Targeting treatment of bladder cancer using PTK7 aptamer-gemcitabine conjugate

Xiang Wei,Peng Yongbo,Zeng Hongliang,Yu Chunping,Zhang Qun,Liu Biao,Liu Jiahao,Hu Xing,Wei Wensu,Deng Minhua,Wang Ning,Liu Xuewen,Xie Jianfei,Hou Weibin,Tang Jin,Long Zhi,Wang Long,Liu Jianye 한국생체재료학회 2023 생체재료학회지 Vol.27 No.00

Gemcitabine (GEM) is one of the first-line chemotherapies for bladder cancer (BC), but the GEMs cannot recognize cancer cells and have a low long-term response rate and high recurrence rate with side effects during the treatment of BC. Targeted transport of GEMs to mediate cytotoxicity to tumor and avoid the systemic side effects remains a challenge in the treatment of BC.Based on a firstly confirmed biomarker in BC-protein tyrosine kinase 7 (PTK7), which is overexpressed on the cell membrane surface in BC cells, a novel targeting system protein tyrosine kinase 7 aptamer-Gemcitabine conjugate (PTK7-GEMs) was designed and synthesized using a specific PTK7 aptamer and GEM through auto-synthesis method to deliver GEM against BC. In addition, the antitumor effects and safety evaluation of PTK7-GEMs was assessed with a series of in vitro and in vivo assays.PTK7-GEMs can specifically bind and enter to BC cells dependent on the expression levels of PTK7 and via the macropinocytosis pathway, which induced cytotoxicity after GEM cleavage from PTK7-GEMs respond to the intracellular phosphatase. Moreover, PTK7-GEMs showed stronger anti-tumor efficacy and excellent biosafety in three types of tumor xenograft mice models.These results demonstrated that PTK7-GEMs is a successful targeted aptamer-drug conjugates strategy (APDCs) to treat BC, which will provide new directions for the precision treatment of BC in the field of biomarker-oriented tumor targeted therapy.

A Novel Self-Healing Polyurethane with High Transparency and Strength: Effects of Multiple Supermolecular Forces

Yuan Liu,Yanmei Liao,Yintao Long,Yuxiang Qian,Shengqiang Nie,Yi Wang,Jia Zeng,Chunmei Zhang,Linbo Tian,Jun Luo 한국고분자학회 2022 폴리머 Vol.46 No.3

It is a considerable challenge for expanding the applications of self-healing polyurethane because of the dilemma in balancing its mechanical and self-healing properties. Herein, a series of self-healing polyurethane systems (PUT-x) with short-range ordered rigid aromatic structures were synthesized by simply adjusting two kinds of diisocyanates, and by ingenious addition of aromatic chain extender. We hope to regulate the π-π interactions and further to manipulate the properties of obtained polyurethanes via adjusting the amount of the benzene rings in the molecular chains of the PUT-x systems. The PUT-5 with decent self-healing ability, optimal mechanical properties, acceptable thermal stability and favorable transparency was selected to incorporate liquid metal and fluorescent powder to fabricate conductive wire and anti-counterfeiting film. Significantly, the liquid metal could be recycled from the conductive wire conveniently without using strong acids or strong bases. Moreover, PUT-5 exemplarily withstood long-term soaking in normal saline, and no deformation could be identified.

Associations between AT-rich Interactive Domain 5B gene Polymorphisms and Risk of Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: a Meta-analysis

Zeng, Hui,Wang, Xue-Bin,Cui, Ning-Hua,Nam, Seungyoon,Zeng, Tuo,Long, Xinghua Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.15

Previous genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have implicated several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the AT-rich interactive domain 5B (ARID5B) gene with childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). However, replicated studies reported some inconsistent results in different populations. Using meta-analysis, we here aimed to clarify the nature of the genetic risks contributed by the two polymorphisms (rs10994982, rs7089424) for developing childhood ALL. Through searches of PubMed, EMBASE, and manually searching relevant references, a total of 14 articles with 16 independent studies were included. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) were calculated to assess the associations. Both SNPs rs10994982 and rs7089424 showed significant associations with childhood ALL risk in all genetic models after Bonferroni correction. Furthermore, subtype analyses of B-lineage ALL provided strong evidence that SNP rs10994982 is highly associated with the risk of developing B-hyperdiploid ALL. These results indicate that SNPs rs10994982 and rs7089424 are indeed significantly associated with increased risk of childhood ALL.

Comparative transcriptome analysis to reveal key ethylene genes involved in a Lonicera macranthoides mutant

Long YuQing,Zeng Juan,Yang Min,Zhou XinRu,Zeng Mei,Liu ChangYu,Tong QiaoZhen,Zhou RiBao,Liu XiangDan 한국유전학회 2023 Genes & Genomics Vol.45 No.4

Background Lonicera macranthoides Hand.-Mazz. is an important medicinal plant. Xianglei-type (XL) L. macranthoides was formed after many years of cultivation by researchers on the basis of the natural mutant. The corolla of L. macranthoides XL remains unexpanded and its flowering period is nearly three times longer than that of wild-type (WT) plants. However, the molecular mechanism behind this desirable trait remains a mystery. Objective To understand the floral phenotype differences between L. macranthoides and L. macranthoides XL at the molecular level. Methods Transcriptome analysis was performed on L. macranthoides XL and WT. One DEG was cloned by RT-PCR amplification and selected for qRT-PCR analysis. Results Transcriptome analysis showed that there were 5603 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in XL vs. WT. Enrichment analysis of DEGs showed that pathways related to plant hormone signal transduction were significantly enriched. We identified 23 key genes in ethylene biosynthesis and signal transduction pathways. The most abundant were the ethylene biosynthesis DEGs. In addition, the open reading frames (ORFs) of WT and XL ETR2 were successfully cloned and named LM-ETR2 (GenBank: MW334978) and LM-XL-ETR2 (GenBank: MW334978), respectively. qRT-PCR at different flowering stages suggesting that ETR2 acts in the whole stage of flower development of WT and XL. Conclusions This study provides new insight into the molecular mechanism that regulates the development of special traits in the flowers of L. macranthoides XL. The plant hormone ethylene plays an important role in flower development and flowering duration prolongation in L. macranthoides. The ethylene synthesis gene could be more responsible for the flower phenotype of XL. The genes identified here can be used for breeding and improvement of other flowering plants after functional verification.

ZnS NANOFLOWERS ON GRAPHENE FOR USE AS A HIGH-PERFORMANCE PHOTOCATALYST

ZENG BIN,LONG HUI 성균관대학교(자연과학캠퍼스) 성균나노과학기술원 2014 NANO Vol.9 No.8

The nanocomposites of graphene loaded–ZnS nanoflowers (GR–ZnS) had been successfully prepared. Materials were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectra (FTIR), photoluminescence (PL) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) spectra. A possible formation mechanism of this architecture was proposed. The experimental results revealed that these nanoflowers exhibited excellent UV-light photocatalytic activities for pollutant methyl orange (MO) dye degradation. These new nanostructures were expected to show considerable potential applications in the water treatment.

Commutability Assessment of Candidate External Quality Assessment Materials for Aminotransferase Activity Measurements Based on Different Approaches in China

Long Qichen,Qi Tianqi,Zhang Tianjiao,Wang Jing,Zeng Jie,Ying Yan,Meng Wang,Wei Huang,Haijian Zhao,Wenxiang Chen,Chuanbao Zhang 대한진단검사의학회 2021 Annals of Laboratory Medicine Vol.41 No.1

Background: Using commutable external quality assessment (EQA) materials is important for monitoring successful harmonization efforts. We assessed the commutability of four human serum pool (HSP) preparations to identify candidate EQA materials for alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activity measurement. Methods: One set each of 85 clinical samples (CSs) was collected for ALT and AST activity measurement. The 15 candidate EQA materials included four types of HSP preparations (A to D): materials A, C, and D contained human original recombinant (HOR) aminotransferases; materials B was mixed leftover samples. The CSs and 15 candidate EQA materials were analyzed using seven routine assays, and the ln-transformed results were analyzed in 21 assay pairs. Commutability was assessed using Deming regression, with a 95% prediction interval (CLSI approach) and the difference in bias with an error component model (International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine [IFCC] approach). Results: For ALT, all materials were commutable for 14–21 assay pairs according to the CLSI and IFCC approaches. For AST, B01-03 showed commutability for 14-21 assay pairs, and C01-03 and D01-03 showed commutability for no less than 10 assay pairs according to the two approaches. A01-06 were commutable for 9-16 assay pairs according to the CLSI approach, but for 6-9 assay pairs according to the IFCC approach. Conclusions: Mixed leftover samples showed desirable commutability characteristics as candidate EQA materials for routine aminotransferase activity measurements. Human serum bases supplemented with HOR were commutable for most routine ALT activity measurements.

Low Temperature Synthesis of Mesoporous SiC in Dual-Confined Spaces via Magnesiothermic Reduction

Zeng-Rong Wang,Long Liu,Xue Zhang,Jia-Lin Xu,Qiang Sun 성균관대학교(자연과학캠퍼스) 성균나노과학기술원 2019 NANO Vol.14 No.9

Silicon carbide (SiC), especially mesoporous SiC has been in immense vogue for more than a decade because of its intriguing properties and wide applications. However, it is still challenging to synthesize mesoporous SiC with good structural integrality, large specific surface area and desirable porosity at a low temperature. In this study, we reported a "dual-confined spaces"-assisted synthesis of mesoporous SiC using well-assembled SiO2/carbon composite as precursor via a magnesiothermic reduction process. The well-crystallinity mesoporous SiC presented a mesopore structure with high specific surface area of 267.3 m2 g -1 and large mesopore size of ca. 10 nm can be directly fabricated at a temperature of at least 550 ℃ and the optimum synthesis temperature is 650 ℃. During the synthesis, mesoporous carbon matrix and a pressure-tight stainless steel reactor were served as "dual-confined spaces" to avoid the aggregation of silica and the silicon residue left in the final SiC sample. Furthermore, the as-prepared mesoporous SiC showed prominent performance as catalyst support for the reduction of 4-nitrophenol to 4-aminophenol.

Identification of independent association signals and putative functional variants for breast cancer risk through fine-scale mapping of the 12p11 locus

Zeng, Chenjie,Guo, Xingyi,Long, Jirong,Kuchenbaecker, Karoline B.,Droit, Arnaud,Michailidou, Kyriaki,Ghoussaini, Maya,Kar, Siddhartha,Freeman, Adam,Hopper, John L.,Milne, Roger L.,Bolla, Manjeet K.,Wa BioMed Central 2016 Breast cancer research Vol.18 No.-

<P><B>Background</B></P><P>Multiple recent genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), rs10771399, at 12p11 that is associated with breast cancer risk.</P><P><B>Method</B></P><P>We performed a fine-scale mapping study of a 700 kb region including 441 genotyped and more than 1300 imputed genetic variants in 48,155 cases and 43,612 controls of European descent, 6269 cases and 6624 controls of East Asian descent and 1116 cases and 932 controls of African descent in the Breast Cancer Association Consortium (BCAC; http://bcac.ccge.medschl.cam.ac.uk/), and in 15,252 <I>BRCA1</I> mutation carriers in the Consortium of Investigators of Modifiers of <I>BRCA1/2</I> (CIMBA). Stepwise regression analyses were performed to identify independent association signals. Data from the Encyclopedia of DNA Elements project (ENCODE) and the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) were used for functional annotation.</P><P><B>Results</B></P><P>Analysis of data from European descendants found evidence for four independent association signals at 12p11, represented by rs7297051 (odds ratio (OR) = 1.09, 95 % confidence interval (CI) = 1.06–1.12; <I>P</I> = 3 × 10<SUP>-9</SUP>), rs805510 (OR = 1.08, 95 % CI = 1.04–1.12, <I>P</I> = 2 × 10<SUP>-5</SUP>), and rs1871152 (OR = 1.04, 95 % CI = 1.02–1.06; <I>P</I> = 2 × 10<SUP>-4</SUP>) identified in the general populations, and rs113824616 (<I>P</I> = 7 × 10<SUP>-5</SUP>) identified in the meta-analysis of BCAC ER-negative cases and <I>BRCA1</I> mutation carriers. SNPs rs7297051, rs805510 and rs113824616 were also associated with breast cancer risk at <I>P</I> < 0.05 in East Asians, but none of the associations were statistically significant in African descendants. Multiple candidate functional variants are located in putative enhancer sequences. Chromatin interaction data suggested that <I>PTHLH</I> was the likely target gene of these enhancers. Of the six variants with the strongest evidence of potential functionality, rs11049453 was statistically significantly associated with the expression of <I>PTHLH</I> and its nearby gene <I>CCDC91</I> at <I>P</I> < 0.05.</P><P><B>Conclusion</B></P><P>This study identified four independent association signals at 12p11 and revealed potentially functional variants, providing additional insights into the underlying biological mechanism(s) for the association observed between variants at 12p11 and breast cancer risk.</P><P><B>Electronic supplementary material</B></P><P>The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13058-016-0718-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.</P>

Behaviour of micropiles in collapsible loess under tension or compression load

Qian, Zeng-Zhen,Lu, Xian-Long,Yang, Wen-Zhi,Cui, Qiang Techno-Press 2014 Geomechanics & engineering Vol.7 No.5

This study examines the behaviour of single micropiles subjected to axial tension or compression load in collapsible loess under in-situ moisture content and saturated condition. Five tension loading tests and five compression loading tests on single micropiles were carried out at a typical loess site of the Loess Plateau in Northwest China. A series of laboratory tests, including grain size distribution, specific gravity, moisture content, Atterberg limits, density, granular components, shear strength, and collapse index, were carried out during the micropile loading tests to determine the values of soil parameters. The loess at the test site poses a severe collapse risk upon wetting. The tension or compression load-displacement curves of the micropiles in loess, under in-situ moisture content or saturated condition, can generally be simplified into three distinct regions: an initial linear, a curvilinear transition, and a final linear region, and the bearing capacity or failure load can be interpreted by the L1-L2 method as done in other studies. Micropiles in loess should be considered as frictional pile foundations though the tip resistances are about 10%-15% of the applied loads. Both the tension and compression capacities increase linearly with the ratio of the pile length to the shaft diameter, L/d. For micropiles in loess under in-situ moisture content, the interpreted failure loads or capacities under tension are 66%-87% of those under compression. However, the prewetting of the loess can lead to the reductions of 50% in the tensile bearing capacity and 70% in the compressive bearing capacity.

A Novel Approach to Mugshot Based Arbitrary View Face Recognition

Dan Zeng,Shuqin Long,Jing Liu,Qijun Zhao 한국광학회 2016 Current Optics and Photonics Vol.20 No.2

Mugshot face images, routinely collected by police, usually contain both frontal and profile views. Existing automated face recognition methods exploited mugshot databases by enlarging the gallery withsynthetic multi-view face images generated from the mugshot face images. This paper, instead, proposesto match the query arbitrary view face image directly to the enrolled frontal and profile face images. Duringmatching, the 3D face shape model reconstructed from the mugshot face images is used to establishcorresponding semantic parts between query and gallery face images, based on which comparison is done. The final recognition result is obtained by fusing the matching results with frontal and profile face images. Compared with previous methods, the proposed method better utilizes mugshot databases without usingsynthetic face images that may have artifacts. Its effectiveness has been demonstrated on the Color FERETand CMU PIE databases.