Intrapuparial development and age estimation of Sarcophaga peregrina (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) for postmortem interval estimation

Li Liangliang,Zhang Yanan,Chen Yang,Guo Yi,Wang Yinghui,Hu Gengwang,Kang Chengtao,Jiangfeng Wang,Wang Yu 한국응용곤충학회 2023 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.26 No.2

Sarcophaga peregrina Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830 (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) is a widely distributed species in the Palearctic, Oriental and Australian regions. Numerous studies and case reports have confirmed the value of this species in forensic investigations, but methods for estimating the age of the intrapuparial period of this species are lacking. In this study, S. peregrina pupae were sampled at 16 ◦ C, 19 ◦ C, 22 ◦ C, 25 ◦ C, 28 ◦ C, 31 ◦ C, and 34 ◦ C. Morphological changes within the puparium were observed under a stereomicroscope. The results of the study showed that S. peregrina could complete its intrapuparial development at each of the seven tested constant temperatures. As the temperature increased, the average minimum duration of the intrapuparial period of S. peregrina decreased from 706.7 ± 28.1 h at 16 ◦ C to 170.7 ± 4.6 h at 34 ◦ C. The intrapuparial morphological changes of S. peregrina can be divided into 12 sub-stages. While some structures such as the compound eyes, mouthparts, antennae, thorax, legs, wings, and abdomen can be used individually to estimate intrapuparial age, we observed all these structures with local magnification photographs and classified the developmental process of these structures into 6–11 stages. The time range for the appearance of each sub-stage or structure was recorded in detail. The results of this study provide important basic data for estimating the minimum postmortem interval using the intrapuparial morphology of S. peregrina.

Deep learning-based sensor fault detection using S-Long Short Term Memory Networks

Li, Lili,Liu, Gang,Zhang, Liangliang,Li, Qing Techno-Press 2018 Structural monitoring and maintenance Vol.5 No.1

A number of sensing techniques have been implemented for detecting defects in civil infrastructures instead of onsite human inspections in structural health monitoring. However, the issue of faults in sensors has not received much attention. This issue may lead to incorrect interpretation of data and false alarms. To overcome these challenges, this article presents a deep learning-based method with a new architecture of Stateful Long Short Term Memory Neural Networks (S-LSTM NN) for detecting sensor fault without going into details of the fault features. As LSTMs are capable of learning data features automatically, and the proposed method works without an accurate mathematical model. The detection of four types of sensor faults are studied in this paper. Non-stationary acceleration responses of a three-span continuous bridge when under operational conditions are studied. A deep network model is applied to the measured bridge data with estimation to detect the sensor fault. Another set of sensor output data is used to supervise the network parameters and backpropagation algorithm to fine tune the parameters to establish a deep self-coding network model. The response residuals between the true value and the predicted value of the deep S-LSTM network was statistically analyzed to determine the fault threshold of sensor. Experimental study with a cable-stayed bridge further indicated that the proposed method is robust in the detection of the sensor fault.

Novel Prognostic Nomograms for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients with Microvascular Invasion: Experience from a Single Center

Liangliang Xu,Lian Li,Peng Wang,Ming Zhang,Yanfang Zhang,Xiangyong Hao,Lvnan Yan,Bo Li,Tianfu Wen,Mingqing Xu 거트앤리버 소화기연관학회협의회 2019 Gut and Liver Vol.13 No.6

Background/Aims: Microvascular invasion (MVI) is an established risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, prediction models that specifically focus on the individual prognoses of HCC patients with MVI is lacking. Methods: A total of 385 HCC patients with MVI were randomly assigned to training and validation cohorts in a 2:1 ratio. The outcomes were disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS). Prognostic nomograms were established based on the results of multivariate analyses. The concordance index (C-index), calibration plots and Kaplan-Meier curves were employed to evaluate the accuracy, calibration and discriminatory ability of the models. Results: The independent risk factors for both DFS and OS included age, tumor size, tumor number, the presence of gross vascular invasion, and the presence of Glisson’s capsule invasion. The platelet-tolymphocyte ratio was another risk factor for OS. On the basis of these predictors, two nomograms for DFS and OS were constructed. The C-index values of the nomograms for DFS and OS were 0.712 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.679 to 0.745; p<0.001) and 0.698 (95% CI, 0.657 to 0.739; p<0.001), respectively, in the training cohort and 0.704 (95% CI, 0.650 to 0.708; p<0.001) and 0.673 (95% CI, 0.607 to 0.739; p<0.001), respectively, in the validation cohort. The calibration curves showed optimal agreement between the predicted and observed survival rates. The Kaplan-Meier curves suggested that these two nomograms had satisfactory discriminatory abilities. Conclusions: These novel predictive models have satisfactory accuracy and discriminatory abilities in predicting the prognosis of HCC patients with MVI after hepatectomy.

Intra-puparial development and age estimation of forensically important Hermetia illucens (L.)

Liangliang Li,YuWang,iangfengWang 한국응용곤충학회 2016 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.19 No.1

The black soldier fly, Hermetia illucens (L.) (Diptera: Stratiomyidae), is a generalist detritivore commonly present in the advanced decomposed and skeletonized remains stage, and may be useful in the estimation of the postmortem interval (PMI). In order to study the intra-puparial morphological characteristics of H. illucens (black soldier flies) under increasing temperatures, flies were obtained from a colony in a successional study conducted in the Panyu District of Guangzhou. After oviposition, eggs were incubated under constant temperatures of 20, 24, 28, 32 (±1) °Cwith 70% relative humidity and an L12:D12 photoperiod. Sampling began at the onset of the pupal stage (n=10) and continued daily. Pupaewere fixed in Carnoy's solution and maintained in 75% ethanol. Intrapuparial morphological characteristics were photographed and recorded. Some typical intra-puparial morphological characteristics which are valuable for age estimation were documented and the relationships with time under different constant temperatures were listed. Eight phases were described on the basis of the intrapuparial morphological changes, including antennae, appendages, mouthparts, compound eyes, and respiratory horns. The time required for development was inversely correlated with temperature. This article provides fundamental data for forensic entomology in regard to the postmortem interval (PMI) estimation, particularly when the PMI is based on information about the pupa of H. illucens.

Ginsenoside Rg1 treatment protects against cognitive dysfunction via inhibiting PLC-CN-NFAT1 signaling in T2DM mice

Xianan Dong,Liangliang Kong,Lei Huang,Yong Su,Xuewang Li,Liu Yang,Pengmin Ji,Weiping Li,Weizu Li The Korean Society of Ginseng 2023 Journal of Ginseng Research Vol.47 No.3

Background: As a complication of Type II Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM), the etiology, pathogenesis, and treatment of cognitive dysfunction are still undefined. Recent studies demonstrated that Ginsenoside Rg1 (Rg1) has promising neuroprotective properties, but the effect and mechanism in diabetes-associated cognitive dysfunction (DACD) deserve further investigation. Methods: After establishing the T2DM model with a high-fat diet and STZ intraperitoneal injection, Rg1 was given for 8 weeks. The behavior alterations and neuronal lesions were judged using the open field test (OFT) and Morris water maze (MWM), as well as HE and Nissl staining. The protein or mRNA changes of NOX2, p-PLC, TRPC6, CN, NFAT1, APP, BACE1, NCSTN, and Ab1-42 were investigated by immunoblot, immunofluorescence or qPCR. Commercial kits were used to evaluate the levels of IP3, DAG, and calcium ion (Ca²⁺) in brain tissues. Results: Rg1 therapy improved memory impairment and neuronal injury, decreased ROS, IP3, and DAG levels to revert Ca²⁺ overload, downregulated the expressions of p-PLC, TRPC6, CN, and NFAT1 nuclear translocation, and alleviated Aβ deposition in T2DM mice. In addition, Rg1 therapy elevated the expression of PSD95 and SYN in T2DM mice, which in turn improved synaptic dysfunction. Conclusions: Rg1 therapy may improve neuronal injury and DACD via mediating PLC-CN-NFAT1 signal pathway to reduce Aβ generation in T2DM mice.

Microfluidic fabrication of microparticles for biomedical applications

Li, Wen,Zhang, Liyuan,Ge, Xuehui,Xu, Biyi,Zhang, Weixia,Qu, Liangliang,Choi, Chang-Hyung,Xu, Jianhong,Zhang, Afang,Lee, Hyomin,Weitz, David A. The Royal Society of Chemistry 2018 Chemical Society reviews Vol.47 No.15

<P>Droplet microfluidics offers exquisite control over the flows of multiple fluids in microscale, enabling fabrication of advanced microparticles with precisely tunable structures and compositions in a high throughput manner. The combination of these remarkable features with proper materials and fabrication methods has enabled high efficiency, direct encapsulation of actives in microparticles whose features and functionalities can be well controlled. These microparticles have great potential in a wide range of bio-related applications including drug delivery, cell-laden matrices, biosensors and even as artificial cells. In this review, we briefly summarize the materials, fabrication methods, and microparticle structures produced with droplet microfluidics. We also provide a comprehensive overview of their recent uses in biomedical applications. Finally, we discuss the existing challenges and perspectives to promote the future development of these engineered microparticles.</P>

Characterization of Glycerol Dehydrogenase from Thermoanaerobacterium thermosaccharolyticum DSM 571 and GGG Motif Identification

( Liangliang Wang ),( Jiajun Wang ),( Hao Shi ),( Huaxiang Gu ),( Yu Zhang ),( Xun Li ),( Fei Wang ) 한국미생물 · 생명공학회 2016 Journal of microbiology and biotechnology Vol.26 No.6

Glycerol dehydrogenases (GlyDHs) are essential for glycerol metabolism in vivo, catalyzing its reversible reduction to 1,3-dihydroxypropranone (DHA). The gldA gene encoding a putative GlyDH was cloned from Thermoanaerobacterium thermosaccharolyticum DSM 571 (TtGlyDH) and expressed in Escherichia coli. The presence of Mn(2+) enhanced its enzymatic activity by 79.5%. Three highly conserved residues (Asp(171), His(254), and His(271)) in TtGlyDH were associated with metal ion binding. Based on an investigation of glycerol oxidation and DHA reduction, TtGlyDH showed maximum activity towards glycerol at 60°C and pH 8.0 and towards DHA at 60°C and pH 6.0. DHA reduction was the dominant reaction, with a lower Km(DHA) of 1.08 ± 0.13 mM and Vmax of 0.0053 ± 0.0001 mM/s, compared with glycerol oxidation, with a Km(glycerol) of 30.29 ± 3.42 mM and Vmax of 0.042 ± 0.002 mM/s. TtGlyDH had an apparent activation energy of 312.94 kJ/mol. The recombinant TtGlyDH was thermostable, maintaining 65% of its activity after a 2-h incubation at 60°C. Molecular modeling and site-directed mutagenesis analyses demonstrated that TtGlyDH had an atypical dinucleotide binding motif (GGG motif) and a basic residue Arg(43), both related to dinucleotide binding.

Effectiveness and safety of nab- paclitaxel and platinum as first-line chemotherapy for ovarian cancer: a retrospective study

Liangliang Wang,Shuangying Li,Da Zhu,Yu Qin,Xiaoli Wang,Zhenya Hong,Zhiqiang Han 대한부인종양학회 2023 Journal of Gynecologic Oncology Vol.34 No.4

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of nab-paclitaxel plus platinum as first-line chemotherapy for ovarian cancer (OC). Methods: Patients administered platinum combined with nab-paclitaxel as first-line chemotherapy for epithelial OC, fallopian tube cancer, or primary peritoneal cancer from July 2018 to December 2021 were retrospectively evaluated. The primary outcome was progression-free survival (PFS). Adverse events (AEs) were examined. Subgroup analysis was performed. Results: Seventy-two patients (median age, 54.5 years; range, 20.0–79.0 years) were evaluated, including 12 and 60 administered neoadjuvant therapy and primary surgery with subsequent chemotherapy, respectively. The median follow-up duration was 25.6 months, and the median PFS was 26.7 (95% confidence interval [CI]=24.0–29.3) months in the whole patient population. In the neoadjuvant subgroup, the median PFS was 26.7 (95% CI=22.9–30.5) months vs. 30.1 (95% CI=23.1–37.1) months in the primary surgery subgroup. Twenty-seven patients were administered nab-paclitaxel plus carboplatin and had a median PFS of 30.3 (95% CI=not available [NA]–NA) months. The commonest grade 3–4 AEs included anemia (15.3%), white blood cell decreased (11.1%), and neutrophil count decreased (20.8%). No drug-related hypersensitivity reactions occurred. Conclusion: Nab-paclitaxel plus platinum as first-line treatment in OC was associated with a favorable prognosis and was tolerable in patients with OC.

Investigation of the 2D Aerodynamic Admittances of a Closed-Box Girder in Sinusoidal Flow Field

Haohong Li,Liangliang Zhang,Bo Wu,Yang Yang,Zhao Xiao 대한토목학회 2022 KSCE JOURNAL OF CIVIL ENGINEERING Vol.26 No.3

This study investigates the aerodynamic admittances of a closed-box girder in both streamwise (u-) and vertical (w-) sinusoidal flow fields. A series of sinusoidal flows with discrete oscillation frequencies (fu = 0.2 − 1.2 Hz) and different oscillation amplitudes (Δu = 0.5 − 2.0 m/s) are experimentally generated, which are fully coherent in the span-wise direction. Meanwhile, the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) method is utilized to simulate streamwise sinusoidal flows with higher frequencies (fu = 0.2 − 14 Hz). The u-turbulence-related two-dimensional aerodynamic admittance functions (2D AAFs) of the closed-box girder are identified frequency by frequency. On the other hand, the vertical sinusoidal flows are numerically simulated (fw = 0.2 − 14 Hz, Δw = 1.2 m/s), and the w-turbulence-related 2D AAFs are identified. Finally, the differences between u-, w- admittances and the equivalent ones are compared. The results indicate that u- and w-turbulence-related AAFs have different trends with the reduced frequency, and thus it is inaccurate to treat the contributions of u- and w-turbulence to admittances as equivalent in previous studies.

Lineage conversion of mouse fibroblasts to pancreatic α-cells

Lijian Hui,Liangliang Sun,Beige Jiang,Limei Li,Jin Cen,Xiaotao Chen,Zhaoyun Zhang,Qinghua Wang,Xin Cheng,Yongquan Shi,Lijian Hui 생화학분자생물학회 2017 Experimental and molecular medicine Vol.49 No.-

α-cells, which synthesize glucagon, also support β-cell survival and have the capacity to transdifferentiate into β-cells. However, the role of α-cells in pathological conditions and their putative clinical applications remain elusive due in large part to the lack of mature α-cells. Here, we present a new technique to generate functional α-like cells. α-like cells (iAlpha cells) were generated from mouse fibroblasts by transduction of transcription factors, including Hhex, Foxa3, Gata4, Pdx1 and Pax4, which induce α-cell-specific gene expression and glucagon secretion in response to KCl and Arg stimulation. The cell functions in vivo and in vitro were evaluated. Lineage-specific and functional-related gene expression was tested by realtime PCR, insulin tolerance test (ITT), glucose tolerance test (GTT), Ki67 and glucagon immunohistochemistry analysis were done in iAlpha cells transplanted nude mice. iAlpha cells possess α-cell function in vitro and alter blood glucose levels in vivo. Transplantation of iAlpha cells into nude mice resulted in insulin resistance and increased β-cell proliferation. Taken together, we present a novel strategy to generate functional α-like cells for the purposes of disease modeling and regenerative medicine.