The Relationship between HIF-2α and VEGF with Radiographic Severity in the Primary Osteoarthritic Knee

Zhou Jian-lin,Fang Hong-song,Peng Hao,Deng Shuang,Chen Shen,Li Jian-ping,Qiu Bo,Weng Jin-qing,Liu Feng 연세대학교의과대학 2016 Yonsei medical journal Vol.57 No.3

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the relationship of hypoxia-inducible factor-2 (HIF-2α) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) with radiographic severity in primary osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee. Expression of these two factors in cartilagesamples from OA knee joints was examined at mRNA and protein levels. Materials and Methods: Knee joints were examined using plain radiographs, and OA severity was assessed using the Kellgren and Lawrence (KL) grading system. Specimens were collected from 29 patients (31 knees) who underwent total knee replacementbecause of severe medial OA of the knee (KL grades 3 and 4), 16 patients who underwent knee arthroscopy (KL grade 2), and 5 patients with traumatic knees (KL grade 0). HIF-2α and VEGF expression was quantified by real-time polymerase chain reactionand western blotting. Results: Cartilage degeneration correlated with the radiographic severity grade. OA severity, determined using the Mankin scale, correlated positively with the KL grade (r=0.8790, p<0.01), and HIF-2α and VEGF levels with the radiographic severity of knee OA (r=0.7001, p<0.05; r=0.6647, p<0.05). Conclusion: In OA cartilage, HIF-2α and VEGF mRNA and protein levels were significantly and positively correlated. The expressionof both factors correlated positively with the KL grade. HIF-2α and VEGF, therefore, may serve as biochemical markers as well as potential therapeutic targets in knee OA.

Metastasis associated genomic aberrations in stage II rectal cancer

Hong Zhao,Zhi-Zhou Shi,Rui Jiang,Dong-Bing Zhao,Hai-Tao Zhou,Jian-Wei Liang,Xin-Yu Bi,Jian-Jun Zhao,Zhi-Yu Li,Jian-Guo Zhou,Zhen Huang,Ye-Fan Zhang,Jian Wang,Xin Xu,Yan Cai,Ming-Rong Wang,Yu Zhang 한국유전학회 2016 Genes & Genomics Vol.38 No.11

Genomic aberrations of rectal carcinoma, especially DNA copy number changes associated with metastasis were largely unclear. We aim to identify the metastasis associated biomarkers in stage II rectal cancer. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded primary tumor tissues of stage II rectal carcinoma were analyzed by array-based comparative genomic hybridization, and genomic aberrations were identified by Genomic Workbench and SAM software. Copy number changes and mRNA expressions were validated by Real-time PCR in an independent rectal cancer samples. The results showed that the most frequent gains in stage II rectal cancer were at 1q21.2-q23.1, 3p21.31, 11q12.2-q23.3, 12q24.11-q24.31, 12q13.11-q14.1 and losses in 18q11.2-q23, 17q21.33-q22, 13q31.1-q31.3, 21q21.1-q21.3, 8p23.3-p23.1 and 4q22.1-q23. Twenty-two amplifications and five homozygous deletions were also identified. We further found that S100A1 (1q21.3-q23.1), MCM7 (7q22.1) and JUND (19p13.11) were amplified and overexpressed in stage II rectal cancer. Interestingly, the genomic aberrations affected 14 signaling pathways including VEGF signaling pathway and fatty acid metabolism. Most importantly, loss of 13q31.1-q34 and gain of 1q44 were associated with distant metastasis. Our results indicated that these metastasis associated genomic changes may be useful to reveal the pathogenesis of rectal cancer metastasis and identify candidate biomarkers.

Effects of pyrite bioleaching solution of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans on viability, differentiation and mineralization potentials of rat osteoblasts

Jian Zhou,Hong Yu Li,Ke-Ming Chen,De Juan Zhi,Qin-Jian Xie,Cory J. Xian 대한약학회 2015 Archives of Pharmacal Research Vol.38 No.12

Iron pyrite, an important component of traditional Chinese medicine, has a poor solubility, bioavailability, and patient compliance due to a high dose required and associated side effects, all of which have limited its clinical applications and experimental studies on its action mechanisms in improving fracture healing. This study investigated Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans (A.f)-bioleaching of two kinds of pyrites and examined bioactivities of the derived solutions in viability and osteogenic differentiation in rat calvarial osteoblasts. A.f bioleaching improved element contents (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, and Se) in the derived solutions and the solutions concentration-dependently affected osteoblast viability and differentiation. While the solutions had no effects at low concentrations and inhibited the osteoblast alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity at high concentrations, they improved ALP activity at their optimal concentrations. The improved osteoblast differentiation and osteogenic function at optimal concentrations were also revealed by levels of ALP cytochemical staining, calcium deposition, numbers and areas of mineralized nodules formed, mRNA and protein expression levels of osteogenesis-related genes (osteocalcin, Bmp-2, Runx-2, and IGF-1), and Runx-2 nuclear translocation. Data from this study will be useful in offering new strategies for improving pyrite bioavailability and providing a mechanistic explanation for the beneficial effects of pyrite in improving bone healing.

Tanshinone II-A Inhibits Angiogenesis through Down Regulation of COX-2 in Human Colorectal Cancer

Zhou, Li-Hong,Hu, Qiang,Sui, Hua,Ci, Shu-Jun,Wang, Yan,Liu, Xuan,Liu, Ning-Ning,Yin, Pei-Hao,Qin, Jian-Min,Li, Qi Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.9

Angiogenesis plays a significant role in colorectal cancer (CRC) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) appears to be involved with multiple aspects of CRC angiogenesis. Our aim was to investigate the inhibitory effects of Tan II-A (Tanshinone II-A, Tan II-A) on tumor growth in mice, as well as alteration of expression of COX-2 and VEGF in CRC. We established the mice xenograft model of C26 CRC cell line, and injected 0.5, 1, 2mg/kg of Tan II-A and 1mg/kg of 5-FU in respectively in vivo. Then, we assayed tumor weight and volume, and evaluated microvascular density and expression of VEGF. COX-2 promoter and COX-2 plasmids were transfected into HCT-116 cells, followed by detection of COX-2 promoter activity by chemiluminescence, and detection of COX-2 mRNA expression by fluorescence quantitative PCR. Taken together, the results showed Tan II-A could inhibit tumor growth and suppress the VEGF level in vivo. HCT-116 cell experiments showed marked inhibitory effects of Tan II-A on COX-2 and VEGF in a dose-dependent manner. The results indicate that Tan II-A can effectively inhibit tumor growth and angiogenesis of human colorectal cancer via inhibiting the expression level of COX-2 and VEGF.

CircularRNA_104670 plays a critical role in intervertebral disc degeneration by functioning as a ceRNA

Jian Son,Hong-Li Wang,Ke-Han Song,Zhi-Wen Ding,Hai-Lian Wang,Xiao-Sheng Ma,Fei-Zhou Lu,Xin-Lei Xia,Ying-Wei Wang,Fei-Zou,Jian-Yuan Jiang 생화학분자생물학회 2018 Experimental and molecular medicine Vol.50 No.-

This study was carried out to explore the roles of circular RNAs (circRNAs) in nucleus pulposus (NP) tissues in intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD). Differentially expressed circRNAs in IDD and normal NP tissues were identified based on the results of microarray analysis. Bioinformatics techniques were employed to predict the direct interactions of selected circRNAs, microRNAs (miR), and mRNAs. CircRNA_104670 was selected as the target circRNA due to its large multiplier expression in IDD tissues. After luciferase reporter and EGFP/RFP reporter assays, we confirmed that circRNA_104670 directly bound to miR-17-3p, while MMP-2 was the direct target of miR-17-3p. The receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve showed that circRNA_104670 and miR-17-3p had good diagnostic significance for IDD (AUC circRNA_104670 = 0.96; AUC miRNA-17-3p = 0.91). A significant correlation was detected between the Pfirrmann grade and expression of circRNA_104670 (r = 0.63; p = 0.00) and miR-17-3p (r = −0.62; p = 0.00). Flow-cytometric analysis and the MTT assay showed that interfering with circRNA_104670 using small interfering RNA (siRNA) inhibited NP cell apoptosis (p < 0.01), and this inhibition was reduced by interfering with miR-17-3p. Interfering with circRNA_104670 suppressed MMP-2 expression and increased extracellular matrix (ECM) formation, which were also reduced by interfering with miR-17-3p. Finally, an MRI evaluation showed that circRNA_104670 inhibition mice had a lower IDD grade compared with control mice (p < 0.01), whereas circRNA_104670 and miRNA-17-3p inhibition mice had a higher IDD grade compared with circRNA_104670 inhibition mice (p < 0.05). CircRNA_104670 is highly expressed in the NP tissues of IDD and acts as a ceRNA during NP degradation.

Characterization of SiC/C Nanocomposite Powders Synthesized by Arc-Discharge

Zhou, Lei,Yu, Jie Yi,Gao, Jian,Wang, Dong Xing,Gan, Xiao Rong,Xue, Fang Hong,Huang, Hao,Dong, Xing Long Korean Society of Microscopy 2015 Applied microscopy Vol.45 No.4

In this paper, three carbon sources, i.e., solid graphite, gaseous CH4 and liquid ethanol, and one solid silicon source were employed to synthesize SiC/C nanocomposite powders by arc-discharge plasma. The processing conditions such as the component ratios of raw materials, atmospheric gases, etc. were adjusted for controllable synthesis of the nanopowders. It is indicated that both of solid graphite and silicon can be co-evaporated and reacted to form nanophases of cubic ${\beta}$-SiC with ~50 nm in mean size and a little free graphite; the carbon atoms decomposed from gaseous $CH_4$ favor to combine with the evaporated silicon atoms to form the dominant SiC nanophase; liquid carbon source of ethanol can also be used to harvest the main ${\beta}$-SiC and minor 6H-SiC phases in the assembly of nanoparticles. The as-prepared SiC/C nanocomposite powders were further purified by a heat-treatment in air and their photocatalytic performances were then greatly improved.

Chimeric RNAs as potential biomarkers for tumor diagnosis

( Jian Hua Zhou ),( Jo Shua Liao ),( Xue Xiu Zheng ),( Hai Hong Shen ) 생화학분자생물학회 (구 한국생화학분자생물학회) 2012 BMB Reports Vol.45 No.3

Cancers claim millions of lives each year. Early detection that can enable a higher chance of cure is of paramount importance to cancer patients. However, diagnostic tools for many forms of tumors have been lacking. Over the last few years, studies of chimeric RNAs as biomarkers have emerged. Numerous reports using bioinformatics and screening methodologies have described more than 30,000 expressed sequence tags (EST) or cDNA sequences as putative chimeric RNAs. While cancer cells have been well known to contain fusion genes derived from chromosomal translocations, rearrangements or deletions, recent studies suggest that trans-splicing in cells may be another source of chimeric RNA production. Unlike cis-splicing, trans-splicing takes place between two pre-mRNA molecules, which are in most cases derived from two different genes, generating a chimeric non-co-linear RNA. It is possible that trans-splicing occurs in normal cells at high frequencies but the resulting chimeric RNAs exist only at low levels. However the levels of certain RNA chimeras may be elevated in cancers, leading to the formation of fusion genes. In light of the fact that chimeric RNAs have been shown to be overrepresented in various tumors, studies of the mechanisms that produce chimeric RNAs and identification of signature RNA chimeras as biomarkers present an opportunity for the development of diagnoses for early tumor detection. (BMB reports 2012; 45(3): 133-140)

Expression analysis of HSP70 gene in response to environmental stress in Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Zhou Lv,Meng Jian-Yu,Ruan Hong-Yun,Zhang Chang-Yu 한국응용곤충학회 2023 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.26 No.3

This study aimed to investigate the role of heat shock proteins in the response of Spodoptera frugiperda to environmental stress. Four Hsp70 genes of S. frugiperda were cloned using reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and their sequence characteristics were characterized using bioinformatics analysis. RTqPCR was used to detect Hsp70 at different developmental stages, in different tissues, and under varying environmental stresses (45 ◦ C, 36 ◦ C, 4 ◦ C, ultraviolet-A, and emamectin benzoate) to quantify the relative expression of this gene. Four Hsp70 genes were obtained by cloning, namely SfHsp70-1, SfHsp70-2, SfHsp70-3, and SfHsp70-like, which encode 653, 686, 638, and 627 amino acids, respectively, and all contain the three Hsp70 family signature sequences. Neighbor-joining (NJ) method was used to construct phylogenetic tree, and four Hsp70 of the S. frugiperda species were clustered with Lepidoptera. The results of real-time PCR showed that the SfHsp70s gene was specifically expressed in different tissues at different developmental stages and its expression increased considerably under nearly all environmental stresses in adults. This study shows that the SfHsp70 gene contributes to a large extent to the resistance of S. frugiperda to environmental stress.

Ellipsometric Study of the Optical Properties of Silver Oxide Prepared by Reactive Magnetron Sputtering

Jian-Hong Qiu,Liang-Yao Chen,Jia-Ni Yu,Jing Li,Peng Zhou,Qing-Hai ong,ong-You Wang,Xiao-Yong Gao,Yue-Mei Yang,Yu-Xiang Zheng 한국물리학회 2005 THE JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN PHYSICAL SOCIETY Vol.46 No.2

A series of AgOx thin films were prepared by the DC-magnetron reactive-sputtering method at room temperature under different sputtering power and oxygen to argon ratio conditions. The optical properties of the AgOx films were studied by analysis of the spectroscopic ellipsometry data with the Tauc-Lorentz multi-oscillator model in the 1.5 4.5-eV photon-energy range. The spectra of absorption, XPS and PL were measured. The results indicate that the AgOx film changes from metallic to dielectric structure with increasing oxygen flux. Under the saturated oxidation condition after annealing, the dominating component will be Ag2O in the film to show indirect interband transitions occurring at about 0.57 eV and 2.43 eV, respectively, that are in agreement with the results of PL measurement and Lorentz analysis.

Intermedins A and B; New Metabolites from Schisandra propinqua var. intermedia

Hong-Mei Li,Chun Lei,Yong-Ming Luo,Xiao-Nian Li,Xiao-Lei Li,Jian-Xin Pu,San-Yun Zhou,Rong-Tao Li,Han-Dong Sun 대한약학회 2008 Archives of Pharmacal Research Vol.31 No.6

A new dibenzocyclooctadiene lignan, intermedin A (1), and a new natural bisabolane sesquiterpenoid, intermedin B (2), were isolated from the aerial parts of Schisandra propinqua var. intermedia. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopical analysis.