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Chen T, Jiang R, Jiang L. Comment on "Influence of glycemic control and hypoglycemia on the risk of fracture in patients with diabetes mellitus: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies". Osteoporos Int 2021; 32:2597-2598. [PMID: 34674022 DOI: 10.1007/s00198-021-06217-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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He R, Jiao H, He N, Chang Y, Jiang H, Zhang Y, Li Y, Jiang R. Seasonal Variation of Zooplankton Communities and the Effects of Environmental Factors in the Seawater Near Taishan Nuclear Power Station. NATURE ENVIRONMENT AND POLLUTION TECHNOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.46488/nept.2021.v20i04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
In the seawater near Taishan Nuclear Power Station, Zooplankton community composition and abundance, the biomass of major taxa, vertical distribution pattern, together with several environmental factors were investigated to evaluate the variation tendency as the seasons change. The structure characteristics of the zooplankton community were analyzed by Margalef species richness (d), Shannon-wiener species diversity index (H’), Pielou evenness index(J’), zooplankton dominant (Y), and dominant species replacement rate (R). There are 48 species within 11 classes of zooplankton identified, including 32 species of copepods. Zooplankton species richness changed obviously in the four seasons, Spring saw the highest (8010.00 ind.m-3), followed by winter (5100.00 ind.m-3), autumn (1713.75 ind.m-3), and summer (1196.25 ind.m-3). Similar trends were observed for the wet biomass, which was highest in spring (215.90 mg.m-3), followed by winter (181.70 mg.m-3), summer (78.56 mg.m-3), and autumn (24.69 mg.m-3), which gave an annual average of 125.21 mg.m-3. The results indicate that the abundance and biomass in spring were significantly higher than those in other seasons. Altogether 8 dominant species were identified along the whole year: Acrocalanmus gibber, Bestiolina amoyensis, Paracalanus parvus, Acartia danae, Mesocyclops leuckarti, Noctiluca scientillans, Penilla avirostris, and Lucifer penicilliger. The annual average Shannon-Wiener diversity index, Margalef diversity index, Pielou evenness index were 1.75, 1.83, and 0.74, respectively. The effects of environmental factors on the zooplankton community were studied by R and canonical correspondence analysis (CCA). According to Pearson correlation analysis and canonical correspondence analysis, the most important environmental factors influencing the changes of zooplankton species composition, abundance and distribution were water temperature, salinity, and pH in the whole year.
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Zhu Y, Zhang Y, Jiang R, Zhao K, Zhou J. MicroRNA-29a May Influence Myopia Development by Regulating Collagen I. Curr Eye Res 2021; 47:468-476. [PMID: 34766525 DOI: 10.1080/02713683.2021.1998542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The aim of this study was to characterize the regulatory role of microRNA-29a (miR-29a) in myopia, providing support for potential biomarkers and new therapeutic targets of myopia in humans. METHODS The miR-29a expression level was detected in the aqueous humor and peripheral blood plasma of 21 high myopic patients and eight cataract control patients using quantitative polymerase chain reaction. iTRAQ analysis of proteomes was conducted to show the regulatory effect of miR-29a on human scleral fibroblasts (SFs) cultured in vitro. We also assessed proliferation, migration, and collagen I synthesis in SF cells, mediated by miR-29a. RESULTS MiR-29a expression was significantly higher in the aqueous humor of highly myopic patients than in the cataract control patients (fold change: 4.861, p = 0.001). miR-29a inhibited the synthesis of type I collagen in human SF cells and enhanced cell migration, but had no significant effect on cell proliferation. CONCLUSION MiR-29a was highly expressed in aqueous humor of myopia patients and inhibited the synthesis of type I collagen in human SF cells in vivo, thereby it may play an important role in myopia development.
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Stokes W, Behera M, Jiang R, Gutman D, Huang Z, Giuste F, Burns A, Sebastian N, Ramalingam S, Sukhatme V, Lowe M, Ramalingam S, Sukhatme V, Moghanaki D. P53.08 Concomitant Fibrates and Immunotherapy in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients in the Veterans Health Administration. J Thorac Oncol 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jtho.2021.08.557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Behera M, Jiang R, Huang Z, Bunn B, Wynes M, Switchenko J, Scagliotti G, Belani C, Ramalingam S. P50.05 Natural History and Real-World Treatment Outcomes for NSCLC Patients with EGFR Exon 20 Insertion Mutation: An IASLC- ASCO CancerLinQ Study. J Thorac Oncol 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jtho.2021.08.533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Guo D, Sun J, Wang Y, Jiang R, Li Z, Peng J, Li Z, Chen H, Yang X, Zhou J, Fan J. 956P A multi-analyte liquid biopsy assay integrating cfDNA methylation and protein biomarkers for liver cancer diagnosis. Ann Oncol 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.annonc.2021.08.176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
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Shang S, Jiang R, Luo R, Jia S, Irwin DM, Wang Z, Zhang S. Development of a 19-plex short tandem repeat typing system for individual identification and parentage testing of horses (Equus caballus). Anim Genet 2021; 52:754-758. [PMID: 34268790 DOI: 10.1111/age.13119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Individual identification of horses for pedigree verification and registration is important for the sustainable development of the horse industry. Horse individual identification and parentage tests commonly use the 17 short tandem repeats (STRs) recommended by the International Society for Animal Genetics (ISAG) and the locus LEX33. While many multiplex STR typing systems have been established for the horse, a sex determining marker is usually absent, and none of them can simultaneously detect all 17 ISAG recommended loci and the locus LEX33. Here, we present a 19-plex STR typing system that contains the 17 ISAG recommend loci, the locus LEX33 and amelogenin as sex determining loci. The results of our sensitivity, species specificity, stutter analysis and population data analysis, indicate that this system is a specific, sensitive, and robust tool for the identification of individuals, parentage testing and genetic research in the horse.
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Liu Z, Wang Z, Yin Y, Jiang R, Li B. A simulation study of the self-assembly of ABC star terpolymers confined between two parallel surfaces. SOFT MATTER 2021; 17:5336-5348. [PMID: 33950058 DOI: 10.1039/d1sm00271f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The phase behavior of ABC star terpolymers confined between two identical parallel surfaces is systematically studied using a simulated annealing method. Several phase diagrams are constructed for systems with different bulk phases or with different interfacial interaction strength ratios in the space of surface distance (D) and surface preference for different arms, or in the space of D and the arm-length ratio x. Phases, including tiling patterns [6.6.6], [8.8.4], [8.6.6; 8.6.4], [8.6.6; 8.6.4; 10.6.6; 10.6.4] and hierarchical lamellar structures of lamella + cylinders and lamella + rods, are identified both in the bulk and in the films. Our results suggest that the self-assembled structure of a phase is largely controlled by x, while an increase of the interfacial interaction strength ratio shifts the x-window for each phase to the smaller x side. The orientation of a confined phase depends on the "effective surface preference" which is a combined effect of the interfacial interaction strength ratio, the surface preference, and the entropic preference. In the case of neutral or weak "effective surface preference", phases with a perpendicular orientation are usually observed, while in the case of strong "effective surface preference" phases with a perpendicular orientation or also with outermost wetting-layers can be frequently observed under some circumstances.
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Xu J, Zhang L, Jiang R, Hu K, Hu D, Liao C, Jiang S, Yang Y, Huang J, Tang L, Li L. Nicotinamide improves NAD + levels to protect against acetaminophen-induced acute liver injury in mice. Hum Exp Toxicol 2021; 40:1938-1946. [PMID: 33949241 DOI: 10.1177/09603271211014573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Acetaminophen (APAP) overdose causes acute liver injury (ALI). Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) is an essential coenzyme, and NAD+ is oxidized type which synthesized from nicotinamide (NAM). The present study aimed to investigate the role of NAD+ in ALI and protective property of NAM. The mice were subjected to different doses APAP. After 8 hours, the serum activities of alaninetransaminase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), the hepatic NAD+ level and nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT) expression were determined. Then, the mice were pretreated with NAM (800 mg/kg), the hepatoprotective effects and the key antioxidative molecules were evaluated. Our findings indicated that APAP resulted in remarkable NAD+ depletion in a dose-dependent manner accompanied by NAMPT downregulation, and NAM pretreatment significantly elevated the NAD+ decline due to upregulation of NAMPT. Moreover, the downregulated Kelch-like ECH-associated protein-1 (Keap1), upregulated nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and its translocation activation after NAM administration were confirmed, which were in accordance with improved superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione (GSH) levels. Finally, NAM dramatically exhibited hepatoprotective effects by reducing the liver index and necrotic area. This study has suggested that APAP impairs liver NAD+ level and NAM is able to improve hepatic NAD+ to activate antioxidant pathway against APAP-induced ALI.
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Hu X, Wang Z, Yin Y, Jiang R, Li B. Controlling the chirality and number of strands of helices self-assembled from achiral block copolymers confined inside a nanopore: a simulation study. SOFT MATTER 2021; 17:4434-4444. [PMID: 33908596 DOI: 10.1039/d1sm00103e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Achiral block copolymers can self-assemble into helical structures when confined inside a cylindrical nanopore. However, controlling the chirality and the number of strands of helices is challenging. We present our simulation results of the influence of a chiral patch added to the confining nanopore on the structures and chirality of helices self-assembled from achiral cylinder-forming diblock copolymers under the confinement. Our results indicate that, when the designed patch is of proper geometry, it can induce the formation of helical structures and exhibit good control over their chirality. The bottom surface of the patch can induce the formation of a characteristic local structure near and parallel to it. It is the characteristic local structure that directs the formation of helices and of their chirality consistent with that of the patch. A large patch angle or the top/bottom surface of a weakly selective pore promotes the formation of double-helices compared to single-helices by enlarging the pitch of the helices near the patch or through the entropic attraction of the top surface of the pore to the minority blocks.
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Chen J, Yuan ZH, Hou XH, Shi MH, Jiang R. LINC01116 promotes the proliferation and inhibits the apoptosis of gastric cancer cells. EUROPEAN REVIEW FOR MEDICAL AND PHARMACOLOGICAL SCIENCES 2021; 24:1807-1814. [PMID: 32141549 DOI: 10.26355/eurrev_202002_20358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To detect the relative expression of long intergenic non-protein coding ribonucleic acid (LINC) 01116 in gastric cancer (GC) tissues and cells and analyze the correlations of LINC01116 expression with the clinicopathologic characteristics of patients and investigate the biological functions of LINC01116 via in vitro experiments. PATIENTS AND METHODS The quantitative Real Time Fluorescence-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR) was applied to detect the relative expression level of LINC01116 in 73 cases of tissues and cells in GC patients. The patients were divided into LINC01116 high expression group and LINC01116 low expression group, and the correlations of LINC01116 with patient's pathological characteristics were statistically analyzed. In vitro experiments [cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, colony formation assay, and flow cytometry] were adopted to investigate the influences of LINC01116 on the biological functions of GC cells. RESULTS According to the results of qRT-PCR, the expression of LINC01116 was upregulated in 54 out of 73 cases of tissues (fold change >1), and it was upregulated in GC cells compared with that in the normal gastric mucosal epithelial cells (GES-1). The statistical analysis manifested that the highly expressed LINC01116 was positively correlated with the tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage (p=0.008), lymph node metastasis (p=0.005), and depth of invasion (p=0.007) of the GC patients. The patients with high expression of LINC01116 in the GC tissues had a shorter survival time than those with low expression (p=0.017). After interference in the expression of LINC01116, it was shown in CCK-8 assay and colony formation assay that the proliferative capacity of the cells was decreased. The results of flow cytometry indicated that the cell cycle was arrested at the G1/G0 phase, and the apoptosis rate was increased. CONCLUSIONS LINC01116 is highly expressed in GC tissues and cells, and highly expressed LINC01116 indicates poor prognosis of the patients, promotes the proliferation, and inhibits the apoptosis of GC cells.
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Zhang Y, Jiang R, Kezele I, Flament F, Elmozino E, Zhang J, Ye C, Amar D, Coquide J, Dwivedi S, Sarda-Dutilh L, Arcin V, Aarabi P. A new procedure, free from human assessment, that automatically grades some facial skin signs in men from selfie pictures. Application to changes induced by a severe aerial chronic urban pollution. Int J Cosmet Sci 2021; 42:185-197. [PMID: 31971257 DOI: 10.1111/ics.12602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2020] [Accepted: 01/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE These were two folds: at first, to develop an automatic grading system specifically dedicated to some facial signs of men, similar to the one previously validated on women of different ethnic ancestry and second, to assess its potential in detecting and grading the possible impacts of a severe aerial urban pollution on some facial signs of Chinese men. METHODS In both studies, selfie images were obtained from differently aged men. Nine facial signs were automatically graded through a specific A.I-based algorithm and clinically assessed by a panel of experts and dermatologists. Selfie pictures were taken from individual smartphones of variable optical properties. The first study, designed for developing an automatic grading system, involved three comparable cohorts of men from three different regional ancestries (African, Asian, Caucasian, 110 each) the selfie images of which were acquired under four different lighting conditions. As a second use case study, the facial signs of two cohorts of Chinese men (101 and 100, each), differently aged, regularly exposed to very different aerial urban pollution conditions (UP) were analysed by the same algorithm, selfies being taken under only one lighting condition. RESULTS -The new automatic grading system of facial signs suits well to men, showing comparable results than that the one dedicated to women and provides data in close agreement with experts' assessments. -In both cases (expert's or automatic methodology), the accuracy of the scores appeared ethnic-dependent. -The applied case confirmed previous results obtained clinically, that is, that many facial signs were found of an increased severity among men exposed to a severe urban pollution, as compared to those living in a less polluted city. -In both studies, statistical agreements between the automatic grading system and expert's assessments were reached. In some facial signs, the automatic grading system seems offering a slightly better accuracy than the assessments made by the experts. CONCLUSION Apart from some minor limitations, this A.I-based automatic grading system, free from human intervention, performed as well as the one previously developed in women, in close agreement with expert's assessments. In epidemiological studies, this system offers an easy, fast, affordable and confidential approach in the detection and quantification of male facial signs.
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Gharzai L, Jiang R, Wallington D, Jones G, Birer S, Jairath N, Jaworski E, McFarlane M, Mahal B, Sandler H, Morgan T, Kishan A, Feng F, Schipper M, Dess R, Jackson W, Spratt D. Comprehensive Analysis of Candidate Surrogate Endpoints in Localized Prostate Cancer: Analysis of 59 Randomized Trials. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2020.07.2196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Ray D, Jolly S, Hinton T, Karnak D, Tang M, Jiang R, Boonstra P, Sandford E, Ray P, Sun Y, Matuszak M, El Naqa I, Schipper M, Green M, Schonewolf C, Tewari M, Haken RKT, Lawrence T. Predicting Radiation Pneumonitis Using Plasma Biomarkers Related to TNFα-NFκB Pathway. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2020.07.1757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Dimopoulos M, Weisel K, Moreau P, Jr L, White D, Miguel J, Sonneveld P, Engelhardt M, Jenner M, Corso A, Dürig J, Pavic M, Salomo M, Casal E, Jiang R, Nguyen T, Peluso T, Richardson P. POMALIDOMIDE, BORTEZOMIB, DEXAMETHASONE AFTER 1 PRIOR LINE OF THERAPY IN RELAPSED OR REFRACTORY MULTIPLE MYELOMA: SUBANALYSIS OF OPTIMMISM BY AGE, PRIOR TRANSPLANT, AND HIGH-RISK CYTOGENETICS. Hematol Transfus Cell Ther 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.htct.2020.10.454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022] Open
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Li W, Jiang R, Zhu Y, Zhou J, Cui C. Effect of 0.01% atropine eye drops on choroidal thickness in myopic children. J Fr Ophtalmol 2020; 43:862-868. [PMID: 32828565 DOI: 10.1016/j.jfo.2020.04.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2020] [Revised: 04/15/2020] [Accepted: 04/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To examine the effects of low-dose atropine on the choroidal thickness (CT) of young children in Shanghai, China, as well as the ocular biometrics of myopic patients. METHODS A total of 59 eyes of 35 myopic children had subfoveal CT and ocular biometry measurements taken before and after 2weeks, 4weeks, and 8weeks of treatment with 0.01% atropine. All eyes were measured using swept-source optical coherence tomography. CT and changes in it were also recorded. RESULTS The choroid exhibited significant and continuous thickening under the fovea after patients were treated with 0.01% atropine. The magnitude of change in CT varied with the location and with the duration of treatment. The greatest change was observed in the fovea. There was no significant relationship between changes in subfoveal CT and axial length. CONCLUSIONS Using 0.01% atropine eye drops significantly increased CT in eyes of young myopic children, by variable magnitude depending upon location.
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Tang Y, Hong C, Cai Y, Zhu J, Hu X, Tian Y, Song X, Song Z, Jiang R, Kang F. HIF-1α Mediates Osteoclast-Induced Mandibular Condyle Growth via AMPK Signaling. J Dent Res 2020; 99:1377-1386. [PMID: 32600097 DOI: 10.1177/0022034520935788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
During the mandibular condylar growth, the absorption of calcified cartilage matrix induced by osteoclasts is crucial for the continuous endochondral osteogenesis. Meanwhile, recent studies showed that subchondral bone resided within the low-oxygen microenvironment, and our previous study revealed that hypoxia-inducible transcription factor 1α (HIF-1α) promoted osteoclastogenesis under hypoxia. However, whether HIF-1α regulates the function of osteoclasts in the mandibular condyle cartilage remains elusive. Our study indicated that severe deformity of the mandibular condyle was displayed in 10-wk-old osteoclast-specific HIF-1α conditional knockout (CKO) mice, accompanied by shortened length of condylar process and disorganized fibrocartilage. In 1-, 2-, and 4-wk-old CKO mice, the size of the hypertrophic layer and chondrocytic layer was significantly thickened. In the chondrocytic layer, chondrocytes were atrophied, showing a form of apoptosis in 4-wk-old CKO mice. Furthermore, an increase in the thickness of the fibrous and proliferating layer was observed in 10-wk-old CKO mice, as well as a significant decrease in that of the chondrocytic and hypertrophic chondrocyte layers. Interestingly, the articular surface of the condylar process abnormally presented a horizontal concave shape, and a disk-like acellular connective tissue appeared. In addition, genetic ablation of HIF-1α blunted cartilage matrix loss by subchondral osteoclast deficiency, resulting in a high subchondral bone mass phenotype, accompanied with a decreased number of blood vessels, alkaline phosphatase staining, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression. Mechanistically, the number of osteoclasts in the center of the condyle in CKO mice was significantly reduced by attenuated expression of adenosine 5′-monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling. These findings reveal a novel influence of HIF-1α function in osteoclasts on maintenance of osteoclast-induced resorption of calcified cartilage matrix via AMPK signaling, as well as subchondral bone formation through VEGF-dependent angiogenesis in bone marrow.
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Ogunsua BO, Srivastava A, Bian J, Qie X, Wang D, Jiang R, Yang J. Significant Day-time Ionospheric Perturbation by Thunderstorms along the West African and Congo Sector of Equatorial Region. Sci Rep 2020; 10:8466. [PMID: 32439853 PMCID: PMC7242353 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-65315-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2019] [Accepted: 05/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The equatorial Congo has been recognized as the most active lightning chimney region in the Globe. Although the perturbation of tropospheric thunderstorms on the lower ionosphere has been noticed in the middle latitudes through their transient lightning electric fields or convective gravity waves, the effects on equatorial ionosphere and the horizontal extent of this perturbation remains a mystery because of the difficulties in extracting the effects due to the sporadic nature of the equatorial ionosphere. Here we present observational results showing solid evidence of deviations in ionospheric total electron content (TEC) and its direction of propagation associated with thunderstorms using the method of polynomial filtering, by utilizing the TEC measured from equatorial Global Positioning System (GPS) Receiver stations along the West African region-Congo Basin. The TEC deviations due to the thunderstorms were found to be mostly propagated in a specific direction from the point of the event, with the highest absolute peak TEC at ~±1.5 TECUs. The internal dynamics of the equatorial ionosphere have been found to be suppressed by large thunderstorm effects during the daytime, with negligible impact at night.
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Zhang J, Wu J, Jiang R, Wang Z, Yin Y, Li B, Wang Q. Lattice self-consistent field calculations of confined symmetric block copolymers of various chain architectures. SOFT MATTER 2020; 16:4311-4323. [PMID: 32315012 DOI: 10.1039/d0sm00293c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The effects of chain architecture and confinement on the structure and orientation of lamellae formed by incompressible and symmetric AB-type block copolymer melts confined between two parallel and identical surfaces are investigated using self-consistent field calculations on a simple cubic lattice. Five systems of various chain architectures (linear, ring, and star) and lengths are studied, with their bulk lamellar period L0 chosen such that they have comparable L0/Rg, where Rg denotes the ideal-chain radius of gyration. For thin films of thickness D = L0 confined between two neutral surfaces, we define the rescaled volume fraction profiles of A, B, chain end, and joint segments in the parallel and perpendicular lamellae such that these profiles can be directly compared among the five systems to quantitatively reveal the interplay between the chain-end enrichment near confining surfaces and the surface-induced A-B compatibilization, and how such interplay is affected by the chain architectures (for example, the chain-crowding effects in the star block copolymers). The effects of D and surface preference for one of the blocks are also investigated.
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Liu HQ, Tong XM, Han TY, Zhang H, Guo M, Zhang XF, Liu XJ, Zhang X, Zhang MT, Liu F, Bao LS, Zheng J, Tian XY, Gao Q, Zhang WX, Duan Y, Sun FF, Guo W, Li L, Xiao M, Liu WL, Jiang R. [Efficacy of minimally invasive pulmonary surfactant administration in preterm infants with neonatal respiratory distress syndrome: a multicenter clinical trial]. ZHONGHUA ER KE ZA ZHI = CHINESE JOURNAL OF PEDIATRICS 2020; 58:374-380. [PMID: 32392952 DOI: 10.3760/cma.j.cn112140-20191018-00658] [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 explore the feasibility and safety of minimally invasive surfactant administration (MISA) in preterm neonates with respiratory distress syndrome (NRDS). Methods: In this multicenter prospective randomized controlled trial, 92 preterm infants with gestation age ≤30 weeks and diagnosed with NRDS were enrolled in 8 level Ⅲ neonatal intensive care units (NICU) in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Region from 1(st) July 2017 to 31(st) December 2018. They were randomly assigned to minimally invasive surfactant administration (MISA) group or endotracheal intubation surfactant administration (EISA) group according to random number generated by computer. Infants in both groups received calf pulmonary surfactant preparation at a dose of 70-100 mg/kg. The data of demography, perinatal situation, medication administration, complications, clinical outcomes in the two groups were compared with Chi-square test, Student's t-test, Mann-Whitney U test or Fisher's exact test. Results: Among the 92 preterm infants, 53 were males, 39 were females; 47 were in the MISA group (25 males), and 45 were in the EISA group (28 males). The gestational age and birth weight were (29.5±1.2) weeks and (1 271±242) g in all patients, (29.5±1.4) weeks and (1 285±256) g in the MISA group, and (29.6±0.9) weeks and (1 255±227) g in the EISA group. The duration of surfactant infusion and the length of whole procedure in the MISA group were significantly longer than that in the EISA group (60 (18, 270) s vs. 50 (30, 60) s, Z=3.009, P=0.003; 90 (60, 300) s vs. 60 (44, 270) s, Z=3.365, P=0.001). For the outcomes, the incidence of hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus (hsPDA) and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) were lower in the MISA group than in the EISA group (36% (17/47) vs. 67% (30/45), χ(2)=8.556, P=0.003; 26% (12/47) vs. 47% (21/45), χ(2)=4.464, P=0.035). Conclusions: Minimally invasive surfactant administration is applicable in preterm infants ≤30 weeks gestational age with NRDS. Although the length of whole procedure is longer than route endotracheal administration, the benefit of decreasing the incidences of hsPDA and BPD outweighs this demerit.
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Song Y, Jiang R, Wang Z, Yin Y, Li B, Shi AC. Formation and Regulation of Multicompartment Vesicles from Cyclic Diblock Copolymer Solutions: A Simulation Study. ACS OMEGA 2020; 5:9366-9376. [PMID: 32363288 PMCID: PMC7191859 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.0c00374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2020] [Accepted: 04/07/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The self-assembly of a cyclic AB copolymer system with relatively long A blocks and short B blocks in B-selective solvents is investigated using a simulated annealing method. By investigating the effect of the lengths and solubilities of A and B blocks (N A and N B, εAS and εBS), the incompatibility between A and B blocks (εAB), as well as the polymer concentration (C p) and the conditions for the formation of multicompartment vesicles in cyclic diblock copolymer solutions, is predicted. The phase diagrams in terms of N B, εAS, and C p are constructed. The mechanism of the morphological transition is elucidated. It is shown that for cyclic copolymers the change in the above factors relating to the polymer and solvent properties all can lead to the transition from simple vesicles to multicompartment vesicles, but two different transition mechanisms are revealed. In addition, our simulations demonstrate that the self-assembly of cyclic copolymers could provide a powerful strategy for regulating the compartment number and the wall thickness of the multicompartment vesicles by adjusting the block solubilities and block lengths, respectively. These findings will facilitate the application of multicompartment architectures in cell mimicry, drug delivery, and nanoreactors.
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Wu J, Wang Z, Yin Y, Jiang R, Li B. Phase behavior of ABC cyclic terpolymer melts: a simulation study. SOFT MATTER 2020; 16:2706-2714. [PMID: 32077885 DOI: 10.1039/c9sm02527h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The phase behavior of ABC cyclic terpolymer melts is investigated using a simulated annealing technique. A ternary phase diagram is constructed by tuning the volume fractions of the three blocks (fA, fB, and fC) in the case of symmetric interactions. 11 phases are predicted, including lamellae with spheres at the interfaces, lamellae with spheres inside a domain, lamellae with spheres inside domains, cylinders in perforated lamellae, [6.6.6] tiling patterns, lamella + cylinder, hierarchical double-gyroid, columnar piled disk, patched spheres, cylinders with spheres at the interfaces and double gyroid with spheres at the interfaces. In these structures, the end segments of the three blocks tend to distribute uniformly on the A/B, B/C, or A/C interfaces, which may result in superior mechanical properties of the structures in cyclic terpolymer systems than those of the same structures formed in star or linear terpolymer systems. The physical reason for the similarities and differences between the phases formed in ABC cyclic and star terpolymer systems is investigated. Our simulation results are compared with related experimental observations and theoretical calculations.
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Xu J, Liu H, Lan Y, Park JS, Jiang R. Genome-wide Identification of Foxf2 Target Genes in Palate Development. J Dent Res 2020; 99:463-471. [PMID: 32040930 DOI: 10.1177/0022034520904018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Cleft palate is among the most common structural birth defects in humans. Previous studies have shown that mutations in FOXF2 are associated with cleft palate in humans and mice and that Foxf2 acts in a Shh-Foxf-Fgf18-Shh molecular network controlling palatal shelf growth. In this study, we combined RNA-seq and ChIP-seq approaches to identify direct transcriptional target genes mediating Foxf2 function in palate development in mice. Of 155 genes that exhibited Foxf2-dependent expression in the developing palatal mesenchyme, 88 contained or were located next to Foxf2-binding sites. Through in situ hybridization analyses, we demonstrate that expression of many of these target genes, including multiple genes encoding transcription factors and several encoding extracellular matrix-modifying proteins, were specifically upregulated in the posterior region of palatal shelves in Foxf2-/- mouse embryos. Foxf2 occupancy at many of these putative target loci, including Fgf18, in the developing palatal tissues was verified by ChIP-polymerase chain reaction analyses. One of the Foxf2 target genes, Chst2, encodes a carbohydrate sulfotransferase integral to glycosaminoglycan sulfation. Correlating with ectopic Chst2 expression, Foxf2-/- embryos a exhibited region-specific increase in sulfated keratan sulfate and a concomitant reduction in chondroitin sulfate accumulation in the posterior palatal mesenchyme. However, expression of the core protein of versican, a major chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan important in palatal shelf morphogenesis, was increased, whereas expression of collagen I was reduced in the corresponding region of the palatal mesenchyme. These results indicate that, in addition to regulating palatal shelf growth through the Fgf18-Shh signaling network, Foxf2 controls palatal shelf morphogenesis through regulating expression of multiple transcription factors as well as through directly controlling the synthesis and processing of extracellular matrix components in the palatal mesenchyme. Our ChIP-seq and RNA-seq data sets provide an excellent resource for comprehensive understanding of the molecular network controlling palate development.
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Kariyawasam LS, Kron JC, Jiang R, Sommer AJ, Hartley CS. Structure-Property Effects in the Generation of Transient Aqueous Benzoic Acid Anhydrides by Carbodiimide Fuels. J Org Chem 2019; 85:682-690. [PMID: 31834799 DOI: 10.1021/acs.joc.9b02746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
The design of dissipative systems, which operate out-of-equilibrium by consuming chemical fuels, is challenging. As yet, there are a few examples of privileged fuel chemistries that can be broadly applied in abiotic systems in the same way that ATP hydrolysis is exploited throughout biochemistry. The key issue is that designing nonequilibrium systems is inherently about balancing the relative rates of coupled reactions. The use of carbodiimides as fuels to generate transient aqueous carboxylic anhydrides has recently been used in examples of new nonequilibrium materials and supramolecular assemblies. Here, we explore the kinetics of formation and decomposition of a series of benzoic anhydrides generated from the corresponding acids and EDC under typical conditions (EDC = N-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-N'-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride). The reactions can be described by a simple mechanism that merges known behavior for the two processes independently. Structure-property effects in these systems are dominated by differences in the anhydride decomposition rate. The kinetic parameters allow trends in concentration-dependent properties to be simulated, such as reaction lifetimes, peak anhydride concentrations, and yields. For key properties, there are diminishing returns with the addition of increasing amounts of fuel. These results should provide useful guidelines for the design of functional systems making use of this chemistry.
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Xu EY, Zhang YF, Song G, Jiang R, Liu GQ, Liu JT. Rapid Identification of Four New Synthetic Cannabinoids in Whole Blood. FA YI XUE ZA ZHI 2019; 35:677-681. [PMID: 31970953 DOI: 10.12116/j.issn.1004-5619.2019.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2018] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Objective To establish accurate and rapid methods to identify four new synthetic cannabinoids (JWH-203, JWH-122, 5F-APINACA and AB-CHMINACA) in blood samples. Methods The whole blood samples were extracted by acetonitrile and methanol, screened by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) then confirmed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method, and multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode was used for quantitative analysis. Results The GC-MS method needed 21 min to complete the analysis, while the LC-MS/MS method needed 5 min. The AB-CHMINACA, JWH-203, 5F-APINACA and JWH-122 all used quasi molecular ion peak as a parent ion. The precursor-product ion combinations were m/z 357.4→312.2, m/z 340.2→125.0, m/z 384.1→135.1 and m/z 356.4→169.2. The four synthetic cannabinoids in blood samples had good linearity in the 1-250 ng/mL mass concentration range (r>0.99). The limits of detection (LODs) were in the range of 0.1-0.5 ng/mL, the recovery rate was 85.4%-95.2%, the RSD less than 10.0%, and the matrix effect was 80.3%-92.8%. Conclusion The GC-MS and LC-MS/MS chromatographic behaviors and mass spectrometry analysis information of four synthetic cannabinoids were obtained in this study, and the possible causes of differences in chromatographic behaviors were discussed preliminarily. Therefore this study has a suggestive effect on judging the development trend of synthetic cannabinoids. This method can be used for rapid identification of four synthetic cannabinoids in blood, which can provide reference for identification of new synthetic cannabinoids when they are proliferating at present.
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