Immunization of BALB/c mice with Brucella abortus 2308DwbkA confers protection against wild-type infection

Zhi-qiang Li,Dan Gui,Zhi-hua Sun,Jun-bo Zhang,Wen-zhi Zhang,Hui Zhang,Fei Guo,Chuangfu Chen 대한수의학회 2015 Journal of Veterinary Science Vol.16 No.4

Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease that causes animal and human diseases. Vaccination is a major measure for prevention of brucellosis, but it is currently not possible to distinguish vaccinated animals from those that have been naturally infected. Therefore, in this study, we constructed the Brucella (B.) abortus 2380 wbkA mutant (2308DwbkA) and evaluated its virulence. The survival of 2308DwbkA was attenuated in murine macrophage (RAW 264.7) and BALB/c mice, and it induced high protective immunity in mice. The wbkA mutant elicited an anti-Brucella-specific immunoglobulin G response and induced the secretion of gamma interferon. Antibodies to 2308DwbkA could be detected in sera from mice, implying the potential for use of this protein as a diagnostic antigen. The WbkA antigen would allow serological differentiation between infected and vaccinated animals. These results suggest that 2308DwbkA is a potential attenuated vaccine against 16M. This vaccine will be further evaluated in sheep.

Deformation analyses during subway shield excavation considering stiffness influences of underground structures

Zhang, Zhi-guo,Zhao, Qi-hua,Zhang, Meng-xi Techno-Press 2016 Geomechanics & engineering Vol.11 No.1

Previous studies for soil movements induced by tunneling have primarily focused on the free soil displacements. However, the stiffness of existing structures is expected to alter tunneling-induced ground movements, the sheltering influences for underground structures should be included. Furthermore, minimal attention has been given to the settings for the shield machine's operation parameters during the process of tunnels crossing above and below existing tunnels. Based on the Shanghai railway project, the soil movements induced by an earth pressure balance (EPB) shield considering the sheltering effects of existing tunnels are presented by the simplified theoretical method, the three-dimensional finite element (3D FE) simulation method, and the in-situ monitoring method. The deformation prediction of existing tunnels during complex traversing process is also presented. In addition, the deformation controlling safety measurements are carried out simultaneously to obtain the settings for the shield propulsion parameters, including earth pressure for cutting open, synchronized grouting, propulsion speed, and cutter head torque. It appears that the sheltering effects of underground structures have a great influence on ground movements caused by tunneling. The error obtained by the previous simplified methods based on the free soil displacements cannot be dismissed when encountering many existing structures.

Efficient hole injection in blue organic light-emitting devices by using a double hole injection layer to improve chromaticity and electrical characteristics

Hua-Ping Lin,Fan Zhou,Xiao-Wen Zhang,Dong-Bin Yu,Jun Li,Liang Zhang,Xue-Yin Jiang,Zhi-Lin Zhang 한국물리학회 2011 Current Applied Physics Vol.11 No.3

A double hole injection layer consisting of Ag_2O//MoO_x was applied to a 4,40-bis (2,2-diphenylvinyl)-1,10-biphenyl-based blue organic light-emitting device (OLED). The hole current injection of the devicewas improved and the performance of the blue OLED was enhanced. We have observed that the insertion of such double layer leads to a striking improvement in chromaticity and electrical characteristics. This device showed much better chromaticity and less current-induced color shift as compared to the corresponding single hole injection layer counterparts. Using this strategy, a striking improvement in the electrical properties with lower driving voltage, higher power efficiency and a weak current-induced fluorescence quenching was achieved. This could be explained by the fact that an interlayer of Ag_2O//MoO_x provided a stepped energy level which greatly facilitated hole injection and hence enhanced injection current. The result is verified by using the J―V curves of ‘only’ devices and further explained with the help of Fowler-Nordheim (F-N) tunneling theory.

A high performance of BPhen-based white organic light-emitting devices with a dual-emitting layer and its electroluminescent spectral property

Hua-Ping Lin,Fan Zhou,Jun Li,Xiao-Wen Zhang,Dong-Bin Yu,Liang Zhang,Xue-Yin Jiang,Zhi-Lin Zhang 한국공업화학회 2011 Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Vol.17 No.4

This work demonstrated the fabrication of white organic light-emitting devices (WOLEDs) using a dual emitting layer (d-EML) consisting of blue and ‘white’ emitters. In this d-EML system, the blue emitter not only emits but also assists the incomplete energy transfer. More importantly, it behaves as an effective trapping site for holes, which contributes to the efficient recombination of electron–hole pairs. The d-EML was constructed between the hole-transmitting layer (HTL) and the electron-transmitting layer (ETL) of Alq3 and BPhen. The thickness of the blue emitter used in the d-EML devices has an important effect on chromaticity and efficiency. Through the optimization of device structure, the reasonable white emission with Commission Internationale de L’Eclairage (CIE) color coordinates of (0.33, 0.33) and little color shift was obtained. The device showed an applicable luminance with its maximum luminance of 22,874 cd/m2 at a driving voltage of 16 V. The maximum luminance efficiency was achieved 8.10 cd/A,and the maximum power efficiency was reached 5.07 Lm/W. The result is explained with the help of the excitons generation and diffusion theory. According to the theory of excitons generation and diffusion,an equation has been set up which concerns electroluminescent spectra to the thickness of the two emitters and to the exciton diffusion length.

Tax is Involved in Up-regulation of HMGB1 Expression Levels by Interaction with C/EBP

Zhang, Chen-Guang,Wang, Hui,Niu, Zhi-Guo,Zhang, Jing-Jing,Yin, Ming-Mei,Gao, Zhi-Tao,Hu, Li-Hua Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.1

The high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) protein is a multifunctional cytokine-like molecule that plays an important role in the pathogenesis of tumors. In this study, real-time polymerase chain reactions and Western blot assays indicated that HMGB1 transcriptional activity and protein level are increased in $Tax^+$-T cells (TaxP). To clarify the mechanisms, a series of HMGB1 deletion reporter plasmids (pHLuc1 to pHLuc6) were transfected into $Tax^-$-T cells (TaxN, Jurkat) and $Tax^+$-T cells (TaxP). We found that promoter activity in $Tax^+$-T cells to be higher than that in $Tax^-$-T cells, indicating a significant increase in pHLuc6. Bay11-7082 (NF-${\kappa}B$ inhibitor) treatment did not block the enhancing effect. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays revealed that Tax was retained on a HMGB1 promoter fragment encompassing -1163 to -975. Bioinformatics analysis showed six characteristic cis-elements for CdxA, AP-1, AML-1a, USF, v-Myb, and C/EBP in the fragment in question. Mutation of cis-elements for C/EBP reduced significant HMGB1 promoter activity induced by Tax. These findings indicate that Tax enhances the expression of HMGB1 gene at the transcriptional level, possibly by interacting with C/EBP.

Associations of hypoxia inducible factor-1a gene polymorphisms with susceptibility to digestive tract cancers: a case–control study and meta-analysis

Zhi-Hai Ni,Xian-Jun Liang,Jing-Gang Mo,Yi Zhang,Jian-Hua Liang,Yu-Sha Yang,Yong Zhou,Zhao-Hua Li,Jian-Liang Zhang,Yin-Lu Ding,Peng Zhang,Jin-Qing Wang 한국유전학회 2015 Genes & Genomics Vol.37 No.11

We aim to investigate the correlations of hypoxia inducible factor-1a (HIF-1a) C1772T (rs11549465) and G1790A (rs11549467) gene polymorphisms with digestive tract cancers. A sum of 267 digestive tract cancers patients were hospitalized in Taizhou Central Hospital of Zhejiang Province as case group between December 2012 and December 2014. Additionally, 275 healthy people who had a physical examination in our hospital at the same time were selected as control group. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism was utilized for detecting allele and genotype frequency of different locus in case and control group. Meta-analysis was performed using Comprehensive Metaanalysis 2.0 (Biostat Inc., Englewood, New Jersey, USA). Our result showed statistical significance only exists in family history of cancer between case and control group (P\0.05). Both C1772T (rs11549465) and G1790A (rs11549467) polymorphisms showed positive correlations with an increasing risk of digestive tract cancers. The frequencies of TT genotype of C1772T (rs11549465) and GA, AA genotypes of G1790A (rs11549467) polymorphisms in case group were evidently higher compared with the controls (all P\0.05). Besides, the comparison of allele and dominant models of HIF-1a C1772T (rs11549465) and G1790A (rs11549467) between two groups showed a significant difference (all P\0.05). Meta-analysis results further confirmed that the onset risk of digestive tract cancers may be improved under allele and dominant models of HIF-1a C1772T (rs11549465) and G1790A (rs11549467) (all P\0.05). Single nucleotide polymorphisms of HIF-1a C1772T (rs11549465) and G1790A (rs11549467) may play a role in development of digestive tract cancers.

Current Evidence on the Relationship Between Two Polymorphisms in the NBS1 Gene and Breast Cancer Risk: a Meta-analysis

Zhang, Zhi-Hua,Yang, Lin-Sheng,Huang, Fen,Hao, Jia-Hu,Su, Pu-Yu,Sun, Ye-Huan Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.11

Introduction: Published studies on the association between Nijmegen breakage syndrome 1(NBS1) gene polymorphisms and breast cancer risk have been inconclusive, and a meta-analysis was therefore performed for clarification. Methods: Eligible articles were identified by a search of MEDLINE and EMBASE bibliographic databases for the period up to March 2012. The presence of between-study heterogeneity was investigated using the chi-square-based Cochran's Q statistic test. When there was statistical heterogeneity, the random effects model was chosen; otherwise, fixed effects estimates were reported as an alternative approach. Results: A total of 11 eligible articles (14 case-control studies) were identified, nine case-control studies were for the 657del5 mutation (7,534 breast cancer cases, 14,034 controls) and five case-control studies were for the I171V mutation (3,273 breast cancer cases, 4,004 controls). Our analysis results indicated that the 657del5 mutation was associated with breast cancer risk (carriers vs. non-carriers: pooled OR =2.63, 95% CI: 1.76-3.93), whereas the I171V mutation was not (carriers vs. non-carriers: pooled OR =1.52, 95% CI: 0.70-3.28). Conclusion: The present meta-analysis suggests that the 657del5 gene mutation in the NBS1 gene plays a role in breast cancer risk, while the I171V mutation does not exert a significant influence.

基于公司治理和财务指标的综合财务预警模型研究

?志花(Zhang, Zhi Hua),金春洙(Kim, Chun Soo) 한국국제회계학회 2014 국제회계연구 Vol.0 No.58

The root cause of the financial distress is in the imperfect corporate governance, which leads to a series of agency problems that endanger the healthy development of the enterprise, even to make enterprise fall into financial difficulties. This essay analyzed the reason for corporate"s falling into financial distress, and introduced governance factors into previous financial forecast warning model, compared the validity of combined financial forecast warning model and previous model. The results are as follows: firstly, in the governance factors, the ownership concentration, the size of the board of directors, independent director number, the meeting times of board of director and board of supervisor and management compensation are negatively related to the probability of financial distress, and CEO duality is positively related to the probability of financial distress. Secondly, at the early stage of financial difficulties, Compared with financial analysis index, the warning model based on governance factors have higher fitting degree and prediction accuracy, and the prediction ability of the warning model based on financial analysis index is gradually increased while the financial difficulties draw near. Thirdly, the fitting degree of combined financial forecast warning model based on corporate governance and financial analysis index is higher than that of the previous model. Especially in the early stage of financial difficulties, the higher prediction ability of governance factors will compensate the limitations of the warning model based on financial analysis index. The results of this study will have important significance for companies to find financial risk more accurately and earlier, and provide empirical evidence for improving the financial crisis forecasting mechanism and investor protection.

Transmembrane Helix of Novel Oncogene with Kinase-Domain (NOK) Influences Its Oligomerization and Limits the Activation of RAS/MAPK Signaling

Ying-Hua Li,Yin-Yin Wang,Shan Zhong,Zhi-Li Rong,Yong-Ming Ren,Zhi-Yong Li,Shu-Ping Zhang,Zhi-Jie Chang,Li Liu 한국분자세포생물학회 2009 Molecules and cells Vol.27 No.1

Ligand-dependent or independent oligomerization of receptor protein tyrosine kinase (RPTK) is often an essential step for receptor activation and intracellular signaling. The novel oncogene with kinase-domain (NOK) is a unique RPTK that almost completely lacks an ectodomain, expresses intracellularly and activates constitutively. However, it is unknown whether NOK can form oligomer or what function oligomerization would have. In this study, two NOK deletion mutants were generated by either removing the ectodomain (NOKECD) or including the endodomain (NOK-ICD). Co-immunoprecipitation demonstrated that the transmembrane (TM) domain of NOK was essential for its intermolecular interaction. The results further showed that NOK aggregated more closely as lower order oligomers (the dimer- and trimer-sized) than either deletion mutant did since NOK could be cross-linked by both Sulfo-EGS and formaldehyde, whereas either deletion mutant was only sensitive to Sulfo-EGS. Removing the NOK TM domain (NOK-ICD) not only markedly promoted higher order oligomerization, but also altered the subcellular localization of NOK and dramatically elevated the NOK-mediated constitutive activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK). Moreover, NOK-ICD but not NOK or NOKECD was co-localized with the upstream signaling molecule RAS on cell membrane. Thus, TM-mediated intermolecular contacting may be mainly responsible for the constitutive activation of NOK and contribute to the autoinhibitory effect on RAS/MAPK signaling.

기업수명주기별 경영자 행위가 기업성과에 미치는 영향

장지화(Zhang Zhi Hua),김민지(Kim Min Ji) 글로벌경영학회 2017 글로벌경영학회지 Vol.14 No.5

기업경영에서 경영자의 의사결정은 기업의 생존과 발전에 있어서 결정적 역할을 한다. 특히 대리인 이론에 의한 대리인의 행위와 행동경제학 분야에서 연구해온 경영자 과신행위가 가장 주목받고 있다. 본 연구에서는 기업수명주기의 시각에서 경영자 행위가 기업성과에 미치는 영향을 분석하였다. 기업수명주기를 성장기, 성숙기, 쇠퇴기로 구분하여 대리인 이론에 의한 대리인 행위와 행동경제학에 의한 경영자 과신행위가 기업성과에 어떠한 영향을 미치는가를 분석하고, 각 단계별로 어떠한 차이점이 존재하는가를 알아보기 위하여 다음과 같이 연구를 진행하였다. 첫째, 2007년도부터 2014년도까지 중국의 상해증권거래소와 심천증권거래소에 상장된 A주 상장회사를 대상으로 성장기, 성숙기, 쇠퇴기 각 단계별로 대리인 행위와 경영자의 과신행위가 기업성과에 미치는 영향을 분석하였다. 둘째, 경영자 행위의 통제적 장치로 역할을 하고 있는 기업지배구조 요인을 모형에 넣어서 회귀분석에 실행할 때 경영자 행위와 기업성과 간의 관계가 달라지는가를 알아보았다. 분석 결과, 경영자의 대리인 행위는 성장기와 성숙기에 기업성과에 유의한 부(-)의 영향을 미치고, 경영자 과신행위는 성장기, 성숙기, 쇠퇴기에 기업성과에 유의한 부(-)의 영향을 미치는 것으로 나타났다. 또한 지배구조변수를 연구모형에 넣었을 때, 대리인 행위와 기업성과의 부(-)의 관계는 강해지고, 과신행위와 기업성과의 부(-)의 관계는 약해지는 것으로 나타났다. 즉 기업지배구조가 경영자 과신행위에 대한 통제효과는 존재하지만, 대리인 행위에 대한 통제효과는 나타나지 않았다. The manager s decision making has a huge impact on the firm s survival and development in the enterprise management. Researchers examined that there are two types of managerial behavior that have impact manager s decision making. One is the opportunistic behavior based on the agency theory. The other is the overconfident behavior which is proposed by behavioral economics. In this paper, we study the effect of the managerial behavior on firm performance at the sight of the corporate life cycle stage. Our study aimed to examine the relationship between the managerial behavior and firm performance in different corporate life cycle stage, and analyzed how the relationship between managerial behavior and firm performance changed under the regulation of corporate governance. First, we selected firms that issued A stock and listed on China s Shanghai and Shenzhen Stock Exchanges between 2007~2014 to analyze the impact of managerial behavior to firm performance in different corporate life cycle stage. Second, we analyzed the regulating effect of corporate governance on the relationship between managerial behavior and firm performance. As a result, it is confirmed that there are significant negative relationship between managerial agency behavior and firm performance in growth and maturity stage, and significant negative relationship between overconfident behavior and firm performance in growth and maturity and decline stage. When the model included corporate governance, the relation between managerial agency behavior and firm performance strengthened, and the relation between overconfident behavior and firm performance weakened. That means, corporate governance can regulate overconfident behavior, but not managerial agency behavior.