Valsartan regulates TGF-b/Smads and TGF-b/p38 pathways through lncRNA CHRF to improve doxorubicin-induced heart failure

Lei Chen,Kui-Po Yan,Xin-Can Liu,Wei Wang,Chao Li,Ming Li,Chun-Guang Qiu 대한약학회 2018 Archives of Pharmacal Research Vol.41 No.1

This study investigated the interaction amongvalsartan (VAL), TGF-b pathways, and long non-codingRNA (lncRNA) cardiac hypertrophy-related factor (CHRF)in doxorubicin (DOX)-induced heart failure (HF), andexplored their roles in DOX-induced HF progression. HFmice models in vivo were constructed by DOX induction. The expression of CHRF and TGF-b1 in hearts wasdetected, along with cardiac function, caspase-3 activity,and cell apoptosis. Primary myocardial cells were pretreatedwith VAL, followed by DOX induction in vitro forfunctional studies, including the detection of cell apoptosiswith terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-endlabeling and the expression of proteins associated withTGF-b1 pathways. HF models were established in vivo andin vitro. Expression of CHRF and TGF-b1 was up-regulated,and cell apoptosis and caspase-3 activity wereincreased in the hearts and cells of the HF models. VALsupplementation alleviated the cardiac dysfunction andinjury in the HF process. Moreover, overexpressed CHRFup-regulated TGF-b1, promoted myocardial cell apoptosis,and reversed VAL’s cardiac protective effect, while interferenceof CHRF (si-CHRF) did the opposite. Down-regulationof CHRF reversed the increased expression of TGFb1and the downstream proteins induced by pcDNA-TGFb1in HL-1 cells, while overexpression of CHRF reversedthe VAL’s cardiac protective effect in vivo. In conclusion,VAL regulates TGF-b pathways through lncRNA CHRF toimprove DOX-induced HF.

Sb-Fe bimetallic non-aqueous phase desulfurizer for efficient absorption of hydrogen sulfide: A combined experimental and DFT study

Zhihao Liu,Kui Qiu,Yu Dong,Zhaobo Jin,Luwei Liu,Jirong Wu 한국화학공학회 2022 Korean Journal of Chemical Engineering Vol.39 No.12

A non-aqueous phase (Sb/Fe/NMP) desulfurization system for the removal of hydrogen sulfide from naturalgas was constructed by introducing SbCl3 and FeCl3 in a specific ratio into N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP). The desulfurizingagent and its sulfur product were characterized, and the absorption pattern of H2S by the system wasinvestigated by static desulfurization experiments. The results indicate that the desulfurizer’s sulfur capacity can reach16 g/L at room temperature and pressure, and that adding the optimum amount of water and appropriate temperatureincrease can assist to increase desulfurization efficiency. The system maintained a sulfur capacity level of more than90% of the initial sulfur capacity after five consecutive desulfurization-regeneration cycles. XRD and XPS spectrogramrevealed that the regenerated solid product was high purity sulfur. Sb3+ is a key component to ensure the effectiveabsorption of H2S. The presence of a moderate amount of Fe3+ can oxidize and absorb small amounts of H2S and promotethe oxidative regeneration of the system. In addition, we combined the obtained experimental data with densityflooding theory (DFT) theoretical calculations to show that the effective coordination of Sb(III) with HS in the NMPenvironment is the main reason for the effective absorption of H2S by the desulfurizer. NMP is not involved in thecoordination absorption process of hydrogen sulfide.

Combined Effects of Six Cytokine Gene Polymorphisms and SNP-SNP Interactions on Hepatocellular Carcinoma Risk in Southern Guangxi, China

Bei, Chun-Hua,Bai, Hua,Yu, Hong-Ping,Yang, Yan,Liang, Qing-Qing,Deng, Ying-Ying,Tan, Sheng-Kui,Qiu, Xiao-Qiang Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.16

Cytokine gene single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are involved in the genesis and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We hypothesized that combined effects of cytokine gene SNPs and SNP-SNP interactions are associated with HCC risk. Six SNPs in cytokine genes (IL-2, IFN-${\gamma}$, IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, and IL-10) were genotyped in a study of 720 Chinese HCC cases and 784 cancer-free controls. Although none of these SNPs individually had a significant effect on the risk of HCC, we found that the combined effects of these six SNPs may contribute to HCC risk (OR=1.821, 95% CI=1.078-3.075). This risk was pronounced among smokers, drinkers, and hepatitis B virus carriers. A SNP-SNP interaction between IL-2-330 and IFN-${\gamma}$-1615 was associated with an increased HCC risk (OR=1.078, 95% CI=1.022-1.136). In conclusion, combined effects of SNPs and SNP-SNP interactions in cytokine genes may contribute to HCC risk.

Reference Intervals for Thyroid-Associated Hormones and the Prevalence of Thyroid Diseases in the Chinese Population

Zou Yutong,Wang Danchen,Cheng Xinqi,Ma Chaochao,Lin Songbai,Hu Yingying,Yu Songlin,Xia Liangyu,Li Honglei,Yin Yicong,Liu Huaicheng,Zhang Dianxi,Zhang Kui,Lian Xiaolan,Xu Tengda,Qiu Ling 대한진단검사의학회 2021 Annals of Laboratory Medicine Vol.41 No.1

Background: Thyroid diseases are highly prevalent worldwide, but their diagnosis remains a challenge. We established reference intervals (RIs) for thyroid-associated hormones and evaluated the prevalence of thyroid diseases in China. Methods: After excluding outliers based on the results of ultrasound screening, thyroid antibody tests, and the Tukey method, the medical records of 20,303 euthyroid adults, who visited the Department of Health Care at Peking Union Medical College Hospital from January 2014 to December 2018, were analyzed. Thyroid-associated hormones were measured by the Siemens Advia Centaur XP analyzer. The RIs for thyroid-associated hormones were calculated according to the CLSI C28-A3 guidelines, and were compared with the RIs provided by Siemens. The prevalence of thyroid diseases over the five years was evaluated and compared using the chi-square test. Results: The RIs for thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (FT4), free triiodothyronine (FT3), total thyroxine (TT4), and total triiodothyronine (TT3) were 0.71–4.92 mIU/L, 12.2–20.1 pmol/L, 3.9–6.0 pmol/L, 65.6–135.1 nmol/L, and 1.2–2.2 nmol/L, respectively. The RIs of all hormones except TT4 differed significantly between males and females. The RIs of TSH increased with increasing age. The prevalence of overt hypothyroidism, overt hyperthyroidism, subclinical hypothyroidism, and subclinical hyperthyroidism was 0.5% and 0.8%, 0.2% and 0.6%, 3.8% and 6.1%, and 3.3% and 4.7% in males and females, respectively, which differed from those provided by Siemens. Conclusions: Sex-specific RIs were established for thyroid-associated hormones, and the prevalence of thyroid diseases was determined in the Chinese population.

Comparison of Direct and Extraction Immunoassay Methods With Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry Measurement of Urinary Free Cortisol for the Diagnosis of Cushing’s Syndrome

Mu Danni,Fang Jiadan,Yu Songlin,Ma Yichen,Cheng Jin,Hu Yingying,Song Ailing,Zhao Fang,Zhang Qi,Qi Zhihong,Zhang Kui,Xia Liangyu,Qiu Ling,Zhu Huijuan,Cheng Xinqi 대한진단검사의학회 2024 Annals of Laboratory Medicine Vol.44 No.1

Background: Twenty-four-hour urinary free cortisol (UFC) measurement is the initial diagnostic test for Cushing’s syndrome (CS). We compared UFC determination by both direct and extraction immunoassays using Abbott Architect, Siemens Atellica Solution, and Beckman DxI800 with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). In addition, we evaluated the value of 24-hr UFC measured by six methods for diagnosing CS. Methods: Residual 24-hr urine samples of 94 CS and 246 non-CS patients were collected. A laboratory-developed LC-MS/MS method was used as reference. UFC was measured by direct assays (D) using Abbott, Siemens, and Beckman platforms and by extraction assays (E) using Siemens and Beckman platforms. Method was compared using Passing–Bablok regression and Bland–Altman plot analyses. Cut-off values for the six assays and corresponding sensitivities and specificities were calculated by ROC analysis. Results: Abbott-D, Beckman-E, Siemens-E, and Siemens-D showed strong correlations with LC-MS/MS (Spearman coefficient r=0.965, 0.922, 0.922, and 0.897, respectively), while Beckman-D showed weaker correlation (r=0.755). All immunoassays showed proportionally positive bias. The areas under the curve were 0.975 for Abbott-D, 0.972 for LC-MS/MS, 0.966 for Siemens-E, 0.948 for Siemens-D, 0.955 for Beckman-E, and 0.877 for Beckman-D. The cut-off values varied significantly (154.8–1,321.5 nmol/24 hrs). Assay sensitivity and specificity ranged from 76.1% to 93.2% and from 93.0% to 97.1%, respectively. Conclusions: Commercially available immunoassays for measuring UFC show different levels of analytical consistency compared to LC-MS/MS. Abbott-D, Siemens-E, and Beckman-E have high diagnostic accuracy for CS.