8q24 rs4242382 Polymorphism is a Risk Factor for Prostate Cancer among Multi-Ethnic Populations: Evidence from Clinical Detection in China and a Meta-analysis

Zhao, Cheng-Xiao,Liu, Ming,Xu, Yong,Yang, Kuo,Wei, Dong,Shi, Xiao-Hong,Yang, Fan,Zhang, Yao-Guang,Wang, Xin,Liang, Si-Ying,Zhao, Fan,Zhang, Yu-Rong,Wang, Na-Na,Chen, Xin,Sun, Liang,Zhu, Xiao-Quan,Yuan Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.19

Background: Evidence supporting an association between the 8q24 rs4242382-A polymorphism and prostate cancer (PCa) risk has been reported in North American and Europe populations, though data from Asian populations remain limited. We therefore investigated this association by clinical detection in China, and meta-analysis in Asian, Caucasian and African-American populations. Materials and Methods: Blood samples and clinical information were collected from ethnically Chinese men from Northern China with histologically-confirmed PCa (n=335) and from age-matched normal controls (n=347). The 8q24 (rs4242382) gene polymorphism was genotyped by polymerase chain reaction-high-resolution melting analysis. We initially analyzed the associations between the risk allele and PCa and clinical covariates. A meta-analysis was then performed using genotyping data from a total of 1,793 PCa cases and 1,864 controls from our study and previously published studies in American and European populations, to determine the association between PCa and risk genotype. Results: The incidence of the risk allele was higher in PCa cases than controls (0.222 vs 0.140, $P=7.3{\times}10^{-5}$), suggesting that the 8q24 rs4242382-A polymorphism was associated with PCa risk in Chinese men. The genotypes in subjects were in accordance with a dominant genetic model (ORadj=2.03, 95%CI: 1.42-2.91, $Padj=1.1{\times}10^{-4}$). Presence of the risk allele rs4242382-A at 8q24 was also associated with clinical covariates including age at diagnosis ${\geq}65$ years, prostate specific antigen >10 ng/ml, Gleason score <8, tumor stage and aggressive PCa, compared with the non-risk genotype ($P=4.6{\times}10^{-5}-3.0{\times}10^{-2}$). Meta-analysis confirmed the association between 8q24 rs4242382-A polymorphism and PCa risk (OR=1.62, 95%CI: 1.39-1.88, $P=1.0{\times}10^{-5}$) across Asian, Caucasian and African American populations. Conclusions: The replicated data suggest that the 8q24 rs4242382-A variation might be associated with increased PCa susceptibility in Asian, Caucasian and African American populations. These results imply that this polymorphism may be a useful risk biomarker for PCa in multi-ethnic populations.

Proline, Sugars, and Antioxidant Enzymes Respond to Drought Stress in the Leaves of Strawberry Plants

Sun, Cunhua,Li, Xuehua,Hu, Yulong,Zhao, Pingyi,Xu, Tian,Sun, Jian,Gao, Xiali Korean Society of Horticultural Science 2015 원예과학기술지 Vol.33 No.5

Drought is a severe abiotic stress that affects global crop production. A drought model was created for 'Toyonoka' Fragaria ${\times}$ ananassa, and the effects of drought stress on contents of proline, sugars, and antioxidant enzyme activities were investigated. Strawberry transplants with identical growth were chosen for the experiments and the randomized design included four replications (10 plants per block). The experimental sets differed in the moisture level of the culture medium relative to the range of moisture content as follows: control, 70-85%; mild drought stress, 50-60%; moderate drought stress, 40-50%; and severe drought stress, 30-40%. Drought stress was imposed by limiting irrigation. Plants were sampled and physiological parameters w ere measured on 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 days after the commencement of droughts tress. The water potential of strawberry leaves decreased in the plants under mild, moderate, and severe stress during the course of the water stress treatment and exhibited a significant difference from the control. Strawberry leaves subjected to drought stress had higher accumulation of proline, sugars, and malondialdehyde, and higher activities of superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, and catalase than leaves of control plants. Malondialdehyde levels increased in parallel with the severity and duration of drought stress. By contrast, antioxidant enzyme activity displayed dynamic responses to drought stress, first increasing and subsequently decreasing as the severity and duration of drought stress increased. These results suggest that strawberry plants respond to drought stress by altering the activities of antioxidant enzymes and the levels of osmotically active metabolites. These biochemical response changes may confer adaptation to drought stress and improve the capacity of plants to withstand water-deficit conditions.

Dependence of the properties of hydrothermally grown ZnO on precursor concentration

Zhao, X.,Lee, J.Y.,Kim, C.-R.,Heo, J.,Shin, C.M.,Leem, J.-Y.,Ryu, H.,Chang, J.-H.,Lee, H.C.,Jung, W.-G.,Son, C.-S.,Shin, B.C.,Lee, W.-J.,Tan, S.T.,Zhao, J.,Sun, X. North-Holland 2009 Physica E, Low-dimensional systems & nanostructure Vol.41 No.8

This study evaluated the effects of precursor concentration ranging from 0.06 to 1.5M on the properties of hydrothermally grown ZnO on annealed ZnO buffered Si substrates. At relatively low concentrations (no more than 0.5M), well-aligned ZnO arrays were grown on ZnO/Si(100) due to heterogeneous nucleation. As the concentration was increased to 1.0M, the morphologies changed to randomly accumulated particles as a result of homogeneous nucleation. The crystal and optical properties of the materials were investigated by X-ray diffractometer (XRD) and photoluminescence (PL) measurement, respectively. It was found that the best crystal and optical properties were obtained with concentrations of 0.5 and 0.3M, respectively. These properties were observed to degrade when the concentration was raised to more than 1.0M.

OSCILLATION THEOREMS FOR CERTAIN SECOND ORDER NONLINEAR DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS

Sun, Yibing,Han, Zhenlai,Zhao, Ping,Sun, Ying The Korean Society for Computational and Applied M 2011 Journal of applied mathematics & informatics Vol.29 No.5

In this paper, we consider the oscillation of the following certain second order nonlinear differential equations $(r(t)(x^{\prime}(t))^{\alpha})^{\prime}+q(t)x^{\beta}(t)=0$>, where ${\alpha}$ and ${\beta}$ are ratios of positive odd integers. New oscillation theorems are established, which are based on a class of new functions ${\Phi}={\Phi}(t,s,l)$ defined in the sequel. Also, we establish some interval oscillation criteria for this equation.

The association between obesity and glaucoma in older adults: evidence from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study

Zhao Xiaohuan,Bo Qiyu,Sun Junran,Chen Jieqiong,Li Tong,Huang Xiaoxu,Zhou Minwen,Wang Jing,Liu Wenjia,Sun Xiaodong 한국역학회 2023 Epidemiology and Health Vol.45 No.-

Objectives: This study evaluated the association between obesity and glaucoma in middle-aged and older people. A population-based retrospective cohort study was conducted using data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study.Methods: Glaucoma was assessed via self-reports. Multivariate logistic regression analysis and a Cox proportional hazards model were used to assess the relationship between obesity and glaucoma risk.Results: Older men living in urban areas who were single, smokers, and non-drinkers were found to have a significantly higher incidence of glaucoma (all P<0.05). Diabetes, hypertension, and kidney disease were also associated with higher glaucoma risk, while dyslipidemia was associated with lower risk (all P<0.05). After the model was adjusted for demographic, socio-economic, and health-related variables, obesity was significantly associated with a 10.2% decrease in glaucoma risk according to the Cox proportional hazards model (hazard ratio, 0.898; 95% CI, 0.829-0.973) and an 11.8% risk reduction in the multivariate logistic regression analysis (odds ratio, 0.882; 95% CI, 0.803-0.968). A further subgroup analysis showed that obesity was associated with a reduced risk of glaucoma in people living in rural areas, in smokers, and in those with kidney disease (all P<0.05). Obesity also reduced glaucoma risk in people with diabetes, hypertension, or dyslipidemia more than in healthy controls (all P<0.05).Conclusions: This cohort study suggests that obesity was associated with a reduced risk of glaucoma, especially in rural residents, smokers, and people with kidney disease. Obesity exerted a stronger protective effect in people with diabetes, hypertension, or dyslipidemia than in healthy people.

Effect of the COMBDry Dewatering Process on Combustion Reactivity and Oxygen-Containing Functional Groups of Dried Lignite

Zhao, Yaying,Zhao, Guangbo,Sun, Rui,Liu, Hui,Wang, Zhuozhi,Sihyun, Lee,Kong, Ming American Chemical Society 2017 ENERGY AND FUELS Vol.31 No.4

<P>Two typical types of Chinese lignite samples were employed to investigate the coal drying characteristics of an innovative COMBDry lignite drying system. The drying rate increased significantly with an increase in drying temperature and ratio of the flue gas, to the lignite. Using a nitrogen adsorption instrument, it was found that the drying process promoted generation and enlargement of the surface pore structures of the particles, which can enhance coal combustion rate. A horizontally fixed bed furnace and a SIGNAL S4i pulsar NDIR (infrared (IR)) gas analyzers were used to investigate the combustion characteristics of coal samples after the drying treatment. In an attempt to analyze the variation in the sample surface chemical structure during the drying process, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectrometry and Raman spectroscopy were employed for the investigation. The results showed that the concentration of aliphatic hydrogen decreased with an increase in drying temperature and resulted from the decomposition of oxygen-containing complexes (released CO and CO2) and reaction with hydroxyl groups. The number of functional groups decreased when the drying temperature exceeded 210 degrees C. The amount of carbonyl and carboxylic esters initially increased and then (210 degrees C) decreased with an increase in flue gas temperature, and the content of aromatic carbon was unchanged with the treatment. The ordered crystalline carbon changed into the crystal defect structure and amorphous carbon and the degree of graphitization decreased and thus the combustion reactivity of the dried lignite was improved.</P>

Correlation between in vitro fertilization and artificial insemination in Holstein bulls

Sun Wei,Li Yunxia,Su Jie,Bao Xiangnan,Ding Rui,Zhao Gaoping,Cao Guifang,Hu Shuxiang,Wang Jianguo,Sun Qingyuan,Yu Haiquan,Li Xihe 아세아·태평양축산학회 2021 Animal Bioscience Vol.34 No.12

Objective: Owing to the lack of a breeding index for efficient and quick fertility evaluations of Holstein bulls when using traditional or genome-wide detection methods, this study aimed to determine whether in vitro fertilization (IVF) could be used as an indicator of conception rate of artificial insemination (AI).Methods: Conventional and sexed frozen semen from nine bulls were used for IVF and AI.Results: The IVF and AI conception rates of each bull were confirmed to be positively correlated between the conventional frozen and sexed frozen semen. The correlation coefficient R values of nine bulls between IVF and AI methods were 0.73 and 0.97 for the conventional frozen and sexed frozen semen, respectively. The average conception rate of three bulls undergoing AI was 69.5% and 64.2%, 61.8% and 58.8%, and 48.2% and 46.2% in first-, second-, and third-born cows when conventional frozen and sexed frozen semen were used, respectively, which showed a positive correlation with the fertilization rate in the same parity. We propose an evaluation standard to assess the fertilization ability of bulls based on their IVF test results, which is categorized into three grades: grade one, normal fertility bull with an AI conception rate of 40%±5% and IVF rate of 45% to 60%; grade two, higher fertility bull with an AI conception rate of 50%±5% and IVF rate of 61% to 80%; and grade three, highest fertility bull with an AI conception rate of 60%±5% and IVF rate of >80%.Conclusion: These findings reveal that IVF results can be used as a breeding index for bulls to evaluate their AI conception ability, which may shorten the time required to select bulls for breeding. Objective: Owing to the lack of a breeding index for efficient and quick fertility evaluations of Holstein bulls when using traditional or genome-wide detection methods, this study aimed to determine whether in vitro fertilization (IVF) could be used as an indicator of conception rate of artificial insemination (AI). Methods: Conventional and sexed frozen semen from nine bulls were used for IVF and AI. Results: The IVF and AI conception rates of each bull were confirmed to be positively correlated between the conventional frozen and sexed frozen semen. The correlation coefficient R values of nine bulls between IVF and AI methods were 0.73 and 0.97 for the conventional frozen and sexed frozen semen, respectively. The average conception rate of three bulls undergoing AI was 69.5% and 64.2%, 61.8% and 58.8%, and 48.2% and 46.2% in first-, second-, and third-born cows when conventional frozen and sexed frozen semen were used, respectively, which showed a positive correlation with the fertilization rate in the same parity. We propose an evaluation standard to assess the fertilization ability of bulls based on their IVF test results, which is categorized into three grades: grade one, normal fertility bull with an AI conception rate of 40%±5% and IVF rate of 45% to 60%; grade two, higher fertility bull with an AI conception rate of 50%±5% and IVF rate of 61% to 80%; and grade three, highest fertility bull with an AI conception rate of 60%±5% and IVF rate of >80%. Conclusion: These findings reveal that IVF results can be used as a breeding index for bulls to evaluate their AI conception ability, which may shorten the time required to select bulls for breeding.

A One-Step System for Convenient and Flexible Assembly of Transcription Activator-Like Effector Nucleases (TALENs)

Zhao Wu,Jinlong Zhao,Wenye Sun,Jing Liang,Jing Jiang 한국분자세포생물학회 2016 Molecules and cells Vol.39 No.9

Transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs) are powerful tools for targeted genome editing in diverse cell types and organisms. However, the highly identical TALE repeat sequences make it challenging to assemble TALEs using conventional cloning approaches, and multiple repeats in one plasmid are easily catalyzed for homologous recombination in bacteria. Although the methods for TALE assembly are constantly improving, these methods are not convenient because of laborious assembly steps or large module libraries, limiting their broad utility. To overcome the barrier of multiple assembly steps, we report a one-step system for the con-venient and flexible assembly of a 180 TALE module library. This study is the first demonstration to ligate 9 mono-/dimer modules and one circular TALEN backbone vector in a one step process, generating 9.5 to 18.5 repeat sequences with an overall assembly rate higher than 50%. This system makes TALEN assembly much simpler than the conventional cloning of two DNA fragments because this strategy combines digestion and ligation into one step using circular vectors and different modules to avoid gel extraction. Therefore, this system provides a convenient tool for the application of TALEN-mediated genome editing in scientific studies and clinical trials.

Green, Energy-efficient, Health and Comfort, the New Trend of Northeast Rural Residence - Taking Hai Gou Village, Acheng District, Harbin as an example -

Sun Shijun,Zhao Yun Duo 국제온돌학회 2013 International Journal of Ondol Vol.6 No.1

With the rapid development of the rural economy and vigorous promotion of energy-saving technologies, it is found through a field investigation that the new rural housing in the northeast of China shows new changes on green, energy-efficiency, health, comfort and beauty. The new rural housing mainly applied the technologies of composite energy-saving wall, double or three layers of glass energy saving windows and the roof benzene board insulation, heated in winter by Kang with the fuel of straw, corn stalks and other bio energy, which brings prominent energy-saving effect and the improved indoor environment significantly. The only or main function of the Kang is no longer the heating facilities in winter, but to play its unique benefits of comfort and health for sleep as a bed. the highlights of cultural traditions and customs in Cold rural area, the changes of the Kang are smaller and more exquisite. In the future, northeast rural housing should integrate the technolgies of residential structures, materials and kang further to promote rural sustainable development of society, economy.

AZD1480 Can Inhibit the Biological Behavior of Ovarian Cancer SKOV3 Cells in vitro

Sun, Zhao-Ling,Tang, Ya-Juan,Wu, Wei-Guang,Xing, Jun,He, Yan-Fang,Xin, De-Mei,Yu, Yan-Li,Yang, Yang,Han, Ping Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.8

Objective: To study the mechanism of effects of AZD1480 on the SKOV3 ovarian cancer cell line. Methods: The MTT method was used to assess cellular proliferation, flow cytometry for cellular apoptosis, the scratch test to determine migration, transwell chamber assays to detect cellular invasion, plate clone experiments to detect the clone forming ability and Western blotting to determine p-STAT3 protein levels. Results: The proliferation rate, migration ability, invasiveness and the clone forming ability of SKOV3 cells were reduced after treatment with AZD1480, while apoptosis rate and chemotherapeutic susceptibility were increased. After treatment with AZD1480 plus cisplatin, the apoptosis rate increased significantly while the expression level of p-STAT3 protein was decreased. Conclusion: AZD1480 can inhibit the proliferation, invasion, metastasis and clone formation of SKOV3 cells, induce cellulsar apoptosis, increase the chemotherapeutic sensitivity and reduce the expression level of p-STAT3 protein.