Development, Validation and Comparison of Artificial Neural Network and Logistic Regression Models Predicting Eosinophilic Chronic Rhinosinusitis With Nasal Polyps

Zhou Huiqin,Fan Wenjun,Qin Danxue,Liu Peiqiang,Gao Ziang,Lv Hao,Zhang Wei,Xiang Rong,Xu Yu 대한천식알레르기학회 2023 Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Research Vol.15 No.1

Purpose: Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) can be classified into eosinophilic CRSwNP (eCRSwNP) and non-eosinophilic CRSwNP (non-eCRSwNP) by tissue biopsy, which is difficult to perform preoperatively. Clinical biomarkers have predictive value for the classification of CRSwNP. We aimed to evaluate the application of artificial neural network (ANN) modeling in distinguishing different endotypes of CRSwNP based on clinical biomarkers. Methods: Clinical parameters were collected from 109 CRSwNP patients, and their predictive ability was analyzed. ANN and logistic regression (LR) models were developed in the training group (72 patients) and further tested in the test group (37 patients). The output variable was the diagnosis of eCRSwNP, defined as tissue eosinophil count > 10 per high-power field. The receiver operating characteristics curve was used to assess model performance. Results: A total of 15 clinical features from 60 healthy controls, 60 eCRSwNP and 49 non-eCRSwNP were selected as candidate predictors. Nasal nitric oxide levels, peripheral eosinophil absolute count, total immunoglobulin E, and ratio of bilateral computed tomography scores for the ethmoid sinus and maxillary sinus were identified as important features for modeling. Two ANN models based on 4 and 15 clinical features were developed to predict eCRSwNP, which showed better performance, with the area under the receiver operator characteristics significantly higher than those from the respective LR models (0.976 vs. 0.902, P = 0.048; 0.970 vs. 0.845, P = 0.011). All ANN models had better fits than single variable prediction models (all P < 0.05), and ANN model 1 had the best predictive performance among all models. Conclusions: Machine learning models assist clinicians in predicting endotypes of nasal polyps before invasive detection. The ANN model has the potential to predict eCRSwNP with high sensitivity and specificity, and is superior to the LR model. ANNs are valuable for optimizing personalized patient management.

Effects of rolling-cutting processing parameters on micro-grooved strips forming

Baoyu Zhang,Xianqi Fan,Guocheng Shi,Yang Zhou,Di He,Wenjun Deng 대한기계학회 2021 JOURNAL OF MECHANICAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Vol.35 No.1

High heat flux density in the micro-electronics field urges the demand for functional surface for heat transfer. Micro-grooved surface is the classical heat transfer surface because of the larger specific area and better inducement of turbulence. A novel micro-grooved surface manufacturing process, the rolling-cutting process, is proposed to produce microgrooved strips. Experiments are conducted to analyze the influence of processing parameters on the strips forming. The optimal combination of processing parameters is given to attain the micro-grooved strips with higher fins height and thinner base thickness. Additionally, the obtained strips are of three-dimensional structures with serrated bulges at the top. The difference between the material flow of serrated bulges and strip base is discussed, and the forming of serrated bulges is mainly due to inhomogeneous sinuous material flow.

Case Study on Rock Support Technology for Roadways Based on Characteristics of Plastic Area

Chao Yuan,Liming Cao,Wenjun Wang,Lei Fan,Cong Huang 대한토목학회 2021 KSCE Journal of Civil Engineering Vol.25 No.2

Rocks surrounding deep, high-stress roadways typically undergo a vicious cycle of destruction → repair → re-destruction → re-repair over a long time. This article uses the roadway restoration project of Pingmei Mine No. 6 (400 m underground) as research object. Starting from the plastic area, the characteristics of the distribution of rock surrounding the circular roadway are analyzed, and the influence of the side pressure coefficient, cohesive force, inside friction angle, support strength, and roadway radius on the plastic area is studied. Four types of distribution patterns were observed in rocks surrounding the plastic area of the roadway: round, oval, rounded rectangle, and butterfly. The side pressure coefficient, cohesive force, and inside friction angle affected the distribution and range of rocks surrounding the plastic area of the roadway. The support radius of the roadway and the support strength of its face did not change the distribution of the plastic area, but only affected its size. Therefore, to maintain the long-term stability of weak and broken roadways, the strength of the surrounding rocks must be increased, and roadway renovation should be avoided as it affects the distribution of the plastic area and reduces its scope. Engineering practice has shown that the “anchor net spray + hollow grouting anchor cable” technology for the combined, step-by-step repair and support of roadways, with a hollow grouting anchor cable as core, can suppress the distribution and scope of the plastic area to guarantee safe and long-term use of the roadway.

Phosphodiesterase 4D contributes to angiotensin II-induced abdominal aortic aneurysm through smooth muscle cell apoptosis

Gao Ran,Guo Wenjun,Fan Tianfei,Pang Junling,Hou Yangfeng,Feng Xiaohang,Li Bolun,Ge Weipeng,Fan Tianhui,Zhang Tiantian,Lu Jiakai,Jing He,Jin Mu,Yan Chen,Wang Jing 생화학분자생물학회 2022 Experimental and molecular medicine Vol.54 No.-

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a permanent expansion of the abdominal aorta that has a high mortality but limited treatment options. Phosphodiesterase (PDE) 4 family members are cAMP-specific hydrolyzing enzymes and have four isoforms (PDE4A-PDE4D). Several pan-PDE4 inhibitors are used clinically. However, the regulation and function of PDE4 in AAA remain largely unknown. Herein, we showed that PDE4D expression is upregulated in human and angiotensin II-induced mouse AAA tissues using RT-PCR, western blotting, and immunohistochemical staining. Furthermore, smooth muscle cell (SMC)-specific Pde4d knockout mice showed significantly reduced vascular destabilization and AAA development in an experimental AAA model. The PDE4 inhibitor rolipram also suppressed vascular pathogenesis and AAA formation in mice. In addition, PDE4D deficiency inhibited caspase 3 cleavage and SMC apoptosis in vivo and in vitro, as shown by bulk RNA-seq, western blotting, flow cytometry and TUNEL staining. Mechanistic studies revealed that PDE4D promotes apoptosis by suppressing the activation of cAMP-activated protein kinase A (PKA) instead of the exchange protein directly activated by cAMP (Epac). Additionally, the phosphorylation of BCL2-antagonist of cell death (Bad) was reversed by PDE4D siRNA in vitro, which indicates that PDE4D regulates SMC apoptosis via the cAMP-PKA-pBad axis. Overall, these findings indicate that PDE4D upregulation in SMCs plays a causative role in AAA development and suggest that pharmacological inhibition of PDE4 may represent a potential therapeutic strategy.

TET2 Regulates 5-Hydroxymethylcytosine Signature and CD4+ T-Cell Balance in Allergic Rhinitis

Tan Lu,Fu Lisheng,Zheng Li,Fan Wenjun,Tan Hanyu,Tao Zezhang,Xu Yu 대한천식알레르기학회 2022 Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Research Vol.14 No.2

Purpose: Previous studies have shown the role of ten-eleven translocation 2 (TET2) in CD4+ T cells. However, its function in CD4+ T cells under allergic inflammation is unclear. We aimed to investigate the epigenomic distribution of DNA 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) and the role of TET2 in CD4+ T cells of allergic rhinitis (AR). Methods: The hMeDIP-seq was performed to identify sequences with 5hmC deposition in CD4+ T cells of AR patients. Tet2-deficient or wild type mice were stimulated with ovalbumin (OVA) to develop an AR mouse model. The histopathology in nasal mucosae, Th1/Th2/Treg/Th17 cell percentage, concentrations of Th-related cytokines, expression of Tet and differential hydroxymethylated genes (DhMG), and the global deposition of 5hmC in sorted CD4+ T cells were detected. Results: Epigenome-wide 5hmC landscape and DhMG in the CD4+ T cells of AR patients were identified. Tet2 depletion did not led to spontaneous inflammation. However, under the stimulation of allergen, OVA, loss of Tet2 resulted in the exacerbation of allergic inflammation, which was characterized by severer allergic symptoms, more inflammatory cells infiltrating the nasal lamina propria, sharper imbalances between Th1/Th2 and Treg/Th17 cells, and excessive secretion of OVA-specific IgE and Th2-related cytokines. Moreover, altered mRNA production of several DhMG and sharp decrease in 5hmC deposition were also observed in Tet2-deficient OVA-exposed mice. Conclusions: TET2 may regulate DNA 5hmC, DhMG expressions, and CD4+ T cell balance in AR.

Activation of Dopamine D2 Receptor Alleviates Neuroinflammation in a Mouse Model of Allergic Rhinitis With Olfactory Dysfunction

Liu Peiqiang,Qin Danxue,Lv Hao,Fan Wenjun,Zhou Fangwei,Gao Ziang,Tao Zezhang,Xu Yu 대한천식알레르기학회 2021 Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Research Vol.13 No.6

Purpose: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a common otolaryngology disease and one of the clinical causes of olfactory dysfunction (OD). The olfactory bulb serves as a transfer station for olfactory information transmission, and alleviating its neuroinflammation may be expected to improve AR-induced OD. Recent studies have suggested that the dopamine D2 receptor acts as a key target in regulating immune functions and neuroinflammatory reaction. However, the effect of dopamine D2 receptor on AR-induced neuroinflammation is still unknown. Methods: An AR mouse model with OD induced by ovalbumin were constructed. The buried food pellet test was to evaluate the olfactory function of the mice. Immunofluorescence staining, hematoxylin and eosin staining, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and western blotting were also used to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying the antiinflammatory effects of the dopamine D2 receptor in AR-induced OD. Results: We found that AR-induced OD has a relationship with inflammatory responses in the olfactory bulb. Nasal administration of quinpirole (Quin, a dopamine D2 receptor agonist, 3 mg/kg) improved olfactory function in mice, inhibited the expression of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signalings and the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6 in the olfactory bulb. In vitro, Quin (20 μmol/L) inhibited the release of TLR4/NF-κB signalings-dependent inflammatory cytokines in cultured microglia. Conclusions: Activation of the dopamine D2 receptor inhibits the release of inflammatory cytokines through TLR4/NF-κB signaling in the olfactory bulb microglia, and protects olfactory function.