Research on the Construction of a New-Type Bank-Enterprise Relation in China

Many Chinese enterprises face financing difficulties under current economic situation especially small and middle sized enterprises, the paper analyzes the problems of bank-enterprise relation in China, puts forward a new close bank-enterprise relation model that will benefit both banks and enterprise in reference to typical bank-enterprise relation models in the world, which is different from the host bank system in existence and the close bank-enterprise relation model prevails in western countries. The paper also gives some suggestions to construct such relation model.Key words: Bank-enterprise relation in China; Long-term cooperation; New-type close bank-enterprise relatio

GPR48-Induced keratinocyte proliferation occurs through HB-EGF mediated EGFR transactivation

AbstractGPR48 can mediate keratinocyte proliferation and migration. Our investigations showed that AG1478, an inhibitor of EGFR tyrosine kinase, could block GPR48-mediated cellular processes. AG1478 treatment of Gpr48+/+ cells also decreased phosphorylation of EGFR, ERK and STAT3. Subsequent screening using conditioned media immunodepleted of EGFR ligands identified HB-EGF as the ligand responsible for phosphorylation of EGFR, ERK and STAT3. HB-EGF was reduced in Gpr48−/− cell culture medium, but its addition restored the phosphorylation of EGFR, ERK, STAT3, as well as cell proliferation. Confirmation that GPR48 mediates EGFR signaling pathway through HB-EGF was subsequently performed using an inhibitor of HB-EGF

Targeted Deletion of the Murine Lgr4 Gene Decreases Lens Epithelial Cell Resistance to Oxidative Stress and Induces Age-Related Cataract Formation

Oxidative stress contributes to the formation of cataracts. The leucine rich repeat containing G protein-coupled receptor 4 (LGR4, also known as GPR48), is important in many developmental processes. Since deletion of Lgr4 has previously been shown to lead to cataract formation in mice, we sought to determine the specific role that Lgr4 plays in the formation of cataracts. Initially, the lens opacities of Lgr4−/− mice at different ages without ocular anterior segment dysgenesis (ASD) were evaluated with slit-lamp biomicroscopy. Lenses from both Lgr4−/− and wild-type mice were subjected to oxidation induced protein denaturation to assess the ability of the lens to withstand oxidation. The expression of antioxidant enzymes was evaluated with real-time quantitative PCR. Phenotypically, Lgr4−/− mice showed earlier onset of lens opacification and higher incidence of cataract formation compared with wild-type mice of similar age. In addition, Lgr4−/− mice demonstrated increased sensitivity to environmental oxidative damage, as evidenced by altered protein expression. Real-time quantitative PCR showed that two prominent antioxidant defense enzymes, catalase (CAT) and superoxidase dismutase-1 (SOD1), were significantly decreased in the lens epithelial cells of Lgr4−/− mice. Our results suggest that the deletion of Lgr4 can lead to premature cataract formation, as well as progressive deterioration with aging. Oxidative stress and altered expression of several antioxidant defense enzymes contribute to the formation of cataracts

Amelioration of Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis by Plumbagin through Down-Regulation of JAK-STAT and NF-κB Signaling Pathways

Plumbagin(PL), a herbal compound derived from roots of the medicinal plant Plumbago zeylanica, has been shown to have immunosuppressive properties. Present report describes that PL is a potent novel agent in control of encephalitogenic T cell responses and amelioration of mouse experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), through down-regulation of JAK-STAT pathway. PL was found to selectively inhibit IFN-γ and IL-17 production by CD4+ T cells, which was mediated through abrogated phosphorylation of JAK1 and JAK2. Consistent with IFN-γ and IL-17 reduction was suppressed STAT1/STAT4/T-bet pathway which is critical for Th1 differentiation, as well as STAT3/ROR pathway which is essential for Th17 differentiation. In addition, PL suppressed pro-inflammatory molecules such as iNOS, IFN-γ and IL-6, accompanied by inhibition of IκB degradation as well as NF-κB phosphorylation. These data give new insight into the novel immune regulatory mechanism of PL and highlight the great value of this kind of herb compounds in probing the complex cytokine signaling network and novel therapeutic targets for autoimmune diseases

Claudin 1 Mediates TNFα-Induced Gene Expression and Cell Migration in Human Lung Carcinoma Cells

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is an important mechanism in carcinogenesis. To determine the mechanisms that are involved in the regulation of EMT, it is crucial to develop new biomarkers and therapeutic targets towards cancers. In this study, when TGFβ1 and TNFα were used to induce EMT in human lung carcinoma A549 cells, we found an increase in an epithelial cell tight junction marker, Claudin 1. We further identified that it was the TNFα and not the TGFβ1 that induced the fibroblast-like morphology changes. TNFα also caused the increase in Claudin-1 gene expression and protein levels in Triton X-100 soluble cytoplasm fraction. Down-regulation of Claudin-1, using small interfering RNA (siRNA), inhibited 75% of TNFα-induced gene expression changes. Claudin-1 siRNA effectively blocked TNFα-induced molecular functional networks related to inflammation and cell movement. Claudin-1 siRNA was able to significantly reduce TNF-enhanced cell migration and fibroblast-like morphology. Furthermore, over expression of Claudin 1 with a Claudin 1-pcDNA3.1/V5-His vector enhanced cell migration. In conclusion, these observations indicate that Claudin 1 acts as a critical signal mediator in TNFα-induced gene expression and cell migration in human lung cancer cells. Further analyses of these cellular processes may be helpful in developing novel therapeutic strategies

Genetic associations at 53 loci highlight cell types and biological pathways relevant for kidney function.

Reduced glomerular filtration rate defines chronic kidney disease and is associated with cardiovascular and all-cause mortality. We conducted a meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies for estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), combining data across 133,413 individuals with replication in up to 42,166 individuals. We identify 24 new and confirm 29 previously identified loci. Of these 53 loci, 19 associate with eGFR among individuals with diabetes. Using bioinformatics, we show that identified genes at eGFR loci are enriched for expression in kidney tissues and in pathways relevant for kidney development and transmembrane transporter activity, kidney structure, and regulation of glucose metabolism. Chromatin state mapping and DNase I hypersensitivity analyses across adult tissues demonstrate preferential mapping of associated variants to regulatory regions in kidney but not extra-renal tissues. These findings suggest that genetic determinants of eGFR are mediated largely through direct effects within the kidney and highlight important cell types and biological pathways

Research on Machine Tool Spindle System with Embedded FBG Temperature Sensors

The spindle system is the core component of machine tool, And the spindle bearing temperature directly influences the size and direction of the spindle thermal error, as well as determines the machining surface quality. A complete spindle system including cutting force, bearing preload upload system, and precise description of bearing temperature field is beneficial to thermal error study and analysis of machining error. This paper set up a spindle system, which covers a preload upload system and a cutting force simulation system, and also a spindle bearing temperature measurement system. Besides, the bearing temperature fields were measured. Results show that optical fiber grating could be applied to the spindle bearing distribution temperature field measurement very well. It could play a certain role in promoting the development of intelligent spindle study

Research on Machine Tool Spindle System with Embedded FBG Temperature Sensors

The spindle system is the core component of machine tool, And the spindle bearing temperature directly influences the size and direction of the spindle thermal error, as well as determines the machining surface quality. A complete spindle system including cutting force, bearing preload upload system, and precise description of bearing temperature field is beneficial to thermal error study and analysis of machining error. This paper set up a spindle system, which covers a preload upload system and a cutting force simulation system, and also a spindle bearing temperature measurement system. Besides, the bearing temperature fields were measured. Results show that optical fiber grating could be applied to the spindle bearing distribution temperature field measurement very well. It could play a certain role in promoting the development of intelligent spindle study

A general thermal model of machine tool spindle

As the core component of machine tool, the thermal characteristics of the spindle have a significant influence on machine tool running status. Lack of an accurate model of the spindle system, particularly the model of load–deformation coefficient between the bearing rolling elements and rings, severely limits the thermal error analytic precision of the spindle. In this article, bearing internal loads, especially the function relationships between the principal curvature difference F ( ρ ) and auxiliary parameter n δ , semi-major axis a , and semi-minor axis b , have been determined; furthermore, high-precision heat generation combining the heat sinks in the spindle system is calculated; finally, an accurate thermal model of the spindle was established. Moreover, a conventional spindle with embedded fiber Bragg grating temperature sensors has been developed. By comparing the experiment results with simulation, it indicates that the model has good accuracy, which verifies the reliability of the modeling process