Transcriptomic profiling reveals hepatic stem‐like gene signatures and interplay of miR‐200c and epithelial‐mesenchymal transition in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma

Oishi, Naoki,Kumar, Mia R.,Roessler, Stephanie,Ji, Junfang,Forgues, Marshonna,Budhu, Anuradha,Zhao, Xuelian,Andersen, Jesper B.,Ye, Qing&#x2010,Hai,Jia, Hu&#x2010,Liang,Qin, Lun&#x2010,Xiu,Yamashita, Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company 2012 Hepatology Vol.56 No.5

<P><B>Abstract</B></P><P>Intrahepatic cholangiocellular carcinoma (ICC) is the second most common type of primary liver cancer. However, its tumor heterogeneity and molecular characteristics are largely unknown. In this study, we conducted transcriptomic profiling of 23 ICC and combined hepatocellular cholangiocarcinoma tumor specimens from Asian patients using Affymetrix messenger RNA (mRNA) and NanoString microRNA microarrays to search for unique gene signatures linked to tumor subtypes and patient prognosis. We validated the signatures in an additional 68 ICC cases derived from Caucasian patients. We found that both mRNA and microRNA expression profiles could independently classify Asian ICC cases into two main subgroups, one of which shared gene expression signatures with previously identified hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with stem cell gene expression traits. ICC‐specific gene signatures could predict survival in Asian HCC cases and independently in Caucasian ICC cases. Integrative analyses of the ICC‐specific mRNA and microRNA expression profiles revealed that a common signaling pathway linking miR‐200c signaling to epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) was preferentially activated in ICC with stem cell gene expression traits. Inactivation of miR‐200c resulted in an induction of EMT, whereas activation of miR‐200c led to a reduction of EMT including a reduced cell migration and invasion in ICC cells. We also found that miR‐200c and neural cell adhesion molecule 1 (NCAM1) expression were negatively correlated and their expression levels were predictive of survival in ICC samples. NCAM1, a known hepatic stem/progenitor cell marker, was experimentally demonstrated to be a direct target of miR‐200c. Conclusion: Our results indicate that ICC and HCC share common stem‐like molecular characteristics and poor prognosis. We suggest that the specific components of EMT may be exploited as critical biomarkers and clinically relevant therapeutic targets for an aggressive form of stem cell‐like ICC. (H<SMALL>EPATOLOGY</SMALL> 2012;56:1792–1803)</P>

Effect of surface modification layer thickness on the gas sensitivity of SnO2 films

Y.H. Xiong,L. Wang,X.Y. Wei,G.R. Qin,C.H. Mao,J. Du 한양대학교 세라믹연구소 2006 Journal of Ceramic Processing Research Vol.7 No.4

Nickel was used as a surface modification material to enhance the gas-sensing properties of SnO2 films. The thickness of the Ni modification layer was controlled by the sputtering time. The surface morphology and surface chemical composition of the surface modification layers of different thicknesses were analyzed by Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), respectively. The gas sensitivity to clean air with a low hydrogen concentration of 1000 ppm of the modified tin dioxide thin films was investigated at temperatures from 20oC to 100oC. The results show that the thickness of the modification layer plays an important role in the enhancement of the gas-sensing properties and surface electric properties of SnO2 films. A Ni modification layer with a thickness of 50 nm on the surface of a SnO2 film can improve the hydrogen gas sensitivity of a SnO2 film up to 112%, and reduce the response time to 80s. Nickel was used as a surface modification material to enhance the gas-sensing properties of SnO2 films. The thickness of the Ni modification layer was controlled by the sputtering time. The surface morphology and surface chemical composition of the surface modification layers of different thicknesses were analyzed by Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), respectively. The gas sensitivity to clean air with a low hydrogen concentration of 1000 ppm of the modified tin dioxide thin films was investigated at temperatures from 20oC to 100oC. The results show that the thickness of the modification layer plays an important role in the enhancement of the gas-sensing properties and surface electric properties of SnO2 films. A Ni modification layer with a thickness of 50 nm on the surface of a SnO2 film can improve the hydrogen gas sensitivity of a SnO2 film up to 112%, and reduce the response time to 80s.

Effects of frequency ratio on bridge aerodynamics determined by free-decay sectional model tests

Qin, X.R.,Kwok, K.C.S.,Fok, C.H.,Hitchcock, P.A. Techno-Press 2009 Wind and Structures, An International Journal (WAS Vol.12 No.5

A series of wind tunnel free-decay sectional model dynamic tests were conducted to examine the effects of torsional-to-vertical natural frequency ratio of 2DOF bridge dynamic systems on the aerodynamic and dynamic properties of bridge decks. The natural frequency ratios tested were around 2.2:1 and 1.2:1 respectively, with the fundamental vertical natural frequency of the system held constant for all the tests. Three 2.9 m long twin-deck bridge sectional models, with a zero, 16% (intermediate gap) and 35% (large gap) gap-to-width ratio, respectively, were tested to determine whether the effects of frequency ratio are dependent on bridge deck cross-section shapes. The results of wind tunnel tests suggest that for the model with a zero gap-width, a model to approximate a thin flat plate, the flutter derivatives, and consequently the aerodynamic forces, are relatively independent of the torsional-to-vertical frequency ratio for a relatively large range of reduced wind velocities, while for the models with an intermediate gap-width (around 16%) and a large gap-width (around 35%), some of the flutter derivatives, and therefore the aerodynamic forces, are evidently dependent on the frequency ratio for most of the tested reduced velocities. A comparison of the modal damping ratios also suggests that the torsional damping ratio is much more sensitive to the frequency ratio, especially for the two models with nonzero gap (16% and 35% gap-width). The test results clearly show that the effects of the frequency ratio on the flutter derivatives and the aerodynamic forces were dependent on the aerodynamic cross-section shape of the bridge deck.

Wind-induced self-excited vibrations of a twin-deck bridge and the effects of gap-width

Qin, X.R.,Kwok, K.C.S.,Fok, C.H.,Hitchcock, P.A.,Xu, Y.L. Techno-Press 2007 Wind and Structures, An International Journal (WAS Vol.10 No.5

A series of wind tunnel sectional model dynamic tests of a twin-deck bridge were conducted at the CLP Power Wind/Wave Tunnel Facility (WWTF) of The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) to investigate the effects of gap-width on the self-excited vibrations and the dynamic and aerodynamic characteristics of the bridge. Five 2.9 m long models with different gap-widths were fabricated and suspended in the wind tunnel to simulate a two-degrees-of-freedom (2DOF) bridge dynamic system, free to vibrate in both vertical and torsional directions. The mass, vertical frequency, and the torsional-to-vertical frequency ratio of the 2DOF systems were fixed to emphasize the effects of gap-width. A free-vibration test methodology was employed and the Eigensystem Realization Algorithm (ERA) was utilized to extract the eight flutter derivatives and the modal parameters from the coupled free-decay responses. The results of the zero gap-width configuration were in reasonable agreement with the theoretical values for an ideal thin flat plate in smooth flow and the published results of models with similar cross-sections, thus validating the experimental and analytical techniques utilized in this study. The methodology was further verified by the comparison between the measured and predicted free-decay responses. A comparison of results for different gap-widths revealed that variations of the gap-width mainly affect the torsional damping property, and that the configurations with greater gap-widths show a higher torsional damping ratio and hence stronger aerodynamic stability of the bridge.

Effects of frequency ratio on bridge aerodynamics determined by free-decay sectional model tests

X.R. Qin,K.C.S. Kwok,C.H. Fok,P.A. Hitchcock 한국풍공학회 2009 Wind and Structures, An International Journal (WAS Vol.12 No.5

A series of wind tunnel free-decay sectional model dynamic tests were conducted to examine the effects of torsional-to-vertical natural frequency ratio of 2DOF bridge dynamic systems on the aerodynamic and dynamic properties of bridge decks. The natural frequency ratios tested were around 2.2:1 and 1.2:1 respectively, with the fundamental vertical natural frequency of the system held constant for all the tests. Three 2.9 m long twin-deck bridge sectional models, with a zero, 16% (intermediate gap) and 35% (large gap) gap-to-width ratio, respectively, were tested to determine whether the effects of frequency ratio are dependent on bridge deck cross-section shapes. The results of wind tunnel tests suggest that for the model with a zero gap-width, a model to approximate a thin flat plate, the flutter derivatives, and consequently the aerodynamic forces, are relatively independent of the torsional-to-vertical frequency ratio for a relatively large range of reduced wind velocities, while for the models with an intermediate gap-width (around 16%) and a large gap-width (around 35%), some of the flutter derivatives, and therefore the aerodynamic forces, are evidently dependent on the frequency ratio for most of the tested reduced velocities. A comparison of the modal damping ratios also suggests that the torsional damping ratio is much more sensitive to the frequency ratio, especially for the two models with nonzero gap (16% and 35% gap-width). The test results clearly show that the effects of the frequency ratio on the flutter derivatives and the aerodynamic forces were dependent on the aerodynamic cross-section shape of the bridge deck.

Cluster Analysis of 12 Chinese Native Chicken Populations Using Microsatellite Markers

Chen, G.H.,Wu, X.S.,Wang, D.Q.,Qin, J.,Wu, S.L.,Zhou, Q.L.,Xie, F.,Cheng, R.,Xu, Q.,Liu, B.,Zhang, X.Y.,Olowofeso, O. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2004 Animal Bioscience Vol.17 No.8

The genomes of Chinese native chicken populations were screened using microsatellites as molecular markers. A total of, 528 individuals comprisede12 Chinese native chicken populations were typed for 7 microsatellite markers covering 5 linkage groups and genetic variations and genetic distances were also determined. In the 7 microsatellite loci, the number of alleles ranged from 2 to 7 per locus and the mean number of alleles was 4.6 per locus. By using fuzzy cluster, 12 Chinese native chicken populations were divided into three clusters. The first cluster comprised Taihe Silkies, Henan Game Chicken, Langshan Chicken, Dagu Chicken, Xiaoshan Chicken, Beijing Fatty Chicken and Luyuan Chicken. The second cluster included Chahua Chicken, Tibetan Chicken, Xianju Chicken and Baier Chicken. Gushi Chicken formed a separate cluster and demonstrated a long distance when comparing with other chicken populations.

<i>In situ</i> study of the role of substrate temperature during atomic layer deposition of HfO₂ on InP

Dong, H.,Santosh, K.C.,,Qin, X.,Brennan, B.,McDonnell, S.,Zhernokletov, D.,Hinkle, C. L.,Kim, J.,Cho, K.,Wallace, R. M. American Institute of Physics 2013 JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYSICS - Vol.114 No.15

Wind-induced self-excited vibrations of a twin-deck bridge and the effects of gap-width

K.C.S. Kwok,P.A. Hitchcock,X.R. Qin,Y.L. Xu,C.H. Fok 한국풍공학회 2007 Wind and Structures, An International Journal (WAS Vol.10 No.5

A series of wind tunnel sectional model dynamic tests of a twin-deck bridge were conducted at the CLP Power Wind/Wave Tunnel Facility (WWTF) of The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) to investigate the effects of gap-width on the self-excited vibrations and the dynamic and aerodynamic characteristics of the bridge. Five 2.9 m long models with different gap-widths were fabricated and suspended in the wind tunnel to simulate a two-degrees-of-freedom (2DOF) bridge dynamic system, free to vibrate in both vertical and torsional directions. The mass, vertical frequency, and the torsional-to-vertical frequency ratio of the 2DOF systems were fixed to emphasize the effects of gap-width. A free-vibration test methodology was employed and the Eigensystem Realization Algorithm (ERA) was utilized to extract the eight flutter derivatives and the modal parameters from the coupled free-decay responses. The results of the zero gap-width configuration were in reasonable agreement with the theoretical values for an ideal thin flat plate in smooth flow and the published results of models with similar cross-sections, thus validating the experimental and analytical techniques utilized in this study. The methodology was further verified by the comparison between the measured and predicted free-decay responses. A comparison of results for different gap-widths revealed that variations of the gap-width mainly affect the torsional damping property, and that the configurations with greater gap-widths show a higher torsional damping ratio and hence stronger aerodynamic stability of the bridge.

DNA Fingerprint Polymorphism of 3 Goat Populations from China Chaidamu Basin

Geng, S.M.,Shen, W.,Qin, G.Q.,Wang, X.,Hu, S.R.,Wang, Q.L.,Zhang, J.Q. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2002 Animal Bioscience Vol.15 No.8

The DNA fingerprint polymorphism and the genetic relationship were studied by RAPD technology on Chaidamu goat (CG), Chaidamu Cashmere goat (CCG) and Liaoning Cashmere goat (LCG) from Chaidamu Basin of Qinghai province, China. The results showed that: The amplified bands were all 94 in 3 goat populations by using 8 random primers, and the DNA polymorphism frequencies of CG, CCG and LCG were 0.8404, 0.8617 and 0.8511, respectively, and the length of these DNA fragments were 176-2937 bp. The mean heterozygosities of the 3 goat populations were 0.5148, 0.5142 and 0.5075, respectively. The genetic relationship between CCG and CG or LCG were similar (Gst=4.37% and 3.79%; $D_{ij}=0.0109$ and 0.0106), and that between CG and LCG was further (Gst=13.14%; $D_{ij}=0.0230$). These results also showed that the genetic relationship between CCG and LCG was the closest, then CG and LCG, and CG and CCG was distant.

In-situ XPS study of ALD ZnO passivation of p-In0.53Ga0.47As

Lucero, A. T.,Byun, Y. C.,Qin, X.,Cheng, L.,Kim, H.,Wallace, R. M.,Kim, J. SPRINGER SCIENCE AND BUSINESS MEDIA 2015 ELECTRONIC MATERIALS LETTERS Vol.11 No.5