Parkinson’s Disease with Fatigue: Clinical Characteristics and Potential Mechanisms Relevant to α-Synuclein Oligomer

Li-Jun Zuo,Shu-Yang Yu,Fang Wang,Yanghui Xia,Ying-Shan Piao,Yang Du,Teng-Hong Lian,Rui-Dan Wang,Qiu-Jin Yu,Ya-Jie Wang,Xiao-Min Wang,Piu Chan,Sheng-Di Chen,Yongjun Wang,Wei Zhang 대한신경과학회 2016 Journal of Clinical Neurology Vol.12 No.2

Background and Purpose The aim of this study was to identify the clinical characteristics and potential mechanisms relevant to pathological proteins in Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients who experience fatigue. Methods PD patients (n=102) were evaluated using a fatigue severity scale and scales for motor and nonmotor symptoms. The levels of three pathological proteins—α-synuclein oligomer, β-amyloid (Aβ)1-42, and tau—were measured in 102 cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from these PD patients. Linear regression analyses were performed between fatigue score and the CSF levels of the above-listed pathological proteins in PD patients. Results The frequency of fatigue in the PD patients was 62.75%. The fatigue group had worse motor symptoms and anxiety, depression, and autonomic dysfunction. The CSF level of α-synuclein oligomer was higher and that of Aβ1-42 was lower in the fatigue group than in the non-fatigue group. In multiple linear regression analyses, fatigue severity was significantly and positively correlated with the α-synuclein oligomer level in the CSF of PD patients, after adjusting for confounders. Conclusions PD patients experience a high frequency of fatigue. PD patients with fatigue have worse motor and part nonmotor symptoms. Fatigue in PD patients is associated with an increased α-synuclein oligomer level in the CSF

Time-varying physical parameter identification of shear type structures based on discrete wavelet transform

Wang, Chao,Ren, Wei-Xin,Wang, Zuo-Cai,Zhu, Hong-Ping Techno-Press 2014 Smart Structures and Systems, An International Jou Vol.14 No.5

This paper proposed a discrete wavelet transform based method for time-varying physical parameter identification of shear type structures. The time-varying physical parameters are dispersed and expanded at multi-scale as profile and detail signal using discrete wavelet basis. To reduce the number of unknown quantity, the wavelet coefficients that reflect the detail signal are ignored by setting as zero value. Consequently, the time-varying parameter can be approximately estimated only using the scale coefficients that reflect the profile signal, and the identification task is transformed to an equivalent time-invariant scale coefficient estimation. The time-invariant scale coefficients can be simply estimated using regular least-squares methods, and then the original time-varying physical parameters can be reconstructed by using the identified time-invariant scale coefficients. To reduce the influence of the ill-posed problem of equation resolving caused by noise, the Tikhonov regularization method instead of regular least-squares method is used in the paper to estimate the scale coefficients. A two-story shear type frame structure with time-varying stiffness and damping are simulated to validate the effectiveness and accuracy of the proposed method. It is demonstrated that the identified time-varying stiffness is with a good accuracy, while the identified damping is sensitive to noise.

New Safrole Oxide Derivatives: Synthesis and in vitro Antiproliferative Activities on A549 Human Lung Cancer Cells

Wang, Li-Ying,Wang, Xiu-Hua,Tan, Jia-Lian,Xia, Shuai,Sun, Heng-Zhi,Shi, Jin-Wen,Jiang, Ming-Dong,Fang, Liang,Zuo, Hua,Dupati, Gautam,Jang, Kiwan,Shin, Dong-Soo Korean Chemical Society 2012 Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society Vol.33 No.11

A number of novel small molecules, safrole oxide derivatives 4a-c, 6a-c, 9a-h, were synthesized by the reaction of safrole oxide with anilines 3 and 5, or its alkyl allyl ether derivative 7 with alkyl bromide 8 in moderate yields. The antiproliferative effects of all the target molecules on A549 cell growth were investigated and it was found that the 14 novel compounds could suppress A549 lung cancer cell growth. Among them, compound 6b was the most effective compound in inhibiting the proliferation of A549 cells.

AN ULTRA-LUMINOUS QUASAR AT <i>z</i> = 5.363 WITH A TEN BILLION SOLAR MASS BLACK HOLE AND A METAL-RICH DLA AT <i>z</i> ∼ 5

Wang, Feige,Wu, Xue-Bing,Fan, Xiaohui,Yang, Jinyi,Cai, Zheng,Yi, Weimin,Zuo, Wenwen,Wang, Ran,McGreer, Ian D.,Ho, Luis C.,Kim, Minjin,Yang, Qian,Bian, Fuyan,Jiang, Linhua IOP Publishing 2015 ASTROPHYSICAL JOURNAL LETTERS - Vol.807 No.1

<P>We report the discovery of an ultra-luminous quasar J030642.51+185315.8 (hereafter J0306+1853) at redshift 5.363, which hosts a supermassive black hole with M-BH = (1.07 +/- 0.27) x 10(10) M-circle dot. With an absolute magnitude M-1450 = -28.92 and a bolometric luminosity L-bol similar to 3.4 x 10(14) L-circle dot, J0306+1853 is one of the most luminous objects in the early universe. It is not likely to be a beamed source based on its small flux variability, low radio loudness, and normal broad emission lines. In addition, a z = 4.986 damped Ly alpha system (DLA) with [M/H] = -1.3 +/- 0.1, among the most metal-rich DLAs at z greater than or similar to 5, is detected in the absorption spectrum of this quasar. This ultra-luminous quasar puts strong constraints on the bright end of the quasar luminosity function and massive end of the black hole mass function. It will provide a unique laboratory for the study of BH growth and the co-evolution between a BH and the host galaxy with multi-wavelength follow-up observations. The future high-resolution spectra will give more insight into the DLA and other absorption systems along the line of sight of J0306+1853.</P>

COMMON FIXED POINTS FOR COMPATIBLE MAPPINGS OF TYPE(A) IN 2-METRIC SPACES

Wang, Wen Zuo 호남수학회 2000 호남수학학술지 Vol.22 No.1

In this paper we obtain a criterion for the existence of a common fixed point of a pair of mappings in 2-metric spaces. Our result generalizes a number of fixed point theorems given by Imdad, Khan and Khan [1], Kahn and Fisher [2], Kubiak [3], Rhoades [5], and Singh, Tiwari and Gupta [6].

Evaluation of Different Yeast Species for Improving In vitro Fermentation of Cereal Straws

Wang, Zuo,He, Zhixiong,Beauchemin, Karen A.,Tang, Shaoxun,Zhou, Chuanshe,Han, Xuefeng,Wang, Min,Kang, Jinhe,Odongo, Nicholas E.,Tan, Zhiliang Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2016 Animal Bioscience Vol.29 No.2

Information on the effects of different yeast species on ruminal fermentation is limited. This experiment was conducted in a $3{\times}4$ factorial arrangement to explore and compare the effects of addition of three different live yeast species (Candida utilis 1314, Saccharomyces cerevisiae 1355, and Candida tropicalis 1254) at four doses (0, $0.25{\times}10^7$, $0.50{\times}10^7$, and $0.75{\times}10^7$ colony-forming unit [cfu]) on in vitro gas production kinetics, fiber degradation, methane production and ruminal fermentation characteristics of maize stover, and rice straw by mixed rumen microorganisms in dairy cows. The maximum gas production (Vf), dry matter disappearance (IVDMD), neutral detergent fiber disappearance (IVNDFD), and methane production in C. utilis group were less (p<0.01) than other two live yeast supplemented groups. The inclusion of S. cerevisiae reduced (p<0.01) the concentrations of ammonia nitrogen ($NH_3$-N), isobutyrate, and isovalerate compared to the other two yeast groups. C. tropicalis addition generally enhanced (p<0.05) IVDMD and IVNDFD. The $NH_3$-N concentration and $CH_4$ production were increased (p<0.05) by the addition of S. cerevisiae and C. tropicalis compared with the control. Supplementation of three yeast species decreased (p<0.05) or numerically decreased the ratio of acetate to propionate. The current results indicate that C. tropicalis is more preferred as yeast culture supplements, and its optimal dose should be $0.25{\times}10^7$ cfu/500 mg substrates in vitro.

The Influence of Construction Scheme of Asymmetric Three-Cabin Utility Tunnelling on the Surface Settlement Behaviour

Zuo Chun Li,Gui He Wang,Jun Wei Hao,Yao Zhou,Xiao Yang Wang,Heng Xuan,Feng Huang 대한토목학회 2021 KSCE JOURNAL OF CIVIL ENGINEERING Vol.25 No.9

The asymmetric three-cabin structure is one of the favourite choices in urban utility tunnel engineering, as it can provide a higher space utilization and clearer classification for pipelines. However, few work has been done on utility tunnel in such special cross-section during undercutting construction until now. Besides, as the loose soil layers such as sand and silt are often encountered during the utility tunnelling, its influence on surface settlement become one of the main concerns. This study focuses on the influence of the construction scheme on the surface settlement details for an asymmetric three-cabin utility tunnel. A 3D finite element method (FEM) model was established including both the stratum and a utility tunnel based on the Beijing Daxing International Airport (BDIA) Expressway Urban Utility Tunnel project. With this model, the behaviour of the surface settlement with the undercutting construction of the utility tunnel was investigated, and the causes and values of surface settlement in five construction stages were analyzed. By changing the construction spacing and sequence of mid and side cabins, the surface settlement and structural deformation were compared. The numerical results demonstrated a strong correlation between the cross-section shape and surface settlement characteristics. And the symmetry line of the surface settlement trough was offset by 1 m to the side with the larger cross-section. The second (excavation of upper bench in mid-cabin) and fourth (excavation of upper bench in side-cabin) stages caused the largest surface settlement, which were 41.9% and 18.07% of the total settlement, respectively. In addition, after optimizing the field tunnelling scheme, the surface settlement was reduced by 31.9% using the side-tunnel first construction sequence. The proposed numerical model is able to predict the settlement characteristics in each construction stage, which is important and provides a basis for further studies on the surface settlement mechanism and optimal design of the asymmetric three-cabin utility tunnelling scheme.

A Study on BMPR-IB Genes of Bayanbulak Sheep

Zuo, Beiyao,Qian, Hongguang,Wang, Ziyu,Wang, Xu,Nisa, Noor,Bayier, Aierdin,Ying, Shijia,Hu, Xiaolong,Gong, Changhai,Guo, Zhiqin,Wang, Feng Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2013 Animal Bioscience Vol.26 No.1

The average twin lambing rate of Bayanbulak sheep is 2% to 3%. However, a flock of sheep with a close genetic relationship and an average of 2 to 3 lambs per birth has been found recently. To determine the major genes controlling the prolificacy of the flock in the present study, the flock was designated A while 100 normal Bayanbulak sheep were randomly selected to comprise the control flock B. Ligase detection reaction method was applied to detect and analyze the 10 mutational loci of the 3 candidate prolificacy genes including bone morphogenetic protein type I receptors, bone morphogenetic protein 15, and growth differentiation factor 9. The 10 mutational loci are as follows: FecB locus of the BMPR-IB gene; $FecX^I$, $FecX^B$, $FecX^L$, $FecX^H$, $FecX^G$, and $FecX^R$ of the BMP15 gene; and G1, G8, and FecTT of the GDF9 gene. Two mutations including BMPR-IB/FecB and GDF9/G1 were found in Bayanbulak sheep. Independence test results of the two flocks demonstrate that the FecB locus has a significant effect on the lambing number of Bayanbulak sheep. However, the mutation frequency of the G1 locus in GDF9 is very low. Independence test results demonstrate that the GDF9 locus does not have a significant impact on the lambing performance of Bayanbulak sheep. Among the 10 detected loci, BMPR-IB/FecB is the major gene that influences the high lambing rate of Bayanbulak sheep.

A general method for active surface adjustment of cable net structures with smart actuators

Zuo-Wei Wang,Tuan-Jie Li 국제구조공학회 2015 Smart Structures and Systems, An International Jou Vol.16 No.1

Active surface adjustment of cable net structures is becoming significant when large-size cable net structures are widely applied in various fields, especially in satellite antennas. A general-duty adjustment method based on active cables is proposed to achieve active surface adjustment or surface profile reconfiguration of cable net structures. Piezoelectric actuators and voice coil actuators are selected for constructing active cable structures and their simplified mechanical models are proposed. A bilevel optimization model of active surface adjustment is proposed based on the nonlinear static model established by the direct stiffness method. A pattern search algorithm combined with the trust region method is developed to solve this optimization problem. Numerical examples of a parabolic cable net reflector are analyzed and different distribution types of active cables are compared.

Damage detection of nonlinear structures with analytical mode decomposition and Hilbert transform

Zuo-Cai Wang,Dong Geng,Wei-Xin Ren,Guang-Feng Zhang,Gen-Da Chen 국제구조공학회 2015 Smart Structures and Systems, An International Jou Vol.15 No.1

This paper proposes an analytical mode decomposition (AMD) and Hilbert transform method for structural nonlinearity quantification and damage detection under earthquake loads. The measured structural response is first decomposed into several intrinsic mode functions (IMF) using the proposed AMD method. Each IMF is an amplitude modulated-frequency modulated signal with narrow frequency bandwidth. Then, the instantaneous frequencies of the decomposed IMF can be defined with Hilbert transform. However, for a nonlinear structure, the defined instantaneous frequencies from the decomposed IMF are not equal to the instantaneous frequencies of the structure itself. The theoretical derivation in this paper indicates that the instantaneous frequency of the decomposed measured response includes a slowly-varying part which represents the instantaneous frequency of the structure and rapidly-varying part for a nonlinear structure subjected to earthquake excitations. To eliminate the rapidly-varying part effects, the instantaneous frequency is integrated over time duration. Then the degree of nonlinearity index, which represents the damage severity of structure, is defined based on the integrated instantaneous frequency in this paper. A one-story hysteretic nonlinear structure with various earthquake excitations are simulated as numerical examples and the degree of nonlinearity index is obtained. Finally, the degree of nonlinearity index is estimated from the experimental data of a seven-story building under four earthquake excitations. The index values for the building subjected to a low intensity earthquake excitation, two medium intensity earthquake excitations, and a large intensity earthquake excitation are calculated as 12.8%, 23.0%, 23.2%, and 39.5%, respectively.