The effect of surface interactions on the viscosity of polymer thin films

Li, Chunhua,Kim, Hyunjung,Jiang, Jun,Li, Clive,Koga, Tadanori,Lurio, Laurence,Schwarz, Steve,Narayanan, Suresh,Lee, Heeju,Lee, Young Joo,Jiang, Zhang,Sinha, Sunil,Rafailovich, M. H.,J. ,C. ,So Editions de Physique 2006 Europhysics letters Vol.73 No.6

<P>We have measured the viscosity of thin polymer films as a function of film thickness using three independent techniques. The results of all methods indicated that the viscosity of the film increases about two orders of magnitude near the solid substrate. Measurements performed on split layer substrates indicated that a layer of polymer chains remained permanently adsorbed at the Si substrate. This layer was responsible for trapping subsequent layers, and propagating the effect of surface interactions to chains without direct contacts to the solid substrate. If this layer was applied prior to the rest of the film, it can screen the surface interactions and even initiate auto-dewetting of other chemically identical layers above it.</P>

New Evidences of Effect of Melanocortin-4 Receptor and Insulin-like Growth Factor 2 Genes on Fat Deposition and Carcass Traits in Different Pig Populations

Chen, J.F.,Xiong, Y.Z.,Zuo, B.,Zheng, R.,Li, F.E.,Lei, M.G.,Li, J.L.,Deng, C.Y.,Jiang, S.W. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2005 Animal Bioscience Vol.18 No.11

The Melanocortin-4 Receptor (MC4R) and Insulin-like Growth Factor 2 (IGF2) are two important candidate genes related to fat deposition and carcass traits. MC4R was found on study on human obesity and then was studied as candidate gene affecting food intake and fat deposition traits in mice and pigs. Insulin-like Growth Factor 2 (IGF2) gene plays an important role on tumor cell proliferation and muscle growth. It also affects fat traits and live weight in pigs. In this paper, MC4R and IGF2 were studied as two candidate genes associated with important economic traits such as fat deposition and carcass traits in five different pig populations. Taq I-PCR-RFLP and Bcn I-PCR-RFLP were respectively used to detect the polymorphism of genotypes of MC4R and IGF2 genes. Different MC4R genotype frequencies were observed in four populations. IGF2 genotype frequencies were also different in two populations. The results of association analysis show both MC4R and IGF2 genes were significantly associated with fat deposition and carcass traits in about 300 pigs. This work will add new evidence of MC4R and IGF2 affecting fat deposition and carcass traits in pigs and show that two genes can be used as important candidate genes for marker assistant selection (MAS) of growth and lean meat percentage in pigs.

New Evidence of Alleles (V199I and G52S) at the PRKAG3 (RN) Locus Affecting Pork Meat Quality

Chen, J.F.,Dai, L.H.,Peng, J.,Li, J.L.,Zheng, R.,Zuo, B.,Li, F.E.,Liu, M.,Yue, K.,Lei, M.G.,Xiong, Y.Z.,Deng, C.Y.,Jiang, S.W. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2008 Animal Bioscience Vol.21 No.4

The porcine PRKAG3 (RN) gene encodes the regulatory gamma subunit of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), which is a good candidate gene affecting meat quality. In this study, the effects of two missense mutations A595G (Ile199Val) and G154A (Gly52Ser) in porcine PRKAG3 gene on meat quality traits were studied in M. Longissimus dorsi (LD), M. Semispinalis capitis (SC) and M. Biceps femoris (BF) from different populations of 326 pigs. The PRKAG3 alleles 199I, 199IV, 52S and 52G were identified with PCR-RFLPs and all genotypes - 199I/199I, 199I/199V, 199V/199V, 52S/52S, 52S/52G and 52G/52G - were found. The frequency of V allele was larger than that of I allele in all populations. I allele frequency was zero in Chinese Meishan pigs (population D) especially. G allele frequency was larger than that of S allele in all populations except Large White (population A). Both variations at the PRKAG3 locus significantly affected these meat quality traits. The pork meat quality has not previously been established in Meishan or crosses thereof. The results suggested that generally pH of LD, SC and BF was higher in Meishan pigs than that in other populations. Moreover, Meishan pigs showed higher water-holding capacity and intramuscular fat (IMF), lower water content and water loss percentage compared to other populations in terms of the two variations. The results present here supply new evidence that alleles V199I and G52S at the PRKAG3 locus affect pork meat quality and provide useful information on pork production.

SPON2 Promotes M1-like Macrophage Recruitment and Inhibits Hepatocellular Carcinoma Metastasis by Distinct Integrin–Rho GTPase–Hippo Pathways

Zhang, Yan-Li,Li, Qing,Yang, Xiao-Mei,Fang, Fang,Li, Jun,Wang, Ya-Hui,Yang, Qin,Zhu, Lei,Nie, Hui-Zhen,Zhang, Xue-Li,Feng, Ming-Xuan,Jiang, Shu-Heng,Tian, Guang-Ang,Hu, Li-Peng,Lee, Ho-Young,Lee, Su-J American Association for Cancer Research 2018 Cancer research Vol.78 No.9

<P>Matricellular protein SPON2 acts as an HCC suppressor and utilizes distinct signaling events to perform dual functions in HCC microenvironment.</P><P>Tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) represent key regulators of the complex interplay between cancer and the immune microenvironment. Matricellular protein SPON2 is essential for recruiting lymphocytes and initiating immune responses. Recent studies have shown that SPON2 has complicated roles in cell migration and tumor progression. Here we report that, in the tumor microenvironment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), SPON2 not only promotes infiltration of M1-like macrophages but also inhibits tumor metastasis. SPON2-α4β1 integrin signaling activated RhoA and Rac1, increased F-actin reorganization, and promoted M1-like macrophage recruitment. F-Actin accumulation also activated the Hippo pathway by suppressing LATS1 phosphorylation, promoting YAP nuclear translocation, and initiating downstream gene expression. However, SPON2-α5β1 integrin signaling inactivated RhoA and prevented F-actin assembly, thereby inhibiting HCC cell migration; the Hippo pathway was not noticeably involved in SPON2-mediated HCC cell migration. In HCC patients, SPON2 levels correlated positively with prognosis. Overall, our findings provide evidence that SPON2 is a critical factor in mediating the immune response against tumor cell growth and migration in HCC.</P><P><B>Significance:</B> Matricellular protein SPON2 acts as an HCC suppressor and utilizes distinct signaling events to perform dual functions in HCC microenvironment.</P><P><B>Graphical Abstract:</B> http://cancerres.aacrjournals.org/content/canres/78/9/2305/F1.large.jpg. <I>Cancer Res; 78(9); 2305–17. ©2018 AACR</I>.</P><P><B>Graphical Abstract</B></P><P> [Figure]</P>

Sequencing, Genomic Structure, Chromosomal Mapping and Association Study of the Porcine ADAMTS1 Gene with Litter Size

Yue, K.,Peng, J.,Zheng, R.,Li, J.L.,Chen, J.F.,Li, F.E.,Dai, L.H.,Ding, SH.H.,Guo, W.H.,Xu, N.Y.,Xiong, Y.ZH.,Jiang, S.W. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2008 Animal Bioscience Vol.21 No.7

A disintegrin-like and metalloprotease (reprolysin type) with thrombospondin type 1 motif (ADAMTS1) plays a critical role in follicular rupture and represents a major advance in the proteolytic events that control ovulation. In this study, a 9,026-bp DNA sequence containing the full coding region, all 8 introns and part of the 5'and 3' untranslated region of the porcine ADAMTS1 gene was obtained. Analysis of the ADAMTS1 gene using the porcine radiation hybrid panel indicated that pig ADAMTS1 is closely linkage with microsatellite marker S0215, located on SSC13q49. The open reading frame of its cDNA covered 2,844 bp and encoded 947 amino acids. The coding region of porcine ADAMTS1 as determined by sequence alignments shared 85% and 81% identity with human and mouse cDNAs, respectively. The deduced protein contained 947 amino acids showing 85% sequence similarity both to the human and mouse proteins, respectively. Comparative sequencing of three pig breeds revealed one single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) within exon 7 of which a G-C substitution at position 6006 changes a codon for arginine into a codon for proline. The substitution was situated within a PvuII recognition site and developed as a PCR-RFLP marker for further use in population variation investigations and association analysis with litter size. Allele frequencies of this SNP were investigated in seven pig breeds/lines. An association analysis in a new Qingping female line suggested that different ADAMTS1 genotypes have significant differences in litter size (p<0.01).

Simulation of vibrations of Ting Kau Bridge due to vehicular loading from measurements

Au, F.T.K.,Lou, P.,Li, J.,Jiang, R.J.,Zhang, J.,Leung, C.C.Y.,Lee, P.K.K.,Lee, J.H.,Wong, K.Y.,Chan, H.Y. Techno-Press 2011 Structural Engineering and Mechanics, An Int'l Jou Vol.40 No.4

The Ting Kau Bridge in Hong Kong is a cable-stayed bridge comprising two main spans and two side spans. The bridge deck is supported by three towers, an end pier and an abutment. Each of the three towers consists of a single reinforced concrete mast strengthened by transverse cables and struts. The bridge deck is supported by four inclined planes of cables emanating from anchorages at the tower tops. In view of the heavy traffic on the bridge, and threats from typhoons and earthquakes originated in areas nearby, the dynamic behaviour of long-span cable-supported bridges in the region is always an important consideration in their design. Baseline finite element models of various levels of sophistication have been built not only to match the bridge geometry and cable forces specified on the as-constructed drawings but also to be calibrated using the vibration measurement data captured by the Wind and Structural Health Monitoring System. This paper further describes the analysis of axle loading data, as well as the generation of random axle loads and simulation of vibrations of the bridge using the finite element models. Various factors affecting the vehicular loading on the bridge will also be examined.

A Phase 3 Evaluation of Daclatasvir plus Asunaprevir in Treatment-Naive Patients with Chronic HCV Genotype 1b Infection

( L. Wei ),( F. Wang ),( M. Zhang ),( J. Jia ),( A.A. Yakovlev ),( W. Xie ),( E.Z. Burnevich ),( J. Niu ),( Y.J. Jung ),( X. Jiang ),( M. Xu ),( X. Chen ),( Q. Xie ),( J. Li ),( J. Hou ),( H. Tang ),( 대한간학회 2017 춘·추계 학술대회 (KASL) Vol.2017 No.1

Background/Aims: Treatment-naive GT 1b-infected patients from mainland China, South Korea and Russia were assessed for SVR at follow-up week 12 (SVR12) after receiving daclatasvir (60 mg, QD) and asunaprevir (100 mg, BID) (DCV+ASV). Methods: Patients were randomized 3:1 to receive DCV+ASV (24 weeks; immediate treatment [IM]) or 12 weeks of placebo followed by DCV+ASV (24 weeks; placebo-deferred treatment [PD]). The primary endpoint was to evaluate SVR12 in the IM arm to the historical rate for peginterferon/ribavirin (70%). Secondary endpoints included overall safety and safety comparisons between the treatment arms during the first 12 weeks. Results: 207 patients were randomized to IM (n=155) or PD (n=52); Asian (86%), female (59%), IL28B CC genotype (68%) and median age 49 (range 18-73) years; cirrhosis (13%), HCV RNA ≥6x106 IU/mL (53%). SVR12 in the IM arm was 92% and broadly unaffected by most baseline factors assessed (Figure); SVR12 was higher in patients without (96%) baseline NS5A-L31M/V or Y93H polymorphisms. There were 6 virologic breakthroughs, 6 relapses and 1 detectable HCV RNA at end-of-treatment in the IM arm. Safety was mostly comparable between the two arms during the first 12 weeks. The most frequent adverse events (AEs; ≥5%) during DCV+ASV (24 weeks) treatment in both arms were aminotransferase, bilirubin and INR elevations, hypertension, fatigue and respiratory tract infections; the most frequent treatment-emergent grade 3/4 laboratory abnormalities were aminotransferase (≤4.5%) and hematologic, lipase and total bilirubin abnormalities (≤2%); one patient (IM) discontinued DCV+ASV for aminotransferase elevations, nausea and jaundice (all reversible); one patient PD) discontinued DCV+ASV for a fatal AE unrelated to treatment. Conclusions: These data demonstrate that DCV+ASV is a highly efficacious and well tolerated treatment for treatment-naive HCV GT 1b-infected patients. Those treated immediately with DCV+ASV achieved a 92% SVR12 rate which was unaffected by factors known to attenuate response to interferon.

Pseudonocardia endophytica sp. nov., isolated from the pharmaceutical plant Lobelia clavata

Chen, H.-H.,Qin, S.,Li, J.,Zhang, Y.-Q.,Xu, L.-H.,Jiang, C.-L.,Kim, C.-J.,Li, W.-J. Microbiology Society 2009 International journal of systematic and evolutiona Vol.59 No.3

<P>An endophytic actinomycete strain, designated YIM 56035(T), was isolated from the inner tissue of the traditional Chinese medicinal plant Lobelia clavata. The strain stained Gram-positive, was aerobic and exhibited branching, white aerial mycelium and yellowish-brown substrate mycelium. The strain formed spore chains on aerial hyphae. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 70.3 mol%. On the basis of morphological, physiological, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic characteristics, strain YIM 56035(T) was assigned to the genus Pseudonocardia. Analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences showed 98.5, 97.3, 97.3 and 97.1 % similarity to the closely related type strains Pseudonocardia kongjuensis LM 157(T), Pseudonocardia autotrophica IMSNU 20050(T), Pseudonocardia ammonioxydans H9(T) and Pseudonocardia compacta IMSNU 20111(T), respectively. The results of DNA-DNA hybridizations and comparison of some phenotypic characteristics revealed that the strain represents a novel species of the genus Pseudonocardia. The name Pseudonocardia endophytica sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain YIM 56035(T) (=DSM 44969(T) =CCTCC AA 206026(T) =KCTC 19150(T)).</P>

Sinosporangium album gen. nov., sp. nov., a new member of the suborder Streptosporangineae

Zhang, Y.-Q.,Liu, H.-Y.,Yu, L.-Y.,Lee, J.-C.,Park, D.-J.,Kim, C.-J.,Xu, L.-H.,Jiang, C.-L.,Li, W.-J. SOCIETY FOR GENERAL MICROBIOLOGY 2011 International journal of systematic and evolutiona Vol.61 No.3

The Existence of a Putative Regulatory Element in 3'-Untranslated Region of Proto-oncogene HOX11's mRNA

Li, Yue,Jiang, Zhao-Zhao,Chen, Hai-Xu,Leung, Wai-Keung,Sung, Joseph J.Y.,Ma, Wei-Jun Korean Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biol 2005 Journal of biochemistry and molecular biology Vol.38 No.4

HOX11 encodes a homeodomain-containing transcription factor which directs the development of the spleen during embryogenesis. While HOX11 expression is normally silenced through an unknown mechanism in all tissues by adulthood, the deregulation of HOX11 expression is associated with leukemia, such as T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The elucidation of regulatory elements contributing to the molecular mechanism underlying the regulation of HOX11 gene expression is of great importance. Previous reports of HOX11 regulatory elements mainly focused on the 5'-flanking region of HOX11 on the chromosome related to transcriptional control. To expand the search of putative cis-elements involved in HOX11 regulation at the post-transcriptional level, we analyzed HOX11 mRNA 3'-untranslated region (3'UTR) and found an AU-rich region. To characterize this AU-rich region, in vitro analysis of HOX11 mRNA 3'UTR was performed with human RNA-binding protein HuR, which interacts with AU-rich element (ARE) existing in the 3'UTR of many growth factors' and cytokines' mRNAs. Our results showed that the HOX11 mRNA 3'UTR can specifically bind with human HuR protein in vitro. This specific binding could be competed effectively by typical ARE containing RNA. After the deletion of the AU-rich region present in the HOX11 mRNA 3'UTR, the interaction of HOX11 mRNA 3'UTR with HuR protein was abolished. These findings suggest that HOX11 mRNA 3'UTR contains cis-acting element which shares similarity in the action pattern with RE-HuR interactions and may involve in the post-transcriptional regulation of the HOX11 gene.