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Zhu S, Xu J, Shi RR, Wang XK, Sun MM, Li SN, Gao LL, Li YY, Wen HM, Zhao CL, Li S, Ji J, Yang CH, Yu YH. [Association between congenital hypothyroidism and in-hospital adverse outcomes in very low birth weight infants]. Zhonghua Er Ke Za Zhi 2024; 62:29-35. [PMID: 38154974 DOI: 10.3760/cma.j.cn112140-20231012-00281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2023]
Abstract
Objective: To investigate the association between congenital hypothyroidism (CH) and the adverse outcomes during hospitalization in very low birth weight infants (VLBWI). Methods: This prospective, multicenter observational cohort study was conducted based on the data from the Sino-northern Neonatal Network (SNN). Data of 5 818 VLBWI with birth weight <1 500 g and gestational age between 24-<37 weeks that were admitted to the 37 neonatal intensive care units from January 1st, 2019 to December 31st, 2022 were collected and analyzed. Thyroid function was first screened at 7 to 10 days after birth, followed by weekly tests within the first 4 weeks, and retested at 36 weeks of corrected gestational age or before discharge. The VLBWI were assigned to the CH group or non-CH group. Chi-square test, Fisher exact probability method, Wilcoxon rank sum test, univariate and multivariate Logistic regression were used to analyze the relationship between CH and poor prognosis during hospitalization in VLBWI. Results: A total of 5 818 eligible VLBWI were enrolled, with 2 982 (51.3%) males and the gestational age of 30 (29, 31) weeks. The incidence of CH was 5.5% (319 VLBWI). Among the CH group, only 121 VLBWI (37.9%) were diagnosed at the first screening. Univariate Logistic regression analysis showed that CH was associated with increased incidence of extrauterine growth retardation (EUGR) (OR=1.31(1.04-1.64), P<0.05) and retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) of stage Ⅲ and above (OR=1.74(1.11-2.75), P<0.05). However, multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed no significant correlation between CH and EUGR, moderate to severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia, grade Ⅲ to Ⅳ intraventricular hemorrhage, neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis in stage Ⅱ or above, and ROP in stage Ⅲ or above (OR=1.04 (0.81-1.33), 0.79 (0.54-1.15), 1.15 (0.58-2.26), 1.43 (0.81-2.53), 1.12 (0.70-1.80), all P>0.05). Conclusion: There is no significant correlation between CH and in-hospital adverse outcomes, possibly due to timely diagnosis and active replacement therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Zhu
- Department of Neonatology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan 250014, China
| | - J Xu
- Department of Neonatology, Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University, Jining 272000, China
| | - R R Shi
- Department of Neonatology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan 250014, China
| | - X K Wang
- Department of Neonatology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan 250014, China
| | - M M Sun
- Department of Neonatology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan 250014, China
| | - S N Li
- Department of Neonatology, Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital, Yantai 264000, China
| | - L L Gao
- Department of Neonatology, Liaocheng People's Hospital, Liaocheng 252000, China
| | - Y Y Li
- Department of Neonatology, W.F. Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Weifang 261000, China
| | - H M Wen
- Department of Neonatology, Hebei PetroChina Central Hospital, Langfang 065000, China
| | - C L Zhao
- Department of Neonatology, the Third Hospital of Baogang Group, Baotou 014010, China
| | - S Li
- Department of Neonatology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Jinan 250014, China
| | - J Ji
- Department of Neonatology, Feixian People's Hospital, Linyi 273400, China
| | - C H Yang
- Department of Neonatology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan 250014, China
| | - Y H Yu
- Department of Neonatology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan 250014, China
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Yang CH, Wu CH, Lo SY, Lua AC, Chan YR, Li HC. Hepatitis C Virus Down-Regulates the Expression of Ribonucleotide Reductases to Promote Its Replication. Pathogens 2023; 12:892. [PMID: 37513740 PMCID: PMC10383090 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12070892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Ribonucleotide reductases (RRs or RNRs) catalyze the reduction of the OH group on the 2nd carbon of ribose, reducing four ribonucleotides (NTPs) to the corresponding deoxyribonucleotides (dNTPs) to promote DNA synthesis. Large DNA viruses, such as herpesviruses and poxviruses, could benefit their replication through increasing dNTPs via expression of viral RRs. Little is known regarding the relationship between cellular RRs and RNA viruses. Mammalian RRs contain two subunits of ribonucleotide reductase M1 polypeptide (RRM1) and two subunits of ribonucleotide reductase M2 polypeptide (RRM2). In this study, expression of cellular RRMs, including RRM1 and RRM2, is found to be down-regulated in hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected Huh7.5 cells and Huh7 cells with HCV subgenomic RNAs (HCVr). As expected, the NTP/dNTP ratio is elevated in HCVr cells. Compared with that of the control Huh7 cells with sh-scramble, the NTP/dNTP ratio of the RRM-knockdown cells is elevated. Knockdown of RRM1 or RRM2 increases HCV replication in HCV replicon cells. Moreover, inhibitors to RRMs, including Didox, Trimidox and hydroxyurea, enhance HCV replication. Among various HCV viral proteins, the NS5A and/or NS3/4A proteins suppress the expression of RRMs. When these are taken together, the results suggest that HCV down-regulates the expression of RRMs in cultured cells to promote its replication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chee-Hing Yang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Tzu Chi University, Hualien 97004, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Hao Wu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Buddhist Tzu Chi General Hospital, Hualien 97004, Taiwan
| | - Shih-Yen Lo
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Buddhist Tzu Chi General Hospital, Hualien 97004, Taiwan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Biotechnology, School of Medicine, Tzu Chi University, Hualien 97004, Taiwan
| | - Ahai-Chang Lua
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Biotechnology, School of Medicine, Tzu Chi University, Hualien 97004, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Ru Chan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Biotechnology, School of Medicine, Tzu Chi University, Hualien 97004, Taiwan
| | - Hui-Chun Li
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Tzu Chi University, Hualien 97004, Taiwan
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3
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Li T, Yang CH, Zou HD. [Two cases of Wolfram syndrome]. Zhonghua Yan Ke Za Zhi 2022; 58:799-802. [PMID: 36220653 DOI: 10.3760/cma.j.cn112142-20220608-00287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Two adolescents with T1DM participated in the Shanghai Children and Adolescent DM Eye study (SCADE) 2017-2018. The previous T1DM history of the 2 children were 12 years and 4 years respectively. The history of optic atrophy were 8 years and 4 years respectively. The ophthalmic examination showed that there were slight posterior capsule cataract and atrophy of optic atrophy in both patients. Optical Coherance Tomographic examination showed that the choroidal thickness of the inferior inner ring of the optic nerve and RNFL layer thickness decreased markedly, perfusion density and vascular density of the optic disc area and macular decreased markedly, electrophysiological examination showed that amplitude decreased markedly, and visual field examination showed binocular extinction or tubular vision field. Now the 2 adolescents were in closely followed-up. We suggest that children with T1DM whose best corrected visual acuity decreased recently to 0.6 or lower, in addition to routine ophthalmic examination, choroidal thickness, retinal nerve fiber layer thickness, retinal blood flow, ERG and visual field examination are recommended to distinguish wolfram syndrome from T1DM. Genetic sequencing examination of WFS-1 is also recommended if possible.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Li
- Shanghai Eye Disease Prevention and Treatment Center, Shanghai Eye Hospital, Shanghai Vision Health Center & Shanghai Children Myopia Institute, Division of Ophthalmology Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Eye Diseases, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - C H Yang
- The Pediatric Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai 201102, China
| | - H D Zou
- Shanghai Eye Disease Prevention and Treatment Center, Shanghai Eye Hospital, Shanghai Vision Health Center & Shanghai Children Myopia Institute, Division of Ophthalmology Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Eye Diseases, Shanghai 200040, China
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Abstract
Several diverse long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been identified to be involved in hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication and oncogenesis, especially those dysregulated in HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Most of these dysregulated lncRNAs are modulated by the HBV X protein. The regulatory mechanisms of some lncRNAs in HBV replication and oncogenesis have been characterized. Genetic polymorphisms of several lncRNAs affecting HBV replication or oncogenesis have also been studied. The prognosis of HCC remains poor. It is important to identify novel tumor markers for early diagnosis and find more therapeutic targets for effective treatments of HCC. Some dysregulated lncRNAs in HBV-related HCC may become biomarkers for early diagnosis and/or the therapeutic targets of HCC. This mini-review summarizes these findings briefly, focusing on recent developments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui-Chun Li
- Department of Biochemistry, Tzu Chi University, Hualien 97004, Taiwan
| | - Chee-Hing Yang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Biotechnology, Tzu Chi University, Hualien 97004, Taiwan
| | - Shih-Yen Lo
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Biotechnology, Tzu Chi University, Hualien 97004, Taiwan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Buddhist Tzu Chi General Hospital, Hualien 97004, Taiwan
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5
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Yang CH, Lin YS, Ou YC, Weng WC, Huang LH, Lu CH, Hsu CY, Tung MC. Short-term stretched penile length analysis for subsequent erectile dysfunction after robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy with bilateral neurovascular bundle preservation. J Sex Med 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jsxm.2022.03.360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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Zhang XF, Lin XJ, Yang CH, Cheng X, Huang SF. Effects of radial stress on piezoelectric ceramic tubes and transducers. J Acoust Soc Am 2022; 151:434. [PMID: 35105003 DOI: 10.1121/10.0009319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2021] [Accepted: 12/28/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Static analysis is performed for fiber windings to quantitatively control the radial stress at the outer radius of the piezoelectric ceramic tube. The radial stress is verified both experimentally and theoretically, and the dependence of the resonant and material properties of the piezoelectric ceramic tubes on the radial stress is clarified. The resonance frequencies and dielectric loss remain relatively stable, but the relative permittivity and the short circuit elastic constant decrease with the radial stress. The variations of the increased bandwidth and decreased electromechanical coupling coefficient (k31), piezoelectric constant (d31 and g31), and mechanical quality factor (Qm) are associated with the height-to-radius ratio. The properties of three cylindrical transducers applied with various radial stress show similar change tendencies, and a difference of 0.34 MPa radial stress results in a variation of approximately 13 in the bandwidth, 14 in Qm, 15 in k31, d31, and g31, and 16 in the amplitude of the first pulse. These results suggest that the consistency of the radial stress is essential, and it should be relatively small. These findings guide the design and preparation of the enhanced transducer.
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Affiliation(s)
- X F Zhang
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Preparation and Measurement of Building Materials, University of Jinan, 336 Nanxinzhuang West Road, Jinan, Shandong 250022, China
| | - X J Lin
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Preparation and Measurement of Building Materials, University of Jinan, 336 Nanxinzhuang West Road, Jinan, Shandong 250022, China
| | - C H Yang
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Preparation and Measurement of Building Materials, University of Jinan, 336 Nanxinzhuang West Road, Jinan, Shandong 250022, China
| | - X Cheng
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Preparation and Measurement of Building Materials, University of Jinan, 336 Nanxinzhuang West Road, Jinan, Shandong 250022, China
| | - S F Huang
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Preparation and Measurement of Building Materials, University of Jinan, 336 Nanxinzhuang West Road, Jinan, Shandong 250022, China
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7
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Abstract
The hepatitis C virus (HCV), an obligatory intracellular pathogen, highly depends on its host cells to propagate successfully. The HCV life cycle can be simply divided into several stages including viral entry, protein translation, RNA replication, viral assembly and release. Hundreds of cellular factors involved in the HCV life cycle have been identified over more than thirty years of research. Characterization of these cellular factors has provided extensive insight into HCV replication strategies. Some of these cellular factors are targets for anti-HCV therapies. In this review, we summarize the well-characterized and recently identified cellular factors functioning at each stage of the HCV life cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui-Chun Li
- Department of Biochemistry, Tzu Chi University, Hualien 970, Taiwan
| | - Chee-Hing Yang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Biotechnology, Tzu Chi University, Hualien 970, Taiwan
| | - Shih-Yen Lo
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Biotechnology, Tzu Chi University, Hualien 970, Taiwan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Buddhist Tzu Chi General Hospital, Hualien 970, Taiwan
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8
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Yang CH, Li HC, Lee WH, Lo SY. Antibodies Targeting Two Epitopes in SARS-CoV-2 Neutralize Pseudoviruses with the Spike Proteins from Different Variants. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10070869. [PMID: 34358019 PMCID: PMC8308897 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10070869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Revised: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic was caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection. To prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2, an effective vaccine is required. Two linear peptides from potential B-cell epitopes in the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 (a.a. 440–460; a.a. 494–506) were synthesized and used to immunize rabbits. High-titer antibodies of IgG were produced, purified, and verified by Western blot analysis. Antibodies against these two epitopes could effectively neutralize SARS-CoV-2 pseudoviral particles with the spike proteins from not only the original strain (basal; wild-type), but also a strain with a single point mutation (D614G), and two other emerging variants (the Alpha and Beta variants) prevalent around the world, but not from SARS-CoV. In conclusion, antibodies against these two epitopes are protective. This information is important for the development of vaccines against SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chee-Hing Yang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Biotechnology, Tzu Chi University, Hualien 97004, Taiwan; (C.-H.Y.); (W.-H.L.)
| | - Hui-Chun Li
- Department of Biochemistry, Tzu Chi University, Hualien 97004, Taiwan;
| | - Wen-Han Lee
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Biotechnology, Tzu Chi University, Hualien 97004, Taiwan; (C.-H.Y.); (W.-H.L.)
| | - Shih-Yen Lo
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Biotechnology, Tzu Chi University, Hualien 97004, Taiwan; (C.-H.Y.); (W.-H.L.)
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Buddhist Tzu Chi General Hospital, Hualien 97004, Taiwan
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +886-3-8565301 (ext. 2322)
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9
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Yoneda J, Huang W, Feng M, Yang CH, Chan KW, Tanttu T, Gilbert W, Leon RCC, Hudson FE, Itoh KM, Morello A, Bartlett SD, Laucht A, Saraiva A, Dzurak AS. Coherent spin qubit transport in silicon. Nat Commun 2021; 12:4114. [PMID: 34226564 PMCID: PMC8257656 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-24371-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Accepted: 05/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
A fault-tolerant quantum processor may be configured using stationary qubits interacting only with their nearest neighbours, but at the cost of significant overheads in physical qubits per logical qubit. Such overheads could be reduced by coherently transporting qubits across the chip, allowing connectivity beyond immediate neighbours. Here we demonstrate high-fidelity coherent transport of an electron spin qubit between quantum dots in isotopically-enriched silicon. We observe qubit precession in the inter-site tunnelling regime and assess the impact of qubit transport using Ramsey interferometry and quantum state tomography techniques. We report a polarization transfer fidelity of 99.97% and an average coherent transfer fidelity of 99.4%. Our results provide key elements for high-fidelity, on-chip quantum information distribution, as long envisaged, reinforcing the scaling prospects of silicon-based spin qubits.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Yoneda
- School of Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia. .,Tokyo Tech Academy for Super Smart Society, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - W Huang
- School of Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Solid State Physics Laboratory, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - M Feng
- School of Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - C H Yang
- School of Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - K W Chan
- School of Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - T Tanttu
- School of Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - W Gilbert
- School of Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - R C C Leon
- School of Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - F E Hudson
- School of Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - K M Itoh
- School of Fundamental Science and Technology, Keio University, Yokohama, Japan
| | - A Morello
- School of Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - S D Bartlett
- Centre for Engineered Quantum Systems, School of Physics, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - A Laucht
- School of Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - A Saraiva
- School of Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - A S Dzurak
- School of Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
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10
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Lu HS, Ye M, Cao XQ, Yang CH, Chen Q, Wu ZY, Hui WL, Lin MZ. [Auxiliary pathological diagnosis algorithm based on color moments for frozen-section of thyroid cancer]. Zhonghua Bing Li Xue Za Zhi 2021; 50:349-352. [PMID: 33831993 DOI: 10.3760/cma.j.cn112151-20200831-00679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Objective: To develop a color-moment based model for frozen-section diagnosis of thyroid lesions, and to evaluate the model's value in the frozen-section diagnosis of thyroid cancer. Methods: In this study, 550 frozen thyroid pathological slides, including malignant and non-malignant cases, were collected from Taizhou Central Hospital (Taizhou University Hospital), China, between June 2018 and January 2020. The 550 digitalized frozen-section slides of thyroid were divided into training set (190 slides), validation set (48 slides), test set A (60 slides) and test set B (252 slides). The tumor regions on the slides of malignant cases in the training and validation sets were labeled by pathologists. The labeling information was then used to train the thyroid frozen-section diagnosis models based on the voting method and those based on the color moment. Finally, the performance of two pathological slide diagnosis models was evaluated using the test set A and test set B, respectively. Result: The classification accuracy of the thyroid frozen-section diagnosis model based on the voting method was 90.0% and 83.7%, using test sets A and B, respectively, while that based on color moments was 91.6% and 90.9%, respectively. For actual frozen-section diagnosis of thyroid cancer, the model developed in this study had higher accuracy and stability. Conclusion: This study proposes a color-moment based frozen-section diagnosis model, which is more accurate than other classification models for frozen-section diagnoses of thyroid cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- H S Lu
- Department of Pathology, Taizhou Central Hospital (Taizhou University Hospital), Taizhou 318000, China
| | - M Ye
- Department of Pathology, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Linhai 317000, China
| | - X Q Cao
- Department of Pathology, Taizhou Central Hospital (Taizhou University Hospital), Taizhou 318000, China
| | - C H Yang
- Department of Pathology, Taizhou Central Hospital (Taizhou University Hospital), Taizhou 318000, China
| | - Q Chen
- Department of Pathology, Taizhou Central Hospital (Taizhou University Hospital), Taizhou 318000, China
| | - Z Y Wu
- School of Information Science and Technology, Northwest University, Xi'an 710127, China
| | - W L Hui
- Hangzhou Diyingjia Technology Co., Ltd,Hangzhou 311100, China
| | - M Z Lin
- Hangzhou Diyingjia Technology Co., Ltd,Hangzhou 311100, China
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11
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Abstract
The life cycle of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) can be divided into several stages, including viral entry, protein translation, RNA replication, viral assembly, and release. HCV genomic RNA replication occurs in the replication organelles (RO) and is tightly linked to ER membrane alterations containing replication complexes (proteins NS3 to NS5B). The amplification of HCV genomic RNA could be regulated by the RO biogenesis, the viral RNA structure (i.e., cis-acting replication elements), and both viral and cellular proteins. Studies on HCV replication have led to the development of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) targeting the replication complex. This review article summarizes the viral and cellular factors involved in regulating HCV genomic RNA replication and the DAAs that inhibit HCV replication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui-Chun Li
- Department of Biochemistry, Tzu Chi University, Hualien 97004, Taiwan;
| | - Chee-Hing Yang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Biotechnology, Tzu Chi University, Hualien 97004, Taiwan;
| | - Shih-Yen Lo
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Biotechnology, Tzu Chi University, Hualien 97004, Taiwan;
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Buddhist Tzu Chi General Hospital, Hualien 97004, Taiwan
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +886-3-8565301 (ext. 2322)
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12
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Phasuk S, Pairojana T, Suresh P, Yang CH, Roytrakul S, Huang SP, Chen CC, Pakaprot N, Chompoopong S, Nudmamud-Thanoi S, Liu IY. Enhanced contextual fear memory in peroxiredoxin 6 knockout mice is associated with hyperactivation of MAPK signaling pathway. Mol Brain 2021; 14:42. [PMID: 33632301 PMCID: PMC7908735 DOI: 10.1186/s13041-021-00754-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2020] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Fear dysregulation is one of the symptoms found in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) patients. The functional abnormality of the hippocampus is known to be implicated in the development of such pathology. Peroxiredoxin 6 (PRDX6) belongs to the peroxiredoxin family. This antioxidant enzyme is expressed throughout the brain, including the hippocampus. Recent evidence reveals that PRDX6 plays an important role in redox regulation and the modulation of several signaling molecules involved in fear regulation. Thus, we hypothesized that PRDX6 plays a role in the regulation of fear memory. We subjected a systemic Prdx6 knockout (Prdx6-/-) mice to trace fear conditioning and observed enhanced fear response after training. Intraventricular injection of lentivirus-carried mouse Prdx6 into the 3rd ventricle reduced the enhanced fear response in these knockout mice. Proteomic analysis followed by validation of western blot analysis revealed that several proteins in the MAPK pathway, such as NTRK2, AKT, and phospho-ERK1/2, cPLA2 were significantly upregulated in the hippocampus of Prdx6-/- mice during the retrieval stage of contextual fear memory. The distribution of PRDX6 found in the astrocytes was also observed throughout the hippocampus. This study identifies PRDX6 as a participant in the regulation of fear response. It suggests that PRDX6 and related molecules may have important implications for understanding fear-dysregulation associated disorders like PTSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarayut Phasuk
- Institute of Medical Sciences, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Tanita Pairojana
- Institute of Medical Sciences, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Pavithra Suresh
- Institute of Medical Sciences, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Chee-Hing Yang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Biotechnology, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Sittiruk Roytrakul
- National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, National Science and Technology Development Agency, Pathum Thani, Thailand
| | - Shun-Ping Huang
- Department of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Chang Chen
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Narawut Pakaprot
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Supin Chompoopong
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Sutisa Nudmamud-Thanoi
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medical Science, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, Thailand
- Centre of Excellence in Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Medical Science, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, Thailand
| | - Ingrid Y. Liu
- Institute of Medical Sciences, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan
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Yang CH, Duan CH, Wu ZY, Li Y, Luan YY, Fu XJ, Zhang CX, Zhang W. Effects of melatonin administration to cashmere goats on cashmere production and hair follicle characteristics in two consecutive cashmere growth cycles. Domest Anim Endocrinol 2021; 74:106534. [PMID: 32861956 DOI: 10.1016/j.domaniend.2020.106534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2020] [Revised: 07/27/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
The objective of the study was to determine the long-term effects of melatonin treatment on cashmere production and hair follicle populations in cashmere goats and their activity in two consecutive cashmere growth cycles. Twenty-four female Inner Mongolian Cashmere goats were randomly allocated to two groups (n = 12), one of which received melatonin implants, the other being an untreated control group. Melatonin implants were subcutaneously inserted behind the ear at a dose of 2 mg/kg live weight on two occasions -April 30 and June 30, 2016. Hair samples were collected by combing in April of 2017 and 2018, and the weight, staple length, and diameter of the cashmere fibers were measured. Blood and skin samples were collected monthly between April and September 2016, and in April and September in 2017 for the analysis of melatonin concentration and the characteristics of secondary hair follicle populations, respectively. The results indicated that serum melatonin concentration in the treated goats was elevated (P < 0.05) relative to that of the control group, but only during the first growth cycle. Melatonin treatment of cashmere goats in one cashmere growth cycle increased the weight, staple length, and density (all P < 0.05) of the cashmere fibers and decreased fiber diameter (P < 0.01), but did not affect the characteristics of cashmere production in the subsequent annual cycle. Melatonin treatment had no effect on the population of skin secondary hair follicles for two consecutive cycles. However, in the first growth cycle after treatment, it advanced the onset of activity of skin secondary hair follicles by 2 mo (P < 0.05), and it increased the number of follicles that were active (P < 0.05). In summary, the melatonin treatment of cashmere goats in one cashmere growth cycle improved cashmere production for that cycle only, with no residual effects on the subsequent cycle, a technique acceptable to the cashmere goat industry. The enhancement of cashmere production after the treatment of goats with melatonin appears to involve the acceleration of the annual regeneration of skin secondary hair follicles and increased population of active secondary hair follicles in the skin of cashmere goats.
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Affiliation(s)
- C H Yang
- Department of Animal Production, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi, China
| | - C H Duan
- Department of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science, College of Animal Science and Technology, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, 071000, China
| | - Z Y Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, Department of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural university, Beijing, China
| | - Y Li
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, Department of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural university, Beijing, China
| | - Y Y Luan
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, Department of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural university, Beijing, China
| | - X J Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, Department of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural university, Beijing, China
| | - C X Zhang
- Department of Animal Production, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi, China.
| | - W Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, Department of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural university, Beijing, China.
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Liu RY, Zeng YX, Yang CH, Wang LP. [Epidemiological characteristics of leptospirosis in Sichuan province, 2004-2018]. Zhonghua Liu Xing Bing Xue Za Zhi 2020; 41:695-699. [PMID: 32447909 DOI: 10.3760/cma.j.cn112338-20190703-00491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Objective: To explore the epidemiological characteristics of leptospirosis in Sichuan province from 2004 to 2018, and provide evidence for the prevention and control of leptospirosis. Methods: The descriptive epidemiology analysis was conducted based on the epidemic data of leptospirosis collected from the national notifiable infectious disease reporting information system (NNIDRIS) and sentinel surveillance system in 11 areas in Sichuan from 2004 to 2018. The ArcGIS 10.2 software was used for mapping. The SaTScan 9.1.1 software was used to analyze spatiotemporal scanning and characteristics of temporal-spatial clusters of leptospirosis. Results: A total of 2 834 cases of leptospirosis, including 41 deaths, were reported in Sichuan from 2004 to 2018, and the reported morbidity rate was 0.23/100 000 and the mortality rate was 0.003/100 000. It revealed that leptospirosis had an overall downward fluctuated trend. The incidence of leptospirosis had obvious seasonality, mainly from the last ten-day of August to the end of September, 1-2 weeks later after rice harvesting time. The reported cases were mainly males, the male to female ratio of the cases was 2.05∶1. The incidence was higher in age group 50-65 years. The majority of reported cases were farmers, accounting for 82.75% (2 345/2 834), followed by students, accounting for 12.74% (361/2 834). However, rare cases in students had been reported since 2011. In recent years, the high-incidence areas were alternating between Mabian, Muchuan counties along the Yangtze River and Yilong county located in the Jialing River basin. According to the spatial-temporal descriptive analyses by SaTScan, there were two clustering areas in the province where most cases occurred (P<0.001). The average density of field rats in 11 sentinel surveillance areas was 5.44%(14 351/263 767), and the predominant field rats included Anourosorexsquamipes (69.07%), Apodemusagrarius (12.73%). Whatmore, the density of the Apodemusagrarius ranged from 4.60% to 0.19%, showing downward trend with the lowest level in 2018. The annual culture rate of Leptospira from rat kidney samples declined. During 2007-2018, the average positive rate of Leptospira antibodies in healthy people was 24.52%(3 271/13 339), and the predominant serogroup was Icterohaemorrhagiae. There was no replacement of Leptospira serogroup in recent years. Conclusions: The incidence of leptospirosis in Sichuan was extremely low during 2004-2018, and the incidence peak of leptospirosis occurred in rice harvesting period. The cases were mainly old farmers, and the high-risk areas were constantly alternating between the Yangtzi River and the Jialing River basin. Both the density and the carriage rate of Leptospira of Apodemusagrarius were low, and the predominant serogroup was Icterohaemorrhagiae. The average positive rate of leptospira antibodies in healthy people was very low.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Y Liu
- Department of Public Health Information, Sichuan Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Y X Zeng
- Institute for Acute Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Sichuan Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - C H Yang
- Department of Public Health Information, Sichuan Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - L P Wang
- Department of Infectious Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China
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15
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Leon RCC, Yang CH, Hwang JCC, Lemyre JC, Tanttu T, Huang W, Chan KW, Tan KY, Hudson FE, Itoh KM, Morello A, Laucht A, Pioro-Ladrière M, Saraiva A, Dzurak AS. Coherent spin control of s-, p-, d- and f-electrons in a silicon quantum dot. Nat Commun 2020; 11:797. [PMID: 32047151 PMCID: PMC7012832 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-14053-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2019] [Accepted: 12/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Once the periodic properties of elements were unveiled, chemical behaviour could be understood in terms of the valence of atoms. Ideally, this rationale would extend to quantum dots, and quantum computation could be performed by merely controlling the outer-shell electrons of dot-based qubits. Imperfections in semiconductor materials disrupt this analogy, so real devices seldom display a systematic many-electron arrangement. We demonstrate here an electrostatically confined quantum dot that reveals a well defined shell structure. We observe four shells (31 electrons) with multiplicities given by spin and valley degrees of freedom. Various fillings containing a single valence electron-namely 1, 5, 13 and 25 electrons-are found to be potential qubits. An integrated micromagnet allows us to perform electrically-driven spin resonance (EDSR), leading to faster Rabi rotations and higher fidelity single qubit gates at higher shell states. We investigate the impact of orbital excitations on single qubits as a function of the dot deformation and exploit it for faster qubit control.
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Affiliation(s)
- R C C Leon
- Centre for Quantum Computation and Communication Technology, School of Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia.
| | - C H Yang
- Centre for Quantum Computation and Communication Technology, School of Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - J C C Hwang
- Centre for Quantum Computation and Communication Technology, School of Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
- Research and Prototype Foundry, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - J Camirand Lemyre
- Institut Quantique et Département de Physique, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec, J1K 2R1, Canada
| | - T Tanttu
- Centre for Quantum Computation and Communication Technology, School of Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - W Huang
- Centre for Quantum Computation and Communication Technology, School of Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - K W Chan
- Centre for Quantum Computation and Communication Technology, School of Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - K Y Tan
- QCD Labs COMP Centre of Excellence, Department of Applied Physics, Aalto University, 00076, Aalto, Finland
| | - F E Hudson
- Centre for Quantum Computation and Communication Technology, School of Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - K M Itoh
- School of Fundamental Science and Technology, Keio University, 3-14-1 Hiyoshi, Kohokuku, Yokohama, 223-8522, Japan
| | - A Morello
- Centre for Quantum Computation and Communication Technology, School of Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - A Laucht
- Centre for Quantum Computation and Communication Technology, School of Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - M Pioro-Ladrière
- Institut Quantique et Département de Physique, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec, J1K 2R1, Canada
- Quantum Information Science Program, Canadian Institute for Advanced Research, Toronto, ON, M5G 1Z8, Canada
| | - A Saraiva
- Centre for Quantum Computation and Communication Technology, School of Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia.
| | - A S Dzurak
- Centre for Quantum Computation and Communication Technology, School of Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia.
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16
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Chen WC, Lin WC, Yang CH, Wu CN, Luo SD. Autonomic dysfunction as an independent risk factor for uncontrolled inflammation in chronic rhinosinusitis following functional endoscopic sinus surgery. Rhinology 2019; 0:2224. [PMID: 31886799 DOI: 10.4193/rhin19.238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a multi-factorial disorder that causes systemic symptoms beyond rhinologic symptoms alone. A possible association between autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysfunction and CRS has been identified; however, few studies have confirmed this observation. In this study, we prospectively measured changes in ANS dysfunction symptoms following functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) and explored the impact of ANS dysfunction on surgical outcomes of CRS. METHODOLOGY Patients diagnosed with CRS who consented to surgical intervention were included prospectively. All patients completed the Sino-nasal Outcome Test-22 (SNOT-22) and the 31-item Composite Autonomic Symptom Score (COMPASS 31) questionnaires before the operation and during the follow-up period. Clinical demographic data, Lund-Mackay, and modified Lund-Kennedy scores were recorded and measured. RESULTS A total of 102 patients were enrolled. The median SNOT-22 and COMPASS 31 scores significantly improved following FESS from 43.0 to 14.0 and 21.0 to 11.2 (all P less than 0.001), respectively. FESS led to a significant reduction in the prevalence of various ANS dysfunction symptoms. In multivariate analyses, revision surgeries (odds ratio [OR] 5.012, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.52416.489; P=0.008), CRS with nasal polyps (OR 4.071, 95% CI 1.454-11.40; P=0.008), and higher Pre-FESS COMPASS 31 scores (OR 1.043, 95% CI 1.003-1.084; P=0.036) were independent risk factors for uncontrolled inflammation following FESS. CONCLUSIONS ANS dysfunction symptoms are prevalent in CRS and higher preoperative COMPASS 31 scores correspond with poor surgical outcomes. Following FESS, the majority of ANS dysfunction symptoms can be alleviated. Further investigations are required to explore the possible mechanism of how ANS is involved in the pathogenesis of CRS.
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Affiliation(s)
- W C Chen
- Department of Otolaryngology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Tajen University College of Pharmacy and Health care, Pingtung, Taiwan
| | - W C Lin
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - C H Yang
- Department of Otolaryngology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - C N Wu
- Department of Otolaryngology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - S D Luo
- Department of Otolaryngology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
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17
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Zhao R, Tanttu T, Tan KY, Hensen B, Chan KW, Hwang JCC, Leon RCC, Yang CH, Gilbert W, Hudson FE, Itoh KM, Kiselev AA, Ladd TD, Morello A, Laucht A, Dzurak AS. Single-spin qubits in isotopically enriched silicon at low magnetic field. Nat Commun 2019; 10:5500. [PMID: 31796728 PMCID: PMC6890755 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-13416-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2019] [Accepted: 11/06/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Single-electron spin qubits employ magnetic fields on the order of 1 Tesla or above to enable quantum state readout via spin-dependent-tunnelling. This requires demanding microwave engineering for coherent spin resonance control, which limits the prospects for large scale multi-qubit systems. Alternatively, singlet-triplet readout enables high-fidelity spin-state measurements in much lower magnetic fields, without the need for reservoirs. Here, we demonstrate low-field operation of metal-oxide-silicon quantum dot qubits by combining coherent single-spin control with high-fidelity, single-shot, Pauli-spin-blockade-based ST readout. We discover that the qubits decohere faster at low magnetic fields with [Formula: see text] μs and [Formula: see text] μs at 150 mT. Their coherence is limited by spin flips of residual 29Si nuclei in the isotopically enriched 28Si host material, which occur more frequently at lower fields. Our finding indicates that new trade-offs will be required to ensure the frequency stabilization of spin qubits, and highlights the importance of isotopic enrichment of device substrates for the realization of a scalable silicon-based quantum processor.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Zhao
- Centre for Quantum Computation and Communication Technology, School of Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia.
- National Institute of Standards and Technology, 325 Broadway, Boulder, CO, 80305, USA.
| | - T Tanttu
- Centre for Quantum Computation and Communication Technology, School of Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - K Y Tan
- QCD Labs, QTF Centre of Excellence, Department of Applied Physics, Aalto University, 00076, Aalto, Finland
- IQM Finland Oy, Vaisalantie 6 C, 02130, Espoo, Finland
| | - B Hensen
- Centre for Quantum Computation and Communication Technology, School of Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - K W Chan
- Centre for Quantum Computation and Communication Technology, School of Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - J C C Hwang
- Centre for Quantum Computation and Communication Technology, School of Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
- Research and Prototype Foundry, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - R C C Leon
- Centre for Quantum Computation and Communication Technology, School of Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - C H Yang
- Centre for Quantum Computation and Communication Technology, School of Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - W Gilbert
- Centre for Quantum Computation and Communication Technology, School of Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - F E Hudson
- Centre for Quantum Computation and Communication Technology, School of Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - K M Itoh
- School of Fundamental Science and Technology, Keio University, 3-14-1 Hiyoshi, Kohoku-ku, Yokohama, 223-8522, Japan
| | - A A Kiselev
- HRL Laboratories, LLC, 3011 Malibu Canyon Road, Malibu, CA, 90265, USA
| | - T D Ladd
- HRL Laboratories, LLC, 3011 Malibu Canyon Road, Malibu, CA, 90265, USA
| | - A Morello
- Centre for Quantum Computation and Communication Technology, School of Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - A Laucht
- Centre for Quantum Computation and Communication Technology, School of Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - A S Dzurak
- Centre for Quantum Computation and Communication Technology, School of Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia.
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18
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He FN, Li YL, Fan ZG, Yang CH. [Analysis of evaluation results of malaria elimination in Jiujiang City]. Zhongguo Xue Xi Chong Bing Fang Zhi Za Zhi 2019; 31:552-554. [PMID: 31713394 DOI: 10.16250/j.32.1374.2018148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To analyze the evaluation results of malaria elimination and summarize the experience in Jiujiang City, so as to provide the evidence for formulating the surveillance work plan post-malaria elimination. METHODS According to the requirements and arrangements of Jiangxi Eliminating Malaria Action Plan (2010 - 2020), the evaluation of malaria elimination was completed in all 13 counties (cites and districts) of Jiujiang City from 2013 to 2016, and the data were collected and analyzed. RESULTS In Jiujiang City, the last local malaria case was reported in 2008. From 2010 to 2016, there were 20 imported malaria cases reported, including 12 cases of falciparum malaria, 7 cases of vivax malaria, and 1 case of mixed infection. Totally 67 501 fever patients were tested for Plasmodium and 13 cases were positive, with the positive rate of 0.02%. The comprehensive evaluation scores were between 88.75 and 98.15 in all the 13 counties (cities and districts), which meant they all reached the evaluative criteria. CONCLUSIONS All 13 counties (cities and districts) of Jiujiang City have passed the city level evaluative criteria of malaria elimination, and the key work should be the prevention and surveillance of imported malaria in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- F N He
- Jiujiang Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Jiangxi Province, Jiujiang 332000, China
| | - Y L Li
- Jiujiang Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Jiangxi Province, Jiujiang 332000, China
| | - Z G Fan
- Ruichang Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - C H Yang
- Jiujiang Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Jiangxi Province, Jiujiang 332000, China
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19
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Wu MY, Wang CH, Ng CY, Kuo TT, Chang YC, Yang CH, Lin JY, Ho HC, Chung WH, Chen CB. Periorbital erythema and swelling as a presenting sign of lupus erythematosus in tertiary referral centers and literature review. Lupus 2018; 27:1828-1837. [PMID: 30134759 DOI: 10.1177/0961203318792358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Background Cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) includes a broad range of dermatologic manifestations. Periorbital involvement, however, is a relatively rare clinical presentation of CLE. Objectives This clinical study aimed to investigate the characteristics of this unique presentation of CLE in tertiary medical centers. Methods We enrolled patients with periorbital erythema and swelling as the presenting sign of lupus erythematosus, from January 2003 to November 2017, using the data of 553 pathologically proven CLE cases from the registration database of the Chang Gung Memorial Hospitals in Taiwan. Results We enrolled a total of 25 patients. The mean age was 46.7 years and 68% of the patients were female. Most of the patients (84.0%) presented with unilateral involvement, with the left orbit involved in 15 patients (60%); the upper eyelid was the most frequently involved (72%). Mean duration between the onset of clinical manifestations and the diagnosis of CLE was approximately 59 weeks. Nineteen patients had been previously misdiagnosed. All patients had features compatible with CLE on histopathological examination. In contrast, laboratory analysis of the autoimmune profile often revealed negative results, including those for antinuclear antibodies (25%). Notably, anti-SSA/SSB (45.5%) showed the highest positive rate. During follow-up, six patients developed systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and two patients developed Sjögren syndrome. Conclusions The diagnosis of CLE presenting as periorbital erythema and swelling is often delayed because of clinical mimicry and the high proportion of negative results on autoantibody tests. Increased clinical suspicion and prompt histopathological examination are crucial for early diagnosis. Moreover, one-fourth of the patients ultimately developed SLE, which highlights the importance of clinical awareness.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Y Wu
- 1 Department of Dermatology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Linkou, and Keelung, Taiwan.,2 College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Kwei-Shan, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - C H Wang
- 1 Department of Dermatology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Linkou, and Keelung, Taiwan.,2 College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Kwei-Shan, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - C Y Ng
- 1 Department of Dermatology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Linkou, and Keelung, Taiwan.,2 College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Kwei-Shan, Taoyuan, Taiwan.,7 Department of Pathology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taiwan
| | - T T Kuo
- 2 College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Kwei-Shan, Taoyuan, Taiwan.,7 Department of Pathology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taiwan
| | - Y C Chang
- 1 Department of Dermatology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Linkou, and Keelung, Taiwan.,2 College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Kwei-Shan, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - C H Yang
- 1 Department of Dermatology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Linkou, and Keelung, Taiwan.,2 College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Kwei-Shan, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - J Y Lin
- 1 Department of Dermatology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Linkou, and Keelung, Taiwan.,2 College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Kwei-Shan, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - H C Ho
- 1 Department of Dermatology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Linkou, and Keelung, Taiwan.,2 College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Kwei-Shan, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - W H Chung
- 1 Department of Dermatology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Linkou, and Keelung, Taiwan.,2 College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Kwei-Shan, Taoyuan, Taiwan.,4 Whole-Genome Research Core Laboratory of Human Diseases, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung, Taiwan.,5 Chang Gung Immunology Consortium, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.,6 Department of Dermatology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Xiamen, China
| | - C B Chen
- 1 Department of Dermatology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Linkou, and Keelung, Taiwan.,2 College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Kwei-Shan, Taoyuan, Taiwan.,3 Graduate Institute of Clinical Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.,4 Whole-Genome Research Core Laboratory of Human Diseases, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung, Taiwan.,5 Chang Gung Immunology Consortium, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.,6 Department of Dermatology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Xiamen, China
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20
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Abstract
Recent advances in quantum error correction codes for fault-tolerant quantum computing and physical realizations of high-fidelity qubits in multiple platforms give promise for the construction of a quantum computer based on millions of interacting qubits. However, the classical-quantum interface remains a nascent field of exploration. Here, we propose an architecture for a silicon-based quantum computer processor based on complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) technology. We show how a transistor-based control circuit together with charge-storage electrodes can be used to operate a dense and scalable two-dimensional qubit system. The qubits are defined by the spin state of a single electron confined in quantum dots, coupled via exchange interactions, controlled using a microwave cavity, and measured via gate-based dispersive readout. We implement a spin qubit surface code, showing the prospects for universal quantum computation. We discuss the challenges and focus areas that need to be addressed, providing a path for large-scale quantum computing. Realisation of large-scale quantum computation requires both error correction capability and a large number of qubits. Here, the authors propose to use a CMOS-compatible architecture featuring a spin qubit surface code and individual qubit control via floating memory gate electrodes.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Veldhorst
- Qutech and Kavli Institute of Nanoscience, TU Delft, 2600, GA Delft, The Netherlands. .,Centre for Quantum Computation and Communication Technology, School of Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia.
| | - H G J Eenink
- Qutech and Kavli Institute of Nanoscience, TU Delft, 2600, GA Delft, The Netherlands.,Centre for Quantum Computation and Communication Technology, School of Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - C H Yang
- Centre for Quantum Computation and Communication Technology, School of Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - A S Dzurak
- Centre for Quantum Computation and Communication Technology, School of Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia.
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21
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Yang CH, Huang YC, Kuo WT. Spontaneous Rupture of Splenic Varices: A Rare but Lethal Complication of Portal Hypertension from Cirrhosis. HONG KONG J EMERG ME 2017. [DOI: 10.1177/102490791402100205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Intra-abdominal varices rupture is a rare but catastrophic complication in cirrhosis. We report our near-miss experience in a woman presenting with acute abdominal pain and shock. This 55-year-old cirrhotic woman presented with sudden onset of epigastric pain. On arrival, her blood pressure was 57/49 mmHg and physical examination revealed epigastric tenderness without rebounding tenderness. Emergency ultrasonography (EUS) showed intra-abdominal haemorrhage. Computed tomography revealed haemoperitoneum but no extravasation of contrast medium. She received conservative treatment first but laparotomy later for ongoing bleeding. Surgeon identified and ligated a ruptured splenic varix and she was discharged home after nine days of hospitalisation. This case report illustrates the use of bedside EUS in cirrhotic patients presenting with acute abdominal pain. (Hong Kong j.emerg.med. 2014;21:120-123)
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Affiliation(s)
| | - YC Huang
- Kaohsiung Medical University, Department of Emergency Medicine, School of Medicine, 100 Shih-Chuan 1st Road, Kaohsiung, 80708, Taiwan
| | - WT Kuo
- Chiayi Christian Hospital, Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, 539 Chuan-Hsiau Road, Chiayi City, 60002, Taiwan
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22
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Yang CH, Li HC, Ku TS, Wu PC, Yeh YJ, Cheng JC, Lin TY, Lo SY. Hepatitis C virus down-regulates SERPINE1/PAI-1 expression to facilitate its replication. J Gen Virol 2017; 98:2274-2286. [PMID: 28857040 DOI: 10.1099/jgv.0.000901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Identification of host factors involved in viral replication is critical for understanding the molecular mechanism of viral replication and pathogenesis. Genes differentially expressed in HuH-7 cells with or without a hepatitis C virus (HCV) sub-genomic replicon were screened by microarray analysis. SERPINE1/PAI-1 was found to be down-regulated after HCV infection in this analysis. Down-regulation of SERPINE1/PAI-1 expression at the transcriptional level was verified by the real-time reverse transcriptase (RT)-PCR assay. Reduced SERPINE1/PAI-1 protein secretion was detected in the supernatant of HCV replicon cells and in sera from HCV-infected patients. SERPINE1 gene expression was down-regulated by HCV NS3/4A and NS5A proteins through the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signalling pathway at the transcriptional level. Down-regulated genes in HCV replicon cells could be the factors supressing HCV replication. Indeed, over-expressed PAI-1 inhibited HCV replication but the mechanism is unknown. It has been demonstrated that HCV induces the expression of TGF-β, and TGF-β enhances HCV replication by a not-yet-defined mechanism. SERPINE1/PAI-1 is also known to be potently induced by TGF-β at the transcriptional level through both Smad-dependent and Smad-independent pathways. The exogenously expressed SERPINE1/PAI-1 suppressed the expression of the endogenous SERPINE1 gene at the transcriptional level through the TGF-β signalling but not the Smad pathway. Thus, SERPINE1/PAI-1 could suppress HCV replication possibly by negatively regulating TGF-β signalling. A model is proposed for the interplay betweenthe TGF-β signalling pathway, HCV and SERPINE1/PAI-1 to keep the homeostasis of the cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chee-Hing Yang
- Institute of medical Sciences, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Hui-Chun Li
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Tzu-Shan Ku
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Biotechnology, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Pi-Ching Wu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Biotechnology, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Yung-Ju Yeh
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Ju-Chien Cheng
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Teng-Yi Lin
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Buddhist Tzu Chi General Hospital, Hualien, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Shih-Yen Lo
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Biotechnology, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan, ROC.,Department of Laboratory Medicine, Buddhist Tzu Chi General Hospital, Hualien, Taiwan, ROC.,Institute of medical Sciences, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan, ROC
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23
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Narayanan R, Ponnusamy S, Fan M, Yang CH, Grimes BL, Fleming MD, Pritchard EF, Berry MP, Oswaks RM, Fine RE, Loiseau JC, Schwartzberg LS, Pfeffer LM. Abstract P6-12-06: Nonsteroidal, tissue selective androgen receptor modulator (SARM), enobosarm, reduces growth of androgen receptor-positive breast cancer in patient-derived preclinical models. Cancer Res 2017. [DOI: 10.1158/1538-7445.sabcs16-p6-12-06] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Introduction: In breast cancer the androgen receptor (AR) is the most abundantly expressed steroid receptor with 75-95% of estrogen receptor (ER)-positive and 40-70% of ER-negative breast cancers expressing the AR. Historically, advanced breast cancer has been treated with androgens, resulting in significant clinical response. However, the use of steroidal androgens fell from favor as a result of their virilizing side effects. Nonsteroidal, tissue selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs) will provide a novel targeted approach to exploit the therapeutic benefits of androgens in breast cancer.
Aims: To test the effects of enobosarm (a first-in-class SARM) and enzalutamide (AR antagonist) on the growth of patient-derived breast cancer xenografts (PDX) and to discern the mechanism of action of AR-targeted therapies in AR-positive breast cancer.
Materials and Methods: AR-positive PDXs with varying receptor expression (ER, progesterone receptor (PR), and HER2) were implanted in immunecompromised mice. Mice carrying PDXs were treated with vehicle, 10 mg/kg/day (mpk) enobosarm (GTx, Inc., Memphis, TN), or 20 mpk enzalutamide (Medivation Inc.), orally. Tumor volume was measured twice or thrice weekly. Tumors that received enobosarm were further analyzed to determine the mechanism of action.
Results: Enobosarm significantly (p<0.01) inhibited the growth of ER-, PR-, and HER2- positive HCI-7 and ER- and PR- negative and HER2-positive HCI-12 PDX. While enobosarm inhibited the growth of HCI-12 by ~80% and HCI-7 by ~60%, enzalutamide failed to inhibit the growth of the HCI-7 PDX. In contrast, neither enobosarm nor enzalutamide inhibited the growth of ER- and PR-negative and HER2-positive HCI-9 PDX, consistent with the heterogeneity of AR-positive breast cancers. Growth of two triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) PDXs were inhibited by 30-40% by enobosarm, but not by enzalutamide. These results were reproduced in xenografts developed with breast cancer cell lines, MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 expressing the AR. Gene expression studies conducted with the HCI-12 tumors indicated that enobosarm inhibited the expression of various proliferative genes (MUC2, IL10RA, IGSF1, SLC6A4, and others) and increased the expression of growth inhibitory genes (CYP4F8, MYBPC1, and others). Ingenuity pathway analysis demonstrated that enobosarm inhibited genes that are downstream of HER2 signaling. Interestingly, miR-21-3p, which has been implicated in chemo-resistance, was consistently expressed at approximately 10-50-fold higher than miR-21-5p in PDXs. This imbalance was partially reversed by enobosarm.
Conclusion: These results indicate that AR-positive breast cancers are highly heterogeneous and that enobosarm has promise as novel targeted therapy to treat AR-positive breast cancer. Enobosarm is currently in phase II clinical trial in both ER-positive breast cancer and in TNBC patients.
Citation Format: Narayanan R, Ponnusamy S, Fan M, Yang CH, Grimes BL, Fleming MD, Pritchard EF, Berry MP, Oswaks RM, Fine RE, Loiseau J-C, Schwartzberg LS, Pfeffer LM. Nonsteroidal, tissue selective androgen receptor modulator (SARM), enobosarm, reduces growth of androgen receptor-positive breast cancer in patient-derived preclinical models [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2016 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2016 Dec 6-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P6-12-06.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Narayanan
- University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN; West Cancer Center, Memphis, TN
| | - S Ponnusamy
- University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN; West Cancer Center, Memphis, TN
| | - M Fan
- University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN; West Cancer Center, Memphis, TN
| | - CH Yang
- University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN; West Cancer Center, Memphis, TN
| | - BL Grimes
- University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN; West Cancer Center, Memphis, TN
| | - MD Fleming
- University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN; West Cancer Center, Memphis, TN
| | - EF Pritchard
- University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN; West Cancer Center, Memphis, TN
| | - MP Berry
- University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN; West Cancer Center, Memphis, TN
| | - RM Oswaks
- University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN; West Cancer Center, Memphis, TN
| | - RE Fine
- University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN; West Cancer Center, Memphis, TN
| | - J-C Loiseau
- University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN; West Cancer Center, Memphis, TN
| | - LS Schwartzberg
- University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN; West Cancer Center, Memphis, TN
| | - LM Pfeffer
- University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN; West Cancer Center, Memphis, TN
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24
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Yang CH, Li HC, Shiu YL, Ku TS, Wang CW, Tu YS, Chen HL, Wu CH, Lo SY. Influenza A virus upregulates PRPF8 gene expression to increase virus production. Arch Virol 2017; 162:1223-1235. [PMID: 28110426 DOI: 10.1007/s00705-016-3210-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2016] [Accepted: 12/19/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
A ddRT-PCR analysis was performed to detect cellular genes that are differentially expressed after influenza A virus (H1N1) infection of A549 cells. After ddRT-PCR, eight DNA fragments were identified. PRPF8, one of the cellular genes that were upregulated after virus infection, was further analyzed since it has previously been identified as a cellular factor required for influenza virus replication. The upregulation of PRPF8 gene expression after viral infection was confirmed using real-time RT-PCR for mRNA detection and Western blot analysis for protein detection. Influenza A virus also upregulated the PRPF8 promoter in a reporter assay. In addition to H1N1, influenza A virus H3N2 and influenza B virus could also activate PRPF8 expression. Therefore, upregulation of PRPF8 expression might be important for the replication of different influenza viruses. Indeed, overexpression of PRPF8 gene enhanced virus production, while knockdown of expression of this gene reduced viral production significantly. To determine which viral protein could enhance PRPF8 gene expression, individual viral genes were cloned and expressed. Among the different viral proteins, expression of either the viral NS1 or PB1 gene could upregulate the PRPF8 expression. Our results from this study indicate that influenza A virus upregulates cellular PRPF8 gene expression through viral NS1 and PB1 proteins to increase virus production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chee-Hing Yang
- Institute of Medical Sciences, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Hui-Chun Li
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Tzu Chi University, 701, Section 3, Chung Yang Road, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Ling Shiu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Biotechnology, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Tzu-Shan Ku
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Biotechnology, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Wen Wang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Biotechnology, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Shuan Tu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Biotechnology, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Hung-Ling Chen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Biotechnology, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Hao Wu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Biotechnology, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Shih-Yen Lo
- Institute of Medical Sciences, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan. .,Department of Laboratory Medicine and Biotechnology, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan. .,Department of Laboratory Medicine, Buddhist Tzu Chi General Hospital, Hualien, Taiwan.
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25
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Li H, Jiang Q, Ju ZH, Huang JM, Wang XG, Yang CH, Sun Y, Yang GW, Zhong JF, Wang CF. A novel splice variant of the bovine GALNTL5 gene identified in Chinese Holstein bull testis tissue and its mRNA expression. Genet Mol Res 2016; 15:gmr7723. [PMID: 27173285 DOI: 10.4238/gmr.15027723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
The polypeptide N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase-like protein 5 (GALNTL5) is a newly identified protein that is specifically expressed in testis tissue and participates in spermatogenesis. In this study, we characterized a novel bovine GALNTL5 splice variant, designated as GALNTL5-AS, by using real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and clone sequencing methods. The novel GALNTL5 isoform was derived from the complete transcript, GALNTL5-complete, via alternative splicing (AS). The pattern of the splice variant was exon skipping. Bovine GALNTL5 transcripts were expressed in the testis, as demonstrated by RT-PCR. The expression levels of both transcripts were higher in adult testes than in calf testes (P < 0.05). In addition, prediction analysis showed that the GALNTL5-AS transcript only encoded 122 amino acids and lost its glycosyltransferase 1 and Gal/GalNAc-T motifs, which may result in a dysfunctional protein compared with the predominant transcript GALNTL5-complete. This study improves our understanding of the bovine GALNTL5 gene function during bull sperm formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Li
- Dairy Cattle Research Center, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China.,College of Life Science, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, China
| | - Q Jiang
- Dairy Cattle Research Center, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Z H Ju
- Dairy Cattle Research Center, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - J M Huang
- Dairy Cattle Research Center, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - X G Wang
- Dairy Cattle Research Center, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - C H Yang
- Dairy Cattle Research Center, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Y Sun
- Dairy Cattle Research Center, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - G W Yang
- College of Life Science, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, China
| | - J F Zhong
- Dairy Cattle Research Center, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - C F Wang
- Dairy Cattle Research Center, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China
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26
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Huang JM, Wang XG, Jiang Q, Sun Y, Yang CH, Ju ZH, Hao HS, Wang CF, Zhong JF, Zhu HB. Identification of CD14 transcript in blood polymorphonuclear neutrophil leukocytes and functional variation in Holsteins. Genet Mol Res 2016; 15:gmr7932. [PMID: 27173290 DOI: 10.4238/gmr.15027932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) leukocytes are primary phagocytic cells of the bovine mammary gland and a first line of defense against invading pathogens during bovine mastitis infection. Cluster of differentiation 14 (CD14) is mainly expressed in macrophages and neutrophils and acts as a co-receptor that binds bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and recruits PMNs to CD14-LPS complexes in mammary epithelial cells. In this study, we identified a novel splice variant in PMNs, named CD14-SV, characterized by a deleted region from c.143-579 nt compared to the CD14 reference mRNA sequence. Moreover, a single nucleotide polymorphism (c.523 A>G) in exon 2 of CD14 was identified and found to modify the secondary structure and hydrophilicity of the CD14 protein. Association analysis also showed that the milk somatic cell score, an indicator of mastitis, of cows with the GG genotype was lower than that of cows with the AA and AG genotypes. Our findings suggest that the expression of CD14 in bovine blood PMNs is regulated by alternative splicing, and that CD14-SV is a candidate functional marker that may influence mastitis-resistance in dairy cows.
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Affiliation(s)
- J M Huang
- Embryo Biotechnology and Reproduction Laboratory, Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China.,Dairy Cattle Research Center, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - X G Wang
- Dairy Cattle Research Center, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Q Jiang
- Dairy Cattle Research Center, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Y Sun
- Dairy Cattle Research Center, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - C H Yang
- Dairy Cattle Research Center, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Z H Ju
- Dairy Cattle Research Center, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - H S Hao
- Embryo Biotechnology and Reproduction Laboratory, Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - C F Wang
- Dairy Cattle Research Center, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - J F Zhong
- Dairy Cattle Research Center, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - H B Zhu
- Embryo Biotechnology and Reproduction Laboratory, Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
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27
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Abstract
The objective of this study was to investigate the clinical effects of Tripterygium wilfordii on chronic glomerulo nephritis (CGN) and its mechanisms. Eighty-two cases of CGN treated in our hospital were randomly divided into observation and control groups. The control group was treated with conventional western medicine, and the observation group was treated with conventional western medicine and orally-administered T. wilfordii pills for three courses of treatment, each consisting of 4 weeks. Changes in serum reatinine, blood urea nitrogen, blood total cholesterol, blood albumin, and 24-h urine protein were observed. The levels of peripheral tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were determined with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The curative effects of both groups were evaluated respectively. Both groups had significantly improved serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, blood total cholesterol, blood albumin, and 24-h urine protein (P < 0.05), and the observation group exhibited a more significant improvement (P < 0.05). TNF-α and IL-6 levels in both groups obviously decreased (P < 0.05), and the observation group exhibited remarkable changes (P < 0.05). After treatment, the total efficiency of the observation group was 90.24%, which was significantly higher than the 73.17% of the control group (P < 0.05). In conclusion, T. wilfordii can significantly improve kidney function and clinical symptoms in CGN patients, and the mechanism is possibly related to its inhibition of the secretion of TNF-α and IL-6.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - X L Zhang
- Department of Nephropathy and Rheumatology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
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28
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Wu J, Lee YY, Su SC, Wu TS, Kao KC, Huang CC, Chang WC, Yang CH, Chung WH. Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis in patients with malignancies. Br J Dermatol 2015. [PMID: 26218033 DOI: 10.1111/bjd.14052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Malignancy is known to be associated with an increased mortality rate in patients with Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN). However, risk factors contributing to the poor prognosis of patients with SJS/TEN with malignancies remain undefined. OBJECTIVES To explore the potential involvement of malignancy and its related factors contributing to the poor outcome of SJS/TEN, in a retrospective study. METHODS In total 517 patients with SJS/TEN were enrolled. Forty-seven who sustained various types of malignancies were analysed for numerous malignancy-related factors, including cancer types, clinical stages and chemotherapies given or not before the onset of SJS/TEN. RESULTS We found that the mortality rate of patients with SJS/TEN with malignancies was higher than that of patients without malignancies (32%, 15/47 vs. 8·5%, 40/470, respectively) (P < 0·001). The use of phenytoin was significantly higher in the malignancy group. The presence of hepatocellular carcinoma (80%, four of five; P < 0·001; odds ratio 43) and colorectal cancer (67%, two of three; P = 0·022; odds ratio 21·5) significantly increased the death rate of patients with SJS/TEN, whereas lung cancer and urothelial carcinoma did not. Patients who had received ongoing or recent chemotherapy showed higher mortality than those without chemotherapy (P = 0·022; odds ratio 4·95). Furthermore, among the 47 patients with SJS/TEN with malignancies, lower serum albumin, haemoglobin and platelet count were detected in the deceased patients than in the surviving patients before the onset of SJS/TEN. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that several factors related to malignancies, such as specific cancer types, chemotherapy and malnutrition, may contribute to poor prognosis in patients with malignancies developing SJS/TEN.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Wu
- Department of Dermatology, Drug Hypersensitivity Clinical and Research Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung, Taipei and Linkou, 33305, Taiwan.,College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, 33302, Taiwan
| | - Y Y Lee
- Department of Dermatology, Drug Hypersensitivity Clinical and Research Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung, Taipei and Linkou, 33305, Taiwan.,College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, 33302, Taiwan
| | - S C Su
- Department of Dermatology, Drug Hypersensitivity Clinical and Research Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung, Taipei and Linkou, 33305, Taiwan.,College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, 33302, Taiwan
| | - T S Wu
- College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, 33302, Taiwan.,Department of Infectious Disease, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung, Taipei and Linkou, 33305, Taiwan
| | - K C Kao
- College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, 33302, Taiwan.,Department of Thoracic Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung, Taipei and Linkou, 33305, Taiwan
| | - C C Huang
- College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, 33302, Taiwan.,Department of Thoracic Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung, Taipei and Linkou, 33305, Taiwan
| | - W C Chang
- College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, 33302, Taiwan.,Department of Hematology-Oncology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung, Taipei and Linkou, 33305, Taiwan
| | - C H Yang
- Department of Dermatology, Drug Hypersensitivity Clinical and Research Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung, Taipei and Linkou, 33305, Taiwan.,College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, 33302, Taiwan
| | - W H Chung
- Department of Dermatology, Drug Hypersensitivity Clinical and Research Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung, Taipei and Linkou, 33305, Taiwan.,College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, 33302, Taiwan
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29
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Chen JS, Li HC, Lin SI, Yang CH, Chien WY, Syu CL, Lo SY. Cleavage of Dicer protein by I7 protease during vaccinia virus infection. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0120390. [PMID: 25815818 PMCID: PMC4376780 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0120390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2014] [Accepted: 01/21/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Dicer is the key component in the miRNA pathway. Degradation of Dicer protein is facilitated during vaccinia virus (VV) infection. A C-terminal cleaved product of Dicer protein was detected in the presence of MG132 during VV infection. Thus, it is possible that Dicer protein is cleaved by a viral protease followed by proteasome degradation of the cleaved product. There is a potential I7 protease cleavage site in the C-terminus of Dicer protein. Indeed, reduction of Dicer protein was detected when Dicer was co-expressed with I7 protease but not with an I7 protease mutant protein lack of the protease activity. Mutation of the potential I7 cleavage site in the C-terminus of Dicer protein resisted its degradation during VV infection. Furthermore, Dicer protein was reduced dramatically by recombinant VV vI7Li after the induction of I7 protease. If VV could facilitate the degradation of Dicer protein, the process of miRNA should be affected by VV infection. Indeed, accumulation of precursor miR122 was detected after VV infection or I7 protease expression. Reduction of miR122 would result in the suppression of HCV sub-genomic RNA replication, and, in turn, the amount of viral proteins. As expected, significant reduction of HCVNS5A protein was detected after VV infection and I7 protease expression. Therefore, our results suggest that VV could cleave Dicer protein through I7 protease to facilitate Dicer degradation, and in turn, suppress the processing of miRNAs. Effect of Dicer protein on VV replication was also studied. Exogenous expression of Dicer protein suppresses VV replication slightly while knockdown of Dicer protein does not affect VV replication significantly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jhih-Si Chen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Hui-Chun Li
- Department of Biochemistry, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Shu-I Lin
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Chee-Hing Yang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Wan-Yu Chien
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Ciao-Ling Syu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Shih-Yen Lo
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Buddhist Tzu Chi General Hospital, Hualien, Taiwan
- * E-mail:
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30
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Chang TC, Shiah HS, Yang CH, Yeh KH, Cheng AL, Shen BN, Wang YW, Yeh CG, Chiang NJ, Chang JY, Chen LT. Phase I study of nanoliposomal irinotecan (PEP02) in advanced solid tumor patients. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol 2015; 75:579-86. [PMID: 25577133 PMCID: PMC4341010 DOI: 10.1007/s00280-014-2671-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2014] [Accepted: 12/30/2014] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Purpose
To define the dose-limiting toxicity (DLT), maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and pharmacokinetics (PK) of PEP02, a novel liposome-encapsulated irinotecan, in patients with advanced refractory solid tumors. Methods Patients were enrolled in cohorts of one to three to receive escalating dose of PEP02 in a phase I trial. PEP02, from 60 to 180 mg/m2, was given as a 90-min intravenous infusion, every 3 weeks. Results A total of 11 patients were enrolled into three dose levels: 60 (one patient), 120 (six patients) and 180 mg/m2 (four patients). DLT was observed in three patients, one at 120 mg/m2 (grade 3 catheter-related infection) and two at 180 mg/m2 (grade 4 neutropenia lasting for >3 days in one, grade 4 hematological toxicities and grade 4 diarrhea in the other). MTD was determined as 120 mg/m2. Comparing with those after free-form irinotecan in the literature, the dose-normalized PK of SN-38 (the active metabolite) after PEP02 was characterized by lower Cmax, prolonged terminal half-life and higher AUC but with significant inter-individual variation. One patient who died of treatment-related toxicity had significantly higher Cmax and AUC levels of SN-38 than those of the other three patients at 180 mg/m2. Post hoc pharmacogenetic study showed that the patient had a combined heterozygosity genotype of UGT1A1*6/*28. Two patients had objective tumor response. Conclusions PEP02 apparently modified the PK parameters of irinotecan and SN-38 by liposome encapsulation. The MTD of PEP02 monotherapy at 3-week interval is 120 mg/m2, which will be the recommended dose for future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- T C Chang
- Department of Gynecology, Linkuo Chang-Gung Memorial Hospital, No.5, Fu-Hsing Street, Kuei-shan Hsiang, Taoyuan, 33305, Taiwan
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31
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Veldhorst M, Hwang JCC, Yang CH, Leenstra AW, de Ronde B, Dehollain JP, Muhonen JT, Hudson FE, Itoh KM, Morello A, Dzurak AS. An addressable quantum dot qubit with fault-tolerant control-fidelity. Nat Nanotechnol 2014; 9:981-985. [PMID: 25305743 DOI: 10.1038/nnano.2014.216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 199] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2014] [Accepted: 08/28/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Exciting progress towards spin-based quantum computing has recently been made with qubits realized using nitrogen-vacancy centres in diamond and phosphorus atoms in silicon. For example, long coherence times were made possible by the presence of spin-free isotopes of carbon and silicon. However, despite promising single-atom nanotechnologies, there remain substantial challenges in coupling such qubits and addressing them individually. Conversely, lithographically defined quantum dots have an exchange coupling that can be precisely engineered, but strong coupling to noise has severely limited their dephasing times and control fidelities. Here, we combine the best aspects of both spin qubit schemes and demonstrate a gate-addressable quantum dot qubit in isotopically engineered silicon with a control fidelity of 99.6%, obtained via Clifford-based randomized benchmarking and consistent with that required for fault-tolerant quantum computing. This qubit has dephasing time T2* = 120 μs and coherence time T2 = 28 ms, both orders of magnitude larger than in other types of semiconductor qubit. By gate-voltage-tuning the electron g*-factor we can Stark shift the electron spin resonance frequency by more than 3,000 times the 2.4 kHz electron spin resonance linewidth, providing a direct route to large-scale arrays of addressable high-fidelity qubits that are compatible with existing manufacturing technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Veldhorst
- Centre for Quantum Computation and Communication Technology, School of Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - J C C Hwang
- Centre for Quantum Computation and Communication Technology, School of Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - C H Yang
- Centre for Quantum Computation and Communication Technology, School of Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - A W Leenstra
- University of Twente, PO Box 217, 7500 AE Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - B de Ronde
- University of Twente, PO Box 217, 7500 AE Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - J P Dehollain
- Centre for Quantum Computation and Communication Technology, School of Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - J T Muhonen
- Centre for Quantum Computation and Communication Technology, School of Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - F E Hudson
- Centre for Quantum Computation and Communication Technology, School of Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - K M Itoh
- School of Fundamental Science and Technology, Keio University, 3-14-1 Hiyoshi, Kohoku-ku, Yokohama 223-8522, Japan
| | - A Morello
- Centre for Quantum Computation and Communication Technology, School of Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - A S Dzurak
- Centre for Quantum Computation and Communication Technology, School of Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
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Li HC, Ma HC, Yang CH, Lo SY. Production and pathogenicity of hepatitis C virus core gene products. World J Gastroenterol 2014; 20:7104-7122. [PMID: 24966583 PMCID: PMC4064058 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i23.7104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2013] [Revised: 12/05/2013] [Accepted: 04/03/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major cause of chronic liver diseases, including steatosis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, and its infection is also associated with insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes mellitus. HCV, belonging to the Flaviviridae family, is a small enveloped virus whose positive-stranded RNA genome encoding a polyprotein. The HCV core protein is cleaved first at residue 191 by the host signal peptidase and further cleaved by the host signal peptide peptidase at about residue 177 to generate the mature core protein (a.a. 1-177) and the cleaved peptide (a.a. 178-191). Core protein could induce insulin resistance, steatosis and even hepatocellular carcinoma through various mechanisms. The peptide (a.a. 178-191) may play a role in the immune response. The polymorphism of this peptide is associated with the cellular lipid drop accumulation, contributing to steatosis development. In addition to the conventional open reading frame (ORF), in the +1 frame, an ORF overlaps with the core protein-coding sequence and encodes the alternative reading frame proteins (ARFP or core+1). ARFP/core+1/F protein could enhance hepatocyte growth and may regulate iron metabolism. In this review, we briefly summarized the current knowledge regarding the production of different core gene products and their roles in viral pathogenesis.
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Li YX, Wang XG, Yang CH, Cong LL, Wu FF, Xue JG, Han YH. Identification of a locus characteristic of male individuals of buffalo grass [Buchloe dactyloides (Nutt.) Engelm.] by using an RAPD marker. Genet Mol Res 2013; 12:4070-7. [PMID: 24089096 DOI: 10.4238/2013.september.27.8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Buffalo grass [Buchloe dactyloides (Nutt.) Engelm.] plants can be either male, female, or hermaphrodite (monoecious). As there is no morphological difference in the early vegetative growth of these three classes of plants, it is worthwhile to use molecular biological methods to attempt to identify the sex of a plant at this early growth period. In this study, we identified 23 plants that had a stable sex for over at least 3 years. Of these, 9 were male plants, 10 were female plants, and 4 were hermaphrodites. Screening of 300 RAPD primers identified a primer, namely S211 (5'-ttccccgcga-3'), which is capable of identifying male plants. The specific fragment was cloned, sequenced, and submitted to the GenBank database (accession No. JN982469). When used to identify the sex of 188 plants during their first growing season, the S211 primer correctly identified 85.8% of all male plants. Our results showed that the S211 primer can identify the male, and in doing so, it facilitates buffalo grass breeding work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y X Li
- Department of Grassland Science, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
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Tsai ML, Wu CT, Lin TF, Lin WC, Huang YC, Yang CH. Chemical Composition and Biological Properties of Essential Oils of Two Mint Species. TROP J PHARM RES 2013. [DOI: 10.4314/tjpr.v12i4.20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
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Lo YC, Chen WC, Huang WT, Lin YC, Liu MC, Kuo HW, Chuang JH, Yang JR, Liu MT, Wu HS, Yang CH, Chou JH, Chang FY. Surveillance of avian influenza A(H7N9) virus infection in humans and detection of the first imported human case in Taiwan, 3 April to 10 May 2013. Euro Surveill 2013. [DOI: 10.2807/ese.18.20.20479-en] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
On 3 April 2013, suspected and confirmed cases of influenza A(H7N9) virus infection became notifiable in the primary care sector in Taiwan, and detection of the virus became part of the surveillance of severe community-acquired pneumonia. On 24 April, the first imported case, reported through both surveillance systems, was confirmed in a man returning from China by sequencing from endotracheal aspirates after two negative throat swabs. Three of 139 contacts were ill and tested influenza A(H7N9)-negative.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y C Lo
- Centers for Disease Control, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - W C Chen
- Centers for Disease Control, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - W T Huang
- Centers for Disease Control, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Y C Lin
- Centers for Disease Control, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - M C Liu
- Centers for Disease Control, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - H W Kuo
- Centers for Disease Control, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - J H Chuang
- Centers for Disease Control, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - J R Yang
- Centers for Disease Control, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - M T Liu
- Centers for Disease Control, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - H S Wu
- Centers for Disease Control, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - C H Yang
- Centers for Disease Control, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - J H Chou
- Centers for Disease Control, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - F Y Chang
- Centers for Disease Control, Taipei, Taiwan
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Lo YC, Chen WC, Huang WT, Lin YC, Liu MC, Kuo HW, Chuang JH, Yang JR, Liu MT, Wu HS, Yang CH, Chou JH, Chang FY. Surveillance of avian influenza A(H7N9) virus infection in humans and detection of the first imported human case in Taiwan, 3 April to 10 May 2013. Euro Surveill 2013; 18:20479. [PMID: 23725865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023] Open
Abstract
On 3 April 2013, suspected and confirmed cases of influenza A(H7N9) virus infection became notifiable in the primary care sector in Taiwan, and detection of the virus became part of the surveillance of severe community-acquired pneumonia. On 24 April, the first imported case, reported through both surveillance systems, was confirmed in a man returning from China by sequencing from endotracheal aspirates after two negative throat swabs. Three of 139 contacts were ill and tested influenza A(H7N9)-negative.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y C Lo
- Centers for Disease Control, Taipei, Taiwan
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Hu WT, Li HC, Lee SK, Ma HC, Yang CH, Chen HL, Lo SY. Both core and F proteins of hepatitis C virus could enhance cell proliferation in transgenic mice. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2013; 435:147-52. [PMID: 23628415 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2013.04.059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2013] [Accepted: 04/17/2013] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The role of the protein encoded by the alternative open reading frame (ARF/F/core+1) of the Hepatitis C virus (HCV) genome in viral pathogenesis remains unknown. The different forms of ARF/F/core+1 protein were labile in cultured cells, a myc-tag fused at the N-terminus of the F protein made it more stable. To determine the role of core and F proteins in HCV pathogenesis, transgenic mice with either protein expression under the control of Albumin promoter were generated. Expression of core protein and F protein with myc tag (myc-F) could be detected by Western blotting analysis in the livers of these mice. The ratio of liver to body weight is increased for both core and myc-F transgenic mice compared to that of wild type mice. Indeed, the proliferating cell nuclear antigen protein, a proliferation marker, was up-regulated in the transgenic mice with core or myc-F protein. Further analyses by microarray and Western blotting suggested that β-catenin signaling pathway was activated by either core or myc-F protein in the transgenic mice. These transgenic mice were further treated with either Diethynitrosamine (a tumor initiator) or Phenobarbital (a tumor promoter). Phenobarbital but not Diethynitrosamine treatment could increase the liver/body weight ratio of these mice. However, no tumor formation was observed in these mice. In conclusion, HCV core and myc-F proteins could induce hepatocyte proliferation in the transgenic mice possibly through β-catenin signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Ta Hu
- Graduate Institute of Medical Biotechnology, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan
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38
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Yang CH, Cho M. Hepatitis B virus X gene differentially modulates cell cycle progression and apoptotic protein expression in hepatocyte versus hepatoma cell lines. J Viral Hepat 2013; 20:50-8. [PMID: 23231084 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2893.2012.01625.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The hepatitis B virus (HBV) X gene, which encodes the hepatitis B virus x protein (HBx), is essential for viral infection and genome replication, virus-associated liver disease, and development of hepatocellular carcinoma. However, the exact role(s) of HBx remain controversial. In this study, we focus on studying the role of HBx in the regulation of cell cycle and apoptosis in normal liver and hepatoma cell lines. We established the Huh7-X and Chang-X cell lines that constitutively express HBx. There were differences between the two cell lines in terms of cell cycle regulation and expression of p27 and transforming growth factor-β. Expression of HBx proteins dramatically increases expression of Bcl-2 and reduces levels of cleaved PARP protein in Chang-X cells, and it inhibits apoptosis under unfavourable conditions, such as serum starvation, in both cell lines. Our findings provide clues about the intracellular roles of HBx and demonstrate that expression of this protein is important for multiple cellular processes, that is, cell cycle progression and apoptosis, in hepatoma cells and normal liver cell lines.
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Affiliation(s)
- C H Yang
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Jeju National University, Jeju, Korea
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Park HG, Jung MK, Jung JT, Kwon JG, Kim EY, Seo HE, Lee JH, Yang CH, Kim ES, Cho KB, Park KS, Lee SH, Kim KO, Jeon SW. Randomised clinical trial: a comparative study of 10-day sequential therapy with 7-day standard triple therapy for Helicobacter pylori infection in naïve patients. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2012. [PMID: 22066530 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2036.2011.04902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The eradication rates following standard triple therapy for Helicobacter pylori infection are declining worldwide. Recent studies have shown that sequential therapy for H. pylori infection yields high cure rates. AIM To compare the efficacy and tolerability of a sequential regimen as first-line treatment of H. pylori infection with a standard triple regimen. METHODS A total of 348 naïve H. pylori-infected patients from six hospitals in Korea were assigned randomly to standard triple or sequential therapy groups. Standard triple therapy consisted of 20 mg of rabeprazole, 1 g of amoxicillin and 500 mg of clarithromycin, twice daily for 7 days. Sequential therapy consisted of a 5-day dual therapy (20 mg of rabeprazole and 1 g of amoxicillin, twice daily) followed by a 5-day triple therapy (20 mg of rabeprazole, 500 mg of clarithromycin, and 500 mg of metronidazole, twice daily). RESULTS The intention-to-treat (ITT) and per-protocol (PP) eradication rates were 62.2% (95% CI 54.8-69.6%) and 76.0% (95% CI 68.5-83.5%) in the standard triple group, and 77.8% (95% CI 71.4-84.2%) and 87.9% (95% CI 82.3-93.5%) in the sequential group, respectively. The eradication rate was significantly higher in the sequential group compared with the standard triple group in both the ITT and PP populations (P = 0.002 and P = 0.013 respectively), whereas the incidence of adverse events was similar. CONCLUSIONS Ten-day sequential therapy is more effective and equally tolerated for eradication of H. pylori infection compared with standard triple therapy. Sequential therapy may have a role as first-line treatment for H. pylori infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- H G Park
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kyungpook National University Hospital, Daegu, Korea
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40
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Park HG, Jung MK, Jung JT, Kwon JG, Kim EY, Seo HE, Lee JH, Yang CH, Kim ES, Cho KB, Park KS, Lee SH, Kim KO, Jeon SW. Randomised clinical trial: a comparative study of 10-day sequential therapy with 7-day standard triple therapy for Helicobacter pylori infection in naïve patients. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2012; 35:56-65. [PMID: 22066530 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2036.2011.04902.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The eradication rates following standard triple therapy for Helicobacter pylori infection are declining worldwide. Recent studies have shown that sequential therapy for H. pylori infection yields high cure rates. AIM To compare the efficacy and tolerability of a sequential regimen as first-line treatment of H. pylori infection with a standard triple regimen. METHODS A total of 348 naïve H. pylori-infected patients from six hospitals in Korea were assigned randomly to standard triple or sequential therapy groups. Standard triple therapy consisted of 20 mg of rabeprazole, 1 g of amoxicillin and 500 mg of clarithromycin, twice daily for 7 days. Sequential therapy consisted of a 5-day dual therapy (20 mg of rabeprazole and 1 g of amoxicillin, twice daily) followed by a 5-day triple therapy (20 mg of rabeprazole, 500 mg of clarithromycin, and 500 mg of metronidazole, twice daily). RESULTS The intention-to-treat (ITT) and per-protocol (PP) eradication rates were 62.2% (95% CI 54.8-69.6%) and 76.0% (95% CI 68.5-83.5%) in the standard triple group, and 77.8% (95% CI 71.4-84.2%) and 87.9% (95% CI 82.3-93.5%) in the sequential group, respectively. The eradication rate was significantly higher in the sequential group compared with the standard triple group in both the ITT and PP populations (P = 0.002 and P = 0.013 respectively), whereas the incidence of adverse events was similar. CONCLUSIONS Ten-day sequential therapy is more effective and equally tolerated for eradication of H. pylori infection compared with standard triple therapy. Sequential therapy may have a role as first-line treatment for H. pylori infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- H G Park
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kyungpook National University Hospital, Daegu, Korea
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Shin EJ, Bach JH, Nguyen TTL, Jung BD, Oh KW, Kim MJ, Jang CG, Ali SF, Ko SK, Yang CH, Kim HC. Gastrodia Elata Bl Attenuates Cocaine-Induced Conditioned Place Preference and Convulsion, but not Behavioral Sensitization in Mice: Importance of GABA(A) Receptors. Curr Neuropharmacol 2011; 9:26-9. [PMID: 21886556 PMCID: PMC3137195 DOI: 10.2174/157015911795017326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2009] [Revised: 04/17/2010] [Accepted: 05/26/2010] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
It has been suggested that GABAergic neurotransmission can modulate cocaine dependence and seizure activity. Since Gastrodia elata Bl (GE), an oriental herb agent, has been shown to enhance GABAergic transmission, we examined whether GE affects cocaine-induced seizures, conditioned place preference (CPP), and behavioral sensitization in mice. Treatment with GE (500 or 1000 mg/kg, p.o.) significantly delayed seizure onset time and significantly shortened seizure duration induced by cocaine (90 mg/kg, i.p.). In addition, cocaine (15 mg/kg, i.p.)-induced CPP was significantly attenuated by GE in a dose-dependent manner. However, GE did not significantly alter behavioral sensitization induced by cocaine (15 mg/kg, i.p.). In order to understand whether GABAergic receptors are implicated in GE-mediated pharmacological action in response to cocaine, GABAA receptor antagonist bicuculline and GABAB receptor antagonist SCH 50911 were employed in the present study. GE-mediated attenuations on the cocaine-induced seizures and CPP were significantly reversed by bicuculline (0.25 or 0.5 mg/kg, i.p.), but not by SCH 50911 (1.5 or 3.0 mg/kg, i.p.). Therefore, our results suggest that GE attenuates cocaine-induced seizures and CPP via, at least in part, GABAA receptor activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- E-J Shin
- Neuropsychopharmacology and Toxicology Program, College of Pharmacy, Kangwon National University, Chunchon 200-701, Korea
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Jang EY, Hwang M, Yoon SS, Lee JR, Kim KJ, Kim HC, Yang CH. Liquiritigenin decreases selective molecular and behavioral effects of cocaine in rodents. Curr Neuropharmacol 2011; 9:30-4. [PMID: 21886557 PMCID: PMC3137196 DOI: 10.2174/157015911795017371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2009] [Revised: 04/17/2010] [Accepted: 05/26/2010] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Cocaine, as an indirect dopamine agonist, induces selective behavioral and physiological events such as hyperlocomotion and dopamine release. These changes are considered as consequences of cocaine-induced molecular adaptation such as CREB and c-Fos. Recently, methanolic extracts from licorice was reported to decrease cocaine-induced dopamine release and c-Fos expression in the nucleus accumbens. In the present study, we investigated the effects of liquiritigenin (LQ), a main compound of licorice, on acute cocaine-induced behavioral and molecular changes in rats. LQ attenuated acute cocaine-induced hyperlocomotion in dose-dependent manner. In addition, LQ inhibited CREB phosphorylation and c-Fos expression in the striatum and the nucleus accumbens induced by acute cocaine. Results provide strong evidence that LQ effectively attenuates the acute behavioral effects of cocaine exposure and prevents the induction of selective neuroadaptive changes in dopaminergic signaling pathways. Further investigation of LQ from licorice extract might provide a novel therapeutic strategy for the treatment of cocaine addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Y Jang
- Department of Physiology, College of Oriental Medicine, Daegu Haany University, Daegu 706-828, South Korea
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Abstract
We report the demonstration of a low-disorder silicon metal-oxide-semiconductor (Si MOS) quantum dot containing a tunable number of electrons from zero to N = 27. The observed evolution of addition energies with parallel magnetic field reveals the spin filling of electrons into valley-orbit states. We find a splitting of 0.10 meV between the ground and first excited states, consistent with theory and placing a lower bound on the valley splitting. Our results provide optimism for the realisation in the near future of spin qubits based on silicon quantum dots.
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Affiliation(s)
- W H Lim
- Centre for Quantum Computation and Communication Technology, School of Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
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Abstract
Medical exposure showed a continuous increasing trend. This trend was due to the growth of diagnostic procedures such as computed tomography (CT) and interventional fluoroscopy (IVF). In the present work, results of a recent study on medical exposure in Taiwan are reported. This study analysed data from the National Health Insurance Research Database. Surveyed data on the dose indices, including the entrance surface dose in radiography, dose area product in fluoroscopy, CT dose index in CT and mean glandular dose in mammography, were applied. Using programmes and databases, dose indices were converted to the effective dose. For the year 2008, individual effective doses in Taiwan were estimated as 0.16, 0.37, 0.12 and 0.12 mSv for conventional radiography and fluoroscopy, CT, IVF and nuclear medicine, respectively. The total collective effective dose and the effective dose per individual for medical exposure were 17 788 person-Sv and 0.77 mSv, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- C J Tung
- Department of Medical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan Kweishan 333, Taiwan
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Yang CH, Li HC, Jiang JG, Hsu CF, Wang YJ, Lai MJ, Juang YL, Lo SY. Enterovirus type 71 2A protease functions as a transcriptional activator in yeast. J Biomed Sci 2010; 17:65. [PMID: 20682079 PMCID: PMC2923119 DOI: 10.1186/1423-0127-17-65] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2010] [Accepted: 08/04/2010] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Enterovirus type 71 (EV71) 2A protease exhibited strong transcriptional activity in yeast cells. The transcriptional activity of 2A protease was independent of its protease activity. EV71 2A protease retained its transcriptional activity after truncation of 40 amino acids at the N-terminus but lost this activity after truncation of 60 amino acids at the N-terminus or deletion of 20 amino acids at the C-terminus. Thus, the acidic domain at the C-terminus of this protein is essential for its transcriptional activity. Indeed, deletion of amino acids from 146 to 149 (EAME) in this acidic domain lost the transcriptional activity of EV71 2A protein though still retained its protease activity. EV71 2A protease was detected both in the cytoplasm and nucleus using confocal microscopy analysis. Coxsackie virus B3 2A protease also exhibited transcriptional activity in yeast cells. As expected, an acidic domain in the C-terminus of Coxsackie virus B3 2A protease was also identified. Truncation of this acidic domain resulted in the loss of transcriptional activity. Interestingly, this acidic region of poliovirus 2A protease is critical for viral RNA replication. The transcriptional activity of the EV71 or Coxsackie virus B3 2A protease should play a role in viral replication and/or pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chee-Hing Yang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Biotechnology, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan
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Yang CH, Menge JA, Cooksey DA. Mutations Affecting Hyphal Colonization and Pyoverdine Production in Pseudomonads Antagonistic toward Phytophthora parasitica. Appl Environ Microbiol 2010; 60:473-81. [PMID: 16349177 PMCID: PMC201336 DOI: 10.1128/aem.60.2.473-481.1994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
In previous studies, Pseudomonas putida 06909 and Pseudomonas fluorescens 09906 suppressed populations of Phytophthora parasitica in the citrus rhizosphere, suggesting that these bacteria may be useful in biological control of citrus root rot. In this study we investigated the mechanisms of antagonism between the bacteria and the fungus. Both bacteria colonized Phytophthora hyphae and inhibited the fungus on agar media. A hyphal column assay was developed to measure the colonization of bacteria on fungal hyphae and to enrich for colonization-deficient mutants. In this way we identified Tn5 mutants of each pseudomonad that were not able to colonize the hyphae and inhibit fungal growth in vitro. Colonization-deficient mutants were nonmotile and lacked flagella. Survival of nonmotile mutants in a citrus soil was similar to survival of a random Tn5 mutant over a 52-day period. Additional screening of random Tn5 mutants of both pseudomonads for loss of fungal inhibition in vitro yielded two distinct types of mutants. Mutants of the first type were deficient in production of pyoverdines and in inhibition of the fungus in vitro, although they still colonized fungal hyphae. Mutants of the second type lacked flagella and were not able to colonize the hyphae or inhibit fungal growth. No role was found for antibiotic production by the two bacteria in the inhibition of the fungus. Our results suggest that both hyphal colonization and pyoverdine production are important in the inhibition of Phytophthora parasitica by P. fluorescens and P. putida in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- C H Yang
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of California, Riverside, California 92521-0122
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Chen XP, Zhang QY, Yang CH, Chen DD, Zhao C. Comparative investigation on structure and luminescence properties of fluoride phosphors codoped with Er3+/Yb3+. Spectrochim Acta A Mol Biomol Spectrosc 2009; 74:441-445. [PMID: 19631580 DOI: 10.1016/j.saa.2009.06.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2008] [Revised: 06/08/2009] [Accepted: 06/16/2009] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
This paper reports on comparative investigation of structure and luminescence properties of tetragonal LiYF(4) and BaYF(5), and hexagonal NaYF(4) phosphors codoped with Er(3+)/Yb(3+) by a facile hydrothermal synthesis. The products were characterized by X-ray diffractometer, scanning electron microscope, and photoluminescence spectroscopy. Intense visible emissions centered at around 525, 550 and 650 nm, originated from the transitions of (2)H(11/2) --> (4)I(15/2), (4)S(3/2) --> (4)I(15/2), and (4)F(9/2) --> (4)I(15/2) of Er(3+), respectively, have been observed in all the samples upon excitation with a 980 nm laser diode, and the involved mechanisms have been explained. Based on the green up-conversion emission performance, the Yb(3+) concentrations of Er(3+)/Yb(3+)-codoped LiYF(4), BaYF(5), and NaYF(4) phosphors have been optimized to be 10, 20, and 20 mol*%, respectively. The quadratic dependence of fluorescence on excitation laser power has confirmed that two-photon contribute to up-conversion of the green-red emissions.
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Affiliation(s)
- X P Chen
- MOE Key Lab of Specially Functional Materials and Institute of Optical communication Materials, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510641, PR China
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Abstract
In this study, the effect of melatonin on sodium arsenite (arsenite)-induced peripheral neurotoxicity was investigated using dorsal root ganglion (DRG) explants. After 24-hr incubation, arsenite (30 microm) consistently elevated the expression of heat shock protein 70 and haeme oxygenase-1, two well-known stress proteins, in the treated DRG explants. Co-incubation with melatonin (4 and 20 mm) concentration-dependently attenuated arsenite-induced elevation in stress proteins. Furthermore, melatonin inhibited arsenite-induced phosphorylation of p38 and DNA fragmentation. Inhibition by melatonin of arsenite-induced apoptosis was mediated via inactivating both endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and mitochondrial pathways. In the ER pathway, melatonin suppressed arsenite-induced elevation in activating transcription factor-6 and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein homologous protein in the nuclear fraction of the treated DRG explants. Moreover, melatonin attenuated arsenite-induced activation of caspase 12, an ER-specific enzyme. In the mitochondrial pathway, arsenite-induced increases in Bcl-2 levels and cytosolic cytochrome c were reduced by melatonin. At the same time, melatonin inhibited arsenite-induced activation of caspase 3 in the treated DRG explants. Compared with glutathione and N-acetyl cysteine, melatonin was more potent than either in inhibiting arsenite-induced elevation in stress proteins. Taken together, our study demonstrates that melatonin is protective against arsenite-induced neurotoxicity in DRG explants. In addition, melatonin prevented arsenite-induced apoptosis via suppression of ER and mitochondrial activation. Our data suggest that melatonin is potentially a therapy for arsenite-induced peripheral neuropathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anya M Y Lin
- Institute of Pharmacology, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan.
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Chen JF, Yu CC, Yang CH. Electron emissions in InAs quantum dots containing a nitrogen incorporation induced defect state: the influence of thermal annealing. Nanotechnology 2008; 19:495201. [PMID: 21730663 DOI: 10.1088/0957-4484/19/49/495201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
With the incorporation of nitrogen (N) into InAs quantum dots (QDs), the carrier distribution near the QD displays electron emissions from a localized N-induced defect state at 0.34 eV and a weak emission at 0.15 eV from the QD. This defect state causes drastic carrier depletion in the neighboring GaAs bottom layer near the QD, which can effectively suppress tunneling emission for the QD excited states. As a result, electrons escape from the QD ground state through thermal emission to near the GaAs conduction band, rather than through thermal emission to the QD first excited state and a subsequent tunneling to the GaAs conduction band, as observed in InAs QDs without N incorporation. Thermal annealing can weaken the defect emission and enhance the QD emission, suggesting a removal of the defect state and a recovery of carriers in the QD. Increasing annealing temperature can significantly decrease the emission time and energy of the QD emission, which is explained by a weakening of tunneling suppression due to the removal of the defect state.
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Affiliation(s)
- J F Chen
- Department of Electrophysics, National Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan, Republic of China
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