Association of Polymorphisms in Stress-Related TNFα and NPY Genes with the Metabolic Syndrome in Han and Hui Ethnic Groups

Bu, De-Yun,Ji, Wen-Wu,Bai, Dan,Zhou, Jian,Li, Hai-Xia,Yang, Hui-Fang Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.14

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a cluster of complicated disorders caused by the interactive influencing factors of heredity and environment, which predisposes to many cnacers. Results from epidemic research indicate that stress is tightly related to the pathogenesis of MS and neoplasia. This paper aims to investigate the association between psychological stress and MS with respect to the tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF${\alpha}$) and neuropeptide Y (NPY) genes in the Han and Hui ethnic groups. Methods: All subjects for this case-control study matched strict enrollment criteria (nationality, gender and age) and lived in the city of Wu Zhong of Ningxia Province in China. The enrolled group contained 102 matched pairs of Hui ethnic individuals and 98 matched pairs of Han ethnic individuals. Enrolled subjects completed the general Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90). The TNF${\alpha}$-308G/A variant and NPYrs16147 polymorphism were detected in case (81 males, 119 females) and control (81 males, 119 females) groups by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification. Results: Nine factors of the SCL-90 were found to be statistically different (p<0.05) between case and control groups. The homozygous mutant genotype (AA) and the mutant allele (A) of the TNF${\alpha}$-308G/A gene were less frequently observed in the control population compared to the case group. The odds ratio (95% confidence interval) in "Allele" for MS was 2.28 (1.47-3.53), p=0.0001, while "OR" was 1.11 (0.83-1.47), p=0.15, for the NPYrs16147 gene polymorphism. Conclusions: Psychological stress has been positively associated with MS. A previous study from our group suggested there were differences in the level of psychological stress between Hui and Han ethnic groups. Furthermore, we found that the stress-related TNF${\alpha}$ gene was associated with MS for both Han and Hui ethnic groups. In contrast, NPY may be a possible contributor to MS and associated cancer for the Han ethnic group.

Characterization of Sn-doped CuO thin films prepared by a sol–gel method

Wu, J.,Hui, K. S.,Hui, K. N.,Li, L.,Chun, H. H.,Cho, Y. R. Springer Science + Business Media 2016 Journal of materials science. Materials in electro Vol.27 No.2

<P>This study examined the influence of the Sn doping concentration on the structural, electrical and optical properties of Sn-doped copper oxide (Sn:CuO) thin films synthesized on glass substrates using a facile sol-gel method. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, energy dispersive X-ray analysis, scanning electron microscopy, Hall Effect measurements, and UV-visible spectroscopy. The carrier concentration, Hall mobility and resistivity of the Sn:CuO films were 9.14 x 10(15)-1.08 x 10(16) cm(-3), 6.14-10.5 cm(2)/Vs and 47.4-77.5 a'broken vertical bar cm, respectively. The crystallite size of the films decreased with increasing Sn content from 84.1 to 61.8 nm. The band gap trended downward from 2.0 to 1.95 eV with increasing Sn doping content. The results showed that SnO2 doping strongly affects the structural, electrical and optical properties of the films.</P>

Synthesis Mechanism of Magnetite Nanorods Containing Ordered Mesocages

Wu, Hui,Lee, Dongkyu,Tufa, Lemma Teshome,Kim, Jeonghyo,Lee, Jaebeom American Chemical Society 2019 Chemistry of materials Vol.31 No.7

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A novel approach to fabricate carbon sphere intercalated holey graphene electrode for high energy density electrochemical capacitors

Wu, Shuxing,Hui, Kwan San,Hui, Kwun Nam,Yun, Je Moon,Kim, Kwang Ho Elsevier 2017 Chemical engineering journal Vol.317 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>Desirable porous structure and huge ion-accessible surface area are crucial for rapid electronic and ionic pathway electrodes in high-performance graphene-based electrochemical capacitors. However, graphene nanosheets tend to aggregate and restack because of van der Waals interaction among graphene sheets, resulting in the loss of ion-accessible surface area and unsatisfactory electrochemical performance. To resolve this daunting challenge, a novel approach is developed for the self-assembly of holey graphene sheets intercalated with carbon spheres (H-GCS) to obtain freestanding electrodes by using a simple vacuum filtration approach and a subsequent KOH activation process. Through the introduction of carbon spheres as spacers, the restacking of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) sheets during the filtration process is mitigated efficiently. Pores on rGO sheets produced by subsequent KOH activation also provide rapid ionic diffusion kinetics and high ion-accessible electrochemical surface area, both of which favor the formation of electric double-layer capacitance. Furthermore, a higher degree of graphitization of CSs in H-GCS thin film improves the electrical conductivity of the H-GCS electrode. The H-GCS electrode exhibits 207.1Fg<SUP>−1</SUP> of specific capacitance at a current density of 1Ag<SUP>−1</SUP> in 6MKOH aqueous electrolyte. Moreover, the symmetric electrochemical capacitor assembled with H-GCS electrodes and organic electrolyte is capable of delivering a maximum energy density of 29.5Whkg<SUP>−1</SUP> and a power density of 22.6kWkg<SUP>−1</SUP>.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Self-assembly of holey graphene sheets intercalates with carbon spheres. </LI> <LI> The film electrode exhibits 207.1Fg<SUP>−1</SUP> of specific capacitance. </LI> <LI> Maximum specific energy and power of 29.5Whkg<SUP>−1</SUP> and 22.6kWkg<SUP>−1</SUP> are achieved. </LI> </UL> </P> <P><B>Graphical abstract</B></P> <P>[DISPLAY OMISSION]</P>

EXPLORING THE X-RAY AND gamma-RAY PROPERTIES OF THE REDBACK MILLISECOND PULSAR PSR J1723-2837

Hui, C. Y.,Tam, P. H. T.,Takata, J.,Kong, A. K. H.,Cheng, K. S.,Wu, J. H. K.,Lin, L. C. C.,Wu, E. M. H. University of Chicago Press for the American Astro 2014 ASTROPHYSICAL JOURNAL LETTERS - Vol.781 No.1

We have investigated the X-ray and gamma-ray properties of the redback millisecond pulsar PSR J1723-2837 with XMM-Newton, Chandra, and Fermi. We have discovered the X-ray orbital modulation of this binary system with a minimum that coincides with the phases of radio eclipse. The X-ray emission is clearly non-thermal in nature, which can be described well by a simple power law with a photon index of similar to 1.2. The phase-averaged luminosity is similar to 9 x 10(31) erg s(-1) in 0.3-10 keV, which consumes similar to 0.2% of the spin-down power. We have detected the gamma-ray emission in 0.1-300 GeV from this system at a significance of similar to 6 sigma for the first time. The gamma-rays in this energy range consume similar to 2% of the spin-down power and can be modeled by a power law with a photon index of similar to 2.6. We discuss the high energy properties of the new redback in the context of an intrabinary shock model.

DISCOVERY OF GAMMA-RAY EMISSION FROM THE SUPERNOVA REMNANT Kes 17 WITH <i>FERMI</i> LARGE AREA TELESCOPE

Wu, J. H. K.,Wu, E. M. H.,Hui, C. Y.,Tam, P. H. T.,Huang, R. H. H.,Kong, A. K. H.,Cheng, K. S. IOP Publishing 2011 ASTROPHYSICAL JOURNAL LETTERS - Vol.740 No.1

<P>We report the discovery of GeV emission at the position of supernova remnant Kes 17 by using the data from the Large Area Telescope on board the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope. Kes 17 can be clearly detected with a significance of similar to 12 sigma in the 1-20 GeV range. Moreover, a number of gamma-ray sources were detected in its vicinity. The gamma-ray spectrum of Kes 17 can be described well by a simple power law with a photon index of Gamma similar to 2.4. Together with the multiwavelength evidence for its interactions with the nearby molecular cloud, the gamma-ray detection suggests that Kes 17 is a candidate acceleration site for cosmic rays.</P>

A Review on Microbial Decaffeination

Hui-Shi Wu,Xin-Qiang Zheng,Yue-Rong Liang,Jian-Hui Ye,Jian-Liang Lu 한국차학회 2015 한국차학회지 Vol.- No.S

Exclusive exposure of caffeine might bring some adverse effects to human health, and cause some risks to environment. Microbial decaffeination might be a new alternative approach because of its high specificity and efficiency. Many studies revealed that several microorganisms can degrade caffeine, including genera Alcaligenes,Rhodococcus, Klebsiella, Acinetobacter, Enterobacter, Stenotrophomonas and Pseudomonas. Biodegradation of caffeine can be significantly influenced by temperature, pH, aeration rate and initial caffeine concentration of the incubation. There are two main pathways of caffeine biodegradation: C-8 oxidation and N-demethylation, while N-demethylation is the general catabolism pathway in bacteria. Application of microbial decaffeination has also been discussed in this review.

Comparison of single-drop microextraction with microvolume pipette extraction directly coupled with capillary electrophoresis for extraction and separation of tricyclic antidepressant drugs

Hui-Fen Wu,Suresh Kumar Kailasa,Ja-Yi Yan,Chen-Che Chin,Hsin-Yi Ku 한국공업화학회 2014 Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Vol.20 No.4

This paper describes the use of single-drop microextraction and micro-volume pipette extraction coupled with capillary electrophoresis for the analysis of five antidepressant drugs (nortriptyline, imipramine, trimeprazine, promethazine, and iminodibenzyl). The five antidepressant drugs are well separated by using micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography with SDS and organic modifiers. The best extraction was achieved within 10 min and effectively separated within 15 min by using ammonium acetate buffer at 28 kV. This method shows good reproducibility, with RSD values ranging from 4.3 to 8.7%. The LODs values were found to be 0.4 and 1.0 mg mL-1 for SDME-CE and 0.15 and 0.5 mg mL-1 for MVPE-CE. These methods are simple, rapid, sensitive and efficient for the extraction, separation and detection of tricyclic antidepressant drugs.

Theoretical and experimental study of robustness based design of single-layer grid structures

Wu, Hui,Zhang, Cheng,Gao, Bo-Qing,Ye, Jun Techno-Press 2014 Structural Engineering and Mechanics, An Int'l Jou Vol.52 No.1

Structural robustness refers to the ability of a structure to avoid disproportionate consequences to the original cause. Currently attentions focus on the concepts of structural robustness, and discussions on methods of robustness based structural design are rare. Firstly, taking basis in robust $H_{\infty}$ control theory, structural robustness is assessed by $H_{\infty}$ norm of the system transfer function. Then using the SIMP material model, robustness based design of grid structures is formulated as a continuum topology optimization problem, where the relative density of each element and structural robustness are considered as the design variable and the optimization objective respectively. Generalized elitist genetic algorithm is used to solve the optimization problem. As examples, robustness configurations of plane stress model and the rectangular hyperbolic shell model were obtained by robustness based structural design. Finally, two models of single-layer grid structures were designed by conventional and robustness based method respectively. Different interference scenarios were simulated by static and impact experiments, and robustness of the models were analyzed and compared. The results show that the $H_{\infty}$ structural robustness index can indicate whether the structural response is proportional to the original cause. Robustness based structural design improves structural robustness effectively, and it can provide a conceptual design in the initial stage of structural design.

Multimodal prerehabilitation for elderly patients with sarcopenia in colorectal surgery

Wu Jingting,Chi Hannah,Kok Shawn,Chua Jason M.W.,Huang Xi-Xiao,Zhang Shipin,Mah Shimin,Foo Li-Xin,Peh Hui-Yee,Lee Hui-Bing,Tay Phoebe,Tong Cherie,Ladlad Jasmine,Tan Cheryl H.M.,Khoo Nathanelle,Aw Dari 대한대장항문학회 2024 Annals of Coloproctolgy Vol.40 No.1

Sarcopenia, which is characterized by progressive and generalized loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength, has been well described to be associated with numerous poor postoperative outcomes, such as increased perioperative mortality, postoperative sepsis, prolonged length of stay, increased cost of care, decreased functional outcome, and poorer oncological outcomes in cancer surgery. Multimodal prehabilitation, as a concept that involves boosting and optimizing the preoperative condition of a patient prior to the upcoming stressors of a surgical procedure, has the purported benefits of reversing the effects of sarcopenia, shortening hospitalization, improving the rate of return to bowel activity, reducing the costs of hospitalization, and improving quality of life. This review aims to present the current literature surrounding the concept of sarcopenia, its implications pertaining to colorectal cancer and surgery, a summary of studied multimodal prehabilitation interventions, and potential future advances in the management of sarcopenia.