• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.13 no.12
• /
• pp.6363-6368
• /
• 2012

Objective: The study aim was to prepare poly-DL-lactide-poly (PELA) microspheres encapsulating recombinant tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) in an adenovirus to investigate its inhibition on the proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma cells HepG2. Methods: Microspheres were prepared by encapsulating the recombinant TIMP-1 adenovirus into biodegradable PELA. The particle size, viral load, encapsulation efficiency and in-vitro release were measured. Microspheres were used to infect HepG2 cells, then infection efficiency was examined under a fluorescent microscope and ultrastructural changes assessed by TEM. Expression of TIMP-1 mRNA in HepG2 cells was examined by semi-quantitative RT-PCR and proliferation by MTT and cell growth curve assays. Results: We successfully prepared microspheres encapsulating recombinant TIMP-1 adenovirus with a diameter of $1.965{\mu}m$, an encapsulation efficiency of 60.0%, a viral load of $10.5{\times}10^8/mg$ and approximate 60% of virus release within 120 h, the total releasing time of which was longer than 240 h. The microspheres were confirmed to be non-toxic with blank microspheres. Infected HepG2 cells could stably maintain in-vitro expression of TIMP-1, with significantly effects on biological behaviour Conclusion: PELA microspheres encapsulating a recombinant TIMP-1 adenovirus can markedly inhibit the proliferation of HepG2 cells, which provides an experimental basis for polymer/chemistry-based gene therapy of hepatocellular carcinomas.

• Environmental Engineering Research
• /
• v.19 no.4
• /
• pp.331-338
• /
• 2014

Descriptive statistics methods were used to study the spatiotemporal variations and sources of ambient particulate matter ($PM_{10}$) in Luzhou, China. The analyzed datasets were collected from four national air quality monitoring stations: Jiushi (S1), Xiaoshi (S2), Zhongshan (S3), Lantian (S4) over the period of 2003-2012. This city was subjected serious $PM_{10}$ pollution, and the long-term annual average $PM_{10}$ concentrations varied from 76 to $136{\mu}g/m^3$. The maximum concentration was more than 3-fold of the annual average ($40{\mu}g/m^3$) issued by EPA-China for the ambient air quality. General temporal pattern was characterized by high concentrations in winter and low concentrations in summer, and general spatial gradient was in the reduction order of S2 > S4 > S3 > S1, which were both due to different particulate contributors and special meteorological conditions. The source apportionment indicated that vehicular emissions, road dusts, coal burning and chemical dusts were the major contributors of the identified $PM_{10}$ pollution, and the vehicular emissions and the road wear re-suspended particles dominated the heavy $PM_{10}$ pollution in recent years. Two other potential sources, agricultural and celebration activities could decrease the air quality in a short term. Finally, some corresponding suggestions and measures were provided to improve the air quality.

• Environmental Engineering Research
• /
• v.23 no.1
• /
• pp.21-27
• /
• 2018

Air pollution index (API) is used in Mainland China and includes only $SO_2$, $NO_2$ and $PM_{10}$. In 2016, air quality index (AQI) replaced API. AQI contains three more air pollutants (CO, $O_3$ and $PM_{2.5}$). Both the indices emphasize on the effect of a single pollutant, whereas the contributions of all other pollutants are ignored. Therefore, in the present work, a novel air quality index (NAQI), which emphasizes on all air pollutants, has been introduced for the first time. The results showed that there were 19 d (5.2%) in API, 28 d (7.7%) in AQI and 183 d (50.1%) in NAQI when the indices were more than 100. In API, $PM_{10}$ and $SO_2$ were regarded as the primary pollutants, whereas all five air pollutants in AQI were regarded as primary. Furthermore, four air pollutants (other than the CO) in NAQI were regarded as primary pollutants. $PM_{10}$, as being the primary pollutant, contributed greatly in these air quality indices, and accounted for 51.2% (API), 37.0% (AQI) and 52.6% (NAQI). The results also showed that particulate matter pollution was significantly high in Luzhou, where stricter pollution control measures should be implemented.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.27 no.1
• /
• pp.130-140
• /
• 2017

It is vital to understand the changing characteristics of interphase microbial communities and interspecies synergism during the fermentation of Chinese liquors. In this study, microbial communities in the three indispensable phases (pit mud, zaopei, and huangshui) of Luzhou-flavored liquor manufacturing pits and their shifts during cellars use were first investigated by polyphasic culture-independent approaches. The archaeal and eubacterial communities in the three phases were quantitatively assessed by combined phospholipid ether lipids/phospholipid fatty acid analysis and fluorescence in situ hybridization. In addition, qualitative information regarding the microbial community was analyzed by PCR-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis. Results suggested that the interphase microbial community profiles were quite different, and the proportions of specific microbial groups evolved gradually. Anaerobic bacteria and gram-positive bacteria were dominant and their numbers were higher in pit mud ($10^9$ cells/g) than in huangshui ($10^7$ cells/ml) and zaopei ($10^7$ cells/g). Hydrogenotrophic methanogenic archaea were the dominant archaea, and their proportions were virtually unchanged in pit mud (around 65%), whereas they first increased and then decreased in zaopei (59%-82%-47%) and increased with pit age in huangshui (82%-92%). Interactions between microbial communities, especially between eubacteria and methanogens, played a key role in the formation of favorable niches for liquor fermentation. Furthermore, daqu (an essential saccharifying and fermentative agent) and metabolic regulation parameters greatly affected the microbial community.

• Computers and Concrete
• /
• v.29 no.6
• /
• pp.419-432
• /
• 2022

This article deals with the vibrational response of a nanobeam made of bi-directional FG materials which is modeled via nonlocal strain gradient theory along with HSDT. Also, the nanobeam is placed on a Winkler-Pasternak foundation and is under axial mechanical loading. By using the variational energy method, the formulation and end conditions are obtained. Then, DSC-IM, as the numerical solution procedure is employed to extract the results. The material properties of the nanobeam are FG which varies in two directions with in exponential manner. The results from DDN are verified by using other papers. Lastly, a thorough parametric investigation is presented to investigated the effect of different parameters.

• Steel and Composite Structures
• /
• v.46 no.4
• /
• pp.485-495
• /
• 2023

Bending static and stress investigation of a microplate of piezoelectric/piezomagnetic material subjected to combined multifield loading. Shear deformable as well as thickness stretched model is used for derivation of the kinematic relations. Multi field governing equations are derived analytically through principle of virtual work. the results are analytically obtained analytically including magnetic/electric potentials, displacement and stress components with variation in multifield loading parameters.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.16 no.16
• /
• pp.7205-7210
• /
• 2015

Background: In this study, influence caused by expression plasmids of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) short hairpin RNA (shRNA) on mRNA expression of CTGF,TIMP-1,procol-${\alpha}1$ and PCIII in hepatic tissue with hepatic fibrosis, a precancerous condition, in rats is analyzed. Materials and Methods: To screen and construct shRNA expression plasimid which effectively interferes RNA targets of CTGF and TIMP-1 in rats. 50 cleaning Wistar male rats are allocated randomly at 5 different groups after precancerous fibrosis models and then injection of shRNA expression plasimids. Plasmid psiRNA-GFP-Com (CTGF and TIMP-1 included), psiRNA-GFP-CTGF, psiRNA-GFP-TIMP-1 and psiRNA-DUO-GFPzeo of blank plasmid are injected at group A, B, C and D, respectively, and as model control group that none plasimid is injected at group E. In 2 weeks after last injection, to hepatic tissue at different groups, protein expression of CTGF, TIMP-1, procol-${\alpha}1$ and PC III is tested by immunohistochemical method and,mRNA expression of CTGF,TIMP-1,procol-${\alpha}1$ and PCIII is measured by real-time PCR. One-way ANOVA is used to comparison between-groups. Results: Compared with model group, there is no obvious difference of mRNA expression among CTGF,TIMP-1,procol-${\alpha}1$, PC III and of protein expression among CTGF, TIMP-1, procol-${\alpha}1$, PC III in hepatic tissue at group injected with blank plasmid. Expression quantity of mRNA of CTGF, TIMP-1, procol-${\alpha}1$ and PCIII at group A, B and C decreases, protein expression of CTGF, TIMP-1, procol-${\alpha}1$, PC III in hepatic tissue is lower, where the inhibition of combination RNA interference group (group A) on procol-${\alpha}1$ mRNA transcription and procol-${\alpha}1$ protein expression is superior to that of single interference group (group B and C) (P<0.01 or P<0.05). Conclusions: RNA interference on CTGF and/or TIMP-1 is obviously a inhibiting factor for mRNA and protein expression of CTGF, TIMP-1, procol-${\alpha}1$ and PCIII. Combination RNA interference on genes of CTGF and TIMP-1 is superior to that of single RNA interference, and this could be a contribution for prevention of precancerous condition.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.13 no.2
• /
• pp.725-729
• /
• 2012

Background: The management of hepatolithiasis combined with intrahepatic cholangicarcinoma (IHHCC) remains a challenge due to poor prognosis. The aim of this study was to summarize our diagnosis and cure experience of IHHCC over the recent 10 years. Methods: From January 1996 to January 2006, 66 patients with IHHCC were reviewed retrospectively. Results: Of the 66 patients, 52 underwent surgical resection (radical resection in 38 and palliative in 14) and 8 patients abdominal exploration, while the other 6 cases received endoscopic retrograde biliary internal drainage and stent implantation. In this series, correct diagnosis of advanced stage was made during operation in 8 cases (8/60, 13.3%) and all of them (underwent unnecessary abdominal exploration, among them the positive rate of CA19-9 was 100%, and the positive rate of CEA was 87.6% (7/8), incidence rate of ascites was 100% and short-term significant weight loss was 100%, with median overall survival of only 4 months. Conclusion: Radical resection is mandatory for IHHCC patient to achieve long-term survival, the CT and MR imaging features of IHHCC being concentric enhancement. Patients with IHHCC have significant higher CA199 and significant higher CEA and short-term significant weight loss and ascites should be considered with advanced stage of IHHCC and unnecessary non-therapeutic laparotomies should be avoided.

• The Korean Journal of Ceramics
• /
• v.2 no.4
• /
• pp.216-220
• /
• 1996

In the present paper, a new type of DC arc plasma torch is disclosed. The principles of the new magnetic and fluid dynamic controlled large orifice long discharge tunnel plasma torch is discussed. Two series of DC Plasma Jet diamond film deposition equipment have been developed. The 20kW Jet equipped with a $\Phi$70 mm orifice torch is capable of deposition diamond films at a growth rate as high as 40$\mu\textrm{m}$/h over a substrate area of $\Phi$65 mm. The 100kW high power Jet which is newly developed based on the experience of the low power model is equipped with a $\Phi$120 mm orifice torch, and is capable of depositing diamond films over a substrate area of $\Phi$110 mm at growth rate as high as 40 $\mu\textrm{m}$/h, and can be operated at gas recycling mode, which allows 95% of the gases be recycled. It is demonstrated that the new type DC plasma torch can be easily scaled up to even higher power Jet. It is estimated that even by the 100kW Jet, the cost for tool grade diamond films can be as low as less than ＄4/carat.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.15 no.1
• /
• pp.161-166
• /
• 2014

Lung cancer is the most common causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide, and a lack of effective methods for early diagnosis has greatly impacted the prognosis and survival rates of the affected patients. Tumor-initiating cells (TICs) are considered to be largely responsible for tumor genesis, resistance to tumor therapy, metastasis, and recurrence. In addition to representing a good potential treatment target, TICs can provide clues for the early diagnosis of cancer. MicroRNA (miRNA) alterations are known to be involved in the initiation and progression of human cancer, and the detection of related miRNAs in TICs is an important strategy for lung cancer early diagnosis. As Hsa-miR-155 (miR-155) can be used as a diagnostic marker for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), a smart molecular beacon of miR-155 was designed to image the expression of miR-155 in NSCLC cases. TICs expressing CD133 and CD338 were obtained from A549 cells by applying an immune magnetic bead isolation system, and miR-155 was detected using laser-scanning confocal microscopy. We found that intracellular miR-155 could be successfully detected using smart miR-155 molecular beacons. Expression was higher in TICs than in A549 cells, indicating that miR-155 may play an important role in regulating bio-behavior of TICs. As a non-invasive approach, molecular beacons could be implemented with molecular imaging to diagnose lung cancer at early stages.