Direct Observation of Radiative Flux in the Southern Yellow Sea

Lu, Lian-Gang,Yu, Fei,Diao, Xinyuan,Guo, Jingsong,Wang, Huiwu,Wei, Chuanjie The Korean Society of Oceanography 2008 Ocean science journal Vol.43 No.2

Direct measurements of four radiative components at air-sea boundary layer were conducted in the southern Yellow Sea during three cruises (seasons) in 2007. Simultaneous observations of meteorological (cloud cover, air temperature and humidity) and oceanographic (sea surface temperature) parameters were carried out. Observational results of radiative fluxes and meteorological and oceanographic parameters are presented. Mean diurnal cycles of four radiative components, net radiation, and sea surface albedo are calculated to achieve averages in different seasons. Net radiative fluxes in three seasons (winter, spring, autumn) are 8, 146, $60\;W/m^2$, respectively. Comparisons between the observed radiative fluxes and those estimated with formulas are taken.

Estrogen Receptor Alpha Gene Polymorphisms and Breast Cancer Risk: a Case-control Study with Meta-analysis Combined

Lu, Hong,Chen, Dong,Hu, Li-Ping,Zhou, Lian-Lian,Xu, Hui-Ying,Bai, Yong-Heng,Lin, Xiang-Yang Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.11

Molecular epidemiological studies have shown that gene polymorphisms of estrogen receptor alpha gene (ESR-${\alpha}$) are associated with breast cancer risk. However, previous results from many molecular studies have been inconsistent. In this study, we examined two polymorphisms (PvuII and XbaI RFLPs) of the ESR-${\alpha}$ gene in 542 breast cancer cases and 1,016 controls from China. Associations between the polymorphisms and breast cancer risk were calculated with an unconditional logistic regression model. Linkage disequilibrium and haplotypes were analyzed with the SHEsis software. In addition, we also performed a systematic meta-analysis of 24 published studies evaluating the association. No significant associations were found between the PvuII polymorphism and breast cancer risk. However, a significantly decreased risk of breast cancer was observed among carriers of the XbaI 'G' allele (age-adjusted OR = 0.80; 95% CI = 0.66- 0.97) compared with carriers of the 'A' allele. Haplotype analysis showed significantly decreased cancer risk for carriers of the 'CG' haplotype (OR = 0.79; 95% CI = 0.66- 0.96). In the systematic meta-analysis, the XbaI 'G' allele was associated with an overall significantly decreased risk of breast cancer (OR = 0.90, 95% CI = 0.82- 1.00). In addition, the PvuII 'C' allele showed a 0.96- fold decreased disease risk (95% CI = 0.92- 0.99). In subgroup analysis, an association between the PvuII 'C' and XbaI 'G' alleles and breast cancer risk was significant in Asians ('C' vs. 'T': OR = 0.93, 95% CI = 0.85- 1.00; 'G' vs. 'A': OR = 0.82, 95% CI = 0.68- 0.98), but not in Euro-Americans. Thus, our results provide evidence that ESR-${\alpha}$ polymorphisms are associated with susceptibility to breast cancer. These associations may largely depend on population characteristics and geographic location.

Vertical Migration of Sound Scatterers in the Southern Yellow Sea in Summer

Lu, Lian-Gang,Liu, Jianjun,Yu, Fei,Wu, Wei,Yang, Xiaodong The Korean Society of Oceanography 2007 Ocean science journal Vol.42 No.1

Acoustic volume backscattering strength data were collected and Conductivity Temperature Depth (CTD) measurements were conducted in the southern Yellow Sea in summer 2005 and 2006. The high temporal and vertical resolution acoustic data measured with a 307 kHz Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) and a 250 kHz acoustic Doppler profile (ADP) had dominant diel variation, which resulted from vertical migration of sound scatterers. Some scatterers congregating in the bottom layer in the daytime migrated upward at dusk, and migrated downward into the bottom layer at dawn. The migration speeds were estimated. More than 33 days data show that the diel migration varies with time. The feature of migration measured with ADCP and ADP is consistent to some extent with what is described in the study on vertical migration of zooplankton in the southern Yellow Sea with conventional net samples.

Selection of reference genes for RT-qPCR analysis in Trichogramma chilonis (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae)

Xie Lian-Cheng,Tian Jun-Ce,Lu Yan-Hui,Xu Hongxing,Zang Lian-Sheng,Lu Zhongxian,Jin Lin-Hong 한국응용곤충학회 2021 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.24 No.3

Trichogramma chilonis is an important natural enemy for control of various Lepidoperan crop pests. The biology of T. chilonis is well-studied, but the molecular mechanisms of this biology require further study. Screening suitable reference genes is a vital step for use of RT-qPCR to understand underlying molecular physiology. In the present study, nine candidate reference genes including elongation factor 2 (EF2), ribosomal proteins (RPS23, RPL13, and RPL44), malate dehydrogenase (MDH), eukaryotic translation initiation factor 3 subunit F (EIF3F), zinc finger protein 268 (ZFP268), muscle specific protein 20 (MP20), and ATP synthase subunit alpha (ATP5F1A) were evaluated at different conditions including development stage, diet, temperature, and insecticide treat ments. Four common algorithms (the Delta Ct method, geNorm, BestKeeper, and NormFinder) and RefFinder were used to analyze gene expression stability. Our results indicated that two reference genes used for normalization were sufficient, and the optimal combinations were: RPS23 and EF2 for developmental stages, ZFP268 and EF2 for feeding with different diets, ZFP268 and RPL13 for temperature treatments, and EF2 and RPL44 for insec ticide treatments. The results provide preliminary determination of suitable reference gene for standard RT-qPCR analyses in T. chilonis, which might establish the foundation for further molecular biology research.

Lack of Association Between CYP1A1 Polymorphisms and Risk of Bladder Cancer: a Meta-analysis

Lu, Yu,Zhang, Xiao-Lian,Xie, Li,Li, Tai-Jie,He, Yu,Peng, Qi-Liu,Deng, Yan,Wang, Jian,Qin, Xue,Li, Shan Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.9

Background: The effects of CYP1A1 gene polymorphisms on the risk of bladder cancer (BC) remain controversial. We carried out a meta-analysis to clarify the role of CYP1A1 gene polymorphisms in BC. Material and Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted up to November 20, 2013. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to estimate the strength of the association. Meta-regression, subgroup analysis, sensitivity analysis and publication bias were also performed. Results: Eight studies involving 1,059 BC cases and 1,061 controls were included. The meta-analysis showed that there was no significant association between the two common mutations of CYP1A1 and BC risk. For the I1e462Val A/G polymorphism with GG vs. AA the OR was 1.47 (95 % CI= 0.70-3.07, P =0.308). For the MspI T/C polymorphism, though a slight trend was found this was not statistically nonsignificant (CC vs.TT, OR = 1.24, 95 % CI= 0.98-1.58, P =0.078). Subgroup analyses by ethnicity also found no obvious association between CYP1A1 and BC risk. Conclusion: The present meta-analysis suggests that CYP1A1 polymorphism is not associated with bladder cancer risk.

Ab Initio Study of Mechanism of Forming Germanic Bis-Heterocyclic Compound between Dimethyl-Germylene Carbene (Me₂Ge=C:) and Acetone

Lu, Xiuhui,Che, Xin,Lian, Zhenxia,Li, Yongqing Korean Chemical Society 2011 Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society Vol.32 No.1

The mechanism of the cycloaddition reaction of forming germanic bis-heterocyclic compound between singlet dimethylgermylene carbene and acetone has been investigated with CCSD(T)//B3LYP/6-$31G^*$ method. From the potential energy profile, it can be predicted that, this reaction has one dominant channel. The presented rule of this dominant channel is that the two reactants firstly form a four-membered ring carbene (RC4) through the [2+2] cycloaddition reaction. Due to $sp^2$ hybridization of carbene C atom in RC4, RC4 further combines with acetone to form a reactant complexe (RC5). Due to the further $sp^3$ hybridization of carbene C atom in RC4, RC5 isomerizes to a germanic bisheterocyclic compound (P6) via the transition state (TS5).

Atomic Resolution Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy of Two-Dimensional Layered Transition Metal Dichalcogenides

Lu, Ning,Wang, Jinguo,Oviedo, uan Pablo,Lian, Guoda,Kim, Moon Jea Korean Society of Microscopy 2015 Applied microscopy Vol.45 No.4

Transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) are a class of two-dimensional (2D) materials that have attracted growing interest because of their promising applications. The properties of TMDs strongly depend on the crystalline structure and the number and stacking sequence of layers in their crystals and thin films. Though electrical, mechanical, and magnetic studies of 2D materials are being conducted, there is an evident lack of direct atom-by-atom visualization, limiting insight on these highly exciting material systems. Herein, we present our recent studies on the characterization of 2D layered materials by means of aberration corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), in particular via high angle annular dark field (HAADF) imaging. We have identified the atomic arrangements and defects in 2H stacked TMDs, 1T stacked TMDs, distorted 1T stacked TMDs, and vertically integrated heterojunctions of 2D TMDs crystals.

Potential Study Perspectives on Mechanisms and Correlations Between Adiposity and Malignancy

Lu, Kun,Song, Xiao-Lian,Han, Shi-Long,Wang, Chang-Hui,Zhong, Ni,Qi, Li-Feng Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.2

Adiposity is a well-recognized risk factor of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, and recently there is increasing evidence that excess body weight is an avoidable cause of cancer, including gastrointestinal, endometrial, esophageal adenocarcinoma, colorectal, postmenopausal breast, prostate, and renal malignancies. The mechanisms whereby adiposity is associated with tumor development remains not well understood. There are some most studied hypothesized mechanisms such as, high levels of insulin and free levels of insulin-like growth factors, sex hormones, adipocytokines, and inflammatory cytokines, adiposity-induced hypoxia, and so on. The potential mechanisms and conclusions in adiposity associated with increased risk for developing malignancy, and the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms will be studied very well in the near future.

Energy-balanced Parameter-adaptable Protocol Design in Cooperative Wireless Sensor Networks

Lu Bai,Lian Zhao,Zaiyi Liao 보안공학연구지원센터 2009 International Journal of Multimedia and Ubiquitous Vol.4 No.1

The performance of Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) is adversely affected by the radio irregularity and fading effect. Cooperation is introduced into WSNs and serves as an effective way to combat fading effects. Meanwhile, sensor nodes having heavier burden than others result in the energy imbalance problem which remains harmful to the system lifetime. In this paper, we design a protocol for cooperative WSNs with energy balance consideration. Since the design of WSNs is highly dependent on application scenarios, the effects of system parameters are thoroughly analyzed and a unified criterion is established to choose the proper cooperative scheme. Moreover, energy balance is achieved by adjusting the size of clusters. We classify energy consumption into two groups: inter-cluster energy consumption and intra-cluster energy consumption. Sensor nodes consuming higher energy in inter-cluster data communication form smaller clusters. Thus energy consumption is balanced between intra- and inter-cluster data communication. The proposed energy-balanced parameter-adaptable cooperative protocol (EBPACP) efficiently applies cooperation in cluster-based WSNs and balances energy consumption. A complete protocol design including the cluster formation, cooperative relationship buildup and data transmission are investigated thoroughly in this paper. Simulation results have shown that the proposed EBPACP provides good system performance in terms of energy efficiency and energy balance.

Neural Stem Cells Modified by a Hypoxia-Inducible VEGF Gene Expression System Improve Cell Viability under Hypoxic Conditions and Spinal Cord Injury

Lian Jin, Hong,Pennant, William A.,Hyung Lee, Min,Su, Sung,Ah Kim, Hyun,Lu Liu, Meng,Soo Oh, Jin,Cho, Joon,Nyun Kim, Keung,Heum Yoon, Do,Ha, Yoon Lippincott Williams Wilkins, Inc. 2011 1528-1159) Vol.36 No.11

STUDY DESIGN.: An in vitro neural hypoxia model and rat spinal cord injury (SCI) model were used to assess the regulation of therapeutic vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene expression in mouse neural stem cells (mNSCs) by the EPO (erythropoietin) enhancer or RTP801 promoter. OBJECTIVE.: To increase VEGF gene expression in mNSCs under hypoxic conditions in SCI lesions but avoid unwanted overexpression of VEGF in normal sites, we developed a hypoxia-inducible gene expression system consisting of the EPO enhancer and RTP801 promoter fused to VEGF or the luciferase gene, then transfected into mNSCs. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA.: On the basis of the ischemic response in the injured area, poor cell survival at the transplantation site is a consistent problem with NSC transplantation after SCI. Although VEGF directly protects neurons and enhances neurite outgrowth, uncontrolled overexpression of VEGF in uninjured tissue may cause serious adverse effects. To effectively improve NSC survival in ischemic sites after transplantation, we evaluated mNSCs modified by a hypoxia-inducible VEGF gene expression system in an SCI model. METHODS.: Hypoxia-inducible luciferase or VEGF plasmids were constructed using the EPO enhancer or RTP801 promoter. The effect of these systems on targeted gene expression and cell viability was evaluated in mNSCs in both hypoxic in vitro injury and a rat SCI model in vivo. RESULTS.: The gene expression system containing the EPO enhancer or RTP801 promoter significantly increased the expression of the luciferase reporter gene and therapeutic VEGF gene under hypoxic conditions. The Epo-SV-VEGF plasmid transfection group had significantly fewer apoptotic cells in vitro. This system also augmented cell viability in the in vivo SCI model. CONCLUSION.: These results strongly suggest the potential utility of mNSCs modified by a hypoxia-inducible VEGF gene expression system in the development of effective stem cell transplantation protocols in SCI.