Comparison of Monoexponential, Biexponential, Stretched-Exponential, and Kurtosis Models of Diffusion-Weighted Imaging in Differentiation of Renal Solid Masses

Jianjian Zhang,Shiteng Suo,Guiqin Liu,Shan Zhang,Zizhou Zhao,Jianrong Xu,Guangyu Wu 대한영상의학회 2019 Korean Journal of Radiology Vol.20 No.5

Objective: To compare various models of diffusion-weighted imaging including monoexponential apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), biexponential (fast diffusion coefficient [Df], slow diffusion coefficient [Ds], and fraction of fast diffusion), stretched-exponential (distributed diffusion coefficient and anomalous exponent term [α]), and kurtosis (mean diffusivity and mean kurtosis [MK]) models in the differentiation of renal solid masses. Materials and Methods: A total of 81 patients (56 men and 25 women; mean age, 57 years; age range, 30–69 years) with 18 benign and 63 malignant lesions were imaged using 3T diffusion-weighted MRI. Diffusion model selection was investigated in each lesion using the Akaike information criteria. Mann–Whitney U test and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis were used for statistical evaluations. Results: Goodness-of-fit analysis showed that the stretched-exponential model had the highest voxel percentages in benign and malignant lesions (90.7% and 51.4%, respectively). ADC, Ds, and MK showed significant differences between benign and malignant lesions (p < 0.05) and between low- and high-grade clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) (p < 0.05). α was significantly lower in the benign group than in the malignant group (p < 0.05). All diffusion measures showed significant differences between ccRCC and non-ccRCC (p < 0.05) except Df and α (p = 0.143 and 0.112, respectively). α showed the highest diagnostic accuracy in differentiating benign and malignant lesions with an area under the ROC curve of 0.923, but none of the parameters from these advanced models revealed significantly better performance over ADC in discriminating subtypes or grades of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Compared with conventional diffusion parameters, α may provide additional information for differentiating benign and malignant renal masses, while ADC remains the most valuable parameter for differentiation of RCC subtypes and for ccRCC grading.

Association between Intracranial Arterial Dolichoectasia and Cerebral Small Vessel Disease and Its Underlying Mechanisms

Dao Pei Zhang,Suo Yin,Huai Liang Zhang,Dan Li,Bo Song,Jia Xu Liang 대한뇌졸중학회 2020 Journal of stroke Vol.22 No.2

Intracranial arterial dolichoectasia (IADE), also known as dilatative arteriopathy of the brain vessels, refers to an increase in the length and diameter of at least one intracranial artery, and accounts for approximately 12% of all patients with stroke. However, the association of IADE with stroke is usually unclear. Cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) is characterized by pathological changes in the small vessels. Clinically, patients with CSVD can be asymptomatic or present with stroke or cognitive decline. In the past 20 years, a series of studies have strongly promoted an understanding of the association between IADE and CSVD from clinical and pathological perspectives. It has been proposed that IADE and CSVD may be attributed to abnormal vascular remodeling driven by an abnormal matrix metalloproteinase/tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase pathway. Also, IADErelated hemodynamic changes may result in initiation or progression of CSVD. Additionally, genetic factors are implicated in the pathogenesis of IADE and CSVD. Patients with Fabry’s disease and late-onset Pompe’s disease are prone to developing concomitant IADE and CSVD, and patients with collagen IV alpha 1 or 2 gene (COL4A1/COL4A2) and forkhead box C1 (FOXC1) variants present with IADE and CSVD. Race, strain, familial status, and vascular risk factors may be involved in the pathogenesis of IADE and CSVD. As well, experiments in mice have pointed to genetic strain as a predisposing factor for IADE and CSVD. However, there have been few direct genetic studies aimed towards determining the association between IADE and CSVD. In the future, more clinical and basic research studies are needed to elucidate the causal relationship between IADE and CSVD and the related molecular and genetic mechanisms.

A facile macroporous resin-based method for separation of yellow and orange Monascus pigments

Suo Chen,Dong-Xiao Su,Meng-Xiang Gao,Jia-Lan Zhang,Ying-Bao Liu,Qing-Hua Wu,Hua-Lin Yang,Li Li 한국식품과학회 2021 Food Science and Biotechnology Vol.30 No.4

The yellow Monascus pigments (YMPs) namedmonascin and ankaflavin and the orange Monascus pigments(OMPs) named rubropunctatin and monascorubrinare two groups of bioactive components in a mixture statein the Monascus fermented products. In order to separatethese two groups of bioactive pigments, a facile macroporousresin-based method was developed. The weak-polarresin CAD-40 was selected from the seven tested macroporousresins as it revealed better properties for theadsorption and desorption of the YMPs and OMPs. Then,CAD-40 resin was used for column-chromatographicseparation. After eluted by 4 bed volumes of ethanol, theyellow group (monascin and ankaflavin) and the orangegroup (rubropunctatin and monascorubrin) were successfullyseparated and purified, with an increased content from49.3% and 44.2% in the crude pigment extract to 85.2%and 83.0% in the final products, respectively. This methodwould be helpful for the large-scale separation and purificationof Monascus pigment products with specificbioactivity.

Interaction between Iron and Vitamin A in Broilers

Zhang, Chunshan,Jiang, Junfang,Suo, Landi,Wei, Jianmin Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2003 Animal Bioscience Vol.16 No.4

A $3{\times}3$ (Fe$\times$VA) experiment with repeats was designed to study the interaction between iron and vitamin A in broilers. 504 broilers were divided into 9 groups (50% males, 50% femals), each group with 4 repeats. Iron supplemental amount was 0, 30 and 60 mg/kg; Vitamin A supplemental amount was 750, 1,500 and 2,700 IU/kg. Iron concentration in liver, serum, tibia and duodenum and vitamin A concentration in liver and serum were measured, and erythrocyte count was also observed. Results showed with the increase of dietary supplemental iron levels, vitamin A concentration in liver significantly decreased lineally (p<0.05) (0.861, 0.671, 0.639 mg/100 g at the end of 4th week; 0.900, 0.765, 0.739 mg/100 g at the end of 7th week), and vitamin A concentration in serum significantly increased lineally (p<0.05) (82.725, 97.842, $109.475{\mu}g/100mL$ at the end of 4th week; 62.288, 91.900, $95.117{\mu}g/100mL$ at the end of 7th week), meaning iron could promote the mobilization of vitamin A from liver to serum. With the increase of dietary supplemental vitamin A levels, liver iron concentration decreased and serum iron concentration increased, vitamin A could promote the mobilization of iron from liver to blood. Iron concentration in Duodenum and tibia and erythrocyte count increased significantly with higher dietary vitamin A supplementation (p<0.01), vitamin A could promote iron absorption, iron mobilization from liver to target tissues and erythropoiesis. Effects of the interaction between iron and vitamin A on vitamin A concentrations in liver and serum, iron concentration in tibia and erythrocyte count were significant (p<0.05).

Recent advances in cobalt-based Fischer-Tropsch synthesis catalysts

Yujun Suo,Yali Yao,Yusheng Zhang,Sijia Xing,Zhong-Yong Yuan 한국공업화학회 2022 Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Vol.115 No.-

Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTS) is a promising technology for converting renewable energy sources tosynthetic liquid fuels, olefins or oxygenates. As one of the metal-based FTS catalysts with excellent intrinsicactivity, supported Co-based catalysts have attracted much attention. Their properties depend on theirgeometric morphology, surface composition and metal-support interaction (MSI). This paper reviews thelatest research progress of the supported Co-based catalysts for FTS, including recently-developed functionalmodification strategies to adjust the cobalt phase, crystallite size, metal dispersion, site density andmetal-support interaction to optimize the performance of cobalt-based catalysts. The effects of importantmaterials (including cobalt precursors, supports and promoters) on catalytic performance are discussedand compared. A summary is provided of the modifications made to catalysts with a unique and controllablestructure, in order to improve the catalytic activity and focus the product distribution on targetedwax, gasoline, diesel, olefins and oxygenate products. Guidance is provided regarding controlling thestructure and functions of Co-based catalysts. Opportunities and perspectives on future research intomodification strategies used for Co-based FTS catalyst are also noted.

Ginsenoside 20(S)-Rg3 reduces KIF20A expression and promotes CDC25A proteasomal degradation in epithelial ovarian cancer

Rong Zhang,Lei Li,Huihui Li,Hansong Bai,Yuping Suo,Ju Cui,Yingmei Wang 고려인삼학회 2024 Journal of Ginseng Research Vol.48 No.1

Background: Ginsenoside 20(S)-Rg3 shows promising tumor-suppressive effects in ovarian cancer viainhibiting NF-kB signaling. This study aimed to explore the downstream tumor suppressive mechanismsof ginsenoside Rg3 via this signaling pathway. Materials and methods: A systematical screening was applied to examine the expression profile of 41kinesin family member genes in ovarian cancer. The regulatory effect of ginsenoside Rg3 on KIF20Aexpression was studied. In addition, we explored interacting proteins of KIF20A and their molecularregulations in ovarian cancer. RNA-seq data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) was used for bioinformaticanalysis. Epithelial ovarian cancer cell lines SKOV3 and A2780 were used as in vitro and in vivocell models. Commercial human ovarian cancer tissue arrays were used for immunohistochemistrystaining. Results: KIF20A is a biomarker of poor prognosis among the kinesin genes. It promotes ovarian cancercell growth in vitro and in vivo. Ginsenoside Rg3 can suppress the transcription of KIF20A. GST pull-downand co-immunoprecipitation (IP) assays confirmed that KIF20A physically interacts with BTRC (b-TrCP1),a substrate recognition subunit for SCFb TrCP E3 ubiquitin ligase. In vitro ubiquitination and cycloheximide(CHX) chase assays showed that via interacting with BTRC, KIF20A reduces BTRC-mediated CDC25Apoly-ubiquitination and enhances its stability. Ginsenoside Rg3 treatment partly abrogates KIF20Aoverexpression-induced CDC25A upregulation. Conclusion: This study revealed a novel anti-tumor mechanism of ginsenoside Rg3. It can inhibit KIF20Atranscription and promote CDC25A proteasomal degradation in epithelial ovarian cancer.

Exploring cognitive trajectories and their association with physical performance: evidence from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study

Jingdong Suo,Xianlei Shen,Jinyu He,Haoran Sun,Yu Shi,Rongxin He,Xiao Zhang,Xijie Wang,Yuandi Xi,Wannian Liang 한국역학회 2023 Epidemiology and Health Vol.45 No.-

OBJECTIVES: The long-term trends of cognitive function and its associations with physical performance remain unclear, particularly in Asian populations. The study objectives were to determine cognitive trajectories in middle-aged and elderly Chinese individuals, as well as to examine differences in physical performance across cognitive trajectory groups. METHODS: Data were extracted from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study. A total of 5,701 participants (47.7% male) with a mean age of 57.8 (standard deviation, 8.4) years at enrollment were included. A group-based trajectory model was used to identify cognitive trajectory groups for each sex. Grip strength, repeated chair stand, and standing balance tests were used to evaluate physical performance. An ordered logistic regression model was employed to analyze differences in physical performance across cognitive trajectory groups. RESULTS: Three cognitive trajectory groups were identified for each sex: low, middle, and high. For both sexes, higher cognitive trajectory groups exhibited smaller declines with age. In the fully adjusted model, relative to the low trajectory group, the odds ratios (ORs) of better physical performance in the middle cognitive group were 1.37 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.17 to 1.59; p<0.001) during follow-up and 1.40 (95% CI, 1.20 to 1.64; p<0.001) at the endpoint. The ORs in the high trajectory group were 1.94 (95% CI, 1.61 to 2.32; p<0.001) during follow-up and 2.04 (95% CI, 1.69 to 2.45; p<0.001) at the endpoint. CONCLUSIONS: Cognitive function was better preserved in male participants and individuals with higher baseline cognitive function. A higher cognitive trajectory was associated with better physical performance over time.

Crosstalk between gut microbiota and Sirtuin-3 in colonic inflammation and tumorigenesis

Yong Zhang,Xiao-lan Wang,Min Zhou,Chao Kang,He-dong Lang,Meng-ting Chen,Suo-cheng Hui,Bin Wang,Man-tian Mi 생화학분자생물학회 2018 Experimental and molecular medicine Vol.50 No.-

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a disease involving a variety of genetic and environmental factors. Sirtuin-3 (Sirt3) is expressed at a low level in cancer tissues of CRC, but it is unclear how Sirt3 modulates colonic tumorigenesis. In this study, we found that gut microbiota play a central role in the resistance to CRC tumor formation in wild-type (WT) mice through APC (Adenomatous Polyposis Coli)-mutant mouse microbiota transfer via Wnt signaling. We also found that Sirt3-deficient mice were hypersusceptible to colonic inflammation and tumor development through altered intestinal integrity and p38 signaling, respectively. Furthermore, susceptibility to colorectal tumorigenesis was aggravated by initial commensal microbiota deletion via Wnt signaling. Mice with Sirt3-deficient microbiota transfer followed by chemically induced colon tumorigenesis had low Sirt3 expression compared to WT control microbiome transfer, mainly due to a decrease in Escherichia/Shigella, as well as an increase in Lactobacillus reuteri and Lactobacillus taiwanensis. Collectively, our data revealed that Sirt3 is an anti-inflammatory and tumor-suppressing gene that interacts with the gut microbiota during colon tumorigenesis.

Degradation Kinetics of Water-Insoluble Lauroyl-Indapamide in Aqueous Solutions: Prediction of the Stabilities of the Drug in Liposomes

Xu Bin Suo,Ying Jie Deng,Han Zhang,Yu Qiang Wang 대한약학회 2007 Archives of Pharmacal Research Vol.30 No.7

The aim of this study was to explore the degradation kinetics of water-insoluble lauroyl-indapamide in solutions and predict the stabilities of lauroyl-indapamide encapsulated in liposomes. Buffer-acetone (9:1) was used as the reaction solution and the reaction temperature was maintained at 60oC. The correlation of the apparent degradation constants (kobs) of lauroyl-indapamide in liposomes and in buffer-acetone solutions at different pH has been explored. The degradation of lauroyl-indapamide in solutions was found to follow pseudo-first-order kinetics and was significantly dependent on the pH values. Lauroyl-indapamide was the most stable at pH 6.8, increasing or decreasing the pH of the solutions would decrease its stabilities. Buffer concentration had some effects on the stabilities of lauroyl-indapamide. The degradation active energies Ea were 68.19 kJ·mol-1, 131.75 kJ·mol-1 and 107.72 kJ·mol-1 at pH3.6, 6.8 and 12 respectively in acetone-free buffer solutions (0.05M) calculated according to the Arrhenius equation with the extrapolation method. The apparent degradation constants (kobs) of lauroylindapamide in liposome and in buffer-acetone (9:1) solutions showed a good correlation at different pH levels, which indicates that the stabilities of the drug that dissolved in acetone-buffer mixture solutions can be used to predict the stabilities of the drug in liposomes as well.

PLCE1 Gene in Esophageal Cancer and Interaction with Environmental Factors

Guo, Li-Yan,Zhang, Shen,Suo, Zhen,Yang, Chang-Shuang,Zhao, Xia,Zhang, Guo-An,Hu, Die,Ji, Xing-Zhao,Zhai, Min Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.7

Objective: To study the PLCE1 gene rs2274223 polymorphism with regard to esophageal cancer and its interaction with diet, lifestyle, psychological and environmental factors in Southwest Shandong province. Materials and Methods: A case series study (case-case) was conducted. Questionnaire data were collected and 3 ml-5ml venous blood was drawn for DNA extraction among the qualified research subjects. PLCE1 gene polymorphism was detected after PCR amplification of DNA. SPSS 13.0 software was used for statistical analysis of the data. Results: The three genotypes A/A, A/G and G/G PLCE1 gene rs2274223 was 31, 16 and 4 cases, accounting for 60.8%, 31.4%, 0.08% respectively. The difference of three genotypes (AA/GA/GG) proportion between negative and positive family history of patients was statistically significant, ${\chi}^2=6.213$, p=0.045. There was no statistically significant relationship between PLCE1 gene rs2274223 polymorphism and smoking, drinking, ${\chi}^2=0.119$, p=0.998, and ${\chi}^2=1.727$, p=0.786. There was no linkage of the three rs2274223 PLCE1 gene genotypes (AA/GA/GG) proportion with eating fried, pickled, hot, mildew, overnight, smoked, excitant food, eat speed, salt taste or not (p>0.05). or with living environment pollution and nine risk factors of occupational exposure (p>0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in TS scores between different genotype of rs2274223 PLCE1 gene. Conclusions: The PLCE1 rs2274223 polymorphism has a relationship with family history of esophageal cancer, but does not have any significant association with age, gender, smoking, alcohol drinking, food hygiene, eating habits, living around the environment and occupation in cases.