Regional Brain Activity During Rest and Gastric Water Load in Subtypes of Functional Dyspepsia: A Preliminary Brain Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study

Yanwen Chen,Ruifeng Wang,Bo Hou,Feng Feng,Xiucai Fang,Liming Zhu,Xiaohong Sun,Zhifeng Wang,Meiyun Ke 대한소화기 기능성질환∙운동학회 2018 Journal of Neurogastroenterology and Motility (JNM Vol.24 No.2

Background/Aims Functional dyspepsia (FD) remains a great clinical challenge since the FD subtypes, defined by Rome III classification, still have heterogeneous pathogenesis. Previous studies have shown notable differences in visceral sensation processing in the CNS in FD compared to healthy subjects (HS). However, the role of CNS in the pathogenesis of each FD subtype has not been recognized. Methods Twenty-eight FD patients, including 10 epigastric pain syndrome (EPS), 9 postprandial distress syndrome (PDS), and 9 mixed-type, and 10 HS, were enrolled. All subjects underwent a proximal gastric perfusion water load test and the regional brain activities during resting state and water load test were investigated by functional magnetic resonance imaging. Results For regional brain activities during the resting state and water load test, each FD subtype was significantly different from HS (P < 0.05). Focusing on EPS and PDS, the regional brain activities of EPS were stronger than PDS in the left paracentral lobule, right inferior frontal gyrus pars opercularis, postcentral gyrus, precuneus, insula, parahippocampal gyrus, caudate nucleus, and bilateral cingulate cortices at the resting state (P < 0.05), and stronger than PDS in the left inferior temporal and fusiform gyri during the water load test (P < 0.05). Conclusions Compared to HS, FD subtypes had different regional brain activities at rest and during water load test, whereby the differences displayed distinct manifestations for each subtype. Compared to PDS, EPS presented more significant differences from HS at rest, suggesting that the abnormality of central visceral pain processing could be one of the main pathogenesis mechanisms for EPS.

Next‑Generation Sequencing‑Based Preimplantation Genetic Testing for De Novo NF1 Mutations

DongJia Chen,Xiaoting Shen,Yan Xu,Bing Cai,Chenhui Ding,Yiping Zhong,Yanwen Xu,Canquan Zhou 한국바이오칩학회 2021 BioChip Journal Vol.15 No.1

Neurofibroma type 1 (NFI) is an autosomal dominant genetic disease associated with cancer and cognitive dysfunction. The 50% de novo mutation rate and numerous mutation types of the NF1 gene pose challenges to preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) for NFI. In 2020, a couple was subjected to next-generation sequencing (NGS)-based PGT at our center. Both husband and wife carried de novo NF1 mutations. Biopsied trophectoderm samples underwent whole-genome amplification using multiple displacement amplification. NGS was conducted to detect NF1 mutations as well as 105 closely linked single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) flanking NF1. Since no affected family member was available, the affected embryos identified by NF1-targeted sequencing were assigned as probands, based on which a haplotype analysis was constructed with informative SNP sites. Sanger sequencing was administrated for verification. Aneuploidy screening through NGS was performed in the same PGT cycle. Finally, among the nine biopsied blastocysts, two unaffected and euploid blastocysts were obtained in the couple, and one of the blastocysts was transferred in a frozen–thawed embryo transfer (FET) cycle. The outcome of FET is under observation. This study is the first to apply NGS-based PGT for NFI. In cases of sporadic NFI cases without affected family members, NGS-SNP can perform haploid analysis in an accurate manner by assigning the affected embryos as probands.

An Improved Quantum Ant Colony Optimization Algorithm for Solving Complex Function Problems

Changai Chen,Yanwen Xu 보안공학연구지원센터 2015 International Journal of Multimedia and Ubiquitous Vol.10 No.11

In order to improve the slow convergence speed and avoid falling into the local optimum in ant colony optimization algorithm, an improved quantum ant colony optimization (IMAQACO) algorithm based on combing quantum evolutionary algorithm with ant colony optimization algorithm is proposed for solving complex function problems in this paper. In the IMAQACO algorithm, the quantum state vectors are used to represent the pheromone, the adaptively dynamical updating strategy is used to control pheromone evaporation factor, the quantum rotation gate is used to realize the ant movement and change the convergence tend of quantum probability amplitude, quantum non-gate is used to realize ant location variation, so the IMAQACO algorithm has better global search ability and population diversity than ACO algorithm. In order to test the optimization performance of IMAQACO algorithm, several benchmark functions are selected in here. The tested results indicate that the IMAQACO can effectively improve the convergence speed and avoid falling into the local optimum, and has a stronger global optimization ability and higher convergence speed in solving complex function problems.

Development of a multiplex qRT-PCR assay for detection of African swine fever virus, classical swine fever virus and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus

Yating Chen,Kaichuang Shi,Huixin Liu,Yanwen Yin,Jing Zhao,Feng Long,Wenjun Lu,Hongbin Si 대한수의학회 2021 Journal of Veterinary Science Vol.22 No.6

Background: African swine fever virus (ASFV), classical swine fever virus (CSFV), and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) are still prevalent in many regions of China. Co-infections make it difficult to distinguish their clinical symptoms and pathological changes. Therefore, a rapid and specific method is needed for the differential detection of these pathogens. Objectives: The aim of this study was to develop a multiplex real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (multiplex qRT-PCR) for the simultaneous differential detection of ASFV, CSFV, and PRRSV. Methods: Three pairs of primers and TaqMan probes targeting the ASFV p72 gene, CSFV 5′ untranslated region, and PRRSV ORF7 gene were designed. After optimizing the reaction conditions, including the annealing temperature, primer concentration, and probe concentration, multiplex qRT-PCR for simultaneous and differential detection of ASFV, CSFV, and PRRSV was developed. Subsequently, 1,143 clinical samples were detected to verify the practicality of the assay. Results: The multiplex qRT-PCR assay could specifically and simultaneously detect the ASFV, CSFV, and PRRSV with a detection limit of 1.78 × 100 copies for the ASFV, CSFV, and PRRSV, but could not amplify the other major porcine viruses, such as pseudorabies virus, porcine circovirus type 1 (PCV1), PCV2, PCV3, foot-and-mouth disease virus, porcine parvovirus, atypical porcine pestivirus, and Senecavirus A. The assay had good repeatability with coefficients of variation of intra- and inter-assay of less than 1.2%. Finally, the assay was used to detect 1,143 clinical samples to evaluate its practicality in the field. The positive rates of ASFV, CSFV, and PRRSV were 25.63%, 9.36%, and 17.50%, respectively. The co-infection rates of ASFV+CSFV, ASFV+PRRSV, CSFV+PRRSV, and ASFV+CSFV+PRRSV were 2.45%, 2.36%, 1.57%, and 0.17%, respectively. Conclusions: The multiplex qRT-PCR developed in this study could provide a rapid, sensitive, specific diagnostic tool for the simultaneous and differential detection of ASFV, CSFV, and PRRSV.

Capillarity-Driven Self-Assembly of Silver Nanowires-Coated Fibers for Flexible and Stretchable Conductor

Yi Li,Jun Chen,Xiao Han,Yinghui Li,Ziqiang Zhang,Yanwen Ma 성균관대학교(자연과학캠퍼스) 성균나노과학기술원 2018 NANO Vol.13 No.12

The rapid development of smart textiles requires the large-scale fabrication of conductive fibers. In this study, we develop a simple, scalable and low-cost capillary-driven self-assembly method to prepare conductive fibers with uniform morphology, high conductivity and good mechanical strength. Fiber-shaped flexible and stretchable conductors are obtained by coating highly conductive and flexible silver nanowires (Ag NWs) on the surfaces of yarn and PDMS fibers through evaporation-induced flow and capillary-driven self-assembly, which is proven by the in situ optical microscopic observation. The density of Ag NWs and linear resistance of the conductive fibers could be regulated by tuning the assembly cycles. A linear resistance of 1.4Ω/cm could be achieved for the Ag NWs-coated nylon, which increases only 8% after 200 bending cycle, demonstrating high flexibility and mechanical stability. The flexible and stretchable conductive fibers have great potential for the application in wearable devices.

Mechanism of the anti-liver fibrosis effect of Periplaneta americana extracts that promote apoptosis of HSC-T6 cells through the Bcl-2/Bax signaling pathway

Yuan Liping,Yang Xiao,He Ying,Zhao Yanwen,Chen Yi,Yang Yongshou,Xiao Peiyun 한국응용곤충학회 2023 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.26 No.2

Periplaneta americana L. (Blattidae) extract (PA-B) possesses anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and hep atoprotective properties; however, its mechanism of action in liver fibrosis remains unclear. Herein, we inves tigated the hepatoprotective effect and mechanism of action of PA-B. HSC-T6 cells treated with PA-B were stimulated with TGF-β1, and immunofluorescence, western blotting, Hoechst 33,342 staining, confocal laser scanning microscopy, and flow cytometry were performed. Furthermore, the effects of PA-B were verified in a rat model of hepatic fibrosis established using 40 % carbon tetrachloride (CCl 4 ). PA-B induced apoptosis of HSC-T6 cells by inhibiting proliferation (maximum inhibition ratio 99.08 %), reducing mitochondrial membrane po tential, and ameliorating apoptosis-related proteins (P < 0.01). PA-B (120 mg/kg) significantly alleviated CCl 4 -induced hepatic histopathological fibrosis and reduced the levels of aspartate aminotransferase (from 27.68 to 20.58 U/L) and alanine aminotransferase (from 16.88 to 5.93 U/L; P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Immunohistochemistry and western blotting showed that α-SMA levels were reduced (from 0.49 to 0.23) and that the Bcl/Bax signaling pathway was significantly inhibited by PA-B (120 mg/kg; P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). PA-B exhibits anti-fibrotic effects by mediating the Bcl-2/Bax pathway and promoting HSC-T6 cell apoptosis, providing a basis for its development as a drug to treat liver fibrosis.

Description of Corynebacterium poyangense sp. nov., isolated from the feces of the greater white-fronted geese (Anser albifrons)

Liu Qian,Fan Guoying,Wu Kui,Bai Xiangning,Yang Xi,Song Wentao,Chen Shengen,Xiong Yanwen,Chen Haiying 한국미생물학회 2022 The journal of microbiology Vol.60 No.7

Two novel Gram-positive, non-spore-forming, facultatively anaerobic, non-motile, and short rods to coccoid strains were isolated from the feces of the greater white-fronted geese (Anser albifrons) at Poyang Lake. The 16S rRNA gene sequences of strains 4H37-19T and 3HC-13 shared highest identity to that of Corynebacterium uropygiale Iso10T (97.8%). Phylogenetic and phylogenomic analyses indicated that strains 4H37-19T and 3HC-13 formed an independent clade within genus Corynebacterium and clustered with Corynebacterium uropygiale Iso10T. The average nucleotide identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization value between strains 4H37-19T and 3HC-13 and members within genus Corynebacterium were all below 95% and 70%, respectively. The genomic G + C content of strains 4H37-19T and 3HC-13 was 52.5%. Diphosphatidylglycerol (DPG), phosphatidylglycerol (PG), phosphatidylinositol (PI), phosphatidylcholine, and phosphatidyl inositol mannosides (PIM) were the major polar lipids, with C18:1ω9c, C16:0, and C18:0 as the major fatty acids, and MK-8 (H4), MK-8(H2), and MK-9(H2) as the predominant respiratory quinones. The major whole cell sugar was arabinose, and the cell wall included mycolic acids. The cell wall peptidoglycan contained meso-diaminopimelic acid (meso-DAP). The polyphasic taxonomic data shows that these two strains represent a novel species of the genus Corynebacterium, for which the name Corynebacterium poyangense sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Corynebacterium poyangense is 4H37-19T (=GDMCC 1.1738T = KACC 21671T).