Role of folP1 and folP2 Genes in the Action of Sulfamethoxazole and Trimethoprim Against Mycobacteria

( Tian Zhou Liu ),( Bang Xing Wang ),( Jin Tao Guo ),( Yang Zhou ),( Mugweru Julius ),( Moses Njire ),( Yuan Yuan Cao ),( Tian Wu ),( Zhi Yong Liu ),( Chang Wei Wang ),( Yong Xu ),( Tian Yu Zhang ) 한국미생물 · 생명공학회 2015 Journal of microbiology and biotechnology Vol.25 No.9

The combination of trimethoprim (TMP) and sulfamethoxazole (SMX) has been shown to be active against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) in clinical tuberculosis (TB) treatment. However, the mechanism of action of TMP-SMX against Mtb is still unknown. To unravel this, we have studied the effect of TMP and SMX by deleting the folP2 gene in Mycobacterium smegmatis (Msm), and overexpressing the Mtb and Msm folP1/2 genes in Msm. Knocking out of the folP2 gene in Msm reduced the minimum inhibitory concentration of SMX 8-fold compared with wild type. Overexpression of the folP1 genes from Mtb and Msm increased the MICs by 4- and 2-fold in Msm for SMX and TMP, respectively. We show a strong correlation between the expression of folP1 and folP2 genes and TMP-SMX resistance in mycobacteria. This suggests that a combination of FolP2 inhibitor and SMX could be used for TB treatment with a better outcome.

Comparison of Liver Transplantation and Liver Resection for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients with Portal Vein Tumor Thrombus Type I and Type II

Jia-Yu Lv,Ning-Ning Zhang,Ya-Wei Du,Ying Wu,Tian-Qiang Song,Ya-Min Zhang,Yan Qu,Yu-Xin Liu,Jie Gu,Ze-Yu Wang,Yi-Bo Qiu,Bing Yang,Da-Zhi Tian,Qing-Jun Guo,Li Zhang,Ji-San Sun,Yan Xie,Zheng-Lu Wang,Xin 연세대학교의과대학 2021 Yonsei medical journal Vol.62 No.1

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of liver transplantation (LT) and liver resection (LR) for hepatocellularcarcinoma (HCC) patients with portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT) and to investigate risk factors affecting prognosis. Materials and Methods: A total of 94 HCC patients with PVTT type I (segmental PVTT) and PVTT type II (lobar PVTT) were involvedand divided into LR (n=47) and LT groups (n=47). Recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) were comparedbefore and after inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW). Prognostic factors for RFS and OS were explored. Results: Two treatment groups were well-balanced using IPTW. In the entire cohort, LT provided a better prognosis than LR. Among patients with PVTT type I, RFS was better with LT (p=0.039); OS was not different significantly between LT and LR(p=0.093). In subgroup analysis of PVTT type I patients with α-fetoprotein (AFP) levels >200 ng/mL, LT elicited significantly longermedian RFS (18.0 months vs. 2.1 months, p=0.022) and relatively longer median OS time (23.6 months vs. 9.8 months, p=0.065). Among patients with PVTT type II, no significant differences in RFS and OS were found between LT and LR (p=0.115 and 0.335,respectively). Multivariate analyses showed treatment allocation (LR), tumor size (>5 cm), AFP and aspartate aminotransferase(AST) levels to be risk factors of RFS and treatment allocation (LR), AFP and AST as risk factors for OS. Conclusion: LT appeared to afford a better prognosis for HCC with PVTT type I than LR, especially in patients with AFP levels>200 ng/mL.

Type II combination questionnaire model: A new survey design for a totally sensitive binary variable correlated with another nonsensitive binary variable

Xifen Huang,Guo-Liang Tian,Yin Liu,Jun-Wu Yu 한국통계학회 2015 Journal of the Korean Statistical Society Vol.44 No.3

Recently, Yu, Lu, and Tian (2013) introduced a combination questionnaire model to investigate the association between one sensitive binary variable and another non-sensitive binary variable. However, in practice, we sometimes need to assess the association between one totally sensitive binary variable (e.g., the number of sex partners being 63 or >3, the annual income being 6$25,000 or >$25,000, and so on) and one non-sensitive binary variable (e.g., good or poor health status, with or without cervical cancer, and so on). Although we could directly adopt the four-category parallel model (Liu & Tian, 2013), the information contained in the non-sensitive binary variable cannot be utilized in the design. Intuitively, such information can be used to enhance the degree of privacy protection so that more respondents will not face the sensitive question. The objective of this paper is to propose a new survey design (called Type II combination questionnaire model, which consists of a four-category parallel questionnaire and a supplemental direct questionnaire) and to develop corresponding statistical methods for analyzing sensitive data collected by this technique. Likelihood-based methods including maximum likelihood estimates, asymptotic and bootstrap confidence intervals of parameters of interest are derived. A likelihood ratio test is provided to test the association between the two binary random variables. Bayesian methods are also presented. Simulation studies are performed and a cervical cancer data set in Atlanta is used to illustrate the proposed methods.

Characteristics of vibration response of ball bearing with local defect considering skidding

Yu Tian,Changfeng Yan,Yaofeng Liu,Wei Luo,Jianxiong Kang,Zonggang Wang,Lixiao Wu 대한기계학회 2023 JOURNAL OF MECHANICAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Vol.37 No.11

The occurrence and aggravation of local defects in ball bearings are closely linked to the skidding behavior of the ball. Previous studies have given less attention to investigating the impact of localized defects on the problem of bearing skidding. To investigate the dynamic response of defective bearings due to skidding, a dynamic model of the ball bearing is developed that considers various factors, including self-rotation, revolution, and radial motion of the ball, as well as the contact forces and friction forces of ball/cage and ball/race, time-varying displacement excitation, and elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL). Experimental signals collected from a machinery fault simulator test rig are used to validate the accuracy of the proposed model. The impact of race defects on the vibration characteristics of the bearing is analyzed, and the patterns of variation in contact and friction forces within one cycle of inner race rotation are described. The results indicate that the presence of defects intensifies the force fluctuation of the ball and causes it to deviate from its normal rolling condition. By comparing the skidding characteristics of a healthy bearing with a defective one under slippage, local defects will increase the skidding ratio of bearings. The proposed model can investigate the impact of race defects on the vibration response of ball bearings under the skidding condition.

RON and MET Co-overexpression Are Significant Pathological Characteristics of Poor Survival and Therapeutic Targets of Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Tian-Hao Weng,Min-Ya Yao,Xiang-Ming Xu,Chen-Yu Hu,Shu-Hao Yao,Yi-Zhi Liu,Zhi-Gang Wu,Tao-Ming Tang,Pei-Fen Fu,Ming-Hai Wang,Hang-Ping Yao 대한암학회 2020 Cancer Research and Treatment Vol.52 No.3

Purpose Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is highly malignant and has poor prognosis and a high mortality rate. The lack of effective therapy has spurred our investigation of new targets for treating this malignant cancer. Here, we identified RON (macrophage-stimulating 1 receptor) and MET (MET proto-oncogene, receptor tyrosine kinase) as a prognostic biomarker and therapeutic targets for potential TNBC treatment. Materials and Methods We analyzed RON and MET expression in 187 primary TNBC clinical samples with immunohistochemistry. We validated the targeted therapeutic effects of RON and MET in TNBC using three tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs): BMS-777607, INCB28060, and tivantinib. The preclinical therapeutic efficacy of the TKIs was mainly estimated using a TNBC xenograft model. Results Patients with TNBC had widespread, abnormal expression of RON and MET. There was RON overexpression, MET overexpression, and RON and MET co-overexpression in 63 (33.7%), 63 (33.7%), and 43 cases (23.0%), respectively, which had poor prognosis and short survival. In vivo, the TKI targeting RON ant MET inhibited the activation of the downstream signaling molecules, inhibited TNBC cell migration and proliferation, and increased TNBC cell apoptosis; in the xenograft model, they significantly inhibited tumor growth and shrank tumor volumes. The TKI targeting RON and Met, such as BMS-777607 and tivantinib, yielded stronger anti-tumor effects than INCB28060. Conclusion RON and MET co-overexpression can be significant pathological characteristics in TNBC for poor prognosis. TKIs targeting RON and MET have stronger drug development potential for treating TNBC.

The Blood Oxygenation T2* Values of Resectable Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinomas as Measured by 3T Magnetic Resonance Imaging: Association with Tumor Stage

Yu-lian Tang,Xiao-ming Zhang,Zhi-gang Yang,Yu-cheng Huang,Tian-wu Chen,Yan-li Chen,Fan Chen,Nan-lin Zeng,Rui Li,Jiani Hu 대한영상의학회 2017 Korean Journal of Radiology Vol.18 No.4

Objective: To explore the association between the blood oxygenation T2* values of resectable esophageal squamous cell carcinomas (ESCCs) and tumor stages. Materials and Methods: This study included 48 ESCC patients and 20 healthy participants who had undergone esophageal T2*-weighted imaging to obtain T2* values of the tumors and normal esophagi. ESCC patients underwent surgical resections less than one week after imaging. Statistical analyses were performed to identify the association between T2* values of ESCCs and tumor stages. Results: One-way ANOVA and Student-Newman-Keuls tests revealed that the T2* value could differentiate stage T1 ESCCs (17.7 ± 3.3 ms) from stage T2 and T3 tumors (24.6 ± 2.7 ms and 27.8 ± 5.6 ms, respectively; all ps < 0.001). Receiver operating curve (ROC) analysis showed the suitable cutoff T2* value of 21.3 ms for either differentiation. The former statistical tests demonstrated that the T2* value could not differentiate between stages T2 and T3 (24.6 ± 2.7 ms vs. 27.8 ± 5.6 ms, respectively, p > 0.05) or between N stages (N1 vs. N2 vs. N3: 24.7 ± 6.9 ms vs. 25.4 ± 4.5 ms vs. 26.8 ± 3.9 ms, respectively; all ps > 0.05). The former tests illustrated that the T2* value could differentiate anatomic stages I and II (18.8 ± 4.8 ms and 26.9 ± 5.9 ms, respectively) or stages I and III (27.3 ± 3.6 ms). ROC analysis depicted the same cutoff T2* value of 21.3 ms for either differentiation. In addition, the Student’s t test revealed that the T2* value could determine grouped T stages (T0 vs. T1–3: 17.0 ± 2.9 ms vs. 25.2 ± 6.2 ms; T0–1 vs. T2–3: 17.3 ± 3.0 ms vs. 27.1 ± 5.3 ms; and T0–2 vs. T3: 18.8 ± 4.2 ms vs. 27.8 ± 5.6 ms, all ps < 0.001). ROC analysis indicated that the T2* value could detect ESCCs (cutoff, 20 ms), and discriminate between stages T0–1 and T2–3 (cutoff, 21.3 ms) and between T0–2 and T3 (cutoff, 20.4 ms). Conclusion: The T2* value can be an additional quantitative indicator for detecting ESCC except for stage T1 cancer, and can preoperatively discriminate between some T stages and between anatomic stages of this tumor.

Retrospective Evaluation of Discrepancies between Radiological and Pathological Size of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Masses

Tian, Fei,Wu, Jian-Xiong,Rong, Wei-Qi,Wang, Li-Ming,Wu, Fan,Yu, Wei-Bo,An, Song-Lin,Liu, Fa-Qiang,Feng, Li,Liu, Yun-He Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.21

Background: The size of a hepatic neoplasm is critical for staging, prognosis and selection of appropriate treatment. Our study aimed to compare the radiological size of solid hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) masses on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with the pathological size in a Chinese population, and to elucidate discrepancies. Materials and Methods: A total of 178 consecutive patients diagnosed with HCC who underwent curative hepatic resection after enhanced MRI between July 2010 and October 2013 were retrospectively identified and analyzed. Pathological data of the whole removed tumors wereassessed and differences between radiological and pathological tumor size were identified. All patients were restaged using a modified Tumor-Node-Metastasis (TNM) staging system postoperatively according to the maximum diameter alteration. The lesions were classified as hypo-staged, iso-staged or hyper-staged for qualitative assessment. In the quantitative analysis, the relative pre and postoperative tumor size contrast ratio ($%{\Delta}size$) was also computed according to size intervals. In addition, the relationship between radiological and pathological tumor diameter variation and histologic grade was analyzed. Results: Pathological examination showed 85 (47.8%) patients were overestimated, 82 (46.1%) patients underestimated, while accurate measurement by MRI was found in 11 (6.2%) patients. Among the total subjects, 14 (7.9%) patients were hypo-staged and 15 (8.4%) were hyper-staged post-operatively. Accuracy of MRI for calculation and characterized staging was related to the lesion size, ranging from 83.1% to 87.4% (<2cm to ${\geq}5cm$, p=0.328) and from 62.5% to 89.1% (cT1 to cT4, p=0.006), respectively. Overall, MRI misjudged pathological size by 6.0 mm (p=0.588 ), and the greatest difference was observed in tumors <2cm (3.6 mm, $%{\Delta}size=16.9%$, p=0.028). No statistically significant difference was observed for moderately differentiated HCC (5.5mm, p=0.781). However, for well differentiated and poorly differentiated cases, radiographic tumor maximum diameter was significantly larger than the pathological maximum diameter by 3.15 mm and underestimated by 4.51 mm, respectively (p=0.034 and 0.020). Conclusions: A preoperative HCC tumor size measurement using MRI can provide relatively acceptable accuracy but may give rise to discrepancy in tumors in a certain size range or histologic grade. In pathological well differentiated subjects, the pathological tumor size was significantly overestimated, but underestimated in poorly differentiated HCC. The difference between radiological and pathological tumor size was greatest for tumors <2 cm. For some HCC patients, the size difference may have implications for the decision of resection, transplantation, ablation, or arterially directed therapy, and should be considered in staging or selecting the appropriate treatment tactics.

Microwave-assisted pyrolysis of phosphoric acid-activated Goldenberry peel powder biochar for enhancing the adsorption of trace beta-lactamase inhibitors

Tian Ai,Chunmei Xu,Lei Zhang,Ke Chen,Yonggui Wu,Shujuan Dai,Xiaolu Xiong,Shixin Jie,Xiaoni Jin,Zhongxu Yu 한국화학공학회 2022 Korean Journal of Chemical Engineering Vol.39 No.9

Novel efficient biochar of Goldenberry peels (GBPMW-H3PO4) was prepared through a microwave-assistedphosphoric acid activation method. It was characterized and used for removing two beta-lactamase inhibitors, sulbactam(SAM, first listed in Japan in 1986) and avibactam (AVI, first listed in the U.S. in 2015), from aqueous solution. Characterization confirmed that GBPMW-H3PO4 displayed a high surface area (720.046m2 g1), more abundant porestructure, smaller particle size, and higher thermal stability. The experimental results showed that the adsorption of thetwo antibiotics was a spontaneous, favorable, and endothermic process, highly dependent on solution pH. A contacttime of 60 min assured equilibrium, and GBPMW-H3PO4 followed pseudo-first-order kinetics (R2=0.9950-0.9977). Furthermore,the adsorption capacities of GBPMW-H3PO4 for SAM and AVI were 211.86 and 198.81mg g1, respectively,and the performance was better than that of unmodified biochar. Microscopically, the main mechanism could beexplained by - electron donor-acceptor interaction, hydrogen bonding interaction, -hydrogen bonding, hydrophobicinteraction, and electrostatic interaction. The study demonstrates that the microwave-assisted H3PO4 activationmethod could produce biochar, and GBPMW-H3PO4 was confirmed to be a low-cost and high-efficiency adsorbent forremoving beta-lactamase inhibitors from medical wastewater.

Hierarchical porous ECM scaffolds incorporating GDF-5 fabricated by cryogenic 3D printing to promote articular cartilage regeneration

Wu Jiang,Fu Liwei,Yan Zineng,Yang Yu,Yin Han,Li Pinxue,Yuan Xun,Ding Zhengang,Kang Teng,Tian Zhuang,Liao Zhiyao,Tian Guangzhao,Ning Chao,Li Yuguo,Sui Xiang,Chen Mingxue,Liu Shuyun,Guo Quanyi 한국생체재료학회 2023 생체재료학회지 Vol.27 No.00

In recent years, there has been significant research progress on in situ articular cartilage (AC) tissue engineering with endogenous stem cells, which uses biological materials or bioactive factors to improve the regeneration microenvironment and recruit more endogenous stem cells from the joint cavity to the defect area to promote cartilage regeneration.In this study, we used ECM alone as a bioink in low-temperature deposition manufacturing (LDM) 3D printing and then successfully fabricated a hierarchical porous ECM scaffold incorporating GDF-5.Comparative in vitro experiments showed that the 7% ECM scaffolds had the best biocompatibility. After the addition of GDF-5 protein, the ECM scaffolds significantly improved bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (BMSC) migration and chondrogenic differentiation. Most importantly, the in vivo results showed that the ECM/GDF-5 scaffold significantly enhanced in situ cartilage repair.In conclusion, this study reports the construction of a new scaffold based on the concept of in situ regeneration, and we believe that our findings will provide a new treatment strategy for AC defect repair.

Enhanced photocatalytic activity of TiO2/graphene by tailoring oxidation degrees of graphene oxide for gaseous mercury removal

Yu Guan,Tao Hu,Jiang Wu,Lili Zhao,Fengguo Tian,Wei-Guo Pan,Ping He,Xuemei Qi,Fangqin Li,Kai Xu 한국화학공학회 2019 Korean Journal of Chemical Engineering Vol.36 No.1

We used a simple method of graphene oxide (GO) preparation with different oxidation levels, and control the properties of the TiO2 nanocrystals by tuning the content and oxidation degree of GO to enhance the photocatalytic performance. During the hydrothermal reaction, reduction of GO, formation of TiO2 and chemical bonds between TiO2 and reduced graphene oxide (RGO) was achieved simultaneously. Characterization results showed that TiO2 properties such as crystalline grain and particle size could be tailored by the amount of functional groups, and that crystallinity was also controlled by GO degrees of oxidation. TiO2/RGO photocatalysts showed great efficiency of mercury oxidation, which reached 83.7% and 43.6% under UV and LED light irradiation, respectively. The effects of crystalline grain size and surface chemical properties on Hg0 removal under LED and UV light irradiation were analyzed. In addition, the properties of the photocatalysts before and after UV illumination were investigated, finding that part of Ti-OH on TiO2 surface transformed to Ti-O-Ti. In a nutshell, this work could provide a new insight into enhancing activity of photocatalysts and understanding the photocatalytic mechanism.