• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.54 no.2
• /
• pp.225-231
• /
• 2016

Human and animal alveolar echinococcosis (AE) are important helminth infections endemic in wide areas of the Northern hemisphere. Monitoring Echinococcus multilocularis viability and spread using real-time fluorescent imaging in vivo provides a fast method to evaluate the load of parasite. Here, we generated a kind of fluorescent protoscolices in vivo imaging model and utilized this model to assess the activity against E. multilocularis protoscolices of metformin (Met). Results indicated that JC-1 tagged E. multilocularis can be reliably and confidently used to monitor protoscolices in vitro and in vivo. The availability of this transient in vivo fluorescent imaging of E. multilocularis protoscolices constitutes an important step toward the long term bio-imaging research of the AE-infected mouse models. In addition, this will be of great interest for further research on infection strategies and development of drugs and vaccines against E. multilocularis and other cestodes.

• The Bulletin of The Korean Astronomical Society
• /
• v.40 no.1
• /
• pp.75.4-76
• /
• 2015

우리는 동아시아 각국(대한민국, 중국, 일본)의 VLBI관측망을 통합하고 구성될 동아시아 VLBI 관측망(East Asia VLBI Network; EAVN)의 초기 검증 작업을 진행하고 있다. EAVN은 2 ~ 129 GHz로 관측이 가능하는데, 주로 6.7, 8, 22, 43 GHz로의 관측을 상정하고 있다. 또한 최대 기선장은 약 5,000 km으로 공간분해능은 약 0.3 mas(43 GHz로의 관측의 경우)가 된다. 높은 공간분해능과 고감도의 특징을 활용하고 저광도 활동성은하핵이나 우리 은하의 메이저 천체 등의 연구에 대해서 위력을 나타낼 수가 있다. 우리는 EAVN 시험관측, 상관처리, 자료처리의 실행, 및 그것들을 통한 EAVN 운영의 검증을 하는 EAVN Tiger Team을 2013년에 조직하고 현재까지에 8 GHz 및 22 GHz로 8회의 VLBI 시험관측을 실행하였다. 상관처리는 주로 한국천문연구원에서 운영하고 있는 한일 공동상관기(KJJVC)와 상하이천문대의 소프트웨어 상관기(DiFX)로 실행되어 있다. 현재까지에 8 GHz 및 22 GHz 쌍방에서 프린지검출에 성공하고 있고, 올해는 영상합성을 포함한 과학적인 관측을 진행할 예정이다. 이 발표에서는 EAVN의 개요와 과학목표, 시험관측 현황과 결과, 및 앞으로의 운영 계획 등을 소개하겠다.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.14 no.4
• /
• pp.2413-2419
• /
• 2013

Background: Use of epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs ) is now standard for non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the effects of EGFR-TKIs in maintenance therapy for advanced NSCLC patients are still unclear. The preent meta-analysis was performed to examine pooled data of randomized control trials (RCT) where EGFR-TKIs were compared against placebo in maintenance regimens for patients with advanced NCSLC to quantify potential benefits and determine safety. Methods: Several data bases were searched, including PubMed, EMBASE and CENTRAL, and we performed an internet search of conference literature. The endpoints were objective response rates (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). We performed a meta-analysis of the published data, using Comprehensive Meta Analysis software (Version 2.0). with a fixed effects model and an additional random effects model, when applicable. The results of the meta-analysis are expressed as hazard ratios (HRs) or risk ratios (RRs), with their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs). Results: The final analysis included six trials, covering 3,758 patients. Compared with placebo, EGFR-TKIs maintenance therapy improved ORR and PFS for patients with advanced NSCLC, the difference being statistically significant (P<0.05), but proved unable to prolong patients' OS. The main adverse reactions were diarrhea and rashes. Conclusion: EGFR-TKIs demonstrated encouraging efficacy, safety and survival when delivered as maintenance therapy for patients with advanced NSCLC after first-line chemotherapy, especially for the patients who had adenocarcinomas, were female, non-smokers and patients with EGFR gene mutations.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.48 no.6
• /
• pp.354-359
• /
• 2015

Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) undergo death during atherosclerosis, a widespread cardiovascular disease. Recent studies suggest that oxidative damage occurs in VSMCs and induces atherosclerosis. Here, we analyzed oxidative damage repair in VSMCs and found that VSMCs are hypersensitive to oxidative damage. Further analysis showed that oxidative damage repair in VSMCs is suppressed by a low level of poly (ADP-ribosyl)ation (PARylation), a key post-translational modification in oxidative damage repair. The low level of PARylation is not caused by the lack of PARP-1, the major poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase activated by oxidative damage. Instead, the expression of poly(ADP-ribose) glycohydrolase, PARG, the enzyme hydrolyzing poly(ADP-ribose), is significantly higher in VSMCs than that in the control cells. Using PARG inhibitor to suppress PARG activity facilitates oxidative damage-induced PARylation as well as DNA damage repair. Thus, our study demonstrates a novel molecular mechanism for oxidative damage-induced VSMCs death. This study also identifies the use of PARG inhibitors as a potential treatment for atherosclerosis. [BMB Reports 2015; 48(6): 354-359]

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.13 no.2
• /
• pp.483-486
• /
• 2012

Background: The hepatocellular carcinoma is very common in China. Our aim in this report was to investigate clinical and pathological factors based on the current decade data that could influence prognosis of HCC patients after hepatectomy. Methods: Between 2002 and 2009, all patients undergoing hepatectomy for HCC were followed up and reviewed retrospectively. Prognostic factors were studied by univariate and multivariate analysis, with Kaplan-Meier and Cox multivariate survival analyses. Results: Complete clinicopathologic and follow-up data were available for 114 patients. The estimated cumulative survival rates at 1, 3, and 5 yr were 84.6%, 60.2% and 51.8%, respectively. On univariate analysis, key prognostic factors were AFP level, GGT level, tumor size, number of tumors, portal vein invasion, liver cirrhosis status and TNM stage. In the multivariate analysis, tumor size, GGT level, liver cirrhosis status and portal vein invasion were significantly associated with patients' prognosis. Conclusion: Through follow-up of a relatively large cohort of Chinese patients, tumor size, GGT level, liver cirrhosis status, portal vein invasion were revealed as important factors for long-term survival after hepatectomy. Early diagnosis for tumor and the improvement of liver function before surgery are important ways to improve the prognosis.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.53 no.5
• /
• pp.254-259
• /
• 2020

Increasing evidence suggests the role of miR-449a in the regulation of tumorigenesis and autophagy. Autophagy plays an important role in the malignancy of T-cell lymphoma. However, it is still unknown whether miR-449a is associated with autophagy to regulate the malignancy of T-cell lymp homa. In this study, we for the first time demonstrated that miR-449a enhanced apoptosis of T-cell lymphoma cells by decreasing the degree of autophagy. Further, miR-449a downregulated autophagy-associated 4B (ATG4B) expression, which subsequently reduced the autophagy of T-cell lymphoma cells. Mechanistically, miR-449a decreased ATG4B protein level by binding to its mRNA 3'UTR, thus reducing the mRNA stability. In addition, studies with nude mice showed that miR-449a significantly inhibited lymphoma characteristics in vivo. In conclusion, our results demonstrated that the "miR-449a/ATG4B/autophagy" pathway played a vital role in the malignancy of T-cell lymphoma, suggesting a novel therapeutic target.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.30 no.6
• /
• pp.804-810
• /
• 2017

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of sodium diacetate (SDA) on fermentation profile, chemical composition and aerobic stability of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) silage. Methods: Fresh alfalfa was ensiled with various concentrations of SDA (0, 3, 5, 7, and 9 g/kg of fresh forage). After 60 days of the ensiling, the samples were collected to examine the fermentative quality, chemical composition and aerobic stability. Results: The application of SDA significantly (p<0.05) decreased silage pH with the lowest value in silage with 7 g/kg of SDA. The proliferations of enterobacteria, yeasts, molds and clostridia were inhibited by SDA, resulted in lower ethanol, propionic and butyric acid concentrations and dry matter loss in SDA treated silages than control. The increasing SDA linearly decreased free amino acid N (p<0.001), ammonia N (p = 0.018) and non-protein N (p<0.001), while linearly increased water soluble carbohydrate (p<0.001) and peptide N (p<0.001). It is speculated that SDA accelerated the shift from homofermentative to heterofermentative lactic acid bacteria during the silage fermentation, indicated by lower lactic acid production in SDA-9 than SDA-7 silages after 60 days of ensiling. Alfalfa silages treated with SDA at 7 g/kg had highest Flieg's point and remained stable more than 9 d during aerobic exposure under humid and hot conditions in southern China. Conclusion: SDA may be used as an additive for alfalfa silages at a level of 7 g/kg.

• KSII Transactions on Internet and Information Systems (TIIS)
• /
• v.9 no.2
• /
• pp.483-503
• /
• 2015

This paper analyzes the optimal user density and power allocation for Device-to-Device (D2D) communication underlaying cellular networks on multiple bands with the target of maximizing the D2D transmission capacity. The entire network is modeled by Poisson point process (PPP) which based on stochastic geometry. Then in order to ensure the outage probabilities of both cellular and D2D communication, a sum capacity optimization problem for D2D system on multiple bands is proposed. Using convex optimization, the optimal D2D density is obtained in closed-form when the D2D transmission power is determined. Next the optimal D2D transmission power is obtained in closed-form when the D2D density is fixed. Based on the former two conclusions, an iterative algorithm for the optimal D2D density and power allocation on multiple bands is proposed. Finally, the simulation results not only demonstrate the D2D performance, density and power on each band are constrained by cellular communication as well as the interference of the entire system, but also verifies the superiority of the proposed algorithm over sorting-based and removal algorithms.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.40 no.4
• /
• pp.595-603
• /
• 2007

To investigate whether phospholipase D (PLD, EC 3.1.4.4) plays a role in adaptive response of post-harvest fruit to environment, a PLD gene was firstly cloned from grape berry (Vitis Vinifera L. cv. Chardonnay) using RT-PCR and 3'- and 5'-RACE. The deduced amino acid sequence (809 residues) showed 84.7% identity with that of PLD from Ricinus communis. The secondary structures of this protein showed the characteristic C2 domain and two active sites of a phospholipid-metabolizing enzyme. The PLD activity and its expression in response to heat acclimation were then assayed. The results indicated PLD was significantly activated at enzyme activity, as well as accumulation of PLD mRNA and synthesis of new PLD protein during the early of heat acclimation, primary suggesting that the grape berry PLD may be involved in the heat response in post-harvest grape berry. This work offers an important basis for further investigating the mechanism of post-harvest fruit adaptation to environmental stresses.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
• /
• v.19 no.1
• /
• pp.199-204
• /
• 2009

The newly cloned Bacillus thuringiensis cry1-5 gene showed high activity to both Plutella xylostella and Spodoptera exigua, while cry1Ac only showed high activity against P. xylostella but low to S. exigua. Through the alignment of amino acid sequences between Cry1Ac and Cry1-5, we found 12 different residues in domain I (6 residues) and domain II (6 residues). In this study, the modified cry1Ac gene, which is constructed according to a crop-preferring codon usage, was used as a template to construct mutant B. thuringiensis cry1Ac genes based on cry1-5 gene through multi site-directed mutagenesis. Total 63 various mutant cry genes were obtained at 12 positions randomly. Among them, ten mutant cry genes, whose domain I was totally converted and domain II was randomly, were selected to express in baculovirus expression system as a polyhedrin fusion form. The recombinant proteins were 95 kDa in size and were stably activated as 65 kDa by trypsin. The expressed mutant Cry proteins were applied to bioassays against P. xylostella and S. exigua. All mutants showed high insecticidal activity both to P. xylostella and S. exigua similar to cry1-5. These results suggest that these mutant cry genes might be expected of desirable cry genes for introduction to transgenic crops.