Distinctive Roles of Wnt Signaling in Chondrogenic Differentiation of BMSCs under Coupling of Pressure and Platelet-Rich Fibrin

Cheng Baixiang,Feng Fan,Shi Fan,Huang Jinmei,Zhang Songbai,Quan Yue,Tu Teng,Liu Yanli,Wang Junjun,Zhao Ying,Zhang Min 한국조직공학과 재생의학회 2022 조직공학과 재생의학 Vol.19 No.4

BACKGROUND: Although newly formed constructs of feasible pressure-preadjusted bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) and platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) showed biomechanical flexibility and superior capacity for cartilage regeneration, it is still not very clear how BMSCs and seed cells feel mechanical stimuli and convert them into biological signals, and the difference in signal transduction underlying mechanical and chemical cues is also unclear. METHODS: To determine whether mechanical stimulation (hydrostatic pressure) and chemical cues (platelet-rich fibrin, PRF) activate canonical or noncanonical Wnt signaling in BMSCs, BMSCs cocultured with PRF were subjected to hydrostatic pressure loading, and the activation of the Wnt signaling molecules and expression of cartilage-associated proteins and genes were determined by western blotting and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Inhibitors of canonical or noncanonical Wnt signaling, XVX-939 or L690,330, were adopted to investigate the role of Wnt signaling molecules in mechanically promoted chondrogenic differentiation of BMSCs. RESULTS: Hydrostatic pressure of 120 kPa activated both Wnt/b-catenin signaling and Wnt/Ca2? signaling, with the the maximum promotion effect at 60 min. PRF exerted no synergistic effect on Wnt/b-catenin signaling activation. However, the growth factors released by PRF might reverse the promotion effects of pressure on Wnt/Ca2? signaling. Real-time PCR and Western blotting results showed that pressure could activate the expression of Col-II, Sox9, and aggrecan in BMSCs cocultured with PRF. Blocking experiment found a positive role of Wnt/b-catenin signaling, and a negative role of Wnt/ Ca2? signaling in chondrogenic differentiation of the BMSCs. Mutual inhibition exists between canonical and noncanonical Wnt signaling in BMSCs under pressure. CONCLUSION: Wnt signaling participates in the pressure-promoted chondrogenesis of the BMSCs co-cultured with PRF, with canonical and noncanonical pathways playing distinct roles during the process.

Some Observations of the Influence Factors on the Response of Pile Groups

Qian-qing Zhang,Shi-min Zhang,Fayun Liang,Qian Zhang,Fei Xu 대한토목학회 2015 KSCE JOURNAL OF CIVIL ENGINEERING Vol.19 No.6

A simplified approach for nonlinear analysis of the load-displacement response of pile groups embedded in multilayered soils is presented in this work. A hyperbolic model is used to capture the relationship between unit skin friction and pile-soil relative displacement developed along the pile-soil interface and the stress-displacement relationship developed at the pile end. Considering interactive effect among piles, the parameters related to the hyperbolic model of an individual pile in a group can be computed. As to the analysis of the response of pile groups, a highly effective iterative computer program is developed using the hyperbolic model of an individual pile in a group. The efficiency and accuracy of the present method is verified using a well-documented field test. Furthermore, a parametric study is conducted to capture the influence of pile spacing and number of piles on the load-settlement response of the pile groups connected to a rigid cap. The pile-group settlement ratio and the pile-group resistance ratio are analyzed to assess the interaction effect among individual piles.

Downregulation of LINC01508 contributes to cisplatin resistance in ovarian cancer via the regulation of the Hippo-YAP pathway

Lan Xiao,Xiao-Yan Shi,Ze-Lian Li,Min Li,Min-Min Zhang,Shi-Jie Yan,Zhao-Lian Wei 대한부인종양학회 2021 Journal of Gynecologic Oncology Vol.32 No.5

Background: Some long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been found to contribute to cisplatin resistance. Here, we identified a novel lncRNA that was downregulated in cisplatin- resistant to ovarian cancer (OC) cells and aimed to examine the contribution of LINC01508 to cisplatin resistance in OC cells. Methods: Differences in the lncRNA expression profile between OV2008 and C13K cells were assessed by lncRNA expression microarray. The expression of LINC01508 in ovarian epithelial cells, four OC cells, and OC, benign ovary tumor and normal ovary, cisplatin- resistant and non-resistant OC specimens were evaluated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). The role of LINC01508 in OC cisplatin-resistant was evaluated by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), flow cytometry, colony formation, wound healing, Transwell, and tumor growth inhibition study in vivo. The clinical associations of LINC01508 in OC were evaluated using correlation analysis. The effects of verteporfin (VP) on cisplatin were explored to reveal the function of the hippo-YAP pathway on the cisplatin tolerance of C13K. Results: LINC01508 was downregulated in cisplatin-resistant OC cells and platinum- resistant OC tissue (p<0.01). LINC01508 downregulation was correlated with tumor size, residual tumor, and platinum resistance. The overexpression of LINC01508 improves in vitro and in vivo sensitivity to cisplatin while predicts the poor overall survival which need further follow-up research. The increased level of LINC01508 could suppress the cisplatin resistance of OC cells through the inhibition of the hippo-YAP pathway. Conclusions: The study proposes that dysregulation of LINC01508 expression results in resistance of OC to cisplatin through the inhibition of the hippo-YAP pathway.

Unconventional pore and defect generation in molybdenum disulfide: application in high-rate lithium-ion batteries and the hydrogen evolution reaction.

Zhang, Kan,Kim, Hwan-Jin,Lee, Jeong-Taik,Chang, Gee-Woo,Shi, Xinjian,Kim, Wanjung,Ma, Ming,Kong, Ki-jeong,Choi, Jae-Man,Song, Min-Sang,Park, Jong Hyeok Wiley-VCH 2014 CHEM SUS CHEM Vol.7 No.9

<P>A 2H-MoS2 (H=hexagonal) ultrathin nanomesh with high defect generation and large porosity is demonstrated to improving electrochemical performance, including in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) and the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), with the aid of a 3D reduced graphene oxide (RGO) scaffold as fast electron and ion channels. The 3D defect-rich MoS2 nanomesh/RGO foam (Dr-MoS2 Nm/RGO) can be easily obtained through a one-pot cobalt acetate/graphene oxide (GO) co-assisted hydrothermal reaction, in which GO, cobalt and acetate ions are co-morphology-controlling agents and defect inducers. As an anode material for LIBs, Dr-MoS2 Nm/RGO has only a 9% capacity decay at a 10?C discharge rate versus 0.2?C with stable cyclability at the optimized composition (5?wt% RGO to MoS2 and 2?mol% Co to Mo), and significantly achieves 810?mA?h?g(-1) at a high current density of 9.46?A?g(-1) over at least 150?cycles. Moreover, Dr-MoS2 Nm/RGO exhibits superior activity for the HER with an overpotential as low as 80?mV and a Tafel slope of about 36?mV per decade. In contrast to the MoS2 nanosheet/RGO (MoS2 Ns/RGO), which is synthesized in the absence of cobalt ions, Dr-MoS2 Nm/RGO provides high interconnectivity for efficient lithium-ion transport, and rich defects as electrochemically active sites. DFT is used to prove the existence of rich defects due to anion replacement to become a Co-Mo-S atomic structure, releasing inert basal planes to active sites.</P>

Knot adjustment of B-Spline curves and its applications

Shi-Min Hu,Chiew-Lan Tai,Song-Hai Zhang,Qi-Xing Huang 한국산업경영시스템학회 2002 한국산업경영시스템학회 학술대회 Vol.2002 No.추계

This paper introduces a knot adjustment algorithm for adjusting the end k knots of a k th order B-spline curve without changing its shape. Then we show its application in extension of B-spline curves and approximate merging of B-spline curves.

miR-140-3p Knockdown Suppresses Cell Proliferation and Fibrogenesis in Hepatic Stellate Cells via PTEN-Mediated AKT/mTOR Signaling

Shi-Min Wu,Tian-Hong Li,Hao Yun,Hong-Wu Ai,Ke-Hui Zhang 연세대학교의과대학 2019 Yonsei medical journal Vol.60 No.6

Purpose: Liver fibrosis is a major cause of morbidity and mortality and the outcome of various chronic liver diseases. Activationof hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) is the key event in liver fibrosis. Studies have confirmed that miR-140-3p plays a potential regulatoryeffect on HSC activation. However, whether miR-140-3p mediates the liver fibrosis remains unknown. Materials and Methods: Expression of miR-140-3p was detected by real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR). Cell proliferation wasmeasured by MTT, while cell apoptosis rate was determined via flow cytometry. Western blot assay was used to detect the expressionof cleaved PARP. The fibrogenic effect was evaluated by expression of α-smooth muscle actin and desmin. Functional experimentswere performed in transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1)-induced HSC-T6 cells with transfection of anti-miR-140-3pand/or siPTEN. Target binding between miR-140-3p and PTEN was predicted by the TargetScan database and identified usingluciferase reporter assay and RNA immunoprecipitation. Results: TGF-β1 induced the activation of HSC-T6 cells, and miR-140-3p expression varied according to HSC-T6 cell activationstatus. Knockdown of miR-140-3p reduced cell proliferation and the expressions of α-SMA and desmin, as well as increasedapoptosis, in TGF-β1-induced HSC-T6 cells, which could be blocked by PTEN silencing. Additionally, inactivation of the AKT/mTOR signaling pathway stimulated by miR-140-3p knockdown was abolished when silencing PTEN expression. PTEN was negativelyregulated by miR-140-3p via direct binding in HSC-T6 cells. Conclusion: miR-140-3p is an important mediator in HSC-T6 cell activation, and miR-140-3p knockdown suppresses cell proliferationand fibrogenesis in TGF-β1-induced HSC-T6 cells, indicating that miR-140-3p may be a potential novel molecular targetfor liver fibrosis.

Reducing the efficiency droop by lateral carrier confinement in InGaN/GaN quantum-well nanorods.

Shi, Chentian,Zhang, Chunfeng,Yang, Fan,Park, Min Joo,Kwak, Joon Seop,Jung, Sukkoo,Choi, Yoon-Ho,Wang, Xiaoyong,Xiao, Min Optical Society of America 2014 Optics express Vol.22 No.suppl3

<P>Efficiency droop is a major obstacle facing high-power application of InGaN/GaN quantum-well (QW) light-emitting diodes (LEDs). In this paper, we report the suppression of efficiency droop induced by the process of density-activated defect recombination in nanorod structures of a-plane InGaN/GaN QWs. In the high carrier density regime, the retained emission efficiency in a dry-etched nanorod sample is observed to be over two times higher than that in its parent QW sample. We further argue that such improvement is a net effect that the lateral carrier confinement overcomes the increased surface trapping introduced during fabrication.</P>

Sphingolipid composition and metabolism differ in three auchenorrhynchous pests of rice

Zhang Min-Jing,Shi Xiao-Xiao,Bai Yue-Liang,Zhou Wen-Wu,Zhu Zeng-Rong 한국응용곤충학회 2021 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.24 No.3

Sphingolipids (SPLs), a group of membrane and intracellular lipids, mediate numerous cellular processes. The composition and metabolism of sphingolipids varies according to species and the sphingolipid studies of insects, as compared to mammals, are not yet clear. In the current study, we subjected three auchenorrhynchous insects, including whitebacked planthopper (WBPH), Sogatella furcifera, small brown planthopper (SBPH), Laodelphax striatellus, and green rice leafhopper (GRLH), Nephotettix cincticeps, as representative rice pests for sphingolipid analysis. We performed sphingolipid species profiling using UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS and isolated sphingolipid metabolic genes from their transcriptomic data. C14-, C16-, C18- and C20-sphingoid base were detected in both planthoppers, but no C14- sphingoid base was found in GRLH. The planthoppers had more abundant sphingosine-1-phosphates (Sph-1-P) and ceramides than leafhopper. A total of 14, 13 and 16 sphingomyelin species were found in SBPH, WBPH and GRLH, respectively. The composition of sphingomyelin species varied in three insects. Coordinated with the abundance in sphingomyelin species, the leafhopper possessed more sphin gomyelinase (SMase) gene isoforms for metabolism of different sphingomyelins than planthoppers. The phylo genetic analysis showed the three tested insects all possessed one potential neutral-SMase homologue, whereas SBPH and GRLH both had another potential acid-SMase homologue. This study is a comprehensive sphingoli pidomic analysis, suggesting that sphingolipid profiles significantly differed among the three insects. By providing information of sphingolipid metabolic gene homologues of these three insects, our findings will contribute to the further sphingolipid studies of auchenorrhynchous insects and provide a research foundation for rice pest management.

Biosynthesis of Isoprenoids: Characterization of a Functionally Active Recombinant 2-C-methyl-D-erythritol 4-phosphate Cytidyltransferase (IspD) from Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv

Shi, Wenjun,Feng, Jianfang,Zhang, Min,Lai, Xuhui,Xu, Shengfeng,Zhang, Xuelian,Wang, Honghai Korean Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biol 2007 Journal of biochemistry and molecular biology Vol.40 No.6

Tuberculosis, caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, continues to be one of the leading infectious diseases to humans. It is urgent to discover novel drug targets for the development of antitubercular agents. The 2-C-methyl-Derythritol-4-phosphate (MEP) pathway for isoprenoid biosynthesis has been considered as an attractive target for the discovery of novel antibiotics for its essentiality in bacteria and absence in mammals. MEP cytidyltransferase (IspD), the third-step enzyme of the pathway, catalyzes MEP and CTP to form 4-diphosphocytidyl-2-C-methylerythritol (CDP-ME) and PPi. In the work, ispD gene from M. tuberculosis H37Rv (MtIspD) was cloned and expressed. With N-terminal fusion of a histidine-tagged sequence, MtIspD could be purified to homogeneity by one-step nickel affinity chromatography. MtIspD exists as a homodimer with an apparent molecular mass of 52 kDa. Enzyme property analysis revealed that MtIspD has high specificity for pyrimidine bases and narrow divalent cation requirements, with maximal activity found in the presence of CTP and $Mg^{2+}$. The turnover number of MtIspD is $3.4 s^{-1}$. The Km for MEP and CTP are 43 and $92{\mu}M$, respectively. Furthermore, MtIspD shows thermal instable above $50^{\circ}C$. Circular dichroism spectra revealed that the alteration of tertiary conformation is closely related with sharp loss of enzyme activity at higher temperature. This study is expected to help better understand the features of IspD and provide useful information for the development of novel antibiotics to treat M. tuberculosis.

A novel radiation-dependence model of InP HBTs including gamma radiation effects

Zhang Jincan,Cai Haiyi,Li Na,Zhang Liwen,Liu Min,Yang Shi 한국원자력학회 2023 Nuclear Engineering and Technology Vol.55 No.11

In order to predict the lifetime of InP Heterojunction Bipolar Transistor (HBT) devices and related circuits in the space radiation environment, a novel model including gamma radiation effects is proposed in this paper. Based on the analysis of radiation-induced device degradation effects including both DC and AC characteristics, a set of empirical expressions describing the device degradation trend are presented and incorporated into the Keysight model. To validate the effective of the proposed model, a series of radiation experiments are performed. The correctness of the novel model is validated by comparing experimental and simulated results before and after radiation.