Genetic variations in the bitter taste receptor gene TAS2R38 are related to cigarette smoking behavior in Han Chinese smokers

Qi Fei-Yan,Zhu Zhou-Hai,Li Meng,Guan Ying,Peng Qi-Yuan,Lu She-Ming,Liu Zhi-Hua,Wang Ming-Feng,Miao Ming-Ming,Chen Zhang-Yu,Li Xue-Mei,Bai Jie,Yao Jian-Hua 한국유전학회 2022 Genes & Genomics Vol.44 No.11

Background: Smoking behavior is influenced by multiple genes, including the bitter taste gene TAS2R38. It has been reported that the correlation between TAS2R38 and smoking behavior has ethnicity-based differences. However, the TAS2R38 status in Chinese smokers is still unclear. Objective: This study aims to investigate the possible relationship between genetic variations in TAS2R38 (A49P, V262A and I296V) and smoking behaviors in the Han Chinese population. Methods: The haplotype analyses were performed and smoking behavior questionnaire was completed by 1271 individuals. Genetic association analyses for smoking behavior were analyzed using chi-square test. Further, for investigating the molecular mechanism of TAS2R38 variants effect on smoking behavior, we conducted TAS2R38-PAV and TAS2R38-AVI expression plasmids and tested the cellular calcium assay by cigarette smoke compounds stimulus in HEK293. Results: Significant associations of genetic variants within TAS2R38 were identified with smoking behavior. We found a higher PAV/PAV frequency than AVI/AVI in moderate and high nicotine dependence (FTND ≥ 4; X2 = 4.611, 1 df, p = 0.032) and strong cigarette smoke flavor intensity preference (X2 = 4.5383, 1 df, p = 0.033) in participants. Furthermore, in the in vitro cellular calcium assay, total particle matter (TPM), N-formylnornicotine and cotinine, existing in cigarette smoke, activated TAS2R38-PAV but not TAS2R38-AVI-transfected cells. Conclusion: Our data highlights that genetic variations in TAS2R38 are related to smoking behavior, especially nicotine dependence and cigarette smoke flavor intensity preference. Our findings may encourage further consideration of the taste process to identify individuals susceptible to nicotine dependence, particularly Han Chinese smokers.

Influence of internal pores and graphene platelets on vibration of non-uniform functionally graded columns

Wen-qi Liu,Shan-jun Liu,Ming-yu Fan,Wei Tian,Ji-peng Wang,Vahid Tahouneh 국제구조공학회 2020 Steel and Composite Structures, An International J Vol.35 No.2

This paper deals with free vibration analysis of non-uniform column resting on elastic foundations and subjected to follower force at its free end. The internal pores and graphene platelets (GPLs) are distributed in the matrix according to different patterns. The model is proposed with material parameters varying in the thickness of column to achieve graded distributions in both porosity and nanofillers. The elastic modulus of the nanocomposite is obtained by using Halpin-Tsai micromechanics model. The differential quadrature method as an efficient and accurate numerical approach is used to discretize the governing equations and to implement the boundary conditions. It is observed that the maximum vibration frequency obtained in the case of symmetric porosity and GPL distribution, while the minimum vibration frequency is obtained using uniform porosity distribution. Results show that for better understanding of mechanical behavior of nanocomposite column, it is crucial to consider porosities inside the material structure.

LncRNA TMPO-AS1 promotes esophageal squamous cell carcinoma progression by forming biomolecular condensates with FUS and p300 to regulate TMPO transcription

Luo Xiao-Jing,He Ming-Ming,Liu Jia,Zheng Jia-Bo,Wu Qi-Nian,Chen Yan-Xing,Meng Qi,Luo Kong-Jia,Chen Dong-Liang,Xu Rui-Hua,Zeng Zhao-Lei,Liu Ze-Xian,Luo Hui-Yan 생화학분자생물학회 2022 Experimental and molecular medicine Vol.54 No.-

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is one of the most life- and health-threatening malignant diseases worldwide, especially in China. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have emerged as important regulators of tumorigenesis and tumor progression. However, the roles and mechanisms of lncRNAs in ESCC require further exploration. Here, in combination with a small interfering RNA (siRNA) library targeting specific lncRNAs, we performed MTS and Transwell assays to screen functional lncRNAs that were overexpressed in ESCC. TMPO-AS1 expression was significantly upregulated in ESCC tumor samples, with higher TMPOAS1 expression positively correlated with shorter overall survival times. In vitro and in vivo functional experiments revealed that TMPO-AS1 promotes the proliferation and metastasis of ESCC cells. Mechanistically, TMPO-AS1 bound to fused in sarcoma (FUS) and recruited p300 to the TMPO promoter, forming biomolecular condensates in situ to activate TMPO transcription in cis by increasing the acetylation of histone H3 lysine 27 (H3K27ac). Targeting TMPO-AS1 led to impaired ESCC tumor growth in a patient-derived xenograft (PDX) model. We found that TMPO-AS1 is required for cell proliferation and metastasis in ESCC by promoting the expression of TMPO, and both TMPO-AS1 and TMPO might be potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets in ESCC.

FORMATION OF II–VI SEMICONDUCTOR NANOCRYSTALS WITH TUNABLE VISIBLE EMISSION IN AQUEOUS SOLUTION PROMOTED BY HYDRAZINE

QI-HUI SHEN,YAN LIU,XI YU,XIAO-YANG LIU,MING-QIANG ZOU,JIN-FENG LI,JIAN-GUANG ZHOU 성균관대학교(자연과학캠퍼스) 성균나노과학기술원 2012 NANO Vol.7 No.6

II?VI Semiconductor nanocrystals (NCs) with tunable visible emission, such as CdS, CdSe and CdTe, were synthesized in aqueous solution using thiols as capping molecules. Hydrazine was found to promote the growth of NCs through a special mechanism. In only a few hours, the synthesis process was completed at room temperature. Under moderate conditions, the capping molecules not only changed the growth rate of NCs simply by varying the concentration, but also altered the spectral properties of NCs. The capping molecules with amino groups were propitious to the growth of CdS NCs, whereas the kinetic growth of CdS NCs was more a®ected by the surface passivation e±ciency of NCs than by steric hindrance in the system. The fastest growth of the CdS NCs was achieved when glutathione was used as a capping molecule, while the emission of CdS and CdSe NCs were shown to remain steady and tunable using the same capping molecule. The growth rate of 3-mercaptopropionic acid-capped CdS and CdSe NCs slowed down signi¯-cantly, while CdTe NCs were obtained with excellent emission properties when capped with the same molecule. Furthermore, our approach will also be useful for the study of the kinetic growth of NCs in aqueous solution.

Simulation and Analysis for Error from Satellite Tracking Segment Anti-spoofing

Liu You-ming,Feng Qi,Li Ting-jun 보안공학연구지원센터 2016 International Journal of Security and Its Applicat Vol.10 No.8

It is the first and most important step in the detection of satellite navigation deception attack. For the detection of the regenerative deception attack, a method based on carrier phase tracking spectrum analysis is proposed. The simulation experiment results show that this method can be used in the case that the false alarm probability is no more than 0.5%, and the detection probability is almost 100%. The method is not necessary for the transformation of the hardware, the signal processing module in the software receiver can be added to the corresponding processing module, and the detection of the deception attack can be realized.

Schistosomiasis Combined with Colorectal Carcinoma Diagnosed Based on Endoscopic Findings and Clinicopathological Characteristics: A Report on 32 Cases

Liu, Wei,Zeng, Hong-Ze,Wang, Qi-Ming,Yi, Hang,Mou, Yi,Wu, Chun-Cheng,Hu, Bing,Tang, Cheng-Wei Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.8

Aims and Background: To improve understanding of the relationship between schistosome-related enteropathy and colorectal carcinoma with particular focus on endoscopic findings and clinicopathological characteristics of colonic schistosomiasis. Materials and Methods: All cases of intestinal schistosomiasis diagnosed at West China Hospital, Chengdu, China, between October 2006 and October 2012 were included in this study. A total of 179 cases of colonic schistosomiasis diagnosed through colonoscopy and pathological examinations were collected for analysis and the demographics, symptoms, endoscopic findings and clinicopathological characteristics were retrospectively evaluated. Results: Of the 179 colonic schistosomiasis patients, 32 combined with colorectal cancer (CRC) were found, between the ages of 44 and 85 years (24 males, 75%). These 32 lesions were classified as 12 endophytic/ulcerative (37.5%), 10 exophytic/fungating (31.2%), 4 annular (12.5%), 3 giant polypus (9.4%), and 3 IIc (superficial depressed type) (9.4%). The segments of rectum and sigmoid colon were involved in 19 patients (59.4%) and 6 patients (18.8%), respectively. The histopathologic types were classified as follows: 30 welldifferentiated adenocarcinomas, one mucinous adenocarcinoma and one poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma. The pathological findings suggest colorectal malignancy with deposited schistosome ova. Conclusions: Chronic schistosomal infestation has a probable etiological role in promoting genesis of colorectal neoplasms.

Research on Anti-Spoofing and Detection Technology in Satellite Positioning Section

Liu You-ming,Feng Qi,Li Ting-jun 보안공학연구지원센터 2016 International Journal of Security and Its Applicat Vol.10 No.8

The detector performance depends on the clock accuracy and the model, the clock parameters estimation error will lead to a decline in the performance of the detectors. Therefore, in order to reach the detector achieves a set of performance, it need to adjust the receiver of the crystal quality. In this paper, the method of detecting the clock states of the satellite navigation receiver is used to detect the receiver. The clock state model of the receiver is established in the static and motion mode, and the time variation of the clock state is analyzed.

Risk Factors of Unsatisfactory Robot-Assisted Pedicle Screw Placement: A Case-Control Study

Qi Zhang,Ming-Xing Fan,Xiao-Guang Han,Ya-Jun Liu,Da He,Bo Liu,Wei Tian 대한척추신경외과학회 2021 Neurospine Vol.18 No.4

Objective: To identify potential risk factors of unsatisfactory screw position during robot-assisted pedicle screw fixation. Methods: A retrospective analysis of robot-assisted pedicle screw fixation performed in Beijing Jishuitan Hospital from March 2018 to March 2019 was conducted. Research data was collected from the medical record and imaging systems. Univariate tests were performed on the potential risk factors (patient’s characteristics and surgical factors) of unsatisfactory screw position during robot-assisted pedicle screw fixation. For statistically significant variables in univariate tests, a logistic regression test was used to identify independent risk factors for unsatisfactory screw position. Results: A total of 780 pedicle screws placed in 163 robot-assisted surgeries were analyzed. The rate of perfect screw positions was 93.08%, and the unsatisfactory rate was 6.92%. In patients with severe obesity (body mass index≥30 kg/m2) (odds ratio [OR], 2.459; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.199–5.044; p=0.014), osteoporosis (T≤-2.5) (OR, 1.857; 95% CI, 1.046–3.295; p=0.034), and the segments 3 levels away from the tracker (OR, 2.216; 95% CI, 1.119–4.387; p=0.022), robot-assisted pedicle screw placement has a higher risk of screw malposition. Conclusion: During robot-assisted pedicle screw placement for patients with severe obesity, osteoporosis, and segments 3 levels away from the tracker, vigilance should be maintained during surgery to avoid postoperative complications due to unsatisfactory screw position.

Simulation and Analysis for Error from Satellite Capture Segment Anti-spoofing

Liu You-ming,Feng Qi,LIiTing-jun 보안공학연구지원센터 2016 International Journal of Security and Its Applicat Vol.10 No.9

The anti deception technology of the capture section is put forward, which is based on the idea of three-dimensional space compression domain. In the first part, the acquisition range of the signal is strictly controlled and the difficulty of the attack is increased. Doppler frequency and code phase estimation error are the key factor to affect the performance of the technology. The smaller the estimation error is, the more accurate the position of the real signal can be accurately determined.

Effect of Fluorescence Light on Phenolic Compounds and Antioxidant Activities of Soybeans (Glycine max L. Merrill) during Germination

Ming Yuan,Xuejing Jia,ChunBang Ding,Haiqiong Zeng,Lei Du,Shu Yuan,Zhongwei Zhang,Qi Wu,Chao Hu,Jing Liu 한국식품과학회 2015 Food Science and Biotechnology Vol.24 No.5

Effects of light on phenolic compounds and antioxidant activities during germination of soybean seeds were studied. Soybean seeds were germinated in the presence and absence of light. Chlorophylls and morphological characteristics of sprouts were evaluated daily. Antioxidant activities were determined using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) and ferric reducing activity power methods. Morphological characteristics of light-grown sprouts were superior to dark-grown sprouts and the metabolism of phenolic compounds was regulated by light. Light treatment improved accumulation of phenolic compounds in soybean sprouts and increased antioxidant activities. The optimum harvest time of light-grown sprouts was on the seventh day when sprouts achieved the best nutraceutical value. Green sprouts can serve as a good vegetable source for the human diet.