An association study between IL1RAPL2 gene and non-specific mental retardation in Chinese children

Ke-Jin Zhang,Bo He,Ping-Yuan Gong,Xiao-Cai Gao,Zi-Jian Zheng,Shao-Ping Huang,Fu-Chang Zhang 한국유전학회 2010 Genes & Genomics Vol.32 No.2

Non-specific mental retardation (NSMR) is one of common children psychiatric diseases with a high prevalence (1−3%). Here we investigated the association between the genetic variants of IL1RAPL2 gene and NSMR in the children of QinBa region of China. We chose five common SNPs of IL1RAPL2,examined their individual genotype frequencies using the conventional polymerase chain reaction single strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) method, and evaluated the association between these genetic polymorphisms and NSMR with the suitable biostatistic software. The allele and genotype distributions of two SNPs (rs5962298 and rs9887672) showed significant differences between the control and NSMR groups (allele: p = 0.020 and 0.017; genotype: p =0.025 for rs9887672 respectively). The distribution differences became more significant in girls, but disappeared in boys, suggesting a gender effect. Taken together, we provide substantial evidence that IL1RAPL2 conferred a NSMR susceptibility to children of Qinba region in China. In future, further work should be carried out to scan mutations and to investigate the specific-gender effect in this gene.

High-Definition Computed Tomography for Coronary Artery Stent Imaging: a Phantom Study

Wen Jie Yang,Ke Min Chen,Li Fang Pang,Ying Guo,Jian Ying Li,Huang Zhang,Zi Lai Pan 대한영상의학회 2012 Korean Journal of Radiology Vol.13 No.1

Objective: To assess the performance of a high-definition CT (HDCT) for imaging small caliber coronary stents (≤ 3 mm) by comparing different scan modes of a conventional 64-row standard-definition CT (SDCT). Materials and Methods: A cardiac phantom with twelve stents (2.5 mm and 3.0 mm in diameter) was scanned by HDCT and SDCT. The scan modes were retrospective electrocardiography (ECG)-gated helical and prospective ECG-triggered axial with tube voltages of 120 kVp and 100 kVp, respectively. The inner stent diameters (ISD) and the in-stent attenuation value (AVin-stent) and the in-vessel extra-stent attenuation value (AVin-vessel) were measured by two observers. The artificial lumen narrowing (ALN = [ISD - ISDmeasured]/ISD) and artificial attenuation increase between in-stent and in-vessel (AAI = AVin-stent - AVin-vessel) were calculated. All data was analyzed by intraclass correlation and ANOVA-test. Results: The correlation coefficient of ISD, AVin-vessel and AVin-stent between the two observers was good. The ALNs of HDCT were statistically lower than that of SDCT (30 ± 5.7% versus 35 ± 5.4%, p < 0.05). HDCT had statistically lower AAI values than SDCT (15.7 ± 81.4 HU versus 71.4 ± 90.5 HU, p < 0.05). The prospective axial dataset demonstrated smaller ALN than the retrospective helical dataset on both HDCT and SDCT (p < 0.05). Additionally, there were no differences in ALN between the 120 kVp and 100 kVp tube voltages on HDCT (p = 0.05). Conclusion: High-definition CT helps improve measurement accuracy for imaging coronary stents compared to SDCT. HDCT with 100 kVp and the prospective ECG-triggered axial technique, with a lower radiation dose than 120 kVp application, may be advantageous in evaluating coronary stents with smaller calibers (≤ 3 mm). Objective: To assess the performance of a high-definition CT (HDCT) for imaging small caliber coronary stents (≤ 3 mm) by comparing different scan modes of a conventional 64-row standard-definition CT (SDCT). Materials and Methods: A cardiac phantom with twelve stents (2.5 mm and 3.0 mm in diameter) was scanned by HDCT and SDCT. The scan modes were retrospective electrocardiography (ECG)-gated helical and prospective ECG-triggered axial with tube voltages of 120 kVp and 100 kVp, respectively. The inner stent diameters (ISD) and the in-stent attenuation value (AVin-stent) and the in-vessel extra-stent attenuation value (AVin-vessel) were measured by two observers. The artificial lumen narrowing (ALN = [ISD - ISDmeasured]/ISD) and artificial attenuation increase between in-stent and in-vessel (AAI = AVin-stent - AVin-vessel) were calculated. All data was analyzed by intraclass correlation and ANOVA-test. Results: The correlation coefficient of ISD, AVin-vessel and AVin-stent between the two observers was good. The ALNs of HDCT were statistically lower than that of SDCT (30 ± 5.7% versus 35 ± 5.4%, p < 0.05). HDCT had statistically lower AAI values than SDCT (15.7 ± 81.4 HU versus 71.4 ± 90.5 HU, p < 0.05). The prospective axial dataset demonstrated smaller ALN than the retrospective helical dataset on both HDCT and SDCT (p < 0.05). Additionally, there were no differences in ALN between the 120 kVp and 100 kVp tube voltages on HDCT (p = 0.05). Conclusion: High-definition CT helps improve measurement accuracy for imaging coronary stents compared to SDCT. HDCT with 100 kVp and the prospective ECG-triggered axial technique, with a lower radiation dose than 120 kVp application, may be advantageous in evaluating coronary stents with smaller calibers (≤ 3 mm).

Analysis of dynamical stability of rigid-flexible hybrid-driven lower limb rehabilitation robot

Yan-lin Wang,Ke-yi Wang,Zi-xing Zhang,Zhuang Han,Wan-li Wang 대한기계학회 2020 JOURNAL OF MECHANICAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Vol.34 No.4

The research of the safety problem of the cable-driven lower limb rehabilitation robots (CDLR) is not considered in the related report. Hence, the purpose of this paper is to study the dynamical stability evaluation method of a rigid-flexible hybrid-driven lower limb rehabilitation robot system (RFHDLR) to meet the training requirements of different patients in different rehabilitation stages. In order to improve the flexibility and operational performance of the robot system, one rigid motion chain is introduced into the cable-driven parallel robot (CDPR) to form a RFHDLR. Secondly, the motion planning strategy of the rigid motion chain is analyzed. Then, based on the kinematics and dynamics of the robot system, the cable tension performance factor and the system stiffness performance factor of the robot system are defined, and the static stability evaluation method and index of RFHDLR are obtained by the weighting method. Considering the patient's ability to withstand the motion velocity and the effect of the volatility of slide motion velocity of the rigid motion chain on the safety of the robot system, the velocity performance factor of the robot system is proposed. The dynamical stability evaluation method and index of RFHDLR are discussed based on the static stability evaluation method and the velocity influence function. Finally, for the two planning strategies of the rigid motion chain, the experimental study of the planned training trajectory of the lower limb traction point is performed based on simulation analysis. The experimental results verify the correctness of the stability evaluation method and provide a reference for further studying the training task planning and the control strategy.

Silencing of long noncoding RNA PVT1 inhibits podocyte damage and apoptosis in diabetic nephropathy by upregulating FOXA1

Dong-Wei Liu,Jia-Hui Zhang,Feng-Xun Liu,Xu-Tong Wang,Shao-Kang Pan,Deng-Ke Jiang,Zi-Hao Zhao,Zhang-Suo Liu 생화학분자생물학회 2019 Experimental and molecular medicine Vol.51 No.-

The number of patients with diabetic nephropathy (DN) is still on the rise worldwide, and this requires the development of new therapeutic strategies. Recent reports have highlighted genetic factors in the treatment of DN. Herein, we aimed to study the roles of long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) plasmacytoma variant translocation 1 (PVT1) and histone 3 lysine 27 trimethylation (H3K27me3) in DN. A model of DN was established by inducing diabetes in mice with streptozotocin. Mouse podocyte clone 5 (MPC5) podocytes and primary podocytes were cultured in normal and high glucose media to observe cell morphology and to quantify PVT1 expression. The roles of PVT1 and enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) were validated via loss-of-function and gain-of-function in vitro experiments to identify the interactions among PVT1, EZH2, and forkhead box A1 (FOXA1). The podocyte damage and apoptosis due to PVT1 and FOXA1 were verified with in vivo experiments. PVT1 was highly expressed in MPC5 and primary podocytes in DN patients and in cultures grown in high glucose medium. A large number of CpG (C-phosphate-G) island sites were predicted at the FOXA1 promoter region, where PVT1 recruited EZH2 to promote the recruitment of H3K27me3. The silencing of PVT1 or the overexpression of FOXA1 relieved the damage and inhibited the apoptosis of podocytes in DN, as was evidenced by the upregulated expression of synaptopodin and podocin, higher expression of Bcl-2, and lower expression of Bax and cleaved caspase-3. The key findings of this study collectively indicate that the suppression of lncRNA PVT1 exerts inhibitory effects on podocyte damage and apoptosis via FOXA1 in DN, which is of clinical significance.

Naringin and Naringenin Relax Rat Tracheal Smooth by Regulating BKCa Activation

Rui Shi,Jia-Wen Xu,Zi-Ting Xiao,Ruo-Fei Chen,Yi-Lin Zhang,Jia-Bi Lin,Ke-Ling Cheng,Gu-Yi Wei,Pei-Bo Li,Wen-Liang Zhou,Wei-Wei Su 한국식품영양과학회 2019 Journal of medicinal food Vol.22 No.9

Naringin and its aglycone, naringenin, occur naturally in our regular diet and traditional Chinese medicines. This study aimed to detect an effective therapeutic approach for cough variant asthma (CVA) through evaluating the relaxant effect of these two bioactive herbal monomers as antitussive and antiasthmatic on rat tracheal smooth muscle. The relaxant effect was determined by measuring muscular tension with a mechanical recording system in rat tracheal rings. Cytosolic Ca2+ concentration was measured using a confocal imaging system in primary cultured tracheal smooth muscle cells. In rat tracheal rings, addition of both naringin and naringenin could concentration dependently relax carbachol (CCh)-evoked tonic contraction. This epithelium-independent relaxation could be suppressed by BaCl2, tetraethylammonium, and iberiotoxin (IbTX), but not by glibenclamide. After stimulating primary cultured tracheal smooth muscle cells by CCh or high KCl, the intracellular Ca2+ increase could be inhibited by both naringin and naringenin, respectively. This reaction was also suppressed by IbTX. These results demonstrate that both naringin and naringenin can relax tracheal smooth muscle through opening big conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channel, which mediates plasma membrane hyperpolarization and reduces Ca2+ influx. Our data indicate a potentially effective therapeutic approach of naringin and naringenin for CVA.

Neighborhood coreness algorithm for identifying a set of influential spreaders in complex networks

( Xiong Yang ),( De-cai Huang ),( Zi-ke Zhang ) 한국인터넷정보학회 2017 KSII Transactions on Internet and Information Syst Vol.11 No.6

In recent years, there has been an increasing number of studies focused on identifying a set of spreaders to maximize the influence of spreading in complex networks. Although the k-core decomposition can effectively identify the single most influential spreader, selecting a group of nodes that has the largest k-core value as the seeds cannot increase the performance of the influence maximization because the propagation sphere of this group of nodes is overlapped. To overcome this limitation, we propose a neighborhood coreness cover and discount heuristic algorithm named “NCCDH” to identify a set of influential and decentralized seeds. Using this method, a node in the high-order shell with the largest neighborhood coreness and an uncovered status will be selected as the seed in each turn. In addition, the neighbors within the same shell layer of this seed will be covered, and the neighborhood coreness of the neighbors outside the shell layer will be discounted in the subsequent round. The experimental results show that with increases in the spreading probability, the NCCDH outperforms other algorithms in terms of the affected scale and spreading speed under the Susceptible-Infected-Recovered (SIR) and Susceptible-Infected (SI) models. Furthermore, this approach has a superior running time.

Behaviour insights on damage-control composite beam-to-beam connections with replaceable elements

Xiuzhang He,Michael C. H. Yam,Ke Ke,Xu-Hong Zhou,Huanyang Zhang,Zi Gu 국제구조공학회 2023 Steel and Composite Structures, An International J Vol.46 No.6

Connections with damage concentrated to pre-selected components can enhance seismic resilience for moment resisting frames. These pre-selected components always yield early to dissipate energy, and their energy dissipation mechanisms vary from one to another, depending on their position in the connection, geometry configuration details, and mechanical characteristics. This paper presents behaviour insights on two types of beam-to-beam connections that the angles were designed as energy dissipation components, through the results of experimental study and finite element analysis. Firstly, an experimental programme was reviewed, and key responses concerning the working mechanism of the connections were presented, including strain distribution at the critical section, section force responses of essential components, and initial stiffness of test specimens. Subsequently, finite element models of three specimens were established to further interpret their behaviour and response that were not observable in the tests. The moment and shear force transfer paths of the composite connections were clarified through the test results and finite element analysis. It was observed that the bending moment is mainly resisted by axial forces from the components, and the dominant axial force is from the bottom angles; the shear force at the critical section is primarily taken by the slab and the components near the top flange. Lastly, based on the insights on the load transfer path of the composite connections, preliminary design recommendations are proposed. In particular, a resistance requirement, quantified by a moment capacity ratio, was placed on the connections. Design models and equations were also developed for predicting the yield moment resistance and the shear resistance of the connections. A flexible beam model was proposed to quantify the shear resistance of essential components.