Publications by authors named "Yi-Jing Liu"
Vehicle electrification is an important means of reducing urban air pollution. However, vehicle electrification does not necessarily reduce particulate matter (PM and PM) and heavy metals (HM) due to the increase in non-exhaust emissions. In this study, we established the emission inventories of PM, PM, and their associated heavy metals (PM-HM and PM-HM) from the on-road vehicles in the Xiamen-Zhangzhou-Quanzhou metropolitan area in southeastern China between 2015 and 2060.
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- * IBD patients showed significantly lower levels of several bile acids compared to healthy individuals and had an increased primary-to-secondary bile acid ratio.
- * Diagnostic models using bile acids like deoxycholic acid (DCA) and chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) demonstrated strong accuracy, with one model achieving an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.866, indicating good potential for clinical application in distinguishing IBD from healthy and other intestinal disease populations.
Article Synopsis
- Artezomibs (ATZs) are innovative molecules that combine artemisinin with a proteasome inhibitor, targeting the malaria parasite's proteasome system.
- The study outlines a detailed protocol for using a fluorescent probe to investigate how ATZs transform into effective proteasome inhibitors inside malaria parasites.
- Key steps in the protocol involve drug treatment, washing out the drug, lysing the parasites, labeling the proteasome, and visualizing the results.
Article Synopsis
- Circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) levels were analyzed in plasma samples from 88 active and 39 inactive systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients, revealing that active patients had significantly higher cfDNA concentrations.
- Specific ranges of cfDNA fragments were identified, and cfDNA levels were linked to various autoantibody titers and reduced renal function in active SLE cases.
- The study developed an "Active index" incorporating cfDNA and other clinical factors to effectively distinguish active SLE, showing a strong correlation with disease activity scores.
Article Synopsis
- * A new macrocyclic peptide, TDI-8304, has been created, showing strong selectivity for the parasite's proteasome over humans and effective results in lab and live tests against P. falciparum.
- * Research reveals that mutations in the Pf20S proteasome can lead to drug resistance, but also create opportunities for designing more effective inhibitors by understanding how these mutations impact drug binding and efficacy.*
Article Synopsis
- Oxidative potential (OP) measures how particulate matter (PM) can create harmful reactive oxygen species (ROS) and varies by particle size, which affects health risks.
- A study conducted in Xiamen, China, from August 2020 to September 2021 analyzed size-segregated PM, revealing seasonal variations in OP, with the highest levels in spring and the lowest in summer, driven by interactions of transition metals and organics.
- The research found that the respiratory tract deposition model showed that a significant percentage of OP and toxic elements deposited in the airways pose health risks, indicating a need for attention on coarse particles from non-exhaust emissions.
Artemisinins (ART) are critical anti-malarials and despite their use in combination therapy, ART-resistant Plasmodium falciparum is spreading globally. To counter ART resistance, we designed artezomibs (ATZs), molecules that link an ART with a proteasome inhibitor (PI) via a non-labile amide bond and hijack parasite's own ubiquitin-proteasome system to create novel anti-malarials in situ. Upon activation of the ART moiety, ATZs covalently attach to and damage multiple parasite proteins, marking them for proteasomal degradation.
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- The proteasome of the Plasmodium falciparum parasite is a valuable target for developing new antimalarial treatments, as certain inhibitors can effectively work alongside artemisinin drugs, even against drug-resistant strains.
- Among the inhibitors studied, vinyl sulfones showed strong effectiveness against resistant parasites and did not promote further resistance, with one variant demonstrating permanent binding to key proteasome components.
- Additionally, alternative resistance mechanisms could lead to increased sensitivity to different types of inhibitors, and using genetic editing methods, researchers confirmed how changes in the proteasome structure affect drug binding, highlighting the potential for dual-targeting strategies in malaria treatment.
Current Progress in Treating Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Using Exosomes/MicroRNAs.
Cell Transplant
January 2023
Article Synopsis
- - Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease that can severely impact patients' daily lives, with current treatment options often causing side effects and varying effectiveness.
- - Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) show promise in treating SLE due to their ability to reduce inflammation and aid in tissue repair, primarily through secreted exosomes and microRNAs (miRNAs).
- - The review examines different sources of MSCs and their potential role in SLE treatment, highlighting the effectiveness of MSC infusions and the future use of exosomes as drug delivery systems for autoimmune diseases.
Article Synopsis
- The study focuses on developing new antibacterial agents to combat multidrug-resistant bacteria, particularly Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).
- A series of glycyrrhetinic acid (GA) derivatives were synthesized, with compound 11 demonstrating the strongest antibacterial activity against MRSA at an MIC of 3.125 μM, much more effective than traditional antibiotics like penicillin and norfloxacin.
- The mechanism of compound 11 was found to obstruct arginine biosynthesis and metabolites, and it also showed good biocompatibility in various tests, highlighting its potential as a candidate for treating MRSA infections.
Based on the district and county activity level data of different types of atmospheric ammonia (NH) emission sources in the Xiamen-Zhangzhou-Quanzhou (XZQ) Region and the modified emission factors, an ammonia emission inventory with a spatial resolution of 1 km×1 km in 2017 was established. In addition, the annual variations in NH emission from 2015 to 2020 in this region were analyzed. The results showed that the emission of NH in the XZQ Region in 2017 was 27.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAssociation between rheumatoid arthritis and thyroid dysfunction: A meta-analysis and systematic review.
Front Endocrinol (Lausanne)
November 2022
Article Synopsis
- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is linked to an increased risk of thyroid dysfunction, particularly hypothyroidism, according to a systematic review of 29 studies involving over 35,000 patients with RA.
- The review utilized comprehensive literature searches and calculated pooled odds ratios to compare the risk of thyroid issues between RA and non-RA patients.
- The findings highlight the need for regular thyroid function testing in RA patients and suggest that further research is needed to better understand the relationship between RA and thyroid dysfunction.
Article Synopsis
- - Breast cancer (BC) is the most common cancer among women and a leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally, highlighting the need for effective biomarkers to personalize treatment plans and predict patient outcomes
- - Researchers identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in BC patients using TCGA data, leading to the creation of a five-gene signature (SFRP1, SAA1, RBP4, KIF4A, COL11A1) that can predict overall survival and distinguish high-risk from low-risk groups
- - The study found that KIF4A is significantly expressed in BC cells, and its suppression decreases cell proliferation, suggesting it could serve as a possible prognostic factor and guide immunotherapy choices for BC patients
Article Synopsis
- A study examined air pollutant levels in Xiamen Bay cities before and after the COVID-19 lockdown (Jan 11 - Feb 21, 2020) to assess the impact of reduced human activities on air quality.
- During the lockdown and Chinese Spring Festival, pollutants like SO, NO, CO, and PM saw significant decreases between 6%-70%, while O concentrations did not consistently reflect human activity changes.
- After restrictions eased, NO levels surged by 38%-138%, suggesting traffic reductions during lockdown significantly improved air quality, with factors like wind and rain also contributing to pollutant declines.
Article Synopsis
- The study investigated the effects of stir-frying on the contents of terrestrosin D and hecogenin in Tribuli Fructus, finding a significant decrease in terrestrosin D and a notable increase in hecogenin after processing.
- The research used simulated processing techniques along with ultra performance liquid chromatography/time of flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-TOF/MS) to analyze the transformation of terrestrosin D to hecogenin during stir-frying.
- Results indicated that the deglycosylation of terrestrosin D to hecogenin occurs gradually, with varying temperatures affecting the timing and extent of this transformation, contributing to the understanding of the detoxification mechanisms in stir-fried Tribuli Fr
Article Synopsis
- The study investigates how the connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) affects inflammatory responses and gut bacteria in ulcerative colitis (UC).
- Researchers used tissue samples from UC and colon polyp patients and created UC models in mice to analyze CTGF expression and its role in signaling pathways.
- Results indicate that higher CTGF levels are linked to increased inflammation and altered gut bacteria, suggesting that blocking CTGF may reduce inflammation and restore healthy intestinal flora.
Article Synopsis
- * This study involved a retrospective review of six ferrets with diagnosed insulinomas, examining their abdominal ultrasounds to identify characteristics of the pancreatic nodules.
- * The study found 28 pancreatic nodules, mostly appearing hypoechoic, homogeneous, and smooth, with the nodules mostly located in the left and right lobes of the pancreas, highlighting the potential for ultrasonography in diagnosing insulinoma in ferrets.
Article Synopsis
- Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is aggressive and challenging to diagnose early, prompting research into noninvasive biomarkers.
- A study identified specific long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in blood samples from TNBC patients, finding 41 lncRNAs with altered expression, particularly ANRIL, HIF1A-AS2, and UCA1.
- The new lncRNA-based score, TNBCSigLnc-3, demonstrated high diagnostic ability, indicating these lncRNAs could serve as effective biomarkers for TNBC detection.
Article Synopsis
- Traditional antiangiogenic therapy for glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is less effective, potentially due to vasculogenic mimicry (VM) linked to cancer stem-like cells (SLCs).
- All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) can differentiate these SLCs and has shown promise in reducing their harmful properties in other cancers.
- In this study, ATRA was found to enhance differentiation markers and reduce proliferation, invasiveness, and VM formation abilities in U87 glioblastoma SLCs, indicating it could be a novel treatment option for GBM.
Article Synopsis
- PPARs are proteins that regulate genes involved in cell development and metabolism, and this study looks specifically at PPARγ's role in the offspring of malnourished mice.
- When mother mice were fed high fat (HF) or low protein (LP) diets during pregnancy and lactation, their offspring showed significant differences in growth and metabolism at weaning: LP offspring were smaller, while HF offspring were larger and had higher blood glucose and cholesterol levels.
- The study concluded that the maternal diet impacts the early life metabolism of mouse offspring, and PPARγ expression was notably higher in both HF and LP groups, indicating its potential role in metabolic disturbances.
[Intravascular papillary endothelial hyperplasia of small intestine: report of a case].
Zhonghua Bing Li Xue Za Zhi
October 2013
Article Synopsis
- MicroRNAs, such as microRNA-107 (miR-107), play a role in cancer by acting as tumor suppressors or oncogenes, and are often deregulated in various cancers, including gliomas.
- In glioma cell lines with p53 mutations, miR-107 levels are significantly lowered, but introducing wild-type p53 can restore its expression.
- Overexpressing miR-107 in glioma cells leads to reduced cell proliferation and cell cycle arrest, while also decreasing the levels of proteins CDK6 and Notch-2, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic target for glioma treatment.
Article Synopsis
- Vasculogenic mimicry (VM) is a process where tumor cells form their own tubular structures to supply nutrients and oxygen, aiding tumor growth in malignant tumors.
- A study found VM in 22% of medulloblastoma tissues, with its presence linked to specific molecular markers and lower microvessel density, suggesting it complements blood supply.
- Patients with VM exhibited shorter overall survival, establishing VM as a significant independent prognostic factor for survival in medulloblastoma cases.
Article Synopsis
- Immunotoxins show potential as an alternative treatment for brain cancers like gliomas, but they struggle to effectively penetrate tumor tissue.
- This study explores using human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) to deliver EphrinA1-PE38, an immunotoxin targeting the EphA2 receptor prevalent in gliomas.
- Results demonstrated that engineered hMSCs can express and release the immunotoxin, leading to effective tumor growth inhibition in a glioma model, highlighting gene therapy's promise for treating these tumors.
Article Synopsis
- * A total of 112 teeth underwent complete root canal preparation, with nursing practices during the filling process being analyzed and summarized.
- * Results showed that all treated teeth achieved satisfactory outcomes, emphasizing key nursing practices like aseptic techniques, skilled coordination, proper instrument management, and effective communication.