Heat-Shock Protein 70 as a Tumor Antigen for in vitro Dendritic Cell Pulsing in Renal Cell Carcinoma Cases

Meng, Fan-Dong,Sui, Cheng-Guang,Tian, Xin,Li, Yan,Yang, Chun-Ming,Ma, Ping,Liu, Yun-Peng,Jiang, You-Hong Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.20

Immunological functions of heat shock proteins (HSPs) have long been recognized. In this study we aimed to efficiently purify HSP70 from renal cell carcinoma and test it as a tumor antigen for pulsing dendritic cells in vitro. HSP70 was purified from renal cell carcinoma specimens by serial column chromatography on Con A-sepharose, PD-10, ADP-agarose and DEAE-cellulose, and finally subjected to fast protein liquid chromatography (FPLC). Dendritic cells derived from the adherent fraction of peripheral blood mononuclear cells were cultured in the presence of IL-4 and GM-CSF and exposed to tumor HSP70. After 24 hours, dendritic cells were phenotypically characterized by flow cytometry. T cells obtained from the non-adherent fraction of peripheral blood mononuclear cells were then co-cultured with HSP70-pulsed dendritic cells and after 3 days T cell cytotoxicity towards primary cultured renal cell carcinoma cells was examined by Cell Counting Kit-8 assay. Dendritic cells pulsed in vitro with tumor-derived HSP70 expressed higher levels of CD83, CD80, CD86 and HLA-DR maturation markers than those pulsed with tumor cell lysate and comparable to that of dendritic cells pulsed with tumor cell lysate plus TNF-${\alpha}$. Concomitantly, cytotoxic T-lymphocytes induced by HSP70-pulsed dendritic cells presented the highest cytotoxic activity. There were no significant differences when using homologous or autologous HSP70 as the tumor antigen. HSP70 can be efficiently purified by chromatography and induces in vitro dendritic cell maturation in the absence of TNF-${\alpha}$. Conspecific HSP70 may effectively be used as a tumor antigen to pulse dendritic cells in vitro.

A MobileNet-SSD Model with FPN for Waste Detection

Meng Jing,Jiang Ping,Wang Jianmin,Wang Kai 대한전기학회 2022 Journal of Electrical Engineering & Technology Vol.17 No.2

Over the past few years, as environmental problems have been progressively deteriorating, waste classifi cation has also become a research hotspot. As an algorithm with better detection accuracy and speed, SSD (Single Shot MultiBox Detector) has made great progress in many aspects. However, it can’t achieve a good detection eff ect for small objects because it does not make full use of high-level semantic information. In this paper, we propose a MobileNet-SSD model with FPN to solve the problem of waste detection, which can reduce parameters, narrow internal space and improve performance for small objects compared with SSD model. Besides, Focal Loss is adopted to reduce the imbalance between foreground and background samples to enhance detector eff ect. To verify the eff ectiveness of the approach proposed here, a dataset for waste detection is collected and annotated. As revealed from the experimental results, the mAP of our method is 93.63% and the speed is 102 FPS, which can beat other methods.

Rapid, Sensitive, and Specific Detection of Clostridium tetani by Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification Assay

( Dong Neng Jiang ),( Xiao Yun Pu ),( Jie Hong Wu ),( Meng Li ),( Ping Liu ) 한국미생물 · 생명공학회 2013 Journal of microbiology and biotechnology Vol.23 No.1

Tetanus is a specific infectious disease, which is often associated with catastrophic events such as earthquakes, traumas, and war wounds. The obligate anaerobe Clostridium tetani is the pathogen that causes tetanus. Once the infection of tetanus progresses to an advanced stage within the wounds of limbs, the rates of amputation and mortality increase manifold. Therefore, it is necessary to devise a rapid and sensitive point-of-care detection method for C. tetani so as to ensure an early diagnosis and clinical treatment of tetanus. In this study, we developed a detection method for C. tetani using loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay, wherein the C. tetani tetanus toxin gene was used as the target gene. The method was highly specific and sensitive, with a detection limit of 10 colony forming units (CFU)/ml, and allowed quantitative analysis. While detecting C. tetani in clinical samples, it was found that the LAMP results completely agreed with those of the traditional API 20A anaerobic bacteria identification test. As compared with the traditional API test and PCR assay, LAMP detection of C. tetani is simple and rapid, and the results can be identified through naked-eye observation. Therefore, it is an ideal and rapid point-of-care testing method for tetanus.

Coupled Effect of Temperature and Strain Rate on Mechanical Properties of Steel Fiber‑Reinforced Concrete

Ruiyuan Huang,Shichao Li,Long Meng,Dong Jiang,Ping Li 한국콘크리트학회 2020 International Journal of Concrete Structures and M Vol.14 No.5

The dynamic mechanical properties of steel fiber-reinforced concrete (SFRC) under high temperature and high strain rate were studied using a split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) of 74 mm in diameter. As it is difficult to achieve constant strain rate loading in SHPB experiments with high temperature and high strain rate, this paper first presents a method for determining the strain rate under non-constant strain rate loading conditions. This method is proposed to deal with experimental data under non-constant strain rate loading conditions. Then, the influences of temperature on the ultimate compressive strength, peak strain, and failure modes of SFRC under different strain rates were analyzed and the results show that SFRC has a strain rate hardening effect. This paper also points out that there is a strain rate threshold for SFRC. If the strain rate is less than the strain rate threshold, there is a temperature softening effect. Conversely, if the strain rate is greater than the strain rate threshold, there is a temperature hardening effect. Finally, the relationship between the ultimate compressive strength and fiber volume fraction, strain rate, and temperature is presented and the prediction results are consistent with the experimental data.

Association Between MDM2 SNP309 T>G and Risk of Gastric Cancer: A Meta-analysis

Tian, Xin,Tian, Ye,Ma, Ping,Sui, Cheng-Guang,Meng, Fan-Dong,Li, Yan,Fu, Li-Ye,Jiang, Tao,Wang, Yang,Ji, Fu-Jian,Fang, Xue-Dong,Jiang, You-Hong Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.3

Background: As a negative regulator of P53, MDM2 plays an important role in carcinogenesis; a polymorphism in its promoter region. SNP309 T>G, is known to increase the expression of MDM2, thus being considered related to higher susceptibility to neoplasia. However, no agreement has been achieved regarding its effects on gastric cancer. Methods: The present systematic meta-analysis was performed based on comprehensive literature search from Pubmed, Web of science and CBM databases. Results: It was suggested from 6 independent studies that the GG genotype is associated with a significantly increased risk of gastric cancer (Recessive: OR = 1.43, 95% CI = 1.08-1.91, P = 0.013), and subgroup analysis also confirmed the relationship (English publications-recessive model: OR = 1.45, 95% CI = 1.10-1.91, P = 0.009; Studies in China-recessive model: OR = 1.58, 95% CI = 1.08-2.30, P = 0.017). No publication bias was detected. Conclusion: The meta-analysis indicated a significant inverse association between GG genotype carriage and elevated risk of gastric cancer. However, more studies and detailed information are needed to fully address the topic.

Comparative Analysis of Water Stress-Responsive Transcriptomes in Drought-Susceptible and -Tolerant Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Yong Chun Li,Fan Rong Meng,Chun Yan Zhang,Ning Zhang,Ming Shan Sun,Jiang Ping Ren,Hong Bin Niu,Xiang Wang,Jun Yin 한국식물학회 2012 Journal of Plant Biology Vol.55 No.5

To understand better the mechanisms that regulate the water stress response in wheat, we conducted a comparative analysis of transcript profiles in roots from two wheat genotypes -- drought-tolerant ‘Luohan No. 2’ (LH)and drought-susceptible ‘Chinese Spring’ (CS). In LH roots,3831 transcripts displayed changes in expression of at least two-fold over the well-watered control when drought treatment was applied. Of these, 1593 were induced while 2238 were repressed. Relatively fewer transcripts were drought-responsive in CS; i.e., 1404 transcripts were induced and 1493 were repressed. In common between LH and CS,569 transcripts were induced and 424 transcripts were repressed. In all, 689 transcripts (757 probe sets) identified from LH and 537 transcripts (575 probe sets) from CS were annotated and classified into 10 functional categories. Among those annotated transcripts from LH and CS that had fold-change ratios of at least 4, 92 induced transcripts were common to both, while 23 transcripts were specifically induced in LH. Gene ontology analysis of these induced genes showed highly significant enrichment for multiple terms related to abiotic stimuli, organic acid biosynthesis,and lipid metabolism. This suggests that these gene groups play important roles during the stress response in LH and CS, and might also be responsible for differences in drought tolerance between those genotypes.

Laparoscopic surgery contributes to a decrease in short-term complications in surgical ulcerative colitis patients during 2008–2017: a multicenter retrospective study in China

Zerong Cai,Xiaosheng He,Jianfeng Gong,Peng Du,Wenjian Meng,Wei Zhou,Jinbo Jiang,Bin Wu,Weitang Yuan,Qi Xue,Lianwen Yuan,Jinhai Wang,Jiandong Tai,Jie Liang,Weiming Zhu,Ping Lan,Xiaojian Wu 대한장연구학회 2023 Intestinal Research Vol.21 No.2

Background/Aims: The aim of this study was to analyze the chronological changes in postoperative complications in surgical ulcerative colitis patients over the past decade in China and to investigate the potential parameters that contributed to the changes. Methods: Ulcerative colitis patients who underwent surgery during 2008–2017 were retrospectively enrolled from 13 hospitals in China. Postoperative complications were compared among different operation years. Risk factors for complications were identified by logistic regression analysis. Results: A total of 446 surgical ulcerative colitis patients were analyzed. Fewer short-term complications (24.8% vs. 41.0%, P=0.001) and more laparoscopic surgeries (66.4% vs. 25.0%, P<0.001) were found among patients who received surgery during 2014–2017 than 2008–2013. Logistic regression suggested that independent protective factors against short-term complications were a higher preoperative body mass index (odds ratio [OR], 0.870; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.785–0.964; P=0.008), laparoscopic surgery (OR, 0.391; 95% CI, 0.217–0.705; P=0.002) and elective surgery (OR, 0.213; 95% CI, 0.067–0.675; P=0.009). The chronological decrease in short-term complications was associated with an increase in laparoscopic surgery. Conclusions: Our data revealed a downward trend of short-term postoperative complications among surgical ulcerative colitis patients in China during the past decade, which may be due to the promotion of minimally invasive techniques among Chinese surgeons.

Structures, biomimetic synthesis, and anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity of two pairs of enantiomeric phenylpropanoid-conjugated protoberberine alkaloids from the rhizomes of Corydalis decumbens

Jing-Guang Lu,Yingwei Wang,Ming-Rong Yang,Cai-Yun Wang,Jieru Meng,Jiazheng Liu,Zifeng Yang,Kongsong Wu,Li-Ping Bai,Guo-Yuan Zhu,Zhi-Hong Jiang 대한약학회 2022 Archives of Pharmacal Research Vol.45 No.9

(±)-Decumicorine A ( 1 ) and (±)- epi -decumicorine A ( 2 ), two pairs of enantiomeric isoquinoline alkaloids featuring a novel phenylpropanoid-conjugated protoberberine skeleton, were isolated and purifi ed from the rhizomes of Corydalis decumbens . The separation of (±)- 1 and (±)- 2 was achieved by chiral HPLC to produce four optically pure enantiomers. The structures and absolute confi gurations of compounds (−)- 1 , (+)- 1 , (−)- 2 , and (+)- 2 were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis, ECD calculations, and X-ray crystallographic analyses. The two racemates were generated from a Diels-Alder [4 + 2] cycloaddition between jatrorrhizine and ferulic acid in the proposed biosynthetic pathways, which were fully verifi ed by a biomimetic synthesis. Moreover, compound (+)- 1 exhibited an antiviral entry eff ect on SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus by blocking spike binding to the ACE2 receptor on HEK-293T-ACE2 h host cells.

Seismic Dynamic Response Analysis of Mountain Tunnels with Seismic Reduction and Isolation Measures

Zhongxian Liu,Tian-Chun Ai,Lei Huang,Si-Bo Meng,Ping-Lin Jiang 대한토목학회 2023 KSCE Journal of Civil Engineering Vol.27 No.1

In this paper, the multi-domain indirect boundary element method (IBEM) is developed for the seismic response analysis of double-line mountain tunnels with seismic reduction and isolation measures. The dynamic response of the tunnel with seismic reduction and isolation measures under incident SV waves is analyzed, and the effect of the mountain topography on the tunnel is also investigated. Further, the effects of the isolation layer and the grouting reinforcement with different thicknesses on the seismic response of the tunnel are discussed in detail. The results show that the scattering of seismic waves by mountain topography significantly increases tunnel stress. In general, with the increase of incident frequency, the isolation layer will increase the peak displacement of the tunnel by about 12.7% at most, and the isolation ratio of the isolation layer on the tunnel stress exceeds 40%. The seismic reduction performance of the grouting reinforcement also depends on the incident frequency, and the amplitude decreases by approximately 20% at most frequencies. However, it is possible that the lining displacement under high-frequency waves becomes larger. This method can provide valuable insights and assessments for damage prediction.

The Effect of Transformation on the Virulence of Streptococcus pneumoniae

Xue-Mei Zhang,Yi-Bing Yin,Dan Zhu,Bao-De Chen,Jin-Yong Luo,Yi-Ping Deng,Ming-Fang Liu,Shu-Hui Chen,Jiang-Ping Meng,Kai Lan,Yuan-Shuai Huang,Ge-Fei Kang 한국미생물학회 2005 The journal of microbiology Vol.43 No.4

Although pneumococcus is one of the most frequently encountered opportunistic pathogen in the world, the mechanisms responsible for its infectiveness have not yet been fully understood. In this paper, we have attempted to characterize the effects of pneumococcal transformation on the pathogenesis of the organism. We constructed three transformation-deficient pneumococcal strains, which were designated as Nos. 1d, 2d, and 22d. The construction of these altered strains was achieved via the insertion of the inactivated gene, comE, to strains 1, 2 and 22. We then conducted a comparison between the virulence of the transformation-deficient strains and that of the wild-type strains, via an evaluation of the ability of each strain to adhere to endothelial cells, and also assessed psaA mRNA expression, and the survival of hosts after bacterial challenge. Compared to what was observed with the wild-type strains, our results indicated that the ability of all of the transformation-deficient strains to adhere to the ECV304 cells had been significantly reduced (p < 0.05), the expression of psaA mRNA was reduced significantly (p < 0.05) in strains 2d and 22d, and the median survival time of mice infected with strains 1d and 2d was increased significantly after intraperitoneal bacterial challenge (p < 0.05). The results of our study also clearly indicated that transformation exerts significant effects on the virulence characteristics of S. pneumoniae, although the degree to which this effect is noted appears to depend primarily on the genetic background of the bacteria.