EFFECTS OF INJECTION TIMING ON TRANSIENT PERFORMANCE OF A REGULATED TWO-STAGE TURBOCHARGED DIESEL ENGINE WITH TURBINE BYPASS VALVE

Zhong Chang Liu,Xing Yuan,Jing Tian,Yong Qiang Han,Kai Bo Yu,Peng Kun Teng 한국자동차공학회 2018 International journal of automotive technology Vol.19 No.5

The object of this paper is to reduce soot emissions under typical 5s transient conditions of constant speed and increasing torque. And effects of fuel injection timing on combustion and emissions parameters were experimentally and numerically studied in a regulated two-stage turbocharged diesel engine with a turbine bypass valve (TBV). The test results indicated that: the smaller TBV opening could improve deterioration of smoke emissions and BSFC at medium and heavy loads. Afterward, the full-stage injection timing (FSIT) strategies (delaying injection timing during the entire transient process) could reduce soot and NOX emissions simultaneously. However, when TBV opening became larger, smoke emissions and BSFC were deteriorated gradually. Moreover, the sectional-stage injection timing (SSIT) strategies (advancing injection timing from 10 % load to a preset load and delaying injection timing from the preset load to 100 % load) could markedly reduce soot emissions by 75.8 % with TBV opening 20 %; the degradation of fuel consumption could be effectively suppressed. Finally, coupling the SSIT strategies with the TBV control strategies could significantly improve the transient performance.

β-elemene Induces Caspase-dependent Apoptosis in Human Glioma Cells in vitro through the Upregulation of Bax and Fas/FasL and Downregulation of Bcl-2

Li, Chen-Long,Chang, Liang,Guo, Lin,Zhao, Dan,Liu, Hui-Bin,Wang, Qiu-Shi,Zhang, Ping,Du, Wen-Zhong,Liu, Xing,Zhang, Hai-Tao,Liu, Yang,Zhang, Yao,Xie, Jing-Hong,Ming, Jian-Guang,Cui, Yu-Qiong,Sun, Ying Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.23

Background: ${\beta}$-elemene, extracted from herb medicine Curcuma wenyujin has potent anti-tumor effects in various cancer cell lines. However, the activity of ${\beta}$-elemene against glioma cells remains unclear. In the present study, we assessed effects of ${\beta}$-elemene on human glioma cells and explored the underlying mechanism. Materials and Methods: Human glioma U87 cells were used. Cell proliferation was determined with MTT assay and colony formation assay to detect the effect of ${\beta}$-elemene at different doses and times. Fluorescence microscopy was used to observe cell apoptosis with Hoechst 33258 staining and change of glioma apoptosis and cell cycling were analyzed by flow cytometry. Real-time quantitative PCR and Western-blotting assay were performed to investigated the influence of ${\beta}$-elemene on expression levels of Fas/FasL, caspase-3, Bcl-2 and Bax. The experiment was divided into two groups: the blank control group and ${\beta}$-elemne treatment group. Results: With increase in the concentration of ${\beta}$-elemene, cytotoxic effects were enhanced in the glioma cell line and the concentration of inhibited cell viability ($IC_{50}$) was $48.5{\mu}g/mL$ for 24h. ${\beta}$-elemene could induce cell cycle arrest in the G0/G1 phase. With Hoechst 33258 staining, apoptotic nuclear morphological changes were observed. Activation of caspase-3,-8 and -9 was increased and the pro-apoptotic factors Fas/FasL and Bax were upregulated, while the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 was downregulated after treatment with ${\beta}$-elemene at both mRNA and protein levels. Furthermore, proliferation and colony formation by U87 cells were inhibited by ${\beta}$-elemene in a time and does-dependent manner. Conclusions: Our results indicate that ${\beta}$-elemene inhibits growth and induces apoptosis of human glioma cells in vitro. The induction of apoptosis appears to be related with the upregulation of Fas/FasL and Bax, activation of caspase-3,-8 and -9 and downregulation of Bcl-2, which then trigger major apoptotic cascades.

Retinoic Acid Promotes Interleukin-4 Plasmid-Dimethylsulfoxide Topical Transdermal Delivery for Treatment of Psoriasis

( Zhong Wen Chen ),( Yin Bing Zhang ),( Xaing Jun Chen ),( Xiao Liu ),( Zhen Wang ),( Xi Kun Zhou ),( Ji Qiu ),( Nan Nan Zhang ),( Xiu Teng ),( Yong Qiu Mao ),( Chang Yong Liu ),( Yu Quan Wei ),( Jion 대한피부과학회 2015 Annals of Dermatology Vol.27 No.3

Background: Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that is caused by a shift in the Th1/Th2 balance toward Th1- dominant immunity. It has been established as an effective treatment to counteract psoriasis by subcutaneous injection of recombinant interleukin (IL)-4, and IL-4 gene therapy by topical transdermal penetration has shown its antipsoriatic effect in mice. Retinoic acid (RA) and dimethylsulfoxide can increase the efficiency of gene transfection in the topical transdermal delivery system. Objective: We investigated whether RA could improve anti-psoriasis efficiency using IL-4 expression plasmid pORF-mIL-4 (pIL-4) via transdermal delivery system in K14-vascular endothelial growth (K14- VEGF) factor transgenic mice. Methods: After pretreatment with RA, plasmid pIL-4 in 10% dimethylsulfoxide was applied to the ear skin by topical transdermal penetration. Hematoxylin- eosin staining and immunohistochemistry were performed with ear samples to evaluate anti-psoriasis efficiency in mice. Results: The psoriasis pathological features were relieved and psoriasis-associated factors were significantly reduced. Conclusion: Our results reveal that topical application of pIL-4 in dimethylsulfoxide by transdermal delivery with RA pretreatment can improve psoriasis significantly. (Ann Dermatol 27(2) 121∼127, 2015)

Retinoic Acid Promotes Interleukin-4 Plasmid-Dimethylsulfoxide Topical Transdermal Delivery for Treatment of Psoriasis

( Zhong Wen Chen ),( Yin Bing Zhang ),( Xaing Jun Chen ),( Xiao Liu ),( Zhen Wang ),( Xi Kun Zhou ),( Ji Qiu ),( Nan Nan Zhang ),( Xiu Teng ),( Yong Qiu Mao ),( Chang Yong Liu ),( Yu Quan Wei ),( Jion 대한피부과학회 2015 Annals of Dermatology Vol.27 No.2

Background: Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that is caused by a shift in the Th1/Th2 balance toward Th1- dominant immunity. It has been established as an effective treatment to counteract psoriasis by subcutaneous injection of recombinant interleukin (IL)-4, and IL-4 gene therapy by topical transdermal penetration has shown its antipsoriatic effect in mice. Retinoic acid (RA) and dimethylsulfoxide can increase the efficiency of gene transfection in the topical transdermal delivery system. Objective: We investigated whether RA could improve anti-psoriasis efficiency using IL-4 expression plasmid pORF-mIL-4 (pIL-4) via transdermal delivery system in K14-vascular endothelial growth (K14- VEGF) factor transgenic mice. Methods: After pretreatment with RA, plasmid pIL-4 in 10% dimethylsulfoxide was applied to the ear skin by topical transdermal penetration. Hematoxylin- eosin staining and immunohistochemistry were performed with ear samples to evaluate anti-psoriasis efficiency in mice. Results: The psoriasis pathological features were relieved and psoriasis-associated factors were significantly reduced. Conclusion: Our results reveal that topical application of pIL-4 in dimethylsulfoxide by transdermal delivery with RA pretreatment can improve psoriasis significantly.(Ann Dermatol 27(2) 121∼127, 2015)

Cervical Cancer Gene Therapy by Gene Loaded PEG-PLA Nanomedicine

Liu, Bo,Han, Shu-Mei,Tang, Xiao-Yong,Han, Li,Li, Chang-Zhong Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.12

Background and Aims: Advances in the treatment of cervical cancer over the last decade have predominantly involved the development of genes directed at molecular targets. Gene therapy is recognized to be a novel method for the treatment of cervical cancer. Genes can be administered into target cells via nanocarriers. This study aimed to develop systemically administrable nano-vectors. Floate (Fa) containing gene loaded nanoparticles (NPs) could target HeLa human cervical cancer cells through combination with receptors on the cells to increase the nuclear uptake of genetic materials. Methods: Fa was linked onto Poly (ethylene glycol)-b-poly (D, L-lactide) (PEG-PLA) to form Fa-PEG-PLA, and the resulting material was used to load plasmids of enhanced green fluorescence protein (pEGFP) to obtain gene loaded nanoparticles (Fa-NPs/DNA). Physical-chemical characteristics, in vitro release and cytotoxicity of Fa-NPs/DNA were evaluated. The in vitro transfection efficiency of Fa-NPs/DNA was evaluated in HeLa cells and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). PEG-PLA without Fa was used to load pEGFP from NPs/DNA as a control. Results: Fa-NPs/DNA has a particle size of 183 nm and a gene loading quantity of 92%. After 72h of transfection, Fa-NPs/DNA displayed over 20% higher transfection efficiency than NPs/DNA and 40% higher than naked DNA in HeLa cells. However, in HUVECs, no significant difference appeared between Fa-NPs/DNA and NPs/DNA. Conclusions: Fa-PEG-PLA NPs could function as excellent materials for gene loading. This nano-approach could be used as tumor cell targeted medicine for the treatment of cervical cancer.

Polymorphisms in XRCC1 Gene, Alcohol drinking, and Risk of Colorectal Cancer: a Case-control Study in Jiangsu Province of China

Gao, Chang-Ming,Ding, Jian-Hua,Li, Su-Ping,Liu, Yan-Ting,Cao, Hai-Xia,Wu, Jian-Zhong,Tang, Jin-Hai,Tajima, Kazuo Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.11

To evaluate the relationship between alcohol drinking, XRCC1 codon 194 and 399 polymorphisms and risk of colorectal cancer, we conducted a case-control study with 315 colorectal cancer cases (105 colon, 210 rectal) and 439 population-based controls in Jiangsu Province of China. The XRCC1 codon 194 and 399 genotypes were identified using polymerase chain reaction and restrictrion fragment length polymorphism methods (PCR-RFLP). A structured questionnaire was used to elicit detailed information. Odds ratios (ORs) were estimated with an unconditional logistic model. In this study no significant differences were observed among the studied groups with regard to the genotype distribution of the XRCC1 codons 194 and 399 and the risk of colorectal cancer did not appear to be significantly influenced by genotype alone, whereas alcohol consumption showed a positive association (P for trend <0.01). When combined effects of XRCC1 polymorphisms and alcohol consumption were analyzed, we found that the 194Trp or 399Gln alleles further increased the colorectal cancer risk due to high alcohol intake. These findings support the conclusion that colorectal cancer susceptibility may be altered by gene-environment interactions.

Shear Performance of Steel Thin Sheet-to-Thick Plate Bolted Connections

Shen Liu,Ruo-qiang Feng,Chang-jun Zhong 한국강구조학회 2023 International Journal of Steel Structures Vol.23 No.4

This paper presents a study on the bolted connections of cold-formed steel (CFS) sheets and hot-rolled steel (HRS) plates. The test strengths and failure modes were compared with the results predicted by the North American Specification (AISI S 100–16) and European Standard (EN1993-1–3) for CFS structures. Additionally, the influence of the fastener diameter and the thickness of the CFS sheets and HRS plates on the specimens were discussed. In addition, numerical modeling of the specimens was established to simulate the failure modes and load-deformation relationships. Finally, a modified equation for bearing strength is proposed, discussed, and verified by reliability analysis. The results showed that bearing failure, shear failure and net section failure were observed. The nominal strengths predicted by AISI S 100 and EN 1993–1-3 are generally conservative. The numerical models can predict the failure modes and load-deformation relationships of the specimens with good agreement. In addition, the proposed method for the bearing strength of the connections has better accuracy than the current specifications.

Polymorphisms in the Thymidylate Synthase Gene and Risk of Colorectal Cancer

Gao, Chang-Ming,Ding, Jian-Hua,Li, Su-Ping,Liu, Yan-Ting,Cao, Hai-Xia,Wu, Jian-Zhong,Tajima, Kazuo Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.8

To evaluate the relationship between polymorphisms (28 bp repeated sequences in 5'-UTR and 6-bp ins/del in 3'-UTR) in then thymidylate synthetase gene (TS) and risk of colorectal, colon and rectal cancers, we conducted a case-control study with 315 cases of colorectal cancer and 439 population-based controls in Jiangsu province, China. TS genotypes were identified using PCR.RFLP (restriction fragment length polymorphism) methods. Odds ratios (ORs) were estimated with an unconditional logistic regression model. We found that the distributions of 5'-UTR genotypes in TS were significantly different between controls and male colon cases (${\chi}^2$=8.25, P = 0.016). Compared with 3R/3R genotype, individuals with the 2R allele were at an increased risk of colon cancer (age-, BMI-, smoking- and alcohol drinking-adjusted OR=1.98, 95%CI: 1.11-3.53) among men. In ccontrast, the 6-bp ins/del polymorphism at the TS 3'- UTR did not influence risk of the colorectal, colon and rectal cancers. When combined genotypes for both TS 5'-UTR and 3'-UTR polymorphisms were evaluated, individuals with the 5'-UTR 2R allele had a OR of 3.61 (95%CI: 1.38-9.49) for colon cancer among men with the 3'-UTR .6bp/-6bp genotype. These results show that the polymorphism of the 28 bp repeated sequences in TS 5'-UTR could influence susceptibility to colon cancer and that there was a coordinated effect between TS 3'-UTR and 5'-UTR polymorphisms in increasing risk of colon cancer among Chinese men.

Alloy and Core-Shell Nanoclusters Formed by Sequential Ion Implantation and Thermal Annealing

Feng Ren,Chang-Zhong Jiang,Chang Liu,Jian-Bo Wang,Yin Shi 한국물리학회 2005 THE JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN PHYSICAL SOCIETY Vol.46 No.1

Ag-Cu alloy nanoclusters have been formed by sequential ion implantation. As the as-implanted sample is annealed in a reducing atmosphere, the optical absorption spectrum displays a new shoul- der peak. Transmission electron microscopy bright-¯eld image, selected area electron diraction pattern and high-angle annular dark ¯eld scanning transmission electron microscopy image analy-ses show that core-shell nanoclusters have been fabricated. The evolution of core-shell nanoclusters at elevated temperature was also studied.

Demethylation of CpG islands in the 5` upstream regions mediates the expression of the human testis-specific gene MAGEB16 and its mouse homolog Mageb16

( Yun Qiang Liu ),( Mei Ling Wang ),( Si Yuan Jiang ),( Yong Jie Lu ),( Da Chang Tao ),( Yuan Yang ),( Yong Xin Ma ),( Si Zhong Zhang ) 생화학분자생물학회 2014 BMB Reports Vol.47 No.2

Tissue-specific gene expression is regulated by epigenetic modification involving trans-acting factors. Here, we identified that the human MAGEB16 gene and its mouse homolog, Mageb16, are only expressed in the testis. To investigate the mechanism governing their expression, the promoter methy-lation status of these genes was examined in different samples. Two CpG islands (CGIs) in the 5` upstream region of MAGEB16 were highly demethylated in human testes, whereas they were methylated in cells without MAGEB16 expression. Similarly, the CGI in Mageb16 was hypomethylated in mouse testes but hypermethylated in other tissues and cells without Mageb16 expression. Additionally, the expression of these genes could be activated by treatment with the demethylation agent 5`-aza-2`- deoxycytidine (5`-aza-CdR). Luciferase assays revealed that both gene promoter activities were inhibited by methylation of the CGI regions. Therefore, we propose that the testis-specific expression of MAGEB16 and Mageb16 is regulated by the methylation status of their promoter regions. [BMB Reports 2014; 47(2): 86-91]