Falcine Sinus: Incidence and Imaging Characteristics of Three-Dimensional Contrast-Enhanced Thin-Section Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Ling Lin,Jin-Hua Lin,Jian Guan,Xiao-Ling Zhang,Jian-Ping Chu,Zhi-Yun Yang 대한영상의학회 2018 Korean Journal of Radiology Vol.19 No.3

Objective: To evaluate the incidence, characteristics, and variations of the falcine sinus with contrast-enhanced threedimentional (3D) thin-section magnetic resonance (MR) images. Materials and Methods: A retrospective review identified 1531 patients (745 males and 786 females, 2 months to 85 years) who underwent cranial MR imaging including T1-weighted imaging, T2-weighted imaging, T2-weighted fluid-attenuated inversion recovery, contrast-enhanced 3D thin-section sagittal scans, and MR venography, from June 2014 to January 2016. The incidence, characteristics of the falcine sinus, and coexisted intracranial lesions were confirmed by two neuroradiologists. Results: Falcine sinuses were identified in 81 (38 males and 43 females) cases (5.3%, 81/1531, 5 months to 76 years of age) with calibers ranging from 2.3 mm to 17.0 mm. Three major forms of falcine sinuses were defined: arch-like (n = 47), stick-like (n = 22), and bifurcated (n = 12). Persistent falcine sinuses were found in 57 cases, among which 3 cases showed complicated cerebral anomalies, and 2 cases showed smaller straight sinuses. Recanalization of falcine sinuses were found in 24 cases, including 17 cases with tumor compression, 6 cases with cerebral venous sinus thrombosis, and one case with hypertrophic meningitis. Conclusion: Falcine sinus is not as rare as has been reported previously. Most falcine sinuses are not associated with congenital cerebral abnormalities. Diseases that cause increased pressure in the venous sinus may lead to recanalization of falcine sinus. Illustrating the characteristics of falcine sinus may prompt a more comprehensive understanding and diagnosis of associated diseases, and avoid potential surgical damage in the future.

Expression, Purification, and Biological Characterization of The Amino-Terminal Fragment of Urokinase in Pichia pastoris

( Jian Ping Li ),( Yu Li Lin ),( Hong Qin Zhuang ),( Zi Chun Hua ) 한국미생물 · 생명공학회 2013 Journal of microbiology and biotechnology Vol.23 No.9

Urokinase (uPA) and its receptor (uPAR) play an important role in tumor growth and metastasis. Targeting the excessive activation of this system as well as the proliferation of the tumor vascular endothelial cell would be expected to prevent tumor neovasculature and halt the tumor development. In this regard, the amino-terminal fragment (ATF) of urokinase has been confirmed as effective to inhibit the proliferation, migration, and invasiveness of cancer cells via interrupting the interaction of uPA and uPAR. Previous studies indicated that ATF expressed in Escherichia coli was mainly contained in inclusion bodies and also lacked posttranslational modifications. In this study, the biologically active and soluble ATF was cloned and expressed in Pichia pastoris. The recombinant protein was purified to be homogenous and confirmed to be biologically active. The yield of the active ATF was about 30 mg/l of the P. pastoris culture medium. The recombinant ATF (rATF) could efficiently inhibit angiogenesis, endothelial cell migration, and tumor cell invasion in vitro. Furthermore, it could inhibit in vivo xenograft tumor growth and prolong the survival of tumor-bearing mice significantly by competing with uPA for binding to cell surfaces. Therefore, P. pastoris is a highly efficient and cost-effective expression system for large-scale production of biologically active rATFs for potential therapeutic application.

Effects of Tissue Factor, PAR-2 and MMP-9 Expression on Human Breast Cancer Cell Line MCF-7 Invasion

Lin, Zeng-Mao,Zhao, Jian-Xin,Duan, Xue-Ning,Zhang, Lan-Bo,Ye, Jing-Ming,Xu, Ling,Liu, Yin-Hua Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.2

Objective: This study aimed to explore the expression of tissue factor (TF), protease activated receptor-2 (PAR-2), and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in the MCF-7 breast cancer cell line and influence on invasiveness. Methods: Stable MCF-7 cells transfected with TF cDNA and with TF ShRNA were established. TF, PAR-2, and MMP-9 protein expression was analyzed using indirect immunofluorescence and invasiveness was evaluated using a cell invasion test. Effects of an exogenous PAR-2 agonist were also examined. Results: TF protein expression significantly differed between the TF cDNA and TF ShRNA groups. MMP-9 protein expression was significantly correlated with TF protein expression, but PAR-2 protein expression was unaffected. The PAR-2 agonist significantly enhanced MMP-9 expression and slightly increased TF and PAR-2 expression in the TF ShRNA group, but did not significantly affect protein expression in MCF-7 cells transfected with TF cDNA. TF and MMP-9 expression was positively correlated with the invasiveness of tumor cells. Conclusion: TF, PAR-2, and MMP-9 affect invasiveness of MCF-7 cells. TF may increase MMP-9 expression by activating PAR-2.

A putative pathogen-resistant regulatory pathway between MicroRNAs and candidate target genes in maize

Jian Gao,Mao Luo,Chun Zhang,Hua Peng,Haijian Lin,Yaou shen,Maojun Zhao,Guangtang Pan,Zhiming Zhang 한국식물학회 2015 Journal of Plant Biology Vol.58 No.4

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a family of small non-coding RNAs that, in most cases, negatively regulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. Plant miRNAs have been implicated in developmental processes and adaptation to environmental stress including biotic and abiotic stresses. Here, we report a comprehensive analysis of miRNAs and associated target genes under banded leaf and sheath blight (BLSB) stress caused by R. solani in maize. Eight differentially expressed miRNAs were randomly selected from deep sequencing results and validated by qRT-PCR together with their putative target genes, most of which are transcription factors as well as metabolic genes involved in auxin signaling. The results revealed that majorities of the analyzed miRNAs show an inverse correlation with their corresponding predicted target genes. In addition, a putative regulatory network of miRNAs-mRNAs responsive to R. solani was constructed. This study provides insight into the regulatory functions of miRNAs, thereby expanding our knowledge of the molecular mechanisms of pathogen resistance.

Optimum Blank Design of Thick-Plate Metal Forming without Blank Holder

Jian Lan,Mianli Zhang,Huajie Mao,Maosheng Shu,Lin Hua 한국소성가공학회 2010 기타자료 Vol.2010 No.6

Many blank design methods are used in sheet metal forming industry, but most of them originated from applications of thin sheet metal forming with blank holder. There are few researches on blank design methods of thick-plate metal forming without blank holder, which process has two characteristics: workpiece thinning locally and severely, workpiece inside surface not contacting with top punch because of local bulk deforming. An optimum blank design method is proposed in this paper for the thick-plate metal forming without blank holder. This method consists of two stages: the initial blank design stage and the blank optimization stage. The first stage is to obtain initial blank shape using Inverse Finite Element Approach (IFEA) from the middle-thick layer of 3D model of target part. In the second stage, firstly, simulate and obtain deformed workpiece by forward finite element analysis; then calculate the shape error between deformed workpiece and target part, and the indicator △ of optimization procedure; finally, correct the blank shape by the feedback of shape error until the indicator △ is smaller than tolerance. In order to verify the proposed method, a reverse arm bracket is investigated.

Geographic Distribution and Epidemiology of Lung Cancer During 2011 in Zhejiang Province of China

Lin, Xia-Lu,Chen, Yan,Gong, Wei-Wei,Wu, Zhao-Fan,Zou, Bao-Bo,Zhao, Jin-Shun,Gu, Hua,Jiang, Jian-Min Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.13

Background: To explore etiology for providing scientific clues for the prevention of lung cancer. Materials and Methods: Data for lung cancer incidence and meteorological geographic factors from 25 counties in Zhejiang province of China during 2011 were studied. Stepwise multiple regression and correlation analysis were performed to analyze the geographic distribution and epidemiology of lung cancer. Results: 8,291 new cases (5,998 in males and 2,293 females) of lung cancer during 2011 in Zhejiang province were reported in the 25 studied counties. Reported and standardized incidence rates for lung cancer were 58.0 and 47.0 per 100,000 population, respectively. The incidence of lung cancer increased with age. Geographic distribution analysis shows that the standardized incidence rates of lung cancer in northeastern Zhejiang province were higher than in the southwestern part, such as in Nanhu, Fuyang, Wuxing and Yuyao counties, where the rates were more than 50 per 100,000 population. In the southwestern Zhejiang province, for instance, in Yueqing, Xianju and Jiande counties, the standardized incidence rates of lung cancer were lower than 37 per 100,000 population. Spearman correlation tests showed that forest coverage rate, air quality index (AQI), and annual precipitation level are associated with the incidence of lung cancer. Conclusions: Lung cancer in Zhejiang province shows obvious regional differences. High incidence appears associated with low forest coverage rate, poor air quality and low annual precipitation. Therefore, increasing the forest coverage rate and controlling air pollution may play an important role in lung cancer prevention.

The Protective Effect of Sodium Hyaluronate on the Cartilage of Rabbit Osteoarthritis by Inhibiting Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor-Gamma Messenger RNA Expression

Jian-lin Zhou,Shi-qing Liu,Bo Qiu,Qiong-jie Hu,Jiang-hua Ming,Hao Peng 연세대학교의과대학 2009 Yonsei medical journal Vol.50 No.6

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to study the protective effect and influence of sodium hyaluronate (Na- HA) on mRNA expression of peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ) in cartilage of rabbit osteoarthritis (OA) model. Materials and Methods: Forty eight white rabbits were randomly divided into A, B, and C groups. Group A was normal control group, B and C groups underwent unilateral anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT). The rabbits in group B were injected normal saline after ACLT; and Group C received intraarticular1% sodium hyaluronate (HA) injection 5 weeks after surgery, 0.3 mL once a week. At 11th week after surgery, all the rabbits were sacrificed. The cartilage changes on the medial femoral condyles were graded separately. Cartilage sections were stained with safranin-O and HE, and messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of PPAR-γ was detected by using real time polymerase chain reaction (Real Time-PCR). Results: Cartilage degeneration in group B was significantly more severe than in A and C injection group. The grey value of Safranin- O of B group was higher than A and C groups. Expression of PPAR-γ mRNA in group B was higher than group A and C. Conclusion: This study shows that Na-HA has a protective effect on articular cartilage degeneration, and the inhibitory effect on the PPAR-γ mRNA expression may be one of therapeutic mechanism of Na-HA. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to study the protective effect and influence of sodium hyaluronate (Na- HA) on mRNA expression of peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ) in cartilage of rabbit osteoarthritis (OA) model. Materials and Methods: Forty eight white rabbits were randomly divided into A, B, and C groups. Group A was normal control group, B and C groups underwent unilateral anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT). The rabbits in group B were injected normal saline after ACLT; and Group C received intraarticular1% sodium hyaluronate (HA) injection 5 weeks after surgery, 0.3 mL once a week. At 11th week after surgery, all the rabbits were sacrificed. The cartilage changes on the medial femoral condyles were graded separately. Cartilage sections were stained with safranin-O and HE, and messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of PPAR-γ was detected by using real time polymerase chain reaction (Real Time-PCR). Results: Cartilage degeneration in group B was significantly more severe than in A and C injection group. The grey value of Safranin- O of B group was higher than A and C groups. Expression of PPAR-γ mRNA in group B was higher than group A and C. Conclusion: This study shows that Na-HA has a protective effect on articular cartilage degeneration, and the inhibitory effect on the PPAR-γ mRNA expression may be one of therapeutic mechanism of Na-HA.

Preparation of silver Nano-Crystal patterns in oxide glasses under electric field accompanied by heat treatment

Jian Lin,Wen-Hai Huang,Shu-Hua Lei,Chang-Cheng Liu,Qi Bian,Li-Na Ma,Dong-Wei Li 한양대학교 세라믹연구소 2008 Journal of Ceramic Processing Research Vol.9 No.4

Nano-crystals embedded in glass always have interesting quantum effects, while nano-crystal patterns may have wide potential applications in preparing PIC, OEIC and other types of electronic and optoelectronic devices. A direct current electric field, accompanied by heat treatment, was applied on tellurite or silicate glass sheets. The silver ions in a diffused film were introduced into the glass matrix under a high-voltage electric field, instead of supplied during glass melting. The direct diffusion of metal ions, the nucleation and crystallization of nano-crystals in the glass were well controlled by the electric field accompanied by heat treatment. It was found that silver nano-crystal patterns can be transfer printed into tellurite and silicate glass sheets with both patterned diffusion and patterned crystallization. Nano-crystals embedded in glass always have interesting quantum effects, while nano-crystal patterns may have wide potential applications in preparing PIC, OEIC and other types of electronic and optoelectronic devices. A direct current electric field, accompanied by heat treatment, was applied on tellurite or silicate glass sheets. The silver ions in a diffused film were introduced into the glass matrix under a high-voltage electric field, instead of supplied during glass melting. The direct diffusion of metal ions, the nucleation and crystallization of nano-crystals in the glass were well controlled by the electric field accompanied by heat treatment. It was found that silver nano-crystal patterns can be transfer printed into tellurite and silicate glass sheets with both patterned diffusion and patterned crystallization.

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.

Microwave-assisted synthesis of organic/inorganic hybrid composites with gas barrier and heat-dissipating capability and their application for the encapsulation of top-emitting organic light emitting diodes (TEOLEDs)

Jian-Shian Lin,Ming-Hua Chung,Chen-Ming Chen,Fuh-Shyang Juang,Yu-Sheng Tsai,Shu-Wei Chang,Shun-Hsi Wang,Teh-Chao Liao,Lung-Chang Liu 한국물리학회 2010 Current Applied Physics Vol.10 No.5

UV-curable organic/inorganic hybrid composites with gas barrier and heat-dissipating capability have been successfully fast synthesized with microwave irradiation and utilized for the encapsulation of top-emitting organic light-emitting diodes (TEOLEDs). Experimental results manifest that lab-made organic/inorganic hybrid composites can effectively not only obstruct the invasion of moisture as well as oxygen in the atmosphere into the device but also lower the temperature of device. Therefore, the lifetimes of TEOLEDs with their encapsulation are 2.2 folds longer than those without encapsulation.