Positive Association of TEAD1 With Schizophrenia in a Northeast Chinese Han Population

Yang Sun,Lin Wen,Yi-Yang Luo,Wen-Juan Hu,Hui-Wen Ren,Ye Lv,Cong Zhang,Ping Gao,Li-Na Xuan,Guan-Yu Wang,Cheng-Jie Li,Zhi-Xin Xiang,Zhi-Lin Luan 대한신경정신의학회 2023 PSYCHIATRY INVESTIGATION Vol.20 No.12

Objective Schizophrenia is a complex and devastating psychiatric disorder with a strong genetic background. However, much uncertainty still exists about the role of genetic susceptibility in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. TEA domain transcription factor 1 (TEAD1) is a transcription factor associated with neurodevelopment and has modulating effects on various nervous system diseases. In the current study, we performed a case–control association study in a Northeast Chinese Han population to explore the characteristics of pathogenic <i>TEAD1</i> polymorphisms and potential association with schizophrenia.Methods We recruited a total of 721 schizophrenia patients and 1,195 healthy controls in this study. The 9 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the gene region of <i>TEAD1</i> were selected and genotyped.Results The genetic association analyses showed that five SNPs (rs12289262, rs6485989, rs4415740, rs7113256, and rs1866709) were significantly different between schizophrenia patients and healthy controls in allele or/and genotype frequencies. After Bonferroni correction, the association of three SNPs (rs4415740, rs7113256, and rs1866709) with schizophrenia were still evident. Haplotype analysis revealed that two strong linkage disequilibrium blocks (rs6485989-rs4415740-rs7113256 and rs16911710-rs12364619-rs1866709) were globally associated with schizophrenia. Four haplotypes (C-C-C and T-T-T, rs6485989-rs4415740-rs7113256; G-T-A and G-T-G, rs16911710-rs12364619-rs1866709) were significantly different between schizophrenia patients and healthy controls.Conclusion The current findings indicated that the human <i>TEAD1</i> gene has a genetic association with schizophrenia in the Chinese Han population and may act as a susceptibility gene for schizophrenia.

Characterization and Antioxidant Activity of the Exopolysaccharide Produced by Bacillus amyloliquefaciens GSBa-1

( Wen Zhao ),( Jian Zhang ),( Yun-yun Jiang ),( Xiao Zhao ),( Xiao-na Hao ),( Liu Li ),( Zhen-nai Yang ) 한국미생물생명공학회(구 한국산업미생물학회) 2018 Journal of microbiology and biotechnology Vol.28 No.8

The exopolysaccharide (EPS) produced by Bacillus amyloliquefaciens GSBa-1 was isolated and purified by ethanol precipitation, and DEAE-cellulose and Sepharose CL-6B chromatographies. The molecular mass of the purified EPS was determined to be 54 kDa. Monosaccharide analysis showed that the EPS was composed of predominantly glucose, and it was further confirmed by NMR spectroscopy to be α-glucan that consisted of a trisaccharide repeating unit with possible presence of two α-(1→3) and one α-(1→6) glucosidic linkages. Microstructural analysis showed that the EPS appeared as ellipsoid or globose with a smooth surface. The EPS had a degradation temperature at 240℃. Furthermore, the EPS had strong DPPH and hydroxyl radical scavenging activities, and moderate superoxidant anion scavenging and metal ion-chelating activities. This is the first characterization of a glucan produced by B. amyloliquefaciens with strong antioxidant activity. The results of this study suggest the potential of the EPS from B. amyloliquefaciens GSBa-1 to serve as a natural antioxidant for application in functional products.

Preparation of BiPO4-Polyaniline Hybrid and its Enhanced Photocatalytic Performance

Wen Jie Yu,Yang Cheng,Tao Zou,Yi Liu,Kui Wu,Na Peng 성균관대학교(자연과학캠퍼스) 성균나노과학기술원 2018 NANO Vol.13 No.1

Recently, BiPO4 has been proved to be an efficient photocatalyst which exhibits more attractive activity than that of TiO2-P25 under UV irradiation. However, photocatalytic oxidation-reduction ability of BiPO4 under visible light still needs to be improved. Conjugated polymer just like polyaniline was demonstrated to be a new and efficient visible co-photocatalyst in the field of pollutant governance. As far as we know, the attempt to enhance the photochemical ability of BiPO4 by employing polyaniline as a co-photocatalyst is still very limited. Hence, in order to testify the potential enhanced performance of such heterostructure, BiPO4-polyaniline heterostructure was prepared via hydrothermal method and hybridization in this paper. The experimental results indicated that several typical pollutants such as organic dyes and heavy metal ions can be effectively removed by BiPO4-polyaniline under visible light. The enhanced removal mechanism was attributed to the high separation efficiency of photo-induced electron–hole pairs and more efficient absorption of visible light after the loading of polyaniline on the surface of BiPO4 as an out-layer compared with single BiPO4.

Effects of Long-Term Fertilization on the Acidify in Brown Soil

Han Xiaori,Wen Li,Li Na,Yang Jinfeng,Wang Yue,Wang Shu 한국토양비료학회 2014 한국토양비료학회 학술발표회 초록집 Vol.2014 No.6

Quantitative Analysis of Thyroid Blood Flow and Static Imaging in the Differential Diagnosis of Thyroid Nodules

Song, Li-Ping,Zhang, Wen-Hong,Xiang, Yang,Zhao, Na Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.11

Objective:To evaluate the performance of combined quantitative analysis of thyroid blood flow and static imaging data in the differential diagnosis of thyroid nodules. Method: Thyroid blood flow and static imaging were performed in 165 patients with thyroid nodules. Patients were divided into a benign thyroid nodule group (BTN, n=135) and a malignant thyroid nodule group (MTN, n=30) based on the results of post-surgical pathologic examination. Carotid artery thyroid transit times (CTTT), perfusion ratio of thyroid nodule blood/thyroid blood (TNB/TB), and perfusion ratio of thyroid nodule blood/carotid artery blood (TNB/CAB) were measured using thyroid blood flow imaging. The ratios between thyroid nodule and ipsilateral submandibular gland (TN/SG) and thyroid nodule and normal thyroid tissue (TN/T) were measured from thyroid static imaging. The differences between the BTN and MTN groups were compared. Results: 1) CTTT was markedly lower in the MTN group than the BTN group, the difference being statistically significant. 2) TNB/TB and TNB/CAB were both significantly higher in MTN than BTN groups. 3) TN/T was significantly lower in MTN group than BTN group. 4) TN/SG was lower in MTN group than BTN group, but the difference was not statistically significant. 5) Using the combination of CTTT and TN/T, the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy were 93.1%, 95.3% and 94.9% respectively for the diagnosis of MTN. Using the combination of CTTT, TNB/TB and TN/T, the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy changed to 89.7%, 100%, and 98.1% respectively. 6) Correlation analysis demonstrated a significant correlation between TN/T and TNB/TB (r=-0.384, P=0.036) and TNB/CAB (r=-0.466, P=0.009) in the MTN group. Conclusion: The combination of quantitative markers from thyroid blood flow and thyroid static imaging had high specificity and accuracy in differential diagnosis of benign and malignant thyroid nodules, thus providing an important imaging diagnostic approach.

Standardizing and optimizing acupuncture treatment for irritable bowel syndrome: A Delphi expert consensus study

Xin-Tong Su,Wang Li-Qiong,Zhang Na,Li Jin-Ling,Qi Ling-Yu,Wang Yu,Jing-Wen Yang,Guang-Xia Shi,Cun-Zhi Liu 한국한의학연구원 2021 Integrative Medicine Research Vol.10 No.3

Background: Acupuncture has been widely utilized for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). However, heterogeneity is large among therapeutic strategies and protocols. The aim of this study was to propose some down-to-earth recommendations and establish an optimized protocol for acupuncture practice in IBS. Methods: A panel of 74 traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) acupuncturists participated in clinical issue investigation. Subsequently, systematic reviews concerning acupuncture for IBS were screened within 3 databases. An initial consensus questionnaire was formed from the results of clinical issue investigation and literature review. Ultimately, a Delphi vote was carried out to determine these issues. 30 authoritative experts with extensive experience were requested to respond with agreement, neutrality, or disagreement for the items. Consensus achievement on a given item was defined as greater than 80% agreement. Results: Following a 2-round Delphi survey, there were 19 items reaching consensus; of which 5 items (26.32%) achieved thorough consensus, and significant agreement was reached for the other 14 items. These items can be classified into the 3 major domains: 1) clinical outcomes that acupuncture can bring for favorable intervention population (5 items), 2) suitable therapeutic principles and parameters of acupuncture (13 items), 3) possible adverse events in the treatment (1 item). Conclusion: Without any ready-made guidelines and lacking of homogeneity in the published literatures, such expert consensus could be valuable for TCM acupuncturists in daily practice and patients with IBS to obtain appropriate and standardized acupuncture treatment. In addition, it also points out the clinical focus which need to be further explored in future trials.

Roles of Immunohistochemical Staining in Diagnosing Pulmonary Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Yan, Yue,Zhang, Ya-Xiong,Fang, Wen-Feng,Kang, Shi-Yang,Zhan, Jian-Hua,Chen, Nan,Hong, Shao-Dong,Liang, Wen-Hua,Tang, Yan-Na,He, Da-Cheng,Wu, Xuan,Zhang, Li Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.2

Background: Differentiating morphologic features based on hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining is the most common method to classify pathological subtypes of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, its accuracy and inter-observer reproducibility in pathological diagnosis of poorly differentiated NSCLC remained to be improved. Materials and Methods: We attempted to explore the role of immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining in diagnosing pulmonary squamous cell carcinoma (SQCC) with poorly differentiated features by HE staining or with elevated serum adenocarcinoma-specific tumor markers (AD-TMs). We also compared the difference of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation rate between patients with confirmed SQCC and those with revised pathological subtype. Logistic regression analyses were used to test the association between different factors and diagnostic accuracy. Results: A total of 132 patients who met the eligible criteria and had adequate specimens for IHC confirmation were included. Pathological revised cases in poor differentiated subgroup, biopsy samples and high-level AD-TMs cases were more than those with high/moderate differentiation, surgical specimens and normal-level AD-TMs. Moreover, biopsy sample was a significant factor decreasing diagnostic accuracy of pathological subtype (OR, 4.037; 95% CI 1.446-11.267, p=0.008). Additionally, EGFR mutation rate was higher in patients with pathological diagnostic changes than those with confirmed SQCC (16.7% vs 4.4%, p=0.157). Conclusions: Diagnosis based on HE staining only might cause pathological misinterpretation in NSCLC patients with poor differentiation or high-level AD-TMs, especially those with biopsy samples. HE staining and IHC should be combined as pathological diagnostic standard. The occurrence of EGFR mutations in pulmonary SQCC might be overestimated.

Monthly distribution of ammonia-oxidizing microbes in a tropical bay

Tie-Qiang Mao,Yan-Qun Li,Hong-Po Dong,Wen-Na Yang,Li-Jun Hou 한국미생물학회 2021 The journal of microbiology Vol.59 No.1

Ammonia oxidation, performed by ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) and bacteria (AOB), plays a critical role in the cycle of nitrogen in the ocean. For now, environmental variables controlling distribution of ammonia-oxidizing microbes are still largely unknown in oceanic environments. In this study, we used real-time quantitative PCR and high-throughput sequencing methods to investigate the abundance and diversity of AOA and AOB from sediment and water in Zhanjiang Bay. Phylogenic analysis revealed that the majority of AOA amoA sequences in water and sediment were affiliated with the genus Nitrosopumilus, whereas the Nitrosotalea cluster was only detected with low abundance in water. Nitrosomonas and Nitrosospira dominated AOB amoA sequences in water and sediment, respectively. The amoA copy numbers of both AOA and AOB varied significantly with month for both sediment and water. When water and sediment temperature dropped to 17– 20°C in December and February, respectively, the copy number of AOB amoA genes increased markedly and was much higher than for AOA amoA genes. Also, AOA abundance in water peaked in December when water temperature was lowest (17–20°C). Stepwise multiple regression analyses revealed that temperature was the most key factor driving monthly changes of AOA or AOB abundance. It is inferred that low water temperature may inhibit growth of phytoplankton and other microbes and so reduce competition for a common substrate, ammonium.