Study on fatigue life and mechanical properties of BRBs with viscoelastic filler

Zhao-Dong Xu,Jun Dai,Qian-Wei Jiang 국제구조공학회 2018 Steel and Composite Structures, An International J Vol.26 No.2

In this paper, two kinds of buckling restrained braces (BRBs) are designed to improve the mechanical properties and fatigue life, the reserved gap and viscoelastic filler with high energy dissipation capacity are employed as the sliding element, respectively. The fatigue life of BRBs considering the effect of sliding element is predicted based on Manson-Coffin model. The property tests under different displacement amplitudes are carried out to evaluate the mechanical properties and fatigue life of BRBs. At last, the finite element analysis is performed to study the effects of the gap and viscoelastic filler on mechanical properties BRBs. Experimental and simulation results indicate that BRB employed with viscoelastic filler has a higher fatigue life and more stable mechanical property compared to BRB employed with gap, and the smaller reserved gap can more effectively improve the energy dissipation capacity of BRB.

Gaseous signal molecule SO2 regulates autophagy through PI3K/ AKT pathway inhibits cardiomyocyte apoptosis and improves myocardial fibrosis in rats with type II diabetes

Zhao Junxiong,Wu Qian,Yang Ting,Nie Liangui,Liu Shengquan,Zhou Jia,Chen Jian,Jiang Zhentao,Xiao Ting,Yang Jun,Chu Chun 대한약리학회 2022 The Korean Journal of Physiology & Pharmacology Vol.26 No.6

Myocardial fibrosis is a key link in the occurrence and development of diabetic cardiomyopathy. Its etiology is complex, and the effect of drugs is not good. Cardiomyocyte apoptosis is an important cause of myocardial fibrosis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of gaseous signal molecule sulfur dioxide (SO2) on diabetic myocardial fibrosis and its internal regulatory mechanism. Masson and TUNEL staining, Western-blot, transmission electron microscopy, RT-qPCR, immunofluorescence staining, and flow cytometry were used in the study, and the interstitial collagen deposition, autophagy, apoptosis, and changes in phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT pathways were evaluated from in vivo and in vitro experiments. The results showed that diabetic myocardial fibrosis was accompanied by cardiomyocyte apoptosis and down-regulation of endogenous SO2-producing enzyme aspartate aminotransferase (AAT)1/2. However, exogenous SO2 donors could up-regulate AAT1/2, reduce apoptosis of cardiomyocytes induced by diabetic rats or high glucose, inhibit phosphorylation of PI3K/AKT protein, up-regulate autophagy, and reduce interstitial collagen deposition. In conclusion, the results of this study suggest that the gaseous signal molecule SO2 can inhibit the PI3K/AKT pathway to promote cytoprotective autophagy and inhibit cardiomyocyte apoptosis to improve myocardial fibrosis in diabetic rats. The results of this study are expected to provide new targets and intervention strategies for the prevention and treatment of diabetic cardiomyopathy.

Response of Saccharomyces cerevisiae to Ethanol Stress Involves Actions of Protein Asrlp

( Jun Mei Ding ),( Xiao Wei Huang ),( Na Zhao ),( Feng Gao ),( Qian Lu ),( Ke Qin Zhang ) 한국미생물 · 생명공학회 2010 Journal of microbiology and biotechnology Vol.20 No.12

During the fermentation process of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, yeast cells must rapidly respond to a wide variety of external stresses in order to survive the constantly changing environment, including ethanol stress. The accumulation of ethanol can severely inhibit cell growth activity and productivity. Thus, the response to changing ethanol concentrations is one of the most important stress reactions in S. cerevisiae and worthy of thorough investigation. Therefore, this study examined the relationship between ethanol tolerance in S. cerevisiae and a unique protein called alcohol sensitive RING/PHD finger 1 protein (Asr1p). A real-time PCR showed that upon exposure to 8% ethanol, the expression of Asr1 was continuously enhanced, reaching a peak 2 h after stimulation. This result was confirmed by monitoring the fluorescence levels using a strain with a green fluorescent protein tagged to the C-terminal of Asr1p. The fluorescent microscopy also revealed a change in the subcellular localization before and after stimulation. Furthermore, the disruption of the Asr1 gene resulted in hypersensitivity on the medium containing ethanol, when compared with the wild-type strain. Thus, when taken together, the present results suggest that Asr1 is involved in the response to ethanol stress in the yeast S. cerevisiae.

Molecular mechanisms conferring asymmetrical cross-resistance between tebufenozide and abamectin in Plutella xylostella

Qian Yin,Lu Qian,Pingping Song,Tunyu Jian,Zhao-Jun Han 한국응용곤충학회 2019 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.22 No.1

Based on the confirmation of asymmetrical cross-resistance between abamectin and tebufenozide in Plutella xylostella, the present work proved that the cytochrome P450 monooxygenase plays a decisive role in crossresistance, and the expression of various cytochrome P450 (CYP450) genes in different strains was surveyed to elucidate the molecular basis of the underlying mechanisms. Enzyme analysis showed the activity of cytochrome P450 monooxygenase was notable enhanced in the strains resistant to both tebufenozide (3.07-fold) and abamectin (3.37-fold), suggesting that the enhancement of cytochrome P450 monooxygenase is the main detoxification mechanism responsible for the cross-resistance. CYP4M7 (64.58-fold) and CYP6K1 (41.97-fold) had extremely high expression levels in the Teb-R strain, selected using tebufenozide, which was highly resistant to tebufenozide (RR 185.5) and moderately cross-resistant to abamectin (RR 41.0). When this strain was subjected to further selection using abamectin, the resultant Aba-R strain showed a higher expression of CYP6K1 (60.32-fold). However, the expression of CYP4M7 was reduced (10.62-fold). Correspondingly, the Aba-R strain became more resistant to abamectin (RR 593.8) and less resistant to tebufenozide (RR 28.0). Therefore, we concluded that the over expression of CYP4M7 was the main cause for tebufenozide resistance, and that CYP6K1 mainly conferred abamectin resistance. The asymmetrical cross-resistance occurred because tebufenozide selection not only enhanced the expression of CYP4M7, but also that of CYP6K1. This is the first report on the molecular mechanism of asymmetrical cross-resistance between insecticides.

Outcome after Simultaneous Resection of Gastric Primary Tumour and Synchronous Liver Metastases: Survival Analysis of a Single-center Experience in China

Liu, Qian,Bi, Jian-Jun,Tian, Yan-Tao,Feng, Qiang,Zheng, Zhao-Xu,Wang, Zheng Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.4

Background: The optimal surgical strategy for the treatment of synchronous resectable gastric cancer liver metastases remains controversial. The aims of this study were to analyze the outcome and overall survival of patients presenting with gastric cancer and liver metastases treated by simultaneous resection. Materials and Methods: Between January 1990 and June 2009, 35 patients diagnosed with synchronous hepatic metastases from gastric carcinoma received simultaneous resection of both primary gastric cancer and synchronous hepatic metastases. The clinicopathologic features and the surgical results of the 35 patients were retrospectively analyzed. Results: The 5-year overall survival rate after surgery was 14.3%. Five patients survived for more than 5 years after surgery. No mortality has occurred within 30 days after resection, although two patients (5.7%) developed complications during the peri-operative course. Univariate analysis revealed that patients with the presence of lymphovascular invasion of the primary tumor, bilateral liver metastasis and multiple liver metastases suffered poor survival. Lymphovascular invasion by the primary lesion and multiple liver metastases were significant prognostic factors that influenced survival in the multivariate analysis (p=0.02, p=0.001, respectively). Conclusions: The presence of lymphovascular invasion of the primary tumor and multiple liver metastases are significant prognostic determinants of survival. Gastric cancer patients without lymphovascular invasion and with a solitary synchronous liver metastasis may be good candidates for hepatic resection. Simultaneous resection of both primary gastric cancer and synchronous hepatic metastases may effectively prolong survival in strictly selected patients.

Inactivation of epithelial sodium ion channel molecules serves as effective diagnostic biomarkers in clear cell renal cell carcinoma

Zheng Qian,Wang Yifang,Zhao Ran,Han Peipei,Zhao Jun,Li Limei,Zhou Xiaohui,Li Ping,Mo Yingxi,Pan Xinli,Luo Wenqi,Zhou Xiaoying 한국유전학회 2023 Genes & Genomics Vol.45 No.7

Background Non-voltage-gated sodium channel, also known as the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC), formed by heteromeric complexes consisting of SCNN1A, SCNN1B, and SCNN1G, is responsible for maintaining sodium ion and body fluid homeostasis in epithelial cells. However, no systematic study of SCNN1 family members has been conducted in renal clear cell carcinoma (ccRCC) to date. Objective To investigate the abnormal expression of SCNN1 family in ccRCC and its potential correlation with clinical parameters. Methods The transcription and protein expression levels of SCNN1 family members in ccRCC were analyzed based on the TCGA database, and were confirmed by quantitative RT-PCR and immunohistochemical staining assays, respectively. The area under curve (AUC) was used to evaluate the diagnostic value of SCNN1 family members for ccRCC patients. Results The mRNA and protein expression of SCNN1 family members was significantly downregulated in ccRCC compared with normal kidney tissues, which might be due to DNA hypermethylation in the promoter region. It is worth noting that the AUC of SCNN1A, SCNN1B, and SCNN1G were 0.965, 0.979, and 0.988 based on the TCGA database (p < 0.0001), respectively. The diagnostic value was even higher when combing these three members together (AUC = 0.997, p < 0.0001). Intriguingly, the mRNA level of SCNN1A was significantly lower in females compared with males, while SCNN1B and SCNN1G were increased with the progression of ccRCC and remarkably associated with a worse outcome for patients. Conclusion The aberrantly decrease of SCNN1 family members might serve as valuable biomarkers for the diagnosis of ccRCC.

Effects of pulsed laser surface remelting on microstructure, hardness and lead-bismuth corrosion behavior of a ferrite/martensitic steel

Hao Wang,Qian Yuan,Linjiang Chai,Ke Zhao,Ning Guo,Jun Xiao,Xing Yin,Bin Tang,Yuqiong Li,Shaoyu Qiu 한국원자력학회 2022 Nuclear Engineering and Technology Vol.54 No.6

A typical ferritic/martensitic (F/M) steel sheet was subjected to pulsed laser surface remelting (LSR) andcorrosion test in lead-bismuth eutectic (LBE) at 550 C. There present two modification zones withdistinct microstructures in the LSRed specimen: (1) remelted zone (RZ) consisting of both bulk d-ferritegrains and martensitic plates and (2) heat-affected zone (HAZ) below the RZ, mainly composed ofmartensitic plates and high-density precipitates. Martensitic transformation occurs in both the RZ andthe HAZ with the Kurdjumov-Sachs and Nishiyama-Wassermann orientation relationships followedconcurrently, resulting in scattered orientations and specific misorientation characteristics. Hardnessesof the RZ and the HAZ are 364 ± 7 HV and 451 ± 15 HV, respectively, considerably higher than that of thematrix (267 ± 3 HV). In oxygen-saturated and oxygen-depleted LBE, thicknesses of oxide layers developed on both the as-received and the LSRed specimens increase with prolonging corrosion time (oxidelayers always thinner under the oxygen-depleted condition). The corrosion resistance of the LSRed F/Msteel in oxygen-saturated LBE is improved, which can be attributed to the grain-refinement acceleratedformation of dense FeeCr spinel. In oxygen-depleted LBE, the growth of oxide layers is very low withboth types of specimens showing similar corrosion resistance

Molecular characterization and expression pattern of a novel Keratin-associated protein 11.1 gene in the Liaoning cashmere goat (Capra hircus)

Mei Jin,Qian Cao,Ruilong Wang,Jun Piao,Fengqin Zhao,Jingai Piao 아세아·태평양축산학회 2017 Animal Bioscience Vol.30 No.3

Objective: An experiment was conducted to determine the relationship between the KAP11.1 and the regulation wool fineness. Methods: In previous work, we constructed a skin cDNA library and isolated a full-length cDNA clone termed KAP11.1. On this basis, we conducted a series of bioinformatics analysis. Tissue distribution of KAP11.1 mRNA was performed using semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis. The expression of KAP11.1 mRNA in primary and secondary hair follicles was performed using real-time PCR (real-time polymerase chain reaction) analysis. The expression location of KAP11.1 mRNA in primary and secondary hair follicles was performed using in situ hybridization. Results: Bioinformatics analysis showed that KAP11.1 gene encodes a putative 158 amino acid protein that exhibited a high content of cysteine, serine, threonine, and valine and has a pubertal mammary gland) structural domain. Secondary structure prediction revealed a high proportion of random coils (76.73%). Semi-quantitative RT-PCR showed that KAP11.1 gene was expressed in heart, skin, and liver, but not expressed in spleen, lung and kidney. Real time PCR results showed that the expression of KAP11.1 has a higher expression in catagen than in anagen in the primary hair follicles. However, in the secondary hair follicles, KAP11.1 has a significantly higher expression in anagen than in catagen. Moreover, KAP11.1 gene has a strong expression in inner root sheath, hair matrix, and a lower expression in hair bulb. Conclusion: We conclude that KAP11.1 gene may play an important role in regulating the fiber diameter.

Low‐Voltage Pulsed Electric Field Sterilization on a Microfluidic Chip

Liu, Linlin,Zhao, Liping,Yang, Jun,Wan, Xiaoping,Hu, Ning,Yeh, Li‐,Hsien,Joo, Sang W.,Qian, Shizhi WILEY‐VCH Verlag 2013 Electroanalysis Vol.25 No.5

<P><B>Abstract</B></P><P>A polyimide substrate based microfluidic chip with thousands of comb‐shaped microelectrodes has been designed, fabricated, and tested for sterilization of bacteria by using pulsed electric field. The performance of bacteria sterilization as functions of the electric field strength, pulse number and width, treatment buffer, bacteria growth status, and bacteria enrichment by positive dielectrophoresis has been experimentally investigated on the microfluidic chip. Experimental results show that only 100 V are sufficient to obtain good sterilization of <I>Escherichia coli</I>. Higher electric field strength, bacteria enrichment by positive dielectrophoresis, longer pulse time, buffer with fewer components and nutritions, and suitable bacteria growth status also improve the sterilization of bacteria. In addition, configuration of the microelectrode array affects bacteria sterilization. This microfluidic device allows one to preconcentrate bacteria to a region with high electric field strength by using positive dielectrophoresis, and subsequently kill the enriched bacteria by applying a pulsed electric field through the same microelectrode array.</P>

Insights into the genetic diversity of indigenous goats and their conservation priorities

Gang Liu,Qian Jun Zhao,Jian Lu,Feizhou Sun,Xu Han,Junjin Zhao,Haiyong Feng,Kejun Wang,Chousheng Liu 아세아·태평양축산학회 2019 Animal Bioscience Vol.32 No.10

Objective: An experiment was conducted to evaluate genetic diversity of 26 Chinese indigenous goats by 30 microsatellite markers, and then to define conservation priorities to set up the protection programs according to the weight given to within- and between-breed genetic diversity. Methods: Twenty-six representative populations of Chinese indigenous goats, 1,351 total, were sampled from different geographic regions of China. Within-breed genetic diversity and marker polymorphism were estimated calculating the mean number of alleles, observed heterozygosities, expected heterozygosities, fixation index, effective number of alleles and allelic richness. Conservation priorities were analyzed by statistical methods. Results: A relatively high level of genetic diversity was found in twenty-four population; the exceptions were in the Daiyun and Fuqing goat populations. Within-breed kinship coefficient matrices identified seven highly inbred breeds which should be of concern. Of these, six breeds receive a negative contribution to heterozygosity when the method was based on proportional contribution to heterozygosity. Based on Weitzman or Piyasatian and Kinghorn methods, the breeds distant from others i.e. Inner Mongolia Cashmere goat, Chengdu Brown goat and Leizhou goat obtain a high ranking. Evidence from Caballero and Toro and Fabuel et al method prioritized Jining Gray goat, Liaoning Cashmere goat, and Inner Mongolia Cashmere goat, which agree with results from Kinship-based methods. Conclusion: Conservation priorities were determined according to multiple methods. Our results suggest Inner Mongolia Cashmere goat (most methods), Jining Gray goat and Liaoning Cashmere goat (high contribution to heterozygosity and total diversity) should be prioritized based on most methods. Furthermore, Daiyun goat and Shannan White goat also should be prioritized based on consideration of effective population size. However, if one breed can continually survive under changing conditions, the straightforward approach would be to increase its utilization and attraction for production via mining breed germplasm characteristics.