Cyr61/CCN1 Overexpression Induces Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition Leading to Laryngeal Tumor Invasion and Metastasis and Poor Prognosis

Liu, Ying,Zhou, Yan-Dong,Xiao, Yu-Li,Li, Ming-Hua,Wang, Yu,Kan, Xuan,Li, Qiu-Ying,Lu, Jian-Guang,Jin, De-Jun Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.7

Background: To examine the expression of cysteine-rich 61 (Cyr61/CCN1) protein in laryngeal squamouscell carcinoma (LSCC) tissues, and its relationship with the tumor epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), invasion, metastasis, and prognosis. Materials and Methods: Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expressions of Cyr61, Vimentin (Vim), and E-cadherin (E-cad) in 88 cases of LSCC tissues and 30 cases of tumor-adjacent normal tissues. Vim and E-cad were used as mesenchymal and epithelial markers, respectively, to determine the relationship between Cyr61 expression and the EMT of LSCC cells. In addition, clinical and histopathological data were combined to analyze the relationship between the positive-expression rates of Cyr61, Vim and E-cad and LSCC invasion, metastasis and prognosis. Results: In LSCC tissues, Vim expression rate was significantly higher than that of the tumor-adjacent tissues, whereas E-cad expression rate was significantly lower than that of the tumor-adjacent tissues. The Vim expression rate was significantly higher in stages T3 and T4 than in stages T1 and T2 LSCC tissues, whereas E-cad expression rate was significantly lower in stages T3 and T4 than in stages T1 and T2 LSCC tissues. Compared to the group without lymph node metastasis, the Vim expression rate was significantly higher and the E-cad expression rate was significantly lower in the group with lymph node metastasis. The expression rate of Cyr61 was significantly higher in LSCC tissues than in the tumor-adjacent normal tissues. In addition, the Cyr61 expression rate was higher in stages T3 and T4 than in stages T1 and T2 LSCC, and higher in the group with lymph node metastasis than in the group without lymph node metastasis. The Vim expression rate was significantly higher in the Cyr61 positive group than in the Cyr61 negative group, whereas the E-cad expression rate was significantly higher in the Cyr61 negative group than in the Cyr61 positive group. Survival analysis indicated that survival rates of Cyr61 positive, Vim positive and E-cad negative groups were significantly lower than that of Cyr61 negative, Vim negative and E-cad positive groups, respectively. Conclusions: Cyr61 expression is closely associated with LSCC invasion and lymph node metastasis. Overexpression of Cyr61 may induce EMT and therefore leads to LSCC invasion and metastasis and poor prognosis. Cyr61 may become a new maker for clinical prediction of LSCC invasion and metastasis and a new target for LSCC treatment.

Diversity of Duodenal and Rectal Microbiota in Biopsy Tissues and Luminal Contents in Healthy Volunteers(s)

( Gangping Li ),( Min Yang ),( Kan Zhou ),( Lei Zhang ),( Lugao Tian ),( Shangze Lv ),( Yu Jin ),( Wei Qian ),( Hanhua Xiong ),( Rong Lin ),( Yu Fu ),( Xiaohua Hou ) 한국미생물 · 생명공학회 2015 Journal of microbiology and biotechnology Vol.25 No.7

The diverse microbial communities that colonize distinct segments of the gastrointestinal tract are intimately related to aspects of physiology and the pathology of human health. However, most recent studies have focused on the rectal or fecal microbiota, and the microbial signature of the duodenum is poorly studied. In this study, we compared the microbiota in duodenal and rectal samples to illustrate the characteristic microbial signatures of the duodenum in healthy adults. Nine healthy volunteers donated biopsies and luminal contents from the duodenum and rectum. To determine the composition and diversity of the microbiota, 454- pyrosequencing of bacterial 16S rRNA was performed and multiple bioinformatics analyses were applied. The α-diversity and phylogenetic diversity of the microbiota in the duodenal samples were higher than those of the rectal samples. There was higher biodiversity among the microbiota isolated from rectal biopsies than feces. Proteobacteria were more highly represented in the duodenum than in the rectum, both in the biopsies and in the luminal contents from the healthy volunteers (38.7% versus 12.5%, 33.2% versus 5.0%, respectively). Acinetobacter and Prevotella were dominant in the duodenum, whereas Bacteroides and Prevotella were dominant in the rectum. Additionally, the percentage of OTUs shared in biopsy groups was far higher than in the luminal group (43.0% versus 26.8%) and a greater number of genera was shared among the biopsies than the luminal contents. Duodenal samples demonstrated greater biological diversity and possessed a unique microbial signature compared with the rectum. The mucosa-associated microbiota was more relatively conserved than luminal samples.

Insect-specific microRNA involved in the development of the silkworm Bombyx mori

Yong Zhang,Xue Zhou,Xie Ge,Jiang-Hao Jiang,Mu-Wang Li,Shi-Hai Jia,Xiao-Nan Yang,Yun-Chao Kan,Xue-Xia Miao,Guo-Ping Zhao,Fei Li,Yong-Ping Huang 한국응용곤충학회 2009 한국응용곤충학회 학술대회논문집 Vol.2009 No.10

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous non-coding genes that participate in post-transcription regulation by either degrading mRNA or blocking its translation. It is considered to be very important in regulating insect development and metamorphosis. Insects are the largest group of animals and are extremely valuable in biological and agriculture research. Insects are also important pests to human health and agriculture, and efforts are necessary protect both humans and plants from disease and damage. Despite their importance, insects lag behind mammals, nematodes, and plants in miRNA research. At present, only 279 insect miRNAs have been identified from Drosophila melanogaster, Anopheles gambiae, Apis mellifera, Bombyx mori, and D. pseudoobscura in miRBase, and most of these miRNAs were computationally predicted without experimental validation. Functional analysis of insect miRNAs has only been conducted in D. melanogaster.

Research Progress in SiC-Based Ceramic Matrix Composites

Dong, Shaoming,Wang, Zhen,Zhou, Haijun,Kan, Yan-Mei,Zhang, Xiangyu,Ding, Yusheng,Gao, Le,Wu, Bin,Hu, Jianbao The Korean Ceramic Society 2012 한국세라믹학회지 Vol.49 No.4

SiC-based ceramic matrix composites show many advantages over their monolithic ceramic counterparts, which makes them potential candidates for applications in various fields. Depending strongly on the chemical composition and microstructure of the fiber reinforcement, matrix as well as the fiber/matrix interphase in the material, the properties of ceramic matrix composites(CMCs) are highly tailorable. In this paper, the latest progresses in the interphase design, matrix modification and fiber reinforcement decoration of CMCs are reviewed, their effects on the properties of the CMCs are introduced.

Preparation and characterization of flaky FeSiAl composite magnetic powder core coated with MnZn ferrite

Zhen Wang,Xiansong Liu,Xucai Kan,Ruiwei Zhu,Wei Yang,Qiuyue Wu,Shengqiang Zhou 한국물리학회 2019 Current Applied Physics Vol.19 No.8

The flattening of FeSiAl soft magnetic powder was achieved by ball milling process, and MnZn/FeSiAl composite magnetic powder core was prepared by press molding. The effect of different coating amount of MnZn ferrite on the soft magnetic properties of FeSiAl was studied. At the same time, the optimal stress-relieving annealing temperature of the composite magnetic powder core is revealed. The results showed that the addition of MnZn ferrite affected the magnetic properties such as saturation magnetization (Ms), initial permeability (μi) and power loss (Pcm) of FeSiAl soft magnetic. With the increase of MnZn ferrite addition content, the saturation magnetization of composites decreased gradually, and the magnetic permeability increased first and then decreased, and the loss decreased first and then increased. When the addition content of MnZn ferrite was 5%, the permeability reached the maximum, which was 28.1% higher than that of the pure FeSiAl magnetic powder core under the same conditions. At the same time, the loss was the lowest, which was 13.3% lower than the pure FeSiAl powder core under the same conditions. When the annealing temperature is around 650 °C, the magnetic powder core has the largest magnetic permeability and the lowest loss.

Obstructive Ileocolitis in Patients With Obstructed Colorectal Cancer – A Matched Case Control Study

Ning-Qi Pang,Tian-Zhi Lim,Yuanpei Zhou,Ker-Kan Tan 대한대장항문학회 2018 Annals of Coloproctolgy Vol.34 No.4

Purpose: Obstructive ileocolitis is an ulcero-inflammatory condition which typically occurs in the ileum or colon proximal to an obstructing colorectal lesion. If left unresolved, it often leads to intestinal perforation. We present a matched case control study of patients with obstructive ileocolitis caused by colorectal cancer to determine if any factors can predict this condition. Methods: This is a retrospective review of 21 patients with obstructive colorectal cancer and histologically proven obstructive ileocolitis from 2005 to 2015 matched for age and sex with 21 controls with obstructing colorectal cancer without obstructive ileocolitis. Results: The 21 patients with obstructive ileocolitis had a median age of 71 years (range, 52–86 years). The most common presenting symptom was abdominal pain (n = 16, 76.2%), followed by vomiting/nausea (n = 14, 66.7%) and abdominal distension (n = 12, 57.1%). Interestingly, the radiological feature of pneumatosis intestinalis was noted in only 1 case. No significant differences were observed in baseline comorbidities, clinical presentations, or tumor characteristics between the 2 groups. Patients with obstructive ileocolitis were found to have a significantly higher total leucocyte count (17.1 ± 9.4×109/L vs. 12.0 ± 6.8×109/L, P = 0.016), lower pCO2 (32.3 ± 8.2 mmHg vs. 34.8 ± 4.9 mmHg, P = 0.013), lower HCO3 (18.8 ± 4.5 mmol/L vs. 23.6 ± 2.7 mmol/L, P < 0.001), lower base excess (-6.53 ± 5.32 mmol/L vs. -0.57 ± 2.99 mmol/L, P < 0.001) and higher serum lactate levels (3.14 ± 2.19 mmol/L vs. 1.19 ± 0.91 mmol/L, P = 0.007) compared to controls. No radiological features were predictive of obstructive ileocolitis. Conclusion: Patients with obstructive ileocolitis tend to present with metabolic acidosis with respiratory compensation, raised lactate, and worse leucocytosis. Radiological features are not useful for predicting this condition.

Nicotinamide Mononucleotide Adenylyl Transferase 2 Inhibition Aggravates Neurological Damage after Traumatic Brain Injury in a Rat Model

Xiaoyu Gu,Haibo Ni,XuGang Kan,Chen Chen,Zhiping Zhou,Zheng Ding,Di Li,Bofei Liu 대한신경외과학회 2023 Journal of Korean neurosurgical society Vol.66 No.4

Objective : Nicotinamide mononucleotide adenylyl transferase 2 (NMNAT2) is a crucial factor for the survival of neuron. The role of NMNAT2 in damage following traumatic brain injury (TBI) remains unknown. This study was designed to investigate the role of NMNAT2 in TBI-induced neuronal degeneration and neurological deficits in rats. Methods : The TBI model was established in Sprague-Dawley rats by a weight-dropping method. Real-time polymerase chain reaction, western blot, immunofluorescence, Fluoro-Jade C staining, and neurological score analyses were carried out. Results : NMNAT2 mRNA and protein levels were increased in the injured-side cortex at 6 hours and peaked 12 hours after TBI. Knocking down NMNAT2 with an injection of small interfering RNA in lateral ventricle significantly exacerbated neuronal degeneration and neurological deficits after TBI, which were accompanied by increased expression of BCL-2-associated X protein (Bax). Conclusion : NMNAT2 expression is increased and NMNAT2 exhibits neuroprotective activity in the early stages after TBI, and Bax signaling pathway may be involved in the process. Thus, NMNAT2 is likely to be an important target to prevent secondary damage following TBI.

Upregulation of adiponectin by Ginsenoside Rb1 contributes to amelioration of hepatic steatosis induced by high fat diet

Yaru Li,Shuchen Zhang,Ziwei Zhu,Ruonan Zhou,Pingyuan Xu,Lingyan Zhou,Yue Kan,Jiao Li,Juan Zhao,Penghua Fang,Xizhong Yu,Wenbin Shang 고려인삼학회 2022 Journal of Ginseng Research Vol.46 No.4

Background: Ginsenoside Rb1 (GRb1) is capable of regulating lipid and glucose metabolism through itsaction on adipocytes. However, the beneficial role of GRb1-induced up-regulation of adiponectin in liversteatosis remains unelucidated. Thus, we tested whether GRb1 ameliorates liver steatosis and insulinresistance by promoting the expression of adiponectin. Methods: 3T3-L1 adipocytes and hepatocytes were used to investigate GRb1's action on adiponectinexpression and triglyceride (TG) accumulation. Wild type (WT) mice and adiponectin knockout (KO)mice fed high fat diet were treated with GRb1 for 2 weeks. Hepatic fat accumulation and function as wellas insulin sensitivity was measured. The activation of AMPK was also detected in the liver andhepatocytes. Results: GRb1 reversed the reduction of adiponectin secretion in adipocytes. The conditioned medium(CM) from adipocytes treated with GRb1 reduced TG accumulation in hepatocytes, which was partlyattenuated by the adiponectin antibody. In the KO mice, the GRb1-induced significant decrease of TGcontent, ALT and AST was blocked by the deletion of adiponectin. The elevations of GRb1-induced insulinsensitivity indicated by OGTT, ITT and HOMA-IR were also weakened in the KO mice. The CM treatmentsignificantly enhanced the phosphorylation of AMPK in hepatocytes, but not GRb1 treatment. Likewise,the phosphorylation of AMPK in liver of the WT mice was increased by GRb1, but not in the KO mice. Conclusions: The up-regulation of adiponectin by GRb1 contributes to the amelioration of liver steatosisand insulin resistance, which further elucidates a new mechanism underlying the beneficial effects ofGRb1 on obesity

Research Progress in SiC-Based Ceramic Matrix Composites

Shaoming Dong,Zhen Wang,Haijun Zhou,Yan-Mei Kan,Xiangyu Zhang,Yusheng Ding,Le Gao,Bin Wu,Jianbao Hu 한국세라믹학회 2012 한국세라믹학회지 Vol.49 No.4

SiC-based ceramic matrix composites show many advantages over their monolithic ceramic counterparts, which makes them potential candidates for applications in various fields. Depending strongly on the chemical composition and microstructure of the fiber reinforcement, matrix as well as the fiber/matrix interphase in the material, the properties of ceramic matrix composites(CMCs) are highly tailorable. In this paper, the latest progresses in the interphase design, matrix modification and fiber reinforcement decoration of CMCs are reviewed, their effects on the properties of the CMCs are introduced.

New composite flooring system for the circular economy

Dennis Lam,Jie Yang,Yong Wang,Xianghe Dai,Therese Sheehan,Kan Zhou 국제구조공학회 2021 Steel and Composite Structures, An International J Vol.40 No.5

Circular economy is an economic system aimed at minimizing wastes and making the most of the current resources. This regenerative approach contrasts with the traditional linear economy, which has been adopted by the construction industry. Developing new construction technologies for sustainable built environment is a top priority for the construction industry throughout the world. Much of the environmental impact from the construction industry is associated with the consumption of resources and generation of waste. The construction industry in Europe consumes over 70,000 million tonnes of materials each year and generates over 250 million tonnes of waste. Composite flooring formed by connecting the concrete slabs to the supporting steel beams has been widely used for many years and is well established as one of the most efficient floor systems in multi-storey steel frame building structures. However, shear connectors are welded through the steel decking to the steel beams and cast into the concrete; this made deconstruction and reuse of these components almost impossible. A new composite flooring system which allows for the reuse of the steel beams and composite floor slabs is developed and tested to assess its potential and suitability for reuse. This paper presents the results of a series of full-scale beam tests and demonstrates the reusability of this new form of composite flooring systems. Simplified hand calculations are also provided and compared against beam tests.