Sputum Metabolomic Profiling Reveals Metabolic Pathways and Signatures Associated With Inflammatory Phenotypes in Patients With Asthma

Liu Ying,Zhang Xin,Zhang Li,Oliver Brian G,Wang Hong Guang,Liu Zhi Peng,Chen Zhi Hong,Wood Lisa,Hsu Alan Chen-Yu,Xie Min,McDonald Vanessa,Wan Hua Jing,Luo Feng Ming,Liu Dan,Li Wei Min,Wang Gang 대한천식알레르기학회 2022 Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Research Vol.14 No.4

Purpose: The molecular links between metabolism and inflammation that drive different inflammatory phenotypes in asthma are poorly understood. We aimed to identify the metabolic signatures and underlying molecular pathways of different inflammatory asthma phenotypes. Methods: In the discovery set (n = 119), untargeted ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS) was applied to characterize the induced sputum metabolic profiles of asthmatic patients with different inflammatory phenotypes using orthogonal partial least-squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA), and pathway topology enrichment analysis. In the validation set (n = 114), differential metabolites were selected to perform targeted quantification. Correlations between targeted metabolites and clinical indices in asthmatic patients were analyzed. Logistic and negative binomial regression models were established to assess the association between metabolites and severe asthma exacerbations. Results: Seventy-seven differential metabolites were identified in the discovery set. Pathway topology analysis uncovered that histidine metabolism, glycerophospholipid metabolism, nicotinate and nicotinamide metabolism, linoleic acid metabolism as well as phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan biosynthesis were involved in the pathogenesis of different asthma phenotypes. In the validation set, 24 targeted quantification metabolites were significantly expressed between asthma inflammatory phenotypes. Finally, adenosine 5′-monophosphate (adjusted relative risk [adj RR] = 1.000; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.000–1.000; P = 0.050), allantoin (adj RR = 1.000; 95% CI = 1.000–1.000; P = 0.043) and nicotinamide (adj RR = 1.001; 95% CI = 1.000–1.002; P = 0.021) were demonstrated to predict severe asthma exacerbation rates. Conclusions: Different inflammatory asthma phenotypes have specific metabolic profiles in induced sputum. The potential metabolic signatures may identify therapeutic targets in different inflammatory asthma phenotypes.

<i>Arcticibacter pallidicorallinus</i> sp. nov. isolated from glacier ice

Liu, Qing,Kim, Song-gun,Liu, Hong-can,Xin, Yu-hua,Zhou, Yu-guang International Union of Microbiological Societies 2014 International journal of systematic and evolutiona Vol.64 No.7

<P>A Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped bacterium (strain Hh36<SUP>T</SUP>) was isolated from the No. 1 glacier in Xinjiang, north-west China. Colonies of strain Hh36<SUP>T</SUP> were pink, convex and round on PYG medium plates. Strain Hh36<SUP>T</SUP> was able to grow at 4–30 °C and pH 6.0–8.0. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain Hh36<SUP>T</SUP> was related to members of the genus <I>Arcticibacter</I>. The major cellular fatty acids of the novel strain were iso-C<SUB>15 : 0</SUB>, summed feature 3 (C<SUB>16 : 1</SUB>ω6<I>c</I> and/or C<SUB>16 : 1</SUB>ω7<I>c</I>) and iso-C<SUB>17 : 0</SUB> 3-OH. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 44.0 mol%. On the basis of phenotypic characteristics and phylogenetic analysis, strain Hh36<SUP>T</SUP> is considered to represent a novel species of the genus <I>Arcticibacter</I>, for which the name <I>Arcticibacter</I> <I>pallidicorallinus</I> sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is Hh36<SUP>T</SUP> ( = CGMCC 1.9313<SUP>T</SUP> = KCTC 32542<SUP>T</SUP>).</P>

Isoindolin-1-ones from the stems of Nicotiana tabacum and their antiviral activities

Guang-Yu Yang,Jia-Meng Dai,Zhen-Jie Li,Jin Wang,Feng-Xian Yang,Xin Liu,Jing Li,Qian Gao,Xue-Mei Li,Yin-Ke Li,Wei-Guang Wang,Min Zhou,Qiu-Fen Hu 대한약학회 2022 Archives of Pharmacal Research Vol.45 No.8

In previous studies, several isoindolin-1-oneanalogs that exhibited signifi cant anti-tobacco mosaic virus(anti-TMV) activities were isolated from Nicotiana tabacum . Since gene-editing mutants provide a new sample for thediscovery of active metabolites, we focused on the stems ofYN-18–23 (a mutant N. tabacum for gene editing with thealkaloid metabolic pathway cultivated by Yunnan TobaccoCompany), which led to the isolation of four new ( 1–4 )and four known ( 5–8 ) isoindolin-1-ones. To the best of ourknowledge, nicindole C ( 3 ) is the fi rst subclass of isoindolin-1-one bearing a pentacyclic ketone, while nicindole D ( 4 )is the fi rst example of isoindolin-1-one bearing a methylpyridin-2-(1 H )-one moiety. Compounds 1–4 were testedfor their anti-TMV activities, and the results revealed thatcompounds 1 , 3 , and 4 exhibited high anti-TMV activities atconcentrations of 20 μM with inhibition rates of 48.6, 42.8,and 71.5%, respectively. These rates are higher than the inhibitionrate of the positive control (33.2%). The mechanisticstudy of compound 4 , which had the highest anti-TMV activityrevealed that increased potentiation of defense-related enzyme activities and downregulation of expression of theNtHsp70 protein may induce resistance in tobacco againstthe viral pathogen TMV. Molecular docking studies alsorevealed that the isoindolin-1-one substructure is fundamentalfor anti-TMV activity. The methyl-pyridin-2-(1 H )-onemoiety in compound 4 and the 2-oxopropyl groups in compounds1 and 3 at the N -2 position may increase inhibitoryactivities. This study of the structure–activity relationshipis helpful for fi nding new anti-TMV activity inhibitors. Tostudy whether the isoindolin-1-ones have broader antiviralactivities, compounds 1–4 were also tested for their antirotavirusactivities. Compound 4 exhibited high anti-rotavirusactivity with a therapeutic index (TI) value of 20.7. This TI value is close to that of the positive control (20.2).

Inhaled Formaldehyde Induces Bone Marrow Toxicity via Oxidative Stress in Exposed Mice

Yu, Guang-Yan,Song, Xiang-Fu,Liu, Ying,Sun, Zhi-Wei Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.13

Formaldehyde (FA) is an economically important chemical, and has been found to cause various types of toxic damage to the body. Formaldehyde-induced toxic damage involves reactive oxygen species (ROS) that trigger subsequent toxic effects and inflammatory responses, which may increase risk of cancer. Therefore, in the present study, we aimed to investigate the possible toxic mechanism in bone marrow caused by formaldehyde. In accordance with the principle of randomization, the mice were divided into four groups of 6 mice per group. One group was exposed to ambient air and the other three groups were exposed to different concentrations of formaldehyde (20, 40, $80mg/m^3$) for 15 days in the respective inhalation chambers, 2h a day. At the end of the 15-day experimental period, all mice were killed. Bone marrow cells were obtained. Some of those were used for the determination of blood cell numbers, bone marrow karyote numbers, CFU-F, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) content; others were used for the determination of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), cell cycle and Bcl-2, Bax, CytC protein expression. WBC and PLT numbers in median and high dose groups were obvious reduced, but there was no change on RBC numbers. There was also reduced numbers of bone marrow karyotes and CFU-F in the high dose group. SOD activity was decreased, but MDA content was increased. MMP and Bcl-2 expression were decreased with increasing formaldehyde concentration, while expression of Bax and Cyt C was increased. We also observed change in cell cycling, and found that there was S phase arrest in the high dose group. Our study suggested that a certain concentration of formaldehyde could have toxic effects on the hematopoietic system, with oxidative stress as a critical effect.

Significance of Oligoclonal Bands after Stem Cell Transplantation in Multiple Myeloma Cases

Liu, Ai-Jun,Zong, Hong,Yang, Guang-Zhong,Zhai, Yu-Hua,Li, Li-Hong Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.4

Objective: To determine the characteristics of oligoclonal bands that are frequently detected by serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP) and immunofixation electrophoresis (IFE) after stem cell transplantation. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 56 patients with multiple myeloma (MM) undergoing transplantation, and standard immunofixation electrophoresis was used to identify and quantify paraproteins. Results: The median follow-up was 35 months (range, 10-76months) and 21 patients relapsed. Twelve (25.0%) demonstrated oligoclonal bands after a median time 1.4 months (range, 1-3months), with a median duration of 5.8 months (range, 1-15months). The majority patients with oligoclonal bands had normal quantities of immunoglobulins and the one year event free survival (EFS) was 92%, even higher than for patients without OBs (P=0.002). Conclusion: Oligoclonal bands frequent develop post-transplantation in MM cases. In the vast majority of patients, they may not represent relapsed disease, and more likely represent a transient phenomenon representing recovery of impaired immunoglobulin production.

The Correlation between the Injury Patterns of the Medial Patellofemoral Ligament in an Acute First-Time Lateral Patellar Dislocation on MR Imaging and the Incidence of a Second-Time Lateral Patellar Dislocation

Guang-ying Zhang,Hong-xia Zhu,En-miao Li,Hao Shi,Wei Liu,Lei Zheng,Zheng-wu Bai,Hong-yu Ding 대한영상의학회 2018 Korean Journal of Radiology Vol.19 No.2

Objective: To evaluate the correlation between the injury patterns of the medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) on magnetic resonance imaging in an acute first-time lateral patellar dislocation (LPD) and incidence of a second-time LPD. Materials and Methods: Magnetic resonance images were prospectively analyzed in 147 patients after an acute first-time LPD with identical nonoperative management. The injury patterns of MPFL in acute first-time LPDs were grouped by location and severity for the analysis of the incidence of second-time LPD in a 5-year follow-up. Independent t tests, chi-square tests and Kruskal-Wallis tests were performed as appropriate. Results: Forty-six cases (46/147, 31.3%) of second-time LPD were present at the 5-year follow-up. Fourteen (14/62, 22.6%) and 31 cases (31/80, 38.8%) were present in the partial and complete MPFL tear subgroups, respectively. Twenty-five cases (25/65, 38.5%), 11 cases (11/26, 42.3%), and 8 cases (8/47, 17%) were present in the isolated femoral-side MPFL tear (FEM), combined MPFL tear (COM), and isolated patellar-side MPFL tear (PAT) subgroups, respectively. Compared with the partial MPFL tears, complete tears showed higher incidence of a second-time LPD (p = 0.04). The time interval between the two LPDs was shorter in the complete MPFL tear subgroup (24.2 months) than in the partial tear subgroup (36.9 months, p = 0.001). Compared with the PAT subgroup, the FEM and COM subgroups showed a higher incidence of a second-time LPD (p = 0.025). The time intervals between the two LPDs were shorter in the FEM and COM subgroups (20.8 months and 19.2 months) than in the PAT subgroup (32.5 months, p = 0.049). Conclusion: A complete MPFL tear, isolated femoral-side tear and combined tear in a first-time LPD predispose a second-time LPD.

Property Alignment of Linked Data Based on Similarity between Functions

Yu Liu,Shi-Hong Chen,Jin-Guang Gu 보안공학연구지원센터 2015 International Journal of Database Theory and Appli Vol.8 No.4

Owing to the complex structure and multi-meaning, property alignment is generally regarded as a challenging problem in the context of linked data. In this paper, we propose a novel method to align properties between datasets of linked data. Considering the role of properties in RDF triples, we regard all properties of linked data as property functions, and convert the problem of property alignment to the similarity evaluation between property functions, while the equivalent instances as inputs of property functions. Based on the similarity of property functions, the property alignment process of linked data is introduced. In order to prove the validity, we use the method to align properties in five representative domains between DBpeida and YAGO, DBpedia and LinkedGeoData respectively. The experimental results show that our method is independent of the property naming rules and can retrieve some matching properties ignored by other methods. In addition, our method requires fewer entity co-reference links than the link statistical approach.

Phase II Study on Safety and Efficacy of Yadanzi^® (Javanica oil emulsion injection) Combined with Chemotherapy for Patients with Gastric Cancer

Liu, Jin,Huang, Xin-En,Tian, Guang-Yu,Cao, Jie,Lu, Yan-Yan,Wu, Xue-Yan,Xiang, Jin Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.3

Objective: To investigate the efficacy and safety of Yadanzi$^{(R)}$ (Javanica oil emulsion injection) combined with chemotherapy for treatment of patients with advanced gastric cancer. Methods: From January 2011 to December 2012, we recruited 75 patients with advanced gastric cancer, who received javanica oil emulsion injection together with chemotherapy. After two cycles of treatment, efficacy and safety of the combined therapies were evaluated. Results: Overall response rate of 75 patients after treatment was 85.3% (CR+PR+SD). Treatment related side effects were recorded. No treatment related death occurred. Conclusions: Javanica oil emulsion injection combined with chemotherapy could be considered as a safe and effective regimen in treating patients with advanced gastric cancer. Further randomized clinical trials should be conducted to confirm whether the addition of Yadanzi$^{(R)}$ to chemotheraphy could be associated with reduced toxicity, enhanced tolerability and improved quality of life for patients with advanced gastric cancer.

Identification of putative carboxylesterase and aldehyde oxidase genes from the antennae of the rice leaffolder, Cnaphalocrocis medinalis (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

Yu-Xing Zhang,Wen-Long Wang,Mao-Ye Li,Shi-Guang Li,Su Liu 한국응용곤충학회 2017 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.20 No.3

In insects, odorant-degrading enzymes (ODEs) play essential roles in the degradation of volatile odorants and maintenance of olfactory sensitivity. ODEs include several enzyme families with detoxification functions, such as carboxylesterases (CXEs) and aldehyde oxidases (AOXs). The rice leaffolder, Cnaphalocrocis medinalis (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), is a serious rice insect pest in Asia. In this study, 18 putative CXE genes and four AOX genes were identified from the antennae of C. medinalis by retrieving a previously released transcriptome dataset. BLASTX searching and phylogenetic analyses showed that these genes are closely related to their respective orthologs in other lepidopteran species. Expression patterns of these genes were determined by reverse transcription- quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). Four candidate genes, including three CmedCXEs (CmedCXE17, CmedCXE20 and CmedCXE24) and one CmedAOX (CmedAOX2) were antenna-enriched and considered potentially involved in odorant degradation. Our findings provide a comprehensive sequence resource and expression profiles of CXE and AOX genes in C. medinalis antennae, which may facilitate further studies of the odorant degradation mechanisms in this insect species.

Life extension analysis of high speed ball bearing based on multi-parameter coupling

Guang Zeng,Chunjiang Zhao,Xiaokai Yu,Qiang Bian,Zhigang Xiao,Bingyang Liu 대한기계학회 2021 JOURNAL OF MECHANICAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Vol.35 No.4

The internal contact nonlinear characteristics caused by the quasi-static properties of high-speed ball bearing is taken as a breakthrough point. Based on the L-P fatigue life theory, the bearing parameters and the preload load are used as the constraint variables to establish an overall bearing life extension model. Then, combined with the influence of geometric parameters on the osculation, the influence mechanism between spin-to-roll ratio and the life of the bearing are studied under the individual variation of the geometric parameters. Finally, the variation law of the bearing life, frictional heat generation and spin-to-roll ratio under the coupling changes of various parameters, and the priority of each parameter on the bearing life sensitivity, are investigated. The results show that the bearing life could be prolonged when the initial contact angle and the number of rolling elements increase but the inner and outer raceway curvature radius coefficients of the bearing and the preload force reduce. And the priority order of each parameter to bearing life sensitivity is as follows: the inner and outer raceway curvature radius coefficients shows the strongest influence on the bearing life, followed by the number of balls, and then the initial contact angle. This research provides a reliable theoretical basis for the design of high-speed ball bearings and life extension technology.