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Gao F, Zheng KI, Wang XB, Sun QF, Pan KH, Wang TY, Chen YP, Targher G, Byrne CD, George J, Zheng MH. Obesity Is a Risk Factor for Greater COVID-19 Severity. Diabetes Care 2020; 43:e72-e74. [PMID: 32409499 DOI: 10.2337/dc20-0682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 257] [Impact Index Per Article: 64.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Accepted: 04/08/2020] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
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Zheng KI, Gao F, Wang XB, Sun QF, Pan KH, Wang TY, Ma HL, Chen YP, Liu WY, George J, Zheng MH. Letter to the Editor: Obesity as a risk factor for greater severity of COVID-19 in patients with metabolic associated fatty liver disease. Metabolism 2020; 108:154244. [PMID: 32320741 PMCID: PMC7166301 DOI: 10.1016/j.metabol.2020.154244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 224] [Impact Index Per Article: 56.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2020] [Revised: 04/14/2020] [Accepted: 04/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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Liu YW, Hou Z, Li SY, Sun QF, He L. Movable Valley Switch Driven by Berry Phase in Bilayer-Graphene Resonators. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2020; 124:166801. [PMID: 32383950 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.124.166801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2019] [Revised: 01/14/2020] [Accepted: 04/03/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Berry phase, the geometric phase accumulated over a closed loop in parameter space during an adiabatic cyclic evolution, has been demonstrated to play an important role in many quantum systems since its discovery. In gapped Bernal bilayer graphene, the Berry phase can be continuously tuned from zero to 2π, which offers a unique opportunity to explore the tunable Berry phase on physical phenomena. Here, we report experimental observation of Berry-phase-induced valley splitting and crossing in movable bilayer-graphene p-n junction resonators. In our experiment, the resonators are generated by combining the electric field of a scanning tunneling microscope tip with the gap of bilayer graphene. A perpendicular magnetic field changes the Berry phase of the confined bound states in the resonators from zero to 2π continuously and leads to the Berry phase difference for the two inequivalent valleys in the bilayer graphene. As a consequence, we observe giant valley splitting and unusual valley crossing of the lowest bound states. Our results indicate that the bilayer-graphene resonators can be used to manipulate the valley degree of freedom in valleytronics.
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Fan SN, Deng J, Sun QF. [Results and analysis on individual dose level of occupation exposure in industrial application in China (2009-2013)]. ZHONGHUA LAO DONG WEI SHENG ZHI YE BING ZA ZHI = ZHONGHUA LAODONG WEISHENG ZHIYEBING ZAZHI = CHINESE JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE AND OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES 2020; 37:943-946. [PMID: 31937041 DOI: 10.3760/cma.j.issn.1001-9391.2019.12.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Objective: To understand and analyze the individual dose level of occupational external exposure of industrial workers in China from 2009 to 2013, and to provide basic data and scientific basis for radiation protection and radiation protection management. Methods: Since January 2009, the individual dose monitoring data of industrial workers were collected through the "National radiological health information platform-individual dose monitoring system". The methods of Kruskal-Wallis test and the Mann-Whitney test were used for statistical analysis of monitoring results for different occupational categories from 2009 to 2013. Results: From 2009 to 2013, a total of 151, 541 people were monitored for the number of industrial radioactive workers, showing a steady upward trend year by year. The average annual effective doses was 1.179 mSv/a. The average annual effective dose of industrial flaw detection, industrial irradiation, luminescent coatings, radioisotope production, logging, accelerator operation and other applications were 0.808, 1.429, 0.315, 1.074, 0.766, 0.576, and 1.510 mSv/a. There was a statistically significant difference in the average annual effective dose between the seven occupational categories (P<0.05) . The average annual effective doses of other application and industrial irradiation workers in 2013 were significantly higher than other occupational categories (P<0.05) . Conclusion: The average annual effective dose of industrial radiation workers meet the requirements of national standards. The exposure doses of industrial radiation and other application radiation workers are relatively high. The radiation protection workplace protection measures should be further improved and improved, and radiation protection knowledge training should be strengthened to protect their occupational health.
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Shen GH, Song Y, Yao Y, Sun QF, Jing B, Wu J, Li SY, Liu SQ, Li HC, Yuan C, Liu GY, Li JB, Liu XY, Wang HY. Downregulation of DLGAP1-Antisense RNA 1 Alleviates Vascular Endothelial Cell Injury Via Activation of the Phosphoinositide 3-kinase/Akt Pathway Results from an Acute Limb Ischemia Rat Model. Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg 2019; 59:98-107. [PMID: 31744785 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejvs.2019.06.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2018] [Revised: 06/26/2019] [Accepted: 06/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to investigate the effect of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) DLGAP1 antisense RNA 1 (DLGAP1-AS1) on vascular endothelial cell (VEC) injury via the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathway in rat models of acute lower limb ischaemia-reperfusion (I/R). METHODS Differentially expressed lncRNAs related to I/R were screened using the gene expression omnibus database. Acute lower limb I/R models were induced in male Wistar rats, in which the regulatory mechanisms of DLGAP1-AS1 silencing were analysed after the treatment of small interfering RNA (siRNA) against DLGAP1-AS1 or an inhibitor of the PI3K/Akt pathway. The relationship between DLGAP1-AS1 and the PI3K/Akt pathway was analysed. The levels of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), as well as malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration and creatine kinase (CK) activity, were measured. The number of circulating endothelial cells (CECs) and apoptosis of VECs were identified. RESULTS Microarray based analysis indicated that DLGAP1-AS1 was highly expressed in I/R, which was further confirmed by detection of expression in rat models of acute lower limb I/R. Notably, the treatment of siRNA against DLGAP1-AS1 led to the activation of the PI3K/Akt pathway. In response to siRNA against DLGAP1-AS1, the levels of TNF-α and VCAM-1 were decreased, and MDA concentration and CK activity was downregulated. Reduced CEC numbers and suppressed VEC apoptosis were also observed. CONCLUSION DLGAP1-AS1 silencing could further suppress the oxidative stress, exert an anti-apoptosis effect, and reduce inflammatory reaction, whereby VEC injury is alleviated by activation of the PI3K/Akt pathway in rats with acute lower limb I/R.
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Yang NX, Zhou YF, Hou Z, Sun QF. Anomalous spin Nernst effect in Weyl semimetals. JOURNAL OF PHYSICS. CONDENSED MATTER : AN INSTITUTE OF PHYSICS JOURNAL 2019; 31:435301. [PMID: 31239413 DOI: 10.1088/1361-648x/ab2c7d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The spin Nernst effect describes a transverse spin current induced by the longitudinal thermal gradient in a system with the spin-orbit coupling. Here we study the spin Nernst effect in a mesoscopic four-terminal cross-bar Weyl semimetal device under a perpendicular magnetic field. Because the spin current is a tensor, it has three elements with the spin direction pointing to the x, y and z directions when the spin current flows along the transverse lead. By using the tight-binding Hamiltonian combined with the nonequilibrium Green's function method, the three elements of the spin current in the transverse leads and the spin Nernst coefficients are obtained. The results show that the spin Nernst effect in the Weyl semimetal has an essential difference to the traditional Nernst effect: we found that the z direction spin current is zero without the magnetic field while it appears under the magnetic field, and the x and y direction spin currents in the two transverse leads flow out or in together, in contrast to the traditional spin Nernst effect, in which the spin current is induced by the spin-orbit coupling and flows out from one lead and flows in on the other. We call it the anomalous spin Nernst effect. In addition, we show that the Weyl semimetals have inversion-type symmetry, mirror-reversal-type symmetry and electron-hole-type symmetry, which lead to the spin Nernst coefficients being either odd or even functions of the Fermi energy, the magnetic field and the transverse terminals. Moreover, the spin Nernst effect in the Weyl semimetals are strongly anisotropic and its coefficients are strongly dependent on both the direction of thermal gradient and the direction of the transverse lead connection. Three non-equivalent connection modes (x-z, z-x and x-y modes) are studied in detail, and the spin Nernst coefficients for three different modes exhibit very different behaviors. These strongly anisotropic behaviors of the spin Nernst effect can be used as the characterization of magnetic Weyl semimetals.
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Ni HY, Qin KJ, Sun QF, Bian LG. [Surgical treatment for Cushing's disease with negative results in high dose dexamethasone suppression tests]. ZHONGHUA YI XUE ZA ZHI 2019; 99:1499-1501. [PMID: 31137142 DOI: 10.3760/cma.j.issn.0376-2491.2019.19.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Objective: To analyze the indication and the outcome of trans-sphenoidal surgery (TSS) in Cushing's disease (CD) with negative high dose dexamethasone suppression tests (HDDST) results. Methods: Eighteen cases of ACTH-dependent Cushing's syndrome (CS) with negative HDDST results in the Department of Neurosurgery in Shanghai Ruijin Hospital from January 2015 to December 2017 were retrospectively reviewed. All patients underwent TSS. There were 5 males and 13 females, with an average age of (41±14) years. Results: All patients underwent bilateral inferior petrosal sinus sampling (BIPSS) before the surgery and got evidence of pituitary origin of ACTH secretion. They were thus indicated for TSS. Immediate post-operative remission was achieved in ratio 17/18. There were no recurrences within a flow-up of 1 to 3 years. Pituitary ACTH secreting adenomas were pathologically confirmed in 15 cases, including the one who did not achieve post-operative remission. Thus, all 18 patients with negative HDDST results can finally be confirmed as CD. Conclusions: HDDST alone is not sufficient to eliminate CD. For patients with ACTH-dependent CS with negative HDDST results, BIPSS should be further performed. The fact of post-operative remission and the pathological confirm of ACTH secreting pituitary adenoma may add final evidence to the diagnosis of CD.
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Xing Y, Xu F, Sun QF, Wang J, Yao YG. Geometric effect on quantum anomalous Hall states in magnetic topological insulators. JOURNAL OF PHYSICS. CONDENSED MATTER : AN INSTITUTE OF PHYSICS JOURNAL 2018; 30:435303. [PMID: 30226213 DOI: 10.1088/1361-648x/aae21e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
An intriguing observation on the quantum anomalous Hall effect (QAHE) in magnetic topological insulators (MTIs) is the dissipative edge states, where quantized Hall resistance is accompanied by nonzero longitudinal resistance. We numerically investigate this dissipative behavior of QAHE in MTIs with a three-dimensional tight-binding model and non-equilibrium Green's function formalism. It is found that, in clean samples, the geometric mismatch between the detecting electrodes and the MTI sample leads to additional scattering in the central Hall bar, which is similar to the effect of splitting gates in the traditional Hall effect. As a result, while the Hall resistance remains quantized, the longitudinal resistance deviates from zero due to such additional scattering. It is also shown that external magnetic fields as well as disorder scattering can suppress the dissipation of the longitudinal resistance. These results are in good agreement with previous experimental observations and provide insight on the fabrication of QAHE devices.
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Cheng SG, Liu H, Jiang H, Sun QF, Xie XC. Manipulation and Characterization of the Valley-Polarized Topological Kink States in Graphene-Based Interferometers. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2018; 121:156801. [PMID: 30362779 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.121.156801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Valley polarized topological kink states, existing broadly in the domain wall of hexagonal lattice systems, are identified in experiments. Unfortunately, only very limited physical properties are given. Using an Aharanov-Bohm interferometer composed of domain walls in graphene systems, we study the periodical modulation of a pure valley current in a large range by tuning the magnetic field or the Fermi level. For a monolayer graphene device, there exists one topological kink state, and the oscillation of the transmission coefficients has a single period. The π Berry phase and the linear dispersion relation of kink states can be extracted from the transmission data. For a bilayer graphene device, there are two topological kink states with two oscillation periods. Our proposal provides an experimentally feasible route to manipulate and characterize the valley-polarized topological kink states in classical wave and electronic graphene-type crystalline systems.
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Zhou QQ, Hu YB, Zhou K, Zhang WW, Li MH, Dong P, Di JG, Hong L, Du QW, Xie Y, Sun QF. [Value of non-invasive models of liver fibrosis in judgment of treatment timing in chronic hepatitis B patients with ALT < 2×upper limit of normal]. ZHONGHUA GAN ZANG BING ZA ZHI = ZHONGHUA GANZANGBING ZAZHI = CHINESE JOURNAL OF HEPATOLOGY 2017; 24:665-670. [PMID: 27788722 DOI: 10.3760/cma.j.issn.1007-3418.2016.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Objective: To investigate the value of non-invasive liver fibrosis models, FIB-4, S index, aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio index(APRI), globulin-platelet(GP)model, aspartate aminotransferase/platelet/gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase/alpha-fetoprotein(APGA), and platelet/age/phosphatase/alpha-fetoprotein/aspartate aminotransferase(PAPAS), in the diagnosis of marked liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B(CHB)patients with ALT < 2×upper limit of normal(ULN), as well as treatment timing for this population. Methods: A total of 389 CHB patients with ALT < 2×ULN who were admitted to Beijing Ditan Hospital and whose treatment timing was difficult to judge were enrolled. Transdermal liver biopsy was performed to obtain pathological results, and routine serological tests were performed, including routine blood test, serum biochemical parameters, hepatitis B virus(HBV)markers, and HBV DNA. According to liver pathology, the patients were divided into non-marked liver fibrosis group(S < 2)with 324 patients and marked liver fibrosis group(S≥2)with 65 patients. The non-invasive models for predicting liver fibrosis was established with reference to original articles. SPSS 19.0 software was used for statistical analysis, and the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was used to compare the value of different non-invasive models in predicting marked liver fibrosis in this population. Results: All the non-invasive models had a certain diagnostic value for liver fibrosis degree in these patients, and the areas under the ROC curve for APRI, FIB-4, APGA, S index, PAPAS, and GP model were 0.718, 0.691, 0.758, 0.729, 0.673, and 0.691, respectively. APGA had the largest area under the ROC curve(0.758, 95% CI 0.673-0.844), and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase was significantly positively correlated with liver fibrosis degree. Conclusion: The non-invasive models of liver fibrosis can identify marked liver fibrosis in CHB patients with ALT < 2×ULN in whom it is difficult to judge treatment timing and help to determine treatment timing for them. APGA model has the highest value and can reduce the need for liver biopsy to the certain degree.
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Wang LM, Zhao N, Zhang J, Sun QF, Yang CZ, Yang PS. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha inhibits osteogenic differentiation of pre-osteoblasts by downregulation of EphB4 signaling via activated nuclear factor-kappaB signaling pathway. J Periodontal Res 2017; 53:66-72. [PMID: 28857167 DOI: 10.1111/jre.12488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE The majority of experiments show that tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) inhibits osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells and pre-osteoblasts by activated nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) signaling. However, the underlying mechanisms by which NF-κB signaling inhibits osteogenic differentiation are not fully understood. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether EphB4 signaling inhibition mediates the effects of TNF-α-activated NF-κB signaling on osteogenic differentiation of pre-osteoblasts. MATERIAL AND METHODS Murine MC3T3-E1 pre-osteoblasts were treated with 10 ng/mL of TNF-α. NF-κB inhibitor, pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate, was used to achieve NF-κB signaling inhibition. EphB4 signaling was activated using ephrinB2-fc. The mRNA expressions of runt related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), bone sialoprotein (BSP) and EphB4 were determined using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. The protein levels of Runx2, BSP, Col Ia1, osteopontin, EphB4, p-NF-κB p65 and NF-κB p65 were evaluated using western blot assays. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity in MC3T3-E1 cells was evaluated by ALP activity kit, and mineral nodule formation was evaluated by Alizarin Red S staining. RESULTS TNF-α inhibited EphB4 expression, while it suppressed Runx2, BSP expression from gene and protein levels as well as ALP activity and mineral nodule formation in MC3T3-E1 cells. Activation of EphB4 signaling by ephrinB2-fc promoted osteogenic differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells, whereas TNF-α impaired the osteogenic differentiation enhanced by ephrinB2-fc. Pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate blocked the activation of NF-κB signaling induced by TNF-α, while it prevented the downregulation of Runx2, BSP and EphB4, induced by TNF-α. CONCLUSION TNF-α inhibits osteogenic differentiation of pre-osteoblasts by downregulation of EphB4 signaling via activated NF-κB signaling pathway.
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Fu RQ, Hu DP, Hu YB, Hong L, Sun QF, Ding JG. miR‑21 promotes α‑SMA and collagen I expression in hepatic stellate cells via the Smad7 signaling pathway. Mol Med Rep 2017; 16:4327-4333. [PMID: 28731181 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2017.7054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2016] [Accepted: 04/20/2017] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of microRNA (miR)‑21 in regulating collagen I and Smad7 expression in activated rat hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Rat HSCs were isolated by single‑step density gradient centrifugation with Nycodenz. Cellular content of miR‑21, SMAD7, α‑smooth muscle actin (α‑SMA), collagen type I alpha 1 (COLLA1) and COLL alpha 2 (A2) mRNA was examined by reverse transcription‑quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT‑qPCR), and cellular content of Smad7 and α‑SMA protein was detected by western blotting. Binding of miR‑21 to the 3'‑untranslated region (UTR) of Smad7 was verified by dual‑luciferase assay. The authors observed that, in activated HSCs, expression of miR‑21 was significantly increased in a time‑dependent manner, while expression of Smad7 mRNA and protein was significantly reduced. In addition, miR‑21 mimics significantly enhanced cellular α‑SMA mRNA and protein content, while miR‑21 inhibitor significantly reduced α‑SMA mRNA and protein levels. Similarly, cellular content of COLLA1 and COLLA2 mRNA was significantly elevated by miR‑21 mimics, but reduced by miR‑21 inhibitor, in activated HSCs. Moreover, cellular content of Smad7 mRNA and protein was significantly reduced by miR‑21 mimics, but significantly increased by miR‑21 inhibitor. Furthermore, miR‑21 mimics activated firefly luciferase in HEK293 cells transfected with the wild type 3'‑UTR of Smad7. miR‑21 regulates expression of α‑SMA and collagen I in activated rat HSCs by directly targeting Smad7.
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Xu L, Li XQ, Sun QF. Majorana dc Josephson current mediated by a quantum dot. JOURNAL OF PHYSICS. CONDENSED MATTER : AN INSTITUTE OF PHYSICS JOURNAL 2017; 29:195301. [PMID: 28287397 DOI: 10.1088/1361-648x/aa6661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The Josephson supercurrent through a hybrid Majorana-quantum dot-Majorana junction is investigated. We particularly analyze the effect of spin-selective coupling between the Majorana and quantum dot states, which only emerges in the topological phase and will influence the current through bent junctions and/or in the presence of magnetic fields in the quantum dot. We find that the characteristic behavior of the supercurrent through this system is quite counterintuitive, differing remarkably from the resonant tunneling, e.g. through the similar (normal phase) superconductor-quantum dot-superconductor junction. Our analysis is carried out under the influence of the full set-up parameters and for both the [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] periodic currents. The present study is expected to be relevant to the future exploration of applications of Majorana-nanowire circuits.
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Pan AN, Xu WW, Luo YL, Yu HH, Hu YB, Sun QF, Ding JG, Wu YH. A novel system for predicting liver histopathology in patients with chronic hepatitis B. Medicine (Baltimore) 2017; 96:e6465. [PMID: 28383410 PMCID: PMC5411194 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000006465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
There is currently a lack of reliable, reproducible, and easily applied methods for assessing changes in liver histology in patients in the gray zone phase of chronic hepatitis B (CHB). Therefore, we aimed to develop a novel predictive scoring system to detect significant liver histological changes in these patients.A total of 388 patients in the gray zone phase of CHB who underwent liver biopsy were divided into a training group and a validation group, and their clinical and routinely available laboratory parameters were analyzed using univariate analysis, Spearman correlation analysis, and logistic modeling. A novel scoring system, termed the Significant Histological Model (SHM), was constructed using logistic modeling. The diagnostic accuracy of our novel scoring system was evaluated by the receiving operating characteristic (ROC) method, sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values (NPVs).We established the novel SHM scoring system using serum aspartate transaminase (AST), platelet counts (PLTs), albumin (ALB), and hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA (log10 IU/mL) levels. The area under the ROC curve of the SHM scoring system was 0.763 in the training group and 0.791 in the validation group. For patients with a score of -1.0 or less and no significant histological changes, the sensitivity was 78.9%, specificity was 51.5%, positive predictive value (PPV) was 46.4%, and NPV was 82.0%. In the validation set, the sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV were 80.0%, 66.6%, 56.3%, and 86.2%, respectively.This novel scoring system using AST, PLT, ALB, and HBV DNA (log10 IU/mL) levels identifies patients in the gray zone phase of CHB with and without histological changes with a high degree of accuracy. Here, we provide the experimental basis for the initiation of clinical antiviral treatment without the need for liver biopsy.
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Li JB, Wang HY, Yao Y, Sun QF, Liu ZH, Liu SQ, Zhuang JL, Wang YP, Liu HY. Overexpression of microRNA-138 alleviates human coronary artery endothelial cell injury and inflammatory response by inhibiting the PI3K/Akt/eNOS pathway. J Cell Mol Med 2017; 21:1482-1491. [PMID: 28371277 PMCID: PMC5542903 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.13074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2016] [Accepted: 11/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the role of miR‐138 in human coronary artery endothelial cell (HCAEC) injury and inflammatory response and the involvement of the PI3K/Akt/eNOS signalling pathway. Oxidized low‐density lipoprotein (OX‐LDL)‐induced HCAEC injury models were established and assigned to blank, miR‐138 mimic, miR‐138 inhibitor, LY294002 (an inhibitor of the PI3K/Akt/eNOS pathway), miR‐138 inhibitor + LY294002 and negative control (NC) groups. qRT‐PCR and Western blotting were performed to detect the miR‐138, PI3K, Akt and eNOS levels and the protein expressions of PI3K, Akt, eNOS, p‐Akt, p‐eNOS, Bcl‐2, Bax and caspase‐3. ELISAs were employed to measure the expressions of TNF‐α, IL‐4, IL‐6, IL‐8, IL‐10 and nitric oxide (NO) and the activities of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and eNOS. MTT and flow cytometry were performed to assess the proliferation and apoptosis of HCAECs. Compared to the blank group, PI3K, Akt and eNOS were down‐regulated in the miR‐138 mimic and LY294002 groups but were up‐regulated in the miR‐138 inhibitor group. The miR‐138 mimic and LY294002 groups showed decreased concentrations of TNF‐α, IL‐6, IL‐8 and NO and reduced activities of LDH and eNOS, while opposite trends were observed in the miR‐138 inhibitor group. The concentrations of IL‐4 and IL‐10 increased in the miR‐138 mimic and LY294002 groups but decreased in the miR‐138 inhibitor group. The miR‐138 mimic and LY294002 groups had significantly decreased cell proliferation and increased cell apoptosis compared to the blank group. These findings indicate that up‐regulation of miR‐138 alleviates HCAEC injury and inflammatory response by inhibiting the PI3K/Akt/eNOS signalling pathway.
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Hong L, Sun QF, Xu TY, Wu YH, Zhang H, Fu RQ, Cai FJ, Zhou QQ, Zhou K, Du QW, Zhang D, Xu S, Ding JG. New role and molecular mechanism of Gadd45a in hepatic fibrosis. World J Gastroenterol 2016; 22:2779-2788. [PMID: 26973416 PMCID: PMC4778000 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v22.i9.2779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2015] [Revised: 08/04/2015] [Accepted: 11/09/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM: To investigate the role of Gadd45a in hepatic fibrosis and the transforming growth factor (TGF)-β/Smad signaling pathway.
METHODS: Wild-type male BALB/c mice were treated with CCl4 to induce a model of chronic liver injury. Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) were isolated from the liver of BALB/c mice and were treated with small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) targeting Gadd45a or the pcDNA3.1-Gadd45a recombinant plasmid. Cellular α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), β-actin, type I collagen, phospho-Smad2, phospho-Smad3, Smad2, Smad3, and Smad4 were detected by Western blots. The mRNA levels of α-SMA, β-actin, and type I collagen were determined by quantitative real-time (qRT)-PCR analyses. Reactive oxygen species production was monitored by flow cytometry using 2,7-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate. Gadd45a, Gadd45b, anti-Gadd45g, type I collagen, and SMA local expression in liver tissue were measured by histologic and immunohistochemical analyses.
RESULTS: Significant downregulation of Gadd45a, but not Gadd45b or Gadd45g, accompanied by activation of the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathways was detected in fibrotic liver tissues of mice and isolated HSCs with chronic liver injury induced by CCl4 treatment. Overexpression of Gadd45a reduced the expression of extracellular matrix proteins and α-SMA in HSCs, whereas transient knockdown of Gadd45a with siRNA reversed this process. Gadd45a inhibited the activity of a plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 promoter construct and (CAGA)9 MLP-Luc, an artificial Smad3/4-specific reporter, as well as reduced the phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of Smad3. Gadd45a showed protective effects by scavenging reactive oxygen species and upregulating antioxidant enzymes.
CONCLUSION: Gadd45a may counteract hepatic fibrosis by regulating the activation of HSCs via the inhibition of TGF-β/Smad signaling.
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Jiang QD, Jiang H, Liu H, Sun QF, Xie XC. Topological Imbert-Fedorov Shift in Weyl Semimetals. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2015; 115:156602. [PMID: 26550742 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.115.156602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
The Goos-Hänchen (GH) shift and the Imbert-Fedorov (IF) shift are optical phenomena which describe the longitudinal and transverse lateral shifts at the reflection interface, respectively. Here, we predict the GH and IF shifts in Weyl semimetals (WSMs)-a promising material harboring low energy Weyl fermions, a massless fermionic cousin of photons. Our results show that the GH shift in WSMs is valley independent, which is analogous to that discovered in a 2D relativistic material-graphene. However, the IF shift has never been explored in nonoptical systems, and here we show that it is valley dependent. Furthermore, we find that the IF shift actually originates from the topological effect of the system. Experimentally, the topological IF shift can be utilized to characterize the Weyl semimetals, design valleytronic devices of high efficiency, and measure the Berry curvature.
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Jiang QD, Bao ZQ, Sun QF, Xie XC. Theory for electric dipole superconductivity with an application for bilayer excitons. Sci Rep 2015; 5:11925. [PMID: 26154838 PMCID: PMC4495569 DOI: 10.1038/srep11925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2015] [Accepted: 06/09/2015] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Exciton superfluid is a macroscopic quantum phenomenon in which large quantities of excitons undergo the Bose-Einstein condensation. Recently, exciton superfluid has been widely studied in various bilayer systems. However, experimental measurements only provide indirect evidence for the existence of exciton superfluid. In this article, by viewing the exciton in a bilayer system as an electric dipole, we derive the London-type and Ginzburg-Landau-type equations for the electric dipole superconductors. By using these equations, we discover the Meissner-type effect and the electric dipole current Josephson effect. These effects can provide direct evidence for the formation of the exciton superfluid state in bilayer systems and pave new ways to drive an electric dipole current.
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Liu H, Jiang H, Sun QF, Xie XC. Dephasing effect on backscattering of helical surface states in 3D topological insulators. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2014; 113:046805. [PMID: 25105645 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.113.046805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2013] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
We analyze the dephasing effect on the backscattering behavior of the helical surface states in 3D topological insulators. We show that the combination of dephasing and impurity scattering can cause backscattering in the helical states. Especially for the charge impurity case, the backscattering cross section becomes extremely large around the Dirac point. This large backscattering behavior can lead to the anomalous "gaplike" features found in recent experiments [T. Sato et al., Nat. Phys. 7, 840 (2011)].
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Zhang YT, Song J, Sun QF. The effect of dephasing on edge state transport through p-n junctions in HgTe/CdTe quantum wells. JOURNAL OF PHYSICS. CONDENSED MATTER : AN INSTITUTE OF PHYSICS JOURNAL 2014; 26:085301. [PMID: 24501192 DOI: 10.1088/0953-8984/26/8/085301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Using the Landauer-Büttiker formula, we study the effect of dephasing on the transport properties of the HgTe/CdTe p-n junction. It is found that in the HgTe/CdTe p-n junction the topologically protected gapless helical edge states manifest a quantized 2e²/h plateau robust against dephasing, in sharp contrast to the case for the normal HgTe/CdTe quantum well. This robustness of the transport properties of the edge states against dephasing should be attributed to the special construction of the HgTe/CdTe p-n junction, which limits the gapless helical edge states to a very narrow region and thus weakens the influence of the dephasing on the gapless edge states to a large extent. Our results demonstrate that the p-n junction could be a substitute device for use in experimentally observing the robust edge states and quantized plateau. Finally, we present a feasible scheme based on current experimental methods.
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Yang ZC, Sun QF, Xie XC. Spin-current Seebeck effect in quantum dot systems. JOURNAL OF PHYSICS. CONDENSED MATTER : AN INSTITUTE OF PHYSICS JOURNAL 2014; 26:045302. [PMID: 24389759 DOI: 10.1088/0953-8984/26/4/045302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
We first bring up the concept of the spin-current Seebeck effect based on a recent experiment (Vera-Marun et al 2012 Nature Phys. 8 313), and investigate the spin-current Seebeck effect in quantum dot (QD) systems. Our results show that the spin-current Seebeck coefficient S is sensitive to different polarization states of the QD, and therefore can be used to detect the polarization state of the QD and monitor the transitions between different polarization states of the QD. The intradot Coulomb interaction can greatly enhance S due to the stronger polarization of the QD. By using the parameters for a typical QD whose intradot Coulomb interaction U is one order of magnitude larger than the linewidth Γ, we demonstrate that the maximum value of S can be enhanced by a factor of 80. On the other hand, for a QD whose Coulomb interaction is negligible, we show that one can still obtain a large S by applying an external magnetic field.
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Sun QF, Xu M, Wu JG, Chen BW, Du WX, Ding JG, Shen XB, Su C, Wen JS, Wang GZ. Efficacy and safety of recombinant Mycobacterium tuberculosis ESAT-6 protein for diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis: a phase II trial. Med Sci Monit 2013; 19:969-77. [PMID: 24217560 PMCID: PMC3836599 DOI: 10.12659/msm.889425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2013] [Accepted: 08/29/2013] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study aimed to determine the efficacy and safety of recombinant Mycobacterium tuberculosis ESAT-6 protein for diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB). MATERIAL AND METHODS A phase II trial was performed in 158 patients with pulmonary TB (145 initially-treated and 13 re-treated) and 133 healthy subjects. Skin testing was carried out by injecting purified protein derivative (PPD) (on left forearm) or recombinant ESAT-6 protein at a dosage of 2, 5, or 10 μg/mL (on the right forearm) in each subject. Reaction activity and adverse events were monitored at 24, 48, and 72 h following the injection. Receiver operating characteristic curves were plotted to determine the areas under the curves (AUCs) and the cut-off induration diameters for the optimal diagnostic performance. RESULTS The reaction activity was significantly increased upon recombinant ESAT-6 injection in pulmonary TB patients compared with healthy subjects. In pulmonary TB patients, the reaction was dose-dependent, and at 48 h, 10 μg/mL recombinant ESAT-6 produced a reaction similar to that produced by PPD. The AUCs for a 10 μg/mL dosage were 0.9823, 0.9552, and 0.9266 for 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h, respectively, and the induration diameters of 4.5-5.5 mm were the optimal trade-off values between true positive rates and false positive rates. No serious adverse events occurred in any subjects. CONCLUSIONS Recombinant ESAT-6 protein is efficacious and safe for diagnosing pulmonary TB. Based on the reaction, performance, safety, and practicability, we recommend that 10 μg/mL at 48 h with an induration cut-off value of 5.0 mm be used.
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Zhao JM, Zhang L, Du QW, Mu CQ, Ren YL, Hu LP, Shen G, Zhuang LW, Lu Y, Qiu GH, Sun QF, Wu YZ, Yang M, Li MH, Xie Y, Cheng J, Xu DZ. [Analyse related factors of impact and prognosis of 73 cases of severe hepatitis]. ZHONGHUA SHI YAN HE LIN CHUANG BING DU XUE ZA ZHI = ZHONGHUA SHIYAN HE LINCHUANG BINGDUXUE ZAZHI = CHINESE JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL AND CLINICAL VIROLOGY 2013; 27:366-369. [PMID: 24645325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE A retrospective study was conducted to investigate the clinical features and prognostic factors of 73 cases of severe hepatitis. METHODS To summarize clinical features of 73 cases of severe hepatitis, grouping by etiology and pathogenesis. A retrospective analysis was performed to evaluate the relationship between biochemical characteristics (liver function, renal function, electrolytes, PTA, etc) and complications (hepatic encephalopathy, upper gastrointestinal bleeding, hepatorenal syndrome, ascites, abdominal infections, etc) and prognosis. RESULTS (1) HBV infection alone accounted for 65.75%. Alcoholic liver disease, drug-induced liver injury, hepatitis E, autoimmune hepatitis, overlapping causes and other factors were five cases (6.85%), six cases (8.22%), two cases (2.74%), two cases (2.74%), seven cases (9.59%) and three cases (4.11%) respectively. According to the incidence rate, severity and underlying liver condition, subacute hepatitis, cases based on chronic hepatitis and on cirrhosis were 12 cases (16.43%), 11 cases (15.07%), 50 cases (68.49%) respectively. Clinical manifestations with or without hepatic encephalopathy accounted for 58.90% or 41.10%. (2) The highest mortality of severe hepatitis was alcoholic liver disease and patients on the basis of overlapping factors (66.67%), followed by autoimmune liver disease (50%). The mortality of HBV-related hepatitis was 18.75%. Overall mortality of 73 cases of severe hepatitis was 28.77%, of which cirrhosis group was higher than non-cirrhotic group (40% vs 4.3%, P = 0.002). The difference was statistically significant. Patients without hepatic encephalopathy had lower mortality than with hepatic encephalopathy (3.33% vs 46.51%). The mortality of patients with hepatic encephalopathy Stage III and IV was 72.73%. (3) Independent samples t test filtered nine factors associated with death, namely cirrhosis, upper gastrointestinal bleeding, hepatic encephalopathy, hepatorenal syndrome, serum creatinine, total bilirubin (TBIL), direct bilirubin (DBIL), albumin (ALB) and serum sodium. The results of multivariate conditional logistic regression analysis indicated that hepatic encephalopathy, serum creatinine levels were risk factors for death, whereas ALB as a protective factor. CONCLUSION Hepatic encephalopathy, serum creatinine levels were risk factors for severe hepatitis death, But ALB was protective factor. Nucleotide analogs using was the main reason why the mortality of hepatitis B was as low as 18.75%.
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Du QW, Ding JG, Sun QF, Hong L, Cai FJ, Zhou QQ, Wu YH, Fu RQ. Combination lamivudine and adefovir versus entecavir for the treatment of naïve chronic hepatitis B patients: a pilot study. Med Sci Monit 2013; 19:751-6. [PMID: 24019010 PMCID: PMC3775615 DOI: 10.12659/msm.889443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2013] [Accepted: 07/16/2013] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to compare the effect of combination lamivudine (LAM) and adefovir dipivoxil (ADV) versus entecavir (ETV) monotherapy for naïve HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients. MATERIAL/METHODS Fifty enrolled patients with CHB were evenly divided into 2 groups: a group treated with of lamivudine (LAM) (100 mg/day) plus adefovir (ADV) (10 mg/day) combination, and a group treated with entecavir (ETV) (0.5 mg/day). Serum levels of ALT, AST, creatinine, bilirubin, HBsAg, HBeAg and HBV viral load, and genotypic resistance were analyzed at 0, 12, 24, 52, and 104 weeks. HBV DNA levels were determined by real-time PCR and HBsAg and HBeAg by chemiluminescence. Serum levels of ALT, AST, creatinine, and bilirubin were measured by an automatic biochemical analyzer. Data analysis was performed with SPSS 12.0 software. RESULTS There were no significant differences in the virological response (VR) rates between LAM+ADV and ETV cohorts at 24, 52, and 104 weeks (P>0.05). The HBeAg seroconversion rates were 28% and 20%, and the biochemical response (BR) rates were 88% and 84% at week 104 in the LAM+ADV and ETV groups, respectively. The rates of undetectable HBV DNA, HBeAg seroconversion, and ALT normalization rates were similar in both cohorts. No virological breakthrough or serious adverse effects were noted for any patient during the study period. CONCLUSIONS Both LAM+ADV combination therapy and ETV monotherapy were effective and safe in the treatment of -naïve HBeAg-positive CHB patients. However, further studies are needed to obtain long-term results.
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Zhang SF, Zhu W, Sun QF. Josephson junction on one edge of a two dimensional topological insulator affected by magnetic impurity. JOURNAL OF PHYSICS. CONDENSED MATTER : AN INSTITUTE OF PHYSICS JOURNAL 2013; 25:295301. [PMID: 23807764 DOI: 10.1088/0953-8984/25/29/295301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
The current-phase relation in a Josephson junction formed by putting two s-wave superconductors on the same edge of a two dimensional topological insulator is investigated. We consider the case in which the junction length is finite and magnetic impurity exists. The similarities and differences with respect to a conventional Josephson junction are discussed. Both the 2π- and 4π-period current-phase relations (I2π(ϕ),I4π(ϕ)) are studied. There is a sharp jump at ϕ = π and ϕ = 2π for I2π and I4π, respectively, in the clean junction. For I2π, the sharp jump is robust against the impurity strength and distribution. However, for I4π, an impurity makes the jump at ϕ = 2π smooth. The critical (maximum) current Ic,2π of I2π is given and we find it will be increased by an asymmetrical distribution of the impurity.
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