Anatomic Variants on Computed Tomography in Congenital Aural Atresia and Stenosis

Feng-hua Qin,Tian-yu Zhang,Peidong Dai,Lin Yang 대한이비인후과학회 2015 Clinical and Experimental Otorhinolaryngology Vol.8 No.4

Objectives. To quantitatively analyzing the anatomic variants on temporal computed tomography (CT) in congenital external auditory canal stenosis (EACS), congenital aural atresia (CAA), and normal ear structure. Methods. Through a retrospective study, we analyzed 142 temporal high-resolution CT studies performed in 71 microtia patients. The following 6 parameters were compared among the three groups: Marx classification, medial canal diameter, vertical facial nerve (VFN) anterior displacement, tegmen mastoideum position, tympanic cavity volume, and malleus-incus joint or malleus-incus complex (MIC) area. Results. The results showed that the microtia distributions in the Marx classification in these three groups were significantly different, as 86% (31 of 35) of ears with major microtia (third-degree dysplasia) had an atresia, and in 54.8% (23 of 42) of the minor microtic (first-degree or second-degree) ears, the bony or cartilaginous part of the external auditory canal was stenotic. Measurement data also showed that the potential medial canal diameter of the atresia group was obviously shorter than that of the stenosis group. The VFN anterior displacement and temporomandibular joint backward-shift together lead to medial canal diameters in ears with atresic canals that is smaller than those with stenotic canals. The tegmen mastoideum position was not significantly different between the three groups. Conclusion. The mal-development of the external auditory canal is significantly associated with auricle and middle ear developmental anomalies. Compared with CAA ears, EACS have better development of the auricle, canal, tympanic cavity and MIC and relatively safer surgical operation except for the position of the tegmen mastoideum and the VFN.

Buckling analysis of elastically-restrained steel plates under eccentric compression

Ying Qin,Gan-Ping Shu,Er-Feng Du,Rui-Hua Lu 국제구조공학회 2018 Steel and Composite Structures, An International J Vol.29 No.3

In this research, the explicit closed-form local buckling solution of steel plates in contact with concrete, with both loaded and unloaded edges elastically restrained against rotation and subjected to eccentric compression is presented. The Rayleigh-Rize approach is applied to establish the eigenvalue problem for the local buckling performance. Buckling shape which combines trigonometric and biquadratic functions is introduced according to that used by Qin <i>et al</i>. (2017) on steel plate buckling under uniform compression. Explicit solutions for predicting the local buckling stress of steel plate are obtained in terms of the rotational stiffness. Based on different boundary conditions, simply yet explicit local buckling solutions are discussed in details. The proposed formulas are validated against previous research and finite element results. The influences of the loading stress gradient parameter, the aspect ratio, and the rotational stiffness on the local buckling stress resultants of steel plates with different boundary conditions were evaluated. This work can be considered as an alternative to apply a different buckling shape function to study the buckling problem of steel plate under eccentric compression comparing to the work by Qin <i>et al</i>. (2018), and the results are found to be in consistent with those in Qin <i>et al</i>. (2018).

Selective miRNA Expression Profile in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia K562 Cell-derived Exosomes

Feng, Dan-Qin,Huang, Bo,Li, Jing,Liu, Jing,Chen, Xi-Min,Xu, Yan-Mei,Chen, Xin,Zhang, Hai-Bin,Hu, Long-Hua,Wang, Xiao-Zhong Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.12

Background: Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a myeloproliferative disorder of hematopoietic stem cell scarrying the Philadelphia (Ph) chromosome and an oncogenic BCR-ABL1 fusion gene. The tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) of BCR-ABL1 kinase is a treatment of choice for control of CML. Objective: Recent studies have demonstrated that miRNAs within exosomes from cancer cells play crucial roles in initiation and progression. This study was performed to assess miRNAs within exosomes of K562 cells. Methods: miRNA microarray analysis of K562 cells and K562 cell-derived exosomes was conducted with the 6th generation miRCURYTM LNA Array (v.16.0). Gene ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses were also carried out. GO terms and signaling pathways were categorized into 66 classes (including homophilic cell adhesion, negative regulation of apoptotic process, cell adhesion) and 26 signaling pathways (such as Wnt). Results: In exosomes, 49 miRNAs were up regulated as compared to K562 cells, and two of them were further confirmed by quantitative real-time PCR. There are differentially expressed miRNAs between K562 cell derived-exosomes and K562 cells. Conclusion: Selectively expressed miRNAs in exosomes may promote the development of CML via effects on interactions (e.g. adhesion) of CML cells with their microenvironment.

Associations of Plasma Glucagon Levels with Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate, Albuminuria and Diabetic Kidney Disease in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Hua-Xing Huang,Liang-Lan Shen,Hai-Yan Huang,Li-Hua Zhao,Feng Xu,Dong-Mei Zhang,Xiu-Lin Zhang,Tong Chen,Xue-Qin Wang,Yan Xie,Jian-Bin Su 대한당뇨병학회 2021 Diabetes and Metabolism Journal Vol.45 No.6

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is characterized by elevated fasting glucagon and impaired suppression of postprandial glucagon secretion, which may participate in diabetic complications. Therefore, we investigated the associations of plasma glucagon with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), albuminuria and diabetic kidney disease (DKD) in T2DM patients.Methods: Fasting glucagon and postchallenge glucagon (assessed by area under the glucagon curve [AUCgla]) levels were determined during oral glucose tolerance tests. Patients with an eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m2 and/or a urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) ≥30 mg/g who presented with diabetic retinopathy were identified as having DKD.Results: Of the 2,436 recruited patients, fasting glucagon was correlated with eGFR and UACR (r=–0.112 and r=0.157, respectively; P<0.001), and AUCgla was also correlated with eGFR and UACR (r=–0.267 and r=0.234, respectively; P<0.001). Moreover, 31.7% (n=771) presented with DKD; the prevalence of DKD was 27.3%, 27.6%, 32.5%, and 39.2% in the first (Q1), second (Q2), third (Q3), and fourth quartile (Q4) of fasting glucagon, respectively; and the corresponding prevalence for AUCgla was 25.9%, 22.7%, 33.7%, and 44.4%, respectively. Furthermore, after adjusting for other clinical covariates, the adjusted odds ratios (ORs; 95% confidence intervals) for DKD in Q2, Q3, and Q4 versus Q1 of fasting glucagon were 0.946 (0.697 to 1.284), 1.209 (0.895 to 1.634), and 1.521 (1.129 to 2.049), respectively; the corresponding ORs of AUCgla were 0.825 (0.611 to 1.114), 1.323 (0.989 to 1.769), and 2.066 (1.546 to 2.760), respectively. Additionally, when we restricted our analysis in patients with glycosylated hemoglobin <7.0% (n=471), we found fasting glucagon and AUCgla were still independently associated with DKD.Conclusion: Both increased fasting and postchallenge glucagon levels were independently associated with DKD in T2DM patients.

Studies on meat color, myoglobin content, enzyme activities, and genes associated with oxidative potential of pigs slaughtered at different growth stages

Qin Ping Yu,Ding Yuan Feng,Juan Xiao,Fan Wu,Xiao Jun He,Min Hao Xia,Tao Dong,Yi Hua Liu,Hui Ze Tan,Shi Geng Zou,Tao Zheng,Xian Hua Ou,Jian Jun Zuo 아세아·태평양축산학회 2017 Animal Bioscience Vol.30 No.12

Objective: This experiment investigated meat color, myoglobin content, enzyme activities, and expression of genes associated with oxidative potential of pigs slaughtered at different growth stages. Methods: Sixty 4-week-old Duroc×Landrace×Yorkshire pigs were assigned to 6 replicate groups, each containing 10 pigs. One pig from each group was sacrificed at day 35, 63, 98, and 161 to isolate longissimus dorsi and triceps muscles. Results: Meat color scores were higher in pigs at 35 d than those at 63 d and 98 d (p<0.05), and those at 98 d were lower than those at 161 d (p<0.05). The total myoglobin was higher on 161 d compared with those at 63 d and 98 d (p<0.05). Increase in the proportions of metmyoglobin and deoxymyoglobin and a decrease in oxymyoglobin were observed between days 35 and 161 (p<0.05). Meat color scores were correlated to the proportion of oxymyoglobin (r = 0.59, p<0.01), and negatively correlated with deoxymyoglobin and metmyoglobin content (r = –0.48 and –0.62, p<0.05). Malate dehydrogenase (MDH) activity at 35 d and 98 d was higher than that at 161 d (p<0.05). The highest lactate dehydrogenase/MDH ratio was achieved at 161 d (p<0.05). Calcineurin mRNA expression decreased at 35 d compared to that at 63 d and 98 d (p<0.05). Myocyte enhancer factor 2 mRNA results indicated a higher expression at 161 d than that at 63 d and 98 d (p<0.05). Conclusion: Porcine meat color, myoglobin content, enzyme activities, and genes associated with oxidative potential varied at different stages.

Hybrid model for the analysis of the modal properties of a ball screw vibration system

Qin Wu,Feng-shou Gu,Andrew Ball,Hua Huang 대한기계학회 2021 JOURNAL OF MECHANICAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Vol.35 No.2

In accordance with the vibration characteristics of ball screw feed systems, a hybrid modeling method is proposed to study its dynamic behavior. Partially, the ball screw is modeled as a continuous body, and the remaining components are considered lumped masses, allowing for a realistic description of the dynamics of the feed system. The axial, torsional, transverse, and bending vibration models of a ball screw carriage system are established via the Rayleigh-Ritz series method based on the Timoshenko beam assumption. The established model that added the Timoshenko beam assumption obtains the coupling vibration displacement between the transverse and bending vibrations of the lead screw, which is close to real situations. Numerical simulations are conducted to investigate the changes of the natural frequency and modal shapes of ball screw systems with carriage positions. Results show that the carriage position has significant influence on the amplitude and direction of axial and transverse vibrations, substantial influence on the direction of the bending vibration, and minimal influence on the amplitude and direction of torsional vibration. These results indicate that the proposed hybrid model performs well to predict the vibration characteristics of the feed system. Moreover, the carriage position and carriage load also have a remarkable effect on the frequency response of the feed system. These results, along with the modeling approach, provide an important basis for the further study of in-machining monitoring and vibration controller design.

Association of Urinary Cesium with Breast Cancer Risk

Qin, Ya-Chao,Tang, Lu-Ying,Su, Yi,Chen, Li-Juan,Su, Feng-Xi,Lin, Ying,Zhang, Ai-Hua,Ren, Ze-Fang Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.22

Background: The aim of this study is to examine the association of urinary cesium with breast cancer risk. Materials and Methods: We collected survey data and urine specimens from 240 women with incident invasive breast cancer before their treatment and 246 age-matched female controls between October 2009 and July 2010. Urinary concentrations of cesium were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Interviews were conducted by face-to-face to obtain information on potential breast cancer risk factors. Logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the associations. Results: Creatinine-adjusted levels [median ($25^{th}$, $75^{th}$) ug/g] of cesium in cases and controls were 17.6 (13.1, 24.0) and 19.3 (15.3, 25.7), respectively. After adjustment for potential risk factors, women in the second and highest tertile of cesium showed a decreased risk of breast cancer in a dose-dependent manner as compared with those in the lowest tertile [ORs and 95% CIs: 0.75 (0.46-1.22) and 0.50 (0.30-0.82), respectively]. This decrease was more evident in women with ER positive or localized clinical stage in an exploratory stratification analysis. Conclusions: These findings suggest that cesium may have anticancer efficacy and urinary cesium has potential as a biomarker for breast cancer risk assessment.

Indole-3-propionic acid inhibits gut dysbiosis and endotoxin leakage to attenuate steatohepatitis in rats

Ze-Hua Zhao,Feng-Zhi Xin,Yaqian Xue,Zhimin Hu,Yamei Han,Fengguang Ma,Da Zhou,Xiao-Lin Liu,Aoyuan Cui,Zhengshuai Liu,Yuxiao Liu,Jing Gao,Qin Pan,Yu Li,Jian-Gao Fan 생화학분자생물학회 2019 Experimental and molecular medicine Vol.51 No.-

Microbial metabolites have emerged as critical components that mediate the metabolic effects of the gut microbiota. Here, we show that indole-3-propionic acid (IPA), a tryptophan metabolite produced by gut bacteria, is a potent anti-non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) microbial metabolite. Here, we demonstrate that administration of IPA modulates the microbiota composition in the gut and inhibits microbial dysbiosis in rats fed a high-fat diet. IPA induces the expression of tight junction proteins, such as ZO-1 and Occludin, and maintains intestinal epithelium homeostasis, leading to a reduction in plasma endotoxin levels. Interestingly, IPA inhibits NF-κB signaling and reduces the levels of proinflammatory cytokines, such as TNFα, IL-1β, and IL-6, in response to endotoxin in macrophages to repress hepatic inflammation and liver injury. Moreover, IPA is sufficient to inhibit the expression of fibrogenic and collagen genes and attenuate diet-induced NASH phenotypes. The beneficial effects of IPA on the liver are likely mediated through inhibiting the production of endotoxin in the gut. These findings suggest a protective role of IPA in the control of metabolism and uncover the gut microbiome and liver cross-talk in regulating the intestinal microenvironment and liver pathology via a novel dietary nutrient metabolite. IPA may provide a new therapeutic strategy for treating NASH.

Effects of a traditional Chinese medicine formula and its extraction on muscle fiber characteristics in finishing pigs, porcine cell proliferation and isoforms of myosin heavy chain gene expression in myocytes

Yu, Qin Ping,Feng, Ding Yuan,He, Xiao Jun,Wu, Fan,Xia, Min Hao,Dong, Tao,Liu, Yi Hua,Tan, Hui Ze,Zou, Shi Geng,Zheng, Tao,Ou, Xian Hua,Zuo, Jian Jun Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2017 Animal Bioscience Vol.30 No.11

Objective: This study evaluated the effects of a traditional Chinese medicine formula (TCMF) on muscle fiber characteristics in finishing pigs and the effects of the formula's extract (distilled water, ethyl acetate and petroleum ether extraction) on porcine cell proliferation and isoforms of myosin heavy chain (MyHC) gene expression in myocytes. Methods: In a completely randomized design, ninety pigs were assigned to three diets with five replications per treatment and six pigs per pen. The diets included the basal diet (control group), TCMF1 (basal diet+2.5 g/kg TCMF) and TCMF2 (basal diet+5 g/kg TCMF). The psoas major muscle was obtained from pigs at the end of the experiment. Muscle fiber characteristics in the psoas major muscle were analyzed using myosin ATPase staining. Cell proliferation was measured using 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) dye and cytometry. Isoforms of MyHC gene expression were detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Results: The final body weight and carcass weight of finishing pigs were increased by TCMF1 (p<0.05), while the psoas major muscle cross-sectional area was increased by TCMF (p<0.05). The cross-sectional area and diameter of psoas major muscle fiber Ι, IIA, and IIB were increased by TCMF2 (p<0.05). The cross-sectional area and fiber diameter of psoas major muscle fiber IIA and IIB were increased by diet supplementation with TCMF1 (p<0.05). Psoas major muscle fiber IIA and IIB fiber density from the pigs fed the TCMF1 diet and the type IIB fiber density from the pigs fed the TCMF2 diet were lower compared to pigs fed the control diet (p<0.05). Pigs fed TCMF2 had a higher composition of type Ι fiber and a lower percentage of type IIB fiber in the psoas major muscle (p<0.05). The expression levels of MyHC Ι, MyHC IIa, and MyHC IIx mRNA increased and the amount of MyHC IIb mRNA decreased in the psoas major muscle from TCMF2, whereas MyHC Ι and MyHC IIx mRNA increased in the psoas major muscle from TCMF1 (p<0.05). Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor ${\gamma}$ $coactivator-1{\alpha}$ and CaN mRNA expression in the psoas major muscle were up-regulated by TCMF (p<0.05). Porcine skeletal muscle satellite cell proliferation was promoted by $4{\mu}g/mL$ and $20{\mu}g/mL$ TCMF water extraction (p<0.05). Both $1{\mu}g/mL$ and $5{\mu}g/mL$ of TCMF water extraction increased MyHC IIa, MyHC IIb, and MyHC IIx mRNA expression in porcine myocytes (p<0.05), while MyHC Ι mRNA expression in porcine myocytes was decreased by $5{\mu}g/mL$ TCMF water extraction (p<0.05). Porcine myocyte MyHC Ι and MyHC IIx mRNA expression were increased, and MyHC IIa and MyHC IIb mRNA expression were down-regulated by $5{\mu}g/mL$ TCMF ethyl acetate extraction (p<0.05). MyHC Ι and MyHC IIa mRNA expression in porcine myocytes were increased, and the MyHC IIb mRNA expression was decreased by $1{\mu}g/mL$ TCMF ethyl acetate extraction (p<0.05). Four isoforms of MyHC mRNA expression in porcine myocytes were reduced by $5{\mu}g/mL$ TCMF petroleum ether extraction (p<0.05). MyHC IIa mRNA expression in porcine myocytes increased and MyHC IIb mRNA expression decreased by $1{\mu}g/mL$ in a TCMF petroleum ether extraction (p<0.05). Conclusion: These results indicated that TCMF amplified the psoas major muscle cross-sectional area through changing muscle fiber characteristics in finishing pigs. This effect was confirmed as TCMF extraction promoted porcine cell proliferation and affected isoforms of MyHC gene expression in myocytes.

Study on the thermal sensitivity of β-NaYF4: Yb3+-Er3+ nano-thermometers based on luminescence ratiometric technology

Leipeng Li,Feng Qin,Yuan Zhou,Yangdong Zheng,Hua Zhao,Zhiguo Zhang 한국물리학회 2019 Current Applied Physics Vol.19 No.4

It is demonstrated here that relative sensitivity should gain more concern than absolute sensitivity when designing a new type of nano-thermometer based on luminescence ratiometric technology. Following the NIR excitation by a 980 nm laser diode, the 520/527 and 540/547 nm upconversion luminescence bands, which are respectively ascribed to the 2H11/2–4I15/2 and 4S3/2–4I15/2 transitions of Er3+ ions embedded in NaYF4 nanocrystals, are investigated as a function of temperature between 303 and 483 K. It is found that the 520/540, 520/ 547, 527/540 and 527/547 nm emission lines can constitute four pairs of thermally coupled energy levels. These four pairs of lines own the different absolute sensitivities. However, the relative sensitivities for them are identical at the same temperature. A third parameter, that is, temperature resolution, is then introduced to identify the difference between the two sensitivities. It is found that these four pairs of lines own the same temperature resolution, suggesting that absolute sensitivity is an intermediate parameter and relative sensitivity reflects the fundamental nature of sensors.