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Zheng P, Zeng B, Zhou C, Liu M, Fang Z, Xu X, Zeng L, Chen J, Fan S, Du X, Zhang X, Yang D, Yang Y, Meng H, Li W, Melgiri ND, Licinio J, Wei H, Xie P. Gut microbiome remodeling induces depressive-like behaviors through a pathway mediated by the host's metabolism. Mol Psychiatry 2016; 21:786-96. [PMID: 27067014 DOI: 10.1038/mp.2016.44] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1198] [Impact Index Per Article: 149.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2015] [Revised: 02/15/2016] [Accepted: 02/17/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is the result of complex gene-environment interactions. According to the World Health Organization, MDD is the leading cause of disability worldwide, and it is a major contributor to the overall global burden of disease. However, the definitive environmental mechanisms underlying the pathophysiology of MDD remain elusive. The gut microbiome is an increasingly recognized environmental factor that can shape the brain through the microbiota-gut-brain axis. We show here that the absence of gut microbiota in germ-free (GF) mice resulted in decreased immobility time in the forced swimming test relative to conventionally raised healthy control mice. Moreover, from clinical sampling, the gut microbiotic compositions of MDD patients and healthy controls were significantly different with MDD patients characterized by significant changes in the relative abundance of Firmicutes, Actinobacteria and Bacteroidetes. Fecal microbiota transplantation of GF mice with 'depression microbiota' derived from MDD patients resulted in depression-like behaviors compared with colonization with 'healthy microbiota' derived from healthy control individuals. Mice harboring 'depression microbiota' primarily exhibited disturbances of microbial genes and host metabolites involved in carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism. This study demonstrates that dysbiosis of the gut microbiome may have a causal role in the development of depressive-like behaviors, in a pathway that is mediated through the host's metabolism.
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Liu Y, Tan X, Wang Z, Li Y, Gao M, Li Y, Fang Z, Sun Y, Zhang L, Wang X, Wei Z. Down-regulation of tumor suppressor PDCD4 expression in endometrium of adenomyosis patients. Curr Res Transl Med 2016; 64:123-128. [PMID: 27765271 DOI: 10.1016/j.retram.2016.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2016] [Accepted: 04/22/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Adenomyosis is a common benign gynecological disease which has some malignant behaviors. Programmed cell death 4 (PDCD4) is a newly identified tumor suppressor gene which lowly expresses in various cancers. However, the expression status of PDCD4 in endometrium of adenomyosis patients has not been investigated. The aim of this study is to assess the expression levels of PDCD4 in endometrium of normal controls and adenomyosis patients. METHODS The expression of PDCD4 in endometrium of normal controls and eutopic or ectopic endometrium of patients with adenomyosis was evaluated with quantitative real-time PCR, western blot and immunohistochemistry. In addition, the levels of serum estradiol and progesterone in normal controls and adenomyosis patients were detected using electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. RESULTS The results showed that PDCD4 mainly expressed in the cytoplasma of glandular epithelium of control endometrium and varied during the cycle changes of endometrium, which may be regulated by changing concentrations of progesterone in the menstrual cycle. Compared with the proliferative phase of control endometrium, PDCD4 expression was down-regulated in proliferative phase of eutopic endometrium or ectopic endometrium, and there was no cyclic variation of PDCD4 expression in eutopic endometrium of adenomyosis patients due to progesterone resistance. CONCLUSION These results suggest that PDCD4 may be involved in the pathogenesis of adenomyosis, which will provide a novel strategy for the early diagnosis and new therapeutic target of adenomyosis.
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Fang Z, Xu Q, Wu JQ, Lu SJ, Wang YY, Fang H. A recombinant plasmid of composite cysteine proteinase inhibitor/glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase gene of periodic Brugia malayi functions on DNA immunity in the host. Indian J Med Microbiol 2016; 34:146-52. [PMID: 27080764 DOI: 10.4103/0255-0857.180279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Both cysteine proteinase inhibitors (CPIs) and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) play important roles in the pathogenesis of parasites and their relationship with the hosts. We constructed a new eukaryotic recombinant expression plasmid pcDNA3.1(+)-BmCPI/BmGAPDH of periodic Brugia malayi for investigation of the DNA vaccine-elicited immune responses. MATERIALS AND METHODS We cloned a gene encoding the CPIs and GAPDH from periodic B. malayi into vector pcDNA3.1. The composited plasmid or the control was injected into the tibialis anterior muscle of the hind leg in BALB/c mice, respectively. The target genes were detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction in muscle tissues. The stimulation index (SI) of T-lymphocyte proliferation and the levels of interferon-gamma (INF-g) and interleukin-4 ( IL-4) in serum were detected by thiazolyl blue tetrazolium blue and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. RESULTS The pcDNA3.1(+)-BmCPI/BmGAPDH was amplified from muscle tissues of the mice after immunisation. The SI of the immunised group was significantly higher than that of the two control groups (P < 0.05). The levels of INF-g and IL-4 of pcDNA3.1(+)-BmCPI/BmGAPDH group were both higher than those of the two control groups (P < 0.05). The level of INF-g of pcDNA3.1(+)-BmCPI/BmGAPDH group was significantly higher than that of pcDNA3.1(+)-BmCPI/CpG group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS We conclude that the recombinant plasmid pcDNA3.1(+)-BmCPI/BmGAPDH could elicit specific humoural and cellular immune responses in mice.
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Xu L, Cai B, Fang Z. Translation and validation of a Chinese version of the Mandibular Function Impairment Questionnaire. J Oral Rehabil 2016; 43:608-14. [PMID: 27061198 DOI: 10.1111/joor.12402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/19/2016] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
To adapt the English version of the Mandibular Function Impairment Questionnaire (MFIQ) for Chinese-speaking patients with temporomandibular disorder (TMD) and to evaluate its validity and reliability. In total, 352 patients diagnosed with TMD according to the research diagnostic criteria for TMD (RDC/TMD) Axis I were included in this study. The psychometric evaluation included reliability, which was evaluated by internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha coefficient), and test-retest reliability and validity, which were tested by content and construct validity. Because the content validity of item 11 (kissing) was low (0·12), this item was excluded in subsequent analyses. For exploratory factor analysis, three factors were extracted, accounting for 63·6% of the variance. All items had factor loadings above 0·4. Two models were tested by confirmatory factor analysis, and the two-factor model was adopted (χ(2) /df = 2·279, root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) = 0·086, comparative fit index (CFI) = 0·910). Internal reliability (coefficient alpha values of 0·925 and 0·720 for each factor) and test-retest reliability (ICCfactor1 = 0·895, 95% CIfactor1 = 0·869-0·918, ICCfactor2 = 0·720, 95% CIfactor2 = 0·645-0·783) of the Chinese MFIQ were excellent. A reliable and valid Chinese version of the MFIQ was constructed for the evaluation of Chinese patients with TMD after some modification of the English version of the MFIQ.
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Xu N, Weng HM, Lv BQ, Matt CE, Park J, Bisti F, Strocov VN, Gawryluk D, Pomjakushina E, Conder K, Plumb NC, Radovic M, Autès G, Yazyev OV, Fang Z, Dai X, Qian T, Mesot J, Ding H, Shi M. Observation of Weyl nodes and Fermi arcs in tantalum phosphide. Nat Commun 2016; 7:11006. [PMID: 26983910 PMCID: PMC4800437 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms11006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2015] [Accepted: 02/10/2016] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
A Weyl semimetal possesses spin-polarized band-crossings, called Weyl nodes, connected by topological surface arcs. The low-energy excitations near the crossing points behave the same as massless Weyl fermions, leading to exotic properties like chiral anomaly. To have the transport properties dominated by Weyl fermions, Weyl nodes need to locate nearly at the chemical potential and enclosed by pairs of individual Fermi surfaces with non-zero Fermi Chern numbers. Combining angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy and first-principles calculation, here we show that TaP is a Weyl semimetal with only a single type of Weyl fermions, topologically distinguished from TaAs where two types of Weyl fermions contribute to the low-energy physical properties. The simple Weyl fermions in TaP are not only of fundamental interests but also of great potential for future applications. Fermi arcs on the Ta-terminated surface are observed, which appear in a different pattern from that on the As-termination in TaAs and NbAs.
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Bardua M, Haftmann C, Fang Z, Buttgereit A, Mcgrath M, Westendorf K, Maschmeyer P, Radbruch H, Chang HD, Rajewsky N, Radbruch A, Mashreghi MF. A2.22 Microrna-31 modulates the expression of mobility related genes and the motility of T helper 1 lymphocytes. Ann Rheum Dis 2016. [DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2016-209124.57] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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Wan L, Qiao K, Sun XN, Di ZC, Fang Z, Li ZJ, Guo K. Benzylation of heterocyclic N-oxides via direct oxidative cross-dehydrogenative coupling with toluene derivatives. NEW J CHEM 2016. [DOI: 10.1039/c6nj02560a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
A novel cross-dehydrogenative coupling (CDC) of heterocyclic N-oxides with toluene derivatives has been disclosed.
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83
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Zhang M, Fang Z, Zhao X, Niu Y, Lou J, Zhao L, Wu Y, Zou S, Du F, Shao Q. Hyaluronic acid functionalized nitrogen-doped carbon quantum dots for targeted specific bioimaging. RSC Adv 2016. [DOI: 10.1039/c6ra22210b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Schematic illustration of the preparation of HA-CQDs (A) and the following bioimaging application (B).
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Chen D, Richard P, Song ZD, Zhang WL, Wu SF, Jiao WH, Fang Z, Cao GH, Ding H. Raman scattering investigation of the quasi-one-dimensional superconductor Ta₄Pd₃Te₁₆. JOURNAL OF PHYSICS. CONDENSED MATTER : AN INSTITUTE OF PHYSICS JOURNAL 2015; 27:495701. [PMID: 26595404 DOI: 10.1088/0953-8984/27/49/495701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
We have performed polarized Raman scattering measurements on the newly discovered superconductor Ta4Pd3Te16 (T(c) = 4.6 K). We observe 28 out of 33 Raman active modes, with frequencies in good accordance with first-principles calculations. Although most of the phonons observed vary only slightly with temperature and do not exhibit any asymmetric profile that would suggest strong electron-phonon coupling, the linewidth of the A(g) phonon mode at 89.9 cm(-1) shows an unconventional increase with temperature decreasing, which is possibly due to a charge-density-wave transition or the emergence of charge-density-wave fluctuations below a temperature estimated to fall in the 140-200 K range.
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85
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Ren A, Wang Q, Fang Z, Gao M, Wang H, Zhang J, Xu W, Yue W, Yin L, Liu Z, Li X, Ding B. Pharmacokinetic study of isatin in dog plasma by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Panminerva Med 2015; 57:177-182. [PMID: 26018409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
AIM A sensitive and selective method was developed and validated to study the pharmacokinetics of isatin. METHODS The blood samples were pretreated by protein precipitation method using methanol. Quetiapine was used as an internal standard. After pretreatment, the samples were assayed by LC/MS/MS method and the pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated by WinNonlin 5.2 using non-compartment model. The separation was performed on a Venusil XBP PH column (5 µm, 2.0×100 mm) with an isocratic mobile phase consisted of methanol-water (containing 50 mM ammonium formate) (65:35, v/v) at a flow rate of 0.3 mL/min. The Agilent G6410B triple quadrupole LC/MS system was operated under the multiple reactions monitoring mode (MRM) using the electrospray ionization technique in positive mode. RESULTS The lower limits of quantification (LLOQ) of the analyte of the method was 10 ng/mL. The method was linear with correlation coefficient >0.995. The intraday and interday accuracy and precision of the assay were acceptable. CONCLUSION This method has been applied successfully to a pharmacokinetic study involving the oral and intravenous administration of isatin to beagle dogs.
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Lv BQ, Muff S, Qian T, Song ZD, Nie SM, Xu N, Richard P, Matt CE, Plumb NC, Zhao LX, Chen GF, Fang Z, Dai X, Dil JH, Mesot J, Shi M, Weng HM, Ding H. Observation of Fermi-Arc Spin Texture in TaAs. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2015; 115:217601. [PMID: 26636872 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.115.217601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
We have investigated the spin texture of surface Fermi arcs in the recently discovered Weyl semimetal TaAs using spin- and angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy. The experimental results demonstrate that the Fermi arcs are spin polarized. The measured spin texture fulfills the requirement of mirror and time-reversal symmetries and is well reproduced by our first-principles calculations, which gives strong evidence for the topologically nontrivial Weyl semimetal state in TaAs. The consistency between the experimental and calculated results further confirms the distribution of chirality of the Weyl nodes determined by first-principles calculations.
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Henrys PA, Smart SM, Rowe EC, Jarvis SG, Fang Z, Evans CD, Emmett BA, Butler A. Niche models for British plants and lichens obtained using an ensemble approach. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015. [DOI: 10.1179/2042349715y.0000000010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
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88
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Kuang Y, Wang Y, Zhang Y, Song Y, Zhang X, Lin Y, Che L, Xu S, Wu D, Xue B, Fang Z. Effects of dietary combinations of organic acids and medium chain fatty acids as a replacement of zinc oxide on growth, digestibility and immunity of weaned pigs. Anim Feed Sci Technol 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2015.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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89
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Xu S, Wang D, Zhang P, Lin Y, Fang Z, Che L, Wu D. Oral administration of Lactococcus lactis-expressed recombinant porcine epidermal growth factor stimulates the development and promotes the health of small intestines in early-weaned piglets. J Appl Microbiol 2015; 119:225-35. [PMID: 25898849 DOI: 10.1111/jam.12833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2015] [Revised: 04/17/2015] [Accepted: 04/17/2015] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
AIMS We previously generated Lactococcus lactis-expressed recombinant porcine epidermal growth factor (LL-pEGF), and demonstrated improved growth performance in early-weaned piglets. This study investigates the effect of LL-pEGF on the development and expression of genes that maintain the structural integrity and function of the small intestine in early-weaned piglets. METHODS AND RESULTS The mitogenic effect of porcine epidermal growth factor (pEGF) was tested in vitro with the 5-Bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation assay in fibroblast cells. In the in vivo study, 40 weaned piglets were randomly allocated to control, antibiotic control, Lc. lactis-expressing empty vector (LL-EV) and LL-pEGF treatment groups. Cells treated with LL-pEGF had higher BrdU-positive stained cells than those in the control and the LL-EV treatments (P < 0·05). Scanning electron microscope and histological examination demonstrated that the small intestinal villi treated with LL-pEGF were higher (P < 0·05) than in the other treatments. LL-pEGF increased the messenger RNA (mRNA) expression levels of the intestinal structural integrity proteins trefoil factor 3, claudin 1 (CLDN1), occludin and zonula occludens 1 (ZO-1), the digestive enzymes sucrose, aminopeptidase A, and aminopeptidase N, and the nutrient transporters sodium/glucose cotransporter 1 (SGLT1), glucose transporter 2, and peptide transporter 1 (PEPT1) as compared with the control (P < 0·05) in the small intestine. Meanwhile, the mRNA levels of CLDN1 in the jejunum and ZO-1 in the ileum were higher in the LL-EV group than in the control group (P < 0·05). LL-EV and the antibiotic control increased SGLT1 mRNA in the jejunum and PEPT1 mRNA in the ileum compared with the control (P < 0·05). CONCLUSIONS Recombinant pEGF promotes cell mitosis. Oral administration of Lc. lactis-expressing pEGF stimulated intestinal development by upregulating the gene expression of the intestinal structural integrity proteins, the digestive enzymes and the nutrient transporters. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY The combination of epidermal growth factor and genetically modified micro-organisms may be used as dietary supplements to reduce intestinal stress in animals and even humans.
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Wang S, Huang Y, Su R, Fang Z, Han M. Cyclin D1 G870A polymorphism is associated with an increased risk of multiple myeloma. GENETICS AND MOLECULAR RESEARCH 2015; 14:5856-61. [DOI: 10.4238/2015.june.1.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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91
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Holland D, Marwick T, Haluska B, Leano R, Hordern M, Hare J, Fang Z, Prins J, Stanton T. Subclinical left ventricular dysfunction and 10-year outcomes in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Heart Lung Circ 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.hlc.2015.06.587] [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]
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92
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Fang Z. Suitability research on the Evaluation of EQ-5Q and SF-6D Scale for the Quality of Life in Patients with Osteoarthritis. VALUE IN HEALTH : THE JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR PHARMACOECONOMICS AND OUTCOMES RESEARCH 2014; 17:A775. [PMID: 27202866 DOI: 10.1016/j.jval.2014.08.341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
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Li X, Du N, Zhang Q, Li J, Chen X, Liu X, Hu Y, Qin W, Shen N, Xu C, Fang Z, Wei Y, Wang R, Du Z, Zhang Y, Lu Y. MicroRNA-30d regulates cardiomyocyte pyroptosis by directly targeting foxo3a in diabetic cardiomyopathy. Cell Death Dis 2014; 5:e1479. [PMID: 25341033 PMCID: PMC4237254 DOI: 10.1038/cddis.2014.430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 236] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2014] [Revised: 08/27/2014] [Accepted: 09/04/2014] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Diabetic cardiomyopathy is a common cardiac condition in patients with diabetes mellitus, which can result in cardiac hypertrophy and subsequent heart failure, associated with pyroptosis, the pro-inflammatory programmed cell death. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), small endogenous non-coding RNAs, have been shown to be involved in diabetic cardiomyopathy. However, whether miRNAs regulate pyroptosis in diabetic cardiomyopathy remains unknown. Our study revealed that mir-30d expression was substantially increased in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats and in high-glucose-treated cardiomyocytes as well. Upregulation of mir-30d promoted cardiomyocyte pyroptosis in diabetic cardiomyopathy; conversely, knockdown of mir-30d attenuated it. In an effort to understand the signaling mechanisms underlying the pro-pyroptotic property of mir-30d, we found that forced expression of mir-30d upregulated caspase-1 and pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-18. Moreover, mir-30d directly repressed foxo3a expression and its downstream protein, apoptosis repressor with caspase recruitment domain (ARC). Furthermore, silencing ARC by siRNA mimicked the action of mir-30d: upregulating caspase-1 and inducing pyroptosis. These findings promoted us to propose a new signaling pathway leading to cardiomyocyte pyroptosis under hyperglycemic conditions: mir-30d↑→foxo3a↓→ ARC↓→caspase-1↑→IL-1β, IL-18↑→pyroptosis↑. Therefore, mir-30d may be a promising therapeutic target for the management of diabetic cardiomyopathy.
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Xu N, Biswas PK, Dil JH, Dhaka RS, Landolt G, Muff S, Matt CE, Shi X, Plumb NC, Radović M, Pomjakushina E, Conder K, Amato A, Borisenko SV, Yu R, Weng HM, Fang Z, Dai X, Mesot J, Ding H, Shi M. Direct observation of the spin texture in SmB6 as evidence of the topological Kondo insulator. Nat Commun 2014; 5:4566. [PMID: 25074332 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms5566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 175] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2014] [Accepted: 07/01/2014] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Topological Kondo insulators have been proposed as a new class of topological insulators in which non-trivial surface states reside in the bulk Kondo band gap at low temperature due to strong spin-orbit coupling. In contrast to other three-dimensional topological insulators, a topological Kondo insulator is truly bulk insulating. Furthermore, strong electron correlations are present in the system, which may interact with the novel topological phase. By applying spin- and angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy, here we show that the surface states of SmB6 are spin polarized. The spin is locked to the crystal momentum, fulfilling time reversal and crystal symmetries. Our results provide strong evidence that SmB6 can host topological surface states in a bulk insulating gap stemming from the Kondo effect, which can serve as an ideal platform for investigating of the interplay between novel topological quantum states with emergent effects and competing orders induced by strongly correlated electrons.
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Huang B, Fang Z, Huang Y, Lin P, Chen Z. A dosimetric analysis of volumetric-modulated arc radiotherapy with jaw width restriction vs 7 field intensity-modulated radiotherapy for definitive treatment of cervical cancer. Br J Radiol 2014; 87:20140183. [PMID: 24834477 PMCID: PMC4075592 DOI: 10.1259/bjr.20140183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2014] [Revised: 05/03/2014] [Accepted: 05/14/2014] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Radiation therapy treatment planning was performed to compare the dosimetric difference between volumetric-modulated arc radiotherapy (RapidArc™ v. 10; Varian® Medical Systems, Palo Alto, CA) and 7-field intensity-modulated radiotherapy (7f-IMRT) in the definitive treatment of cervical cancer. METHODS 13 patients with cervical cancer were enrolled in this study. Planning target volume (PTV) 50 and PTV60 were prescribed at a dose of 50 and 60 Gy in 28 fractions, respectively. The dose to the PTV60 was delivered as a simultaneous integrated boost to the pelvic lymph nodes. Owing to the mechanical limitation of the multileaf collimator in which the maximum displacement was limited to 15 cm, two types of RapidArc with different jaw width restrictions (15 and 20-23 cm) were investigated to evaluate their dosimetric differences. The RapidArc plan type with dosimetric superiority was then compared against the 7f-IMRT on the target coverage, sparing of the organs at risk (OARs), monitor units, treatment time and delivery accuracy to determine whether RapidArc is beneficial for the treatment of cervical cancer. RESULTS The 15-cm jaw width restriction had better performance compared with the restrictions that were longer than 15 cm in the sparing of the OARs. The 15-cm RapidArc spared the OARs, that is, the bladder, rectum, small intestine, femoral heads and bones, and improved treatment efficiency compared with 7f-IMRT. Both techniques delivered a high quality-assurance passing rate (>90%) according to the Γ3mm,3% criterion. CONCLUSION RapidArc with a 15-cm jaw width restriction spares the OARs and improves treatment efficiency in cervical cancer compared with 7f-IMRT. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE This study describes the dosimetric superiority of RapidArc with a 15-cm jaw width restriction and explores the feasibility of using RapidArc for the definitive treatment of cervical cancer.
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Liu ZK, Jiang J, Zhou B, Wang ZJ, Zhang Y, Weng HM, Prabhakaran D, Mo SK, Peng H, Dudin P, Kim T, Hoesch M, Fang Z, Dai X, Shen ZX, Feng DL, Hussain Z, Chen YL. A stable three-dimensional topological Dirac semimetal Cd3As2. NATURE MATERIALS 2014; 13:677-81. [PMID: 24859642 DOI: 10.1038/nmat3990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 334] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2013] [Accepted: 04/24/2013] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Three-dimensional (3D) topological Dirac semimetals (TDSs) are a recently proposed state of quantum matter that have attracted increasing attention in physics and materials science. A 3D TDS is not only a bulk analogue of graphene; it also exhibits non-trivial topology in its electronic structure that shares similarities with topological insulators. Moreover, a TDS can potentially be driven into other exotic phases (such as Weyl semimetals, axion insulators and topological superconductors), making it a unique parent compound for the study of these states and the phase transitions between them. Here, by performing angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy, we directly observe a pair of 3D Dirac fermions in Cd3As2, proving that it is a model 3D TDS. Compared with other 3D TDSs, for example, β-cristobalite BiO2 (ref. 3) and Na3Bi (refs 4, 5), Cd3As2 is stable and has much higher Fermi velocities. Furthermore, by in situ doping we have been able to tune its Fermi energy, making it a flexible platform for exploring exotic physical phenomena.
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Zhu J, Zhang JL, Kong PP, Zhang SJ, Yu XH, Zhu JL, Liu QQ, Li X, Yu RC, Ahuja R, Yang WG, Shen GY, Mao HK, Weng HM, Dai X, Fang Z, Zhao YS, Jin CQ. Superconductivity in topological insulator Sb2Te3 induced by pressure. Sci Rep 2014; 3:2016. [PMID: 23783511 PMCID: PMC3687246 DOI: 10.1038/srep02016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 117] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2013] [Accepted: 05/17/2013] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Topological superconductivity is one of most fascinating properties of topological quantum matters that was theoretically proposed and can support Majorana Fermions at the edge state. Superconductivity was previously realized in a Cu-intercalated Bi2Se3 topological compound or a Bi2Te3 topological compound at high pressure. Here we report the discovery of superconductivity in the topological compound Sb2Te3 when pressure was applied. The crystal structure analysis results reveal that superconductivity at a low-pressure range occurs at the ambient phase. The Hall coefficient measurements indicate the change of p-type carriers at a low-pressure range within the ambient phase, into n-type at higher pressures, showing intimate relation to superconducting transition temperature. The first principle calculations based on experimental measurements of the crystal lattice show that Sb2Te3 retains its Dirac surface states within the low-pressure ambient phase where superconductivity was observed, which indicates a strong relationship between superconductivity and topology nature.
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Martinson KL, Coleman RC, Rendahl AK, Fang Z, McCue ME. Estimation of body weight and development of a body weight score for adult equids using morphometric measurements. J Anim Sci 2014; 92:2230-8. [PMID: 24663191 DOI: 10.2527/jas.2013-6689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Excessive BW has become a major health issue in the equine (Equus caballus) industry. The objectives were to determine if the addition of neck circumference and height improved existing BW estimation equations, to develop an equation for estimation of ideal BW, and to develop a method for assessing the likelihood of being overweight in adult equids. Six hundred and twenty-nine adult horses and ponies who met the following criteria were measured and weighed at 2 horse shows in September 2011 in Minnesota: age ≥ 3 yr, height ≥ 112 cm, and nonpregnant. Personnel assessed BCS on a scale of 1 to 9 and measured wither height at the third thoracic vertebra, body length from the point of shoulder to the point of the buttock, neck and girth circumference, and weight using a portable livestock scale. Individuals were grouped into breed types on the basis of existing knowledge and were confirmed with multivariate ANOVA analysis of morphometric measurements. Equations for estimated and ideal BW were developed using linear regression modeling. For estimated BW, the model was fit using all individuals and all morphometric measurements. For ideal BW, the model was fit using individuals with a BCS of 5; breed type, height, and body length were considered as these measurements are not affected by adiposity. A BW score to assess the likelihood of being overweight was developed by fitting a proportional odds logistic regression model on BCS using the difference between ideal and estimated BW, the neck to height ratio, and the girth to height ratio as predictors; this score was then standardized using the data from individuals with a BCS of 5. Breed types included Arabian, stock, and pony. Mean (± SD) BCS was 5.6 ± 0.9. BW (kg) was estimated by taking [girth (cm)(1.48)6 × length (cm)(0.554) × height (cm)(0.599) × neck (cm)(0.173)]/3,596, 3,606, and 3,441 for Arabians, ponies, and stock horses, respectively (R(2) = 0.92; mean-squared error (MSE) = 22 kg). Ideal BW (kg) was estimated by taking [length (cm) × 2.8] + [height (cm) × 4.2] - 611, 606, and 577 for Arabians, ponies, and stock horses, respectively (R(2) = 0.86; MSE = 24). Equids with a BCS of ≥ 7 had a greater likelihood of being overweight, and the model suggested cutoffs at the 48th and 83rd percentiles for underweight and overweight individuals, respectively. Morphometric measurements were successfully used to develop equid BW-related equations.
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Liu ZK, Zhou B, Zhang Y, Wang ZJ, Weng HM, Prabhakaran D, Mo SK, Shen ZX, Fang Z, Dai X, Hussain Z, Chen YL. Discovery of a three-dimensional topological Dirac semimetal, Na3Bi. Science 2014; 343:864-7. [PMID: 24436183 DOI: 10.1126/science.1245085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 528] [Impact Index Per Article: 52.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Three-dimensional (3D) topological Dirac semimetals (TDSs) represent an unusual state of quantum matter that can be viewed as "3D graphene." In contrast to 2D Dirac fermions in graphene or on the surface of 3D topological insulators, TDSs possess 3D Dirac fermions in the bulk. By investigating the electronic structure of Na3Bi with angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy, we detected 3D Dirac fermions with linear dispersions along all momentum directions. Furthermore, we demonstrated the robustness of 3D Dirac fermions in Na3Bi against in situ surface doping. Our results establish Na3Bi as a model system for 3D TDSs, which can serve as an ideal platform for the systematic study of quantum phase transitions between rich topological quantum states.
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100
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Cai X, Fang Z, Dou J, Yu A, Zhai G. Bioavailability of quercetin: problems and promises. Curr Med Chem 2013; 20:2572-82. [PMID: 23514412 DOI: 10.2174/09298673113209990120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 233] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2012] [Revised: 01/24/2013] [Accepted: 03/08/2013] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Quercetin (QC) is a typical plant flavonoid, possesses diverse pharmacologic effects including antiinflammatory, antioxidant, anti-cancer, anti-anaphylaxis effects and against aging. However, the application of QC in pharmaceutical field is limited due to its poor solubility, low bioavailability, poor permeability and instability. To improve the bioavailability of QC, numerous approaches have been undertaken, involving the use of promising drug delivery systems such as inclusion complexes, liposomes, nanoparticles or micelles, which appear to provide higher solubility and bioavailability. Enhanced bioavailability of QC in the near future is likely to bring this product to the forefront of therapeutic agents for treatment of human disease.
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