Low-temperature deposition of nanocrystalline Al₂O₃ films by ion source-assisted magnetron sputtering

Ding, Ji Cheng,Zhang, Teng Fei,Mane, Rajaram S.,Kim, Kwang-Ho,Kang, Myung Chang,Zou, Chang Wei,Wang, Qi Min Elsevier 2018 Vacuum Vol.149 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>In this paper, bipolar pulse reactive magnetron sputtering with ion source assisted deposition method has been utilized for the deposition of nanocrystalline alumina (Al<SUB>2</SUB>O<SUB>3</SUB>) films at the temperature of 300 °C onto silicon (111) wafers, and cemented carbide substrates. The influence of ion source power, i.e. 0, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 kW on the structure, morphology, compressive stress and mechanical properties of the Al<SUB>2</SUB>O<SUB>3</SUB> films were investigated. In absence of ion source power assistance, an amorphous Al<SUB>2</SUB>O<SUB>3</SUB> film was dominant at deposition temperature of 300 °C. With ion source assisted deposition, the crystalline γ-Al<SUB>2</SUB>O<SUB>3</SUB> films were obtained at the same conditions, suggesting an importance of ion source power in crystallinity development of metal oxide films obtained from magnetron sputtering deposition method. Images of surface morphology clearly demonstrated the difference in granular sizes of film surfaces prepared with and without ion source powers. With increasing ion source power from 1.0 to 2.0 kW, the micro-hardness and compressive stress of the films were increased from 7 GPa to 13 GPa and 0.3 GPa to 1.1 GPa, respectively. Results revealed that the reactive magnetron sputtering with the ion source assisted deposition was a simple and effective way to prepare nanocrystalline γ-Al<SUB>2</SUB>O<SUB>3</SUB> films at low temperature.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Al<SUB>2</SUB>O<SUB>3</SUB> films were synthesized by Ar ion source-assisted bipolar pulsed sputtering technique. </LI> <LI> Nanocrystalline Al<SUB>2</SUB>O<SUB>3</SUB> films were obtained at relatively low deposition temperature (300 °C) and low bias voltage conditions. </LI> <LI> The orientation and microstructure of the films can be adjusted by altering the ion source power. </LI> <LI> The synthesis approach of crystalline Al<SUB>2</SUB>O<SUB>3</SUB> films in this study is promising for large-scale industrial applications. </LI> </UL> </P>

Influence of Cu content on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Cr-Cu-N coatings

Ji Cheng Ding,Kwang Ho Kim 한국표면공학회 2018 한국표면공학회 학술발표회 초록집 Vol.2018 No.11

Expression Characteristics of Proteins of the Insulin-like Growth Factor Axis in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Patients with Preexisting Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Ding, Jing,Tang, Jie,Chen, Xin,Men, Hai-Tao,Luo, Wu-Xia,Du, Yang,Ge, Jun,Li, Cong,Chen, Ye,Cheng, Ke,Qiu, Meng,Liu, Ji-Yan Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.10

Background: Preexisting type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) affects the prognosis and mortality of patients with some cancers. Insulin like growth factor (IGF) and insulin receptor (IR) signaling axes play important roles in both cancer and diabetes development. We aimed to explore the expression characteristics of proteins in IGF/IR axis in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cases with preexisting T2DM. Methods: Fifty-five NSCLC patients with preexisting T2DM were retrospectively included and matched by 55 NSCLC without diabetes at a 1:1 ratio. The expression of proteins in IGF/IR axis was detected by immunohistochemical staining. Clinicopathological data were collected to analyze their relationship with the protein expression. Results: Both IGF 1 receptor (IGF-1R) and insulin receptor substrate 2 (IRS-2) showed higher expression in the NSCLC with T2DM group, compared with those without T2DM. The high expression of IGF-1R and IRS-2 were found to be negatively associated with lymph node metastases and T staging in the T2DM group, respectively, and IRS-2 expression was also found more in the subgroup whose T2DM duration was more than 4 years. No difference was detected in the expression of IRS-1, IGF-1, IGF-2, IGFBP3, IR and mTOR between groups with or without T2DM. Conclusion: Our study found higher expression of IGF-1R and IRS-2 proteins in NSCLC patients with preexisting T2DM, and that there was an association with early stage NSCLC, which suggested that IGF signaling may play an important early event in development of NSCLC associated with diabetes.

Differential microRNA Expression by Solexa Sequencing in the Sera of Ovarian Cancer Patients

Ji, Ting,Zheng, Zhi-Guo,Wang, Feng-Mei,Xu, Li-Jian,Li, Lu-Feng,Cheng, Qi-Hui,Guo, Jiang-Feng,Ding, Xian-Feng Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.4

MicroRNAs are a class of small noncoding RNA which play important regulatory roles in a variety of cancers. MiRNA-specific expression profiles have been reported for several pathological conditions. In this study, we combined large scale parallel Solexa sequencing to identify 11 up-regulated miRNAs and 19 down-regulated miRNAs with computational techniques in the sera of ovarian cancer patients while using healthy serum as the control. Among the above, four miRNAs (miR-22, miR-93, miR-106b, miR-451) were validated by quantitative RT-PCR and found to be significantly aberrantly expressed in the serum of ovarian cancer patients (P<0.05). There were no significant differences between samples from cancer stage I/II and III/IV. However, the levels of miR-106b (p=0.003) and miR-451 (p=0.007) were significantly different in those patients under and over 51 yearsof age. MiR-451 and miR-93 were also specific when analyzed with reference to different levels of CA125. This study shows that Solexa sequencing provides a promising method for cancer-related miRNA profiling, and selectively expressed miRNAs could be used as potential serum-based biomarkers for ovarian cancer diagnosis.

Factors Potentially Associated with Chemotherapy-induced Anemia in Patients with Solid Cancers

Cheng, Ke,Zhao, Feng,Gao, Feng,Dong, Hang,Men, Hai-Tao,Chen, Ye,Li, Long-Hao,Ge, Jun,Tang, Jie,Ding, Jing,Chen, Xin,Du, Yang,Luo, Wu-Xia,Liu, Ji-Yan Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.10

Purpose: Chemotherapy-induced anemia (CIA) is one of the most important causes of anemia in cancer patients. This study was conducted to describe the prevalence and characteristics of CIA in solid cancer patients in the Chinese population, and to explore the relationship of white blood cell (WBC) or platelet decrease with CIA. Methods: Data on age, gender, tumor diagnosis, anti-cancer treatment and blood cell analyses were available from 220 untreated non-anemic cancer patients who received at least 2 cycles of chemotherapy, and the data were analyzed to assess their relationship with CIA or its severity. Results: 139 patients (63.2%) presented anemia, most being Grade 1 or 2. Esophageal and lung cancers were associated with a high prevalence. G3/4 leucopenia and decrease of platelets were identified as independent risk factors for the occurrence of CIA. Moreover, G3/4 leucopenia, decrease of platelet and G3/4 thrombocytopenia were found to be also associated with the severity of CIA. Cisplatin-containing regimens were a main potential factor in causing CIA, although significant association was only found on univariate analysis. Conclusion: Anemia or decrease in hematoglobin are common in Chinese cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. Cisplatin-containing regimens might be an important factor influencing the occurrence of CIA. Our analysis firstly described some risk factors, such as decrease of platelets or WBCs, severity of leucopenia or thrombocytopenia, associated with the occurrence and severity of CIA.

Associations of TNF-RII rs1061622 With Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Their Interplays on Serum Lipids Levels in Adolescents

Ji Cheng Zhang,Jin Hua Wang,Jun Yi Liu,Qi Wei Guo,Jia Lin,Yi Lin Shen,Ke Xin Jia,Jia Jing Cai,Guo Ming Su,Ding Zhi Fang 대한신경정신의학회 2023 PSYCHIATRY INVESTIGATION Vol.20 No.11

Objective To verify effects of rs1061622 at tumor necrosis factor-α receptor II (TNF-RII) gene (<i>TNF-RII</i>) on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and its interactive effects with PTSD on serum lipids levels in adolescents.Methods PTSD was measured by PTSD Checklist-Civilian Version (PCL-C) in 699 adolescent survivors at 6 months after Wenchuan earthquake in China. A polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism assay were utilized for <i>TNF-RII</i> rs1061622 genotyping followed by verification using DNA sequencing. Serum triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were tested using routine methods.Results G (deoxyguanine) allele carriers had higher PCL-C scores than TT (deoxythymidine) homozygotes in female subjects. Female adolescents had higher PCL-C scores than male subjects in TT homozygotes. Predictors of PTSD prevalence and severity were different between G allele carriers and TT homozygotes. Subjects with PTSD had lower TG, TG/HDL-C, TC/HDL-C, and higher HDL-C than adolescents without PTSD in male G allele carriers. G allele carriers had higher TG/HDL-C and TC/HDL-C than TT homozygotes in male adolescents without PTSD, and lower TG and TG/HDL-C in male PTSD patients. G allele carriers had higher TG than TT homozygotes only in female adolescents without PTSD.Conclusion These results suggest reciprocal actions of <i>TNF-RII</i> rs1061622 with other factors on PTSD severity, interplays of <i>TNF-RII</i> rs1061622 with PTSD on serum lipid levels, and novel treatment strategies for PTSD and comorbidities of PTSD with hyperlipidemia among adolescents with different genetic backgrounds of <i>TNF-RII</i> rs1061622 after experiencing traumatic events.

Influence of Bias Voltage on the Microstructure and Properties of Ti-Si-N Films Deposited by Using High-power Impulse Magnetron Sputtering

Rongguang Jin,Ji Cheng Ding,KwangHo Kim 한국표면공학회 2018 한국표면공학회 학술발표회 초록집 Vol.2018 No.11

Growth, Clonability, and Radiation Resistance of Esophageal Carcinoma-derived Stem-like Cells

Li, Jian-Cheng,Liu, Di,Yang, Yan,Wang, Xiao-Ying,Pan, Ding-Long,Qiu, Zi-Dan,Su, Ying,Pan, Jian-Ji Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.8

Objective: To separate/enrich tumor stem-like cells from the human esophageal carcinoma cell line OE-19 by using serum-free suspension culture and to identify their biological characteristics and radiation resistance. Methods: OE-19 cells were cultivated using adherent and suspension culture methods. The tumor stem-like phenotype of CD44 expression was detected using flow cytometry. We examined growth characteristics, cloning capacity in soft agar, and radiation resistance of 2 groups of cells. Results: Suspended cells in serum-free medium formed spheres that were enriched for CD44 expression. CD44 was expressed in 62.5% of suspended cells, but only in 11.7% of adherent cells. The suspended cells had greater capacity for proliferation and colony formation in soft agar than the adherent cells. When the suspended and adherent cells were irradiated at 5 Gy, 10 Gy, or 15 Gy, the proportion of CD44+ suspended cells strongly and weakly positive for CD44 was 77.8%, 66.5%, 57.5%; and 21.7%, 31.6%, 41.4%, respectively. In contrast, the proportion of CD44+ adherent cells strongly positive for CD44 was 18.9%, 14.%, and 9.95%, respectively. When the irradiation dose was increased to 30 Gy, the survival of the suspended and adherent cells was significantly reduced, and viable CD44+ cells were not detected. Conclusion: Suspended cell spheres generated from OE-19 esophageal carcinoma cells in serum-free stem medium are enriched in tumor stem-like cells. CD44 may be a marker for these cells.

Enhanced Corrosion Resistance of PVD-CrN Coatings by ALD Sealing Layers

Wan, Zhixin,Zhang, Teng Fei,Ding, Ji Cheng,Kim, Chang-Min,Park, So-Won,Yang, Yang,Kim, Kwang-Ho,Kwon, Se-Hun SPRINGER SCIENCE + BUSINESS MEDIA 2017 NANOSCALE RESEARCH LETTERS Vol.12 No.1

<P>Multilayered hard coatings with a CrN matrix and an Al<SUB>2</SUB>O<SUB>3</SUB>, TiO<SUB>2</SUB>, or nanolaminate-Al<SUB>2</SUB>O<SUB>3</SUB>/TiO<SUB>2</SUB> sealing layer were designed by a hybrid deposition process combined with physical vapor deposition (PVD) and atomic layer deposition (ALD). The strategy was to utilize ALD thin films as pinhole-free barriers to seal the intrinsic defects to protect the CrN matrix. The influences of the different sealing layers added in the coatings on the microstructure, surface roughness, and corrosion behaviors were investigated. The results indicated that the sealing layer added by ALD significantly decreased the average grain size and improved the corrosion resistance of the CrN coatings. The insertion of the nanolaminate-Al<SUB>2</SUB>O<SUB>3</SUB>/TiO<SUB>2</SUB> sealing layers resulted in a further increase in corrosion resistance, which was attributed to the synergistic effect of Al<SUB>2</SUB>O<SUB>3</SUB> and TiO<SUB>2</SUB>, both acting as excellent passivation barriers to the diffusion of corrosive substances.</P>

Melatonin Attenuates Mitochondrial Damage in Aristolochic Acid-Induced Acute Kidney Injury

Sun Jian,Pan Jinjin,Liu Qinlong,Cheng Jizhong,Tang Qing,Ji Yuke,Cheng Ke,wang Rui,Liu Liang,Wang Dingyou,Wu Na,Zheng Xu,Li Junxia,Zhang Xueyan,Zhu Zhilong,Ding Yanchun,Zheng Feng,Li Jia,Zhang Ying,Yua 한국응용약물학회 2023 Biomolecules & Therapeutics(구 응용약물학회지) Vol.31 No.1

Aristolochic acid (AA), extracted from Aristolochiaceae plants, plays an essential role in traditional herbal medicines and is used for different diseases. However, AA has been found to be nephrotoxic and is known to cause aristolochic acid nephropathy (AAN). AA-induced acute kidney injury (AKI) is a syndrome in AAN with a high morbidity that manifests mitochondrial damage as a key part of its pathological progression. Melatonin primarily serves as a mitochondria-targeted antioxidant. However, its mitochondrial protective role in AA-induced AKI is barely reported. In this study, mice were administrated 2.5 mg/kg AA to induce AKI. Melatonin reduced the increase in Upro and Scr and attenuated the necrosis and atrophy of renal proximal tubules in mice exposed to AA. Melatonin suppressed ROS generation, MDA levels and iNOS expression and increased SOD activities in vivo and in vitro. Intriguingly, the in vivo study revealed that melatonin decreased mitochondrial fragmentation in renal proximal tubular cells and increased ATP levels in kidney tissues in response to AA. In vitro, melatonin restored the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) in NRK-52E and HK-2 cells and led to an elevation in ATP levels. Confocal immunofluorescence data showed that puncta containing Mito-tracker and GFP-LC3A/B were reduced, thereby impeding the mitophagy of tubular epithelial cells. Furthermore, melatonin decreased LC3A/B-II expression and increased p62 expression. The apoptosis of tubular epithelial cells induced by AA was decreased. Therefore, our findings revealed that melatonin could prevent AA-induced AKI by attenuating mitochondrial damage, which may provide a potential therapeutic method for renal AA toxicity.