Investigation on electromagnetothermoelastic interaction of functionally graded piezoelectric hollow spheres

Hong-Liang Dai,Yan-Ni Rao 국제구조공학회 2011 Structural Engineering and Mechanics, An Int'l Jou Vol.40 No.1

An analytical method is presented to investigate electromagnetothermoelastic behaviors of a hollow sphere composed of functionally graded piezoelectric material (FGPM), placed in a uniform magnetic field, subjected to electric, thermal and mechanical loads. For the case that material properties obey an identical power law in the radial direction of the FGPM hollow sphere, exact solutions for electric displacement, stresses, electric potential and perturbation of magnetic field vector in the FGPM hollow sphere are determined by using the infinitesimal theory of electromagnetothermoelasticity. Some useful discussion and numerical examples are presented to show the significant influence of material inhomogeneity. The aim of this research is to understand the effect of composition on electromagnetothermoelastic stresses and to design optimum FGPM hollow spheres.

Serum Amyloid A is a Novel Prognostic Biomarker in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Ni, Xiao-Chun,Yi, Yong,Fu, Yi-Peng,He, Hong-Wei,Cai, Xiao-Yan,Wang, Jia-Xing,Zhou, Jian,Fan, Jia,Qiu, Shuang-Jian Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.24

Purpose: To investigate the prognostic value of serum amyloid A (SAA) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) undergoing surgery. Materials and Methods: Preoperative serum samples of 328 patients with HCC who underwent curative resection and of 47 patients with benign liver lesion were assayed. Serum levels of SAA were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and its correlations with clinicopathological characteristics and survival were explored. Results: Levels of SAA were significantly higher in patients with HCC than those with benign liver lesion. There were strong correlations between preoperative serum SAA level and tumor size and more advanced BCLC stage. On univariate analysis, elevated SAA was associated with reduced disease-free survival and overall survival (p=0.001 and 0.03, respectively). Multivariate analyses showed that serum SAA level was an independent prognostic factor for overall survival (hazard ratio 2.80, p=0.01). Conclusions: High SAA serum level is a novel biomarker for the prognosis of HCC patients.

Investigation on electromagnetothermoelastic interaction of functionally graded piezoelectric hollow spheres

Dai, Hong-Liang,Rao, Yan-Ni Techno-Press 2011 Structural Engineering and Mechanics, An Int'l Jou Vol.40 No.1

An analytical method is presented to investigate electromagnetothermoelastic behaviors of a hollow sphere composed of functionally graded piezoelectric material (FGPM), placed in a uniform magnetic field, subjected to electric, thermal and mechanical loads. For the case that material properties obey an identical power law in the radial direction of the FGPM hollow sphere, exact solutions for electric displacement, stresses, electric potential and perturbation of magnetic field vector in the FGPM hollow sphere are determined by using the infinitesimal theory of electromagnetothermoelasticity. Some useful discussion and numerical examples are presented to show the significant influence of material inhomogeneity. The aim of this research is to understand the effect of composition on electromagnetothermoelastic stresses and to design optimum FGPM hollow spheres.

Continuous DC-CIK Infusions Restore CD8⁺ Cellular Immunity, Physical Activity and Improve Clinical Efficacy in Advanced Cancer Patients Unresponsive to Conventional Treatments

Zhao, Yan-Jie,Jiang, Ni,Song, Qing-Kun,Wu, Jiang-Ping,Song, Yu-Guang,Zhang, Hong-Mei,Chen, Feng,Zhou, Lei,Wang, Xiao-Li,Zhou, Xin-Na,Yang, Hua-Bing,Ren, Jun,Lyerly, Herbert Kim Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.6

Background: There are few choices for treatment of advanced cancer patients who do not respond to or tolerate conventional anti-cancer treatments. Therefore this study aimed to deploy the benefits and clinical efficacy of continuous dendritic cell-cytokine induced killer cell infusions in such patients. Materials and Methods: A total of 381 infusions (from 67 advanced cases recruited) were included in this study. All patients underwent peripheral blood mononuclear cell apheresis for the following cellular therapy and dendritic cells-cytokine induced killer cells were expanded in vitro. Peripheral blood T lymphocyte subsets were quantified through flow cytometry to address the cellular immunity status. Clinical efficacy and physical activities were evaluated by RECIST criteria and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group scores respectively. Logistic regression model was used to estimate the association between cellular infusions and clinical benefits. Results: An average of $5.7{\pm}2.94{\times}10^9$ induced cells were infused each time and patients were exposed to 6 infusions. Cellular immunity was improved in that cytotoxic $CD8^+CD28^+$ T lymphocytes were increased by 74% and suppressive $CD8^+CD28^-$ T lymphocytes were elevated by 16% (p<0.05). Continuous infusion of dendritic cells-cytokine induced killer cells was associated with improvement of both patient status and cellular immunity. A median of six infusions were capable of reducing risk of progression by 70% (95%CI 0.10-0.91). Every elevation of one ECOG score corresponded to a 3.90-fold higher progression risk (p<0.05) and 1% increase of $CD8^+CD28^-$ T cell proportion reflecting a 5% higher risk of progression (p<0.05). Conclusions: In advanced cancer patients, continuous dendritic cell-cytokine induced killer cell infusions are capable of recovering cellular immunity, improving patient status and quality of life in those who are unresponsive to conventional cancer treatment.

Low Counts of γδ T Cells in Peritumoral Liver Tissue are Related to More Frequent Recurrence in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma after Curative Resection

Cai, Xiao-Yan,Wang, Jia-Xing,Yi, Yong,He, Hong-Wei,Ni, Xiao-Chun,Zhou, Jian,Cheng, Yun-Feng,Jin, Jian-Jun,Fan, Jia,Qiu, Shuang-Jian Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.2

Objectives: TCR-gamma-delta+T cells (${\gamma}{\delta}$ T cells) are non-conventional T lymphocytes that can recognize and eradicate tumor cells. Our previous studies showed that infiltration and function of ${\gamma}{\delta}$ T cells were substantially attenuated in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, their prognostic value was not clarified. Methods: The association between ${\gamma}{\delta}$ T cells and the clinical outcomes was determined by immunohistochemistry (IHC) in a HCC patient cohort (n = 342). Results:Immunohistochemistry showed decreased infiltration of ${\gamma}{\delta}$ T cells in tumoral tissues compared with paired peritumoral tissues. The counts of ${\gamma}{\delta}$ T cells in peritumoral tissues were negatively correlated with tumor size (P = 0.005). Survival analysis showed that the levels of peritumoral ${\gamma}{\delta}$T cells were related to both time to recurrence (TTR) and overall survival (OS) (P = 0.010 and P = 0.036, respectively) in univariate analysis, and related to TTR in multivariate analysis (P = 0.014, H.R. [95% CI] = 0.682 [0.502-0.927]). Furthermore, the level of peritumoral ${\gamma}{\delta}$ T cells showed independent prognostic value for TTR in Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage A patients (P = 0.038, H.R. [95% CI] = 0.727 [0.537-0.984]). However, tumoral ${\gamma}{\delta}$ T cells did not show independent prognostic value for either TTR or OS in HCC patients. Conclusions: Low counts of ${\gamma}{\delta}$ T cells in peritumoral liver tissue are related to a higher incidence of recurrence in HCC and can predict postoperative recurrence, especially in those with early-stage HCC.

Estimating the Flaw Size in Drilled Shafts Using an Impulse Response Method

Sheng-Huoo Ni,Yan-Hong Huang,Kuo-Feng Lo,Jenq-Jy Charng 대한토목학회 2011 KSCE JOURNAL OF CIVIL ENGINEERING Vol.15 No.7

Flaws could occur in drilled shafts due to improper quality control, poor workmanship, and unexpected construction mistakes,and thus seriously decrease the loading capacity. This paper proposes a flaw size estimation formula for use in the impulse response test of drilled shafts. Numerical models were built to develop the estimation formula. The experimental cases also validate the estimation. The flaw depth ratio and stiffness ratio are two key parameters to accomplish the estimation. With the evaluation results of the formula, one can know the possible minimum flaw size in the drilled shaft and further remedial measures can be taken immediately. Furthermore, the detectable shaft slenderness ratio is shown to vary from 10 to 30, depending on the stiffness ratio.

Letter to the Editor : Vitiligo Coexistent with Striae: Association More than Coincidence?

( Jiao Feng ),( Hong Sang ),( Fan Wu ),( Fang Liu ),( Xing Yan Ni ) 대한피부과학회 2014 Annals of Dermatology Vol.26 No.1

Suppressing Erwinia carotovora Pathogenicity by Projecting N-Acyl Homoserine Lactonase onto the Surface of Pseudomonas putida Cells

( Qian Qian Li ),( Hong Ni ),( Shan Meng ),( Yan He ),( Zi Niu Yu ),( Lin Li ) 한국미생물 · 생명공학회 2011 Journal of microbiology and biotechnology Vol.21 No.12

N-Acyl homoserine lactones (AHLs) serve as the vital quorum-sensing signals that regulate the virulence of the pathogenic bacterium Erwinia carotovora. In the present study, an approach to efficiently restrain the pathogenicity of E. carotovora-induced soft rot disease is described. Bacillus thuringiensis-derived N-acyl homoserine lactonase (AiiA) was projected onto the surface of Pseudomonas putida cells, and inoculation with both strains was challenged. The previously identified N-terminal moiety of the ice nucleation protein, InaQ-N, was applied as the anchoring motif. A surface display cassette with inaQ-N/ aiiA was constructed and expressed under the control of a constitutive promoter in P. putida AB92019. Surface localization of the fusion protein was confirmed by Western blot analysis, flow cytometry, and immunofluorescence microscopy. The antagonistic activity of P. putida MB116 expressing InaQ-N/AiiA toward E. carotovora ATCC25270 was evaluated by challenge inoculation in potato slices at different ratios. The results revealed a remarkable suppressing effect on E. carotovora infection. The active component was further analyzed using different cell fractions, and the cell surface-projected fusion protein was found to correspond to the suppressing effect.

Gut microbiota derived from fecal microbiota transplantation enhances body weight of Mimas squabs

Ren Jing,Li Yumei,Ni Hongyu,Zhang Yan,Zhao Puze,Xiao Qingxing,Hong Xiaoqing,Zhang Ziyi,Yin Yijing,Li Xiaohui,Zhang Yonghong,Yang Yuwei 아세아·태평양축산학회 2024 Animal Bioscience Vol.37 No.8

Objective: Compared to Mimas pigeons, Shiqi pigeons exhibit greater tolerance to coarse feeding because of their abundant gut microbiota. Here, to investigate the potential of utilizing intestinal flora derived from Shiqi pigeons, the intestinal flora and body indices of Mimas squabs were evaluated after fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) from donors.Methods: A total of 90 one-day-old squabs were randomly divided into the control group (CON), the low-concentration group (LC) and the high-concentration group (HC): gavaged with 200 μL of bacterial solution at concentrations of 0, 0.1, and 0.2 g/15 mL, respectively.Results: The results suggested that FMT improved the body weight of Mimas squabs in the HC and LC groups (p<0.01), and 0.1 g/15 mL was the optimal dose during FMT. After 16S rRNA sequencing was performed, compared to those in the CON group, the abundance levels of microflora, especially Lactobacillus, Muribaculaceae, and Megasphaera (p<0.05), in the FMT-treated groups were markedly greater. Random forest analysis indicated that the main functions of key microbes involve pathways associated with metabolism, further illustrating their important role in the host body.Conclusion: FMT has been determined to be a viable method for augmenting the weight and intestinal microbiota of squabs, representing a unique avenue for enhancing the economic feasibility of squab breeding. Objective: Compared to Mimas pigeons, Shiqi pigeons exhibit greater tolerance to coarse feeding because of their abundant gut microbiota. Here, to investigate the potential of utilizing intestinal flora derived from Shiqi pigeons, the intestinal flora and body indices of Mimas squabs were evaluated after fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) from donors. Methods: A total of 90 one-day-old squabs were randomly divided into the control group (CON), the low-concentration group (LC) and the high-concentration group (HC): gavaged with 200 μL of bacterial solution at concentrations of 0, 0.1, and 0.2 g/15 mL, respectively. Results: The results suggested that FMT improved the body weight of Mimas squabs in the HC and LC groups (p<0.01), and 0.1 g/15 mL was the optimal dose during FMT. After 16S rRNA sequencing was performed, compared to those in the CON group, the abundance levels of microflora, especially Lactobacillus, Muribaculaceae, and Megasphaera (p<0.05), in the FMT-treated groups were markedly greater. Random forest analysis indicated that the main functions of key microbes involve pathways associated with metabolism, further illustrating their important role in the host body. Conclusion: FMT has been determined to be a viable method for augmenting the weight and intestinal microbiota of squabs, representing a unique avenue for enhancing the economic feasibility of squab breeding.

Effects of Myogenin on Expression of Late Muscle Genes through MyoD-Dependent Chromatin Remodeling Ability of Myogenin

Chao Du,Ju-Hua Ni,Ya-Qiong Jin,Jun-Juan Qi,Zhen-Xing Ji,Shu-Yan Li,Guo-Shun An,Hong-Ti Jia 한국분자세포생물학회 2012 Molecules and cells Vol.34 No.2

MyoD and myogenin (Myog) recognize sets of distinct but overlapping target genes and play different roles in skeletal muscle differentiation. MyoD is sufficient for near-full expression of early targets, while Myog can only partially enhance expression of MyoD-initiated late muscle genes. However, the way in which Myog enhances the expression of MyoD-initiated late muscle genes remains unclear. Here, we examine the effects of Myog on chromatin remodeling at late muscle gene promoters and their activation within chromatin environment. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay showed that Myog selectively bound to the regulatory sequences of late muscle genes. Overexpres-sion of Myog was found to overcome sodium butyrate-inhibited chromatin at late muscle genes in differ-entiating C2C12 myoblasts, shifting the transcriptional activation of these genes to an earlier time period. Furthermore, overexpression of Myog led to increased hyperacetylation of core histone H4 in differentiating C2C12 myoblasts but not NIH3T3 fibroblasts, and hyperacetylated H4 was associated directly with the late muscle genes in differentiating C2C12, indicating that Myog can induce chromatin remodeling in the presence of MyoD. In addition, co-immunopre-cipitation (CoIP) revealed that Myog was associated with the nuclear protein Brd4 in differentiating C2C12 myoblasts. Together, these results suggest that Myog enhances the expression of MyoD-initiated late muscle genes through MyoD-dependent ability of Myog to induce chromatin remodeling, in which Myog-Brd4 interaction may be involved.