Diffusion-Weighted MRI for the Initial Viability Evaluation of Parasites in Hepatic Alveolar Echinococcosis: Comparison with Positron Emission Tomography

Jianjun Zheng,Jing Wang,Jianqing Zhao,Xianyun Meng 대한영상의학회 2018 Korean Journal of Radiology Vol.19 No.1

Objective: More than 70% of hepatic alveolar echinococcosis (HAE) are inoperable. Thus, long-term, or even life-long, pharmacological treatment with benzimidazoles is necessary. For effective treatment, it is of great importance to employ imaging techniques to detect and monitor the non-resectable parasitic viability. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in assessing the viability of HAE in comparison to 18-fluoro-deoxyglucose (18F-FDG) positron emission tomography, combined with computed tomography (PET/CT). Materials and Methods: Positron emission tomography, computed tomography and DWI (b-values: 0, 800 s/mm2) were retrospectively analysed in eight patients with clinically-verified HAE to, generate the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) map. The activity of HAE lesions in both techniques were determined independently by two radiologists according to the following standard: (+), marked focally or perilesionally increased FDG uptake/high signal intensity; (−), a hepatic defect without FDG uptake/no high signal intensity. Every lesion’s maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) on the PET/CT images and mean ADC values on the parametric ADC maps were measured respectively. Results of PET/CT and DWI were compared on a per-lesion-basis. Pearson’s correlation coefficient was assessed for statistical analysis. Results: A total of 14 HAE lesions were detected. Eight lesions (diameter 3−15 cm) showed perilesional hyper-signal intensity on DWI. This was visualised on PET/CT as increased FDG uptake. They mainly existed in the lesion’s border with normal liver parenchyma. Five lesions (diameter < 2 cm) were detected as nodular hyperintensity on DWI and a ‘hot spot’ on PET/CT in the same distribution. One patient, who had received oral drug therapy for three years showed significantly decreased perilesional hyperintensity on the DWI and a hepatic defect without any FDG uptake on PET/CT. Pearson’s correlation coefficient indicated a significant inverse correlation of the ADC and the SUVmax (r = -0.67, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Diffusion-weighted imaging is capable of offering information on visually detecting the HAE lesions’ viability and may be useful for routine application in the initial diagnosis of HAE.

Design and Implementation of Knowledge based Cloud Platform for NSFC Service System

Jianjun Li,Yuhui Zheng,Jin Wang 보안공학연구지원센터 2016 International Journal of Grid and Distributed Comp Vol.9 No.12

With the quickly development of Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) foundations, management of mass fund-relevant digital data, such as researchers and institutions, academic achievement, funds and so on, is becoming more and more important for supporting basic scientific research. In this paper, we fully introduce the design and implementation of NSFC cloud platform that will be implemented in the service system of knowledge base. Firstly, the whole cloud platform architecture is presented. Then we introduce the system software and equipment environment of our platform. Lastly, we present the construction of private cloud, network components, storage components, and computing components, respectively, with illustrative figures and tables.

Current Decoupling Scheme of Three-Phase Inverter with Complex Coefficient Controller

Zheng Xinxin,Xu Jianjun,Shi Jingkui,Huang Wenxin,Li Qiyue 대한전기학회 2022 Journal of Electrical Engineering & Technology Vol.17 No.6

In the control of three-phase system, AC signals are always changed into DC signals by synchronous coordinate transformation. A decoupling control scheme in the dq synchronous reference frame (SRF) is proposed to realize active and reactive current decoupling of three-phase inverter. The complex vector control model is established in SRF. Diff erent from the model established in static reference frame, the SRF control model can refl ect the coupling characteristic of the active and reactive current. As a result, the PI controller with complex coeffi cient can be applied to realize current decoupling. In this paper, the coupling characteristic of three-phase system is analyzed. A novel complex PI controller design method is proposed based on the SRF control model and the coeffi cients are calculated. And its implementation in the control loop is given. Compared with existing PI controllers with real or complex coeffi cients, the proposed complex PI controller can realize completely the decoupling of the active and reactive current in three-phase system. Besides, the control scheme can make current loop fulfi ll the expected symmetrical bandwidth, so as to realize a higher eff ective set-off frequency. As a result, the inverter can achieve well dynamic performance. Finally, the simulation and experimental results are given to verify the theoretical analysis.

Chinese Society of Allergy and Chinese Society of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Guideline for Chronic Rhinosinusitis

Zheng Liu,Jianjun Chen,Lei Cheng,Huabin Li,Shixi Liu,Hongfei Lou,Jianbo Shi,Ying Sun,Dehui Wang,Chengshuo Wang,Xiangdong Wang,Yongxiang Wei,Weiping Wen,Pingchang Yang,Qintai Yang,Gehua Zhang,Yuan Zhan 대한천식알레르기학회 2020 Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Research Vol.12 No.2

The current document is based on a consensus reached by a panel of experts from the Chinese Society of Allergy and the Chinese Society of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Rhinology Group. Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) affects approximately 8% of Chinese adults. The inflammatory and remodeling mechanisms of CRS in the Chinese population differ from those observed in the populations of European descent. Recently, precision medicine has been used to treat inflammation by targeting key biomarkers that are involved in the process. However, there are no CRS guidelines or a consensus available from China that can be shared with the international academia. The guidelines presented in this paper cover the epidemiology, economic burden, genetics and epigenetics, mechanisms, phenotypes and endotypes, diagnosis and differential diagnosis, management, and the current status of CRS in China. These guidelines—with a focus on China—will improve the abilities of clinical and medical staff during the treatment of CRS. Additionally, they will help international agencies in improving the verification of CRS endotypes, mapping of eosinophilic shifts, the identification of suitable biomarkers for endotyping, and predicting responses to therapies. In conclusion, these guidelines will help select therapies, such as pharmacotherapy, surgical approaches and innovative biotherapeutics, which are tailored to each of the individual CRS endotypes.

Knockdown of eIF3a attenuated cell growth in K1 human thyroid cancer cells

Xucai Zheng,Shengying Wang,Shikai Hong,Jianjun Liu,Chenghao Jiang 한국유전학회 2021 Genes & Genomics Vol.43 No.4

Background In ribosome establishment and the initiation of translation, eukaryotic translation initiation factor (eIF) 3a is a pivotal functional subunit of the eIF3 complex. In various cancer types, abnormal eIF3a expression plays an important role in tumorigenesis. Objective We aimed to explore the role of eIF3a in human thyroid cancer (TC). Material and methods The expression of eIF3a was determined in TC tissues by qRT-PCR and immunohistochemistry (IHC) assay, respectively. In addition, the expression of eIF3a in K1 and BCPAP cells were detected by qRT-PCR. Cell proliferation, cell cycle, and cell apoptosis were assessed after eIF3a knockdown in K1 in cell line. Results The expression of eIF3a mRNA was high in TC tissues and cancer cell lines. Moreover, eIF3a expression in TC tissues indicated that high eIF3a level was associated with tumor grade. In addition, eIF3a knockdown resulted in a signifcantly decrease in cell proliferation and increased the apoptosis of K1 cells. Cell cycle was arrested in both the S and G2/M phase. The levels of phosphorylated ERK1/2 and surviving were decreased after eIF3a knockdown. Conclusion Our study suggested that eIF3a contributed to TC cell proliferation. It may be a promising target for gene therapy in human thyroid cancer.

Efficacy of combination of endo-xylanase and xylan-debranching enzymes in improving cereal bran utilization in piglet diet

Wang Weiwei,Zheng Dawen,Zhang Zhenzhen,Ye Hui,Cao Qingyun,Zhang Changming,Dong Zemin,Feng Dingyuan,Zuo Jianjun 아세아·태평양축산학회 2022 Animal Bioscience Vol.35 No.11

Objective: This study was aimed to explore the efficacy of combination of endo-xylanase (Xyn) and xylan-debranching enzymes (arabinofuranosidase, Afd and feruloyl esterase, FE) in improving utilization of bran in piglet diet. Methods: In vitro experiments were firstly conducted to examine the enzymological properties of Xyn, Afd, and FE, concurrent with their effect on degradation of arabinoxylan (Abx) in bran. In vivo experiment was then implemented by allocating two hundred and seventy 35-d-old postweaning piglets into 3 groups (6 replicates/group), which received bran-containing diet supplemented with Xyn (1,600 U/kg) or its combination with Afd (0.8 U/kg) and FE (4 U/kg) or without enzyme. Results: Both Xyn, Afd, and FE are relatively stable against the changes in temperature and pH value. Combining Xyn with Afd and FE had a superiority (p<0.05) over Xyn alone and its combination with Afd or FE in promoting (p<0.05) degradation of Abx in different brans. Combined treatment with Xyn, Afd, and FE was more beneficial than Xyn alone to induce increasing trends (p<0.10) of average daily gain, final body weight and feed efficiency of piglets fed bran-containing diet. Moreover, combination of Xyn, Afd, and FE showed advantages (p<0.05) over Xyn alone in causing reductions (p<0.05) in diarrhea rate and cecal pH value, concurrent with increases (p<0.05) in cecal and colonic acetic acid and total volatile fatty acid concentrations, as well as cecal butyric acid concentration of piglets fed brancontaining diet. Conclusion: Combining Xyn with Afd and FE was more beneficial than Xyn alone in promoting degradation of Abx in bran, along with growth performance and intestinal volatile fatty acid profile of piglets received bran-containing diet. Thereby, combination of Xyn, Afd, and FE had a superior efficacy relative to Xyn alone in improving application of cereal bran in piglet diet. Objective: This study was aimed to explore the efficacy of combination of endo-xylanase (Xyn) and xylan-debranching enzymes (arabinofuranosidase, Afd and feruloyl esterase, FE) in improving utilization of bran in piglet diet.Methods: <i>In vitro</i> experiments were firstly conducted to examine the enzymological properties of Xyn, Afd, and FE, concurrent with their effect on degradation of arabinoxylan (Abx) in bran. <i>In vivo</i> experiment was then implemented by allocating two hundred and seventy 35-d-old postweaning piglets into 3 groups (6 replicates/group), which received bran-containing diet supplemented with Xyn (1,600 U/kg) or its combination with Afd (0.8 U/kg) and FE (4 U/kg) or without enzyme.Results: Both Xyn, Afd, and FE are relatively stable against the changes in temperature and pH value. Combining Xyn with Afd and FE had a superiority (p<0.05) over Xyn alone and its combination with Afd or FE in promoting (p<0.05) degradation of Abx in different brans. Combined treatment with Xyn, Afd, and FE was more beneficial than Xyn alone to induce increasing trends (p<0.10) of average daily gain, final body weight and feed efficiency of piglets fed bran-containing diet. Moreover, combination of Xyn, Afd, and FE showed advantages (p<0.05) over Xyn alone in causing reductions (p<0.05) in diarrhea rate and cecal pH value, concurrent with increases (p<0.05) in cecal and colonic acetic acid and total volatile fatty acid concentrations, as well as cecal butyric acid concentration of piglets fed bran-containing diet.Conclusion: Combining Xyn with Afd and FE was more beneficial than Xyn alone in promoting degradation of Abx in bran, along with growth performance and intestinal volatile fatty acid profile of piglets received bran-containing diet. Thereby, combination of Xyn, Afd, and FE had a superior efficacy relative to Xyn alone in improving application of cereal bran in piglet diet.

Chinese Society of Allergy Guidelines for Diagnosis and Treatment of Allergic Rhinitis

Lei Cheng,Jianjun Chen,Qingling Fu,Shaoheng He,Huabin Li,Zheng Liu,Guolin Tan,Zezhang Tao,Dehui Wang,Weiping Wen,Rui Xu,Yu Xu,Qintai Yang,Chonghua Zhang,Gehua Zhang,Ruxin Zhang,Yuan Zhang,Bing Zhou,Do 대한천식알레르기학회 2018 Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Research Vol.10 No.4

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a global health problem that causes major illnesses and disabilities worldwide. Epidemiologic studies have demonstrated that the prevalence of AR has increased progressively over the last few decades in more developed countries and currently affects up to 40% of the population worldwide. Likewise, a rising trend of AR has also been observed over the last 2-3 decades in developing countries including China, with the prevalence of AR varying widely in these countries. A survey of self-reported AR over a 6-year period in the general Chinese adult population reported that the standardized prevalence of adult AR increased from 11.1% in 2005 to 17.6% in 2011. An increasing number of original articles and imporclinical trials on the epidemiology, pathophysiologic mechanisms, diagnosis, management and comorbidities of AR in Chinese subjects have been published in international peer-reviewed journals over the past 2 decades, and substantially added to our understanding of this disease as a global problem. Although guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of AR in Chinese subjects have also been published, they have not been translated into English and therefore not generally accessible for reference to non-Chinese speaking international medical communities. Moreover, methods for the diagnosis and treatment of AR in China have not been standardized entirely and some patients are still treated according to regional preferences. Thus, the present guidelines have been developed by the Chinese Society of Allergy to be accessible to both national and international medical communities involved in the management of AR patients. These guidelines have been prepared in line with existing international guidelines to provide evidence-based recommendations for the diagnosis and management of AR in China.

A numerical method for estimating the elastic modulus of recycled concrete

Xinzhu Zhou,Jianjun Zheng,Ting Chen,Jian Zhang,Chuanyang Wang,Jiefeng Wu 사단법인 한국계산역학회 2019 Computers and Concrete, An International Journal Vol.23 No.3

This paper aims at presenting a numerical method for estimating the elastic modulus of recycled concrete with crushed aggregates. In the method, polygonal aggregates following a given sieve curve are generated, and placed into a square simulation element with the aid of the periodic boundary condition and the overlap criterion of two polygonal aggregates. The mesostructure of recycled concrete is reconstructed by embedding an old interfacial transition zone (ITZ) layer inside each recycled aggregate and by coating all the aggregates with a new ITZ layer. The square simulation element is discretized into a regular grid and a representative point is selected from each sub-element. The iterative method is combined with the fast Fourier transform to evaluate the elastic modulus of recycled concrete. After the validity of the numerical method is verified with experimental results, a sensitivity analysis is conducted to evaluate the effects of key factors on the elastic modulus of recycled concrete. Numerical results show that the elastic modulus of recycled concrete increases with the increase of the total aggregate content and the elastic moduli of old and new ITZ but decreases with increasing the replacement ratio of recycled aggregate and the thicknesses of old and new ITZ. It is also shown that, for a replacement ratio of recycled aggregate smaller than 0.3, the elastic modulus of recycled concrete is reduced by no more than 10%.

Seismic rehabilitation of substandard RC columns with partially deteriorated concrete using CFRP composites

Dongxu Hou,Zhimin Wu,Jianjun Zheng,Yao Cui 사단법인 한국계산역학회 2015 Computers and Concrete, An International Journal Vol.15 No.1

Many existing reinforced concrete (RC) columns in structures tend to become substandard RC ones due to updated standards or environmental changes. These substandard columns may alter the behaviors of the whole structure and therefore are in urgent need of seismic retrofitting. Owing to their superior advantages, carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites are widely used to retrofit RC columns. The applications mainly focus on various substandard RC columns, but few deals with substandard columns with deteriorated concrete, especially damaged by earthquake. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the seismic behaviors of CFRP reinforced partially deteriorated RC columns and to evaluate the effect of CFRP sheets on them. Six flexure-dominant columns were tested under a constant axial load and transverse cyclic displacements. It is found that the seismic behaviors of partially deteriorated columns can be recovered by wrapping CFRP sheets on them. Numerical analysis is then conducted using finite element methods and verified with experimental results. The effects of the axial load ratio, the ratio of the thickness of CFRP sheet to the column diameter, and the slenderness ratio on the seismic behaviors of CFRP reinforced RC columns are evaluated. Finally, a method is proposed to determine the required thickness of CFRP sheet.

Nonlinear wind-induced instability of orthotropic plane membrane structures

Liu, Changjiang,Ji, Feng,Zheng, Zhoulian,Wu, Yuyou,Guo, Jianjun Techno-Press 2017 Wind and Structures, An International Journal (WAS Vol.25 No.5

The nonlinear aerodynamic instability of a tensioned plane orthotropic membrane structure is theoretically investigated in this paper. The interaction governing equation of wind-structure coupling is established by the Von $K\acute{a}rm\acute{a}n's$ large amplitude theory and the D'Alembert's principle. The aerodynamic force is determined by the potential flow theory of fluid mechanics and the thin airfoil theory of aerodynamics. Then the interaction governing equation is transformed into a second order nonlinear differential equation with constant coefficients by the Bubnov-Galerkin method. The critical wind velocity is obtained by judging the stability of the second order nonlinear differential equation. From the analysis of examples, we can conclude that it's of great significance to consider the orthotropy and geometrical nonlinearity to prevent the aerodynamic instability of plane membrane structures; we should comprehensively consider the effects of various factors on the design of plane membrane structures; and the formula of critical wind velocity obtained in this paper provides a more accurate theoretical solution for the aerodynamic stability of the plane membrane structures than the previous studies.