A methylprednisolone-loaded and core-shell nanofiber-covered stent-graft to prevent inflammation and reduce degradation in aortic dissection

Junjun Liu,Hongqiao Zhu,Yifei Pei,Heng Zhang,Jian Zhou,Zaiping Jing 한국생체재료학회 2022 생체재료학회지 Vol.26 No.2

Background: Stent-graft-induced inflammation is an independent risk factor for adverse aortic remodeling in aortic dissection. In this context, we asked that whether a methylprednisolone-loaded stent-graft could reduce inflammation and degradation. Methods: First, a coaxial electrospinning technique was used to create a core-shell film with methylprednisolone encapsulated in the inner of poly (L-lactide-co-caprolactone) nanofibers for controllable drug release. Second, an in vitro study was conducted to evaluate the biocompatibility of the nanofiber meshes. Third, the porcine aortic dissection model was developed to investigate the therapeutic effects of the ethylprednisolone-loaded stent-graft. Results: The results demonstrated that the nanofiber-coated film with a methylprednisolone-poly-caprolactone core layer and a poly (L-lactide-co-caprolactone) shell layer could effectively sustain drug release in vitro. In vivo study showed that the methylprednisolone-loaded stent-graft could reduce degradtion of aortic dissection by regulating inflammation. Conclusions: Overall, the controllable drug release by coaxial nanofiber is a promising approach to alleviate aortic inflammation and promote aortic remodeling after stent-graft implantation.

Nicotine Induces the Expression of C-Reactive Protein via MAPK-Dependent Signal Pathway in U937 Macrophages

Junjun Mao,Juntian Liu,Xiaoming Pang,Ming Li,Jinyan Song,Chunjie Han,Di Wu,Shuyue Wang 한국분자세포생물학회 2012 Molecules and cells Vol.34 No.5

Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory disease in the vessel wall. Nicotine, a major component of cigarette smoke, is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases including atherosclerosis. As an inflammatory molecule, C- reactive protein (CRP) participates in atherogenesis. Although it has been confirmed that CRP level in smoking patient is significantly higher than non-smokers and cigarette withdrawal,it is unknown whether nicotine induces CRP expression in macrophages. The present study was to observe effect of nicotine on CRP production and the related signal pathway in U937 macrophages. The results showed that nicotine significantly increased mRNA and protein expression of CRP in U937 macrophages in time- and concentration-dependent ways. Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) blocker hexamethonium, MEK1/2 inhibitor PD98059, p38 MAPK inhibitor SB203580 and NF-B inhibitor PDTC almost completely abolished nicotine-induced CRP expression in mRNA and protein levels in U937 macrophages. The further study indicated that hexa-methonium, PD98059, and SB203580 significantly inhibited ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK phosphorylation. These demonstrate that nicotine has ability to induce CRP ex-pression in macrophages through nAChR-ERK1/2/p38 MAPK-NF-B signal pathway, which contributes to better understanding of the pro-inflammatory and pro-atherosclerotic effects of nicotine in cigarette smokers.

A comparison of concurrent chemoradiotherapy and radical surgery in patients with specific locally advanced cervical cancer (stage IB3, IIA2, IIICr): trial protocol for a randomized controlled study (C-CRAL trial)

Junjun Qiu,Shugen Sun,Qinqin Liu,Jie Fu,Yan Huang,Keqin Hua 대한부인종양학회 2023 Journal of Gynecologic Oncology Vol.34 No.5

Objective: Genetic high-risk assessment combines hereditary breast, ovarian and pancreatic cancer into one syndrome. However, there is a lack of data for comparing the germline mutational spectrum of the cancer predisposing genes between these three cancers. Methods: Patients who met the criteria of the hereditary breast, ovarian and pancreatic cancer were enrolled and received multi-gene sequencing. Results: We enrolled 730 probands: 418 developed breast cancer, 185 had ovarian cancer, and 145 had pancreatic cancer. Out of the 18 patients who had two types of cancer, 16 had breast and ovarian cancer and 2 had breast and pancreatic cancer. A total of 167 (22.9%) patients had 170 mutations. Mutation frequency in breast, ovarian and pancreatic cancer was 22.3%, 33.5% and 17.2%, respectively. The mutation rate was significantly higher in patients with double cancers than those with a single cancer (p<0.001). BRCA1 and BRCA2 were the most dominant genes associated with hereditary breast and ovarian cancer, whereas ATM was the most prevalent gene related to hereditary pancreatic cancer. Genes of hereditary colon cancer such as lynch syndrome were presented in a part of patients with pancreatic or ovarian cancer but seldom in those with breast cancer. Families with a history of both ovarian and breast cancer were associated with a higher mutation rate than those with other histories. Conclusion: The mutation spectrum varies across the three cancer types and family histories. Our analysis provides guidance for physicians, counsellors, and counselees on the offer and uptake of genetic counseling.

Dietary L-arginine Supplementation Improves Intestinal Function in Weaned Pigs after an Escherichia coli Lipopolysaccharide Challenge

Liu, Yulan,Han, Jie,Huang, Jingjing,Wang, Xiaoqiu,Wang, Fenglai,Wang, Junjun Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2009 Animal Bioscience Vol.22 No.12

This study was conducted to determine whether L-arginine (Arg) supplementation could improve intestinal function in weaned pigs after an Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge. Treatments included: i) non-challenged control (CONTR, pigs fed a control diet and injected with sterile saline); ii) LPS-challenged control (LPS, pigs fed the same control diet and challenged by injection with Escherichia coli LPS); iii) LPS+0.5% Arg (pigs fed a 0.5% Arg diet and challenged with LPS); and iv) LPS+1.0% Arg (pigs fed a 1.0% Arg diet and challenged with LPS). On d 16, pigs were administrated with LPS or sterile saline. D-xylose was orally administrated at 2 h following LPS challenge, and blood samples were collected at 3 h following LPS challenge. At 6 h post-challenge, pigs were sacrificed and intestinal mucosa samples were collected. Supplementation of Arg attenuated LPS-induced damage in gut digestive and barrier functions, as indicated by an increase in ileal lactase activity, and duodenal and ileal diamine oxidase activities (p<0.05). Arg administration also prevented the increase of jejunal malondialdehyde content and the decrease of ileal superoxide dismutase activity by LPS challenge (p<0.05). Furthermore, the jejunal nitric oxide level and inducible nitric oxide synthase activity were also improved after Arg supplementation (p<0.05). These results indicate that Arg supplementation has beneficial effects in alleviating the impairment of gut function induced by LPS challenge.

A decade of liver organoids: Advances in disease modeling

Yue Liu,Jian-Ying Sheng,Chun-Fang Yang,Junjun Ding,Yun-Shen Chan 대한간학회 2023 Clinical and Molecular Hepatology(대한간학회지) Vol.29 No.3

Liver organoids are three-dimensional cellular tissue models in which cells interact to form unique structures in culture. During the past 10 years, liver organoids with various cellular compositions, structural features, and functional properties have been described. Methods to create these advanced human cell models range from simple tissue culture techniques to complex bioengineering approaches. Liver organoid culture platforms have been used in various research fields, from modeling liver diseases to regenerative therapy. This review discusses how liver organoids are used to model disease, including hereditary liver diseases, primary liver cancer, viral hepatitis, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Specifically, we focus on studies that used either of two widely adopted approaches: differentiation from pluripotent stem cells or epithelial organoids cultured from patient tissues. These approaches have enabled the generation of advanced human liver models and, more importantly, the establishment of patient-tailored models for evaluating disease phenotypes and therapeutic responses at the individual level.

A Facile Process Combined with Electroless Deposition and Hydrophobic Treatment to Fabricate Self-cleaning Radiation Protection Suits for Pregnant Woman

Wenya Liu,Di Sun,Haodong Ma,Zhenming Chen,Chengmei Gui,Junjun Huang 한국섬유공학회 2022 Fibers and polymers Vol.23 No.5

Silver-printed terylene is presented to fabricate anti-electromagnetic radiation Maternity Dress (AMD) withsuperior shielding effectiveness, but the use of noble metal as electromagnetic interference shielding materials enhances costof raw material and restricts its application. In this study, a facile process combined with electroless deposition andhydrophobic treatment to fabricate self-cleaning radiation protection cotton for AMD was established. The active groups onthe plant fiber surface could absorb Sn2+ and Pd2+ through coordination effect, acting as catalytic center, which can catalyzethe reduction of Ni2+ in the plating solution. Ni particle deposited on the its surface with deposited amount of 32 %. Thefabricated material exhibited an shielding effectiveness of 52.5 dB and it meet AMD criteria. Owing to the cooperation of thelow surface energy and rough structure of precipitation, the Ni-plated cotton modified with (3-Mercaptopropyl)trimethoxysilane exhibited remarkable hydrophobicity with water contact angle up to 112.8 o and excellent self-cleaningproperty.

Effects of body weight and fiber sources on fiber digestibility and short chain fatty acid concentration in growing pigs

Zhao Jinbiao,Liu Xuzhou,Zhang Yi,Liu Ling,Wang Junjun,Zhang Shuai 아세아·태평양축산학회 2020 Animal Bioscience Vol.33 No.12

Objective: The study was conducted to determine the effects of body weight (BW) and fiber sources on nutrient digestibility, fiber fermentation and short chain fatty acids (SCFA) concentration in different intestinal segments of growing pigs fed high-fiber diets. Methods: Nine barrows with initial BW of 25.17±0.73 kg and 9 barrows with initial BW of 63.47±2.18 kg were allotted to a duplicate 9×2 Youden Square design with 3 dietary treatments and 2 periods. The dietary treatments were formulated with 3 different high-fiber ingredients: corn bran, sugar beet pulp, and soybean hulls, respectively. Each diet was fed to 3 barrows with different stage of BW in each period. Results: There were no differences in the apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of most nutrients between pigs at different BW stages. Pigs at 60 kg had greater (p<0.05) apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of total dietary fiber (TDF), soluble dietary fiber (SDF) and insoluble dietary fiber (IDF), and had greater (p<0.05) hindgut disappearance of IDF and cellulose than pigs at 25 kg. The acetate, propionate and total SCFA concentrations in ileal digesta and feces of pigs at 60 kg were greater (p<0.05) than those of pigs at 25 kg. In addition, fiber sources affected (p<0.05) the AID of gross energy (GE), organic matter (OM), ether extract (EE), crude protein, SDF and hemicellulose, the hindgut disappearance and ATTD of dietary fiber components, the lactate and propionate concentrations in ileal digesta and the butyrate, valerate and total SCFA concentrations in feces. There were interactions (p<0.05) between BW and fiber sources on the AID of GE, OM, EE, SDF, hemicellulose, the ATTD of EE, TDF, and IDF, and the hindgut disappearance of SDF and hemicellulose. Conclusion: Increasing BW mainly improved the digestibility of dietary fiber fractions, and the dietary fiber sources influenced the digestibility of almost all the dietary nutrients in growing pigs.

Review of Vasectomy Complications and Safety Concerns

Yang Fang,Li Junjun,Dong Liang,Tan Kun,Huang Xiaopeng,Zhang Peihai,Liu Xiaozhang,Chang Degui,Yu Xujun 대한남성과학회 2021 The World Journal of Men's Health Vol.39 No.3

Vasectomy is a simple, safe, effective, and economical method used worldwide for long-term male contraception. As a sur-gical operation, it has short-term and long-term complications such as hematoma formation, infection, sterilization failure, sperm granulomas, short-term postoperative pain (nodal pain, scrotal pain, and ejaculation pain), and chronic pain syn-drome. Whether it increases the risk of autoimmune disease, cardiovascular disease, testicular cancer, or prostate cancer is still controversial. Changes in plasma concentrations of luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and testosterone after vasectomy have also been studied, as well as the relation between vasectomy and sexual function. Sperm quality de-creases very slowly after vasectomy, and vasovasostomy and intracytoplasmic sperm injection could help a couple achieve a pregnancy if they change their minds at any point. We include a follow-up strategy and suggestions for follow-up care at the end of this review.

Determination and prediction of the digestible and metabolizable energy contents of corn germ meal in growing pigs

Meng Shi,Zhaoyu Liu,Hong Liang Wang,Chuanxin Shi,Ling Liu,Junjun Wang,Defa Li,Shuai Zhang 아세아·태평양축산학회 2019 Animal Bioscience Vol.32 No.3

Objective: This experiment was conducted to determine the chemical composition, digestible energy (DE) and metabolizable energy (ME) contents of corn germ meals (CGM) and to develop equations to predict the corresponding energy contents based on the chemical characteristics of individual CGM. Methods: Sixty-six barrows (initial body weight = 51.3±4.6 kg) were allotted to 11 diets including a basal diet and 10 CGM test diets in a completely randomized design. In the test diets, CGM was included in replacement of 30% of the energy-providing ingredients in the basal diet, resulting in a final inclusion rate of 29.1%. Each diet was fed to 6 barrows housed in individual metabolism crates for a 7-d acclimation period followed by a 5-d total but separate collection of feces and urine. Results: Considerable variation was observed in acid-hydrolyzed ether extract, ether extract, ash, calcium (Ca) and total phosphorus contents among the CGM samples. On dry matter (DM) basis, the DE and ME contents of the CGM ranged from 10.22 to 15.83 MJ/kg and from 9.94 to 15.43 MJ/kg, respectively. The acid detergent fiber (ADF) contents were negatively correlated with the DE and ME contents of CGM samples. The best-fit prediction equations for the DE and ME values (MJ/kg DM) of the 10 CGM were: DE = 26.85–0.28 insoluble dietary fiber (%)–17.79 Ca (%); ME = 21.05–0.43 ADF (%)–11.40 Ca (%). Conclusion: The chemical compositions of CGM vary depending on sources, particularly in ether extract and Ca. The DE and ME values of CGM can be predicted based on their chemical composition in growing pigs.

Synthesis and Gas Adsorption Properties of Carbide-Derived Carbons from Titanium Tin Carbide

Yuanyuan Zhu,Aiguo Zhou,Jin Jia,Junjun Wang,Jiang Liu,Baolin Xing,Chuanxiang Zhang 성균관대학교(자연과학캠퍼스) 성균나노과학기술원 2016 NANO Vol.11 No.4

Here we reported the synthesis of nanoporous carbide-derived carbons (CDCs) from a new precursor, titanium tin carbides (Ti2SnC), via chlorination at 400–1100℃. At low chlorination temperature (400–500℃), as-synthesized CDCs mainly consisted of amorphous carbon and chlorides. As the chlorination temperature increased up to 600℃, chlorides disappeared, and the main composition of CDCs was amorphous carbon. At high chlorination temperature, there was a trend of graphitization. The microstructure of CDCs was observed and characterized by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Some graphite-like sheet structures in CDCs were found. Specific surface area (SSA) and pore volume of CDCs increased with chlorination temperature, except an abnormal decrease of the CDC chlorinated at 900℃. CDC chlorinated at 1100℃ had the largest SSA, 1580 m2 /g. In order to apply these materials as novel hydrogen/methane storage media in the area of energy efficient transport, gas adsorption properties of CDCs were measured. For CDC chlorinated at 1100℃, pore volume uptakes are 206 cm3 /g at 60 bar (25℃) for methane, and ~442 cm3 /g at 35 bar (-196℃) for hydrogen, respectively. It was suggested that CDCs from Ti2SnC are promising materials for hydrogen/ methane adsorptive storage.