C-type natriuretic peptide attenuates renal osteodystrophy through inhibition of FGF-23/MAPK signaling

Dong Dong Zhang,Yang Fang Wu,Wei Xia Chen,Yao Xu,Si Yan Liu,Huang Huang Luo,Guang Mei Jiang,Yue Wu,Peng Hu 생화학분자생물학회 2019 Experimental and molecular medicine Vol.51 No.-

Renal osteodystrophy (ROD) occurs as early as chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage 2 and seems ubiquitous in almost all pediatric patients with CKD stage 5. Fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-23, a bone-derived endocrine regulator of phosphate homeostasis, is overexpressed in CKD and disturbs osteoblast differentiation and matrix mineralization. In contrast, C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) acts as a potent positive regulator of bone growth. In the present study, we infused CNP into uremic rats and observed whether CNP could attenuate ROD through the inhibition of FGF-23 cascades. In uremic rats, CNP administration significantly alleviated renal dysfunction, calcium phosphate metabolic disorders, hypovitaminosis D, secondary hyperparathyroidism, the decrease in bone turnover markers and retarded bone pathological progression. More importantly, within FGF-23/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling, the fibroblast growth factor receptor-1, Klotho and alternative (STAT-1/phospho-STAT-1) elements were upregulated by CNP, whereas FGF-23, RAF-1/phospho-RAF-1, and downstream (ERK/phospho-ERK and P38/phospho-P38) elements were paradoxically underexpressed in bone tissue. Therefore, CNP exerts a therapeutic effect on ROD through inhibition of FGF-23/MAPK signaling at the RAF-1 level.

Radiofrequency Ablation Combined with Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization Therapy Versus Surgical Resection for Hepatocellular Carcinoma within the Milan Criteria: A Meta-Analysis

Wei-dong Wang,Li-hua Zhang,Jia-Yan Ni,Xiong-ying Jiang,Dong Chen,Yao-ting Chen,Hong-liang Sun,Jiang-hong Luo,Lin-feng Xu 대한영상의학회 2018 Korean Journal of Radiology Vol.19 No.4

Objective: To meta-analytically compare combined transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) plus radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and surgical resection (SR) for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) within the Milan criteria. Materials and Methods: PubMed, Medline, Embase, and Cochrane Library were searched for studies comparing these two therapies that were published between January 2006 and August 2017. Overall survival rate (OS), recurrence-free survival rate (RFS), major complications and the average length of hospital stay were compared between these two therapies. Metaanalytic pooled odds ratio (OR) was calculated using TACE plus RFA as the base category. Results: Seven case-control studies and one randomized trial were identified. Meta-analytic results revealed that, compared with SR, TACE plus RFA had significantly higher 1-year OS (OR for survival = 0.50, p = 0.009) and lower major complications (OR = 1.88, p = 0.02) after therapy. Three studies reported on the length of hospital stay. The average length ± standard deviation reported in individual studies for SR and TACE plus RFA groups was 19.8 ± 8.4 days and 7.4 ± 2.2 days, respectively; 18.7 ± 4.9 days and 11.5 ± 6.9 days, respectively; and 16.6 ± 6.7 days and 8.5 ± 4.1 days, respectively (p < 0.0001 for all studies). Three or 5-year OS and 1-, 3-, or 5-year RFS did not significantly differ between the two therapies. Conclusion: Combined TACE plus RFA may be an alternative to SR for the treatment of patients with HCC within Milan the criteria. Non-randomized design in most of the original studies was a limitation.

Bioinformatics Analysis Reveals Connection of Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Adenocarcinoma of the Lung

Fan, Wei-Dong,Zhang, Xian-Quan,Guo, Hui-Lin,Zeng, Wei-Wei,Zhang, Ni,Wan, Qian-Qian,Xie, Wen-Yao,Cao, Jin,Xu, Chang-Hua Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.4

Squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma are the major histological types of non-small cell lung cancer. Because they differ on the basis of histopathological and clinical characteristics and their relationship with smoking, their etiologies may be different; for example, different tumor suppressor genes may be related to the genesis of each type. We used microarray data to construct three regulatory networks to identify potential genes related to lung adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma and investigated the similarity and specificity of them. In the network, some of the observed transcription factors and target genes had been previously proven to be related to lung adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. We also found some new transcription factors and target genes related to SCC. The results demonstrated that regulatory network analysis is useful in connection analysis between lung adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma.

Mechanical behavior of rock-coal-rock specimens with different coal thicknesses

Guo, Wei-Yao,Tan, Yun-Liang,Yu, Feng-Hai,Zhao, Tong-Bin,Hu, Shan-Chao,Huang, Dong-Mei,Qin, Zhe Techno-Press 2018 Geomechanics & engineering Vol.15 No.4

To explore the influence of coal thickness on the mechanical behavior and the failure characteristics of rock-coal-rock (RCR) mass, the experimental investigation of uniaxial compressive tests was conducted first and then a systematic numerical simulation by particle flow code (PFC2D) was performed to deeply analyze the failure mechanical behavior of RCR specimens with different coal thicknesses in conventional compression tests. The overall elastic modulus and peak stress of RCR specimens lie between the rock and the coal. Inter-particle properties were calibrated to match the physical sample strength and the stiffness response. Numerical simulation results show that the deformation and strength behaviors of RCR specimens depend not only on the coal thickness, but also on the confining pressure. Under low confining pressures, the overall failure mechanism of RCR specimen is the serious damage of coal section when the coal thickness is smaller than 30 mm, but it is shear failure of coal section when the coal thickness is larger than 30 mm. Whereas under high confining pressures, obvious shear bands exist in both the coal section and the rock section when the coal thickness is larger than 30 mm, but when the coal thickness is smaller than 30mm, the failure mechanism is serious damage of coal section and shear failure of rock section.

Coagulation performance of a novel poly-ferric-acetate (PFC) coagulant in phosphate-kaolin synthetic water treatment

Yanxin Wei,Jinpeng Lu,Xiongzi Dong,Jianwen Hao,Chengli Yao 한국화학공학회 2017 Korean Journal of Chemical Engineering Vol.34 No.10

The process of coagulation-flocculation is increasingly applied in wastewater treatment. And the polymerized inorganic coagulants are widely used among these coagulation-flocculation processes. However, conventional coagulants using sulfates or chlorides as counter anion may give rise to corrosion. The purpose of this study was to synthesize PFC coagulants in which acetate is used as counter anion. The influences on the preparation of PFC were optimized. The synthesis was done at the optimum conditions, such as temperature of 60 oC, the Fe/CH3COOH molar ratio of 1 : 4.0 and reaction time of 6 h, respectively. The prepared PFC coagulants were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrophotometry and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). PFC was found to mainly form complexation polymeric species and present more cluster and lamellar structure. A series of jar tests were carried out to study the coagulation performance of PFC and PFS in phosphate-kaolin synthetic water treatment. Results showed that the coagulation performance of PFC was more efficient than PFS’s in terms of the phosphorus removal efficiency and the residual turbidity. Due to using acetate as counter anion to iron, PFC is less harmful to the processes of water treatment and equipment than that of the conventional coagulants applied chlorides or sulfates. Therefore, PFC is a promising coagulant in the process of corrosion sensitive applications and the process of wastewater containing phosphorus treatment.

A comprehensive analysis and comparison between vacuum and electric oven drying methods on Chinese saffron (Crocus sativus L.)

Chong Yao,Xiao-Dong Qian,Gui-Fen Zhou,Shu-Wei Zhang,Li-Qin Li,Qiaosheng Guo 한국식품과학회 2019 Food Science and Biotechnology Vol.28 No.2

The red stigmas of saffron are one of the mostexpensive spices in the world and serve as a traditionalChinese medicine. More saffron has been cultivated inChina, and different drying technologies have been studied. However, a comprehensive and comparative analysis ofdifferent drying approaches has not been well studied. Inthis study, we compared electric oven and vacuum ovendrying approaches on saffron. We found saffron was driedquicker under high vacuum drying mode with high temperatureand the quicker drying rate provided, the moreopen microstructural interstices on the saffron surface. Both methods were best fit to Midilli and Kucuk model. Besides, the coloring, aroma and bitterness strength afterdrying showed the similar results. In sum, our data suggestedthe optimal drying temperature was 100 C for20 min for two evaluated methods, however consideringthe machine cost, the electric oven drying would be the firstchoice.

G1/S-specific Cyclin-D1 Might be a Prognostic Biomarker for Patients with Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Zhang, Ying-Yao,Xu, Zhi-Na,Wang, Jun-Xi,Wei, Dong-Min,Pan, Xin-Liang Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.5

Objective: To investigate the prognostic role of antigen KI-67 (Ki-67) and G1/S-specific cyclin-D1 (cyclin-D1) in patients with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC). Methods: Immunohistochemical staining (IHS) was used to determine the protein expression of Ki-67 and cyclin-D1 in LSCC tissues. Kaplan-Meier survival curves was calculated with reference to Ki-67 and cyclin-D1 levels. Results: Cyclin-D1 and Ki67 were expressed in the nuclei of cancer cells. Among the total of 92 cancer tissues examined by immunohistochemistry, 60 (65.22%) had cyclin-D1 overexpression and 56 (60.87%) had Ki67 overexpression. Cyclin-D1 overexpression is associated with the advanced stage of the cancer (P=0.029), but not with gender, age, stage of cancer, histological differentiation, anatomical site, smoking history and alcohol consumption history. Ki67 overexpression is not associated with the advanced stage, gender, age, histological differentiation, anatomical site, smoking history and alcohol consumption history. A statistically significant correlation was found between lymph node status and the expression of Ki67 (p = 0.025). Overexpression of cyclin-D1 was correlated to shorter relapse-free survival period (P<0.001). Conclusions: Overexpression of cyclin-D1 can be used as a marker to predict relapse in patients with LSCC after primary curative resection.

Optimal sensor placement for cable force monitoring using spatial correlation analysis and bond energy algorithm

Shunlong Li,Jialin Dong,Wei Lu,Hui Li,Wencheng Xu,Yao Jin 국제구조공학회 2017 Smart Structures and Systems, An International Jou Vol.20 No.6

Cable force monitoring is an essential and critical part of the safety evaluation of cable-supported bridges. A reasonable cable force monitoring scheme, particularly, sensor placement related to accurate safety assessment and budget costsaving becomes a major concern of bridge administrative authorities. This paper presents optimal sensor placement for cable force monitoring by selecting representative sensor positions, which consider the spatial correlativeness existing in the cable group. The limited sensors would be utilized for maximizing useful information from the monitored bridges. The maximum information coefficient (MIC), mutual information (MI) based kernel density estimation, as well as Pearson coefficients, were all employed to detect potential spatial correlation in the cable group. Compared with the Pearson coefficient and MIC, the mutual information is more suitable for identifying the association existing in cable group and thus, is selected to describe the spatial relevance in this study. Then, the bond energy algorithm, which collects clusters based on the relationship of surrounding elements, is used for the optimal placement of cable sensors. Several optimal placement strategies are discussed with different correlation thresholds for the cable group of Nanjing No.3 Yangtze River Bridge, verifying the effectiveness of the proposed method.

The Role of Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor (MIF) in Asthmatic Airway Remodeling

Li Ruyi,Wang Feiyun,Wei Jianghong,Lin Yun,Tang Guofang,Rao Lizong,Ma Libing,Xu Qing,Wu Jingjie,Lv Qian,Zhou Rui,Lei Huiren,Zhao Xueqiang,Yao Dong,Xiao Bo,Huang Haiming,Zhang Jiange,Mo Biwen 대한천식알레르기학회 2021 Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Research Vol.13 No.1

Purpose: Recent studies have demonstrated that macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is of importance in asthmatic inflammation. The role of MIF in modulating airway remodeling has not yet been thoroughly elucidated to date. In the present study, we hypothesized that MIF promoted airway remodeling by intensifying airway smooth muscle cell (ASMC) autophagy and explored the specific mechanisms. Methods: MIF knockdown in the lung tissues of C57BL/6 mice was conducted by instilling intratracheally adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors (MIF-mutant AAV9) into mouse lung tissues. Mice genetically deficient in the autophagy marker ATG5 (ATG5+/−) was used to detect the role of autophagy in ovalbumin (OVA)-asthmatic murine models. Moreover, to block the expression of MIF and CD74 in vitro models, inhibitors, antibodies and lentivirus transfection techniques were employed. Results: First, MIF knockdown in the lung tissues of mice showed markedly reduced airway remodeling in OVA murine mice models. Secondly, ASMC autophagy was increased in the OVA-challenged models. Mice genetically deficient in the autophagy marker ATG5 (ATG5+/−) that were primed and challenged with OVA showed lower airway remodeling than genetically wild-type asthmatic mice. Thirdly, MIF can induce ASMC autophagy in vitro. Moreover, the cellular source of MIF which promoted ASMC autophagy was macrophages. Finally, MIF promoted ASMC autophagy in a CD74-dependent manner. Conclusions: MIF can increase asthmatic airway remodeling by enhancing ASMC autophagy. Macrophage-derived MIF can promote ASMC autophagy by targeting CD74.

Thermodynamic simulation and structural optimization of the collimator in the drift duct of EAST-NBI

Tang Ning,Hu Chun-dong,Xie Yuan-lai,Wei Jiang-long,Cui Zhi-Wei,Xie Jun-Wei,Pan Zhuo,Jiang Yao 한국원자력학회 2022 Nuclear Engineering and Technology Vol.54 No.11

The collimator is one of the high-heat-flux components used to avoid a series of vacuum and thermal problems. In this paper, the heat load distribution throughout the collimator is first calculated through experimental data, and a transient thermodynamic simulation analysis of the original model is carried out. The error of the pipe outlet temperature between the simulated and experimental values is 1.632%, indicating that the simulation result is reliable. Second, the model is optimized to improve the heat transfer performance of the collimator, including the contact mode between the pipe and the flange, the pipe material and the addition of a twisted tape in the pipe. It is concluded that the convective heat transfer coefficient of the optimized model is increased by 15.381% and the maximum wall temperature is reduced by 16.415%; thus, the heat transfer capacity of the optimized model is effectively improved. Third, to adapt the long-pulse steady-state operation of the experimental advanced superconducting Tokamak (EAST) in the future, steady-state simulations of the original and optimized collimators are carried out. The results show that the maximum temperature of the optimized model is reduced by 37.864% compared with that of the original model. The optimized model was changed as little as possible to obtain a better heat exchange structure on the premise of ensuring the consumption of the same mass flow rate of water so that the collimator can adapt to operational environments with higher heat fluxes and long pulses in the future. These research methods also provide a reference for the future design of components under high-energy and long-pulse operational conditions