Comparison of Liver Transplantation and Liver Resection for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients with Portal Vein Tumor Thrombus Type I and Type II

Jia-Yu Lv,Ning-Ning Zhang,Ya-Wei Du,Ying Wu,Tian-Qiang Song,Ya-Min Zhang,Yan Qu,Yu-Xin Liu,Jie Gu,Ze-Yu Wang,Yi-Bo Qiu,Bing Yang,Da-Zhi Tian,Qing-Jun Guo,Li Zhang,Ji-San Sun,Yan Xie,Zheng-Lu Wang,Xin 연세대학교의과대학 2021 Yonsei medical journal Vol.62 No.1

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of liver transplantation (LT) and liver resection (LR) for hepatocellularcarcinoma (HCC) patients with portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT) and to investigate risk factors affecting prognosis. Materials and Methods: A total of 94 HCC patients with PVTT type I (segmental PVTT) and PVTT type II (lobar PVTT) were involvedand divided into LR (n=47) and LT groups (n=47). Recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) were comparedbefore and after inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW). Prognostic factors for RFS and OS were explored. Results: Two treatment groups were well-balanced using IPTW. In the entire cohort, LT provided a better prognosis than LR. Among patients with PVTT type I, RFS was better with LT (p=0.039); OS was not different significantly between LT and LR(p=0.093). In subgroup analysis of PVTT type I patients with α-fetoprotein (AFP) levels >200 ng/mL, LT elicited significantly longermedian RFS (18.0 months vs. 2.1 months, p=0.022) and relatively longer median OS time (23.6 months vs. 9.8 months, p=0.065). Among patients with PVTT type II, no significant differences in RFS and OS were found between LT and LR (p=0.115 and 0.335,respectively). Multivariate analyses showed treatment allocation (LR), tumor size (>5 cm), AFP and aspartate aminotransferase(AST) levels to be risk factors of RFS and treatment allocation (LR), AFP and AST as risk factors for OS. Conclusion: LT appeared to afford a better prognosis for HCC with PVTT type I than LR, especially in patients with AFP levels>200 ng/mL.

Genome-wide identification and analysis of long noncoding RNAs in longissimus muscle tissue from Kazakh cattle and Xinjiang brown cattle

Yan, Xiang-Min,Zhang, Zhe,Liu, Jian-Bo,Li, Na,Yang, Guang-Wei,Luo, Dan,Zhang, Yang,Yuan, Bao,Jiang, Hao,Zhang, Jia-Bao Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2021 Animal Bioscience Vol.34 No.11

Objective: In recent years, long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been identified in many species, and some of them have been shown to play important roles in muscle development and myogenesis. However, the differences in lncRNAs between Kazakh cattle and Xinjiang brown cattle remain undefined; therefore, we aimed to confirm whether lncRNAs are differentially expressed in the longissimus dorsi between these two types of cattle and whether differentially expressed lncRNAs regulate muscle differentiation. Methods: We used RNA-seq technology to identify lncRNAs in longissimus muscles from these cattle. The expression of lncRNAs were analyzed using StringTie (1.3.1) in terms of the fragments per kilobase of transcript per million mapped reads values of the encoding genes. The differential expression of the transcripts in the two samples were analyzed using the DESeq R software package. The resulting false discovery rate was controlled by the Benjamini and Hochberg's approach. KOBAS software was utilized to measure the expression of different genes in Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes pathways. We randomly selected eight lncRNA genes and validated them by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Results: We found that 182 lncRNA transcripts, including 102 upregulated and 80 downregulated transcripts, were differentially expressed between Kazakh cattle and Xinjiang brown cattle. The results of RT-qPCR were consistent with the sequencing results. Enrichment analysis and functional annotation of the target genes revealed that the differentially expressed lncRNAs were associated with the mitogen-activated protein kinase, Ras, and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3k)/Akt signaling pathways. We also constructed a lncRNA/mRNA coexpression network for the PI3k/Akt signaling pathway. Conclusion: Our study provides insights into cattle muscle-associated lncRNAs and will contribute to a more thorough understanding of the molecular mechanism underlying muscle growth and development in cattle.

Experimental Research on Hole Wall Integrity of TiBw/TC4 Based on Ultrasonic Vibration Assisted Drilling

Yong Feng,Haoxiang Wang,Min Zhang,Zihao Zhu,Xiaoyu Wang,Binhui Jia,Xiaolin Jia 한국정밀공학회 2020 International Journal of Precision Engineering and Vol.21 No.5

Titanium Matrix Composites (TMCs) are widely used in aerospace because of their excellent mechanical properties, but itis accompanied by the diffi culty of machining. Ultrasonic Vibration Assisted Drilling (UVAD) can eff ectively reduce theaxial force in the drilling process and improve the integrity of machined surface. In this paper, the discontinuous titaniummatrix composite TiBw/TC4 was developed by preparation method of in situ. In order to obtain the machining parameters ofTiBw/TC4 and guide the application of UVAD in TiBw/TC4, the contrast experiments between conventional drilling (CD)and UVAD were carried out to analyze the variation law of axial force. In this experiment, the frequency and amplitude ofultrasonic vibration were set as 35 kHz and 2.5 μm respectively, and the drilling conditions were that the spindle speed was(1500/1600/1700/1800/1900) r/min and the feed speed was (6/7/8/9/10) mm/min. The surface integrity of hole wall suchas roughness, residual stress and white layer was discussed. The experimental results show that the yield strength of TiBw/TC4 developed by in situ is 51% higher than that of pure TC4. Compared with CD, the axial force of TiBw/TC4 in UVADis signifi cantly reduced, and the formation of continuous chips and winding cutters is eff ectively reduced. Besides, the wearrate of the cutters is reduced. The number and size of hole wall defects, such as scratches, delamination and tearing, areobviously reduced. As well as the residual stress, white layer thickness and hole wall roughness are reduced by 4.67–16.31%,42.48% and 5.98–29.27% respectively. Within the limits of the experiment, when the spindle speed is 1700 r/min and thefeed speed is 8 mm/min, UVAD can obtain better hole wall surface integrity parameters.

Ultimate strength behavior of steel-concrete-steel sandwich beams with ultra-lightweight cement composite, Part 1: Experimental and analytical study

Jia-Bao Yan,J.Y. Richard Liew,Min-Hong Zhang,Junyan Wang 국제구조공학회 2014 Steel and Composite Structures, An International J Vol.17 No.6

Ultra-lightweight cement composite (ULCC) with a compressive strength of 60 MPa and density of 1450 kg/m³ has been developed and used in the steel-concrete-steel (SCS) sandwich structures. ULCC was adopted as the core material in the SCS sandwich composite beams to reduce the overall structural weight. Headed shear studs working in pairs with overlapped lengths were used to achieve composite action between the core material and steel face plates. Nine quasi-static tests on this type of SCS sandwich composite beams were carried out to evaluate their ultimate strength performances. Different parameters influencing the ultimate strength of the SCS sandwich composite beams were studied and discussed. Design equations were developed to predict the ultimate resistance of the cross section due to pure bending, pure shear and combined action between shear and moment. Effective stiffness of the sandwich composite beam section is also derived to predict the elastic deflection under service load. Finally, the design equations were validated by the test results.

The evaluation of online course of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Medical Bachelor, Bachelor of Surgery international students during the COVID-19 epidemic period

Zhang Qing,He Yi-Jing,Zhu Yu-Hang,Dai Min-Chen,Pan Man-Man,Wu Jia-Qi,Zhang Xian,Gu Ying-Er,Wang Fang-Fang,Xu Xiang-Rong,Qu Fan 한국한의학연구원 2020 Integrative Medicine Research Vol.9 No.3

Background: During the COVID-19 epidemic period, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) course for international students of Medical Bachelor, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) program in Zhejiang University has shifted from traditional classroom to online environment. This study aimed to investigate MBBS international students’ perception on online TCM course, and to assess the online learning efficacy. Methods: A total of 84 MBBS international students attending course of “Basic Traditional Chinese Medicine” during 2020 academic years at Zhejiang University were enrolled in this study. A quantitative questionnaire was respectively completed before and after the TCM course using a pretest–post-test design. By means of two online learning platforms, Learning in ZJU and DingTalk, TCM course was broadcast in both live and archived format to students. Results: A total of 48 participants completed both baseline and follow-up questionnaires. The majority of participants preferred face-to-face classroom learning (26, 54.17% of total) when compared with online learning. Students felt that the course had brought in much benefits (mean 3.88, SD 0.87), and they were satisfied with the course content (mean 3.83, SD 0.95). Students’ TCM related knowledge and their behaviors of discussion and consulting were significantly improved by online TCM course (all P < 0.001). Students’ awareness of the necessity of TCM education and their feeling of difficulty in learning TCM were significantly strengthened (P = 0.042, 0.025, respectively). Conclusion: Online learning is a good alternative for TCM course of MBBS international students when classroom learning is suspended, whereas it cannot replace the need for onsite and face-to-face learning.

Modelling of Acoustic Waves Propagating in Nesting Fibonacci Super-Lattice Phononic Crystal

Min Zhao,Hai-Feng Qi,Jia-Hui Xu,Ya-Zhuo Xie,Xing-Gan Zhang,Jian Gao 대한금속·재료학회 2014 METALS AND MATERIALS International Vol.20 No.4

Herein, we report construction of one kind of nesting-Fibonacci-super-lattice phononic crystal, in whichthe super-lattice cell is a well-defined Fibonacci generation sequence. We present a comparative study onband-gap structures of acoustic waves propagating in one-dimensional, nesting Fibonacci-periodic structureand simple-periodic structure. We find that there are more band gaps in nesting Fibonacci super-latticemodels, and that they present behavior different from the split-up of band gaps with different generationnumbers. With the increase of generation number, more band gaps split and occur. Additionally, whengeneration number becomes larger, Bragg scattering becomes more significant: the characteristic curvesbecome flatter and band gaps become wider. Furthermore, we study the effect of various parameters suchas density, thickness and defects on band-gap structures. Our work is significant both for understandingthe intrinsic physical properties of nesting Fibonacci sequences and for providing flexible choices to meetreal engineering requirements.

Whole RNA-sequencing and gene expression analysis of Trichoderma harzianum Tr-92 under chlamydospore-producing condition

Min Yuan,Yuanyuan Huang,Zhenhua Jia,Weina Ge,Lan Zhang,Qian Zhao,Shuishan Song,Yali Huang 한국유전학회 2019 Genes & Genomics Vol.41 No.6

Background Trichoderma is one of the most important biocontrol fungi, which could produce mycelia, conidiospores, and chlamydospores three types of propagules under different conditions. Chlamydospores are produced in harsh conditions in various fungi, and may be more resistant to adverse conditions. However, the knowledge associated with the mechanism of chlamydospore formation remained unclear in Trichoderma. Objectives This study is aimed to explore the essential genes and regulatory pathways associated with chlamydospore formation in Trichoderma. Methods The culture condition, survival rate, and biocontrol effects of chlamydospores and conidiospores from Trichoderma. harzianum Tr-92 were determined. Furthermore, the whole transcriptome profiles of T. harzianum Tr-92 under chlamydospore-producing and chlamydospore-nonproducing conditions were performed. Results T. harzianum Tr-92 produced chlamydospores under particular conditions, and chlamydospore-based formulation of T. harzianum Tr-92 exhibited higher biocontrol ability against Botrytis cinerea in cucumber than conidoiospore-based formulation. In the transcriptome analysis, a total of 2,029 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in T. harzianum Tr-92 under chlamydospore-producing condition, compared to that under chlamydospore-nonproducing condition. GO classification indicated that the DEGs were significantly enriched in 284 terms among biological process, cellular components and molecular function categories. A total of 19 pathways were observed with DEGs by KEGG analysis. Furthermore, fifteen DEGs were verified by quantitative real-time PCR, and the expression profiles were consistent with the transcriptome data. Conclusion The results would provide a basis on the molecular mechanisms underlying Trichoderma sporulation, which would assist the development and application of fungal biocontrol agents.

Association of CYP2E1 and NAT2 Polymorphisms with Lung Cancer Susceptibility among Mongolian and Han Populations in the Inner Mongolian Region

Zhang, Jing-Wen,Yu, Wan-Jia,Sheng, Xiao-Min,Chang, Fu-Hou,Bai, Tu-Ya,Lv, Xiao-Li,Wang, Guang,Liu, Su-Zhen Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.21

Purpose: To explore associations of CYP2E1 and NAT2 polymorphisms with lung cancer susceptibility among Mongolian and Han populations in the Inner Mongolian region. Materials and Methods: CYP2E1 and NAT2 polymorphisms were detected by PCR-RFLP in 930 lung cancer patients and 1000 controls. Results: (1) Disequilibrium of the distribution of NAT2 polymorphism was found in lung cancer patients among Han and Mongolian populations (p=0.031). (2) Lung cancer risk was higher in individuals with c1, D allele of CYP2E1 RsaI/PstI, DraI polymorphisms and slow acetylation of NAT2 (c1 compared with c2, OR=1.382, 95%CI: 1.178-1.587, p=0.003; D compared with C, OR=1.241, 95%CI: 1.053-1.419, P<0.001; slow acetylation compared with rapid acetylation, OR=1.359, 95%CI:1.042-1.768, p=0.056) (3) Compared with c2/c2 and rapid acetylation, c1/c1 together with slow acetylation synergetically increased risk of lung cancer 2.83 fold. (4) Smokers with CYP2E1 c1/c1, DD, and NAT2 slow acetylation have 2.365, 1.916, 1.841 fold lung cancer risk than others with c2/c2, CC and NAT2 rapid acetylation, respectively. (5) Han smokers with NAT2 slow acetylation have 1.974 fold lung cancer risk than others with rapid acetylation. Conclusions: Disequilibrium distribution of NAT2 polymorphism was found in lung cancer patients among Han and Mongolian populations. Besides, Han smokers with NAT2 slow acetylation may have higher lung cancer risk compared with rapid acetylation couterparts. CYP2E1 c1/c1, DD and NAT2 slow acetylation, especially combined with smoking, contributes to the development of lung cancer. CYP2E1 c1/c1 or DD genotype and NAT2 slow acetylation have strong synergistic action in increasing lung cancer risk.

Involvement of Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase/Akt Signaling Pathway in β1 Integrin-Mediated Internalization of Staphylococcus aureus by Alveolar Epithelial Cells

Jia-He Wang,Ke Zhang,Nan Wang,Xiao-Min Qiu,Yi-Bing Wang,Ping He 한국미생물학회 2013 The journal of microbiology Vol.51 No.5

The invasion of Staphylococcus aureus into alveolar epithelial cells is regarded as the key step for S. aureus lung infection. However, the mechanism of internalization of S. aureus by alveolar epithelial cells is not clear, and was the aim of this investigation Human lung adenocarcinomic epithelial cells and A549 cells were used. Human β1 integrin and rat β1 integrin were detected by real-time reverse transcription (RT)-PCR. The expressions of β1 integrin, Akt and p-Akt were detected by Western blot analysis. To further investigate the role of β1 integrin in S. aureus internalization by alveolar epithelial cells, we next performed siRNA-mediated knockdown of β1 integrin expression. In this study, we found that S. aureus invades human alveolar epithelial cells and rat primary alveolar epithelial cells. The β1 integrin ligand competitive inhibitor, GRGDS-peptide, blocked the internalization of S. aureus by A549 cells. Knockdown of β1integrin also inhibited the internalization of S. aureus. In addition, the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in alveolar epithelial cells was activated by the infection with S. aureus. Furthermore, Akt phosphorylation was abolished by transient transfection with β1 integrin siRNA in A549 cells challenged with S. aureus. Our results suggest that the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt signaling pathway plays an important role in β1 integrin-mediated internalization of S. aureus by alveolar epithelial cells.

Ultimate strength behavior of steel-concrete-steel sandwich beams with ultra-lightweight cement composite, Part 2: Finite element analysis

Jia-Bao Yan,J.Y. Richard Liew,Min-Hong Zhang 국제구조공학회 2015 Steel and Composite Structures, An International J Vol.18 No.4

Ultra-lightweight cement composite (ULCC) with a compressive strength of 60 MPa and density of 1,450 kg/㎥ has been developed and used in the steel-concrete-steel (SCS) sandwich structures. This paper investigates the structural performances of SCS sandwich composite beams with ULCC as filled material. Overlapped headed shear studs were used to provide shear and tensile bond between the face plate and the lightweight core. Three-dimensional nonlinear finite element (FE) model was developed for the ultimate strength analysis of such SCS sandwich composite beams. The accuracy of the FE analysis was established by comparing the predicted results with the quasi-static tests on the SCS sandwich beams. The FE model was also applied to the nonlinear analysis on curved SCS sandwich beam and shells and the SCS sandwich beams with J-hook connectors and different concrete core including ULCC, lightweight concrete (LWC) and normal weight concrete (NWC). Validations were also carried out to check the accuracy of the FE analysis on the SCS sandwich beams with J-hook connectors and curved SCS sandwich structure. Finally, recommended FE analysis procedures were given.