Original Article : Factors Predicting the Effi cacy of Adefovir Dipivoxil on Treatment-Naive Chronic Hepatitis B Patients at 48 Weeks

( Li Chun Wang ),( En Qiang Chen ),( Xiao Feng Zhu ),( Zhong Hua Xiong ),( Li Liu ),( Lu Xu ),( Xue Zhong Lei ),( Cong Liu ),( Hong Tang ) 대한간학회 2011 Gut and Liver Vol.5 No.4

Background/Aims: To reveal possible factors predicting the effect of adefovir dipivoxil (ADV) treatment on chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and optimize the utilization of ADV. Methods: In total, 168 treatment-naive CHB patients were enrolled, including 117 hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive patients and 51 HBeAg-negative patients who met the inclusion criteria. All patients were treated with ADV 10 mg per day for 48 weeks. Multiple logistic regression analyses were used to investigate baseline factors, and responses at weeks 12 and 24 were analyzed as predictive values. Results: Multiple regression analyses showed that baseline HBeAg status and HBV DNA levels signifi cantly affected the virological response (VR) (p<0.05), baseline ALT levels were an independent predictor of serological response (SR) (p<0.05) and the body mass index (BMI) may affect the biochemical response (BR) (p<0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in the VR and SR between patients with a primary nonresponse (PNR) at week 12 and those with a VR at week 12 (p<0.01). Additionally, the VR was significantly different between patients with HBV DNA lower than 103 copies/mL at week 24 and those with greater than 103 copies/mL (p<0.01). Conclusions: Patients with negative HBeAg, lower HBV DNA levels and higher ALT values at baseline are more suitable for ADV treatment, whereas patients with lower BMIs may be more amenable to ALT normalization. Adjustments for treatment strategy should be considered if PNR at week 12 or HBV DNA ≥103 copies/mL at week 24 is observed. (Gut Liver 2011;5:478-485)

Molecular Characterization of an Isolate of Bean Common Mosaic Virus First Identified in Gardenia Using Metatranscriptome and Small RNA Sequencing

Zhong-Tian Xu,Hai-Tao Weng,Jian-Ping Chen,Chuan-Xi Zhang,Jun-Min Li,Yi-Yuan Li 한국식물병리학회 2024 Plant Pathology Journal Vol.40 No.1

Gardenia (<i>Gardenia jasminoides</i>) is a popular and economically vital plant known for its ornamental and medicinal properties. Despite its widespread cultivation, there has been no documentation of plant viruses on gardenia yet. In the present study, gardenia leaves exhibiting symptoms of plant viral diseases were sampled and sequenced by both metatranscriptome and small RNA sequencing. As a consequence, bean common mosaic virus (BCMV) was identified in gardenia for the first time and named BCMV-gardenia. The full genome sequence of BCMV-gardenia is 10,054 nucleotides (nt) in length (excluding the poly (A) at the 3′ termini), encoding a large polyprotein of 3,222 amino acids. Sequence analysis showed that the N-termini of the polyprotein encoded by BCMV-gardenia is less conserved when compared to other BCMV isolates, whereas the C-termini is the most conserved. Maximum likelihood phylogenetic analysis showed that BCMV-gardenia was clustered closely with other BCMV isolates identified outside the leguminous plants. Our results indicated that the majority of BCMV-gardenia virus-derived small interfering RNAs (vsiRNAs) were 21 nt and 22 nt, with 21 nt being more abundant. The first nucleotide at the 5′ termini of vsiRNAs derived from BCMV-gardenia preferred U and A. The ratio of vsiRNAs derived from sense (51.1%) and antisense (48.9%) strands is approaching, and the distribution of vsiRNAs along the viral genome is generally even, with some hot spots forming in local regions. Our findings could provide new insights into the diversity, evolution, and host expansion of BCMV and contribute to the prevention and treatment of this virus.

Dietary maifanite supplementation did not affect the apparent total tract digestibility of calcium and phosphorus in growing pigs

Li Li Bai,Dong Xu Ming,Shu Ren Dong,Zhong Yue Yang,Wen Hui Wang,Shuai Zhang,Xiang Shu Piao,Ling Liu,Fenglai Wang 아세아·태평양축산학회 2018 Animal Bioscience Vol.31 No.2

Objective: This study was conducted to determine the effects of dietary maifanite supplementation and fecal collection method on the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) and blood parameters in growing pigs. Methods: Thirty-six growing barrows (Duroc×Landrace×Yorkshire; 27.0±2.6 kg) were allotted to six dietary treatments with 6 pigs per treatment according to body weight in a completely randomized design. The experimental treatments were: i) Low Ca+cornstarch (2.25%), ii) Low Ca+maifanite (2.25%), iii) Medium Ca+cornstarch (1.42%), iv) Medium Ca+maifanite (1.42%), v) High Ca+cornstarch (0.64%), and vi) High Ca+maifanite (0.64%). Feces were collected by the total collection (TC) and indicator method (IM). At the beginning and the end of the experiment, blood samples were collected from each pig. Results: For the TC method, there were no difference in Ca intake, fecal Ca output, Ca retention and the ATTD of Ca between cornstarch and maifanite diets at the same dietary Ca level. However, urinary Ca excretion was lower (p = 0.01) in pigs fed low Ca diets without maifanite supplementation compared with other dietary treatments. Dietary maifanite supplementation had no effect on the P metabolism in growing pigs. For the IM method, there was no difference in Ca digestibility between cornstarch and maifanite diets at the same dietary Ca level. The ATTD of P was greater (p<0.01) in pigs fed the high Ca diet with maifanite supplementation compared with the high Ca diet with cornstarch treatment. Dietary inclusion of maifanite had no effect on blood parameters in growing pigs. Conclusion: Dietary maifanite supplementation had no effect on the ATTD of Ca and P and serum parameters in growing pigs. The IM resulted in lower digestibility values than the TC method.

Factors Predicting the Effi cacy of Adefovir Dipivoxil on Treatment-Naïve Chronic Hepatitis B Patients at 48 Weeks

Li-Chun Wang,En-Qiang Chen,Xiao-Feng Zhu,Zhong-Hua Xiong,Li Liu,Lu Xu,Xue-Zhong Lei,Cong Liu,Hong Tang 거트앤리버 소화기연관학회협의회 2011 Gut and Liver Vol.5 No.4

Background/Aims: To reveal possible factors predicting the effect of adefovir dipivoxil (ADV) treatment on chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and optimize the utilization of ADV. Methods:In total, 168 treatment-naïve CHB patients were enrolled,including 117 hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive patients and 51 HBeAg-negative patients who met the inclusion criteria. All patients were treated with ADV 10 mg per day for 48 weeks. Multiple logistic regression analyses were used to investigate baseline factors, and responses at weeks 12and 24 were analyzed as predictive values. Results: Multiple regression analyses showed that baseline HBeAg status and HBV DNA levels signifi cantly affected the virological response (VR) (p<0.05), baseline ALT levels were an independent predictor of serological response (SR) (p<0.05) and the body mass index (BMI) may affect the biochemical response (BR)(p<0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in the VR and SR between patients with a primary nonresponse (PNR) at week 12 and those with a VR at week 12 (p<0.01). Additionally, the VR was significantly different between patients with HBV DNA lower than 10^3 copies/mL at week 24 and those with greater than 10^3 copies/mL (p<0.01). Conclusions: Patients with negative HBeAg, lower HBV DNA levels and higher ALT values at baseline are more suitable for ADV treatment, whereas patients with lower BMIs may be more amenable to ALT normalization. Adjustments for treatment strategy should be considered if PNR at week 12 or HBV DNA ≥103 copies/mL at week 24 is observed.

Genetic diversity of two Tibetan macaque (Macaca thibetana) populations from Guizhou and Yunnan in China based on mitochondrial DNA D-loop sequences

Li-Jing Zhong,Ming-Wang Zhang,Yong-Fang Yao,Qing-Yong Ni,Jun Mu,Chong-Qing Li,Huai-Liang Xu 한국유전학회 2013 Genes & Genomics Vol.35 No.2

Tibetan macaque (Macaca thibetana), an endangered species endemic to China, is categorized as a Category II species under the Chinese Wild Animal Protection Law and listed in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species. To further assess genetic diversity and population structure within this species,populations, revealing that variations occured among populations mainly. Further analysis demonstrated that significant genetic differentiation (Fst = 0.83628, P\0.01) and poor gene flow (Nm\1) had occurred among these four populations. On the phylogenetic tree and haplotype network plot, 22 haplotypes cluster together according to their geographical origins, exhibiting an obvious phylogeographic pattern. We speculate that the significant genetic differentiation among these macaque populations might result from long-term geographic barrier and human activity. In particular,Yangtze River probably play a vital role in population differentiation of Tibetan macaques. we sequenced 477 bp of mitochondrial DNA control region in 30 Tibetan macaques from the Guizhou (GZ) and Yunnan (YN) of China and conducted population genetic analysis, along with 15 previously described haplotype sequences representing 55 individuals from Sichuan (SC)and Anhui (AH). 87 polymorphic sites were detected in the alignment of 45 sequences and defined 22 haplotypes, of which 9 were newly identified. Haplotype diversity (h),nucleotide diversity (p) and average number of nucleotide differences (K) is 0.911 ± 0.015, 0.06090 ± 0.00126 and 28.32, respectively, indicating higher genetic diversity in the whole Tibetan macaque population. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) partitioned the total variation into 83.63 % among populations and 16.37 % within populations, revealing that variations occured among populationsmainly. Further analysis demonstrated that significantgenetic differentiation (Fst = 0.83628, P\0.01) andpoor gene flow (Nm\1) had occurred among these fourpopulations. On the phylogenetic tree and haplotype networkplot, 22 haplotypes cluster together according to their geographicalorigins, exhibiting an obvious phylogeographicpattern. We speculate that the significant genetic differentiationamong these macaque populations might result fromlong-term geographic barrier and human activity. In particular,Yangtze River probably play a vital role in populationdifferentiation of Tibetan macaques.

Molecular characterization and functional analysis of two trehalose transporter genes in the cabbage beetle, Colaphellus bowringi

Li Jia-Xu,Cao Zhen,Guo Shuang,Tian Zhong,Liu Wen,Zhu Fen,Wang Xiao-Ping 한국응용곤충학회 2020 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.23 No.3

The trehalose, major blood sugar in insects, enhances stress resistance of diapausing individuals in adverse environment and provides an energy source for reproduction. Trehalose transporters (TRETs) play an important role in transport of trehalose from trehalose-producing tissues, e.g. fat body, to trehalose-consuming tissues. Although studies have shown that trehalose contributes to diapause and reproduction, the function of TRETs in these processes remains unclear. In this work, we cloned two TRET genes, TRET1a and TRET1b, from the cabbage beetle Colaphellus bowringi, which is capable of entering reproductive diapause under long-day conditions. We also analyzed the expression profiles of these two genes and investigated their potential roles in diapause and reproduction. The results suggested that both TRET1a and TRET1b belong to sugar-transporter and major facilitator superfamilies. Interestingly, TRET1a was highly expressed in the fat bodies of diapause-destined (DD) females but TRET1b was predominantly expressed in the ovaries of non-diapause-destined (NDD) females. Hormonal induction indicated that juvenile hormone induced TRET1b but repressed TRET1a at transcriptional levels. Methoprene-tolerant and Krüppel homolog 1 mediated the JH-suppressed TRET1a expression but were not involved in the regulation of TRET1b expression by JH. RNAi of TRET1a in DD females elevated the trehalose content in the fat bodies and suppressed the expression of a couple of genes related to stress resistance, which is a critical diapause trait. Knockdown of TRET1b in NDD females reduced the trehalose content in the ovaries but had no apparent effect on the ovary development and yolk deposition. These data suggest that TRET1a and TRET1b could regulate the trehalose content in specific tissues and may play potential roles in reproductive diapause in the females of C. bowringi. Introduction Diapause is a survival strategy for many insects in adapting to adverse environmental conditions (Tauber and Tauber, 1976; Tougeron, 2019). Diapause is a dynamic successive process that consists of diapause induction, preparation, initiation, maintenance, termination, and post-diapause quiescence (Kostal, 2006). Insects accumulate enormous nutrients such as sugars and lipids to enter diapause during diapause preparation phase (Hahn and Denlinger, 2007, 2011). The trehalose is the major hemolymph sugar in insects. The sugar not only provides source of energy but also protects proteins and cellular membranes from dehydration, desiccation, heat, cold, and oxidation (Elbein et al., 2003; Li et al., 2002; Richards et al., 2002; Wyatt and Kalf, 1957; Yancey, 2005; Zhu et al., 2008). Therefore, trehalose can play roles in reproduction and diapause by mediating energy supply and stress tolerance, respectively (Kamei et al., 2011; Lu et al., 2019; Xu et al., 2009).

Experimental verification of the effect of human lower extremity exoskeleton

Yang Li,Cheng Xu,Xiaorong Guan,Zhong Li,Huibin Li 대한기계학회 2019 JOURNAL OF MECHANICAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Vol.33 No.8

A human lower extremity exoskeleton (HLEE) has been designed in our previous works, in which a simulation study has also been performed. However, verifying the effect of HLEE is still a problem. Accordingly, an experimental method combining a data collection system and a human motion capture system is proposed to solve this issue. Experimental data on the moment of momentum and energy provided to the HLEE knee joint and the knee joint angle deviation between the human body and HLEE exhibit good assistance effect. Moreover, the man-machine coordination and environmental suitability of the designed HLEE experimental prototype are validated in this study.

Risk Factors, Patterns, and Outcomes of Late Recurrence after Liver Resection for Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma (Analysis of a Multicenter Cohort over 15 Years)

( Xin-fei Xu ),( Jiong-jie Yu ),( Ju-dong Li ),( Hao Xing ),( Jun Han ),( Zhen-li Li ),( Han Wu ),( Han Zhang ),( Jian-hong Zhong ),( Yi- Sheng Huang ),( Ya-hao Zhou ),( Ting-hao Chen ),( Hong Wang ) 대한간학회 2018 춘·추계 학술대회 (KASL) Vol.2018 No.1

Aims: Late recurrence (> 2 years) after liver resection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is usually considered as multi-centric tumors or de novo cancer formation. We aimed to investigate risk factors, patterns and outcomes of late recurrence after HCC resection. Methods: From a multicenter database from 2001 to 2015, 734 patients who were alive and recurrence-free at 2 years after curative resection of initial HCC were enrolled into this retrospective study. Univariate and multivariate Cox-regression analysis were used to identify independent risk factors of late recurrence. Patterns, treatments and outcomes of late recurrence were investigated and analyzed. Results: During a median follow-up of 78.0 months after surgery, 303 patients (41.3%) developed late recurrence. Multivariate analysis revealed that cirrhosis, macroscopic vascular invasion, satellites, and tumor size > 5cm were independent risk factors of late recurrence. Among them, 273 (90.1%) were sole intrahepatic recurrence, 30 (9.9%) were concurrent intrahepatic and extrahepatic recurrence, and none of them was sole extrahepatic recurrence; 165 (54.4%) patients received curative treatments for recurrent HCC, including re-resection, transplantation and local ablation. Multivariate analysis showed regular postoperative surveillance and receiving curative treatments were two independent protective factors of prolonging survival for those patients with late recurrence. Conclusions: Late recurrence is correlated with cirrhosis and certain tumor-related characteristics of initial HCC. The patterns of late recurrence suggest that postoperative surveillance after 2 years of surgery could be adjusted and more targeted. Regular postoperative surveillance improves the probability to receive curative treatments again, yielding to better outcomes for patients with late recurrence.

Knockdown of HMGN5 Expression by RNA Interference Induces Cell Cycle Arrest in Human Lung Cancer Cells

Chen, Peng,Wang, Xiu-Li,Ma, Zhong-Sen,Xu, Zhong,Jia, Bo,Ren, Jin,Hu, Yu-Xin,Zhang, Qing-Hua,Ma, Tian-Gang,Yan, Bing-Di,Yan, Qing-Zhu,Li, Yan-Lei,Li, Zhen,Yu, Jin-Yan,Gao, Rong,Fan, Na,Li, Bo,Yang, Jun Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.7

HMGN5 is a typical member of the HMGN (high mobility group nucleosome-binding protein) family which may function as a nucleosomal binding and transcriptional activating protein. Overexpression of HMGN5 has been observed in several human tumors but its role in tumorigenesis has not been fully clarified. To investigate its significance for human lung cancer progression, we successfully constructed a shRNA expression lentiviral vector in which sense and antisense sequences targeting the human HMGN5 were linked with a 9-nucleotide loop. Inhibitory effects of siRNA on endogenous HMGN5 gene expression and protein synthesis were demonstrated via real-time RT-PCR and western blotting. We found HMGN5 silencing to significantly inhibit A549 and H1299 cell proliferation assessed by MTT, BrdU incorporation and colony formation assays. Furthermore, flow cytometry analysis showed that specific knockdown of HMGN5 slowed down the cell cycle at the G0/G1 phase and decreased the populations of A549 and H1299 cells at the S and G2/M phases. Taken together, these results suggest that HMGN5 is directly involved in regulation cell proliferation in A549 and H1299 cells by influencing signaling pathways involved in cell cycle progression. Thus, our finding suggests that targeting HMGN5 may be an effective strategy for human lung cancer treatment.

Identification, fine mapping and characterization of Rht-dp, a recessive wheat dwarfing (reduced height) gene derived from Triticum polonicum

Hou-Yang Kang,Li-Juan Lin,Zhi-Jian Song,Jing-Ya Yuan,Mei-Yu Zhong,Hai-Qin Zhang,Xing Fan,Li-Na Sha,Yi Wang,Li-Li Xu,Jian Zeng,Yong-Hong Zhou 한국유전학회 2012 Genes & Genomics Vol.34 No.5

Semi-dwarfism is an agronomically important trait in breeding for resistance to damage by wind and rain (lodging resistance)and for stable high yields. Dwarf Polish wheat (Triticum polonicum L., 2n = 4x = 28, AABB AS304) is a potential donor of dwarfing and other traits for common wheat improvement. A genetic analysis using an F2 population derived from a cross of AS304 and tall cultivar AS302 and derived F2:3 lines indicated that AS304 carries a recessive dwarfing gene, temporarily designated Rht-dp. Molecular markers and bulked segregant analysis were used to characterize and map the gene. Eight polymorphic SSR markers (Xwmc511, Xgwm495, Xgwm 113, Xgwm192, Xgpw7026, Xgpw3017, Xgpw1108 and Xgpw7521) on chromosome arm 4BS and two AFLP markers (M8/E5 and M4/E3) were mapped relative to the dwarfing locus. The closest linked markers, Xgpw3017 and M8/E5 at 0.5 and 3.5 cM, respectively, from Rht-dp will enable its marker assisted transfer to wheat breeding populations. Allelic tests indicated that Rht-dp was allelic to Rht-B1b; hence it may be an alternative allele at the Rht-B1 locus.