Long Noncoding RNA Cytoskeleton Regulator RNA Suppresses Apoptosis in Hepatoma Cells by Modulating the miR-125a-5p/HS1-Associated Protein X-1 Axis to Induce Caspase-9 Inactivation

Wu Zhen-Yu,Wang Yumin,Hu Hao,Ai Xiang-Nan,Zhang Qiang,Qin Yu-Gang 거트앤리버 소화기연관학회협의회 2023 Gut and Liver Vol.17 No.6

Background/Aims: The involvement of long noncoding RNAs in the carcinogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has been well documented by substantial evidence. However, whether cytoskeleton regulator RNA (CYTOR) could affect the progression of HCC remains unclear. Methods: The relative expression of CYTOR, miR-125a-5p and HS1-associated protein X-1 (HAX-1) mRNA in HCC cells were determined via quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. The viability of treated HCC cells was measured by Cell Counting Kit-8 assay. Cell apoptosis was estimated by flow cytometry analysis, assessment of caspase-9 activity and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling staining, and Western blot of apoptosis-related proteins. The interplay between CYTOR or HAX-1 and miR-125a-5p was validated by dual-luciferase reporter assay. Results: CYTOR was upregulated and miR-125a-5p was downregulated in HCC cells. CYTOR silencing inhibited cell proliferation and promoted cell apoptosis in HepG2 and SMMC-7721 cells. miR-125a-5p was sponged and negatively regulated by CYTOR, and HAX-1 was directly targeted and negatively modulated by miR-125a-5p. Overexpression of miR-125a-5p enhanced the repressive effects of CYTOR knockdown on HCC cells, and knockdown of HAX-1 enhanced the inhibitory effects of miR-125a-5p mimics on HCC cells. Conclusions: CYTOR silencing facilitates HCC cell apoptosis in vitro via the miR-125a-5p/HAX-1 axis.

Microstructure evolution and effect on deuterium retention in oxide dispersion strengthened tungsten during He⁺ irradiation

Ding, Xiao-Yu,Xu, Qiu,Zhu, Xiao-yong,Luo, Lai-Ma,Huang, Jian-Jun,Yu, Bin,Gao, Xiang,Li, Jian-Gang,Wu, Yu-Cheng Korean Nuclear Society 2020 Nuclear Engineering and Technology Vol.52 No.12

Oxide dispersion-strengthened materials W-1wt%Pr₂O₃ and W-1wt%La₂O₃ were synthesized by wet chemical method and spark plasma sintering. The field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) analysis, XRD and Vickers microhardness measurements were conducted to characterize the samples. The irradiations were carried out with a 5 keV helium ion beam to fluences up to 5.0 × 10²¹ ions/m² under 600 ℃ using the low-energy ion irradiation system. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) study was performed to investigate the microstructural evolution in W-1wt%Pr₂O₃ and W-1wt%La₂O₃. At 1.0 × 10²⁰ He⁺/m², the average loops size of the W-1wt%Pr₂O₃ was 4.3 nm, much lower than W-1wt% La₂O₃ of 8.5 nm. However, helium bubbles were not observed throughout in both doped W materials. The effects of pre-irradiation with 1.0 × 10²¹ He⁺/m² on trapping of injected deuterium in doped W was studied by thermal desorption spectrometry (TDS) technique using quadrupole mass spectrometer. Compared with the samples without He⁺ pre-irradiation, deuterium (D) retention of doped W materials increased after He⁺ irradiation, whose retention was unsaturated at the damage level of 1.0 × 10²²D₂⁺/m². The present results implied that irradiation effect of He⁺ ions must be taken into account to evaluate the deuterium retention in fusion material applications.

A Newly Isolated Rhizopus microsporus var. chinensis Capable of Secreting Amyloytic Enzymes with Raw-Starch-Digesting Activity

( Yu Na Li ),( Gui Yang Shi ),( Wu Wang ),( Zheng Xiang Wang ) 한국미생물 · 생명공학회 2010 Journal of microbiology and biotechnology Vol.20 No.2

Effect of Portal Vein Chemotherapy on Liver Metastasis after Surgical Resection of Colorectal Cancer

Yu, Dong-Sheng,Li, Ying,Huang, Xin-En,Lu, Yan-Yan,Wu, Xue-Yan,Liu, Jin,Cao, Jie,Xu, Xia,Xiang, Jin,Wang, Guo-Ping Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.9

Objective: To explore the effect of portal vein chemotherapy on liver metastasis after surgical resection of colorectal cancer. Methods: Patients fulfilling the eligibility criteria were assigned to receive either surgery plus 1-week continuous infusion of 5-FU (study group) or surgery alone (observational group). Patients in the study group received portal vein chemotherapy, whereby 5-FU (1000 mg/d) and heparin (5000 IU/d) infusion was initiated from the day of surgery and lasted for 7 consecutive days. Liver metastasis was monitored during five years follow-up postoperatively. Results: Sixty four patients were recruited and assigned to the study group (12 with colon and 20 with rectal cancer) or the control group (10 with colon and 22 with rectal cancer). Liver metastasis rate was 12.5% in study and 25.0% in observational group, the difference being significant (P<0.01). Conclusion: Portal vein chemotherapy could be an effective treatment in preventing liver metastasis after surgical resection of colorectal cancer.

Experimental Study on Waterproofing Properties of Putty-Based Composite Rubber Strip for Underground Post-Tensioned Precast Concrete Structures

Xiang-guo Wu,Xiao-kai Chen,Shi-yan Yu,Seongwon Hong,Thomas H.-K. Kang 한국콘크리트학회 2019 International Journal of Concrete Structures and M Vol.13 No.1

The proper assembly of underground precast concrete structures is often critical in the construction of underground structures. In particular, interfacial waterproofing between precast concrete segments is a key factor influencing use, safety, and life span. Current practice is to incorporate waterproofing rubber strips in the design. During the installation process, compressive stress is applied to the strip by post-tensioning to achieve performance. For this paper, lateral constraint compression tests were carried out on composite rubber seal strips that utilize putty. Special waterproofing and sealing test devices were designed to investigate corresponding relationships between water pressure and compressive stress (or strain). A relationship between water resistance pressure and compression stress and strain of the putty-based composite rubber strip was proposed based on the series tests and the control target of the minimum compression strain of the putty composite rubber strip was then suggested. Finally, full-scale waterproofing tests on tunnel joints were conducted. The experimental results provide a scientific reference for the engineering application and design of composite sealing rubber strips putty for underground post-tensioned precast concrete structures.

Novel method for equivalent stiffness and Coulomb’s damping ratio analyses of leaf spring

Wu Wen-jun,Zhu Le-mei,Xiang Yu,He Li-jun 대한기계학회 2012 JOURNAL OF MECHANICAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Vol.26 No.11

The leaf spring is a representative type of laminated structure. Based on the linear theories of curve beams, the first derivatives of the leave’s status-vector of the leaf spring are provided. The first derivatives of the combination status-vector are obtained by properly dealing with the nonlinear interacted forces between adjacent leaves. Moreover, the precise integration technology and the transform matrix method are introduced to solve the equations. The force-displacement curve of a leaf spring is then calculated separately by using the present method and the finite element software ANSYS. From the results, the precision and advantages of the present methods for analyzing the leaf spring are revealed. The Coulomb’s damping ratio of the leaf spring is studied by using the present method.

Structural behaviors of sustainable hybrid columns under compression and flexure

Wu Xiang-Guo,Hu Qiong,Zou Ruofei,Zhao Xinyu,Yu Qun 국제구조공학회 2014 Structural Engineering and Mechanics, An Int'l Jou Vol.52 No.5

Structural behaviors of a sustainable hybrid column with the ultra high performance cementitious composites (UHPCC) permanent form under compression and flexure were studied. Critical state and failure stage characters are analyzed for large and small eccentricity cases. A simplified theoretical model is proposed for engineering designs and unified formulas for loading capacity of the hybrid column under compression and flexure loads are derived, including axial force and moment. Non-linear numerical analysis is carried out to verify the theoretical predictions. The theoretical predictions agree well with the numerical results which are verified by the short hybrid column tests recursively. Compared with the traditional reinforced concrete (RC) column, the loading capacity of the sustainable hybrid column is improved significantly due to UHPCC confinements.

Gadolinium- and lead-containing functional terpolymers for low energy X-ray protection

Yu-Juan Zhang,Xin-Tao Guo,Chun-Hong Wang,Xiang An Lu,De-Feng Wu,Ming Zhang 한국원자력학회 2021 Nuclear Engineering and Technology Vol.53 No.12

By polymerization of gadolinium methacrylate (Gd (MAA)3), lead methacrylate (Pb(MAA)2) and methylmethacrylate (MMA), Gd and Pb were chemically bonded into polymers. The X-ray shielding performance was evaluated by Monte Carlo simulation method, and the results showed that the more metalfunctional organic monomer, the better the shielding performance of terpolymers. When the X-rayenergy is 65 keV, Gd (MAA)3-containing polymers have better shielding performance than Pb(MAA)2-containing polymers. Gd could compensate for the weak absorption region of Pb. Therefore, polymerscontaining both Gd and Pb enhanced shielding efficiency against X-ray in various low-energy ranges. Forobtaining terpolymers with uniform monomer compositions, the relationship between the monomercomposition of the terpolymers and the conversion level was optimized by calculating the reactivityratios. The value of reactivity ratios of r (Gd (MAA)3/Pb(MAA)2), r (Pb(MAA)2/Gd (MAA)3), r (Gd (MAA)3/MMA), r (MMA/Gd (MAA)3), r (Pb(MAA)2/MMA) and r (MMA/Pb(MAA)2) was 0.483, 0.004, 0.338, 2.508,0.255, 0.029. The terpolymers with uniform monomer composition could be obtained by controlling themonomer compositions or conversion levels. The results can provide new radiation protection materialsand contribute to the improvement in nuclear safety.

Mechanical behavior of stud shear connectors embedded in HFRC

Yu-Liang He,Xu-Dong Wu,Yiqiang Xiang,Yu-Hang Wang,Li-Si Liu,Zhi-Hai He 국제구조공학회 2017 Steel and Composite Structures, An International J Vol.24 No.2

Hybrid-fiber reinforced concrete (HFRC) may provide much higher tensile and flexural strengths, tensile ductility, and flexural toughness than normal concrete (NC). HFRC slab has outstanding advantages for use as a composite bridge potential deck slab owing to higher tensile strength, ductility and crack resistance. However, there is little information on shear connector associated with HFRC slabs. To investigate the mechanical behavior of the stud shear connectors embedded in HFRC slab, 14 push-out tests (five batches) in HFRC and NC were conducted. It was found that the stud shear connector embedded in HFRC had a better ductility, higher stiffness and a slightly larger shear bearing capacity than those in NC. The experimentally obtained ultimate resistances of the stud shear connectors were also compared against the equations provided by GB50017 2003, ACI 318-112011, AISC 2011, AASHTO LRFD 2010, PCI 2004, and EN 1994-1-1 (2004), and an empirical equation to predict the ultimate shear connector resistance considering the effect of the HFRC slabs was proposed and validated by the experimental data. Curve fitting was performed to find fitting parameters for all tested specimens and idealized load-slip models were obtained for the specimens with HFRC slabs.

Effect of Monascus as a Nitrite Substitute on Color, Lipid Oxidation, and Proteolysis of Fermented Meat Mince

Xiang Yu,Haizhou Wu,Jianhao Zhang 한국식품과학회 2015 Food Science and Biotechnology Vol.24 No.2

Monascus spp. are fungi, traditionally eaten in Asian countries, that have the the potential to be used as a nitrite substitute in meat-product processing. Effects of using Monascus ruber MJ-1 as a nitrite substitute on color, lipid oxidation and proteolysis of fermented meat mince were investigated in this study. After 4 days of fermentation, a* and L* values for the samples were significantly higher and lower than the values for the control, respectively; however, b* values were significantly lower than that of the control throughout the fermentation process (p<0.05). Furthermore, Monascus ruber MJ-1 fermentation decreased the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARs) value and increased the myofibril fragmentation index (MFI) value of meat mince significantly (p<0.05). SDS-PAGE results further indicated that myofibrillar proteins were degraded during fermentation, while sarcoplasmic proteins were not. These results suggest prospects for the broad application of Monascus as a nitrite substitute in meat processing.