Excessive mechanical strain accelerates intervertebral disc degeneration by disrupting intrinsic circadian rhythm

Ding Sheng-Long,Zhang Tai-Wei,Zhang Qi-Chen,Ding Wang,Li Ze-Fang,Han Guan-Jie,Bai Jin-Song,Li Xi-Lei,Dong Jian,Wang Hui-Ren,Jiang Li-Bo 생화학분자생물학회 2021 Experimental and molecular medicine Vol.53 No.-

Night shift workers with disordered rhythmic mechanical loading are more prone to intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD). Our results showed that circadian rhythm (CR) was dampened in degenerated and aged NP cells. Long-term environmental CR disruption promoted IDD in rats. Excessive mechanical strain disrupted the CR and inhibited the expression of core clock proteins. The inhibitory effect of mechanical loading on the expression of extracellular matrix genes could be reversed by BMAL1 overexpression in NP cells. The Rho/ROCK pathway was demonstrated to mediate the effect of mechanical stimulation on CR. Prolonged mechanical loading for 12 months affected intrinsic CR genes and induced IDD in a model of upright posture in a normal environment. Unexpectedly, mechanical loading further accelerated the IDD in an Light-Dark (LD) cycle-disrupted environment. These results indicated that intrinsic CR disruption might be a mechanism involved in overloading-induced IDD and a potential drug target for night shift workers.

Targeting treatment of bladder cancer using PTK7 aptamer-gemcitabine conjugate

Xiang Wei,Peng Yongbo,Zeng Hongliang,Yu Chunping,Zhang Qun,Liu Biao,Liu Jiahao,Hu Xing,Wei Wensu,Deng Minhua,Wang Ning,Liu Xuewen,Xie Jianfei,Hou Weibin,Tang Jin,Long Zhi,Wang Long,Liu Jianye 한국생체재료학회 2023 생체재료학회지 Vol.27 No.00

Gemcitabine (GEM) is one of the first-line chemotherapies for bladder cancer (BC), but the GEMs cannot recognize cancer cells and have a low long-term response rate and high recurrence rate with side effects during the treatment of BC. Targeted transport of GEMs to mediate cytotoxicity to tumor and avoid the systemic side effects remains a challenge in the treatment of BC.Based on a firstly confirmed biomarker in BC-protein tyrosine kinase 7 (PTK7), which is overexpressed on the cell membrane surface in BC cells, a novel targeting system protein tyrosine kinase 7 aptamer-Gemcitabine conjugate (PTK7-GEMs) was designed and synthesized using a specific PTK7 aptamer and GEM through auto-synthesis method to deliver GEM against BC. In addition, the antitumor effects and safety evaluation of PTK7-GEMs was assessed with a series of in vitro and in vivo assays.PTK7-GEMs can specifically bind and enter to BC cells dependent on the expression levels of PTK7 and via the macropinocytosis pathway, which induced cytotoxicity after GEM cleavage from PTK7-GEMs respond to the intracellular phosphatase. Moreover, PTK7-GEMs showed stronger anti-tumor efficacy and excellent biosafety in three types of tumor xenograft mice models.These results demonstrated that PTK7-GEMs is a successful targeted aptamer-drug conjugates strategy (APDCs) to treat BC, which will provide new directions for the precision treatment of BC in the field of biomarker-oriented tumor targeted therapy.

Synergistic reinforcing of poly(lactic acid)-based systems by polybutylene succinate and nano-calcium carbonate

Jin, Fan-Long,Pang, Qing-Qing,Zhang, Tian-Yi,Park, Soo-Jin Elsevier 2015 Journal of industrial and engineering chemistry Vol.32 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>Bio-based poly(lactic acid) (PLA) ternary systems were prepared by the solution blending of PLA, polybutylene succinate (PBS), and nano-CaCO<SUB>3</SUB>. The effects of PBS and nano-CaCO<SUB>3</SUB> on the thermal stability, fracture toughness, mechanical properties, and morphology of PLA were investigated using several techniques. The morphology of the systems was observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The fracture toughness and flexural strength of PLA were improved by the introduction of PBS and further enhanced by the addition of nano-CaCO<SUB>3</SUB>. The elastic modulus of PLA decreased with the addition of PBS alone, whereas the elastic modulus increased with the simultaneous addition of PBS and nano-CaCO<SUB>3</SUB>.</P> <P><B>Graphical abstract</B></P> <P>The fracture toughness of PLA was improved by the introduction of PBS and further enhanced by the addition of nano-CaCO<SUB>3</SUB>.</P>

Shen-Kang protects against tacrolimus-induced renal injury

Long Ye Zhang,Jian Jin,Kang Luo,Shang Guo Piao,Hai Lan Zheng,Ji Zhe Jin,임선우,최범순,양철우,Can Li 대한내과학회 2019 The Korean Journal of Internal Medicine Vol.34 No.5

Background/Aims: Evidence suggests that Shen-Kang (SK), a traditional Chinese herbal medicine, protects against various types of renal injury. In this study, we evaluated whether SK treatment confers renoprotection in a rat model of chronic tacrolimus (TAC) nephropathy. Methods: Rats were treated daily with TAC (1.5 mg/kg, subcutaneously) and SK (450 mg/kg, intravenously) for 4 weeks. The effects of SK on TAC-induced renal injury were assessed by measuring renal function, urine albumin excretion, histopathology, inflammatory cell infiltration, expression of profibrotic (transforming growth factor β1 [TGF-β1] and TGF-β inducible gene-h3 [βig-h3]) and proinflammatory cytokines, oxidative stress, and apoptotic cell death. Results: Administration of SK preserved glomerular integrity (fractional mesangial area and Wilms tumor 1-positive glomeruli), attenuated tubulointerstitial fibrosis, and reduced the number of ectodermal dysplasia 1-positive cells, and this was paralleled by improved urine albumin excretion and renal dysfunction. At the molecular level, SK treatment suppressed expression of TGF-β1/Smad2/3, βig-h3, and proinflammatory cytokines. Oxidative stress and apoptotic cell death were significantly decreased with SK treatment, and apoptosis-related genes were regulated toward cell survival (active caspase-3 and the B-cell lymphoma-2/ Bcl2-associated X [Bcl-2/Bax] ratio). Conclusions: SK protects against TAC-induced renal injury.

Constructs of Sequence Pairs with Optimal Three-level Autocorrelation

Jin Hui-long,Zhang Miao,Qi Shu-li 보안공학연구지원센터 2015 International Journal of Hybrid Information Techno Vol.8 No.5

The optimal discrete signal are widely used in spread spectrum communication systems, sonar, navigation, code division multiple access systems and other fields. The perfect sequence pair is an extension of the single best signal, so its application is more widely. This paper puts forward new methods of constructing the binary sequence pair of three values and quaternion sequence pair of three values according to the problem of constructing the sequence pairs of three values. This method is that it uses N long cyclotomic pseudo-random sequence and its shift sequences pair to do series connection to constitute a 4 N long binary sequence pair of three values. New sequence pairs of three values is obtained by this method proved to have good balance. The application steps of this method are given and shall be verified by some examples.

Mechanical and electrical properties of epoxy resin/epoxidized castor oil/carbon fiber cloth composites

Fan-Long Jin,Heng Zhang,Shan-Shan Yao,Soo-Jin Park 한국탄소학회 2017 Carbon Letters Vol.22 No.-

L-carnitine treatment attenuates renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis induced by unilateral ureteral obstruction

( Hai Yan Zhao ),( Hui Ying Li ),( Jian Jin ),( Ji Zhe Jin ),( Long Ye Zhang ),( Mei Ying Xuan ),( Xue Mei Jin ),( Yu Ji Jiang ),( Hai Lan Zheng ),( Ying Shun Jin ),( Yong Jie Jin ),( Bum Soon Choi ) 대한내과학회 2021 The Korean Journal of Internal Medicine Vol.36 No.0

Background/Aims: Accumulating evidence indicates that L-carnitine (LC) protects against multiorgan damage through its antioxidant properties and preservation of the mitochondria. Little information is available about the effects of LC on renal fibrosis. This study examined whether LC treatment would provide renoprotection in a rat model of unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) and in vitro. Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats that underwent UUO were treated daily with LC for 7 or 14 days. The influence of LC on renal injury caused by UUO was evaluated by histopathology, and analysis of gene expression, oxidative stress, mitochondrial function, programmed cell death, and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/ AKT/forkhead box protein O 1a (FoxO1a) signaling. In addition, H₂O₂-exposed human kidney cells (HK-2) were treated with LC. Results: LC treatment inhibited expression of proinflammatory and profibrotic cytokines, and was followed by a significant attenuation of tubulointerstitial inflammation and fibrosis. The increased oxidative stress caused by UUO was associated with mitochondrial dysfunction and excessive apoptosis and autophagy via PI3K/AKT/FoxO1a-dependent signaling, and this was abrogated by administration of LC. In H₂O₂-exposed HK-2 cells, LC decreased intracellular production of reactive oxygen species, and suppressed expression of profibrotic cytokines and reduced the number of apoptotic cells. Conclusions: LC protects against the progression of tubulointerstitial fibrosis in an obstructed kidney.

Voxel-encoded descriptor for 3D model retrieval by exploring model’s spatial information

Jin-Yuan Jia,Qian Zhang,Long Zeng,Shuang Liang 대한기계학회 2014 JOURNAL OF MECHANICAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Vol.28 No.7

Retrieving similar products with a given one has attracted considerable attention. However, products are usually assembled by multiplecomponents, frustrating the previous visual-based retrieval descriptors. We design a voxel-encoded descriptor (VED) by exploring models’spatial information, i.e., boundary data and internal data. This descriptor is computed in three steps. First, the posture of a polygonalmodel is normalized by improved voxel-based principal component analysis technique. Then, six color images are generated by projectingthe voxels along its six local axes. The color value of each pixel encodes status of all voxels intersecting with the ray starting from thepixel and parallel to the axis. The status of all voxels along a ray embodies the spatial distribution of the model along this ray. Finally, theVED is computed by applying 2D Fourier transformation to the six color images. With VED, we can distinguish a hollow sphere from asolid sphere. To improve the retrieval efficiency, the database structure is optimized by an improved geometric manifold entropy(iGEOMEN) scheme. VED and iGEOMEN are integrated into a model retrieval system. Experimental results demonstrate that the VEDdescriptor outperforms the previous visual-based shape descriptors, especially for complex assembly models.

Displacement-based design approach for highway bridges with SMA isolators

Jin-long Liu,Songye Zhu,You-lin Xu,Yunfeng Zhang 국제구조공학회 2011 Smart Structures and Systems, An International Jou Vol.8 No.2

As a practical and effective seismic resisting technology, the base isolation system has seen extensive applications in buildings and bridges. However, a few problems associated with conventional leadrubber bearings have been identified after historical strong earthquakes, e.g., excessive permanent deformations of bearings and potential unseating of bridge decks. Recently the applications of shape memory alloys (SMA) have received growing interest in the area of seismic response mitigation. As a result, a variety of SMA-based base isolators have been developed. These novel isolators often lead to minimal permanent deformations due to the self-centering feature of SMA materials. However, a rational design approach is still missing because of the fact that conventional design method cannot be directly applied to these novel devices. In light of this limitation, a displacement-based design approach for highway bridges with SMA isolators is proposed in this paper. Nonlinear response spectra, derived from typical hysteretic models for SMA, are employed in the design procedure. SMA isolators and bridge piers are designed according to the prescribed performance objectives. A prototype reinforced concrete (RC) highway bridge is designed using the proposed design approach. Nonlinear dynamic analyses for different seismic intensity levels are carried out using a computer program called “OpenSees”. The efficacy of the displacement-based design approach is validated by numerical simulations. Results indicate that a properly designed RC highway bridge with novel SMA isolators may achieve minor damage and minimal residual deformations under frequent and rare earthquakes. Nonlinear static analysis is also carried out to investigate the failure mechanism and the self-centering ability of the designed highway bridge.

Loss of Heterozygosity at the Calcium Regulation Gene Locus on Chromosome 10q in Human Pancreatic Cancer

Long, Jin,Zhang, Zhong-Bo,Liu, Zhe,Xu, Yuan-Hong,Ge, Chun-Lin Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.6

Background: Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) on chromosomal regions is crucial in tumor progression and this study aimed to identify genome-wide LOH in pancreatic cancer. Materials and Methods: Single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) profiling data GSE32682 of human pancreatic samples snap-frozen during surgery were downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus database. Genotype console software was used to perform data processing. Candidate genes with LOH were screened based on the genotype calls, SNP loci of LOH and dbSNP database. Gene annotation was performed to identify the functions of candidate genes using NCBI (the National Center for Biotechnology Information) database, followed by Gene Ontology, INTERPRO, PFAM and SMART annotation and UCSC Genome Browser track to the unannotated genes using DAVID (the Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integration Discovery). Results: The candidate genes with LOH identified in this study were MCU, MICU1 and OIT3 on chromosome 10. MCU was found to encode a calcium transporter and MICU1 could encode an essential regulator of mitochondrial $Ca^{2+}$ uptake. OIT3 possibly correlated with calcium binding revealed by the annotation analyses and was regulated by a large number of transcription factors including STAT, SOX9, CREB, NF-kB, PPARG and p53. Conclusions: Global genomic analysis of SNPs identified MICU1, MCU and OIT3 with LOH on chromosome 10, implying involvement of these genes in progression of pancreatic cancer.