Correlation of Adventitial Vasa Vasorum with Intracranial Atherosclerosis: A Postmortem Study

Lu Zheng,Wen Jie Yang,Chun Bo Niu,Hai Lu Zhao,Ka Sing Wong,Thomas Wai Hong Leung,Xiang Yan Chen 대한뇌졸중학회 2018 Journal of stroke Vol.20 No.3

Background and Purpose Vasa vasorum (VV) have been believed to be rare or non-existent in small-caliber intracranial arteries. In a series of human cerebral artery specimens, we identified and examined the distribution of VV in association with co-existing intracranial atherosclerosis. Methods We obtained cerebral artery specimens from 32 consecutive autopsies of subjects aged 45 years or above. We scrutinized middle cerebral artery (MCA), vertebral artery (VA), and basilar artery (BA) for the presence of adventitial VV. We described the distribution of VV, and the characteristics of co-existing atherosclerotic lesions. Results Among 157 intracranial arteries, adventitial VV were present in 74 of the 157 specimens (47%), involving MCA (n=13, 18%), BA (n=14, 19%), and VA (n=47, 64%). Although qualitatively these 74 adventitial VV distributed similarly in arteries with or without atherosclerotic lesions (disease-free arteries n=4/8; arteries of pre-atherosclerosis n=17/42; and arteries of progressive atherosclerosis n=53/107), the presence of adventitial VV in intracranial VA was associated with a heavier plaque load (1.72±1.66 mm2 vs. 0.40±0.32 mm2, P<0.001), severer luminal stenosis (25%±21% vs. 12%±9%, P=0.002), higher rate of concentric lesions (79% vs. 36%, P=0.002), and denser intraplaque calcification (44% vs. 0%, P=0.003). Histologically, intracranial VA with VV had a larger diameter (3.40±0.79 mm vs. 2.34±0.58 mm, P<0.001), thicker arterial wall (0.31±0.13 mm vs. 0.23±0.06 mm, P=0.002), and a larger intima-media (0.19±0.09 mm vs. 0.13± 0.04 mm, P=0.003) than VA without VV. Conclusions Our study demonstrated the distribution of adventitial VV within brain vasculature and association between vertebral VV and progressive atherosclerotic lesions with a heavier plaque load and denser intraplaque calcification.

Identification and Characterization of Genes Differentially Expressed in the Resistance Reaction in Wheat Infected with Tilletia tritici, the Common Bunt Pathogen

Lu, Zhen-Xiang,Gaudet, Denis A.,Frick, Michele,Puchalski, Byron,Genswein, Bernie,Laroche, Andre Korean Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biol 2005 Journal of biochemistry and molecular biology Vol.38 No.4

The differentially virulent race T1 of common bunt (Tilletia tritici) was used to inoculate the wheat lines Neepawa (compatible) and its sib BW553 (incompatible) that are nearly isogenic for the Bt-10 resistance gene. Inoculated crown tissues were used to construct a suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) cDNA library. Of the 1920 clones arrayed from the SSH cDNA library, approximately 10% were differentially regulated. A total of 168 differentially up-regulated and 25 down-regulated genes were identified and sequenced; 71% sequences had significant homology to genes of known function, of which 59% appeared to have roles in cellular metabolism and development, 24% in abiotic/biotic stress responses, 3% involved in transcription and signal transduction responses. Two putative resistance genes and a transcription factor were identified among the up regulated sequences. The expression of several candidate genes including a lipase, two non-specific lipid transfer proteins (ns-LTPs), and several wheat pathogenesis-related (PR)-proteins, was evaluated following 4 to 32 days post-inoculation in compatible and incompatible interactions. Results confirmed the higher overall expression of these genes in resistant BW553 compared to susceptible Neepawa, and the differential up-regulation of wheat lipase, chitinase and PR-1 proteins in the expression of the incompatible interaction.

Segmentation of Hippocampus in Human Brain MRI Using Watersnakes

Xiang Lu,Shuqian Luo 대한의료정보학회 2007 Healthcare Informatics Research Vol.13 No.2

Objective: The algorithm of Watersnakes is used to segment the hippocampus on one slice of MR image. Methods: This method integrates the watershed transform and the active contour algorithm. The watershed transform, based on mathematical morphology, is powerful and flexible for segmentation. However, it does not allow the characteristics of region boundaries to be included into the way that active contour algorithm do. So, oversegmentation is in the result, even to hippocampus. For watersnakes algorithm, the primitive contour of hippocampus can be obtained using watershed transform. Based on energy-driven, the contour of hippocampus develops into the ultimate result. In the process of energy-driven, the information relating to characteristics of region boundaries is involved. Results: The results of watersnakes showed oversegmentation could be avoided, compared to the results of watershed transform. Conclusion: Watersnakes can use the advantage of watershed transform and active contour algorithm to improve the results of segmentation. (Journal of Korean Society of Medical Informatics 13-2, 133-137, 2007)

Ginsenoside Rh2 reduces depression in offspring of mice with maternal toxoplasma infection during pregnancy by inhibiting microglial activation via the HMGB1/TLR4/NF-kB signaling pathway

Xiang Xu,Yu-Nan Lu,Jia-Hui Cheng,Hui-Wen Lan,Jing-Mei Lu,Guang-Nan Jin,Guang-Hua Xu,Cheng-Hua Jin,Juan Ma,Hu-Nan Piao,Xuejun Jin,Lian-Xun Piao 고려인삼학회 2022 Journal of Ginseng Research Vol.46 No.1

Background: Maternal Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) infection during pregnancy has been associated with various mental illnesses in the offspring. Ginsenoside Rh2 (GRh2) is a major bioactive compound obtained from ginseng that has an anti-T. gondii effect and attenuates microglial activation through toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kB) signaling pathway. GRh2 also alleviated tumor-associated or lipopolysaccharide-induced depression. However, the effects and potential mechanisms of GRh2 on depression-like behavior in mouse offspring caused by maternal T. gondii infection during pregnancy have not been investigated. Methods: We examined GRh2 effects on the depression-like behavior in mouse offspring, caused by maternal T. gondii infection during pregnancy, by measuring depression-like behaviors and assaying parameters at the neuronal and molecular level. Results: We showed that GRh2 significantly improved behavioral measures: sucrose consumption, forced swim time and tail suspended immobility time of their offspring. These corresponded with increased tissue concentrations of 5-hydroxytryptamine and dopamine, and attenuated indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase or enhanced tyrosine hydroxylase expression in the prefrontal cortex. GRh2 ameliorated neuronal damage in the prefrontal cortex. Molecular docking results revealed that GRh2 binds strongly to both TLR4 and high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1). Conclusion: This study demonstrated that GRh2 ameliorated the depression-like behavior in mouse offspring of maternal T. gondii infection during pregnancy by attenuating the excessive activation of microglia and neuroinflammation through the HMGB1/TLR4/NF-kB signaling pathway. It suggests that GRh2 could be considered a potential therapy in preventing and treating psychiatric disorders in the offspring mice of mothers with prenatal exposure to T. gondii infection.

Different Dimensional and Structural Variations in Coordination Compounds of Cadmium, Manganese and Nickel Constructed from the Ligand 2,2'-Bipyidine-3,3',6,6'-tetracarboxylic Acid (H₄bptc)

Xiang, Jing,Yang, Tian-Tian,Fu, Lu-Lu,Luo, Ya,Wu, Jia-Shou Korean Chemical Society 2013 Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society Vol.34 No.9

The reactions of hydrated $CdCl_2$, $MnCl_2$, and $NiCl_2$ with 2,2'-bipyidine-3,3',6,6'-tetracarboxylic acid ($H_4bptc$) afforded the mononuclear [$Cd^{II}(H_2bptc)(H_2O)_3]{\cdot}H_2O$ (1), linear $\{[Cd(H_2bptc)(H_2O)]{\cdot}3H_2O\}_n$ (2), 3-D heterobimetallic $[NaCd(Hbptc)(H_2O)]$ (3), layer $[Mn(H_2bptc)(H_2O)]_n$ (4) and a dinuclear compound $[Ni_2(H_2bptc)-(H_2O)_2]{\cdot}6H_2O$ (5). These compounds have been characterized by elemental analysis, IR, and their structures have been determined by X-ray crystallography. The thermal stabilities of 1-3 were measured by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and their solid state luminescence properties together with the free ligand $H_4bptc$ were investigated at room temperature.

Dynamic Event-triggered Quantitative Feedback Control for Switched Affine Systems

Xiang Lu,Hongyu Sun,Xinzheng Lyu,Anhao Wen,Yinjing Guo,Gang Jing,Qunxian Zheng 제어·로봇·시스템학회 2022 International Journal of Control, Automation, and Vol.20 No.6

This paper focuses on the design of a dynamic output feedback controller for switched affine systems under limited communication resources. Since the system states information is difficult to obtain, the dynamic output feedback switching function is considered to stabilize the switched affine system. Quantized output measurements are transmitted to the dynamic output feedback controller to reduce the communication load. In order to significantly reduce the sampling frequency, an event-triggering mechanism is introduced to detect the event periodically. By using Lyapunov stability theory and linear matrix inequality (LMI) technique, a set of dynamic output feedback gains together with a switching rule are designed assuring the global asymptotic stability of the desired equilibrium point. More specifically, the design conditions do not require that there exist a stable convex combination of the subsystems state-space matrix. Finally, a numerical example show the validity of the obtained results of this paper.

Identification and Characterization of Genes Differentially Expressed in the Resistance Reaction in Wheat Infected with Tilletia tritici, the Common Bunt Pathogen

Zhen Xiang Lu,Denis A. Gaudet,Michele Frick,Byron Puchalski,Bernie Genswein,Andre Laroche 한국생활환경학회 2005 BMB Reports Vol.38 No.4

Disambiguate Chinese Word Sense Based on Linguistics Knowledge

Chun-Xiang Zhang,Long Deng,Xue-Yao Gao,Zhi-Mao Lu 보안공학연구지원센터 2014 International Journal of Database Theory and Appli Vol.7 No.6

Word sense disambiguation (WSD) is important to many application problems in natural language processing fields, such as machine translation, parsing analysis and information retrieval. In this paper, we propose a new method to determine correct sense categories of Chinese words based on linguistics knowledge. The left word string and the right word string around the ambiguous word are respectively analyzed. Their syntactic structures are obtained for determining its intended sense. Syntactic category and part of speech are extracted as disambiguation features. A naive bayesian model is used as the classifier. Experimental results showed that the accuracy rate of classification arrives at 64%. The performance of disambiguation is improved.

Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography-Derived Fractional Flow Reserve in Patients with Anomalous Origin of the Right Coronary Artery from the Left Coronary Sinus

Chun Xiang Tang,Meng Jie Lu,Joseph Uwe Schoepf,Christian Tesche,Maximilian Bauer,John Nance,Parkwood Griffith,Guang Ming Lu,Long Jiang Zhang 대한영상의학회 2020 Korean Journal of Radiology Vol.21 No.2

Objective: To examine the fractional flow reserve derived from computed tomographic angiography (CT-FFR) in patients with anomalous origin of the right coronary artery from the left coronary sinus (R-ACAOS) with an interarterial course, assess the relationship of CT-FFR with the anatomical features of interarterial R-ACAOS on coronary computed tomographic angiography (CCTA), and determine its clinical relevance. Materials and Methods: Ninety-four patients with interarterial R-ACAOS undergoing CCTA were retrospectively included. Anatomic features (proximal vessel morphology [oval or slit-like], take-off angle, take-off level [below or above the pulmonary valve], take-off type, intramural course, % proximal narrowing area, length of narrowing, minimum luminal area [MLA] at systole and diastole, and vessel compression index) on CCTA associated with CT-FFR ≤ 0.80 were analyzed. Receiver operating characteristic analysis was performed to describe the diagnostic performance of CT-FFR ≤ 0.80 in detecting interarterial R-ACAOS. Results: Significant differences were found in proximal vessel morphology, take-off level, intramural course, % proximal narrowing area, and MLA at diastole (all p < 0.05) between the normal and abnormal CT-FFR groups. Take-off level, intramural course, and slit-like ostium (all p < 0.05) predicted hemodynamic abnormality (CT-FFR ≤ 0.80) with accuracies of 0.69, 0.71, and 0.81, respectively. Patients with CT-FFR ≤ 0.80 had a higher prevalence of typical angina (29.4% vs. 7.8%, p = 0.025) and atypical angina (29.4% vs. 6.5%, p = 0.016). Conclusion: Take-off level, intramural course, and slit-like ostium were the main predictors of abnormal CT-FFR values. Importantly, patients with abnormal CT-FFR values showed a higher prevalence of typical angina and atypical angina, indicating that CT-FFR is a potential tool to gauge the clinical relevance in patients with interarterial R-ACAOS.

The Protective Effects of IGF-1 on Different Subpopulations of DRG Neurons with Neurotoxicity Induced by gp120 and Dideoxycytidine In Vitro

( Lin Lu ),( Hai Xia Dong ),( Gui Xiang Liu ),( Bin Yuan ),( Yizhao Li ),( Hua Xiang Liu ) 한국응용약물학회 2014 Biomolecules & Therapeutics(구 응용약물학회지) Vol.22 No.6

Peripheral neuropathy induced by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and antiretroviral therapy is not only difficult to distinguish in clinical practice, but also difficult to relieve the pain symptoms by analgesics because of the severity of the disease at the later stage. Hence, to explore the mechanisms of HIV-related neuropathy and find new therapeutic options are particularly important for relieving neuropathic pain symptoms of the patients. In the present study, primary cultured embryonic rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons were used to determine the neurotoxic effects of HIV-gp120 protein and/or antiretroviral drug dideoxycytidine (ddC) and the therapeutic actions of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) on gp120- or ddC-induced neurotoxicity. DRG neurons were exposed to gp120 (500 pmol/L), ddC (50 μmol/L), gp120 (500 pmol/L) plus ddC (50 μmol/L), gp120 (500 pmol/L) plus IGF-1 (20 nmol/L), ddC (50 μmol/L) plus IGF-1 (20 nmol/L), gp120 (500 pmol/L) plus ddC (50 μmol/L) plus IGF-1 (20 nmol/L), respectively, for 72 hours. The results showed that gp120 and/or ddC caused neurotoxicity of primary cultured DRG neurons. Interestingly, the severity of neurotoxicity induced by gp120 and ddC was different in different subpopulation of DRG neurons. gp120 mainly affected large diameter DRG neurons (>25 μm), whereas ddC mainly affected small diameter DRG neurons (≤25 μm). IGF-1 could reverse the neurotoxicity induced by gp120 and/or ddC on small, but not large, DRG neurons. These data provide new insights in elucidating the pathogenesis of HIV infection- or antiretroviral therapy-related peripheral neuropathy and facilitating the development of novel treatment strategies.