L-carnitine treatment attenuates renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis induced by unilateral ureteral obstruction

( Hai Yan Zhao ),( Hui Ying Li ),( Jian Jin ),( Ji Zhe Jin ),( Long Ye Zhang ),( Mei Ying Xuan ),( Xue Mei Jin ),( Yu Ji Jiang ),( Hai Lan Zheng ),( Ying Shun Jin ),( Yong Jie Jin ),( Bum Soon Choi ) 대한내과학회 2021 The Korean Journal of Internal Medicine Vol.36 No.0

Background/Aims: Accumulating evidence indicates that L-carnitine (LC) protects against multiorgan damage through its antioxidant properties and preservation of the mitochondria. Little information is available about the effects of LC on renal fibrosis. This study examined whether LC treatment would provide renoprotection in a rat model of unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) and in vitro. Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats that underwent UUO were treated daily with LC for 7 or 14 days. The influence of LC on renal injury caused by UUO was evaluated by histopathology, and analysis of gene expression, oxidative stress, mitochondrial function, programmed cell death, and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/ AKT/forkhead box protein O 1a (FoxO1a) signaling. In addition, H₂O₂-exposed human kidney cells (HK-2) were treated with LC. Results: LC treatment inhibited expression of proinflammatory and profibrotic cytokines, and was followed by a significant attenuation of tubulointerstitial inflammation and fibrosis. The increased oxidative stress caused by UUO was associated with mitochondrial dysfunction and excessive apoptosis and autophagy via PI3K/AKT/FoxO1a-dependent signaling, and this was abrogated by administration of LC. In H₂O₂-exposed HK-2 cells, LC decreased intracellular production of reactive oxygen species, and suppressed expression of profibrotic cytokines and reduced the number of apoptotic cells. Conclusions: LC protects against the progression of tubulointerstitial fibrosis in an obstructed kidney.

Influence of Transformation-induced Plasticity on Formability of TRIP Steels

Hai Yan Yu,Shi Jin Yuan,Zhe Sun 한국소성가공학회 2011 기타자료 Vol.2011 No.8

A micromechanical flow stress model for the transformation-induced plasticity (TRIP) steel is proposed on the basis of continuum mechanics. In the model, TRIP effect and degradation of elastic modulus are considered. TRIP effect is introduced by regarding the volume fraction of retained austenites as varying with plastic strain. Degradation of elastic modulus is evaluated by an empirical expression. Both the contribution of individual phases and that of interaction between constituent phases to the overall stress are taken into account. The proposed model is introduced into LSDYNA software to simulate the cup forming and U-channel springback. Cup drawing and U-channel bending experiments are provided. Comparison shows that formability results simulated with TRIP effect are closer to the experimental ones.

Correlation of UGT2B7 Polymorphism with Cardiotoxicity in Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Epirubicin/Cyclophosphamide-Docetaxel Adjuvant Chemotherapy

Hai Li,Bo Hu,Zhe Guo,Xueqing Jiang,Xinyu Su,Xiaoyi Zhang 연세대학교의과대학 2019 Yonsei medical journal Vol.60 No.1

Purpose: The present study aimed to investigate correlations between uridine glucuronosyltransferase 2B7 (UGT2B7) -161 singlenucleotide polymorphism C to T (C>T) and the occurrence of cardiotoxicity in Chinese breast cancer (BC) patients undergoingepirubicin/cyclophosphamide-docetaxel (EC-D) adjuvant chemotherapy. Materials and Methods: 427 BC patients who had underwent surgery were consecutively enrolled in this prospective cohortstudy. All patients were scheduled to receive EC-D adjuvant chemotherapy regimen, and they were divided into UGT2B7 -161 CC(n=141), UGT2B7 -161 CT (n=196), and UGT2B7 -161 TT (n=90) groups according to their genotypes. Polymerase chain reactionwas performed for determination of UGT2B7 -161 genotypes. Cardiotoxicity was defined as an absolute decline in left ventricularejection fraction (LVEF) of at least 10% points from baseline to a value less than 53%, heart failure, acute coronary artery syndrome,or fatal arrhythmia. Results: LVEF values were lower at cycle (C) 4, C8, 3 months after chemotherapy (M3), M6, M9, and M12 compared to C0 (allp<0.001), in BC patients undergoing EC-D adjuvant chemotherapy. Cardiotoxicity was recorded for 4.2% of the overall populationand was lowest in the UGT2B7 -161 TT group (1.1%), compared to UGT2B7 -161 CT (3.1%) and UGT2B7 -161 CC (7.8%) group(p=0.026). Multivariate logistic regression revealed that UGT2B7 -161 T allele could independently predict a low occurrence ofcardiotoxicity in BC patients undergoing EC-D adjuvant chemotherapy (p=0.004). Conclusion: A UGT2B7 -161 T allele serves as a potential biomarker for predicting a low occurrence of cardiotoxicity in BC patientsundergoing EC-D adjuvant chemotherapy.

Proximal Augmented Lagrangian and Approximate Optimal Solutions in Nonlinear Programming

Zhe Chen,Hai Qiao Huang,Ke Quan Zhao 한국전산응용수학회 2009 Journal of applied mathematics & informatics Vol.27 No.1

In this paper, we introduce some approximate optimal solutions and an augmented Lagrangian function in nonlinear programming, establish dual function and dual problem based on the augmented Lagrangian function , discuss the relationship between the approximate optimal solutions of augmented Lagrangian problem and that of primal problem, obtain approximate KKT necessary optimality condition of the augmented Lagrangian problem, prove that the approximate stationary points of augmented Lagrangian problem converge to that of the original problem. Our results improve and generalize some known results. In this paper, we introduce some approximate optimal solutions and an augmented Lagrangian function in nonlinear programming, establish dual function and dual problem based on the augmented Lagrangian function , discuss the relationship between the approximate optimal solutions of augmented Lagrangian problem and that of primal problem, obtain approximate KKT necessary optimality condition of the augmented Lagrangian problem, prove that the approximate stationary points of augmented Lagrangian problem converge to that of the original problem. Our results improve and generalize some known results.

Meta-analysis of Associations of the Ezrin Gene with Human Osteosarcoma Response to Chemotherapy and Prognosis

Wang, Zhe,He, Mao-Lin,Zhao, Jin-Min,Qing, Hai-Hui,Wu, Yang Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.5

Various studies examining the relationship between Ezrin overexpression and response to chemotherapy and clinical outcome in patients with osteosarcoma have yielded inconclusive results. We accordingly conducted a meta-analysis of 7 studies (n = 318 patients) that evaluated the correlation between Ezrin and histologic response to chemotherapy and clinical prognosis (death). Data were synthesized in receiver operating characteristic curves and with fixed-effects and random-effects likelihood ratios and risk ratios. Quantitative synthesis showed that Ezrin is not a prognostic factor for the response to chemotherapy. The positive likelihood ratio was 0.538 (95% confidence interval [95% CI], 0.296- 0.979; random-effects calculation), and the negative likelihood ratio was 2.151 (95% CI, 0.905- 5.114; random-effects calculations). There was some between-study heterogeneity, but no study showed strong discriminating ability. Conversely, Ezrin positive status tended to be associated with a lower 2-year survival (risk ratio, 2.45; 95% CI, 1.26-4.76; random-effects calculation) with some between-study heterogeneity that disappeared when only studies that employed immunohistochemistry were considered (risk ratio, 2.97; 95% CI, 2.01- 4.40; fixed-effects calculation). To conclude, Ezrin is not associated with the histologic response to chemotherapy in patients with osteosarcoma, whereas Ezrin positivity was associated with a lower 2-year survival rate regarding risk of death at 2 years. Expression change of Ezrin is an independent prognostic factor in patients with osteosarcoma.

PROXIMAL AUGMENTED LAGRANGIAN AND APPROXIMATE OPTIMAL SOLUTIONS IN NONLINEAR PROGRAMMING

Chen, Zhe,Huang, Hai Qiao,Zhao, Ke Quan The Korean Society for Computational and Applied M 2009 Journal of applied mathematics & informatics Vol.27 No.1

In this paper, we introduce some approximate optimal solutions and an augmented Lagrangian function in nonlinear programming, establish dual function and dual problem based on the augmented Lagrangian function, discuss the relationship between the approximate optimal solutions of augmented Lagrangian problem and that of primal problem, obtain approximate KKT necessary optimality condition of the augmented Lagrangian problem, prove that the approximate stationary points of augmented Lagrangian problem converge to that of the original problem. Our results improve and generalize some known results.

Characterization of the Methylation Status of Pax7 and Myogenic Regulator Factors in Cell Myogenic Differentiation

Chao, Zhe,Zheng, Xin-Li,Sun, Rui-Ping,Liu, Hai-Long,Huang, Li-Li,Cao, Zong-Xi,Deng, Chang-Yan,Wang, Feng Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2016 Animal Bioscience Vol.29 No.7

Epigenetic processes in the development of skeletal muscle have been appreciated for over a decade. DNA methylation is a major epigenetic modification important for regulating gene expression and suppressing spurious transcription. Up to now, the importance of epigenetic marks in the regulation of Pax7 and myogenic regulatory factors (MRFs) expression is far less explored. In the present study, semi-quantitative the real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analyses showed MyoD and Myf5 were expressed in activated and quiescent C2C12 cells. MyoG was expressed in a later stage of myogenesis. Pax7 was weakly expressed in differentiated C2C12 cells. To further understand the regulation of expression of these genes, the DNA methylation status of Pax7, MyoD, and Myf5 was determined by bisulfite sequencing PCR. During the C2C12 myoblasts fusion process, the changes of promoter and exon 1 methylation of Pax7, MyoD, and Myf5 genes were observed. In addition, an inverse relationship of low methylation and high expression was found. These results suggest that DNA methylation may be an important mechanism regulating Pax7 and MRFs transcription in cell myogenic differentiation.

Investigation into performance enhancements of Li–S batteries via oxygen-containing functional groups on activated multi-walled carbon nanotubes using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy

Yu Hai Wang,Zhe Dai,Chao Yue Zhang,Guo Wen Sun,Zhong Wei Lu,Xiu Ping Gao,Geng Zhi Sun,Wei Lan,Zhen Xing Zhang,Xiao Jun Pan,Jin Yuan Zhou 한국물리학회 2020 Current Applied Physics Vol.20 No.9

It was demonstrated that the electrochemical performance enhancements in KOH-activated carbon materials should be mainly due to the created polar oxygen-containing functional groups (OFGs, such as such as C–O, C–– O, –OH, and O–C–– O), while the role of each OFGs on the electrochemical enhancements is still unclear. In this work, KOH activation treatments were systematically conducted on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) to explore the role of each OFG on the performance enhancements of Li–S batteries (LSBs). Results showed that the capacity of activated-CNT-sulfur (a-CNT-S) cathodes is 33% higher than that of the pristine CNT-S cathodes, and their rate capability and cycling stability are also enhanced. And the electrochemical analysis combining with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy indicated that the formed C–O bonds are the real factor for the enhanced electrochemical performances of a-CNT-S cathodes. Furthermore, the optimal activation conditions on CNTbased cathodes for LSBs were optimized to be 10 min at 700 ℃.

Non-conservative Characteristics of Seawater Calcium Ion in Offshore Aquaculture Areas: A Case Study in the Muping Marine Ranch, Yantai, China

Zhang Zhe,Bian Hai-Zhen,Hu Yu-Bin 한국해양과학기술원 2023 Ocean science journal Vol.58 No.3

Calcium ( Ca2+) is a major ion in the ocean, and its ratio to salinity is generally considered to be relatively constant. However, its conservativeness is often compromised in offshore waters, particularly in marine shellfish cultured areas, where the Ca2+ concentration could be affected by biological activities. Therefore, a deviation might occur in evaluating ocean acidification in an aquaculture area when the aragonite saturation (Ωarag) is calculated based on the Ca2+ concentration via the calciumsalinity ratio. This study measured the Ca2+ concentration, and explored the distribution of Ca2+ and the causes of excess calcium ( Ca2+ excess) as well as the degree of acidification based on a field survey from 2020 to 2021 in the Muping Marine Ranch, Yantai. The results showed that the Ca2+ concentrations in both surface and bottom seawater and vertical differences were higher in summer than in other seasons. The measured Ca2+ concentrations in seawater were on average 0.372 mmol/ kg higher than those calculated by the calcium-salinity ratio. The riverine input was the leading cause for the formation of Ca2+ excess, which was reduced to some extent by the activity of cultured calcifying organisms. The Ωarag obtained from the measured Ca2+ was on average 0.10 higher than that derived from the calculated Ca2+ via the calcium-salinity ratio, indicating that the ocean acidification level might be somewhat overestimated if Ωarag is derived from the calculated Ca2+ in coastal areas, especially in estuarine environments that are heavily influenced by riverine input. Therefore, the investigation of the non-conservative characteristics of Ca2+ in offshore seawater should help to accurately assess the acidification level of aquaculture areas.

Study of the Effective Field Emitting Angle for an Individual Carbon Nanotube

Nannan Li,Zhe Wu,Jianlong Liu,Hai Zhang,Jing Guo,Baoqing Zeng 한국물리학회 2013 THE JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN PHYSICAL SOCIETY Vol.63 No.6

In this work, the effective field emitting angle θeff is introduced for a carbon nanotube (CNT)to relate the spatial variation of the current density along the tip’s surface to the emission current. The emission current can now be calculated by using I = 2π(1-cosθeff )r2J(0), where J(0) is theemission current density at the apex and r is the radius of curvature of the tips. Analytical resultsshow that θeff depends on the macroscopic field E0, the aspect ratio h/r and the normalized fielddistribution on the tip’s surface E(θ)/E(0). Simulation results show that E(θ)/E(0) converges withincreasing h/r and can be fitted by using a formula when h/r > 500. Finally, a fit function for θeff is obtained for h/r > 500 and E0 in the range of 1 - 25 V/µm.