Bone Marrow Adiposity, Bone Mineral Density and Wnt/β-catenin Pathway Inhibitors Levels in Hemodialysis Patients

Yue-Pei Wang,Nada Khelifi,Cyrille de Halleux,Roth-Visal Ung,France Samson,Claudia Gagnon,Fabrice Mac-Way 대한골대사학회 2022 대한골대사학회지 Vol.29 No.2

Background: Marrow adipose tissue (MAT) is known to accumulate in patients with chronic kidney disease. This pilot study aimed to evaluate bone mineral density (BMD), MAT, visceral adipose tissue (VAT), and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) using computed tomography (CT) scans and to explore correlations between bone parameters, circulating Wnt/β-catenin pathway inhibitor levels, and adipose tissue parameters. Methods: Single-center cross-sectional pilot study conducted in hemodialysis patients at the Centre Universitaire de Québec, Hôtel-Dieu de Québec hospital, Canada. CT-scan slices were acquired at the levels of the hip, L3 vertebra, and tibia. Volumetric and areal BMD, tibia cortical thickness, VAT and SAT area, and fat marrow index (FMI) were analyzed using the Mindways QCT Pro software. Blood levels of sclerostin, dickkopf-related protein 1 (DKK1), fibroblast growth factor 23, and α-Klotho were assessed. Spearman’s rho test was used to evaluate correlations. Results: Fifteen hemodialysis patients (median age, 75 [66–82] years; 80% male; dialysis vintage, 39.3 [27.4–71.0] months) were included. While inverse correlations were obtained between L3 FMI and BMD, positive correlations were found between proximal tibial FMI and vertebral and tibial BMD, as well as with tibial (proximal and distal) cortical thickness. VAT had a positive correlation with α-Klotho levels, whereas L3 FMI had a negative correlation with DKK1 levels. Conclusions: CT-scan allows simultaneous evaluation of bone and marrow adiposity in dialysis patients. Correlations between MAT and BMD vary depending on the bone site evaluated. DKK1 and α-Klotho levels correlate with adipose tissue accumulation in dialysis patients.

Possible Epithelial Ovarian Cancer Association with HPV18 or HPV33 Infection

Zhang, Pei-Pei,Zhou, Lei,Cao, Jia-Shi,Li, Yi-Ping,Zeng, Zhi,Sun, Ni,Shen, Li,Zhu, Hao-Yue,Ruan, Yang,Zha, Wen-Ting,Wang, Xin-Yu,Zhang, Ke-Qiang,Zhang, Ran Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2016 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.17 No.6

The present study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of HPV infection in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) in Hunan province. DNA samples were collected from paraffin embedded ovarian tissue from 322 patients with EOC, 99 with ovarian benign tumors and 199 normal persons. The polymerase chain reaction and direct sequencing were used to identify the HPV types in the samples. The relationship between the infection of human papillomavirus (HPV) and the epithelial ovarian carcinoma (EOC) was investigated combined with clinical data. The prevalence of HPV18 and HPV33 in EOC group and benign group was higher than in the normal group. HPV18 and HPV33 may play a role in the development of both EOC and ovarian benign tumor and may participate in the development of EOC with traditional risk factors, family history and abortion, possibly exerting synergistic effects.

Peptidoglycans Promotes Human Leukemic THP-1 Cell Apoptosis and Differentiation

Wang, Di,Xiao, Pei-Ling,Duan, Hua-Xin,Zhou, Ming,Liu, Jin,Li, Wei,Luo, Ke-Lin,Chen, Jian-Jun,Hu, Jin-Yue Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.12

The innate immune system coordinates the inflammatory response to pathogens. To do so, its cells must discriminate self from non-self utilizing receptors that identify molecules synthesized exclusively by microbes. Toll-like receptors have a crucial role in the detection of microbial infection in mammals and insects. In mammals, they have evolved to recognize conserved products unique to microbial metabolism. These include lipopolysaccharide (LPS), lipotechoic acids, and peptidoglycans (PGN). We show here that TLRs, including TLR2, are expressed on the THP-1 human leukemia cell line. Activation of TLR2 signaling in THP-1 by PGN induces the synthesis of various soluble factors and proteins including interleukin-$1{\beta}$, interleukin-8 and TNF-${\alpha}$ and apoptosis of THP-1 with PGN dose and time dependence. Moreover, in this study we show that PGN induces apoptosis of THP-1 cells in a TNF-${\alpha}$-dependent manner. These findings indicate that TLR2 signaling results in a cascade leading to tumor apoptosis and differentiation, which may suggest new clinical prospects using TLR2 agonists as cytotoxic agents in certain cancers.

Protective association of Klotho rs495392 gene polymorphism against hepatic steatosis in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease patients

Wen-Yue Liu,Xiaofang Zhang,Gang Li,Liang-Jie Tang,Pei-Wu Zhu,Rafael S. Rios,Kenneth I. Zheng,Hong-Lei Ma,Xiao-Dong Wang,Qiuwei Pan,Robert J. de Knegt,Luca Valenti,Mohsen Ghanbari,Ming-Hua Zheng 대한간학회 2022 Clinical and Molecular Hepatology(대한간학회지) Vol.28 No.2

Background/Aims: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is closely associated with metabolic dysfunction. Among the multiple factors, genetic variation acts as important modifiers. Klotho, an enzyme encoded by the klotho (KL) gene in human, has been implicated in the pathogenesis of metabolic dysfunctions. However, the impact of variants in KL on NAFLD risk remains poorly understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of KL rs495392 C>A polymorphism on the histological severity of NAFLD. Methods: We evaluated the impact of the KL rs495392 polymorphism on liver histology in 531 Chinese with NAFLD and replicated that in the population-based Rotterdam Study cohort. The interactions between the rs495392, vitamin D, and patatin-like phospholipase domain containing 3 (PNPLA3) rs738409 polymorphism were also analyzed. Results: Carriage of the rs495392 A allele had a protective effect on steatosis severity (odds ratio [OR], 0.61; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.42–0.89; P=0.010) in Chinese patients. After adjustment for potential confounders, the A allele remained significant with a protective effect (OR, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.45–0.98; P=0.040). The effect on hepatic steatosis was confirmed in the Rotterdam Study cohort. Additional analysis showed the association between serum vitamin D levels and NAFLD specifically in rs495392 A allele carriers, but not in non-carriers. Moreover, we found that the rs495392 A allele attenuated the detrimental impact of PNPLA3 rs738409 G allele on the risk of severe hepatic steatosis. Conclusions: The KL rs495392 polymorphism has a protective effect against hepatic steatosis in patients with NAFLD.

An Effective Guidewire Looping Technique for the Recanalization of Occlusive Segments of Infrapopliteal Vessels

Jian-bo Wang,Jun-gong Zhao,Ming-hua Li,Yue-qi Zhu,Jue Wang,Pei-lei Zhang 대한영상의학회 2010 Korean Journal of Radiology Vol.11 No.4

Objective: To determine the efficacy, safety and primary follow-up results of a guidewire looping technique for the treatment of infrapopliteal arteries. Materials and Methods: From October 2006 to May 2008, an intraluminal angioplasty of the infrapopliteal arteries was attempted in 200 consecutive patients. Altogether, 417 infrapopliteal lesions, with lengths varying from 2 cm to 32 cm, were treated as part of this study, including 305 lesions in the anterior tibial arteries, 89 in the posterior tibial arteries, and 23 in the peroneal arteries. The ‘U’-shaped guidewire technique was attempted in 393 lesions from 361 limbs. The tip of a hydrophilic 0.035-inch guidewire was formed into a ‘U’ shape with the aid of a 4-Fr catheter and collateral branch vessel to recanalize the completely occluded long segment lesions. Results: A successful angioplasty with at least one artery recanalized directly to the malleolar or dorsal foot was achieved in 322 limbs (89%). The looping technique had a success rate of 90% (352 of 393 lesions). After the procedure, the rest pain was relieved in 58 of 69 patients, while 207 of 245 limbs (85%) showed improvement for intermittent claudication. Complete wound healing was noted in 21 of 54 patients, while 20 of 54 patients showed an improvement in the wound size or depth. A total of 38 major immediate procedure-related complications were noted, including retroperitoneal hematoma, distal emboli, and vessel rupture. Conclusion: The results of this study suggests that the guidewire looping technique is a safe and effective method for the recanalization of the occluded lesions in infrapopliteal vessels. Objective: To determine the efficacy, safety and primary follow-up results of a guidewire looping technique for the treatment of infrapopliteal arteries. Materials and Methods: From October 2006 to May 2008, an intraluminal angioplasty of the infrapopliteal arteries was attempted in 200 consecutive patients. Altogether, 417 infrapopliteal lesions, with lengths varying from 2 cm to 32 cm, were treated as part of this study, including 305 lesions in the anterior tibial arteries, 89 in the posterior tibial arteries, and 23 in the peroneal arteries. The ‘U’-shaped guidewire technique was attempted in 393 lesions from 361 limbs. The tip of a hydrophilic 0.035-inch guidewire was formed into a ‘U’ shape with the aid of a 4-Fr catheter and collateral branch vessel to recanalize the completely occluded long segment lesions. Results: A successful angioplasty with at least one artery recanalized directly to the malleolar or dorsal foot was achieved in 322 limbs (89%). The looping technique had a success rate of 90% (352 of 393 lesions). After the procedure, the rest pain was relieved in 58 of 69 patients, while 207 of 245 limbs (85%) showed improvement for intermittent claudication. Complete wound healing was noted in 21 of 54 patients, while 20 of 54 patients showed an improvement in the wound size or depth. A total of 38 major immediate procedure-related complications were noted, including retroperitoneal hematoma, distal emboli, and vessel rupture. Conclusion: The results of this study suggests that the guidewire looping technique is a safe and effective method for the recanalization of the occluded lesions in infrapopliteal vessels.

Experimental Characterization and Computational Modelling for Fatigue Behavior of a Ni-Based Single Crystal Alloy Considering Surface Roughness

J. J. Wang,Z. X. Wen,Y. M. Zhang,Y. Q. Yang,H. Q. Pei,Z. F. Yue 대한금속·재료학회 2021 METALS AND MATERIALS International Vol.27 No.11

Using a combination of tests and numerical simulations, the fatigue behaviors of a Ni-based single crystal (SC) alloy withdifferent surface roughnesses (SRs) are studied. The test results demonstrate that the fatigue life decreases with increasingSR, while the strain accumulation shown an opposite trend. Surface defects can give rise to the nucleation, aggregationand growth of surface cracks, which are the principal inducement of fatigue failure. Finite element models of the actualsurface topography were established, and the notched plate models whose modelling parameters were determined by theSR parameters ( Rz , Rsm , Ra ) were used to equivalently simplify, the equivalent errors are within 5%. In addition, a semiempiricalformula between the surface stress concentration factor ( Kt ) and the SR parameters was fitted. By introducing theKt expressed by the SR parameters into a fatigue damage model based on crystal plasticity theory, a fatigue life predictionmethod of a Ni-based SC alloy that considers SR was established, and it has been verified to exhibit excellent consistencywith the test results.

Antiarrhythmic effects of ginsenoside Rg2 on calcium chloride-induced arrhythmias without oral toxicity

Dongxia Gou,Xuejing Pei,Jiao Wang,Yue Wang,Chenxing Hu,Chengcheng Song,Sisi Cui,Yifa Zhou 고려인삼학회 2020 Journal of Ginseng Research Vol.44 No.5

Background: Malignant arrhythmias require drug therapy. However, most of the currently available antiarrhythmic drugs have significant side effects. Ginsenoside Rg2 exhibits excellent cardioprotective effects and appears to be a promising candidate for cardiovascular drug development. So far, the oral toxicity and antiarrhythmic effects of Rg2 have not been evaluated. Methods: Acute oral toxicity of Rg2 was assessed by the Limit Test method in mice. Subchronic oral toxicity was determined by repeated dose 28-day toxicity study in rats. Antiarrhythmic activities of Rg2 were evaluated in calcium chloride-induced arrhythmic rats. Antiarrhythmic mechanism of Rg2 was investigated in arrhythmic rats and H9c2 cardiomyocytes. Results: The results of toxicity studies indicated that Rg2 exhibited no single-dose (10 g/kg) acute oral toxicity. And 28-day repeated dose treatment with Rg2 (1.75, 3.5 and 5 g/kg/d) demonstrated minimal, if any, subchronic toxicity. Serum biochemical examination showed that total cholesterol in the high-dose cohort was dramatically decreased, whereas prothrombin time was increased at Day 28, suggesting that Rg2 might regulate lipid metabolism and have a potential anticoagulant effect. Moreover, pretreatment with Rg2 showed antiarrhythmic effects on the rat model of calcium chloride induced arrhythmia, in terms of the reduced duration time, mortality, and incidence of malignant arrhythmias. The antiarrhythmic mechanism of Rg2 might be the inhibition of calcium influx through L-type calcium channels by suppressing the phosphorylation of Ca<SUP>2+</SUP>/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II. Conclusion: Our findings support the development of Rg2 as a promising antiarrhythmic drug with fewer side effects for clinical use.

Selection signature reveals genes associated with susceptibility loci affecting respiratory disease due to pleiotropic and hitchhiking effect in Chinese indigenous pigs

Xu, Zhong,Sun, Hao,Zhang, Zhe,Zhang, Cheng-Yue,Zhao, Qing-bo,Xiao, Qian,Olasege, Babatunde Shittu,Ma, Pei-Pei,Zhang, Xiang-Zhe,Wang, Qi-Shan,Pan, Yu-Chun Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2020 Animal Bioscience Vol.33 No.2

Objective: Porcine respiratory disease is one of the most important health problems causing significant economic losses. To understand the genetic basis for susceptibility to swine enzootic pneumonia (EP) in pigs, we detected 102,809 single nucleotide polymorphisms in a total of 249 individuals based on genome-wide sequencing data. Methods: Genome comparison of susceptibility to swine EP in three pig breeds (Jinhua, Erhualian, and Meishan) with two western lines that are considered more resistant (Duroc and Landrace) using cross-population extended haplotype homozygosity and F-statistic (F_ST) statistical approaches identified 691 positively selected genes. Based on quantitative trait loci, gene ontology terms and literature search, we selected 14 candidate genes that have convincible biological functions associated with swine EP or human asthma. Results: Most of these genes were tested by several methods including transcription analysis and candidate genes association study. Among these genes: cytochrome P450 1A1 and catenin beta 1 (CTNNB1) are involved in fertility; transforming growth factor beta receptor 3 plays a role in meat quality traits; Wnt family member 2, CTNNB1 and transcription factor 7 take part in adipogenesis and fat deposition simultaneously; plasminogen activator, urokinase receptor (completely linked to AXL receptor tyrosine kinase, r² = 1) plays an essential role in the successful ovulation of matured oocytes in pigs; colipase like 2 (strongly linked to SAM pointed domain containing ETS transcription factor, r² = 0.848) is involved in male fertility. Conclusion: These adverse genes susceptible to swine EP may be selected while selecting for economic traits (especially reproduction traits) due to pleiotropic and hitchhiking effect of linked genes. Our study provided a completely new point of view to understand the genetic basis for susceptibility or resistance to swine EP in pigs thereby, provides insight for designing sustainable breed selection programs. Finally, the candidate genes are crucial due to their potential roles in respiratory diseases in a large number of species, including human.