Transcriptome profiling of rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis) discovers candidate regulators of the cold stress respo

Xiao‑Xiao Gong,Bing‑Yu Yan,Jin Hu,Cui‑Ping Yang,Yi‑Jian Li,Jin‑Ping Liu,Wen‑Bin Liao 한국유전학회 2018 Genes & Genomics Vol.40 No.11

Tropical plant rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis) is the sole source of commercial natural rubber and low-temperature stress is the most important limiting factor for its cultivation. To characterize the gene expression profiles of H. brasiliensis under the cold stress and discover the key cold stress-induced genes. Three cDNA libraries, CT (control), LT2 (cold treatment at 4 °C for 2 h) and LT24 (cold treatment at 4 °C for 24 h) were constructed for RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) and gene expression profiling. Quantitative real time PCR (qRT-PCR) was conducted to validate the RNA-Seq and gene differentially expression results. A total of 1457 and 2328 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in LT2 and LT24 compared with CT were respectively detected. Most significantly enriched KEGG pathways included flavonoid biosynthesis, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, plant hormone signal transduction, cutin, suberine and wax biosynthesis, Pentose and glucuronate interconversions, phenylalanine metabolism and starch and sucrose metabolism. A total of 239 transcription factors (TFs) were differentially expressed following 2 h or/and 24 h of cold treatment. Cold-response transcription factor families included ARR-B, B3, BES1, bHLH, C2H, CO-like, Dof, ERF, FAR1, G2-like, GRAS, GRF, HD-ZIP, HSF, LBD, MIKC-MADS, M-type MADS, MYB, MYB-related, NAC, RAV, SRS, TALE, TCP, Trihelix, WOX, WRKY, YABBY and ZF-HD. The genome-wide transcriptional response of rubber tree to the cold treatments were determined and a large number of DEGs were characterized including 239 transcription factors, providing important clues for further elucidation of the mechanisms of cold stress responses in rubber tree.

Augmenter of Liver Regeneration Alleviates Renal Hypoxia-Reoxygenation Injury by Regulating Mitochondrial Dynamics in Renal Tubular Epithelial Cells

Xiao-hui Liao,Rui-ting Long,Jun-bo Peng,Li-li Huang,Gui-ping Jiang,Yue-juan Liao,Hang Sun,Yu-dong Hu 한국분자세포생물학회 2019 Molecules and cells Vol.42 No.12

Mitochondria are highly dynamic organelles that constantly undergo fission and fusion processes that closely related to their function. Disruption of mitochondrial dynamics has been demonstrated in acute kidney injury (AKI), which could eventually result in cell injury and death. Previously, we reported that augmenter of liver regeneration (ALR) alleviates renal tubular epithelial cell injury. Here, we gained further insights into whether the renoprotective roles of ALR are associated with mitochondrial dynamics. Changes in mitochondrial dynamics were examined in experimental models of renal ischemia-reperfusion (IR). In a model of hypoxia-reoxygenation (HR) injury in vitro, dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1) and mitochondrial fission process protein 1 (MTFP1), two key proteins of mitochondrial fission, were downregulated in the Lv-ALR + HR group. ALR overexpression additionally had an impact on phosphorylation of Drp1 Ser637 during AKI. The inner membrane fusion protein, Optic Atrophy 1 (OPA1), was significantly increased whereas levels of outer membrane fusion proteins Mitofusin-1 and -2 (Mfn1, Mfn2) were not affected in the Lv-ALR + HR group, compared with the control group. Furthermore, the mTOR/4E-BP1 signaling pathway was highly activated in the Lv-ALR + HR group. ALR overexpression led to suppression of HR-induced apoptosis. Our collective findings indicate that ALR gene transfection alleviates mitochondrial injury, possibly through inhibiting fission and promoting fusion of the mitochondrial inner membrane, both of which contribute to reduction of HK-2 cell apoptosis. Additionally, fission processes are potentially mediated by promoting tubular cell survival through activating the mTOR/4E-BP1 signaling pathway.

Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Diagnosis of Locally Recurrent Prostate Cancer: Are All Pulse Sequences Helpful?

Xiao-Li Liao,Jun-Bao Wei,Yong-Qiang Li,Jian-Hong Zhong,Cheng-Cheng Liao,Chang-Yuan Wei 대한영상의학회 2018 Korean Journal of Radiology Vol.19 No.6

Objective: To perform a meta-analysis to quantitatively assess functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the diagnosis of locally recurrent prostate cancer. Materials and Methods: A comprehensive search of the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews was conducted from January 1, 1995 to December 31, 2016. Diagnostic accuracy was quantitatively pooled for all studies by using hierarchical logistic regression modeling, including bivariate modeling and hierarchical summary receiver operating characteristic (HSROC) curves (AUCs). The Z test was used to determine whether adding functional MRI to T2-weighted imaging (T2WI) results in significantly increased diagnostic sensitivity and specificity. Results: Meta-analysis of 13 studies involving 826 patients who underwent radical prostatectomy showed a pooled sensitivity and specificity of 91%, and the AUC was 0.96. Meta-analysis of 7 studies involving 329 patients who underwent radiotherapy showed a pooled sensitivity of 80% and specificity of 81%, and the AUC was 0.88. Meta-analysis of 11 studies reporting 1669 sextant biopsies from patients who underwent radiotherapy showed a pooled sensitivity of 54% and specificity of 91%, and the AUC was 0.85. Sensitivity after radiotherapy was significantly higher when diffusion-weighted MRI data were combined with T2WI than when only T2WI results were used. This was true when meta-analysis was performed on a per-patient basis (p = 0.027) or per sextant biopsy (p = 0.046). A similar result was found when 1H-magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) data were combined with T2WI and sextant biopsy was the unit of analysis (p = 0.036). Conclusion: Functional MRI data may not strengthen the ability of T2WI to detect locally recurrent prostate cancer in patients who have undergone radical prostatectomy. By contrast, diffusion-weight MRI and 1H-MRS data may improve the sensitivity of T2WI for patients who have undergone radiotherapy.

Investigation of Neuropsychological Mechanism of Fabric Smoothness Sensation

Xiao Liao,Yi Li,Junyan Hu,Quanhai Li,Xinxing Wu 한국섬유공학회 2019 Fibers and polymers Vol.20 No.5

Stimuli used in previous reported studies were mostly tailor-made embossed surfaces. Validation of neural signalcoding mechanism to address the touch smoothness in daily life was seldom reported. In this study, 20 types of fabrics werechosen as stimuli. Their physical surface profiles were measured by Fabric Touch Tester. Afterwards three different neuralsignal coding mechanisms of SA1 and PC fibers were applied and modified to predict the perceived neural responses. Thepredicted values were compared to subjective smoothness sensations obtained through psychological measurement. Theresults show that it is essential to in detail characterize the unevenness elements on the surfaces of stimuli. The integratedimpacts from the unevenness elements with different intensities and frequencies demonstrate better prediction capacitiesamong the examined neural coding mechanisms. On the basis of the findings, a neuropsychological prediction model offabrics was built. Another 32 types of fabrics were measured and used to validate the model. Strong correlation between thepredicted and subjective sensory results was observed (F=0.808, p<0.001).

Clinical Efficacy of Bevacizumab Concomitant with Pemetrexed in Patients with Advanced Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

Zhang, Yu-Mei,Li, Yong-Qiang,Liu, Zhi-Hui,Liao, Xiao-Li,Liang, Rong,Lin, Yan,Yuan, Chun-Ling,Liao, Si-Na,Liang, Chao-Yong,Li, Qian,Li, Le-Qun Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.8

Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy of bevacizumab concomitant with pemetrexed in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Materials and Methods: A total of 72 patients were randomly divided into a combination group (pemetrexed+bevacizumab, n=36) and a pemetrexed group (n=36) and assessed for disease control (CR+PR+SD) after 4-cycles of first-line GP chemotherapy (gemcitabine+cisplatin). Clinical efficacy, progression-free survival time (PFS), overall survival time (OS), overall response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR) and rate of adverse responses between two groups were observed and compared. Results: ORR and DCR were 27.8% and 83.4% in combination group, and 16.7% and 69.5% in the pemetrexed group, respectively, but there were no significant differences (P>0.05). PFS in combination group and pemetrexed group were 4.6 months and 3.9 months respectively (P=0.09), whereas OS in the combination group was 14 months, evidently higher than in the pemetrexed group (11 months, P=0.004). Adverse responses in both groups included high blood pressure, bleeding, thrombocytopenia, anemia, elevated transaminase, diarrhea, vomiting and proteinuria, but there were no significant differences (P>0.05). Conclusions: Bevacizumab concomitant with pemetrexed has better clinical efficacy and safety, giving rise to prolonged survival time in patients with advanced NSCLC.

0346 Occupational Exposure to Lead and Cancer in Two Cohort Studies of Men and Women in Shanghai, China

Liao, Linda M,Friesen, Melissa C,Xiang, Yong-Bing,Cai, Hui,Koh, Dong-Hee,Ji, Bu-Tian,Yang, Gong,Li, Hong-Lan,Locke, Sarah J,Rothman, Nathaniel,Zheng, Wei,Gao, Yu-Tang,Shu, Xiao-Ou,Purdue, Mark P BMJ Publishing Group Ltd 2014 Occupational and environmental medicine Vol.71 No.suppl1

<P><B>Objectives</B></P><P>Epidemiologic studies of occupational lead exposure have suggested increased risks of cancers of the brain, kidney, lung, meninges, and stomach; however, the totality of the evidence is inconsistent. To clarify whether lead is a carcinogen, we investigated the relationship between occupational lead exposure and risks of these five cancer sites in two prospective cohort studies in Shanghai, China.</P><P><B>Method</B></P><P>Annual job/industry-specific estimates of lead fume and lead dust exposure were derived from a statistical model that combined expert ratings of lead intensity with inspection measurements collected by the Shanghai Centre for Disease Control and Prevention. The job/industry estimates were applied to the lifetime work histories of subjects from the Shanghai Women’s Health Study (73 363 participants) and the Shanghai Men’s Health Study (61 379 participants) to estimate cumulative exposure to lead dust and lead fume. Cohort-specific relative hazard rate ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated using Cox proportional hazards regression models and then pooled using a random effects meta-analysis model.</P><P><B>Results</B></P><P>We observed a statistically significant increased risk of meningioma among individuals with estimated occupational exposure to lead dust or fumes (RR=2.4, 95% CI:1.1–5.0), and in particular among those with an above-median cumulative exposure to dust or fumes (RR=3.1, 95% CI:1.3–7.4). We observed suggestive associations with lead exposure for cancers of the kidney (RR=1.4, 95% CI:0.9–2.3) and brain (RR=1.8, 95% CI:0.7–4.8), and null findings for cancers of the lung and stomach.</P><P><B>Conclusions</B></P><P>Our findings provide additional evidence that occupational lead exposure increases risk of meningioma.</P>

Diffusion of CO2 Molecules in Polyethylene Terephthalate/Polylactide Blends Estimated by Molecular Dynamics Simulations

Li-Qiong Liao,Yi-Zheng Fu,Xiao-Yan Liang,Lin-Yu Mei,Yaqing Liu 대한화학회 2013 Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society Vol.34 No.3

Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations have been used to study the diffusion behavior of small gas molecules (CO2) in polyethylene terephthalate (PET)/polylactide (PLA) blends. The Flory-Huggins interaction parameters (χ) determined from the cohesive energy densities are smaller than the critical value of Flory-Huggins interaction parameters (χcritical), and that indicates the good compatibility of PET/PLA blends. The diffusion coefficients of CO2 are determined via MD simulations at 298 K. That the order of diffusion coefficients is correlated with the availably fractional free volume (FFV) of CO2 in the PET/PLA blends means that the FFV plays a vital role in the diffusion behavior of CO2 molecules in PET/PLA blends. The slopes of the log (MSD) as a function of log (t) are close to unity over the entire composition range of PET/PLA blends, which confirmes the feasibility of MD approach reaches the normal diffusion regime of CO2 in PET/PLA blends.

D-Galactose Induces a Mitochondrial Complex I Deficiency in Mouse Skeletal Muscle: Potential Benefits of Nutrient Combination in Ameliorating Muscle Impairment

Liao Chang,Xin Liu,Jing Liu,Hua Li,Yanshen Yang,Jia Liu,Zihao Guo,Ke Xiao,Chen Zhang,Jiankang Liu,Xi Zhao-Wilson,Jiangang Long 한국식품영양과학회 2014 Journal of medicinal food Vol.17 No.3

Accumulating research has shown that chronic D-galactose (D-gal) exposure induces symptoms similar to natural aging in animals. Therefore, rodents chronically exposed to D-gal are increasingly used as a model for aging and delay-of-aging pharmacological research. Mitochondrial dysfunction is thought to play a vital role in aging and age-related diseases; however, whether mitochondrial dysfunction plays a significant role in mice exposed to D-gal remains unknown. In the present study, we investigated cognitive dysfunction, locomotor activity, and mitochondrial dysfunction involved in D-gal exposure in mice. We found that D-gal exposure (125 mg/kg/day, 8 weeks) resulted in a serious impairment in grip strength in mice, whereas spatial memory and locomotor coordination remained intact. Interestingly, muscular mitochondrial complex I deficiency occurred in the skeletal muscle of mice exposed to D-gal. Mitochondrial ultrastructure abnormality was implicated as a contributing factor in D-gal-induced muscular impairment. Moreover, three combinations (A, B, and C) of nutrients applied in this study effectively reversed D-gal-induced muscular impairment. Nutrient formulas B and C were especially effective in reversing complex I dysfunction in both skeletal muscle and heart muscle. These findings suggest the following: (1) chronic exposure to D-gal first results in specific muscular impairment in mice, rather than causing general, premature aging; (2) poor skeletal muscle strength induced by D-gal might be due to the mitochondrial dysfunction caused by complex I deficiency; and (3) the nutrient complexes applied in the study attenuated the skeletal muscle impairment, most likely by improving mitochondrial function.

Diffusion of CO₂ Molecules in Polyethylene Terephthalate/Polylactide Blends Estimated by Molecular Dynamics Simulations

Liao, Li-Qiong,Fu, Yi-Zheng,Liang, Xiao-Yan,Mei, Lin-Yu,Liu, Ya-Qing Korean Chemical Society 2013 Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society Vol.34 No.3

Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations have been used to study the diffusion behavior of small gas molecules ($CO_2$) in polyethylene terephthalate (PET)/polylactide (PLA) blends. The Flory-Huggins interaction parameters (${\chi}$) determined from the cohesive energy densities are smaller than the critical value of Flory-Huggins interaction parameters (${\chi}_{critical}$), and that indicates the good compatibility of PET/PLA blends. The diffusion coefficients of $CO_2$ are determined via MD simulations at 298 K. That the order of diffusion coefficients is correlated with the availably fractional free volume (FFV) of $CO_2$ in the PET/PLA blends means that the FFV plays a vital role in the diffusion behavior of $CO_2$ molecules in PET/PLA blends. The slopes of the log (MSD) as a function of log (t) are close to unity over the entire composition range of PET/PLA blends, which confirmes the feasibility of MD approach reaches the normal diffusion regime of $CO_2$ in PET/PLA blends.

Periodic Intermittent Consensus of Second-Order Agents Networks with Nonlinear Dynamics

Li Xiao,Xiaofeng Liao 제어·로봇·시스템학회 2014 International Journal of Control, Automation, and Vol.12 No.1

The consensus problem for a class of second-order agents networks via periodically intermittent control is investigated in this paper. A novel protocol is designed by periodic intermittent measurements and directed topology. Based on algebraic graph theory, matrix theory and Lyapunov control approach, some sententious conditions are obtained for reaching consensus in agents networks with fixed topology. Finally, one example is given to illustrate the effectiveness of the theoretical results.