Critical effects of long non-coding RNA on fibrosis diseases

Yue Zhang,Gang Luo,Yi Zhang,Mengjie Zhang,Jian Zhou,Weiwu Gao,Xiuyun Xuan,Xia Yang,Di Yang,Zhiqiang Tian,Bing Ni,Jun Tang 생화학분자생물학회 2018 Experimental and molecular medicine Vol.50 No.-

The expression or dysfunction of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) is closely related to various hereditary diseases, autoimmune diseases, metabolic diseases and tumors. LncRNAs were also recently recognized as functional regulators of fibrosis, which is a secondary process in many of these diseases and a primary pathology in fibrosis diseases. We review the latest findings on lncRNAs in fibrosis diseases of the liver, myocardium, kidney, lung and peritoneum. We also discuss the potential of diseaserelated lncRNAs as therapeutic targets for the clinical treatment of human fibrosis diseases.

Thrombin promotes epithelial ovarian cancer cell invasion by inducing epithelial-mesenchymal transition

Yi-Cun Zhong,Ting Zhang,Wen Di,Wei-Ping Li 대한부인종양학회 2013 Journal of Gynecologic Oncology Vol.24 No.3

Objective: Over-expression of thrombin in ovarian cancer cells is associated with poor prognosis. In this study, we investigated the role of thrombin in inducing epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in SKOV3 epithelial ovarian cancer cells. Methods: After thrombin treatment SKOV3 cells were subjected to western blots, reverse-transcription PCR, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to quantify EMT-related proteins, mRNA expression of SMAD2, DKK1, and sFRP1, and the secretion of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and cytokines. Meanwhile, invasion ability was evaluated using transwell assays. Results: The results indicated a dose- and time-dependent down-regulation of E-cadherin and upregulation of N-cadherin and vimentin in thrombin-treated SKOV3 cells, compared with the thrombin-free control group (p<0.05). There was a dose-and time-dependent increase in the levels of SMAD2 and DKK1 mRNAs and a decrease in the levels of sFRP1 mRNA in thrombin-treated SKOV3 cells compared to control cells (p<0.05). Thrombin-treated SKOV3 cells exhibited increased secretion of MMP-9, MMP-2, interleukin (IL)-8, and IL-6 and increased invasion compared to untreated cells (p<0.05). Thrombin altered the morphology of SKOV3 cells to a spindle-like phenotype. Addition of hirudin to thrombin-treated cells reversed the effects of thrombin. Conclusion: Thrombin induced EMT and promoted the invasion of SKOV3 cells, possibly via distinct signaling pathways. Hirudin inhibited the effects of thrombin, suggesting that anticoagulant therapy could be a novel therapeutic strategy for ovarian carcinoma.

Sulfakinin inhibits activity of digestive enzymes in the brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens

Guo Di,Zhang Su,Zhang Yi-Jie,Ma Jun-Yu,Gao Cong-Fen,Wu Shun-Fan 한국응용곤충학회 2020 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.23 No.4

In animals, feeding can regulate release of digestive enzymes. Digestive enzymes are produced and released in response to specific ratios of nutrients, so the quality and quantity of food ingested are important factors in the secretion and activity of digestive enzymes. In general, the enzyme activity and secretion in the fed insects are relatively higher than that in the unfed insects. Neuropeptides and peptide hormones are important regulators of enzyme activity. In several insects, the neuropeptide sulfakinin (SK) is known to be a regulator of feeding and digestion similar to cholecystokinin in mammals. However, the roles of diet and SK in regulation of activity of digestive enzymes in the important pest insect, the brown planthopper (Nilaparvata lugens), are unknown. In this study, we identified six genes encoding different digestive enzymes and cloned three of these. We found that enzymatic activity and transcriptional levels of digestive enzymatic activity genes were upregulated by refeeding animals for 5 h after 24 h starvation. Furthermore, injection of N. lugens SK reduces digestive enzyme activity and leads to a downregulation of digestive enzyme gene transcripts. This study provides new views into the action of diet and SK in regulation of digestive enzymes in (hemimetabolous) insects. Taken together with the roles of SK in inducing satiety, our data strongly suggest that SK signaling is important in regulation of food ingestion and processing.

Gene Polymorphisms of OPRM1 A118G and ABCB1 C3435T May Influence Opioid Requirements in Chinese Patients with Cancer Pain

Gong, Xiao-Di,Wang, Jiong-Yi,Liu, Feng,Yuan, Hai-Hua,Zhang, Wen-Ying,Guo, Yue-Hui,Jiang, Bin Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.5

Backgrounds: Polymorphisms of OPRM1 A118G and ABCB1 C3435T have been suggested to contribute to inter-individual variability regarding pain sensitivity, opioid usage, tolerance and dependence and incidence of adverse effects in patients with chronic pain. This study aimed to investigate the association of both two polymorphisms with opioid requirements in Chinese patients with cancer pain. Methods: The genotypes of rs1799971 (OPRM1) and rs1045642 (ABCB1) were determined by PCR-RFLP and direct sequencing methods respectively in 112 patients with cancer-related pain. Comparisons between the different genotype or allele groups were performed with t-tests or one-way ANOVA tests, as appropriate. The potential relationship of allele number with opioid response was performed with a trend Jonckheere-Terpstra test. Results: In the 112 subjects, the frequencies of variant 118 G and 3435T allele were 38.4% and 37.9%, respectively. Significant higher 24h-opioid doses were observed in patients with GG (P=0.0004) and AG + GG (P=0.005) genotypes than the AA carriers. The dominant mutant 118G allele tended to be associated with progressively increasing 24h-opioiddoses (P=0.001). Compared with CC/CT, patients with ABCB1 TT genotype received higher 24h- and weight-surface area-adjusted-24h- opioids doses (P=0.057 and 0.028, respectively). Conclusions: The OPRM1 A118G single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) is a key contributor for the inter-individual variability in opioidrequirements in Chinese cancer pain patients. This may possibly extend to the ABCB1 C3435T SNP.

Fractional-order L_βC_α Low-Pass Filter Circuit

Zhou, Rui,Zhang, Run-Fan,Chen, Di-Yi The Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers 2015 Journal of Electrical Engineering & Technology Vol.10 No.4

This paper introduces the fundamentals of the conventional LC low-pass filter circuit in the fractional domain. First, we study the new fundamentals of fractional-order LC low-pass filter circuit including the pure real angular frequency, the pure imaginary angular frequency and the short circuit angular frequency. Moreover, sensitivity analysis of the impedance characteristics and phase characteristics of the LC low-pass filter circuit with respect to the system variables is studied in detail, which shows the greater flexibility of the fractional-order filter circuit in designs. Furthermore, from the filtering property perspective, we systematically investigate the effects of the system variables (LC, frequency f and fractional orders) on the amplitude-frequency characteristics and phase-frequency characteristics. In addition, the detailed analyses of the cut-off frequency and filter factor are presented. Numerical experimental results are presented to verify the theoretical results introduced in this paper.

Genotoxicity and effect on early stage proliferation of osteoprogenitor cells on amino-group functionalized titanium implant surface: an in vitro test

Tian-qi Guo,Yi-di Zhang,Wen-jing Luo,Xue Li,Yan-min Zhou,Jing-hui Zhao,Jing-hui Zhao 대한독성 유전단백체 학회 2016 Molecular & cellular toxicology Vol.12 No.2

Genotoxicity and effect on early stage proliferation of osteoprogenitor cells of titanium surfaces modified by heptylamine functionalization through Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition (PECVD) were evaluated in current study. Mouse embryo osteoprogenitor MC3T3-E1 cells were grown on titanium surfaces of all the groups. The CCK-8 assay showed the growths of MC3T3-E1 cells on treated titanium disks were not inhibited compared with those on pure titanium groups. Result of Single Cell Gel Electrophoresis (SCGE) test indicated the treated groups showed no significant differences in tail length, tail DNA%, and tail moment compared with pure titanium group. Rate of micronucleus, nucleoplamic buds and nuclear blebs showed no significant differences between treated groups and pure titanium group. Our research exhibited that: The amino-group functionalized titanium surface has neither genotoxicity nor detrimental effects on early-stage proliferation towards osteoprogenitor cells in vitro, thus offer a theoretic support for the clinical use of such functionalized titanium as implant surface.

Fractional-order L<SUB>β</SUB>C<SUB>α</SUB> Low-Pass Filter Circuit

Rui Zhou,Run-Fan Zhang,Di-Yi Chen 대한전기학회 2015 Journal of Electrical Engineering & Technology Vol.10 No.4

This paper introduces the fundamentals of the conventional LC low-pass filter circuit in the fractional domain. First, we study the new fundamentals of fractional-order LC low-pass filter circuit including the pure real angular frequency, the pure imaginary angular frequency and the short circuit angular frequency. Moreover, sensitivity analysis of the impedance characteristics and phase characteristics of the LC low-pass filter circuit with respect to the system variables is studied in detail, which shows the greater flexibility of the fractional-order filter circuit in designs. Furthermore, from the filtering property perspective, we systematically investigate the effects of the system variables (LC, frequency f and fractional orders) on the amplitude-frequency characteristics and phase-frequency characteristics. In addition, the detailed analyses of the cut-off frequency and filter factor are presented. Numerical experimental results are presented to verify the theoretical results introduced in this paper.

Antitumor Activity of Lentivirus-mediated Interleukin -12 Gene Modified Dendritic Cells in Human Lung Cancer in Vitro

Ali, Hassan Abdellah Ahmed,Di, Jun,Mei, Wu,Zhang, Yu-Cheng,Li, Yi,Du, Zhen-Wu,Zhang, Gui-Zhen Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.2

Objectives: Dendritic cell (DC)-based tumor immunotherapy needs an immunogenic tumor associated antigen (TAA) and an effective approach for its presentation to lymphocytes. In this study we explored whether transduction of DCs with lentiviruses (LVs) expressing the human interleukin-12 gene could stimulate antigen-specific cytotoxic T cells (CTLs) against human lung cancer cells in vitro. Methods: Peripheral blood monocyte-derived DCs were transduced with a lentiviral vector encoding human IL-12 gene (LV-12). The anticipated target of the human IL-12 gene was detected by RT-PCR. The concentration of IL-12 in the culture supernatant of DCs was measured by ELISA.Transduction efficiencies and CD83 phenotypes of DCs were assessed by flow cytometry. DCs were pulsed with tumor antigen of lung cancer cells (DC+Ag) and transduced with LV-12 (DC-LV-12+Ag). Stimulation of T lymphocyte proliferation by DCs and activation of cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTL) stimulated by LV-12 transduced DCs pulsed with tumor antigen against A549 lung cancer cells were assessed with methyl thiazolyltetrazolium (MTT). Results: A recombinant lentivirus expressing the IL-12 gene was successfully constructed. DC transduced with LV-12 produced higher levels of IL-12 and expressed higher levels of CD83 than non-transduced. The DC modified by interleukin -12 gene and pulsed with tumor antigen demonstrated good stimulation of lymphocyte proliferation, induction of antigen-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes and antitumor effects. Conclusions: Dendritic cells transduced with a lentivirus-mediated interleukin-12 gene have an enhanced ability to kill lung cancer cells through promoting T lymphocyte proliferation and cytotoxicity.

Clinical Study of Tumor Angiogenesis and Perfusion Imaging Using Multi-slice Spiral Computed Tomography for Breast Cancer

Xu, Na,Lei, Zhen,Li, Xiao-Long,Zhang, Jun,Li, Chen,Feng, Guo-Quan,Li, Di-Nuo,Liu, Jing-Yi,Wei, Qiang,Bian, Ting-Ting,Zou, Tian-Yu Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.1

Objectives: To explore the correlation between multi-slice spiral CT (MSCT) perfusion parameters and the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) as well as matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) in breast cancer. Methods: Forty five breast cancer patients and 16 patients with benign breast tumor, both confirmed by pathology examination, were enrolled. All underwent MSCT perfusion imaging to obtain perfusion maps and data for parameters including blood flow (BF), blood volume (BV) and permeability surface (PS). Cancer patients did not receive treatment prior to surgery. The expression of VEGF and MMP-2 were examined with both immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. Results: The levels of VEGF and MMP-2 by immunohistochemistry were significantly higher in the breast cancer group (P < 0.01) than the benign tumor group. Relative OD values from Western blotting were also higher in cancer cases (P < 0.05). Similarly, the mean MSCT perfusion parameters (BF, BV, PS) were significantly higher in the breast cancer group (P < 0.01), BF and BV positively correlating with VEGF expression (r = 0.878 and 0.809 respectively, P < 0.01); PS and VEGF and MMP-2 expression were also positively correlated (r= 0.860, 0.786 respectively, P < 0.01). Conclusion: There is a correlation between breast cancer MSCT perfusion parameters and VEGF andMMP-2 expression, which might be useful for detection of breast lesions, qualitative diagnosis of breast cancer, and evaluation of breast cancer treatment.

Chinese herbal injections for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19): A narrative review

Xiao-Bin Zhu,Meng Guo,Zhi-Hui Zhang,Li-Hua Sun,Lei Liu,Li-Juan Zhou,Chun-Lei Shan,Yi Yang,Lian-Di Kan,Liu-Cheng Li 한국한의학연구원 2021 Integrative Medicine Research Vol.10 No.4

Background The outbreak of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused more than 180 million infections and 3.9 million deaths. To date, emerging clinical evidence has shown the synergetic benefits of Chinese herbal injections in treating this contagious respiratory disease. This review aims to summarize and analyze the efficacy and safety of Chinese herbal injections in the therapy of COVID-19. Methods The literature from 3 electronic databases, PubMed, CNKI, and Web of Science, were searched using the search terms “COVID-19”, “SARS-CoV-2”, “traditional Chinese medicine”, “herb”, “herbal”, and “injection”. Then the identified articles were comprehensively evaluated. Results Limited data demonstrated that Chinese herbal injections could significantly improve the clinical outcomes of COVID-19 patients, especially in combination with conventional treatment strategies. The benefits of which were mainly associated with the relief of symptoms, prevention of secondary infection, regulation of inflammation and immune function. There was also evidence showing the inhibitory effects on SARS-CoV-2 replication in vitro. Nevertheless, available real-world data suggested the increased risk of adverse event. Furthermore, the defects of existing researches and the insights for discovering novel antiviral drugs were prospectively discussed. Conclusion Evidence-based advances revealed that Chinese herbal injections such as XueBiJing injection and ShenMai injection, exerted potent effects against COVID-19. Further laboratory researches and clinical evaluation are needed to gather scientific evidence on the efficacy and safety.