LSKL, a Peptide Antagonist of Thrombospondin-1, Attenuates Renal Interstitial Fibrosis in Rats with Unilateral Ureteral Obstruction

Xi-sheng Xie,Fei-yan Li,Heng-chuan Liu,Yao Deng,Zi Li,Jun-ming Fan 대한약학회 2010 Archives of Pharmacal Research Vol.33 No.2

The effects of LSKL, the peptide antagonist of thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1), on renal interstitial fibrosis in rats subjected to unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) were investigated. Rats were divided randomly into three groups (n = 20 each): UUO group, sham-operation group and UUO plus LSKL treatment group. Collagen deposition was studied using histopathology and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis (RT-PCR). TSP-1, transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1), phosphorylated Smad2 (pSsmad2) and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in the kidney were measured using immunocytochemistry, western blotting analysis, RT-PCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Biochemical analyses in the serum and urine were made. Histopathology showed severe tubular dilatation and atrophy, interstitial inflammation and collagen accumulation after surgery and LSKL significantly inhibited interstitial fibrosis including tubular injury as well as collagen deposition. The protein and mRNA levels of TSP-1 increased notably at different time point and significantly decreased in the presence of LSKL. The expression of TGF-β1 and pSmad2 were upregulated in the obstructed kidney and substantially suppressed by LSKL treatment. Myofibroblast accumulation could be alleviated after administration of LSKL. Biochemical parameters did not show differences among the three groups. As TSP-1 is the major activator of TGF-β1, we demonstrate that LSKL can attenuate renal interstitial fibrosis in vivo by preventing TSP-1-mediated TGF-β1 activation.

An Efficient Parallel Infilling Strategy and Its Application in Sheet Metal Forming

Yan-Min Xie,Yuan-Heng Guo,Fei Zhang,Yue-Peng Yue,Mei-Qiang Feng,Jiang-Bo Zhao 한국정밀공학회 2020 International Journal of Precision Engineering and Vol.21 No.8

Infilling strategies play an important role in kriging based optimization, especially when computationally expensive simulations are involved. In order to improve the efficiency of constructing a high-precision kriging model, an improved expected improvement criterion (IEI) and a parallel infilling strategy are proposed based on the maximum expected improvement (EI) criterion. In the proposed parallel infilling strategy, new sample points are generated by employing IEI criterion coupled with EI criterion. During the improved sampling process, redundant and pseudo sample are deleted in order to avoid failure of constructing a kriging model. An improved weighted particle swarm optimization (WPSO) algorithm is proposed to improve optimization efficiency. The proposed parallel infilling strategy is applied to nonlinear function optimization and variable blank holder force (VBHF) optimization in a double-c stamped part. Based on the LHD and software DYNAFORM, kriging models between the VBHF and forming quality are constructed. Compared with the initial kriging models, the meat relative error of kriging models with the proposed parallel infilling strategy for the wrinkling and average thinning rate are reduced by 95% and 55%, respectively. The optimal VBHF is obtained by the WPSO. The results show that, cracking has been completely eliminated and wrinkling has been decreased, greatly improving the forming quality of the double-c stamped part.

MLSE-Net: Multi-level Semantic Enriched Network for Medical Image Segmentation

Di Gai,Heng Luo,Jing He, Baogang Xie,Pengxiang Su,Zheng Huang,Song Zhang,Zhijun Tu 한국인터넷정보학회 2023 KSII Transactions on Internet and Information Syst Vol.17 No.9

Medical image segmentation techniques based on convolution neural networks indulge in feature extraction triggering redundancy of parameters and unsatisfactory target localization, which outcomes in less accurate segmentation results to assist doctors in diagnosis. In this paper, we propose a multi-level semantic-rich encoding-decoding network, which consists of a Pooling-Conv-Former (PCFormer) module and a Cbam-Dilated-Transformer (CDT) module. In the PCFormer module, it is used to tackle the issue of parameter explosion in the conservative transformer and to compensate for the feature loss in the down-sampling process. In the CDT module, the Cbam attention module is adopted to highlight the feature regions by blending the intersection of attention mechanisms implicitly, and the Dilated convolution-Concat (DCC) module is designed as a parallel concatenation of multiple atrous convolution blocks to display the expanded perceptual field explicitly. In addition, Multi-Head Attention-DwConv-Transformer (MDTransformer) module is utilized to evidently distinguish the target region from the background region. Extensive experiments on medical image segmentation from Glas, SIIM-ACR, ISIC and LGG demonstrated that our proposed network outperforms existing advanced methods in terms of both objective evaluation and subjective visual performance.

Effects of exploration and molecular mechanism of CsV on eNOS and vascular endothelial functions

Zuo, Deyu,Jiang, Heng,Yi, Shixiong,Fu, Yang,Xie, Lei,Peng, Qifeng,Liu, Pei,Zhou, Jie,Li, Xunjia Techno-Press 2022 Advances in nano research Vol.12 No.5

This study aimed to investigate the effects and potential mechanisms of Chikusetsusaponin V (CsV) on endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and vascular endothelial cell functions. Different concentrations of CsV were added to animal models, bovine aorta endothelial cells (BAECs) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) cultured in vitro. qPCR, Western blotting (WB), and B ultrasound were performed to explore the effects of CsV on mouse endothelial cell functions, vascular stiffness and cellular eNOS mRNA, protein expression and NO release. Bioinformatics analysis, network pharmacology, molecular docking and protein mass spectrometry analysis were conducted to jointly predict the upstream transcription factors of eNOS. Furthermore, pulldown and ChIP and dual luciferase assays were employed for subsequent verification. At the presence or absence of CsV stimulation, either overexpression or knockdown of purine rich element binding protein A (PURA) was conducted, and PCR assay was employed to detect PURA and eNOS mRNA expressions, Western blot was used to detect PURA and eNOS protein expressions, cell NO release and serum NO levels. Tube formation experiment was conducted to detect the tube forming capability of HUVECs cells. The animal vasodilation function test detected the vasodilation functions. Ultrasonic detection was performed to determine the mouse aortic arch pulse wave velocity to identify aortic stiffness. CsV stimulus on bovine aortic cells revealed that CsV could upregulate eNOS protein levels in vascular endothelial cells in a concentration and time dependent manner. The expression levels of eNOS mRNA and phosphorylation sites Ser1177, Ser633 and Thr495 increased significantly after CsV stimulation. Meanwhile, CsV could also enhance the tube forming capability of HUVECs cells. Following the mice were gavaged using CsV, the eNOS protein level of mouse aortic endothelial cells was upregulated in a concentration- and time-dependent manner, and serum NO release and vasodilation ability were simultaneously elevated whereas arterial stiffness was alleviated. The pulldown, ChIP and dual luciferase assays demonstrated that PURA could bind to the eNOS promoter and facilitate the transcription of eNOS. Under the conditions of presence or absence of CsV stimulation, overexpression or knockdown of PURA indicated that the effect of CsV on vascular endothelial function and eNOS was weakened following PURA gene silence, whereas overexpression of PURA gene could enhance the effect of CsV upregulating eNOS expression. CsV could promote NO release from endothelial cells by upregulating the expression of PURA/eNOS pathway, improve endothelial cell functions, enhance vasodilation capability, and alleviate vessel stiffness. The present study plays a role in offering a theoretical basis for the development and application of CsV in vascular function improvement, and it also provides a more comprehensive understanding of the pharmacodynamics of CsV.

Cloning and Iron Transportation of Nucleotide Binding Domain of Cryptosporidium andersoni ATP-Binding Cassette (CaABC) Gene

Ju-Hua Wang,Xiu-Heng Xue,Jie Zhou,Cai-Yun Fan,Qian-Qian Xie,Pan Wang 대한기생충학열대의학회 2015 The Korean Journal of Parasitology Vol.53 No.3

Cryptosporidium andersoni ATP-binding cassette (CaABC) is an important membrane protein involved in substrate transport across the membrane. In this research, the nucleotide binding domain (NBD) of CaABC gene was amplified by PCR, and the eukaryotic expression vector of pEGFP-C1-CaNBD was reconstructed. Then, the recombinant plasmid of pEGFP-C1-CaNBD was transformed into the mouse intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) to study the iron transportation function of CaABC. The results indicated that NBD region of CaABC gene can significantly elevate the transport efficiency of Ca<SUP>2+</SUP>, Mg<SUP>2+</SUP>, K<SUP>+</SUP>, and HCO₃<SUP>-</SUP> in IECs (P<0.05). The significance of this study is to find the ATPase inhibitors for NBD region of CaABC gene and to inhibit ATP binding and nutrient transport of CaABC transporter. Thus, C. andersoni will be killed by inhibition of nutrient uptake. This will open up a new way for treatment of cryptosporidiosis.

Layer-by-layer assembly of two-dimensional materials into wafer-scale heterostructures

Kang, Kibum,Lee, Kan-Heng,Han, Yimo,Gao, Hui,Xie, Saien,Muller, David A.,Park, Jiwoong Macmillan Publishers Limited, part of Springer Nat 2017 Nature Vol.550 No.7675

High-performance semiconductor films with vertical compositions that are designed to atomic-scale precision provide the foundation for modern integrated circuitry and novel materials discovery. One approach to realizing such films is sequential layer-by-layer assembly, whereby atomically thin two-dimensional building blocks are vertically stacked, and held together by van der Waals interactions. With this approach, graphene and transition-metal dichalcogenides—which represent one- and three-atom-thick two-dimensional building blocks, respectively—have been used to realize previously inaccessible heterostructures with interesting physical properties. However, no large-scale assembly method exists at present that maintains the intrinsic properties of these two-dimensional building blocks while producing pristine interlayer interfaces, thus limiting the layer-by-layer assembly method to small-scale proof-of-concept demonstrations. Here we report the generation of wafer-scale semiconductor films with a very high level of spatial uniformity and pristine interfaces. The vertical composition and properties of these films are designed at the atomic scale using layer-by-layer assembly of two-dimensional building blocks under vacuum. We fabricate several large-scale, high-quality heterostructure films and devices, including superlattice films with vertical compositions designed layer-by-layer, batch-fabricated tunnel device arrays with resistances that can be tuned over four orders of magnitude, band-engineered heterostructure tunnel diodes, and millimetre-scale ultrathin membranes and windows. The stacked films are detachable, suspendable and compatible with water or plastic surfaces, which will enable their integration with advanced optical and mechanical systems.

Association between Pax8-PPARγ1 Rearrangement and Follicular Thyroid Cancer: a Meta-Analysis

Li, Hang-Yu,Xie, Zhi-Hao,Xu, Cong-Hui,Pu, Mei-Ling,Chen, Zi-Yan,Yu, Miao,Wang, Heng-Shu,Zhou, Chen-Ming,Pu, Chao-Yu,Liu, Wei Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2016 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.17 No.9

Background: Pax8 and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma 1 gene (Pax8-$PPAR{\gamma}1$) are important factors in tumors. Several studies have suggested that follicular thyroid cancer may arise from Pax8- $PPAR{\gamma}1$ rearrangement. In order to have a better understanding of the association between Pax8-$PPAR{\gamma}1$ rearrangement and follicular thyroid cancer, we conducted the presenmt meta-analysis. Materials and Methods: The information was extracted from PubMed, EMBASE and Web of Science. Statistic analysis was performed with Stata12.0 software. Odds ratios (ORs) were calculated using a fixed-effects model. We also performed heterogeneity and publication bias analyses. Results: Nine studies including 198 follicular thyroid cancer patients and 268 controls were considered eligible. The frequency of Pax8-$PPAR{\gamma}1$ rearrangement was significantly higher in the follicular thyroid cancer group than in the control group, with a pooled OR of 6.63 (95%CI=3.50-12.7). In addition, through subgroup analysis, the OR between Pax8-$PPAR{\gamma}1$ rearrangement and follicular thyroid cancer was 6.04 (95%CI = 3.18-11.5) when using benign tumor tissues as controls. The OR for the method subgroup was 9.99 (95% CI =4.86-20.5) in the RT-PCR. Conclusions: The final results demonstrated that Pax8-$PPAR{\gamma}1$ rearrangement has significant association with follicular thyroid cancer.

In vitro Biofumigation of Brassica Tissues Against Potato Stem Rot Caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum

Ojaghian, Mohammad Reza,Jiang, Heng,Xie, Guan-Lin,Cui, Zhou-Qi,Zhang, Jingze,Li, Bin The Korean Society of Plant Pathology 2012 Plant Pathology Journal Vol.28 No.2

Sclerotinia sclerotiorum is a serious pathogen which causes yield loss in many dicotyledonous crops including potato. The objective of this study was to assess the potential of biofumigation using three Brassica crops including Brassica napus, B. juncea and B. campestris against potato stem rot caused by S. sclerotiorum by in vitro tests. Both macerated and irradiated dried tissues were able to reduce radial growth and sclerotia formation of five pathogen isolates on PDA, but macerated live tissues were more effective. Compared with other tested crops, B. juncea showed more inhibitory effect against the pathogen. The volatile compounds produced from macerated tissues were identified using a gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer. The main identified compounds were methyl, allyl and butyl isothiocyanates. Different concentrations of these compounds inhibited mycelial growth of the pathogen in vitro when applied as the vapor of pure chemicals. A negative relationship was observed between chemicals concentrations and growth inhibition percentage. In this study, it became clear that the tissues of local Brassica crops release glucosinolates and have a good potential to be used against the pathogen in field examinations.

In vitro Biofumigation of Brassica Tissues Against Potato Stem Rot Caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum

Mohammad Reza Ojaghian,,Guan Lin Xie,Zhou-qi Cui,,Bin Li,Heng Jiang 한국식물병리학회 2012 Plant Pathology Journal Vol.28 No.2

Sclerotinia sclerotiorum is a serious pathogen which causes yield loss in many dicotyledonous crops including potato. The objective of this study was to assess the potential of biofumigation using three Brassica crops including Brassica napus, B. juncea and B. campestris against potato stem rot caused by S. sclerotiorum by in vitro tests. Both macerated and irradiated dried tissues were able to reduce radial growth and sclerotia formation of five pathogen isolates on PDA, but macerated live tissues were more effective. Compared with other tested crops, B. juncea showed more inhibitory effect against the pathogen. The volatile compounds produced from macerated tissues were identified using a gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer. The main identified compounds were methyl, allyl and butyl isothiocyanates. Different concentrations of these compounds inhibited mycelial growth of the pathogen in vitro when applied as the vapor of pure chemicals. A negative relationship was observed between chemicals concentrations and growth inhibition percentage. In this study, it became clear that the tissues of local Brassica crops release glucosinolates and have a good potential to be used against the pathogen in field examinations.

Conceptual design study on Plutonium-238 production in a multi-purpose high flux reactor

Li Jian,Zhao Jing,Liu Zhihong,She Ding,Xie Heng,Shi Lei 한국원자력학회 2024 Nuclear Engineering and Technology Vol.56 No.1

Plutonium-238 has always been considered as the one of the promising radioisotopes for space nuclear power supply, which has long half-life, low radiation protection level, high power density, and stable fuel form at high temperatures. The industrial-scale production of 238Pu mainly depends on irradiating solid 237NpO2 target in high flux reactors, however the production process faces problems such as large fission loss and high requirements for product quality control. In this paper, a conceptual design study of producing 238Pu in a multipurpose high flux reactor was evaluated and analyzed, which includes a sensitivity analysis on 238Pu production and a further study on the irradiation scheme. It demonstrated that the target structure and its location in the reactor, as well as the operation scheme has an impact on 238Pu amount and product quality. Furthermore, the production efficiency could be improved by optimizing target material concentration, target locations in the core and reflector. This work provides technical support for irradiation production of 238Pu in high flux reactors.