Dose-Response Relationship between Alanine Aminotransferase Levels within the Reference Interval and Metabolic Syndrome in Chinese Adults

Peipei Wu,Shumei Wang,Qicai Chen,Lili Chen,Pengpeng Zhang,Juan Xiao,Xiaoxiao Chen,Meng Liu 연세대학교의과대학 2017 Yonsei medical journal Vol.58 No.1

Purpose: Elevation in serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels is a biomarker for metabolic syndrome (MS); however, the relationshiphas not been fully investigated within the reference interval of ALT levels. Our objective was to explore the relationship between serum ALT levels within the reference interval and MS in Chinese adults. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study included 16028 adults, who attended routine health check-ups at Shengli OilfieldCentral Hospital from January 2006 to March 2012. The reference interval of serum ALT level was defined as less than 40 U/L. Logistic regression models and restricted cubic spline were used to evaluate the association of ALT with MS. Results: The prevalence of MS in the total population was 13.7% (6.4% for females and 18.4% for males). Multiple logistic regressionshowed that ALT levels were positively associated with MS after adjustment for potential confounding factors. The odds ratio of MS in the top quartile was 4.830 [95% confidence interval (CI): 2.980–7.829] in females and 3.168 (95% CI: 2.649–3.790) in males, compared with the ALT levels in the bottom quartile. The restricted cubic spline models revealed a positive non-linear dose-response relationship between ALT levels and the risk of MS in women (p for nonlinearity was 0.0327), but a positive linear dose-response relationship in men (p for nonlinearity was 0.0659). Conclusion: Serum ALT levels within the reference interval are positively associated with MS in a dose-response manner. ElevatedALT levels, even within the reference interval, may reflect early dysmetabolic changes.

Study on Corrosion Resistance and Bio‑Tribological Behavior of Porous Structure Based on the SLM Manufactured Medical Ti6Al4V

Peipei Lu,Meiping Wu,Xin Liu,Weipeng Duan,Jitai Han 대한금속·재료학회 2020 METALS AND MATERIALS International Vol.26 No.8

Titanium and its alloy, especially Ti6Al4V is one of the most widely used metal due to its excellent properties. Selectivelaser melting, which is known as additive manufacturing is considered as a suitable method to manufacture Ti6Al4V parts. To print a more analogous Ti6Al4V artificial bone, laser power was changed by taking volume porosity, corrosion resistanceand wear resistance into consideration. The testing results showed that sample printed using 200 W showed a relative optimalcorrosion resistance and volume porosity in all these five samples (the value of corrosion voltage is − 0.352 V), while itshowed the best bio-tribological behavior, and its wear volume is as low as 5.90 μm3. Summarize the 5 sets of experimentalsamples, the Ti6Al4V part printed using 180–200 W were the most prominent in the test, its overall performance was, indeed,best fit to print artificial Ti6Al4V bone, because it is similar to bone, there are a large number of microporous structures.

Epigenetic inactivation of ACAT1 promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition of clear cell renal cell carcinoma

Han Peipei,Wu Shu,Li Limei,Li Danping,Zhao Jun,Zhang Haishan,Wang Yifang,Zhong Xuemin,Zhang Zhe,Li Ping,Matskova Liudmila,Zhou Xiaoying 한국유전학회 2022 Genes & Genomics Vol.44 No.4

Background: Acetyl-CoA acyltransferase 1 (ACAT1) is a key enzyme catalyzing the production of mitochondrial ketone bodies. We have shown that ACAT1 is down-regulated in kidney renal clear cell carcinoma (KIRC) previously. Objective: To investigate the reasons for downregulation of ACAT1 in KIRC and explore the underlying mechanisms involved in metastatic inhibition regulated by ACAT1. Methods: The Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database was queried for meta-analysis of ACAT1 mRNA expression in KIRC. The UALCAN website was used to compare the methylation levels of the ACAT1 promoter region in KIRC and normal tissues. RT-qPCR was used to quantitate ACAT1 transcription levels. The GCBI and Tarbase V.8 databases were used to predict miRNAs that may target the mRNA of ACAT1. The correlation between mRNA expression of ACAT1, MMP7 (matrix metallopeptidase 7), CDH1 (E-cadherin), EpCAM (epithelial cell adhesion molecule), and VIM (vimentin) was analyzed. Extracellular MMP7 protein was quantitated using an ELISA assay. Results: The methylation level of the ACAT1 promoter region in KIRC was significantly higher than that in the normal kidney tissues. The ACAT1 mRNA expression in the KIRC cell lines was restored after treatment with 5-aza-dC (p < 0.05). MiR-21-5p is a conserved microRNA targeting ACAT1. It is expressed at a significantly higher level in KIRC than in normal tissues (p < 0.001). MiR-21-5p miRNA expression negatively correlates with ACAT1 mRNA expression. The expression of miR-21-5p is higher at the T3-T4 stages and in the histologic grades G3-G4. Patients with high miR-21-5p expression tended to have lower overall survival, suggesting that miR-21-5p could serve as a potentially valuable diagnostic biomarker for KIRC (AUC = 0.957; p < 0.001). A mimetic of miR-21-5p inhibited the expression of ACAT1 mRNA and protein. In addition, ACAT1 mRNA expression positively correlates with CDH1 and EpCAM but is negatively correlated with VIM. Overexpression of ACAT1 suppresses the secretion of MMP7 in KIRC cells. Conclusion: Expression of ACAT1 in KIRC is controlled at two levels, firstly by the hypermethylation of the ACAT1 promoter region and secondly by overexpression of miR-21-5p. Downregulation of ACAT1 expression correlates with epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT).

Isolation, identification and characterization of a novel elastase from Chryseobacterium indologenes

Yunlong Lei,Peipei Zhao,Chenglei Li,Haixia Zhao,Zhi Shan,Qi Wu 한국응용생명화학회 2018 Applied Biological Chemistry (Appl Biol Chem) Vol.61 No.3

Elastase is a type of protease that specifically degrades elastin. It has broad application prospects in medicine, food industry, and daily-use chemical industry. In this study, we isolated a bacterial strain WZE87 with high elastin-hydrolysis activity, which was identified as Chryseobacterium indologenes based on morphology, physiological and biochemical characteristics, and 16S rDNA sequence analysis. The elastase produced by this strain was purified by three steps: ammonium sulfate precipitation, Q-Sepharose fast-flow anion-exchange chromatography, and Sephadex G-75 gel-filtration chromatography. The purified elastase was 2376.5 U/mg in activity (a 8.3-fold increase in specific activity), and the recovery was 5.8%. Its molecular mass was estimated to be 26 kDa by sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. This enzyme was stable in the pH range of 5.0–10.5 at 37 C. The optimal temperature and pH were 37 C and 7.5, respectively. The activity of this elastase was found to decrease when the temperature was higher than 50 C. The activity was also inhibited by Zn2?, Fe2?, Fe3?, and Mn2? ions. The specific hydrolytic ability of this enzyme was similar to that of papain on substrates like gelatin, casein, soybean-isolated protein and bovine hemoglobin. However, this elastase preferentially hydrolyzed elastin in a protein mixture because of its specific adsorption. Considering its promising properties, this protease may be considered a potential candidate for applications in related industries.

Isolation, identification and characterization of a novel elastase from Chryseobacterium indologenes

Lei, Yunlong,Zhao, Peipei,Li, Chenglei,Zhao, Haixia,Shan, Zhi,Wu, Qi The Korean Society for Applied Biological Chemistr 2018 Applied Biological Chemistry (Appl Biol Chem) Vol.61 No.3

Elastase is a type of protease that specifically degrades elastin. It has broad application prospects in medicine, food industry, and daily-use chemical industry. In this study, we isolated a bacterial strain WZE87 with high elastin-hydrolysis activity, which was identified as Chryseobacterium indologenes based on morphology, physiological and biochemical characteristics, and 16S rDNA sequence analysis. The elastase produced by this strain was purified by three steps: ammonium sulfate precipitation, Q-Sepharose fast-flow anion-exchange chromatography, and Sephadex G-75 gel-filtration chromatography. The purified elastase was 2376.5 U/mg in activity (a 8.3-fold increase in specific activity), and the recovery was 5.8%. Its molecular mass was estimated to be 26 kDa by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. This enzyme was stable in the pH range of 5.0-10.5 at $37^{\circ}C$. The optimal temperature and pH were $37^{\circ}C$ and 7.5, respectively. The activity of this elastase was found to decrease when the temperature was higher than $50^{\circ}C$. The activity was also inhibited by $Zn^{2+}$, $Fe^{2+}$, $Fe^{3+}$, and $Mn^{2+}$ ions. The specific hydrolytic ability of this enzyme was similar to that of papain on substrates like gelatin, casein, soybean-isolated protein and bovine hemoglobin. However, this elastase preferentially hydrolyzed elastin in a protein mixture because of its specific adsorption. Considering its promising properties, this protease may be considered a potential candidate for applications in related industries.

An Investigation on Stress States of the Cataclastic Rock Specimen under Confined Compression Based on Modified Thick-walled Cylinder Model

Jin Zhang,Ronggui Deng,Zhibin Zhong,Peipei Wu,Shaoli Qi 대한토목학회 2023 KSCE Journal of Civil Engineering Vol.27 No.10

In high in-situ stress zones, cataclastic rocks have exerted a significant influence on the stability of engineering structures. However, the mechanical properties of cataclastic rocks can not be accurately studied due to difficulties in sampling and laboratory testing. In this paper, laterally confined compression tests for specimens that were obtained by the developed in-situ sampling devices were performed to investigate the stress states. A modified thick-walled cylinder model considering axial shear stress was introduced. The interaction mechanics model for a compressed sample and an equivalent single-layer cylinder was established. Based on the principle of elasticity, the laterally confined stress, the axial shear stress, and the axial stress of the sample were derived and obtained. Moreover, the effects of mechanical and geometric parameters of the equivalent cylinder on the force condition of the specimen were analyzed. The results show that the confined stress is positively correlated with the equivalent elastic modulus and the geometric factor. Therefore, the confined stress can be strengthened by increasing the elastic modulus, alternatively, increasing the outer diameter and decreasing the inner diameter. However, the axial stress is little affected by the equivalent elastic modulus and the geometric factor and is not affected by the equivalent Poisson's ratio. As the distance from the center height increases, the axial stress decreases linearly and the difference in axial stress becomes larger considering axial shear stress and ignoring axial shear stress.

Regulation of cuticular wax biosynthesis in plants under abiotic stress

Md Shaheenuzzamn,Shandang Shi,Kamran Sohail,Hongqi Wu,Tianxiang Liu,Peipei An,Zhonghua Wang,Mirza Hasanuzzaman 한국식물생명공학회 2021 Plant biotechnology reports Vol.15 No.1

Cuticular waxes are the covering of the outer layer of the plant, consist of hydrocarbon appears like whitish flm or bloom in plant organs. They play a vital role like a safeguard from diferent stress condition in the plant. Since environmental factors are active regulators of cuticular wax biosynthesis, composition, quantity, and deposition, it is evident that cuticular wax is associated with plant stress responses. The diversity of cuticular wax compositions is a proof of the wealth of genes associated in plant wax production. Moreover, a number of wax genes were distinguished in plant/crops at abiotic stress conditions but, regulation of control of those wax genes has not been studied very well in major crop plants at abiotic conditions. A very few transcriptions factors were identifed to regulate the expression level of wax genes of cuticular wax biosynthesis at abiotic stress condition. However, further study is needed to identify more candidate transcriptional regulation factors to cuticular wax production in diferent crop plants in diverse abiotic environments. Therefore, regulation of cuticular wax production under diverse abiotic stresses and the role of transcription factors into the plant cuticular wax accumulation will be helpful to engineer crop plants and improve transgenic crops for stress tolerance. In this review, we focused on a new perspective on transcriptional factors to regulate functional genes of cuticular wax biosynthesis in plants at abiotic stresses.

Centromere protein N promotes lung adenocarcinoma progression by activating PI3K/AKT signaling pathway

Zheng Yi,You Hui,Duan Jingzhu,Chen Biyu,Wu Chenlin,Chen Peipei,Wang Meifang 한국유전학회 2022 Genes & Genomics Vol.44 No.9

Background: As an important member of centromere family, centromere associated protein N (CENPN) was abnormally expressed in varied malignant tumors. Objective: This paper aimed to analyze the expression and related mechanism of CENPN in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). Methods: The expression of CENPN in LUAD was analyzed by Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA) database. The mRNA expression, protein expression, cell viability, cell invasion, cell apoptosis, cell stem like characteristics were detected by RT-PCR, western blot, CCK8 assay, transwell assay, flow cytometry and spheroidization assay, respectively. Finally, the pathological changes of xenograft were estimated by H&E staining, and the expression of proteins was detected by immunohistochemistry. Results: GEPIA analysis showed that the CENPN expression in LUAD was significantly higher than that in normal lung tissue, which was negatively correlated with the prognosis. These results were consistent with our clinical data. Besides, CENPN was highly expressed in LUAD cell lines. In addition, the upregulation of CENPN amplified the cell viability, stemness and invasive ability in PC9 cells. However, the knockdown of CENPN inhibited the cell activity, stemness, invasive ability with increased cell apoptosis in A549. Furthermore, CENPN could positively regulate the phosphorylation of PI3K and AKT. The PI3K inhibitor, 740Y-P, could reverse the effect of CENPN silencing on the expression of Ki-67, cleaved caspase 3, OCT4, and snail 1. Finally, the downregulation of CENPN restrained the growth of xenograft and inactivated the PI3K/AKT pathway. Conclusion: CENPN was abnormally overexpressed in LUAD, and promoted tumor progression of LUAD by affecting PI3K/AKT pathway.

Impact of electrolyte additives (alkali metal salts) on the capacitive behavior of NiO-based capacitors

Yong Zhang,Lizhen Wang,Aiqin Zhang,Yanhua Song,Xiaofeng Li,Xingbing Wu,Peipei Du,Lv Yan 한국화학공학회 2011 Korean Journal of Chemical Engineering Vol.28 No.2

To improve the specific capacitance and energy density of electrochemical capacitor, nanostructured NiO was prepared by high temperature solid-state method as electrode material. The crystal structure and morphology of as-parepared NiO samples were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Cyclic voltammetry (CV) measurement was applied to investigate the specific capacitance of the NiO electrode. Furthermore,a novel mixed electrolyte consisting of NaOH, KOH, LiOH and Li_2CO_3 was prepared for the NiO capacitor,and the component and concentration of the four different electrolytes was examined by orthogonal test. The results showed that the NiO sample has cubic structure with nano-size particles, and the optimal composition of the electrolyte was: NaOH 2 mol L^(−1), KOH 3 mol L^(−1), LiOH 0.05 mol L^(−1), and Li_2CO_3 0.05 mol L^−1. At a scan rate of 10 mV s^(−1), the fabricated capacitor exhibits excellent electrochemical capacitive performance, while the specific capacitance and the energy density were 239 F g^(−1) and 85 Wh kg^(−1), which was higher than one-component electrolyte.