Fuzzy C-means Clustering Analysis Based on Quantum Particle Swarm Optimization Algorithm for the Grouping of Rock Discontinuity Sets

Shengyuan Song,Qing Wang,Jianping Chen,Yanyan Li,Wen Zhang,Yunkai Ruan 대한토목학회 2017 KSCE Journal of Civil Engineering Vol.21 No.4

Rock discontinuities significantly influence the deformation as well as strength of rock masses. One of the basic analyses for rock engineering is categorizing discontinuities with similar orientations into groups. In this study, an improved FCM method is proposed to identify rock discontinuity sets automatically. The method is established on account of quantum particle swarm optimization, which could achieve the global optimization as well as becomes insensitive to the initial cluster centers. Benchmark case with artificial data and discontinuity data exposed from the Songta dam area are utilized to test the validity of the new algorithm. The test results demonstrate that the new algorithm could well divide discontinuity data. The grouping results acquired by the new algorithm are similar to those of several other methods, which are commonly used to divide discontinuity sets. The main advantage of this method is that achieves a global optimum without selecting proper initial cluster centers.

Ginsenoside Rc from Panax ginseng exerts anti-inflammatory activity by targeting TANK-binding kinase 1/interferon regulatory factor-3 and p38/ATF-2

Yu, Tao,Yang, Yanyan,Kwak, Yi-Seong,Song, Gwan Gyu,Kim, Mi-Yeon,Rhee, Man Hee,Cho, Jae Youl The Korean Society of Ginseng 2017 Journal of Ginseng Research Vol.41 No.2

Background: Ginsenoside Rc (G-Rc) is one of the major protopanaxadiol-type saponins isolated from Panax ginseng, a well-known medicinal herb with many beneficial properties including anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antiobesity, and antidiabetic effects. In this study, we investigated the effects of G-Rc on inflammatory responses in vitro and examined the mechanisms of these effects. Methods: The in vitro inflammation system used lipopolysaccharide-treated macrophages, tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}/interferon-{\gamma}-treated$ synovial cells, and HEK293 cells transfected with various inducers of inflammation. Results: G-Rc significantly inhibited the expression of macrophage-derived cytokines, such as tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$ and $interleukin-1{\beta}$. G-Rc also markedly suppressed the activation of TANK-binding kinase $1/I{\kappa}B$ kinase ${\varepsilon}/interferon$ regulatory factor-3 and p38/ATF-2 signaling in activated RAW264.7 macrophages, human synovial cells, and HEK293 cells. Conclusion: G-Rc exerts its anti-inflammatory actions by suppressing TANK-binding kinase $1/I{\kappa}B$ kinase ${\varepsilon}/interferon$ regulatory factor-3 and p38/ATF-2 signaling.

Effect of lactoferrin on ram sperm motility after cryopreservation

Su Jie,Wang Caiyun,Song Yongli,Yang Yanyan,Cao Guifang 아세아·태평양축산학회 2022 Animal Bioscience Vol.35 No.9

Objective: The objective of this study was to analyse the differentially abundant proteins caused by freeze–thawing of ram sperm and explore candidate proteins of interest for their ability to improve ram sperm cryopreservation outcomes in vitro. Methods: Sperm were from three mature Dorper. Fresh and frozen sperm proteins were extracted, and the differentially abundant proteins were analysed by mass spectrometry. Among these proteins, lactoferrin (LTF) was selected to be added before cryopreservation. Next, sperm samples were diluted in Tris extender, with the addition of 0, 10, 100, 500, and 1,000 μg/mL of LTF. After thawing, sperm quality was evaluated by motility, plasma membrane integrity, mitochondrial activity and reactive oxygen species (ROS). Results: Cryopreservation significantly altered the abundance of 40 proteins; the abundance of 16 proteins was increased, while that of 24 proteins was decreased. Next, LTF was added to Tris extender applied to ram sperm. The results showed that sperm motility and plasma membrane integrity were significantly improved (p<0.05) by supplementation with 10 μg/mL LTF compared to those in the control group. There was no significant difference in mitochondrial activity between the 0 μg/mL group and other groups (p>0.05). Supplementation of the cryoprotective extender with 10 μg/mL LTF led to decreased ROS levels compared with those in the control and other groups (p<0.05). Conclusion: The LTF is an important protein during cryopreservation, and the addition of 10 μg/mL LTF to a cryoprotective extender can significantly improve the function of frozen ram sperm. Objective: The objective of this study was to analyse the differentially abundant proteins caused by freeze–thawing of ram sperm and explore candidate proteins of interest for their ability to improve ram sperm cryopreservation outcomes in vitro.Methods: Sperm were from three mature Dorper. Fresh and frozen sperm proteins were extracted, and the differentially abundant proteins were analysed by mass spectrometry. Among these proteins, lactoferrin (LTF) was selected to be added before cryopreservation. Next, sperm samples were diluted in Tris extender, with the addition of 0, 10, 100, 500, and 1,000 μg/mL of LTF. After thawing, sperm quality was evaluated by motility, plasma membrane integrity, mitochondrial activity and reactive oxygen species (ROS).Results: Cryopreservation significantly altered the abundance of 40 proteins; the abundance of 16 proteins was increased, while that of 24 proteins was decreased. Next, LTF was added to Tris extender applied to ram sperm. The results showed that sperm motility and plasma membrane integrity were significantly improved (p<0.05) by supplementation with 10 μg/mL LTF compared to those in the control group. There was no significant difference in mitochondrial activity between the 0 μg/mL group and other groups (p>0.05). Supplementation of the cryoprotective extender with 10 μg/mL LTF led to decreased ROS levels compared with those in the control and other groups (p<0.05).Conclusion: The LTF is an important protein during cryopreservation, and the addition of 10 μg/mL LTF to a cryoprotective extender can significantly improve the function of frozen ram sperm.

The effect of the HRB linker of Newcastle disease virus fusion protein on the fusogenic activity

Liu Yaqing,Liu Ying,Huang Yanan,Wen Hongling,Zhao Li,Song Yanyan,Wang Zhiyu 한국미생물학회 2021 The journal of microbiology Vol.59 No.5

Newcastle disease, designated a class A disease of poultry by the Office international des epizooties (OIE), is an acute infection caused by Newcastle disease virus (NDV). The merging of the envelope of NDV with the membrane of a target host cell is the key step in the infection pathway, which is driven by the concerted action of two glycoproteins: haemagglutinin- neuraminidase (HN) and fusion (F) protein. When the HN protein binds to the host cell surface receptor, the F protein is activated to mediate fusion. The three-dimensional structure of the F protein has been reported to have low electron density between the DIII domain and the HRB domain, and this electron-poor region is defined as the HRB linker. To clarify the contributing role of the HRB linker in the NDV F protein-mediated fusion process, 6 single amino acid mutants were obtained by site-directed mutagenesis of the HRB linker. The expression of the mutants and their abilities to mediate fusion were analysed, and the key amino acids in the HRB linker were identified as L436, E439, I450, and S453, as they can modulate the fusion ability or expression of the active form to a certain extent. The data shed light on the crucial role of the F protein HRB linker in the acquisition of a normal fusogenic phenotype.

Retrospective Electrocardiography-Gated Real-Time Cardiac Cine MRI at 3T: Comparison with Conventional Segmented Cine MRI

Chen Cui,Gang Yin,Minjie Lu,Xiuyu Chen,Sainan Cheng,Lu Li,Weipeng Yan,Yanyan Song,Sanjay Prasad,Yan Zhang,Shihua Zhao 대한영상의학회 2019 Korean Journal of Radiology Vol.20 No.1

Objective: Segmented cardiac cine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the gold standard for cardiac ventricular volumetric assessment. In patients with difficulty in breath-holding or arrhythmia, this technique may generate images with inadequate quality for diagnosis. Real-time cardiac cine MRI has been developed to address this limitation. We aimed to assess the performance of retrospective electrocardiography-gated real-time cine MRI at 3T for left ventricular (LV) volume and mass measurement. Materials and Methods: Fifty-one patients were consecutively enrolled. A series of short-axis cine images covering the entire left ventricle using both segmented and real-time balanced steady-state free precession cardiac cine MRI were obtained. End-diastolic volume (EDV), end-systolic volume (ESV), stroke volume (SV), ejection fraction (EF), and LV mass were measured. The agreement and correlation of the parameters were assessed. Additionally, image quality was evaluated using European CMR Registry (Euro-CMR) score and structure visibility rating. Results: In patients without difficulty in breath-holding or arrhythmia, no significant difference was found in Euro-CMR score between the two techniques (0.3 ± 0.7 vs. 0.3 ± 0.5, p > 0.05). Good agreements and correlations were found between the techniques for measuring EDV, ESV, EF, SV, and LV mass. In patients with difficulty in breath-holding or arrhythmia, segmented cine MRI had a significant higher Euro-CMR score (2.3 ± 1.2 vs. 0.4 ± 0.5, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Real-time cine MRI at 3T allowed the assessment of LV volume with high accuracy and showed a significantly better image quality compared to that of segmented cine MRI in patients with difficulty in breath-holding and arrhythmia.

Surgical management of inflammatory bowel disease in China: a systematic review of two decades

( Qiao Yu ),( Ren Mao ),( Lei Lian ),( Siew Chien Ng ),( Shenghong Zhang ),( Zhihui Chen ),( Yanyan Zhang ),( Yun Qiu ),( Baili Chen ),( Yao He ),( Zhirong Zeng ),( Shomron Ben-horin ),( Xinming Song 대한장연구학회 2016 Intestinal Research Vol.14 No.4

Background/Aims: The past decades have seen increasing incidence and prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in China. This article aimed to summarize the current status and characteristics of surgical management for IBD in China. Methods: We searched PubMed, Embase, and Chinese databases from January 1, 1990 to July 1, 2014 for all relevant studies on the surgical treatment IBD in China. Eligible studies with sufficient defined variables were further reviewed for primary and secondary outcome measures. Results: A total of 74 studies comprising 2,007 subjects with Crohn`s disease (CD) and 1,085 subjects with ulcerative colitis (UC) were included. The percentage of CD patients misdiagnosed before surgery, including misdiagnosis as appendicitis or UC, was 50.8%±30.9% (578/1,268). The overall postoperative complication rate was 22.3%±13.0% (267/1,501). For studies of UC, the overall postoperative complication rate was 22.2%±27.9% (176/725). In large research centers (n>50 surgical cases), the rates of emergency operations for CD (P =0.032) and in-hospital mortalities resulting from both CD and UC were much lower than those in smaller research centers (n≤50 surgical cases) (P =0.026 and P <0.001, respectively). Regarding the changes in CD and UC surgery over time, postoperative complications (P =0.045 for CD; P =0.020 for UC) and postoperative in-hospital mortality (P =0.0002 for CD; P =0.0160 for UC) both significantly improved after the year 2010. Conclusions: The surgical management of IBD in China has improved over time. However, the rates of misdiagnosis and postoperative complications over the past two decades have remained high. Large research centers were found to have relatively better capacity for surgical management than the smaller ones. Higher quality prospective studies are needed in China. (Intest Res 2016;14:322-332)