Prediction of steel corrosion in magnesium cement concrete based on two dimensional Copula function

Qiong Feng,Hongxia Qiao,Penghui Wang,Wei Gong 사단법인 한국계산역학회 2018 Computers and Concrete, An International Journal Vol.21 No.2

In order to solve the life prediction problem of damaged coating steel bar in magnesium cement concrete, this study tries to establish the marginal distribution function by using the corrosion current density as a single degradation factor. Representing the degree of steel corrosion, the corrosion current density were tested in electrochemical workstation. Then based on the Copula function, the joint distribution function of the damaged coating was established. Therefore, it is indicated that the corrosion current density of the bare steel and coated steel bar can be used as the boundary element to establish the marginal distribution function. By using the Frank-Copula function of Copula Archimedean function family, the joint distribution function of the damaged coating steel bar was successfully established. Finally, the life of the damaged coating steel bar has been lost in 7320d. As a new method for the corrosion of steel bar under the multi-dimensional factors, the two-dimensional Copula function has certain practical significance by putting forward some new ideas.

Prognosis of Eight Chinese Cases of Primary Vaginal Yolk Sac Tumor with a Review of the Literature

Tang, Qiong-Lan,Jiang, Xue-Feng,Yuan, Xiao-Ping,Liu, Yong,Zhang, Lin,Tang, Xiao-Feng,Zhou, Jia-Jia,Li, Hai-Gang,Fang, Jian-Pei,Xue, Lin Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.21

Background: Primary vaginal yolk sac tumor is a rare malignancy in the pediatric population, and a diagnostic challenge and appropriate initial treatment remains unsolved. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinicopathologic features, treatment and prognosis of this tumor. Materials and Methods: Eight cases of primary vaginal yolk sac tumor were reported with a literature review. Results: There were 4 pure yolk sac tumor cases and four mixed germ cell tumors containing yolk sac tumor element, including two cases with embryonal carcinoma and two cases with embryonal carcinoma and dysgerminoma. Partial vaginectomy was performed in four cases and all patients received chemotherapy. 85 cases in literatures were reviewed and 9 cases were misdiagnosed. Follow-up data was available in 77 cases and 5-year overall survival rate was 87.6%. 5-year survival rate of biopsy with chemotherapy, conservative surgery with chemotherapy and radical surgery with chemotherapy was 91.1%, 100% and 28.6%, respectively (p<0.001). Compared to cases without relapse or metastasis after initial treatment, patients with relapse or metastasis had a shorter overall survival (35.6% vs 96.6%, p<0.001). Conclusions: Mixed germ cell tumor containing yolk sac tumor element was not uncommon and partial vaginectomy may be a good choice for primary vaginal mixed yolk sac tumor type to eradicate local tumor cells and provide complete information for pathological diagnosis and postoperative adjuvant therapy.

IL-33 promotes IL-10 production in macrophages: a role for IL-33 in macrophage foam cell formation

Hai-Feng Zhang,Mao-Xiong Wu,Yong-Qing Lin,Shuang-Lun Xie,Tu-Cheng Huang,Pin-Ming Liu,Ru-Qiong Nie,Qin-Qi Meng,Nian-Sang Luo,Yang-Xin Chen,Jing-Feng Wang 생화학분자생물학회 2017 Experimental and molecular medicine Vol.49 No.-

We evaluated the role of IL-10- in IL-33-mediated cholesterol reduction in macrophage-derived foam cells (MFCs) and the mechanism by which IL-33 upregulates IL-10. Serum IL-33 and IL-10 levels in coronary artery disease patients were measured. The effects of IL-33 on intra-MFC cholesterol level, IL-10, ABCA1 and CD36 expression, ERK 1/2, Sp1, STAT3 and STAT4 activation, and IL-10 promoter activity were determined. Core sequences were identified using bioinformatic analysis and sitespecific mutagenesis. The serum IL-33 levels positively correlated with those of IL-10. IL-33 decreased cellular cholesterol level and upregulated IL-10 and ABCA1 but had no effect on CD36 expression. siRNA-IL-10 partially abolished cellular cholesterol reduction and ABCA1 elevation by IL-33 but did not reverse the decreased CD36 levels. IL-33 increased IL-10 mRNA production but had little effect on its stability. IL-33 induced ERK 1/2 phosphorylation and increased the luciferase expression driven by the IL-10 promoter, with the highest extent within the − 2000 to − 1752 bp segment of the 5′-flank of the transcription start site; these effects were counteracted by U0126. IL-33 activated Sp1, STAT3 and STAT4, but only the STAT3 binding site was predicted in the above segment. Site-directed mutagenesis of the predicted STAT3-binding sites (CTGCTTCCTGGCAGCAGAA→CTGCCTGGCAGCAGAA) reduced luciferase activity, and a STAT3 inhibitor blocked the regulatory effects of IL-33 on IL-10 expression. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (CHIP) confirmed the STAT3-binding sequences within the − 1997 to − 1700 and − 1091 to − 811 bp locus regions. IL-33 increased IL-10 expression in MFCs via activating ERK 1/2 and STAT3, which subsequently promoted IL-10 transcription and thus contributed to the beneficial effects of IL-33 on MFCs.

A Vegetable Dietary Pattern Is Associated with Lowered Risk of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus in Chinese Women

Qiong Chen,Weiwei Wu,Hailan Yang,Ping Zhang,Yongliang Feng,Keke Wang,Ying Wang,Suping Wang,Yawei Zhang 대한당뇨병학회 2020 Diabetes and Metabolism Journal Vol.44 No.6

Background Identification of modifiable dietary factors, which are involved in the development of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), could inform strategies to prevent GDM. Methods We examined the dietary patterns in a Chinese population and evaluated their relationship with GDM risk using a case-control study including 1,464 cases and 8,092 control subjects. Propensity score matching was used to reduce the imbalance of covariates between cases and controls. Dietary patterns were identified using factor analysis while their associations with GDM risk were evaluated using logistic regression models. Results A “vegetable” dietary pattern was characterized as the consumption of green leafy vegetables (Chinese little greens and bean seedling), other vegetables (cabbages, carrots, tomatoes, eggplants, potatoes, mushrooms, peppers, bamboo shoots, agarics, and garlic), and bean products (soybean milk, tofu, kidney beans, and cowpea). For every quartile increase in the vegetables factor score during 1 year prior to conception, the first trimester, and the second trimester of pregnancy, the GDM risk lowered by 6% (odds ratio [OR], 0.94; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.89 to 0.99), 7% (OR, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.88 to 0.99), and 9% (OR, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.86 to 0.96). Conclusion In conclusion, our study suggests that the vegetable dietary pattern is associated with lower GDM risk; however, the interpretation of the result should with caution due to the limitations in our study, and additional studies are necessary to explore the underlying mechanism of this relationship.

Recent insights into autophagy and metals/nanoparticles exposure

Li Qiong,Feng Yajing,Wang Ruike,Liu Rundong,Ba Yue,Huang Hui 한국독성학회 2023 Toxicological Research Vol.39 No.3

Some anthropogenic pollutants, such as heavy metals and nanoparticles (NPs), are widely distributed and a major threat to environmental safety and public health. In particular, lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), arsenic (As), and mercury (Hg) have systemic toxicity even at extremely low concentrations, so they are listed as priority metals in relation to their significant public health burden. Aluminum (Al) is also toxic to multiple organs and is linked to Alzheimer’s disease. As the utilization of many metal nanoparticles (MNPs) gradually gain traction in industrial and medical applications, they are increasingly being investigated to address potential toxicity by impairing certain biological barriers. The dominant toxic mechanism of these metals and MNPs is the induction of oxidative stress, which subsequently triggers lipid peroxidation, protein modification, and DNA damage. Notably, a growing body of research has revealed the linkage between dysregulated autophagy and some diseases, including neurodegenerative diseases and cancers. Among them, some metals or metal mixtures can act as environmental stimuli and disturb basal autophagic activity, which has an underlying adverse health effect. Some studies also revealed that specific autophagy inhibitors or activators could modify the abnormal autophagic flux attributed to continuous exposure to metals. In this review, we have gathered recent data about the contribution of the autophagy/mitophagy mediated toxic effects and focused on the involvement of some key regulatory factors of autophagic signaling during exposure to selected metals, metal mixtures, as well as MNPs in the real world. Besides this, we summarized the potential significance of interactions between autophagy and excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated oxidative damage in the regulation of cell survival response to metals/NPs. A critical view is given on the application of autophagy activators/inhibitors to modulate the systematic toxicity of various metals/MNPs.

Colorimetric Detection of Hg2+ Based on Enhancement of Peroxidase‐like Activity of Chitosan‐Gold Nanoparticles

Cui-Feng Jiang,Zhuojian Li,Yinxing Wu,Jinshan Wang,Qiong Jiang 대한화학회 2018 Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society Vol.39 No.5

Hg2+ is a serious environmental contaminant that can cause severe damage to the immune and nervous systems, and Hg2+ monitoring is critical. Herein, we report a novel, simple, and sensitive Hg2+ sensor based on the enhanced peroxidase?like activity of chitosan?gold nanoparticles (CS?AuNPs). The peroxidase?like activity of the CS?AuNPs can be markedly enhanced by Hg2+ as seen by the deeper color and increased absorbance at 652?nm. This improved catalytic ability was used to develop a sensitive and selective colorimetric sensor for Hg2+ detection. The limit of detection via the absorption spectra is as low as 0.02??M. The mechanism underlying the enhanced catalytic ability is discussed. This approach is label?free, simple, and offers detection with the naked eye. Thus, it has potential applications for the detection of Hg2+ in environmental and food samples.

B-cell Lymphoma 2 rs17757541 C>G Polymorphism was Associated with an Increased Risk of Gastric Cardiac Adenocarcinoma in a Chinese Population

Li, Qiong,Yin, Jun,Wang, Xu,Wang, Li-Ming,Shi, Yi-Jun,Zheng, Liang,Tang, Wei-Feng,Ding, Guo-Wen,Liu, Chao,Liu, Rui-Ping,Gu, Hai-Yong,Sun, Jia-Ming,Chen, Suo-Cheng Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.7

Aim: Apoptosis has been considered as a fundamental component in cancer pathogenesis, and related genetic factors might play an important role in gastric cardiac adenocarcinoma (GCA) genesis. Methods: We conducted a hospital based case.control study to evaluate the genetic effects of functional single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs): BCL2 rs17757541 C>G, BCL2 rs12454712 T>C, FAS rs2234767 G>A, FASL/FASLG rs763110 C>T, ERBB2 rs1136201 A>G and VEGFR2/KDR rs11941492 C>T on the development of GCA. A total of 243 GCA cases and 476 controls were recruited for the study and genotypes were determined using a custom-by-design 48-Plex SNPscan$^{TM}$ Kit. Results: The BCL2 rs17757541 C>G polymorphism was associated with increased risk of GCA. However, there was no significant associations with the other five SNPs. Stratified analyses indicated a significantly increased risk of GCA associated with the BCL2 rs17757541 C>G polymorphism among males, older patients and those with a history of smoking or drinking. Conclusion: These findings indicated that the functional polymorphism BCL2 rs17757541 C>G might contribute to GCA susceptibility. However, our results were limited by small sample size. Future larger studies are required to confirm our current findings.

Population Differentiation of Procypris rabaudi (Tchang) in the Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River Revealed by Mitochondrial DNA and RAPD Markers

Yong Feng He,Qiong Ying Tang,Jian Wei Wang,Huan Zhang Liu,De Qing Tan 한국유전학회 2008 Genes & Genomics Vol.30 No.3

Procypris rabaudi (Tchang) is a cyprinid fish endemic to middle and upper reaches of the Yangtze River. Besides in main stream and large tributaries, there exists an early matured, small-sized ecological type in a small tributary, Tang River. In this study, mitochondrial DNA cytochrome b (cyt b) gene sequence analysis and randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis were performed to investigate the differentiation of the Tang River population from the Mudong reach population of the Yangtze River, with the purpose of conservation and exploitation of this fish. In the 1140 bps of cyt b gene sequence surveyed, 20 sites were found polymorphic, which defined 23 haplotypes. Among them, four haplotypes accounted for 54.4% of all individuals, while population-specific haplotypes occurred in low frequencies. Analysis of molecular variation on cyt b data revealed no significant partition existing between Tang River population and Mudong reach population. Analyses of 132 RAPD loci suggested that genetic variation between populations was significant, though values of different FST were not very high. The results revealed low genetic diversity and the beginning of population differentiation, suggesting that Tang River population should be designated as a separate Management Unit.

Does HBV Infection Increase Risk of Endometrial Carcinoma?

Jiang, Xue-Feng,Tang, Qiong-Lan,Zou, Yuan,Xu, Ling,Zeng, Hua,Chi, Cong,Jiang, Jing-Ru,Zhang, Bin-Zhong Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.2

Objective: Connections between chronic inflammation and tumor development and progression are now generally accepted. Recent evidence indicates that hepatitis B is associated with several types of cancer, but whether endometrial carcinoma (EC) is included has not been reported. Methods: We analyzed HBV serum marker status in 398 patients with endometrial cancer, comparing them to 788 control women undergoing health examination. Results: The total prevalence of HBsAg tested positive in cancer group was significantly higher than the control group (12.8% vs 6.0%, P=0.001), while positive HBsAb was significantly lower (41.2% vs 68.5%, P=0.001). Hepatitis B carriers in endometrial cancer group were also more frequent than in the control group (9.3% vs 5.5%, P=0.013). Interestingly, in the endometrial cancer group, 147 cases were HBV serum marker negative, which was also higher than in the control group (36.9% vs 15.6%, P=0.001). Conclusion: There may be a correlation between HBV infection and endometrial carcinoma.

Energy-Efficient Base Station Sleep Scheduling in Relay-Assisted Cellular Networks

( Hongbin Chen ),( Qiong Zhang ),( Feng Zhao ) 한국인터넷정보학회 2015 KSII Transactions on Internet and Information Syst Vol.9 No.3

We Relay-assisted cellular network architecture has been developed to cover cell-edge users and to improve capacity. However, the deployment of relay stations (RSs) in cellular networks may increase the total energy consumption. Though energy efficiency has become a major concern in cellular networks, little work has studied the energy efficiency of relay-assisted cellular networks by sleep scheduling. In this paper, a distributed base stations (BSs) sleep scheduling scheme in relay-assisted cellular networks is proposed. The goal is to maximize the energy efficiency under the spectral efficiency constraint. Firstly, whether the BSs should be sleeping or active is determined by the traffic profile. Then, the transmission powers of the active BSs are optimized within the game-theoretic framework, by using an interior-point method, so as to maximize the energy efficiency. Simulation results demonstrate that the effectiveness of the proposed scheme is superior to that turning on all the BSs without sleep scheduling.