Comprehensive Expression Analysis Suggests Functional Overlapping of Human FOX Transcription Factors in Cancer

Zhang, Ya-Li,Sun, Feng-Ting,Zhang, Ze,Chen, Xiao-Xu,Liu, Ai-Xiang,Pan, Jing-Jing,Peng, Fei,Zhou, Shuai,Sun, Li-Jun Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.23

Forkhead-box (FOX) transcription factors comprise a large gene family that contains more than 50 members in man. Extensive studies have revealed that they not only have functions in control of growth and development, but also play important roles in different diseases, especially in cancer. However, biological functions for most of the members in the FOX family remain unknown. In the present study, the expression of 39 FOX genes in 48 kinds of cancer was mined from the Gene Expression Atlas database of European Bioinformatics Institute. The analysis results showed that some FOX genes demonstrate overlapping expression in various cancers, which suggests particular biological functions. The pleiotropic features of the FOX genes make them excellent candidates in efforts aimed to give medical treatment for cancers at the genetic level. The results also indicated that different FOX genes may have the synergy or antagonistics effects in the same cancers. The study provides clues for further functional analysis of FOX genes, especially for the pleiotropic biological functions and crosstalk of FOX genes in human cancers.

Association of CYP2E1 and NAT2 Polymorphisms with Lung Cancer Susceptibility among Mongolian and Han Populations in the Inner Mongolian Region

Zhang, Jing-Wen,Yu, Wan-Jia,Sheng, Xiao-Min,Chang, Fu-Hou,Bai, Tu-Ya,Lv, Xiao-Li,Wang, Guang,Liu, Su-Zhen Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.21

Purpose: To explore associations of CYP2E1 and NAT2 polymorphisms with lung cancer susceptibility among Mongolian and Han populations in the Inner Mongolian region. Materials and Methods: CYP2E1 and NAT2 polymorphisms were detected by PCR-RFLP in 930 lung cancer patients and 1000 controls. Results: (1) Disequilibrium of the distribution of NAT2 polymorphism was found in lung cancer patients among Han and Mongolian populations (p=0.031). (2) Lung cancer risk was higher in individuals with c1, D allele of CYP2E1 RsaI/PstI, DraI polymorphisms and slow acetylation of NAT2 (c1 compared with c2, OR=1.382, 95%CI: 1.178-1.587, p=0.003; D compared with C, OR=1.241, 95%CI: 1.053-1.419, P<0.001; slow acetylation compared with rapid acetylation, OR=1.359, 95%CI:1.042-1.768, p=0.056) (3) Compared with c2/c2 and rapid acetylation, c1/c1 together with slow acetylation synergetically increased risk of lung cancer 2.83 fold. (4) Smokers with CYP2E1 c1/c1, DD, and NAT2 slow acetylation have 2.365, 1.916, 1.841 fold lung cancer risk than others with c2/c2, CC and NAT2 rapid acetylation, respectively. (5) Han smokers with NAT2 slow acetylation have 1.974 fold lung cancer risk than others with rapid acetylation. Conclusions: Disequilibrium distribution of NAT2 polymorphism was found in lung cancer patients among Han and Mongolian populations. Besides, Han smokers with NAT2 slow acetylation may have higher lung cancer risk compared with rapid acetylation couterparts. CYP2E1 c1/c1, DD and NAT2 slow acetylation, especially combined with smoking, contributes to the development of lung cancer. CYP2E1 c1/c1 or DD genotype and NAT2 slow acetylation have strong synergistic action in increasing lung cancer risk.

Association of TERT rs2736098 Polymorphism with Cancer Risk: a Meta-analysis

Zhang, Xiao-Jing,Xu, Zhi,Gong, Yong-Ling,Tang, Cui-Ju,Chen, Jin-Fei Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.10

Studies have reported an association between the TERT rs2736098 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and cancer susceptibility, but the results remain inconclusive. Toprovide a more precise estimation of the relationship, a meta-analysis of 8 published studies including 8,070 cases and 10,239 controls was performed. Stratification by sample size, genotyping method, source of controls and ethnicity were used to explore the source of heterogeneity. In the overall analysis, no significant association was found between the TERT rs2736098 polymorphism and cancer risk. However, the result showed the rs2736098 was significantly associated with an increased cancer risk and the heterogeneity was effectively decreased for homozygote comparison by removal of two studies: OR = 1.337 (95% CI = 1.183-1.511; Pheterogeneity = 0.087). In the subgroup analysis by ethnicity, a significantly increased risk of cancers was found among Asians (OR = 1.413, 95% CI = 1.187-1.683 for AA versus GG). Our meta-analysis did not show that the TERT rs2736098 plays an important role in cancer risk. More studies with larger sample size and well-matched controls are needed to confirm the findings.

ON TESTING FOR HOMOGENEITY OF THE COVARIANCE N\MATRICES

Zhang, Xiao-Ning,Jing, Ping,Ji, Xiao-Ming 한국전산응용수학회 2001 The Korean journal of computational & applied math Vol.8 No.2

Testing equality of covariance matrix of k populations has long been an interesting issue in statistical inference. To overcome the sparseness of data points in a high-dimensional space and deal with the general cases, we suggest several projection pursuit type statistics. Some results on the limiting distributions of the statistics are obtained. some properties of Bootstrap approximation are investigated. Furthermore, for computational reasons an approximation which is based on Number theoretic method for the statistics is adopted. Several simulation experiments are performed. AMS Subject Classification : 2H15, 62H10, 62G09, 62G10

Influence of zircon on cristobalite crystallization of silicabased ceramic cores

Jing-jing Liang,Quan-hong Lin,Xuan Zhang,Tao Jin,Xiao-feng Sun,최백규,김인수,도정현,조창용 한양대학교 세라믹연구소 2016 Journal of Ceramic Processing Research Vol.17 No.8

Zircon is usually used as a main additive to silica-based ceramic core materials in precise investment casting in order toimprove their high temperature properties. But there is still a disagreement in its effect on crystallization behavior of fusedsilica. In this study, cristobalite crystallization of fused silica in three silica-based core materials containing 10, 30 and 50 wt%zircon respectively were investigated through X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy equipped with energydispersive spectrometer (SEM/EDS). Results showed that zircon addition had neglected effect on cristobalite crystallizationduring sintering at 1180 oC, 1200 oC, and 1220 oC, but could decrease crystallization during simulated casting process at1500 oC. It was suggested that diffusion of zirconium atoms played a crucial role in this suppressing behavior of zircon on thecristobalite crystallization. During cooling from 1500 oC, cristobalite transformation from β to α caused microcracks in thesesamples that containing 10% or 30% zircon. But when zircon content increased to 50%, crack was prevented. Less phasetransformation of fused silica → cristobalite and enhanced strength by zircon was supposed to be the reason that wasresponsible for prevented cracks.

Serum Zinc Status and Helicobacter Pylori Infection in Gastric Disease Patients

Zhang, Wen-Hua,Wu, Xiao-Jing,Niu, Jing-Xiu,Yan, Hao,Wang, Xin-Zhuo,Yin, Xiao-Dong,Pang, Yan Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.10

The role of Helicobacter pylori status and serum zinc value in gastric disease patients and healthy controls were investigated. Cases used in this work were 45 gastric cancer patients, 44 with peptic ulcers, 52 suffering gastritis and 64 healthy controls, all diagnosed histologically with the controls undergoing medical checkups. Helicobacter pylori status and serum levels of Zn were determined by 13C-urea breath test and flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer, respectively. Our study showed that Helicobacter pylori infection has no change in gastritis, peptic ulcer and gastric cancer group, on the contrast, serum levels of Zn were significantly reduced in gastritis, peptic ulcer and gastric cancer group, compared with healthy controls, and the higher the Zn levels are, the more increased risk of gastric cancer. Helicobacter pylori infection is a cause of gastritis, peptic ulcers and even gastric cancer, while serum zinc level is an indicator of protection of gastric membranes against damage.

Impaired Na+ −K+-ATPase signaling in renal proximal tubule contributes to hyperuricemia-induced renal tubular injury

Jing Xiao,Xiaoli Zhang,Chensheng Fu,Qingmei Yang,Ying Xie,Zhenxing Zhang,Zhibin Ye 생화학분자생물학회 2018 Experimental and molecular medicine Vol.50 No.-

Hyperuricemia contributes to renal inflammation. We aimed to investigate the role of Na+–K+–ATPase (NKA) in hyperuricemiainduced renal tubular injury. Human primary proximal tubular epithelial cells (PTECs) were incubated with uric acid (UA) at increasing doses or for increasing lengths of time. PTECs were then stimulated by pre-incubation with an NKA α1 expression vector or small interfering RNA before UA (100 μg ml−1, 48 h) stimulation. Hyperuricemic rats were induced by gastric oxonic acid and treated with febuxostat (Feb). ATP levels, the activity of NKA and expression of its α1 subunit, Src, NOD-like receptor pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) and interleukin 1β (IL-1β) were measured both in vitro and in vivo. Beginning at concentrations of 100 μg ml−1, UA started to dose-dependently reduce NKA activity. UA at a concentration of 100 μg ml−1 time-dependently affected the NKA activity, with the maximal increased NKA activity at 24 h, but the activity started to decrease after 48 h. This inhibitory effect of UA on NKA activity at 48 h was in addition to a decrease in NKA α1 expression in the cell membrane, but an increase in lysosomes. This process also involved the subsequent activation of Src kinase and NLRP3, promoting IL-1β processing. In hyperuricemic rats, renal cortex NKA activity and its α1 expression were upregulated at the 7th week and both decreased at the 10th week, accompanied with increased renal cortex expression of Src, NLRP3 and IL-1β. The UA levels were reduced and renal tubular injuries in hyperuricemic rats were alleviated in the Feb group. Our data suggested that the impairment of NKA and its consequent regulation of Src, NLRP3 and IL-1β in the renal proximal tubule contributed to hyperuricemia-induced renal tubular injury.

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.

Proposal of a Risk Scoring System to Facilitate the Treatment of Enteroenteric Intussusception in Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome

Xiao Nianjun,Zhang Tongzhen,Zhang Jing,Zhang Jinlong,Li Hao,Ning Shoubin 거트앤리버 소화기연관학회협의회 2023 Gut and Liver Vol.17 No.2

Background/Aims: Enteroenteric intussusception in Peutz-Jeghers syndrome (EI-PJS) is traditionally treated by surgery. However, enteroscopic treatment is a minimally invasive approach worth attempting. We aimed to develop a risk scoring system to facilitate decision-making in the treatment of EI-PJS. Methods: This was a single-center case-control study, including 80 patients diagnosed with PJS and coexisting intussusception between January 2015 and January 2021 in Air Force Medical Center. We performed logistic regression analysis to identify independent risk factors and allocated different points to each subcategory of risk factors; the total score of individuals ranged from 0 to 9 points. Then, we constructed a risk stratification system based on the possibility of requiring surgery: 0–3 points for “low-risk,” 4–6 points for “moderate-risk,” and 7–9 points for “high-risk.” Results: Sixty-one patients (76.25%) were successfully treated with enteroscopy. Sixteen patients (20.0%) failed enteroscopic treatment and subsequently underwent surgery, and three patients (3.75%) received surgery directly. Abdominal pain, the diameter of the responsible polyp, and the length of intussusception were independent risk factors for predicting the possibility of requiring surgery. According to the risk scoring system, the incidence rates of surgery were 4.44% in the low-risk tier, 30.43% in the moderate-risk tier, and 83.33% in the high-risk tier. From low- to high-risk tiers, the trend of increasing risk was significant (p<0.001). Conclusions: We developed a risk scoring system based on abdominal pain, diameter of the responsible polyps, and length of intussusception. It can preoperatively stratify patients according to the risk of requiring surgery for EI-PJS to facilitate treatment decision-making.

ELECTRIC-FIELD DEPENDENCE OF MOLECULAR CONFORMATIONS OBSERVED BY USING SCANNING TUNNELING MICROSCOPY

XIAO JING MA,RUI ZHANG,YONG TAO SHEN,XIAO HUI QIU,YAN LIAN YANG,CHEN WANG 성균관대학교(자연과학캠퍼스) 성균나노과학기술원 2008 NANO Vol.3 No.2

We review the progress in observation of electrically induced conformational changes of a range of single molecules and molecular assemblies using scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). Recent results using species with optical active functional groups and supramolecular structures confirmed the previously observed effects that the cholesterol molecules with soft linkers have the conformational bistability when switching the bias polarity, while no discernable changes were observed for the mesogen molecules, containing rigid linking units. In addition, it was also observed that the linker units could have appreciable impacts on the assembling characteristics.