Single-cell characterization of macrophages in uveal melanoma uncovers transcriptionally heterogeneous subsets conferring poor prognosis and aggressive behavior

Li Ke,Sun Lanfang,Wang Yanan,Cen Yixin,Zhao Jingting,Liao Qianling,Wu Wencan,Sun Jie,Zhou Meng 생화학분자생물학회 2023 Experimental and molecular medicine Vol.55 No.-

Uveal melanoma (UM) is the most frequent primary intraocular malignancy with high metastatic potential and poor prognosis. Macrophages represent one of the most abundant infiltrating immune cells with diverse functions in cancers. However, the cellular heterogeneity and functional diversity of macrophages in UM remain largely unexplored. In this study, we analyzed 63,264 single-cell transcriptomes from 11 UM patients and identified four transcriptionally distinct macrophage subsets (termed MΦ-C1 to MΦ-C4). Among them, we found that MΦ-C4 exhibited relatively low expression of both M1 and M2 signature genes, loss of inflammatory pathways and antigen presentation, instead demonstrating enhanced signaling for proliferation, mitochondrial functions and metabolism. We quantified the infiltration abundance of MΦ-C4 from single-cell and bulk transcriptomes across five cohorts and found that increased MΦ-C4 infiltration was relevant to aggressive behaviors and may serve as an independent prognostic indicator for poor outcomes. We propose a novel subtyping scheme based on macrophages by integrating the transcriptional signatures of MΦ-C4 and machine learning to stratify patients into MΦ-C4-enriched or MΦ-C4-depleted subtypes. These two subtypes showed significantly different clinical outcomes and were validated through bulk RNA sequencing and immunofluorescence assays in both public multicenter cohorts and our in-house cohort. Following further translational investigation, our findings highlight a potential therapeutic strategy of targeting macrophage subsets to control metastatic disease and consistently improve the outcome of patients with UM.

Use of High-performance Graphics Processing Units for Power System Demand Forecasting

He, Ting,Meng, Ke,Dong, Zhao-Yang,Oh, Yong-Taek,Xu, Yan The Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers 2010 Journal of Electrical Engineering & Technology Vol.5 No.3

Load forecasting has always been essential to the operation and planning of power systems in deregulated electricity markets. Various methods have been proposed for load forecasting, and the neural network is one of the most widely accepted and used techniques. However, to obtain more accurate results, more information is needed as input variables, resulting in huge computational costs in the learning process. In this paper, to reduce training time in multi-layer perceptron-based short-term load forecasting, a graphics processing unit (GPU)-based computing method is introduced. The proposed approach is tested using the Korea electricity market historical demand data set. Results show that GPU-based computing greatly reduces computational costs.

Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia intestinalis, and Enterocytozoon bieneusi in Captive Non-Human Primates in Qinling Mountains

Shuai-Zhi Du,Guang-Hui Zhao,Jun-Feng Shao,Yan-Qin Fang,Ge-Ru Tian,Long-Xian Zhang,Rong-Jun Wang,Hai-Yan Wang,Meng Qi,San-Ke Yu 대한기생충학열대의학회 2015 The Korean Journal of Parasitology Vol.53 No.4

Exercise Reduces Airway Smooth Muscle Contraction in Asthmatic Rats via Inhibition of IL-4 Secretion and Store-Operated Ca2+ Entry Pathway

Huang Jun-Hao,Gao Hui-Wen,Gao Dong-Dong,Yang Wei-Yue,Zhao Meng-Ke,Shen Bing,Hu Min 대한천식알레르기학회 2023 Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Research Vol.15 No.3

Purpose: Increased evidence has shown that aerobic exercise reduces airway hyperresponsiveness in asthmatic individuals. However, the underlying mechanisms of action remain elusive. This study aimed to investigate the effect of exercise on airway smooth muscle (ASM) contractile function in asthmatic rats, and uncover the possible involvement of interleukin 4 (IL-4) and the store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE) pathway. Methods: In this study, chicken ovalbumin was used to induce asthma in male Sprague-Dawley rats. The exercise group received moderate-intensity aerobic exercise training for 4 weeks. IL-4 concentrations in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) samples were evaluated by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. The contractile function of the ASM was investigated using tracheal ring tension experiments and intracellular Ca2+ imaging techniques. Western blot analysis was used to evaluate expression levels of calcium-release activated calcium (CRAC) channel protein (Orai) and stromal interaction molecule 1 (STIM1) in ASM. Results: Our data showed that the carbachol-stimulated, SOCE-mediated contraction of rat ASM was significantly increased in asthmatic rats, which could be abolished by exercise. Pharmacological studies revealed that GSK5498A and BTP-2, selective blockers of CRAC channels significantly inhibited SOCE-induced ASM contraction. In addition, exercise inhibited the up-regulation of IL-4 in BALF as well as STIM1 and Orai expression in the ASM of asthmatic rats. In line with these observations, we demonstrated that pretreatment of the ASM with IL-4 up-regulated the expression level of STIM1, Orai1 and Orai2, thereby promoting SOCE-mediated ASM contraction. Conclusions: The data in this study reveal that aerobic exercise may improve the ASM contractile function in asthmatic rats by inhibiting IL-4 secretion and by down-regulating the expression of STIM1, Orai1 and Orai2, thus decreasing excessive SOCE-mediated ASM contraction in asthmatic rats.

Effect of the Oxygen Flux Ratio on the Structural and the Optical Properties of Silver-oxide Films Deposited by Using the Direct-current Reactive Magnetron Sputtering Method

Xiao-Yong Gao,Hong-Liang Feng,Zeng-Yuan Zhang,Jiao-Min Ma,Meng-Ke Zhao,Chao Chen,Jin-Hua Gu,Shi-E Yang,Yong-Sheng Chen,Jing-Xiao Lu 한국물리학회 2011 THE JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN PHYSICAL SOCIETY Vol.58 No.2

Using values of the oxygen flux ratio (OFR = [O2]/[Ar]) ranging from 0 to 0.5, authors deposited a series of silver-oxide (Ag_xO) films on glass substrates by direct-current reactive magnetron sputtering (DC sputtering) at a substrate temperature of 150 ℃. The effect of the OFR on the film’s structural and optical properties was systematically investigated by using X-ray diffractometry, scanning electron microscopy and spectrophotometry. The Ag_xO films deposited clearly show an evolution of the film’s phase structure from the biphased (Ag + Ag_2O) structure to the biphased (AgO + Ag_2O) structure and then to the single-phased (Ag_2O) structure as value of the OFR increases. Accordingly, the film’s surface morphology, related to the film’s crystalline structure, clearly changes from a loose and porous surface structure to a compact surface structure and then to a pyramid-like surface structure with increasing value of the OFR. The novel porous structure may be attributed to the interruption of the silver’s growth course by the AgO on the film’s surface. Notably, a single-phased Ag_2O film is deposited by DC-sputtering at OFR = 0.5 due to the dual effects of thermal decomposition of the AgO phase and a combination reaction of AgO and Ag to Ag_2O. The oscillations both in the film’s reflectivity and transmissivity spectra are strengthened with increasing OFR, indicating an evolution from the metallic behavior of the biphased (Ag + Ag_2O) film to the dielectric behavior of the biphased (Ag_2O + AgO) film and the single-phased Ag2O film. The fitted optical absorption edges of the Ag_2O and the Ag_xO films deposited at values of the OFR of 0.5 and 0.33 are approximately 2.43 eV and 2.34 eV, respectively. The absorption edges are closely related to the direct interband transitions.

Structural and Optical Properties of RF Magnetron Reactively Sputtered Ag2O Film

Xiao-Yong Gao,Jiao-Min Ma,Chao Chen,Meng-Ke Zhao,Jin-Hua Gu,Jing-Xiao Lu 한국물리학회 2012 THE JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN PHYSICAL SOCIETY Vol.60 No.5

A series of <111> oriented Ag2O films was deposited onto glass substrates by using RF magnetron reactive sputtering at different flow ratios (FRs) of oxygen to argon. The Ag2O film deposited at FR = 0.667 was the best <111> oriented film due to dual contributions from both lattice strain and film stress. The films’ transmissivity of over 70% in the near-infrared region indicated that Ag2O films are not suitable for applications as transparent conductive films in the visible region. Ag2O films deposited at FRs from 0.467 to 0.800 had optical band gaps ranging from 3.266 eV to 3.107 eV. The redshift in the films’ absorption edge may be attributed to the decrease in the lattice strain with increasing in FR. A series of <111> oriented Ag2O films was deposited onto glass substrates by using RF magnetron reactive sputtering at different flow ratios (FRs) of oxygen to argon. The Ag2O film deposited at FR = 0.667 was the best <111> oriented film due to dual contributions from both lattice strain and film stress. The films’ transmissivity of over 70% in the near-infrared region indicated that Ag2O films are not suitable for applications as transparent conductive films in the visible region. Ag2O films deposited at FRs from 0.467 to 0.800 had optical band gaps ranging from 3.266 eV to 3.107 eV. The redshift in the films’ absorption edge may be attributed to the decrease in the lattice strain with increasing in FR.