Expression of Pituitary Tumor Transforming Gene 1 is an Independent Factor of Poor Prognosis in Localized or Locally Advanced Prostate Cancer Cases Receiving Hormone Therapy

Cao, Xi-Liang,Gao, Jiang-Ping,Wang, Wei,Xu, Yong,Shi, Huai-Yin,Zhang, Xu Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.7

We investigated the prognostic value of pituitary tumor transforming gene 1 (PTTG1) expression according to clinicopathological features among localized or locally advanced prostate cancer cases receiving hormone therapy. A retrospective study involved 64 patients receiving combined androgen blockade treatment was performed. PTTG1 expression was determined by immunohistochemical staining using initial needle biopsy specimens for diagnosis. Associations of PTTG1 with various clinicopathological features and disease-free survival were examined via uni- and multivariate analyses. No association between PTTG1 expression and clinical T stage, Gleason score, pretreatment PSA levels, risk groups was found (p =0.682, 0.184, 0.487, 0.571, respectively). Univariate analysis revealed that increased PTTG1 expression, T3 stage and high risk group were associated with increased risk of disease progression (p =0.000, 0.042, and 0.001), and high PSA level had a tendency to predict disease progression (p =0.056). Cox hazard ratio analysis showed that PTTG1 low expression (p =0.002), PTTG1 high expression (p =0.000) and high risk group (p =0.0147) were significantly related to decreased disease-free survival. In conclusion, PTTG1 expression determined by immunohistochemical staining in needle biopsy specimens for diagnosis is a negative prognostic factor for progression in localized or locally advanced prostate cancer receiving hormone therapy.

Refolding Behavior of Urea-Induced Denaturation Collagen

Xu Wei,Yanqiu Zhao,Jingjing Zheng,Qin Cao,Sheng Li,Lang He,Benmei Wei,Juntao Zhang,Chengzhi Xu,Haibo Wang 한국고분자학회 2021 Macromolecular Research Vol.29 No.6

Exploration of the denaturation and refolding of natural collagen is important for the application of collagen and its denatured products. In this study, using urea as a denaturant, we prepared a denatured natural collagen product and analyzed its structural changes. The denaturation treatment severely destroyed the triple helix conformation of collagen, but had no significant effect on the primary structure of its α chains or the covalent cross-linking between α chains. Next, we observed the refolding behavior of the denatured collagen by removing urea through dialysis. We found that the denatured collagen products from different sources (grass carp skin, bovine tendon) all showed a reconstruction of the triple helix conformation up to 60-75% of the value of natural collagen during the refolding process. The telopeptide did not significantly promote triple helix reconstruction. In conclusion, the reconstruction of the α chains did not perfectly occur in a “head-to-head, tail-to-tail” manner in refolded collagen, as each α chain was participating in the reconstruction of multiple triple helix domains. The refolded collagen still had weak self-assembly ability and formed a unique network-like structure containing small interlaced and closely combined fibers, which shows favorable cell compatibility and potential applications.

Control of inflorescence architecture in tomato by BTB/POZ transcriptional regulators

Xu, Cao,Park, Soon Ju,Van Eck, Joyce,Lippman, Zachary B. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory 2016 Genes & development Vol.30 No.18

<P>Plant productivity depends on inflorescences, flower-bearing shoots that originate from the stem cell populations of shoot meristems. Inflorescence architecture determines flower production, which can vary dramatically both between and within species. In tomato plants, formation of multiflowered inflorescences depends on a precisely timed process of meristem maturation mediated by the transcription factor gene TERMINATING FLOWER (TMF), but the underlying mechanism is unknown. We show that TMF protein acts together with homologs of the Arabidopsis BLADE-ON-PETIOLE (BOP) transcriptional cofactors, defined by the conserved BTB (Broad complex, Tramtrack, and Bric-a-brac)/POZ (POX virus and zinc finger) domain. TMF and three tomato BOPs (S1BOPs) interact with themselves and each other, and TMF recruits S1BOPs to the nucleus, suggesting formation of a transcriptional complex. Like TMF, S1BOP gene expression is highest during vegetative and transitional stages of meristem maturation, and CRISPR/Cas9 elimination of S1BOP function causes pleiotropic defects, most notably simplification of inflorescences into single flowers, resembling tmf mutants. Flowering defects are enhanced in higher-order s1bop tmf mutants, suggesting that S1BOPs function with additional factors. In support of this, S1BOPs interact with TMF homologs, mutations in which cause phenotypes like sibop mutants. Our findings reveal a new flowering module defined by S1BOP TMF family interactions that ensures a progressive meristem maturation to promote inflorescence complexity.</P>

Effectively promote catalytic performance by adjusting W/Fe molar ratio of FeWx/Ce0.68Zr0.32O2 monolithic catalyst for NH3-SCR

Haidi Xu,Yuanshan Li,Baoqiang Xu,Yi Cao,Xi Feng,Mengmeng Sun,Maochu Gong,Yaoqiang Chen 한국공업화학회 2016 Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Vol.36 No.-

FeWx/Ce0.68Zr0.32O2 (x = 0, 0.35, 0.7, 1.03, 1.38) catalysts with different molar ratios (x) of W/Fe wereprepared for NH3-SCR. The experimental results showed that catalytic performances of catalysts wereobviously improved by adjusting the molar ratio of W/Fe. FeW1.03/Ce0.68Zr0.32O2 catalyst with W/Fe of1.03 displayed the best catalytic performance, it could obtain higher than 95% NOx conversion and nearly100% N2 selectivity in the temperature range of 250–435 8C. The characterization results indicated thatmore active species of Fe3+, chemical adsorbed oxygen species and surface acid sites would togethercontribute to the excellent NH3-SCR performance of FeW1.03/Ce0.68Zr0.32O2 catalyst.

Effect of Clogging on Large Strain Consolidation with Prefabricated Vertical Drains by Vacuum Pressure

Yupeng Cao,Jianwen Xu,Xia Bian,Guizhong Xu 대한토목학회 2019 KSCE JOURNAL OF CIVIL ENGINEERING Vol.23 No.10

Clogging will inevitably occur while using vacuum preloading method to process super-soft soils with high water content. How to quantitatively evaluate the effect of clogging on the consolidation behavior is a key issue to be solved. Based on NALSC (negative axisymmetric large-strain consolidation) model, considering the “internal clogging” and the “external clogging”, a calculation method by using parameter “clogging rate” to reflect clogging problem is proposed for single-well consolidation theory. Effects of clogging rate and clogging occurred time on Us (degree of consolidation defined by strain) and Up (degree of consolidation defined by stress) are investigated. Differences of the effect of clogging on consolidation degree are determined between large-strain and small-strain consolidation theory. The results show that, the larger the clogging rate, the smaller the degree of consolidation of the soil at the same consolidation time. Effect of clogging on Up is greater than Us. The earlier the clogging occurs, the smaller the degree of consolidation at the same clogging rate. Influences on the degree of consolidation for large-strain and small-strain theory are the same. Consolidation rate of soil is determined to a certain extent by the “generalized clogging parameter μ”. The “external clogging” has a greater influence on the degree of consolidation than the “internal clogging” at the same clogging rate.

Review : Construction of a Genetic System for Streptomyces albulus PD-1 and Improving Poly(ε-L-lysine) Production Through Expression of Vitreoscilla Hemoglobin

( Zhaoxian Xu ),( Changhong Cao ),( Zhuzhen Sun ),( Sha Li ),( Zheng Xu ),( Xiaohai Feng ),( Hong Xu ) 한국미생물 · 생명공학회 2015 Journal of microbiology and biotechnology Vol.25 No.11

Poly(ε-L-lysine) (ε-PL) is a novel bioactive polymer secreted by filamentous bacteria. Owing to lack of a genetic system for most ε-PL-producing strains, very little research on enhancing ε-PL biosynthesis by genetic manipulation has been reported. In this study, an effective genetic system was established via intergeneric conjugal transfer for Streptomyces albulus PD-1, a famous ε-PL-producing strain. Using the established genetic system, the Vitreoscilla hemoglobin (VHb) gene was integrated into the chromosome of S. albulus PD-1 to alleviate oxygen limitation and to enhance the biosynthesis of ε-PL in submerged fermentation. Ultimately, the production of ε-PL increased from 22.7 g/l to 34.2 g/l after fed-batch culture in a 5 L bioreactor. Determination of the oxygen uptake rate, transcriptional level of ε-PL synthetase gene, and ATP level unveiled that the expression of VHb in S. albulus PD-1 enhanced ε-PL biosynthesis by improving respiration and ATP supply. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on enhancing ε-PL production by chromosomal integration of the VHb gene in an ε-PL-producing strain, and it will open a new avenue for ε-PL production.

Damage and stiffness research on steel shape steel fiber reinforced concrete composite beams

Chao Xu,Kai Wu,Ping zhou Cao,Shi qi Lin,Teng fei Xu 사단법인 한국계산역학회 2019 Computers and Concrete, An International Journal Vol.24 No.6

In this work, an experimental research has been performed on Steel Fiber-Steel Reinforced Concrete (SFSRC)specimens subjected to four-point bending tests to evaluate the feasibility of mutual replacement of steel fibers and conventional reinforcement through studying failure modes, load-deflection curves, stiffness of characteristic points, stiffness degradation curves and damage analysis. The variables considered in this experiment included steel fiber volume percentage with and without conventional reinforcements (stirrups or steel fibers) with shear span depth ratios of S/D=2.5 and 3.5. Experimental results revealed that increasing the volume percentage of steel fiber decreased the creation and propagation of shear and bond cracks, just like shortening the stirrups spacing. Higher crack resistance and suturing ability of steel fiber can improve the stability of its bearing capacity. Both steel fibers and stirrups improved the stiffness and damage resistance of specimens where stirrups played an essential role and therefore, the influence of steel fibers was greatly weakened. Increasing S/D ratio also weakened the effect of steel fibers. An equation was derived to calculate the bending stiffness of SFSRC specimens, which was used to determine mid span deflection; the accuracy of the proposed equation was proved by comparing predicted and experimental results.

한나라 능묘석수(漢代陵墓石獸)의 예술적 품격과 조형적 특징에 관한 연구

조욱 ( Cao Xu ),엄혁용 ( Um Hyuk Yong ) 한국기초조형학회 2021 기초조형학연구 Vol.22 No.3

한나라 능묘석수(漢代陵墓石獸)는 중국 예술사에서 중요한 위치를 차지하고 있는 능묘 조각의 대표적인 부분이다. 그 가운데 서한 시대를 대표하는 곽거병 능묘석수(霍去病陵墓石獸)와 동한 시대의 종자묘 능묘석수(宗資墓陵墓石獸)는 고대 중국 조각의 시대적 특징뿐만 아니라, 중앙 아시아의 정치와 문화 및 주변 국가와 긴밀한 예술적 교류를 연구하는데 풍부한 학술적 가치를 지니고 있다. 이를 위하여 ‘한나라 능묘석수의 예술적 품격과 조형적 특징에 관한 연구’라는 제목으로 조각을 창작한 실천자의 관점에서 한나라 능묘 조각에 관한 연구를 전개하였다. 연구 방법은 기존의 선행연구와 사진 자료를 참고하며, 당시의 미학적 사상과 사회 발전의 배경을 토대로 조각기법과 조형적 양식 두 가지 측면에서 곽거병 능묘석수의 간결하고 소박한 아름다움, 그리고 종자묘 석수의 자유분방하고 우아한 아름다움을 비교분석하였다. 본 연구는 한나라 능묘 석수의 자연 조형미, 소박하지만 자유분방하고 우아한 예술적 품위와 당시의 정치적 배경, 미학 사상, 사회발전의 관계, 그리고 양한 시대 예술적 품격의 차이를 모색한 것을 목적으로 한다. 본 연구를 통해 한대 조각가들은 대상의 내재적 본질을 대단히 중시한 것을 알 수 있다. 그러므로 현대의 조각가들에게 작품의 내재적인 정신을 중시한 것이야말로 오늘날 우리가 본받아야 할 부분이라는 것을 인식시켜준다. 본 연구는 두 가지 의의를 결론으로 제시할 수 있다. 먼저 한나라 능묘석수의 실천 속 경험을 이론화했다. 둘째, 동양적인 예술 심미관의 가치를 조각 실천에 반영하여 하나의 시대적인 조각기법으로 구체화시키는 표현형식을 배울 수 있었다. As an important part of mausoleum sculpture, stone animals of mausoleum in Han Dynasty occupy an important position in the history of Chinese art. Among them, the stone animals of Huo Qubing's Mausoleum and Zongzi's Mausoleum not only have the characteristics of ancient Chinese sculpture, but also have rich academic value for studying the politics and culture of Central Asia and close artistic exchanges with neighboring countries. This research the topic of “Study on the Artistic Character and Modeling Characteristics of Stone Animals in Mausoleums of Han Dynasty”, the related research on Han Dynasty Mausoleum Sculpture is carried out from the perspective of sculpture practitioners. The research method is to refer to the existing research and picture materials, according to the aesthetic thought and social development background at that time, the simple beauty of the stone animals in Huo Qubing’s mausoleum and the free and unrestrained beauty of the stone animals in Zongzi’s mausoleum were compared from two aspects of sculpture techniques and modeling styles. This study aims to explore the relationship between the natural modeling beauty, simple but free and unrestrained, elegan artistic style of the mausoleum stone animals in Han Dynasty and the political background, aesthetic thought and social development at that time, as well as the differences in artistic styles between Eastern and Western Han Dynasty. Through this research, we can see that sculptors in Han Dynasty attached great importance to the inner essence of objects. Therefore this makes contemporary sculptors realize that pay more attention to the inner spirit is what we should emulate today. This research can put forward two meanings as conclusions. Firstly, the experience of stone animals in Han Dynasty mausoleum in practice is theorized. Secondly, we can learn a form of expression, reflect the value of oriental art aesthetics in sculpture practice, and make it a concrete sculpture technique that can be learned with the times.

A Large-Strain Vacuum-Assisted Radial Consolidation Model for Dredged Sludge considering Lateral Deformation

Yupeng Cao,Jing Zhang,Jianwen Xu,Guizhong Xu 대한토목학회 2020 KSCE JOURNAL OF CIVIL ENGINEERING Vol.24 No.12

A calculation model has been developed for large-strain radial consolidation incorporating lateral deformation in order to solve the problem of poor consolidation prediction for dredged sludge at high water content in vacuum preloading process. The differential solution for the proposed model is given, considering the effect of initial water content on the compression behavior. The model is suitable for unconsolidated soil and normally consolidated soil, which can take into account such factors as lateral deformation, varying compressibility and permeability coefficients, smearing effect, self-weight stress, negative pressure attenuation along the depth, etc. The proposed model is verified by comparing it with other existing theoretical solutions. Poisson's ratio (v) is used to reflect the influence of lateral deformation on soil consolidation. The results show that lateral deformation has an important influence on soil consolidation degree, especially on consolidation degree defined by stress (Up). The consolidation rate increases with the increase of v. The traditional equal-strain solution overestimates the consolidation rate of foundation. At the same normalized elevation, the void ratio increases while the excess pore water pressure decreases with the increase of v.

Loss of Pten synergizes with c-Met to promote hepatocellular carcinoma development via mTORC2 pathway

Zhong Xu,Junjie Hu,Hui Cao,Maria G Pilo,Antonio Cigliano,Zixuan Shao,Meng Xu,Silvia Ribback,Frank Dombrowski,Diego F Calvisi,Xin Chen 생화학분자생물학회 2018 Experimental and molecular medicine Vol.50 No.-

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a deadly malignancy with limited treatment options. Activation of the AKT/mTOR cascade is one of the most frequent events along hepatocarcinogenesis. mTOR is a serine/threonine kinase and presents in two distinct complexes: mTORC1 and mTORC2. While mTORC1 has been extensively studied in HCC, the functional contribution of mTORC2 during hepatocarcinogenesis has not been well characterized, especially in vivo. Pten expression is one of the major mechanisms leading to the aberrant activation of the AKT/mTOR signaling. Here, we show that concomitant downregulation of Pten and upregulation of c-Met occurs in a subset of human HCC, mainly characterized by poor prognosis. Using CRISPR-based gene editing in combination with hydrodynamic injection, Pten was deleted in a subset of mouse hepatocytes (sgPten). We found that loss of Pten synergizes with overexpression of c-Met to promote HCC development in mice (sgPten/c-Met). At the molecular level, sgPten/c-Met liver tumor tissues display increased AKT and mTOR signaling. Using Rictor conditional knockout mice, we demonstrate that sgPten/c-Met-driven HCC development strictly depends on an intact mTORC2 complex. Our findings therefore support the critical role of mTORC2 in hepatocarcinogenesis. sgPten/c-Met mouse model represents a novel valuable system that can be used for the development of targeted therapy against this deadly malignancy.