MiR‑15a attenuates peripheral nerve injury‑induced neuropathic pain by targeting AKT3 to regulate autophagy

Longxue Cai,Xianfa Liu,Qicai Guo,Qi huang,Qiong Zhang,Zuohong Cao 한국유전학회 2020 Genes & Genomics Vol.42 No.1

Objective Aim of this study was to detect the expression of miR-15a in rats following chronic constriction injury (CCI) and to investigate the regulatory functions of miR-15a during neuropathic pain (NP) development. Methods CCI was performed in adult Sprague–Dawley rats to set up the rat model of neuropathic pain. MiR-15a agomir and scrambled control were delivered into the implanted catheter of rats. The mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia were assessed in both CCI- and sham-operated groups. Rat lumbar spinal cord tissues were harvested for mRNA and protein analyses. The primary spinal microglia were isolated from adult Sprague–Dawley rats and transfected with miR-15a mimics, scramble miRNA, miR-15a inhibitor or its corresponding negative control. Cell lysates were collected for mRNA and protein analyses. Results Compared to sham-operated group, the expression of miR-15a in CCI rats was significantly reduced, whereas neuroinflammation in spinal cord tissues was increased. Intrathecal administration of miR-15a agomir significantly attenuated CCI-induced NP and the levels of proinflammatory cytokines, including IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α. AKT3 was predicted and confirmed as a miR-15a-regulated gene. We further demonstrated that miR-15a overexpression downregulated the level of AKT3 in primary rat microglia and rat CCI model. Moreover, the upregulation of miR-15a induced the expressions of autophagy-associated proteins, suggesting that the regulation mechanism of miR-15a in NP development involves AKT3mediated autophagy via inhibiting the expression of AKT3. Conclusion Our findings indicated that miR-15a might serve as a promising therapeutic target for the management of NP through the stimulation of autophagic process.

Prevalence and Molecular Characterization of Echinococcus granulosus sensu stricto in Northern Xinjiang, China

Baoping Guo,Zhuangzhi Zhang,Xueting Zheng,Yongzhong Guo,Li Zhao,Ren Cai,Bingjie Wang,Mei Yang,Xi Shou,Wenbao Zhang,Bin Jia 대한기생충학ㆍ열대의학회 2019 The Korean Journal of Parasitology Vol.57 No.2

Echinococcus granulosus is an important zoonotic parasite globally causing cystic echinococcosis (CE) in hu- mans and animals. In this study, prevalence of CE and variation of cox1 gene sequence were analyzed with isolates E. granulosus collected from different areas in northern Xinjiang, China. The survey showed that 3.5% of sheep and 4.1% of cattle were infected with CE. Fragment of cox1 was amplified from all the positive sheep and cattle samples by PCR. In addition, 26 positive samples across the 4 areas were included. The isolates were all E. granulosus sensu stricto (s.s.) containing 15 haplotypes (Hap1-15), and clustered into 2 genotypes, G1 (90.1%, 91/101) and G3 (9.9%, 10/101). Hap1 was the most common haplotype (48.5%, 49/101). Hap9 were found in humans samples, indicating that sheep and cattle reservoir human CE. It is indicate that E. granulosus may impact on control of CE in livestock and humans in the region.

Investigation on Drained Mechanical Properties of Sandy Soil after Internal Erosion with an Erosion-Stress Coupling Apparatus

Guo-dong Cai,Liang Chen,Yao-zong Teng,Zi-xue Yin,Zhe Zhang 대한토목학회 2023 KSCE JOURNAL OF CIVIL ENGINEERING Vol.27 No.2

Internal erosion is one of the important causes of soil damage. In this paper, an erosion-stress coupling apparatus was developed to investigate the mechanical property of soil after internal erosion. Main efforts were devoted to rebuilding pressure cell so that soils can be eroded under confining pressure and deviator pressure. The hydraulic gradient is controlled by using the water-head control method which can provide up to 40 m water-head. The volume change of the sample can also be accurately measured by the volume controller. The eroded particles were collected by the eroded soil collection system. Triaxial consolidation drained shear tests after internal erosion were performed on gap graded soils. It was found that the drainage failure strength and drainage internal friction angle of soil after internal erosion under confining pressure decreased with the increase of fine particle loss. Based on the experimental data, amodified Duncan-Chang model considering fine particle loss was introduced. Numerical modelling of vertical displacement of dam was carried out by using the modified Duncan-Chang model, and it was found that when the fine particle loss exceeds 10%, the displacement increases significantly.

Bit-Level Image Encryption Algorithm Based on Composite Chaotic Mapping

Cai Yang,Haiyu Zhang,Jinliang Guo,Songhao Jia,Fangfang Li 보안공학연구지원센터 2016 International Journal of Signal Processing, Image Vol.9 No.8

Because the single chaotic mapping easily creates security weaknesses in the image encryption algorithm, the security needs to be improved. Aiming at this problem, a bit-level image encryption algorithm based on composite chaotic mapping (CCM-IEA) is proposed. First of all, the algorithm scrambles the plain image on bit level through the Cat mapping for the first time. And then the Henon mapping of two dimensional discrete is used to scramble for the second time. Finally, image diffusion is operated through the one dimensional Logistic mapping, and the data sensitivity is enhanced. The experimental results show that the performance of the CCM-IEA algorithm is better on the histogram, information entropy and correlation analysis. Compared with the single chaotic images encryption algorithm, the CCM-IEA algorithm has the ability to resist the information entropy analysis and correlation analysis. It can be seen that the CCM-IEA algorithm has high safety performance and good encryption effect.

Pesticide-induced changes in fecundity and rice stripe virus transmission ability in Laodelphax striatellus (Homoptera: Delphacidae)

Guo-Qing Yang,Xin Gao,Nan-Nan Zhang,Dan-Yu Chen,Fang Liu,Jian-Xiang Xu,Jin-Cai Wu 한국응용곤충학회 2017 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.20 No.3

The widespread use of pesticides in rice has caused the resurgence of the small brown planthopper (SBPH), Laodelphax striatellus. In addition to inciting damage by feeding on phloem cells, SBPH also functions as a vector for rice stripe virus (RSV), which can cause serious yield losses. In general, studies focused on pesticide-induced stimulation of SBPH populations have focused on the insects; little information is available on the impact of pesticides on RSV transmission by SBPH. The present study investigated the effects of two pesticides (validamycin and triazophos) on the fecundity and RSV transmission ability of SBPH. Our results demonstrated that the fecundity of non-viruliferous (naïve) or viruliferous SBPH was enhanced by exposure to triazophos at the LC20 and validamycin at 200 mg L−1. Meanwhile, the increased number of eggs produced by viruliferous females treated with pesticides was larger than those from naïve females. Exposure to validamycin caused an increase in horizontal transmission of RSV; furthermore, vertical viral transmission rates of SBPH were significantly increased by exposure to triazophos. The present study provides valuable information for understanding the mechanisms underlying the resurgence of SBPH and subsequent outbreaks of RSV.

Towards Building a Digital Library Service Metadata Model on the Semantic Web

Guo Shanshan,Wenyu Zhang,Zhang Shuai,Ming Cai 보안공학연구지원센터 2015 International Journal of Database Theory and Appli Vol.8 No.5

In the current era of big data, digital library (DL) is migrating towards the directions of semantic exchanges and service interactions to facilitate DL users to search, share and reuse the digital resources in a more effective and efficient manner. This paper explores Semantic Web technologies for ontology-based modeling of DL service metadata across ubiquitous DLs, enabling to add semantics to DL services to address issues related to representation, cooperation and accessibility of services in or across the communities. In particular, the DL service metadata ontology addresses the dynamic behavior of a DL service by nesting the stateful changes, constraint rules and mapping rules to achieve the dynamic coherence for seamless service interoperability in the service lifecycle. The operation of the prototype system is demonstrated to validate the implementation of the proposed approach through access and visualization in a usage scenario.

Genome-wide identification, evolution and expression analysis of the FtsH gene during fruit development in pear (Pyrus bretschneideri)

Guo Zhihua,Gao Xin,Cai Huaqing,Yu Lu,Gu Chao,Zhang Shao Ling 한국식물생명공학회 2021 Plant biotechnology reports Vol.15 No.4

Filtration temperature-sensitive H (FtsH) is an ATP-dependent protease family that plays important roles in many aspects of cellular processes and environmental adaption. However, little information is available about the FtsH genes in pear (Pyrus bretschneideri). In this study, 19 PbrFtsH genes were identified and classified into eight groups with several subgroups. The FtsH genes in pear show high sequence and structural conservation in the coding regions, and the majority of the FtsH members were located on the chromosome 3 (three members), chromosome 9 (four members), and chromosome 15 (three members). The WGD/segmenta, dispersed duplication played a major driving force in pear FtsH evolution. A Synteny analy- sis provided deep insight into the evolutionary relationships of PbrFtsH genes. The subcellular localization of the PbrFtsH genes showed them in the mitochondrion or chloroplast. Expression profiles derived from transcriptome data and RT-qPCR analysis revealed distinct expression patterns of PbrFtsH genes in different fruit developmental stages. These results provided valuable information that extends our understanding of the function, evolution and expression profile of the FtsH family during fruit development in pear, and a foundation for the further functional characterization of PbrFtsH genes, which can be applied to pear crop improvement.

Effects of Ca2+ ion substitution on the structure and magnetism of SrRuO3: Elusive magnetism

Zhang Wen-Ying,Yue Cai-Xia,Zhao De-Wei,Li Guo-Ke,Ma Li,Zhen Cong-Mian,Hou Deng-Lu 한국물리학회 2020 Current Applied Physics Vol.20 No.12

SrRuO3 is an orthogonally distorted perovskite (Pbnm) structure whose ferromagnetism is often viewed as an itinerant ferromagnet. Although SrRuO3 has been studied for more than half a century, its structure, magnetism and transport properties are still poorly understood. In this paper, the structure and magnetic evolution of SrRuO3 are discussed in depth through the substitution of Ca2+ for Sr2+ at A sites. The results show that as the Ca substitution increases, the lattice constant decreases, the orthogonal distortion becomes larger, and the saturation magnetization MS, Curie temperature TC and Weiss temperature θp decrease accordingly. Eventually, the ferromagnetic SrRuO3 changes to paramagnetic CaRuO3. The critical exponent β of samples with different substitution contents was obtained by fitting the experimental results, and the value for SrRuO3 (β = 0.55) was similar to that obtained by mean field theory. However, the value increases with the substitution x of Ca, which can’t be explained by any scaling theory. The results show that the increase in the value of β is related to the magnetic disorder caused by different magnetic interactions. Analysis using the Rhodes-Wohlfarth criterion indicates that Sr1-xCaxRuO3 has both itinerant-electron and localized-electron magnetism, which is consistent with the theoretical predictions.

Inflammatory Endotypes and Tissue Remodeling Features in Antrochoanal Polyps

Chen Cai-Ling,Wang Yu-Ting,Yao Yin,Pan Li,Guo Bei,Zhu Ke-Zhang,Ma Jin,Wang Nan,Li Xue-Li,Deng Yi-Ke,Liu Zheng 대한천식알레르기학회 2021 Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Research Vol.13 No.6

Purpose: The pathogenic mechanisms of antrochoanal polyps (ACPs) remain largely unknown. This study aimed to characterize inflammatory patterns and tissue remodeling features in ACPs. Methods: Inflammatory cell infiltration and tissue edema severity as well as fibrin deposition in ACPs and bilateral eosinophilic and noneosinophilic nasal polyps (NPs) were studied with immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence staining. Cytokine levels in sinonasal tissues were detected with the Bio-Plex assay. The expression of coagulation and fibrinolytic markers was measured using reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Results: Compared to control tissues and bilateral eosinophilic and noneosinophilic NPs, ACPs had higher levels of neutrophil infiltration and expression of myeloperoxidase (MPO), interleukin (IL)-8 and interferon (IFN)-γ. In total, 94.4% of ACPs demonstrated an eosinophil cationic protein/MPO ratio of < 1, compared to 79.0% of noneosinophilic and 26% of eosinophilic NPs. Principle component and multiple correspondence analyses revealed a neutrophilic and type 1 inflammation pattern in ACPs. Compared to control tissues, edema scores and fibrin deposition were increased, whereas d-dimer and tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) levels were decreased in ACPs and bilateral NPs, with more prominent changes in ACPs even than in eosinophilic NPs. The tPA levels were negatively correlated with IFN-γ, IL-8, and MPO levels in ACPs. Neutrophils were the major cellular source of IFN-γ in ACPs, and the number of IFN-γ+ neutrophils was elevated in ACPs than in control tissues and bilateral eosinophilic and noneosinophilic NPs. Conclusions: ACPs are characterized by the neutrophilic and type 1 inflammation endotype. Neutrophil-derived IFN-γ is associated with reduced tPA production in ACPs.

GOVERNING CHINESE NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS: THE PROMISE AND LIMITS OF THE “THIRD WAY”

ZHIBIN ZHANG,CHAO GUO,DONGJIN CAI 한국행정학회 2011 International Review of Public Administration Vol.16 No.1

Using the lens of board governance, this study examines the capacity of Chinese nonprofit organizations as an alternative to the market and the state in addressing societal problems. Based on case studies of two community-based organizations, we find that in both the advocacy-oriented and service-oriented organizations, the board focuses on fundraising and program development. Yet this seemingly similar focus results from different environmental conditions: facing unfavorable institutional and resource environments, the board of the advocacy organization is pressured to take a more proactive and rigorous role for the sake of survival. In contrast, the board of the service organization, with significant support from the government, is committed to expanding the organization. Our findings thus raise concerns about whether Chinese nonprofit organizations are an effective “third way” to address public problems.