zn electrode coated by Zn-Al metal oxides prepared by a simple spincoatingmethod was utilized to increase the rechargeability for aqueous zinc ion batteries. By coating the Zn anodewith an artificial electrolyte interface, the wettability of Zn anodes was improved and impedance was reduced. Thecoating suppressed not only the appearance of dendrite but also the formation of corrosion products. The symmetricalcells with coating have a low overpotential (43mV) and an excellent life span. Meanwhile, the applied full batteriesexhibit an improved capacity retention rate (86.67% after 120 cycles), great rate performance and low apparent activationenergy (24.6 KJ·mol1). The simple production methods and superior corrosion suppression effects provide newideas for the anode protection of aqueous system batteries.

Microwave Assisted Synthesis of Graphene-Bi2MoO6 Nanocomposite as Sono-Photocatalyst

Jia-Yao Tang,Lei Zhu,Jia-Yi Fan,Chen-Sun,Won-Chun Oh 한국재료학회 2022 한국재료학회지 Vol.32 No.1

In this investigation, Bi2MoO6 deposited graphene nanocomposite (BMG) was synthesized using a simple microwave assisted hydrothermal synthesis method. The synthesized BMG nanocomposite was characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray analysis, and photocurrent analysis. The study revealed that the catalysts prepared have high crystalline nature, enhanced light responsive property, high catalytic activity, and good stability. XRD results of BMG composite exhibit a koechlinite phase of Bi2MoO6. The surface property is shown by SEM and TEM, which confirmed a homogenous composition in the bulk particles of Bi2MoO6 and nanosheets of graphene. The catalytic behavior was investigated by the decomposition of Rhodamine B as a standard dye. The results exhibit excellent yields of product derivatives at mild conditions under ultrasonic/visible light-medium. Approximately 1.6-times-enhanced sono-photocatalytic activity was observed by introduction of Bi2MoO6 on graphene nanosheet compared with control sample P25 during 50 min test.

Production of IL-1β and Inflammasome with Up-Regulated Expressions of NOD-Like Receptor Related Genes in Toxoplasma gondii-Infected THP-1 Macrophages

Jia-Qi Chu,Ge Shi,Yi-Ming Fan,In-Wook Choi,Guang-Ho Cha,Yu Zhou,Young-Ha Lee,Juan-Hua Quan 대한기생충학열대의학회 2016 The Korean Journal of Parasitology Vol.54 No.6

Lentivirus-mediated microRNA-124 gene-modified bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell transplantation promotes the repair of spinal cord injury in rats

Jia-Lin Song,Wei Zheng,Wei Chen,Yun Qian,Yuan-Ming Ouyang,Cun-Yi Fan 생화학분자생물학회 2017 Experimental and molecular medicine Vol.49 No.-

Our study aims to explore the effects of lentivirus-mediated microRNA-124 (miR-124) gene-modified bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (BMSC) transplantation on the repair of spinal cord injury (SCI) in rats. BMSCs were isolated from the bone marrow of rats. The target gene miR-124 was identified using a luciferase-reporter gene assay. Seventy-two rats were selected for construction of the SCI model, and the rats were randomly divided into the blank group, sham group, SCI group, negative control (NC) group, overexpressed miR-124 group and si-PDXK group. The mRNA expression of miR-124 and the mRNA and protein expression of pyridoxal kinase (PDXK) were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blotting. The locomotor capacity of the rats was evaluated using the Basso, Beattie and Bresnahan (BBB) scale. Brdu, neuron-specific enolase (NSE), neurofilament (NF) and microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2) were detected using immunohistochemistry. The expression levels of thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH), prostacyclin (PGI2) and gangliosides (GM) were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. PDXK was identified as the target gene of miR-124. The overexpressed miR-124 group exhibited higher miR-124 expression than the SCI, NC and si-PDXK groups. Compared with the SCI and NC groups, the PDXK expression was downregulated in the overexpressed miR-124 and si-PDXK groups, and the BBB scores were significantly increased 7, 21 and 35 days after transplantation. The double-labeled positive cell densities (Brdu+NSE/NF/MAP2) and the expression levels of TRH, PGI2 and GM in the overexpressed miR-124 group were significantly higher than those in the NC and SCI groups. These results indicated that miR-124 targeted PDXK to accelerate the differentiation of BMSCs into neurocytes and promote SCI repair.

SDSS J013127.34-032100.1: A NEWLY DISCOVERED RADIO-LOUD QUASAR AT <i>z</i> = 5.18 WITH EXTREMELY HIGH LUMINOSITY

Yi, Wei-Min,Wang, Feige,Wu, Xue-Bing,Yang, Jinyi,Bai, Jin-Ming,Fan, Xiaohui,Brandt, William N.,Ho, Luis C.,Zuo, Wenwen,Kim, Minjin,Wang, Ran,Yang, Qian,Zhang, Ju-jia,Wang, Fang,Wang, Jian-Guo,Ai, Yanl IOP Publishing 2014 ASTROPHYSICAL JOURNAL LETTERS - Vol.795 No.2

<P>Very few of the z > 5 quasars discovered to date have been radio-loud, with radio-to-optical flux ratios (radio-loudness parameters) higher than 10. Here we report the discovery of an optically luminous radio-loud quasar, SDSS J013127.34-032100.1 (J0131-0321 in short), at z = 5.18 +/- 0.01 using the Lijiang 2.4 m and Magellan telescopes. J0131-0321 has a spectral energy distribution consistent with that of radio-loud quasars. With an i-band magnitude of 18.47 and a radio flux density of 33 mJy, its radio-loudness parameter is similar to 100. The optical and near-infrared spectra taken by Magellan enable us to estimate its bolometric luminosity to be L-bol similar to 1.1 x 10(48) erg s(-1), approximately 4.5 times greater than that of the most distant quasar known to date. The black hole mass of J0131-0321 is estimated to be 2.7 x 10(9) M-circle dot, with an uncertainty up to 0.4 dex. Detailed physical properties of this high-redshift, radio-loud, potentially super-Eddington quasar can be probed in the future with more dedicated and intensive follow-up observations using multi-wavelength facilities.</P>

Toxoplasma gondii induces autophagy and apoptosis in human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells via downregulation of Mcl−1

Chu, Jia-Qi,Jing, Kai-Peng,Gao, Xiang,Li, Peng,Huang, Rui,Niu, Yan-Ru,Yan, Shou-Quan,Kong, Jun-Chao,Yu, Cai-Yuan,Shi, Ge,Fan, Yi-Ming,Lee, Young-Ha,Zhou, Yu,Quan, Juan-Hua Landes Bioscience 2017 Cell Cycle Vol.16 No.5

<P>Autophagy and apoptosis are critical for controlling Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) infection. T. gondii infection during pregnancy can damage the fetus and cause birth defects; however, the molecular mechanisms of this process are poorly understood. This study aims to determine the activities of autophagy and apoptosis as well as their regulatory mechanisms during T. gondii infection by using human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs) as a model of congenital diseases. LC3B, a hallmark protein of autophagy was incrementally upregulated with the infection duration, whereas p62 was downregulated in T. gondii-infected hUC-MSCs. Concurrent to this result, the invasion of T. gondii into hUC-MSCs increased in a time-dependent manner. The expression levels of Bcl-2 family proteins including Bcl-2, Bcl-xL, Bim, Bax, Bid and Bak were not altered; however, Mcl-1 levels in hUC-MSCs were dramatically decreased upon T. gondii infection. In addition, at 24h post-infection, cleaved PARP and cleaved caspase-3 protein levels were elevated in hUC-MSCs. Importantly, Mcl-1 overexpression reduced the levels of autophagy- and apoptosis-related proteins in T. gondii-infected hUC-MSCs. Mcl-1 proteins were primarily expressed in the fraction containing mitochondria and strongly interacted with Beclin-1 under normal conditions; however, these interactions were remarkably attenuated by T. gondii infection. These results suggest that mitochondrial Mcl-1 is an essential signaling mediator regulating the activation of autophagy and apoptosis during T. gondii infection.</P>

The Beneficial Effects of a Polysaccharide from Moringa oleifera Leaf on Gut Microecology in Mice

Fang Wang,Yi-Fan Bao,Jia-Jun Si,Yu Duan,Ze-Bin Weng,Xin-Chun Shen 한국식품영양과학회 2019 Journal of medicinal food Vol.22 No.9

Moringa oleifera is a natural plant with high nutritional and pharmacological value. Leaves of M. oleifera contain a variety of active substances. In our previous research, we had obtained a polysaccharide separated from M. oleifera leaf, namely MOs-2-a (1.35 × 104 Da). In this study, this polysaccharide was administrated daily to 6 week-old ICR mice for 4 weeks. Then, the body weight, immunity, intestinal digestion, and intestinal microenvironment of Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) mice were investigated. After 4 weeks of feeding intervention with the polysaccharide, the immune and intestinal digestive ability of the ICR mice were significant as shown by the organ index, digestive enzymes, and reduction of serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha and diamine oxidase levels. The polysaccharide could regulate the microbial composition of the intestinal tract in mice by increasing the bacteria that have been reported for antiobesity effects, short chain fatty acid production, and lactic acid production. These findings indicate that the polysaccharide of M. oleifera leaf might be a promising prebiotic that exhibits health promotion effects.

Ag2Se Modified TiO2 Heterojunction with Enhanced Visible-Light Photocatalytic Performance

Lei Zhu,Jia-Yao Tang,Jia-Yi Fan,Chen-Sun,Won-Chun Oh 한국재료학회 2021 한국재료학회지 Vol.31 No.12

To build a highly active photocatalytic system with high efficiency and low cast of TiO2, we report a facile hydrothermal technique to synthesize Ag2Se-nanoparticle-modified TiO2 composites. The physical characteristics of these samples are analyzed by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray analysis, transmission electron microscopy and BET analysis. The XRD and TEM results show us that TiO2 is coupled with small sized Ag2Se nanoplate, which has an average grain size of about 30 nm in diameter. The agglomeration of Ag2Se nanoparticles is improved by the hydrothermal process, with dispersion improvement of the Ag2Se@TiO2 nanocomposite. Texbrite BA-L is selected as a simulated dye to study the photodegradation behavior of as-prepared samples under visible light radiation. A significant enhancement of about two times the photodegradation rate is observed for the Ag2Se@TiO2 nanocomposite compared with the control sample P25 and as-prepared TiO2. Long-term stability of Ag2Se@TiO2 is observed via ten iterations of recycling experiments under visible light irradiation.

Study on the response surface optimization of online upgrading of bio-oil with MCM-41 and catalyst durability analysis

Liu Sha,Cai Yi-xi,Fan Yong-sheng,Li Xiao-hua,Wang Jia-jun 대한환경공학회 2017 Environmental Engineering Research Vol.22 No.1

Direct catalysis of vapors from vacuum pyrolysis of biomass was performed on MCM-41 to investigate the effects of operating parameters including catalyzing temperature, catalyzing bed height and system pressure on the organic yields. Optimization of organic phase yield was further conducted by employing response surface methodology. The statistical analysis showed that operating parameters have significant effects on the organic phase yield. The organic phase yield first increases and then decreases as catalyzing temperature and catalyzing bed height increase, and decreases as system pressure increases. The optimal conditions for the maximum organic phase yield were obtained at catalyzing temperature of 502.7℃, catalyzing bed height of 2.74 cm and system pressure of 6.83 kPa, the organic phase yield amounts to 15.84% which is quite close to the predicted value 16.19%. The H/C, O/C molar ratios (dry basis), density, pH value, kinematic viscosity and high heat value of the organic phase obtained at optimal conditions were 1.287, 0.174, 0.98 g/cm3, 5.12, 5.87 mm2/s and 33.08 MJ/kg, respectively. Organic product compositions were examined using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and the analysis showed that the content of oxygenated aromatics in organic phase had decreased and hydrocarbons had increased, and the hydrocarbons in organic phase were mainly aliphatic hydrocarbons. Besides, thermo-gravimetric analysis of the MCM-41 zeolite was conducted within air atmosphere and the results showed that when the catalyst continuously works over 100 min, the index of physicochemical properties of bio-oil decreases gradually from 1.15 to 0.45, suggesting that the refined bio-oil significantly deteriorates. Meanwhile, the coke deposition of catalyst increases from 4.97% to 14.81%, which suggests that the catalytic activity significantly decreases till the catalyst completely looses its activity.