Determining a Detectable Threshold of Signal Intensity in cDNA Microarray Based on Accumulated Distribution

( Xia Gao ),( Xu Ping Fu ),( Tao Li ),( Jian Zi ),( Yao Luo ),( Qing Wei ),( Er Liang Zeng ),( Yi Xie ),( Yao Li ),( Yu Min Mao ) 생화학분자생물학회 2003 BMB Reports Vol.36 No.6

In microarray data mining, one of the key problems is how to handle weak signals. Based on a bent piecewise linear accumulated distribution generally found in the microarray data, a new detectable threshold finding method is proposed to filter genes with unreliable information in this paper. More reliable and reproducible data is produced for the subsequent data mining.

폴리프로필렌/폴리아미드 엘라스토머 블렌드

Qing Sheng Liu,Yan Xu,Hong Xia Zhang,Yu Hao Li,Bing Yao Deng 한국고분자학회 2014 폴리머 Vol.38 No.5

The polypropylene/polyamide elastomer (PP/PAE) blends were prepared by melt mixing. PP and PAE in PP/PAE were immiscible completely. The size of PAE domains was large and the clear gap in the interface between PP and PAE existed, which did not meet the conditions enhancing toughness of polymers by elastomer. Therefore, maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (MP) was used to improve the miscibility between PP and PAE. The miscibility between PP and PAE was improved and the size of dispersed phase PAE decreased by introducing MP. The crystallization of PP became easier by introducing PAE as a nucleating agent. With the increase of PAE content, the melt-crystallization temperatures of PP components in PP/PAE/MP blends increased gradually. The melt-crystallization of the polytetramethyleneoxide segment of PAE component in PP/PAE blends were hampered by PP component. In addition, PAE can enhance significantly the toughness of PP, and the tensile strength and modulus did not decrease.

Preparation of Microspheres Encapsulating a Recombinant TIMP-1 Adenovirus and their Inhibition of Proliferation of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells

Xia, Dong,Yao, Hui,Liu, Qing,Xu, Liang Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.12

Objective: The study aim was to prepare poly-DL-lactide-poly (PELA) microspheres encapsulating recombinant tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) in an adenovirus to investigate its inhibition on the proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma cells HepG2. Methods: Microspheres were prepared by encapsulating the recombinant TIMP-1 adenovirus into biodegradable PELA. The particle size, viral load, encapsulation efficiency and in-vitro release were measured. Microspheres were used to infect HepG2 cells, then infection efficiency was examined under a fluorescent microscope and ultrastructural changes assessed by TEM. Expression of TIMP-1 mRNA in HepG2 cells was examined by semi-quantitative RT-PCR and proliferation by MTT and cell growth curve assays. Results: We successfully prepared microspheres encapsulating recombinant TIMP-1 adenovirus with a diameter of $1.965{\mu}m$, an encapsulation efficiency of 60.0%, a viral load of $10.5{\times}10^8/mg$ and approximate 60% of virus release within 120 h, the total releasing time of which was longer than 240 h. The microspheres were confirmed to be non-toxic with blank microspheres. Infected HepG2 cells could stably maintain in-vitro expression of TIMP-1, with significantly effects on biological behaviour Conclusion: PELA microspheres encapsulating a recombinant TIMP-1 adenovirus can markedly inhibit the proliferation of HepG2 cells, which provides an experimental basis for polymer/chemistry-based gene therapy of hepatocellular carcinomas.

Genetic Variant in CLPTM1L Confers Reduced Risk of Lung Cancer: a Replication Study in Chinese and a Meta-analysis

Luo, Xia,Lamsal, Laxmi Pangeni,Xu, Wen-Juan,Lu, Jie,Lu, Yan-Jun,Shen, Ying,Guan, Qing Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.21

Background: Rs31489 in the cleft lip and palate transmembrane1-like gene (CLPTM1L) has been identified to be associated with lung cancer through genome-wide association studies (GWAS). However, some recent replication studies yielded inconclusive results. Thus, we undertook this study to investigate the precise effect of rs31489 on lung cancer susceptibility. Materials and Methods: A hospital-based case-control study in 1,673 Chinese subjects (611 individuals with lung cancer and 1,062 controls) and a meta-analysis among 32,199 subjects (16,364 cases and 15,835 controls) were performed in this study. Results: In our case-control study, rs31489 was inversely associated with lung cancer (AC versus CC: OR=0.68, 95%CI=0.52-0.88; additive model: OR=0.68, 95%CI=0.54-0.85; dominant model: OR=0.65, 95%CI =0.51-0.84). Stratification analysis by smoking status showed a significant association and strong genetic effect in non-smokers but not in smokers. Our meta-analysis further confirmed the association, although with significant heterogeneity contributed by study design and source of controls, as shown by stratified analysis. Sensitive and cumulative analyses both indicated robust stability of our results. In addition, there was no observable publication bias in our meta-analysis. Conclusions: Overall, the findings from our replication study and meta-analysis demonstrated that CLPTM1L gene rs31489 is significantly associated with lung cancer.

Screening and Cloning of RAPD Markers from the W Chromosome of Silkworm, Bombyx mori L.

( Chun Xia Zhang ),( Qin Yao ),( Qing Gang Xu ),( Xu Dong Tang ),( Ke Ping Chen ) 한국잠사학회 2007 International Journal of Industrial Entomology Vol.8 No.2

Silkworms sex determination drew high attention from researchers. Sex chromosomes on the silkworm are of ZW type for females and ZZ type for males. Chromosome W plays an important role in sex determination. Although several molecular linkage maps have been constructed for silkworm, very few markers are discovered on the W chromosome. In order to look for molecular markers and to further locate the Fem gene on chromosome W, we used genomic DNA from both female and male larvae of a silkworm strain named 937 as PCR templates for RAPD amplification with 200 arbitrary 10-mer primers. The amplification results showed three female-specific bands, namely OPG-07(496), OPC-15(1,660) and OPE-18(1,279). Further verification, however, revealed no band from OPG-07 and OPC-15 in either sex in the strain 798, but OPE-18 provided female-specific band in the strains Suluan7 and C108, and absent in both males and strain 798. This indicates that the bands from OPG-07(496) and OPC-15(1,660) are probably female-specific in strain 937, and the band from OPE-18 was probably amplified from a common segment shared by most strains. The genomic DNAs from OPG-07 and OPC-15 were cloned and sequenced. Sequence analysis showed that the DNAs from OPG-07 and OPC-15 have high identities with the retrotransposable elements, and DNA from OPC-15 contains a portion of sequence which probably encodes an eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E binding protein (eIF4EBP).

Effects of dietary Enteromorpha powder on reproduction-related hormones and genes during the late laying period of Zi geese

Ma Wei Qing,Zhao Dan Hua,Cheng Huang Zuo,Wang Si Bo,Yang Ji,Hong Xia Cui,Lu Ming Yuan,Wu Hong Zhi,Xu Li,Liu Guo Jun 아세아·태평양축산학회 2021 Animal Bioscience Vol.34 No.3

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Enteromorpha powder supplementation on reproduction-related hormones and genes in the late laying period of Zi geese. Methods: A total of 312 (1-year-old) Zi geese with similar laying rate were randomly divided into 2 groups with 6 replicates each, each with 21 female geese and 5 male geese. The control group was fed with a basal diet and the test group was fed with a diet containing 3% Enteromorpha powder. The trial period lasted for 7 weeks. Results: Our results showed that the laying rate was improved in the test group at each week of trial (p<0.01), and the levels of estradiol in serum and prolactin in ovary were increased compared with the control group (p<0.05). Conclusion: Based on above results, Enteromorpha powder supplementation at 3% could promote reproductive performance during the late laying period of Zi geese. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Enteromorpha powder supplementation on reproduction-related hormones and genes in the late laying period of Zi geese.Methods: A total of 312 (1-year-old) Zi geese with similar laying rate were randomly divided into 2 groups with 6 replicates each, each with 21 female geese and 5 male geese. The control group was fed with a basal diet and the test group was fed with a diet containing 3% <i>Enteromorpha</i> powder. The trial period lasted for 7 weeks.Results: Our results showed that the laying rate was improved in the test group at each week of trial (p<0.01), and the levels of estradiol in serum and prolactin in ovary were increased compared with the control group (p<0.05).Conclusion: Based on above results, <i>Enteromorpha</i> powder supplementation at 3% could promote reproductive performance during the late laying period of Zi geese.

Follow-Up of 58 Traumatic Carotid-Cavernous Fistulas after Endovascular Detachable-Balloon Embolization at a Single Center

Xiao-Quan Xu,Sheng Liu,Qing-Quan Zu,Lin-Bo Zhao,Jin-Guo Xia,Chun-Gao Zhou,Wei-Zhong Zhou,Hai-Bin Shi 대한신경과학회 2013 Journal of Clinical Neurology Vol.9 No.2

Background and Purpose This study evaluated the clinical value of detachable-balloon embolization for traumatic carotid-cavernous fistula (TCCF), focusing on the frequency, risk factors, and retreatment of recurrence. Methods Fifty-eight patients with TCCF underwent transarterial detachable-balloon embolization between October 2004 and March 2011. The clinical follow-up was performed every 3months until up to 3 years postprocedure. Each patient was placed in either the recurrence group or the nonrecurrence group according to whether a recurrence developed after the first procedure. The relevant factors including gender, fistula location, interval between trauma and the interventional procedure, blood flow in the carotid-cavernous fistula, number of balloons, and whether the internal carotid artery (ICA) was sacrificed were evaluated. Results All 58 TCCFs were successfully treated with transarterial balloon embolization, including 7 patients with ICA sacrifice. Recurrent fistulas occurred in seven patients during the follow-up period. Univariate analysis indicated that the interval between trauma and the interventional procedure (p=0.006) might be the main factor related to the recurrence of TCCF. The second treatments involved ICA sacrifice in two patients, fistula embolization with balloons in four patients, and placement of a covered stent in one patient. Conclusions Detachable balloons can still serve as the first-line treatment for TCCFs and recurrent TCCFs despite having a nonnegligible recurrence rate. Shortening the interval between trauma and the interventional procedure may reduce the risk of recurrence.

Effects of fireworks on air quality in the main urban area of Nanchong City during the spring festival of 2014-2019

Yifan Qian,Xu Yuan,Wen Dou,Jian Hu,Jie Xia,Danyu Li,Qing Zheng,Ping Zhang,Qiumei Quan,Yunxiang Li 대한환경공학회 2023 Environmental Engineering Research Vol.28 No.2

The sources and variation trend of ambient air pollutants, the duration of pollution process and the conditions for decontamination were analyzed in this essay based on the ambient air pollutants data, PM<SUB>2.5</SUB> source analysis data and meteorological factors in Nanchong City during 2014 to 2019. The results indicated that the concentrated discharge of fireworks on New Year’s Eve was the main reason for the sharp deterioration of the ambient air quality. PM<SUB>2.5</SUB> and PM<SUB>10</SUB> concentrations increased significantly after fireworks were set off, and the peak value appeared at about 02:00 on the Lunar New Year’s Day, but the value of PM<SUB>2.5</SUB>/PM<SUB>10</SUB> did not change significantly. The concentration of SO₂ in gaseous pollutants was slightly affected by fireworks, while NO₂, CO and O₃ were not affected basically. Having been affected by fireworks, the concentrations and percentages of K⁺, Cl⁻ and Mg<SUP>2+</SUP> of the water-solubility ions in PM<SUB>2.5</SUB> significantly increased at the 0.01 level. Meanwhile, the concentrations and percentages of the metal elements, including Cu, Pb, Mg, Al, K and Ba, significantly increased at the 0.05 level. Restricted to the topography and meteorological factors, the duration of the pollution was prolonged.

Kinetics and computational docking studies on the inhibition of tyrosinase induced by oxymatrine.

Liu, Xiao-Xia,Sun, Shi-Qing,Wang, Yu-Jie,Xu, Wei,Wang, Yi-Fang,Park, Daeui,Zhou, Hai-Meng,Han, Hong-Yan Humana Press 2013 Applied biochemistry and biotechnology Vol.169 No.1

<P>A combination of enzymatic inhibition kinetics and computational prediction was employed to search for an effective inhibitor of tyrosinase. We found that oxymatrine significantly inhibited tyrosinase, and that this reaction was not accompanied by detectable conformational changes. Kinetic analysis showed that oxymatrine reversibly inhibited tyrosinase in a mixed-type manner. Measurements of intrinsic and ANS-binding fluorescences showed that oxymatrine did not induce any conspicuous changes in the tertiary structure. We also conducted a docking simulation between tyrosinase and oxymatrine using two docking programs, Dock6.3 and AutoDock4.2 (binding energy was -118.81 kcal/mol for Dock6 and -8.04 kcal/mol for AutoDock4). The results also suggested that oxymatrine interacts mostly with the residues of CYS83 and HIS263 in the active site of tyrosinase. This strategy of predicting tyrosinase inhibition by simulation of docking coupling with kinetics may prove useful in screening for potential tyrosinase inhibitors. Knowledge of tyrosinase inhibition can provide medical, cosmetic, and agricultural applications. Our study suggests that oxymatrine is an important agent for various applications related to pigment formation.</P>

Organic geochemistry and hydrocarbon potential of source rocks from the Mohe Formation of the Upper Jurassic in the Mohe Basin, northeast China

Zhong-Ying Miao,Qing-Xia Xu 한국지질과학협의회 2017 Geosciences Journal Vol.21 No.3

The Mohe Formation is one of the important source rocks for oil-gas and gas hydrates in the Mohe Basin. In this paper, mudstone from cores of the M-1 and M-3 wells and argillite from cores of the MK-2 well of the Mohe Basin were studied. The depositional environment, organic matter source, thermal maturity, kerogen type, and hydrocarbon generation potential of the core samples were determined using organic and inorganic geochemistry. The dual sources of organic matter were terrestrial plants and aquatic organisms. The organic matter was deposited in a reducing lacustrine environment. The lake water salinity was higher when argillite was deposited. The late stage of the sedimentary filling of the lacustrine basin was characterized by high sulfate contents. The source rocks primarily contained Type II2–III kerogen. The present-day thermal maturity parameters reveal that the organic matter of the Mohe Formation is mature to overmature, indicating that this unit is capable of generating gas condensate and dry gas. In addition, we compared the organic geochemistry characteristics of mudstone and argillite. The results indicate that TOC, S1 + S2, and HI are lower in argillite than in mudstone. Although the biomarker maturity parameters cannot reflect the thermal evolution of the source rocks, they reflect the source of the organic matter and the depositional environment. The results provide important constraints for the evaluation of the hydrocarbon potential of lacustrine source rocks of the Mohe Formation from the Upper Jurassic and for the location of petroleum resources in the Mohe Basin.