Prognostic Significance of Hes-1, a Downstream Target of Notch Signaling in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Zou, Jing-Huai,Xue, Tong-Chun,Sun, Chun,Li, Yan,Liu, Bin-Bin,Sun, Rui-Xia,Chen, Jie,Ren, Zheng-Gang,Ye, Sheng-Long Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.9

Background: Hairy and enhancer of split 1 (Hes-1) protein is a downstream target of Notch signaling and is a basic helix-loop-helix transcriptional repressor. However, definitive evidence for a role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells has not been reported. Here, Hes-1 was revealed to an important component of the Notch signaling cascade in HCC cell lines possessing different potential for lung metastasis. Materials and Methods: RNAi mediated by plasmid constructs was used to analyze the role of Hes-1 in MHCC-97L HCC cells by assessing proliferation, apoptosis, cell migration and matrigel invasion following transfection. Hes-1 protein expression analysis in HCC tissue was also conducted by immunohistochemistry. Results: Our studies revealed that Hes-1 was decreased in HCC cell lines with higher lung metastasis potential at both the mRNA and protein levels. Down-regulation of the Hes-1 gene in MHCC-97L cells resulted in increased cell proliferation, reduced apoptosis and increased migration and invasion. Conclusions: Hes-1 has potential prognostic value in post-surgical HCC patients and may be an independent prognostic indicator for overall survival and tumor recurrence. These findings have important implications for understanding the mechanisms by which Hes-1 participates in tumor proliferation and invasion.

Verification of MacAdam Data

Jing Liang,Ming Ronnier Luo,Maria Georgoula,Nianyu Zou 한국색채학회 2017 AIC 2017 Jeju Vol.2017 No.10

MacAdam data have been well known in the colour-difference research field. It has been used for defining the tolerance for the white lights in the lighting industry. This paper describes two separate experiments carried out at Leeds university (UK) and Zhejiang university (China) respectively. Both experiments were conducted to assess colour-differences using Eizo displays using the ratio method. Each centre included 21 samples assessed against a grey and a black background, respectively. The difference between the two experiments are the sample pair used. Leeds university had all samples selected from CIE u’v’ chromaticity diagram and Zhejiang university selected from CIELAB space. These data were used to test colour difference equations and colour spaces. The result should that both present datasets disagreed with MacAdam data greatly.

Influences of seepage force and out-of-plane stress on cavity contracting and tunnel opening

Zou, Jin-Feng,Chen, Kai-Fu,Pan, Qiu-Jing Techno-Press 2017 Geomechanics & engineering Vol.13 No.6

The effects of seepage force and out-of-plane stress on cavity contracting and tunnel opening was investigated in this study. The generalized Hoek-Brown (H-B) failure criterion and non-associated flow rule were adopted. Because of the complex solution of pore pressure in an arbitrary direction, only the pore pressure through the radial direction was assumed in this paper. In order to investigate the effect of out-of-plane stress and seepage force on the cavity contraction and circular tunnel opening, three cases of the out-of-plane stress being the minor, intermediate, or major principal stress are assumed separately. A method of plane strain problem is adopted to obtain the stress and strain for cavity contracting and circular tunnel opening for three cases, respectively, that incorporated the effects of seepage force. The proposed solutions were validated by the published results and the correction is verified. Several cases were analyzed, and parameter studies were conducted to highlight the effects of seepage force, H-B constants, and out-of-plane stress on stress, displacement, and plastic radius with the numerical method. The proposed method may be used to address the complex problems of cavity contraction and tunnel opening in rock mass.

Finite element analysis and axial bearing capacity of steel reinforced recycled concrete filled square steel tube columns

Jing Dong,Hui Ma,Changming Zou,Yunhe Liu,Chen Huang 국제구조공학회 2019 Structural Engineering and Mechanics, An Int'l Jou Vol.72 No.1

This paper presents a finite element model which can simulate the axial compression behavior of steel reinforced recycled concrete (SRRC) filled square steel tube columns using the ABAQUS software. The analytical model was established by selecting the reasonable nonlinear analysis theory and the constitutive relationship of material in the columns. The nonlinear analysis of failure modes, deformation characteristics, stress nephogram, and load-strain curves of columns under axial loads was performed in detail. Meanwhile, the influences of recycled coarse aggregate (RCA) replacement percentage, profile steel ratio, width thickness ratio of square steel tube, RAC strength and slenderness ratio on the axial compression behavior of columns were also analyzed carefully. It shows that the results of finite element analysis are in good agreement with the experimental results, which verifies the validity of the analytical model. The axial bearing capacity of columns decreased with the increase of RCA replacement percentage. While the increase of wall thickness of square steel tube, profile steel ratio and RAC strength were all beneficial to improve the bearing capacity of columns. Additionally, the parameter analysis of finite element analysis on the columns was also carried out by using the above numerical model. In general, the SRRC filled square steel tube columns have high bearing capacity and good deformation ability. On the basis of the above analysis, a modified formula based on the American ANSI/AISC 360-10 was proposed to calculate the nominal axial bearing capacity of the columns under axial loads. The research conclusions can provide some references for the engineering application of this kind of columns.

Comparison and Distribution of Phosphorus Fractions in Surface Horizons of Two Paddy Soil Chronosequences

Ping Zou,Jianrong Fu,Zhihong Cao,Jing Ye,Qiaogang Yu 한국토양비료학회 2014 한국토양비료학회 학술발표회 초록집 Vol.2014 No.6

Performance of an Anode Supported Solid Oxide Fuel Cell with Indirect Internal Reforming

Park, Sungtae,Zou, Jing,Yoon, Heechul,Sammes, Nigel Mark,Chung, Jong Shik The Electrochemical Society 2013 ECS Transactions Vol.57 No.1

<P>The conversion of fuel into hydrogen-rich gas is necessary for fuel cells. This can be achieved either indirectly in fuel processing systems, in which the hydrocarbon feed is converted in an external catalytic steam reformer, or directly in the fuel cell. In this paper, the unit module of solid oxide fuel cell was assembled by one reformer and four cells. The reformer was fabricated by extruded dummy cell and combined with two cells on each side respectively. The reforming catalyst was coated on internal channel of the dummy cell. The unit module has successfully tested with wet CH<SUB>4</SUB> as fuel and air as oxidant and its maximum power density exceeded 150 mW/cm<SUP>2</SUP> at 750 ºC.</P>

Ru-doped lanthanum strontium titanates for the anode of solid oxide fuel cells

Yoon, Heechul,Zou, Jing,Sammes, Nigel Mark,Chung, Jongshik Elsevier 2015 International journal of hydrogen energy Vol.40 No.34

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>Lanthanum strontium titanate perovskite (LST) was doped with Ru (La<SUB>0.4</SUB>Sr<SUB>0.6</SUB>Ti<SUB>1−x</SUB>Ru<SUB>x</SUB>O<SUB>3−δ</SUB> (LSTR), x = 0.02, 0.05), and its properties were characterized by various methods for possible use as the anode material in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). The thermal expansion coefficients of Ru-doped samples (10.2–10.3 × 10<SUP>−6</SUP> K<SUP>−1</SUP>) are about the same as LST (10.4 × 10<SUP>−6</SUP> K<SUP>−1</SUP>), which is similar to that of YSZ. It has been found that under a reducing atmosphere, doped Ru is precipitated from the structure. This decreases the total electrical conductivity and increases the ionic conductivity because of the increased number of B-site deficiencies created by the Ru precipitation. Impedance spectra measured with the buttons cells of the LSTRs-YSZ/YSZ/LSM-YSZ/LSM configuration reveal that the polarization resistance with the LST–YSZ anode increases with time (from 4.95 Ω cm<SUP>2</SUP> to 5.78 Ω cm<SUP>2</SUP> in 24 h of H<SUB>2</SUB> fuel atmosphere), whereas the resistance with Ru-doped LST–YSZ anodes decreases with time (from 4.87 Ω cm<SUP>2</SUP> and 4.17 Ω cm<SUP>2</SUP> to 4.06 Ω cm<SUP>2</SUP> and 2.74 Ω cm<SUP>2</SUP> for the LSTR0.02-YSZ and LSTR0.05-YSZ anodes, respectively). Accordingly, the final maximum power density at 850 °C also increases from 52 mW/cm<SUP>2</SUP> for LST–YSZ to 74 mW/cm<SUP>2</SUP> and 115 mW/cm<SUP>2</SUP> for the LSTR0.02-YSZ and LSTR0.05-YSZ anodes, respectively.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> The Ru doped LST perovskites are synthesized by EDTA-citrate method. </LI> <LI> The doped Ru affects the conduction behavior of LST in a reducing atmosphere. </LI> <LI> The overall performance is improved with Ru doping to LST anode. </LI> </UL> </P>

Preliminary Studies about Synthesis and Electrical Properties of Ruthenium Doped Lanthanum Strontium Titanate as a Potential Anode of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

Yoon, Heechul,Zou, Jing,Park, Sungtae,Sammes, Nigel Mark,Chung, Jong Shik The Electrochemical Society 2013 ECS Transactions Vol.57 No.1

<P>The lanthanum strontium titanate (LST) is one of the most representative alternative anode materials. Although it shows low catalytic properties, the disadvatage could be improved by doping of ruthenium which is widely used as catalyst under steam reforming reaction or oxidation reaction. The ruthenium doped lanthanum strontium titanates (LSTRs) powders were synthesized by complex EDTA-citrate method showing well crystallinity. Additionally, the prepared samples were evaluated through various experimental tests. For example, the stability in the reducing atmosphere and chemical compativity with YSZ electrolyte such as reactivity test in high temperature were confirmed by XRD (X-ray diffraction). And electrical conductivity in wet H<SUB>2</SUB> atmosphere at 900ºC is about 350.6 S/cm, 342.4 S/cm and 179.1 S/cm with sintered bar of LST, LSTR0.02 and LSTR0.05, respectively.</P>

Identification of seven novel virulence genes from Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri by Tn5-based random mutagenesis

Xue Song,Jing Guo,Wen-xiu Ma,Zhi-yuan Ji,Li-fang Zou,Gong-you Chen,Hua-song Zou 한국미생물학회 2015 The journal of microbiology Vol.53 No.5

To identify novel virulence genes, a mutant library of Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri 29-1 was produced using EZ-Tn5 transposon and the mutants were inoculated into susceptible grapefruit. Forty mutants with altered virulence phenotypes were identified. Nine of the mutants showed a complete loss of citrus canker induction, and the other 31 mutants resulted in attenuated canker symptoms. Southern blot analysis revealed that each of the mutants carried a single copy of Tn5. The flanking sequence was identified by plasmid rescue and 18 different ORFs were identified in the genome sequence. Of these 18 ORFs, seven had not been previously associated with the virulence of X. citri subsp. citri and were therefore confirmed by complementation analysis. Real-time PCR analysis showed that the seven genes were upregulated when the bacteria were grown in citrus plants, suggesting that the expression of these genes was essential for canker development.

Overexpression of a Camellia sinensis DREB transcription factor gene (CsDREB) increases salt and drought tolerance in transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana

Mingle Wang,Jing Zhuang,Zhongwei Zou,Qinghui Li,Huahong Xin,Xinghui Li 한국식물학회 2017 Journal of Plant Biology Vol.60 No.5

Dehydration-responsive element-binding protein(DREB) transcription factors play key roles in plant stresssignal transduction pathways. We herein describe the functionsof a Camellia sinensis DREB transcription factor (CsDREB)in response to abiotic stress. Subcellular localization analysesindicated that the CsDREB localizes to the nucleus. CsDREBexpression in C. sinensis leaves was induced by heat, cold,drought, high salinity, H2O2, and exogenous abscisic acid(ABA). Additionally, CsDREB showed no transcriptionalactivation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Transgenic Arabidopsisthaliana plants overexpressing CsDREB exhibited enhancedtolerance to salt and drought stresses. The overexpression ofCsDREB in A. thaliana plants resulted in the up-regulatedexpression of ABA-dependent stress-induced genes (i.e.,AtRD29B, AtRAB18, AtABI1, and AtABI2) and ABAindependentstress-induced genes (i.e., AtCOR15a andAtRD29A). Furthermore, an analysis of the CsDREB promotersequence revealed the presence of several abiotic and bioticstress-related motifs, along with the developmental stageandtissue-specific elements. An examination of thetransient expression of the CsDREB promoter in Nicotianabenthamiana leaves revealed that the promoter is highlyresponsive to ABA and methyl jasmonate. Collectively, theseresults suggest that CsDREB may increase plant tolerance tosalt and drought stresses via both ABA-dependent and ABAindependentpathways.