Protective potential of Chinese herbal extracts against microsporidian Nosema ceranae, an emergent pathogen of western honey bees, Apis mellifera L.

Chen Xiuxian,Wang Shuai,Xu Yingying,Gong Hongri,Wu Yuqi,Chen Yanping,Hu Fuliang,Zheng Huoqing 한국응용곤충학회 2021 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.24 No.1

Nosema ceranae, a newly emergent parasite invading western honey bees (Apis mellifera L.), is indicated to threaten honey bee health at both individual and colony levels. However, the efficient and environmentallyfriendly treatments are quite limited at present. To find alternative medicine to control Nosema diseases, the effect of 8 types of herbal extracts against N. ceranae infection were screened under laboratory condition. Of which, 1% Andrographis paniculata (A. paniculata) decoction was found to significantly decrease N. ceranae spore numbers on 7 days post infection (dpi) and 13 dpi. Then, our results further revealed that A. paniculata decoction at doses ranging from 1% to 7% displayed significant efficient inhibition of Nosema spore proliferation and improved the infected bees’ survival rates in a dose-dependent manner. A. paniculata decoction was found to protect the gut tissues of infected workers from damage cause by N. ceranae, which might be due to the regu lation of the expression of certain genes in Wnt and JNK pathways, including armadillo, basket, frizzled2 and groucho. Additionally, our study suggested that A. paniculata decoction performed this Nosema spore-reducing potential over its two monomers, andrographolide and dehydrographolide. Taken together, this work enables us to better understand A. paniculata decoction’s potential to inhibit N. ceranae infection, thus providing a new guidance for developing applicable drugs to control Nosema diseases.

Oxidation of Zhundong subbituminous coal by Fe2+/H2O2 system under mild conditions

Shuai Chen,Wei Zhou,Mingjun Liu,Guangbo Zhao,Qingxi Cao,Bojun Zhao,Kaikai Kou,Jihui Gao 한국화학공학회 2020 Korean Journal of Chemical Engineering Vol.37 No.4

Oxidation of coal under mild conditions is effective not only to understand the macromolecular network structure of coal but also to produce useful chemicals, allowing more efficient application of coal resources. In this work, the mild oxidation of Zhundong subbituminous coal (ZS) by Fe2+/H2O2 system was carried out under various conditions, including [Fe2+]/[H2O2] molar ratio, temperature, H2O2 concentration and oxidation time. The liquid oxidation products were analyzed using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS), and the chemical structure changes were studied using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The results suggest that the oxidation efficiency of ZS with H2O2 is enhanced with the aid of Fe2+. The optimum conditions were determined to be [Fe2+]/[H2O2] molar ratio of 0.00453, H2O2 concentration of 3mol/L, 60 oC and 4 h according to the oxidation conversion rate. In total, 25 compounds were identified, which could be categorized as six group components. Most of them are valuedadded chemicals, and the content of benzene carboxylic acids is the highest among them, making up 29.99% of all group components in total relative content (TRC). -CH2- should be primary bridge connecting the aromatic rings, and alkylene chains linking three aromatic rings are abundant in ZS.

Sliding Mode Observer Design for Discrete Nonlinear Time-delay Systems with Stochastic Communication Protocol

Shuai Chen,Jun Guo,Lifeng Ma 제어·로봇·시스템학회 2019 International Journal of Control, Automation, and Vol.17 No.7

In this paper, the network-based sliding mode observer is investigated for a class of discrete nonlineartime-delay systems with stochastic communication protocol. The stochastic communication protocol is adopted toregulate the transmission order of the measurements from multiple sensor nodes, which could effectively avoid datacollisions. Under the scheduling of communication protocol, only one sensor node is allowed to get access to theshared communication network at each time step for data transmission. Moreover, the stochastic communicationprotocol is governed by a Markov chain, which converts the protocol-constrained system into a Markovian jumpsystem. It is the purpose to design a sliding mode observer such that, with the stochastic communication protocol,the trajectories of the estimation error system are driven into a band of the sliding surface and, in subsequent time,the sliding motion is mean-square asymptotically stable. By solving a minimization problem, the sufficient conditions for the desired sliding mode observer are established. Finally, an illustrative example is given to demonstratethe effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.

The Effects of Employees’ Job Satisfaction on Work Performance in Social Organization: Focusing on Psychological Capital and Organizational Identity as a Mediator

Shuai Chen(진수),Yong-Seung Ji(지용승) 대한경영학회 2021 大韓經營學會誌 Vol.34 No.11

본 연구는 사회적 조직 구성원들의 직무 만족도가 업무 성과에 미치는 영향을 분석하고 심리적 자본과 조직 정체성을 매개 변수로 이에 미치는 영향을 분석하였다. 온라인 설문조사로부터 표집된 490건의 설문 자료를 토대로 하여 연구 가설을 검증한 결과 직무 만족도와 업무 성과에 미치는 영향, 심리적 자본과 조직 정체성의 상호 작용 효과를 확인하였다. 분석 결과는 첫째, 직무 만족도, 심리적 자본, 조직 정체성은 사회적 조직 구성원들의 업무 성과에 높은 상관관계를 보여주었다. 둘째, 사회적 조직 구성원들의 직무 만족도 역시 심리적 자본과 조직 정체성의 상관성이 높은 것으로 나타났다. 셋째, 심리적 자본과 조직 정체성은 사회적 조직 구성원들의 직무 만족도와 업무 성과를 매개로 높은 상관 관계성의 결과를 나타내고 있다. 따라서 사회적 조직은 구성원들의 직무 만족도, 심리적 자본과 조직 정체성 수준을 높여 업무 성과를 높이고 사회적 조직의 지속가능한 발전을 촉진하는 데 많은 관심을 가질 필요가 있다. 또한 사회적 조직 관리자는 직무 만족도 평가 시스템을 구축하고, 구성원의 업무열의를 높이기 위한 인센티브 방안을 수립한 후, 구성원의 조직 정체성을 제고할 수 있으며, 구성원의 심리적 자본 향상을 위한 교육을 통해 최종적으로 직원의 업무 성과향상이라는 목적을 달성할 수 있다. 정책 입안자들은 사회적 조직의 지속가능성을 위한 관련 법규와 모니터링 시스템을 강화하며, 조직의 인재 양성을 위한 정책적 지원을 구성원들에게 제공함으로써 지속가능한 발전의 토대를 마련해야 한다. 따라서 본 연구는 사회적 조직 구성원의 업무 성과에 영향을 미치는 요인을 연구함으로써 사회적 조직의 관리 체계를 정비하고 지속가능한 발전을 위한 연구 모형의 틀을 제공한다는데 의의가 있다. 다만 본 연구는 일부 지역의 사회적 조직에 대한 연구를 진행하였기 때문에 직무 만족도와 업무 성과 간의 연구에 일정 수준의 연구 모형의 기준을 제공할 수 있다. 따라서 이에 관한 연구에 있어 보다 더 많은 지역과 다양한 사회적 조직의 특성을 고려한 후속 연구가 필요하다. This study aimed to analyze the impact of social organization employees job satisfaction on their work performance, and used psychological capital and organizational identity as mediating variable. An online survey was conducted and 490 valid questionnaires were collected. SPSS26.0 and AMOS24.0 was used to perform statistics on the obtained data, as well as the results of statistical analysis, correlation analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and bootstrap intermediary analysis. Analysis result: First, job satisfaction, psychological capital, and organizational identity have a significant positive impact on the work performance of social organization employees. Second, job satisfaction of social organization employees has a significant positive impact on their psychological capital and organizational identity. Third, psychological capital and organizational identity play a part of the mediating role between social organization employees job satisfaction and work performance. Therefore, social organization managers should pay attention to improving employees job satisfaction, psychological capital and organizational identity, so as to improve their work performance and promote the sustainable development of social organizations. Social organization managers can establish a system to evaluate job satisfaction, formulate incentive measures to improve employees work enthusiasm, and then enhance employees organizational identity; through training to improve employees psychological capital, and finally achieve the purpose of enhancing employees work performance. Policy makers can formulate special laws for the development of social organizations and strengthen the supervision and management of social organizations, provide policy support for the follow-up talent training of social organizations to promote the healthy and sustainable development of social organizations. Innovation: This study introduced the analysis framework of job satisfaction and work performance of employees in ordinary enterprises into the research of employees in social organizations. By studying the factors affecting employees work performance, it can help social organizations improve their management system and promote their sustainable development. Limitations: This paper only studied social organizations in The Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region of China, which provided some reference value for the study of the relationship between job satisfaction and work performance of social organizations in China, but the research area was relatively small. We need to expand our research further if we want to get more valuable research results.

White-Matter Hyperintensities and Lacunar Infarcts Are Associated with an Increased Risk of Alzheimer’s Disease in the Elderly in China

Shuai Ye,Shuyang Dong,Jun Tan,Le Chen,Hai Yang,Yang Chen,Zeyan Peng,Yingchao Huo,Juan Liu,Mingshan Tang,Yafei Li,Huadong Zhou,Yong Tao 대한신경과학회 2019 Journal of Clinical Neurology Vol.15 No.1

Background and Purpose This study investigated the contribution of white-matter hyperintensities (WMH) and lacunar infarcts (LI) to the risk of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) in an elderly cohort in China. Methods Older adults who were initially cognitively normal were examined with MRI at baseline, and followed for 5 years. WMH were classified as mild, moderate, or severe, and LI were classified into a few LI (1 to 3) or many LI (≥4). Cognitive function was assessed using the Mini Mental State Examination and the Activities of Daily Living scale. Results Among the 2,626 subjects, 357 developed AD by the end of the 5-year follow-up period. After adjusting for age and other potential confounders, having only WMH, having only LI, and having both WMH and LI were associated with an increased risk of developing AD compared with having neither WMH nor LI. Moderate and severe WMH were associated with an increased risk of developing AD compared with no WMH. Furthermore, patients with many LI had an increased risk of developing AD compared with no LI. Conclusions Having moderate or severe WMH and many LI were associated with an increased risk of developing AD, with this being particularly striking when both WMH and LI were present.

Influence of Laser Power on Grain Size and Tensile Strength of 5A90 Al–Li Alloy T-joint Fabricated by Dual Laser-Beam Bilateral Synchronous Welding

Shuai Chen,Xiaohong Zhan,Yanqiu Zhao,Youfa Wu,Dongtao Liu 대한금속·재료학회 2021 METALS AND MATERIALS International Vol.27 No.6

Dual laser-beam bilateral synchronous welding is introduced to produce the 2.5 mm thick 5A90 Al–Li alloy T-joint. Thegrain morphology and grain size of weld metal (WM) in the T-joint are analyzed and calculated. The tensile experiment,scanning electron microscopy and energy disperse spectroscopy are respectively employed to study the tensile strength,fracture morphology and chemical composition of the T-joint. The results reveal that when the laser power is increased from2500 to 3000 W, the grain sizes of fine-grained layers and columnar dendrites near the fusion line are significantly reduced. Conversely, that of equiaxed dendrites at the WM center is not sensitive to the variety of laser power. Moreover, the degreeof elemental segregation in WM near the fusion line is also aggravated with the increasing of the laser power. The tensilestrength of the T-joint with the laser power of 2500 W is significantly higher than that with the laser power of 3000 W. Thetensile fracture locations are occurred in the weld toe with obvious pores, shear dimples and tear ridges, which are the typicalcharacteristics of ductile fracture. Besides, the chemical compositions of the second phase particles in the WM are moresensitive to than the variation of laser power compared with that of the matrix.

Construction of magnetic nanochains to achieve magnetic energy coupling in scaffold

Cijun Shuai,Xuan Chen,Chongxian He,Guowen Qian,Yang Shuai,SHUPING PENG,Youwen Deng,Wenjing Yang 한국생체재료학회 2022 생체재료학회지 Vol.26 No.3

Background: Fe3O4 nanoparticles are highly desired for constructing endogenous magnetic microenvironment in scaffold to accelerate bone regeneration due to their superior magnetism. However, their random arrangement easily leads to mutual consumption of magnetic poles, thereby weakening the magnetic stimulation effect. Methods: In this study, magnetic nanochains are synthesized by magnetic-field-guided interface co-assembly of Fe3O4 nanoparticles. In detail, multiple Fe3O4 nanoparticles are aligned along the direction of magnetic force lines and are connected in series to form nanochain structures under an external magnetic field. Subsequently, the nanochain structures are covered and fixed by depositing a thin layer of silica (SiO2), and consequently forming linear magnetic nanochains (Fe3O4@SiO2). The Fe3O4@SiO2 nanochains are then incorporated into poly l-lactic acid (PLLA) scaffold prepared by selective laser sintering technology. Results: The results show that the Fe3O4@SiO2 nanochains with unique core–shell structure are successfully constructed. Meanwhile, the orderly assembly of nanoparticles in the Fe3O4@SiO2 nanochains enable to form magnetic energy coupling and obtain a highly magnetic micro-field. The in vitro tests indicate that the PLLA/Fe3O4@SiO2 scaffolds exhibit superior capacity in enhancing cell activity, improving osteogenesis-related gene expressions, and inducing cell mineralization compared with PLLA and PLLA/Fe3O4 scaffolds. Conclusion: In short, the Fe3O4@SiO2 nanochains endow scaffolds with good magnetism and cytocompatibility, which have great potential in accelerating bone repair

Pure Ultraviolet Emission from ZnO Quantum Dots-Based/GaN Heterojunction Diodes by MgO Interlayer

Cheng Chen,Renli Liang,Jingwen Chen,Jun Zhang,Shuai Wang,Chong Zhao,Wei Zhang,Jiangnan Dai,Changqing Chen 대한금속·재료학회 2017 ELECTRONIC MATERIALS LETTERS Vol.13 No.4

We demonstrate the fabrication and characterization of ZnO/GaNbasedheterojunction light-emitting diodes (LEDs) by using air-stableand solution-processable ZnO quantum dots (QDs) with a thin MgOinterlayer acting as an electron blocking layer (EBL). The ZnO QDs/MgO/p-GaN heterojunction can only display electroluminescence(EL) characteristic in reverse bias regime. Under sufficient reversebias, a fairly pure ultraviolet EL emission located at 370 nm derivingfrom near band edge of ZnO with a full width at half maximum(FWHM) of 8.3 nm had been obtained, while the deep-level emissionhad been almost totally suppressed. The EL origination andcorresponding carrier transport mechanisms were investigatedqualitatively in terms of photoluminescence (PL) results and energyband diagram.

A Novel EYA1 Mutation Causing Alternative RNA Splicing in a Chinese Family With Branchio-Oto Syndrome: Implications for Molecular Diagnosis and Clinical Application

Anhai Chen,Chufeng He,Yong Feng,Jie Ling,Xin Peng,Xianlin Liu,Shuang Mao,Yongjia Chen,Mengyao Qin,Shuai Zhang,Yijiang Bai,Jian Song,Zhili Feng,Lu Ma,Dinghua He,Lingyun Mei1 대한이비인후과학회 2023 Clinical and Experimental Otorhinolaryngology Vol.16 No.4

Objectives. Branchio-oto syndrome (BOS) primarily manifests as hearing loss, preauricular pits, and branchial defects. EYA1is the most common pathogenic gene, and splicing mutations account for a substantial proportion of cases. However,few studies have addressed the structural changes in the protein caused by splicing mutations and potential pathogenicfactors, and several studies have shown that middle-ear surgery has limited effectiveness in improving hearing in thesepatients. BOS has also been relatively infrequently reported in the Chinese population. This study explored the ge-netic etiology in the family of a proband with BOS and provided clinical treatment to improve the patient’s hearing. Methods. We collected detailed clinical features and peripheral blood samples from the patients and unaffected individualswithin the family. Pathogenic mutations were identified by whole-exome sequencing and cosegregation analysis andclassified according to the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics guidelines. Alternative splicing wasverified through a minigene assay. The predicted three-dimensional protein structure and biochemical experimentswere used to investigate the pathogenicity of the mutation. The proband underwent middle-ear surgery and was fol-lowed up at 1 month and 6 months postoperatively to monitor auditory improvement. Results. A novel heterozygous EYA1 splicing variant (c.1050+4 A >C) was identified and classified as pathogenic (PVS1(RNA),PM2, PP1). Skipping of exon 11 of the EYA1 pre-mRNA was confirmed using a minigene assay. This mutation mayimpair EYA1-SIX1 interactions, as shown by an immunoprecipitation assay. The EYA1-Mut protein exhibited cellularmislocalization and decreased protein expression in cytological experiments. Middle-ear surgery significantly improvedhearing loss caused by bone-conduction abnormalities in the proband. Conclusion. We reported a novel splicing variant of EYA1 in a Chinese family with BOS and revealed the potential molec-ular pathogenic mechanism. The significant hearing improvement observed in the proband after middle-ear surgeryprovides a reference for auditory rehabilitation in similar patients.

The Prognostic Value of Treatment-Related Lymphopenia in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Patients

Li-Ting Liu,Qiu-Yan Chen,Lin-Quan Tang,Shan-Shan Guo,Ling Guo,Hao-Yuan Mo,Ming-Yuan Chen,Chong Zhao,Xiang Guo,Chao-Nan Qian,Mu-Sheng Zeng,Jin-Xin Bei,Jing Tan,Shuai Chen,Ming-Huang Hong,Jian-Yong Shao 대한암학회 2018 Cancer Research and Treatment Vol.50 No.1

Purpose This study was conducted to evaluate the prognostic value of treatment-related lymphopenia in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Materials and Methods A total of 413 consecutive stage II-IVb NPC patients treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) were enrolled. The overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) were calculated with the Kaplan-Meier method, and differences were compared using the log-rank test. Results A minimum (mini)–absolute lymphocyte counts (ALC) of < 390 cells/μL or ALC after 3 months of CCRT (post3m-ALC) < 705 cells/μL was significantly associated with worse outcome than mini-ALC ! 390 cells/μL (OS, p=0.002; PFS, p=0.005; DMFS, p=0.004) or post3m-ALC ! 705 cells/μL (OS, p < 0.001; PFS, p < 0.001; DMFS, p=0.001). Patients with lymphopenia (mini-ALC < 390 cells/μL and post3m-ALC < 705 cells/μL) had a worse prognosis than those without lymphopenia (mini-ALC ! 390 cells/μL and post3m-ALC ! 705 cells/μL) (OS, p < 0.001; PFS, p < 0.001; DMFS, p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed that post3m-ALC was an independent prognostic factor for OS (hazard ratio [HR], 1.76; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.12 to 2.78; p=0.015), PFS (HR, 1.86; 95% CI, 1.23 to 2.82; p=0.003), and DMFS (HR, 1.87; 95% CI, 1.13 to 3.08; p=0.014). Multivariate analysis also revealed that patients with lymphopenia had a high risk of death (HR, 3.79; 95% CI, 1.75 to 8.19; p=0.001), disease progression (HR, 2.93; 95% CI, 1.59 to 5.41; p=0.001), and distant metastasis (HR, 3.89; 95% CI, 1.67 to 9.10; p=0.002). Multivariate analysis performed with time dependent Cox regression demonstrated ALC was an independent prognostic factor for OS (HR, 0.995; 95% CI, 0.991 to 0.999; p=0.025) and PFS (HR, 0.993; 95% CI, 0.988 to 0.998; p=0.006). Conclusion Treatment-related lymphopenia was a poor prognostic factor in NPC patients.