Aberrant Expression of Pim-3 Promotes Proliferation and Migration of Ovarian Cancer Cells

Zhuang, Hao,Zhao, Man-Yin,Hei, Kai-Wen,Yang, Bai-Cai,Sun, Li,Du, Xue,Li, Yong-Mei Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.8

Pim kinase-3(Pim-3), a member of serine/threonine protein kinases, has been implicated in multiple human cancers and involved in Myc-induced tumorigenesis. However, little is known regarding its expression and biological function in human ovarian cancer. In this study we showed that the clinical significance and biological functions of Pim-3 in ovarian cancer and found that higher Pim-3 mRNA level are detected in ovarian cancer tissues than those in normal ovarian tissues. There are significant correlations between higher Pim-3 expression levels with the FIGO stage, histopathological subtypes, and distant metastasis in ovarian cancer patients. Lentivirus-mediated gene overexpression of Pim-3 significantly promotes the proliferation and migration of SKOV3 cell lines. Furthermore, MACC1 and Pim-3 expression were significantly correlated in human ovarian cancer cells, and overexpression of Pim-3 in ovary cancer cells increased MACC1 mRNA and protein expression. The data indicate that Pim-3 acts as a putative oncogene in ovary cancer and could be a viable diagnostic and therapeutic target for ovarian cancer.

Enhanced thermoelectric performance of P-type Sb2Te3 thin films through organic-inorganic hybridization on flexible substrate

Zhuang-hao Zheng,Jing-ting Luo,Feng Li,Guang-xing Liang,Ping Fan 한국물리학회 2019 Current Applied Physics Vol.19 No.4

In this work, a new idea of organic-inorganic hybridization was proposed to fabricate flexible p-type - Sb2Te3/ CH3NH3I thin films. The CH3NH3I has a strong adsorption which can promote the growth of organic molecules, improve the crystallization, and finally increase electrical conductivity. Post-annealing of the fabricated films increased the phonon scattering, thus resulting in a reduction of thermal conductivity and an increased ZT value. The annealed hybrid-composite film showed a significant enhancement in thermoelectric performance, with a maximum ZT value of 0.94 at a temperature of 413 K, which is twice as large as that of the as-deposited film.

Determination Method for Topology Configuration of Hybrid Cascaded H-Bridge Rectifiers

Zhuang, Yuan,Wang, Cong,Wang, Chang,Cheng, Hong,Gong, Yingcai,Wang, Hao The Korean Institute of Power Electronics 2016 JOURNAL OF POWER ELECTRONICS Vol.16 No.5

To reduce system complexity and implementation costs, fully-controlled H-bridge (FHB) modules and diode H-bridge PFC (DHB) modules are cascaded to form a hybrid cascaded H-bridge rectifier (HCHR). In this paper, the advantages of such a HCHR over other cascaded rectifiers are analyzed depending on the numbers of FHB modules and DHB modules. Therefore, to assign proper numbers to these two kinds of modules for the HCHR, a configuration determination method is investigated under balanced and imbalanced loads. Three principles are also presented to guide the configuration determination for the HCHR. In addition, the constraints for selecting the step-up ratio and filter inductance are derived based on a phasor diagram analysis. The proposed configuration determination method is validated by simulations under three different conditions in the PSIM environment. Finally, experiments are carried out on a scaled-down prototype where the configuration can be easily adjusted. The feasibility of the proposed theory is then verified by experimental results.

Determination Method for Topology Configuration of Hybrid Cascaded H-Bridge Rectifiers

Yuan Zhuang,Cong Wang,Chang Wang,Hong Cheng,Yingcai Gong,Hao Wang 전력전자학회 2016 JOURNAL OF POWER ELECTRONICS Vol.16 No.5

To reduce system complexity and implementation costs, fully-controlled H-bridge (FHB) modules and diode H-bridge PFC (DHB) modules are cascaded to form a hybrid cascaded H-bridge rectifier (HCHR). In this paper, the advantages of such a HCHR over other cascaded rectifiers are analyzed depending on the numbers of FHB modules and DHB modules. Therefore, to assign proper numbers to these two kinds of modules for the HCHR, a configuration determination method is investigated under balanced and imbalanced loads. Three principles are also presented to guide the configuration determination for the HCHR. In addition, the constraints for selecting the step-up ratio and filter inductance are derived based on a phasor diagram analysis. The proposed configuration determination method is validated by simulations under three different conditions in the PSIM environment. Finally, experiments are carried out on a scaled-down prototype where the configuration can be easily adjusted. The feasibility of the proposed theory is then verified by experimental results.

Morphological and Hemodynamic Parameters for Middle Cerebral Artery Bifurcation Aneurysm Rupture Risk Assessment

Qin, Hao,Yang, Qixia,Zhuang, Qiang,Long, Jianwu,Yang, Fan,Zhang, Hongqi The Korean Neurosurgical Society 2017 Journal of Korean neurosurgical society Vol.60 No.5

Objective : To investigate the morphological and hemodynamic parameters associated with middle cerebral artery (MCA) bifurcation aneurysm rupture. Methods : A retrospective study of 67 consecutive patients was carried out based on 3D digital subtraction angiography data. Morphological and hemodynamic parameters including aneurysm size parameters (dome width, height, and perpendicular height), longest dimension from the aneurysm neck to the dome tip, neck width, aneurysm area, aspect ratio, Longest dimension from the aneurysm neck to the dome tip (Dmax) to dome width, and height-width, Bottleneck factor, as well as wall shear stress (WSS), low WSS area (LSA), percentage of LSA (LSA%) and energy loss (EL) were estimated. Parameters between ruptured and un-ruptured groups were analyzed. Receiver operating characteristics were generated to check prediction performance of all significant variables. Results : Sixty-seven patients with MCA bifurcation aneurysm were included (31 unruptured, 36 ruptured). Dmax (p=0.008) was greater in ruptured group than that in un-ruptured group. D/W (p<0.001) and the percentage of the low WSS area ($0.09{\pm}0.13$ vs. $0.01{\pm}0.03$, p<0.001) were also greater in the ruptured group. Moreover, the EL in ruptured group was higher than that in unruptured group ($6.39{\pm}5.04$ vs. $1.53{\pm}0.86$, p<0.001). Multivariate regression analysis suggested D/W and EL were significant predictors of rupture of MCA bifurcation aneurysms. Correlation analyses revealed the D/W value was positively associated with the EL (R=0.442, p<0.01). Conclusion : D/W and EL might be the most two favorable factors to predict rupture risk of MCA bifurcation aneurysms.

Enhanced Room-Temperature Thermoelectric Performance of In-Doped ZnO:Al Thin Films through Prefabricated Layer Doping Method

Ping Fan,Zhuang-Hao Zheng,Jing-Ting Luo,Guang-Xing Liang,Dong-Ping Zhang 대한금속·재료학회 2015 ELECTRONIC MATERIALS LETTERS Vol.11 No.3

In this study, AZO thin films prepared by direct current reactive magnetron sputtering using a Zn-Al alloy target and In with varied content were doped through the prefabricated layer doping method in order to optimize their thermoelectric properties. The effects of In content on the room temperature microstructure and thermoelectric properties of the AZO thin films were investigated. It was found that the absolute value of the Seebeck coefficient of the thin films increases stably after In doping and reaches 153 μV·K−1 when the In content is 0.71%. Though the electrical conductivity of In-doped thin films is smaller than those of the un-doped films, the power factor of the thin films shows a significant increase after In doping with a maximum value of 2.22 × 10−4 W·m−1·K−2, which is several times that of the un-doped films.

VDR mediated HSD3B1 to regulate lipid metabolism and promoted testosterone synthesis in mouse Leydig cells

Xue Zhen,Zhuang Jianan,Bai Hao,Wang Ling,Lu Hongzhao,Wang Shanshan,Zeng Wenxian,Zhang Tao 한국유전학회 2022 Genes & Genomics Vol.44 No.5

Background: The vitamin D receptor (VDR) mediates the pleiotropic biological actions that include osteoporosis, immune responses and androgen synthesis wherein the VDR transcriptionally regulates expression of the genes involved in this complex process. 3β-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase-1 (HSD3B1) is an absolutely necessary enzyme for androgen synthesis. Objective: The purpose of the present study was to explore the molecular mechanism of VDR mediated HSD3B1 regulation of lipid metabolism and testosterone synthesis. Methods: The levels of VDR, HSD3B1 and lipid metabolism associated protein were determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) or western blot. The levels of testosterone concentrations in cell culture media serum by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Targeted relationship between VDR and Hsd3b1 was evaluated by dual-luciferase reporter assay. Results: Based on the data analysis of mouse testicular proteome, we found that the expression of HSD3B1 was significantly reduced after VDR deletion. Here, we identified that Hsd3b1 was widely expressed in different tissues of mice by RT-qPCR, and was highly expressed in testis, and mainly located in testicular Leydig cells. Dual-luciferase assay confirmed that VDR could bind candidate vitamin D responsive elements (VDREs) in upstream region of Hsd3b1, and enhance gene expression. Furthermore, over-expression VDR and HSD3B1 significantly increased testosterone synthesis in mice Leydig cells. Meanwhile, Lpl expression was significantly down-regulated and Angptl4 expression was significantly up-regulated in the present of HSD3B1 overexpression. Both LPL and ANGPTL4 play important roles in regulating lipid metabolism. Conclusions: The present study unveiled VDR mediated HSD3B1 to regulate lipid metabolism and promoted testosterone synthesis in mouse Leydig cells. These findings will greatly help us to understand the roles of VDR and HSD3B1 in testosterone synthesis and lipid metabolism.

MEG3 LncRNA from Exosomes Released from Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts Enhances Cisplatin Chemoresistance in SCLC via a MiR-15a-5p/CCNE1 Axis

Yulu Sun,Guijun Hao,Mengqi Zhuang,Huijuan Lv,Chunhong Liu,Keli Su 연세대학교의과대학 2022 Yonsei medical journal Vol.63 No.3

Purpose: Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) may act as oncogenes in small-cell lung cancer (SCLC). Exosomes containing lncRNAsreleased from cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF) accelerate tumorigenesis and confer chemoresistance. This studyaimed to explore the action mechanism of the CAF-derived lncRNA maternally expressed gene 3 (MEG3) on cisplatin (DDP) chemoresistanceand cell processes in SCLC. Materials and Methods: Quantitative real-time PCR was conducted to determine the expression levels of MEG3, miR-15a-5p, andCCNE1. Cell viability and metastasis were measured by 3-(4, 5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2, 5-diphenyl-2-h-tetrazolium bromide andinvasion assays, respectively. A xenograft tumor model was developed to confirm the effect of MEG3 overexpression on SCLC progressionin vivo. Relationships between miR-15a-5p and MEG3/CCNE1 were predicted using StarBase software and validated bydual luciferase reporter assay. Western blotting was used to determine protein levels. A co-culture model was established to explorethe effects of exosomes on MEG3 expression in SCLC cell lines. Results: MEG3 was overexpressed in SCLC tissues and cells. MEG3 silencing significantly repressed cell viability and metastasis inSCLC. High expression of MEG3 was observed in CAF-derived conditioned medium (CM) and exosomes, and promoted chemoresistanceand cancer progression. Additionally, MEG3 was found to serve as a sponge of miR-15a-5p to mediate CCNE1 expression. Overexpression of miR-15a-5p and knockout of CCNE1 reversed the effects of MEG3 overexpression on cell viability and metastasis. Conclusion: MEG3 lncRNA released from CAF-derived exosomes promotes DDP chemoresistance via regulation of a miR-15a-5p/CCNE1 axis. These findings may provide insight into SCLC therapy.

A sigma class glutathione S-transferase gene regulated by the CncC pathway is required for phytochemical tolerance in the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum

Gao Shan-shan,Li Dong-yu,Huo Zhuang-kun,Zhang Yong-lei,Cao Yi-zhuo,Tan Yue-yao,Guo Xin-long,Zhang Jia-hao,Zhang Kun-peng,Li Rui-min 한국응용곤충학회 2022 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.25 No.4

Insect glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) play a crucial role in the detoxification of exogenous compounds, especially insecticides and plant allelochemicals. A sigma class GST gene, TcGSTS7, mediates the response to eugenol in Tribolium castaneum. However, the mechanism underlying this effect remains largely unknown. In this study, TcGSTS7, which exhibits a structural motif and domain organization characteristic of GSTs, was cloned from the T. castaneum genome. Spatiotemporal expression analysis revealed that TcGSTS7 was most highly expressed at the late larva stage and was mainly expressed in the fat body and epidermis of larvae and adults, suggesting that TcGSTS7 may play a potential role in the protection against toxic xenobiotics in T. castaneum. Furthermore, the expression of TcGSTS7 was significantly induced after exposure to eugenol, while RNA inter ference (RNAi) targeting TcGSTS7 enhanced the sensitivity of the beetle to eugenol, indicating that TcGSTS7 is involved in the tolerance of T. castaneum to this insecticide. Interestingly, the depletion of TcCncC, which encodes a transcription factor of the CncC pathway that has been associated with the regulation of detoxification-related genes in insects, led to a reduction in the TcGSTS7 transcript level following exposure to eugenol, which suggests that TcGSTS7 acts downstream of the CncC pathway. Combined, these results indicated that TcGSTS7 partici pates in the tolerance of T. castaneum to phytochemicals in a CncC pathway-dependent manner. These findings have implications for the development of novel drugs for use in pest control.

Lack of Effects of HER-2/neu on Prognosis in Colorectal Cancer: a Meta-analysis

Han, Jun,Meng, Qing-Yang,Liu, Xiao,Xi, Qiu-Lei,Zhuang, Qiu-Lin,Wu, Guo-Hao Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.14

Background: The prognostic value of human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER-2/neu) for survival of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) is still ambiguous. We therefore performed a meta-analysis to evaluate its prognostic significance. Materials and Methods: We searched the MEDLINE and EMBASE databases for published literature investigating associations between HER-2/neu status and overall survival of patients with CRC. A meta-analysis was performed using a DerSimonian-Laird model and publication bias was investigated by Begg's and Egger's tests. Subgroup analysis was also conducted according to the study design type, study quality score, cut-off value for HER-2/neu overexpression, publication region, patient number and publication year. Results: A total of 17 eligible studies involving 2,347 patients were identified for this meta-analysis. The combined hazard ratio (HR) was 1.31 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.96-1.79), suggesting that HER-2/neu overexpression was not significantly associated with overall survival of patients with CRC. However, subgroup analysis revealed that HER-2/neu overexpression had an unfavorable impact on survival when the analysis was restricted to subgroups of study quality score ${\leq}5 $(HR=1.56, 95%CI: 1.17-2.10), Asian patients (HR=1.74, 95%CI: 1.22-2.49), patient number ${\leq}106$ (HR=1.57, 95%CI: 1.01-2.44), publication year before 2003 (HR=1.59, 95%CI: 1.02-2.49), and prospectively designed study (HR=3.62, 95%CI: 1.42-9.24). The effect disappeared in subgroups of study quality scores > 5 (HR=0.69, 95%CI: 0.33-1.44), non Asian patients (HR=1.14, 95%CI: 0.77-1.70), patients' number > 106 (HR=1.07, 95%CI: 0.67-1.72), publication year after 2003 (HR=1.13, 95%CI: 0.76-1.69), and retrospectively designed study (HR=1.22, 95%CI: 0.89-1.67). Conclusions: Our meta-analysis suggests that HER-2/neu overexpression might not be a significantly prognostic indicator for patients with CRC. Further studies are required to confirm these results.