Experimental study on axial compressive behavior of hybrid FRP confined concrete columns

Li-Juan Li,Lan Zeng,Shun-De Xu,Yong-Chang Guo 사단법인 한국계산역학회 2017 Computers and Concrete, An International Journal Vol.19 No.4

In this paper, the mechanical property of CFRP, BFRP, GFRP and their hybrid FRP was experimentally studied. The elastic modulus and tensile strength of CFRP, BFRP, GFRP and their hybrid FRP were tested. The experimental results showed that the elastic modulus of hybrid FRP agreed well with the theoretical rule of mixture, which means the property of hybrid composites are linear with the volumes of the corresponding components while the tensile strength did not. The bearing capacity, peak strain, stress-strain relationship of circular concrete columns confined by CFRP, BFRP, GFRP and hybrid FRP subjected to axial compression were recorded. And the confinement effect of hybrid FRP on concrete columns was analyzed. The test results showed that the bearing capacity and ductility of concrete columns were efficiently improved through hybrid FRP confinement. A strength model and a stress-strain relationship model of hybrid FRP confined concrete columns were proposed. The proposed stress-strain model was shown to be capable of providing accurate prediction of the axial compressive strength of hybrid FRP confined concrete compared with Teng et al. (2002) model, Karbhari and Gao (1997) model and Miyachi et al. (1999) model. The modified stress-strain model was also suitable for single FRP confinement cases and it was so concise in form and didn't have piecewise fitting, which would be easy for use in structural design.

Celastrol, produced by Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F. enhances defense response in cucumber seedlings against diverse environmental stresses

Li-jun Zhu,Xing-guang Deng,Li-juan Zou,Peng-xu Li,Jun-qiang Wu,Da-wei Zhang,Honghui Lin 한국식물학회 2017 Journal of Plant Biology Vol.60 No.1

Celastrol is an active triterpenoid compound isolated from Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F.. Many reports have highlighted that celastrol is an effective, safe and desirable approach to the treatment of cancers. However, their biological function during environmental stresses in plants is rarely reported. In the present study, the effects of celastrol on the tolerance against high light (HL), polyethylene glycol (PEG) and cold stress in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) were investigated. Celastrol pretreatment could enhance cucumber seedlings stress tolerance at a concentration of 1 μg ml–1. The results showed that pretreatment with 1 μg ml–1 celastrol clearly induced the activities of antioxidative enzymes, which subsequently alleviated stress-induced oxidative damage in plant cells. We also provided evidence that celastrol upregulated ABA biosynthetic gene NCED2 expression and ABA accumulation in cucumber seedlings, which resulted to the enhanced tolerance in response to environmental stresses. Furthermore, the celastrol-pretreated seedlings showed less photosystem damaged caused by the stress conditions, when compared with the control. Therefore, our findings provide a novel role of celastrol in plant against environmental stresses and indicate that the celastrol-induced activities of antioxidative enzymes and ABA content might contribute to the stress tolerance.

Evaluation of Anterior Ethmoidal Artery by 320-Slice CT Angiography with Comparison to Three-Dimensional Spin Digital Subtraction Angiography: Initial Experiences

Juan Ding,Gang Sun,Yang Lu,Bing-bing Yu,Min Li,Li Li,Guo-ying Li,Zhao-hui Peng,Xu-Ping Zhang 대한영상의학회 2012 Korean Journal of Radiology Vol.13 No.6

Objective: To explore the usefulness of 320-slice CT angiography (CTA) for evaluating the course of the anterior ethmoidal artery (AEA) and its relationship with adjacent structures by using three-dimensional (3D) spin digital subtraction angiography (DSA) as standard reference. Materials and Methods: From December 2008 to December 2010, 32 patients with cerebrovascular disease, who underwent both cranial 3D spin DSA and 320-slice CTA within a 30 day period from each other, were retrospectively reviewed. AEA course in ethmoid was analyzed in DSA and CTA. In addition, adjacent bony landmarks (bony notch in medial orbital wall, anterior ethmoidal canal, and anterior ethmoidal sulcus) were evaluated with CTA using the MPR technique oriented along the axial, coronal and oblique coronal planes in all patients. The dose length product (DLP) for CTA and the dose-area product (DAP) for 3D spin DSA were recorded. Effective dose (ED) was calculated. Results: The entire course of the AEA was seen in all 32 cases (100%) with 3D spine DSA and in 29 of 32 cases (90.1%) with 320-slice CTA, with no significant difference (p = 0.24). In three cases where AEA was not visualized on 320-slice CTA, two were due to the dominant posterior ethmoidal artery, while the remaining case was due to diminutive AEA. On MPR images of 320-slice CT, a bony notch in the orbital medial walls was detected in all cases (100%, 64 of 64); anterior ethmoidal canal was seen in 28 of 64 cases (43.8%), and the anterior ethmoidal sulcus was seen in 63 of 64 cases (98.4%). The mean effective dose in CTA was 0.6 ± 0.25 mSv, which was significantly lower than for 3D spin DSA (1.3 ± 0.01 mSv) (p < 0.001). Conclusion: 320-slice CTA has a similar detection rate for AEA to that of 3D spin DSA; however, it is noninvasive, and may be preferentially used for the evaluation of AEA and its adjacent bony variations and pathologic changes in preoperative patients with paranasal sinus diseases. Objective: To explore the usefulness of 320-slice CT angiography (CTA) for evaluating the course of the anterior ethmoidal artery (AEA) and its relationship with adjacent structures by using three-dimensional (3D) spin digital subtraction angiography (DSA) as standard reference. Materials and Methods: From December 2008 to December 2010, 32 patients with cerebrovascular disease, who underwent both cranial 3D spin DSA and 320-slice CTA within a 30 day period from each other, were retrospectively reviewed. AEA course in ethmoid was analyzed in DSA and CTA. In addition, adjacent bony landmarks (bony notch in medial orbital wall, anterior ethmoidal canal, and anterior ethmoidal sulcus) were evaluated with CTA using the MPR technique oriented along the axial, coronal and oblique coronal planes in all patients. The dose length product (DLP) for CTA and the dose-area product (DAP) for 3D spin DSA were recorded. Effective dose (ED) was calculated. Results: The entire course of the AEA was seen in all 32 cases (100%) with 3D spine DSA and in 29 of 32 cases (90.1%) with 320-slice CTA, with no significant difference (p = 0.24). In three cases where AEA was not visualized on 320-slice CTA, two were due to the dominant posterior ethmoidal artery, while the remaining case was due to diminutive AEA. On MPR images of 320-slice CT, a bony notch in the orbital medial walls was detected in all cases (100%, 64 of 64); anterior ethmoidal canal was seen in 28 of 64 cases (43.8%), and the anterior ethmoidal sulcus was seen in 63 of 64 cases (98.4%). The mean effective dose in CTA was 0.6 ± 0.25 mSv, which was significantly lower than for 3D spin DSA (1.3 ± 0.01 mSv) (p < 0.001). Conclusion: 320-slice CTA has a similar detection rate for AEA to that of 3D spin DSA; however, it is noninvasive, and may be preferentially used for the evaluation of AEA and its adjacent bony variations and pathologic changes in preoperative patients with paranasal sinus diseases.

Upregulation of PITX2 Promotes Letrozole Resistance Via Transcriptional Activation of IFITM1 Signaling in Breast Cancer Cells

Ying-ying Xu,Hai-ru Yu,Jia-yi Sun,Zhao Zhao,Shuang Li,Xin-feng Zhang,Zhi-xuan Liao,Ming-ke Cui,Juan Li,Chan Li,Qiang Zhang 대한암학회 2019 Cancer Research and Treatment Vol.51 No.2

Purpose Although the interferon  (IFN) signaling and the paired-like homeodomain transcription factor 2 (PITX2) have both been implicated in the progression of breast cancer (BCa), it remains obscure whether these two pathways act in a coordinated manner. We therefore aimed to elucidate the expression and function of PITX2 during the pathogenesis of endocrine resistance in BCa. Materials and Methods PITX2 expression was assessed in BCa tissues using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and immunohistochemistry and in experimentally induced letrozole-resistant BCa cells using RT-qPCR and immunoblotting. Effects of PITX2 deregulation on BCa progression was determined by assessing MTT, apoptosis and xenograft model. Finally, using multiple assays, the transcriptional regulation of interferon-inducible transmembrane protein 1 (IFITM1) by PITX2 was studied at both molecular and functional levels. Results PITX2 expression was induced in letrozole-resistant BCa tissues and cells, and PITX2 induction by IFN signaling powerfully protected BCa cells against letrozole insult and potentiated letrozole-resistance. Mechanistically, PITX2 enhanced IFN-induced AKT activation by transactivating the transcription of IFITM1, thus rendering BCa cells unresponsive to letrozoleelicited cell death. Additionally, ablation of IFITM1 expression using siRNA substantially abolished IFN-elicited AKT phosphorylation, even in the presence of PITX2 overexpression, thus sensitizing BCa cells to letrozole treatment. Conclusion These results demonstrate that constitutive upregulation of PITX2/IFITM1 cascade is an intrinsic adaptive mechanism during the pathogenesis of letrozole-resistance, and modulation of PITX2/IFITM1 level using different genetic and pharmacological means would thus have a novel therapeutic potential against letrozole resistance in BCa.

Hydrogen peroxide is involved in abscisic acid-induced adventitious rooting in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) under drought stress

Xue-Ping Li,Qing-Qing Xu,Wei-Biao Liao,Zhan-Jun Ma,Xiao-Ting Xu,Meng Wang,Peng-Ju Ren,Li-Juan Niu,Xin Jin,Yong-Chao Zhu 한국식물학회 2016 Journal of Plant Biology Vol.59 No.5

Abscisic acid (ABA) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) are important regulatory factors involved in plant development under adversity stress. Here, the involvement of H2O2 in ABA-induced adventitious root formation in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) under drought stress was determined. The results indicated that exogenous ABA or H2O2 promoted adventitious rooting under drought stress, with a maximal biological response at 0.5 μM ABA or 800 μM H2O2. The promotive effects of ABA-induced adventitious rooting under drought stress were suppressed by CAT or DPI, suggesting that endogenous H2O2 might be involved in ABA-induced adventitious rooting. ABA increased relative water content (RWC), leaf chlorophyll content, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters (Fv/Fm, ΦPS II and qP), water soluble carbohydrate (WSC) and soluble protein content, and peroxidase (POD), polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and indoleacetate oxidase (IAAO) activities, while decreasing transpiration rate. However, the effects of ABA were inhibited by H2O2 scavenger CAT. Therefore, H2O2 may be involved in ABA-induced adventitious root development under drought stress by stimulating water and chlorophyll content, chlorophyll fluorescence, carbohydrate and nitrogen content, as well as some enzyme activities.

Identification, fine mapping and characterization of Rht-dp, a recessive wheat dwarfing (reduced height) gene derived from Triticum polonicum

Hou-Yang Kang,Li-Juan Lin,Zhi-Jian Song,Jing-Ya Yuan,Mei-Yu Zhong,Hai-Qin Zhang,Xing Fan,Li-Na Sha,Yi Wang,Li-Li Xu,Jian Zeng,Yong-Hong Zhou 한국유전학회 2012 Genes & Genomics Vol.34 No.5

Semi-dwarfism is an agronomically important trait in breeding for resistance to damage by wind and rain (lodging resistance)and for stable high yields. Dwarf Polish wheat (Triticum polonicum L., 2n = 4x = 28, AABB AS304) is a potential donor of dwarfing and other traits for common wheat improvement. A genetic analysis using an F2 population derived from a cross of AS304 and tall cultivar AS302 and derived F2:3 lines indicated that AS304 carries a recessive dwarfing gene, temporarily designated Rht-dp. Molecular markers and bulked segregant analysis were used to characterize and map the gene. Eight polymorphic SSR markers (Xwmc511, Xgwm495, Xgwm 113, Xgwm192, Xgpw7026, Xgpw3017, Xgpw1108 and Xgpw7521) on chromosome arm 4BS and two AFLP markers (M8/E5 and M4/E3) were mapped relative to the dwarfing locus. The closest linked markers, Xgpw3017 and M8/E5 at 0.5 and 3.5 cM, respectively, from Rht-dp will enable its marker assisted transfer to wheat breeding populations. Allelic tests indicated that Rht-dp was allelic to Rht-B1b; hence it may be an alternative allele at the Rht-B1 locus.

Role of Preferential Words in Language Formation

Juan Li,Zhaojin Xu,Zhongwei Wu,Lianzhong Zhang 한국물리학회 2012 THE JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN PHYSICAL SOCIETY Vol.61 No.1

The Naming Game (NG) describes the emergence of conventions and shared lexicons in a population of agents interacting in a pairwise fashion. In this work, we introduce a new yet simple speakers’ rule into a minimal Naming Game where the speaker is more likely to choose the successful word in her earlier history and to convey it to the hearer. We find that the convergence time decreases with the increasing weight of successful words, which indicates that preferential selection of successful words may accelerate the reaching of consensus.

<i>Sinomicrobium oceani</i> gen. nov., sp. nov., a member of the family <i>Flavobacteriaceae</i> isolated from marine sediment

Xu, Ying,Tian, Xin-Peng,Liu, Yu-Juan,Li, Jie,Kim, Chang-Jin,Yin, Hao,Li, Wen-Jun,Zhang, Si International Union of Microbiological Societies 2013 International journal of systematic and evolutiona Vol.63 No.3

<P>A marine bacterium, designated SCSIO 03483<SUP>T</SUP>, was isolated from a marine sediment sample collected from the Nansha Islands in the South China Sea. The strain produced roundish colonies with diffusible yellow-coloured pigment on nutrient agar medium or marine agar 2216. Optimal growth occurred in the presence of 0–4 % (w/v) NaCl, at pH 7.0 and a temperature range of 28–37 °C. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that the isolate belonged to the family <I>Flavobacteriaceae</I> and showed relatively high sequence similarity with <I>Imtechella halotolerans</I> K1<SUP>T</SUP> (92.7 %). Phylogenetic analysis based on nearly complete 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that the isolate shared a lineage with members of the genera <I>Imtechella</I>, <I>Joostella</I> and <I>Zhouia</I>. Phospholipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, two unidentified aminolipids and three unknown polar lipids. The major respiratory quinone was MK-6 and the major fatty acids were iso-C<SUB>15 : 0</SUB>, iso-C<SUB>17 : 0</SUB> 3-OH and summed feature 3 (C<SUB>16 : 1</SUB>ω6<I>c</I>/C<SUB>16 : 1</SUB>ω7<I>c</I>). The DNA G+C content of strain SCSIO 03483<SUP>T</SUP> was 38.4 mol%. On the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and molecular data, strain SCSIO 03483<SUP>T</SUP> represents a novel species in a new genus in the family <I>Flavobacteriaceae</I>, for which the name <I>Sinomicrobium oceani</I> gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of <I>Sinobacterium oceani</I> is SCSIO 03483<SUP>T</SUP> ( = KCTC 23994<SUP>T</SUP> = CGMCC 1.12145<SUP>T</SUP>).</P>

Lack of Prognostic Value of Human Epidermal Growth Factor- Like Receptor 2 Status in Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC): a Meta-analysis

Li, Xiu-Juan,Zha, Quan-Bin,Xu, Xin-Yu,Xia, Lei,Zhang, Zhe,Ren, Zhao-Jun,Tang, Jin-Hai Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.22

Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is a rare, aggressive form of breast cancer which is more likely to be her-2/neu amplified. While the her-2/neu status has been utilised to predict prognosis, the published data are inconsistent. The present meta-analysis was conducted to determine whether the her-2/neu status predicts outcomes. Papers were selected from the PubMed database based on defined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Parameters such as total patients, follow-up time and outcome statistics (i.e. overall survival (OS), relapse-free survival (RFS) were collected. The analysis included 6 studies with 2,838 IBC patients. The summary hazards ratio (HR) estimating the association of OS with HER-2-positive disease was 0.96 (95% confidence interval (95%CI: 0.85-1.10)), with similar findings for RFS (HR=0.81, 95%CI: 0.61-1.09). No obvious statistical heterogeneity was detected. This meta-analysis suggests that HER-2-positive status is not an independent adverse prognostic factor for survival among IBC patient cases.

Apoptosis induction by alantolactone in breast cancer MDA-MB- 231 cells through reactive oxygen species-mediated mitochondrion-dependent pathway

Li Cui,Weiquan Bu,Jie Song,Liang Feng,Tingting Xu,Dan Liu,Wenbo Ding,Jianhua Wang,Changyang Li,Binge Ma,Yi Luo,Ziyu Jiang,Chengcheng Wang,Juan Chen,Jian Hou,Hong-mei Yan,Lei Yang,Xiao-bin Jia 대한약학회 2018 Archives of Pharmacal Research Vol.41 No.3

Alantolactone is a sesquiterpene lactone isolatedfrom Inula helenium L. Although alantolactone possessesanti-inflammation and apoptosis-induction activities, theunderlying mechanism of anti-cancer effect on humanbreast cancer cells remains largely unknown. In this study,we explored the possibility of alantolactone as an apoptosis-inducing cytotoxic agent using MDA-MB-231 cells asin vitro model. Alantolactone significantly induced itsapoptosis, demonstrated by cell cycle analysis, annexinV-APC/7-AAD double staining and dUTP nick end labeling. Additionally, alantolactone triggered the mitochondrial-mediated caspase cascade apoptotic pathway, whichwas confirmed by increased Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, loss of MMP,release of cytc from mitochondria to cytoplasm, activationof caspase 9/3, and subsequent cleavage of PARP. Z-VADFMKpartially prevented apoptosis induced by alantolactone. Alantolactone provoked the production of ROS, whileNAC (a scavenger of ROS) reversed alantolactone-mediateddepolarization of MMP and apoptosis. Alantolactonemodulated the activities of MAPKs. As expected, cotreatmentwith SB203580, SP600125 or U0126 could reducedthe apoptotic rate. Furthermore, alantolactone decreasedthe protein expressions of p-NF-kB p65 and p-STAT3,increased p-c-Jun level in a dose-dependent manner. Thesefindings suggested that alantolactone possessed anticanceractivity via ROS-mediated mitochondrial dysfunctioninvolving MAPK pathway, and had an effect on the transcriptionfactors of NF-kB, AP-1 and STAT3.