Dissecting Causal Relationships Between Gut Microbiota, Blood Metabolites, and Stroke: A Mendelian Randomization Study

Wang Qi,Dai Huajie,Hou Tianzhichao,Hou Yanan,Wang Tiange,Lin Hong,Zhao Zhiyun,Li Mian,Zheng Ruizhi,Wang Shuangyuan,Lu Jieli,Xu Yu,Liu Ruixin,Ning Guang,Wang Weiqing,Bi Yufang,Zheng Jie,Xu Min 대한뇌졸중학회 2023 Journal of stroke Vol.25 No.3

Background and Purpose We investigated the causal relationships between the gut microbiota (GM), stroke, and potential metabolite mediators using Mendelian randomization (MR). Methods We leveraged the summary statistics of GM (n=18,340 in the MiBioGen consortium), blood metabolites (n=115,078 in the UK Biobank), and stroke (cases n=60,176 and controls n=1,310,725 in the Global Biobank Meta-Analysis Initiative) from the largest genome-wide association studies to date. We performed bidirectional MR analyses to explore the causal relationships between the GM and stroke, and two mediation analyses, two-step MR and multivariable MR, to discover potential mediating metabolites. Results Ten taxa were causally associated with stroke, and stroke led to changes in 27 taxa. In the two-step MR, <i>Bifidobacteriales</i> order, <i>Bifidobacteriaceae</i> family, <i>Desulfovibrio</i> genus, apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1), phospholipids in high-density lipoprotein (HDL_PL), and the ratio of apolipoprotein B to ApoA1 (ApoB/ApoA1) were causally associated with stroke (all <i>P</i><0.044). The causal associations between <i>Bifidobacteriales</i> order, <i>Bifidobacteriaceae</i> family and stroke were validated using the weighted median method in an independent cohort. The three GM taxa were all positively associated with ApoA1 and HDL_PL, whereas <i>Desulfovibrio</i> genus was negatively associated with ApoB/ApoA1 (all <i>P</i><0.010). Additionally, the causal associations between the three GM taxa and ApoA1 remained significant after correcting for the false discovery rate (all q-values <0.027). Multivariable MR showed that the associations between <i>Bifidobacteriales</i> order, <i>Bifidobacteriaceae</i> family and stroke were mediated by ApoA1 and HDL_PL, each accounting for 6.5% (<i>P</i>=0.028) and 4.6% (<i>P</i>=0.033); the association between <i>Desulfovibrio</i> genus and stroke was mediated by ApoA1, HDL_PL, and ApoB/ApoA1, with mediated proportions of 7.6% (<i>P</i>=0.019), 4.2% (<i>P</i>=0.035), and 9.1% (<i>P</i>=0.013), respectively. Conclusion The current MR study provides evidence supporting the causal relationships between several specific GM taxa and stroke and potential mediating metabolites.

A Bilateral Filtering Based Ringing Elimination Approach for Motion-blurred Restoration Image

Weiqing Wang,Weihua Wang,Jiao Yin 한국광학회 2020 Current Optics and Photonics Vol.4 No.3

We describe an approach that uses a bilateral filter to reduce the ringing artifact in motion-blurred restoration image. It takes into account the specific physical structure of the ringing artifact combined with the properties of the human visual system. To properly reduce the ringing artifact, each of the adjacent pixels is limited in a straight line which has a given direction. To protect the edges and the texture regions of an image, our algorithm divides the image into texture regions and flat regions, and the artifact reduction algorithm is only applied to the flat region. Finally, we use 8 typical images and 5 objective quality evaluation indices to evaluate our algorithm. Experimental results show that our algorithm can obtain better results in subjective visual effect and in objective image quality evaluation.

Full-scale tests and analytical model of the Teflon-based lead rubber isolation bearings

Wang, Lu,Oua, Jin,Liu, Weiqing,Wang, Shuguang Techno-Press 2013 Structural Engineering and Mechanics, An Int'l Jou Vol.48 No.6

Base isolation is widely used in seismic resisting buildings due to its low construction cost, high reliability, mature theory and convenient usage. However, it is difficult to design the isolation layer in high-rise buildings using the available bearings because high-rise buildings are characterized with long period, low horizontal stiffness, and complex re-distribution of the internal forces under earthquake loads etc. In this paper, a simple and innovative isolation bearing, named Teflon-based lead rubber isolation bearing, is developed to address the mentioned problems. The Teflon-based lead rubber isolation bearing consists of friction material and lead rubber isolation bearing. Hence, it integrates advantages of friction bearings and lead rubber isolation bearings so that improves the stability of base isolation system. An experimental study was conducted to validate the effectiveness of this new bearing. The effects of vertical loading, displacement amplitude and loading frequency on the force-displacement relationship and energy dissipation capacity of the Teflon-based lead rubber isolation bearing were studied. An analytical model was also proposed to predict the force-displacement relationship of the new bearing. Comparison of analytical and experimental results showed that the analytical model can accurately predict the force-displacement relationship and elastic shear deflection of the Teflon-based lead rubber isolation bearings.

Full-scale tests and analytical model of the Teflon-based lead rubber isolation bearings

Lu Wang,Jin Ou,Weiqing Liu,Shuguang Wang 국제구조공학회 2013 Structural Engineering and Mechanics, An Int'l Jou Vol.48 No.6

Base isolation is widely used in seismic resisting buildings due to its low construction cost, high reliability, mature theory and convenient usage. However, it is difficult to design the isolation layer in highrise buildings using the available bearings because high-rise buildings are characterized with long period, low horizontal stiffness, and complex re-distribution of the internal forces under earthquake loads etc. In this paper, a simple and innovative isolation bearing, named Teflon-based lead rubber isolation bearing, is developed to address the mentioned problems. The Teflon-based lead rubber isolation bearing consists of friction material and lead rubber isolation bearing. Hence, it integrates advantages of friction bearings and lead rubber isolation bearings so that improves the stability of base isolation system. An experimental study was conducted to validate the effectiveness of this new bearing. The effects of vertical loading, displacement amplitude and loading frequency on the force-displacement relationship and energy dissipation capacity of the Teflon-based lead rubber isolation bearing were studied. An analytical model was also proposed to predict the force-displacement relationship of the new bearing. Comparison of analytical and experimental results showed that the analytical model can accurately predict the force-displacement relationship and elastic shear deflection of the Teflon-based lead rubber isolation bearings.

Estimation of main cable tension force of suspension bridges based on ambient vibration frequency measurements

Jun Wang,Weiqing Liu,Lu Wang,Xiaojian Han 국제구조공학회 2015 Structural Engineering and Mechanics, An Int'l Jou Vol.56 No.6

In this paper, a new approach based on the continuum model is proposed to estimate the main cable tension force of suspension bridges from measured natural frequencies. This approach considered the vertical vibration of a main cable hinged at both towers and supported by an elastic girder and hangers along its entire length. The equation reflected the relationship between vibration frequency and horizontal tension force of a main cable was derived. To avoid to generate the additional cable tension force by sagextensibility, the analytical solution of characteristic equation for anti-symmetrical vibration mode of the main cable was calculated. Then, the estimation of main cable tension force was carried out by antisymmetric characteristic frequency vector. The errors of estimation due to characteristic frequency deviations were investigated through numerical analysis of the main cable of Taizhou Bridge. A field experiment was conducted to verify the proposed approach. Through measuring and analyzing the responses of a main cable of Taizhou Bridge under ambient excitation, the horizontal tension force of the main cable was identified from the first three odd frequencies. It is shown that the estimated results agree well with the designed values. The proposed approach can be used to conduct the long-term health monitoring of suspension bridges.

Vibration reduction design of the Hangzhou Bay cable-stayed bridges

Liu, Weiqing,Xu, Xiuli,Wang, Rengui,Wang, Zijun,Wu, Xiaolan Techno-Press 2006 Structural Engineering and Mechanics, An Int'l Jou Vol.24 No.3

Hangzhou Bay Bridge spans the Hangzhou Bay and is located at Zhejiang province in the southeast seacoast of China. The total length of the bridge is 36 km. The bridge is composed of bridge approaches made up of multi-span prestressed concrete box girders and two cable-stayed bridges over the north and south navigable spans respectively. The seismic response analysis of the bridge model shows that if the navigable spans are designed as the routine earthquake-resistance system, the displacements and internal forces in pylons, piers and deckes are too large to satisfy the anti-seismic requirement of the structure. Therefore, the seismic reduction design was carried out by using viscous dampers to dissipate the kinetic energy of the structure both longitudinally and transversely. Using the vibration reduction system and aiming at the reasonable optimal goal, the purpose to reduce the seismic responses in south and north navigable spans has been achieved.

The Response of Plant Photosynthesis and Stomatal Conductance to Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5) based on Leaf Factors Analyzing

Yifan Li,Yujie Wang,Bin Wang,Yunqi Wang,Weiqing Yu 한국식물학회 2019 Journal of Plant Biology Vol.62 No.2

The effects of particles on the photosynthesis ofvegetation, which is a sink for fine particulate matter (PM2.5)deposition, are still not well understood. Here, we carried outindoor measurements to evaluate the variation dynamics ofnet photosynthetic rate and stomatal conductance of fourplant species with different leaf characteristics under differentPM2.5 levels. Then tree leaves were sampled and the grooveproportion, leaf trichome density, stomatal density and stomatalsize were quantitatively studied by scanning electron microscopy(SEM). The stomatal conductance of the 4 species had aclose positive correlation with photosynthetic rate. Netphotosynthetic rate and stomatal conductance declined overtime at elevated PM2.5, and the rate of the decline becamemore rapid with higher concentration of PM2.5. The inhibitingeffect might be caused by the closure of the stomata and thedecrease of stomatal conductance, which was proved by thereduction of the stomatal size of under the condition of PM2.5pollution. Leaf trichome and groove seemed to show aprotective role for plants from PM2.5 exposure and be responsiblefor the difference of photosynthetic rate and stomatal conductanceunder the condition of PM2.5 pollution. The higher grooveproportion and the presence of trichomes on the leaf surfacein Neolitsea aurata and Lindera kwangtungensis absorbedsome particulate matters and buffered the effect of PM2.5pollution on stomata.

Mechanical behaviour of concrete filled double skin steel tubular stub columns confined by FRP under axial compression

Jun Wang,Weiqing Liu,Ding Zhou,Lu Zhu,Hai Fang 국제구조공학회 2014 Steel and Composite Structures, An International J Vol.17 No.4

The present study focuses on the mechanical behaviour of concrete filled double skin steel tubular (CFDST) stub columns confined by fiber reinforced polymer (FRP). A series of axial compression tests have been conducted on two CFDST stub columns, eight CFDST stub columns confined by FRP and a concrete-filled steel tubular (CFST) stub column confined by FRP, respectively. The influences of hollow section ratio, FRP wall thickness and fibre longitudinal-circumferential proportion on the load-strain curve and the concrete stress-strain curve for stub columns with annular section were discussed. The test results displayed that the FRP jacket can obviously enhance the carrying capacity of stub columns. Based on the test results, a new model which includes the effects of confinement factor, hollow section ratio and lateral confining pressure of the outer steel tube was proposed to calculate the compressive strength of confined concrete. Using the present concrete strength model, the formula to predict the carrying capacity of CFDST stub columns confined by FRP was derived. The theoretically predicted results agree well with those obtained from the experiments and FE analysis. The present method is also adapted to calculate the carrying capacity of CFST stub columns confined by FRP.

A Novel Rotary Ultrasonic Motor Using an In-plane Traveling Wave

Yin Wang,Jiamei Jin,Weiqing Huang 한국물리학회 2010 THE JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN PHYSICAL SOCIETY Vol.57 No.41

In this paper, a novel rotary ultrasonic motor is designed for the requirements of robot joints. This motor features a stator, which contains both a hollow cylinder and a rod-shaped piezo vibrator utilized to excite two in-plane modes of the hollow cylinder, and a rotor, which is composed of two cones and a shaft. By exciting the two orthogonal in-plane modes of a hollow cylinder with a phase difference of π/2 in excited signal, an in-plane traveling wave is formed in the hollow cylinder. The rotor is driven when two cones are pressed to the boundary of the hollow cylinder by a spring. Test results of the prototype show that its maximum non-load rotation speed can reach 120 rev/min with a maximum output torque of 0.2 Nm.

Research on Meshfree Method for Analyzing Seal Behavior of a T-DGS

Huixia Zhang,Weiqing Huang,Yan Wang,Long Lu,류성기 한국정밀공학회 2017 International Journal of Precision Engineering and Vol.18 No.4

This paper presents a novel approach through the Meshfree weak-strong method based on radial basis function, to calculate the distribution of dimensionless pressure of T-groove dry gas seal (T-DGS). In order to avoid a singularity and improve the accuracy of results, linear polynomials were added into the radial basis interpolation and described gas film stress of T-DGS in the form of explicit function characterization. The opening force, gas film stiffness and leakage rate were obtained by the Matlab calculation program. Compared with the related literature, the error was less than 5%, indicating the feasibility of the simulation. The systematic simulation was used to analyze the multi-parameters for T-DGS under different working conditions. The results revealed the influence mechanism of the pressure, rotational speed, groove depth, film thickness and groove number on the sealing performance. By means of the 3D distribution diagrams of the sealing dynamic and static pressure, we found that dry gas seal could well adapt to high speed condition and the formation mechanism of dry gas seal opening force.