Evolution of the effect of sulfur confinement in graphene-based porous carbons for use in Li-S batteries

Jia, Xiangling,Zhang, Chen,Liu, Juanjuan,Lv, Wei,Wang, Da-Wei,Tao, Ying,Li, Zhengjie,Zheng, Xiaoyu,Yu, Jong-Sung,Yang, Quan-Hong The Royal Society of Chemistry 2016 Nanoscale Vol.8 No.8

<P>A controllable drying strategy is proposed for the precise and non-destructive control over the structure of a 3D graphene assembly. Such an assembly is used as a model carbon material to investigate the pore structure-dependent shuttle effect and cycling performance of the cathode of a Li-S battery.</P>

CdSe@ZnS/ZnS quantum dots loaded in polymeric micelles as a pH-triggerable targeting fluorescence imaging probe for detecting cerebral ischemic area

Yang, Hong Yu,Fu, Yan,Jang, Moon-Sun,Li, Yi,Yin, Wen Ping,Ahn, Tae Kyu,Lee, Jung Hee,Chae, Heeyeop,Lee, Doo Sung Elsevier 2017 Colloids and surfaces. B, Biointerfaces Vol.155 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>High photoluminescence (PL) quantum yield (QY), photostability CdSe@ZnS/ZnS core/multishell quantum dots (CM-QDs) were first applied for bioimaging. The solubility, stability and biocompatible of the fluorescence imaging probes were constructed by self-assembly of CM-QDs and pH-responsive methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(β-amino ester/amidoamine)-dodecylamine (mPEG-PAEA-DDA) multiblock copolymers. The resulting CM-QDs-loaded mPEG-PAEA-DDA micelles (CM-QDs-PEG-PAEA-DDA) exhibited lower cell cytotoxicity and higher fluorescence intensity than the core/shell CdSe@ZnS QDs-encapsulated mPEG-PAEA-DDA micelles (CS-QDs-PEG-PAEA-DDA). Moreover, the in vivo fluorescence imaging ability confirmed that the CM-QDs-PEG-PAEA-DDA can be employed as a pH-triggerable targeting imaging probe for detection of a rat bearing cerebral ischemia disease. Therefore, we believed that the CM-QDs-PEG-PAEA-DDA may be the next generation of fluorescence imaging probes for targeted diagnosis acidic pathological areas, using pH as a stimulus.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> CdSe@ZnS/ZnS QDs are synthesized and first applied for bioimaging. </LI> <LI> mPEG-PAEA-DDA copolymer showed pH-responsive property and the hydrolysis stability. </LI> <LI> CM-QDs-PEG-PAEA-DDA exhibited lower toxicity and higher fluorescent intensity. </LI> <LI> CM-QDs-PEG-PAEA-DDA has ability to target image for acidic brain ischemic area. </LI> </UL> </P> <P><B>Graphical abstract</B></P> <P>[DISPLAY OMISSION]</P>

Reconsidering the Hierarchy and Translation of “Physical Education/Sports” Related Terms: Taiwan Perspective

Jeffrey Yu,Jun Lian,Ruei-Hong Li,Chen-Sin Hung,Dong-Tai Chen,Yu-Kai Chang 대한운동학회 2024 아시아 운동학 학술지 Vol.26 No.1

Objectives In the past centuries, the concept of “physical education” has changed from a more general concepts including physical activities and sports, to specifically inferring “instruction of physical activity”. Instead, “sports” has become the comprehensive concept of sports, exercise, and physical education. Given to the inconsistent terminologies and English translations of “體育 (ti-yu)” (physical education) and “運 動 (yun-dong)” (sports or exercise) in Mandarin, the purpose of this study was to investigate in the current terminology usage, hierarchy, and the English translation of “體育 (ti-yu)” and “運動 (yun-dong)” in Taiwan. Met hods Three government authorities, two sport related universities, eight top sport and exercise journals, and nighty-six college departments in Taiwan were analyzed. Results “運動 (yun-dong)” was the most widely used terminology as “體育 (ti-yu)” occupied the majority usage among government authorities, sport related universities, and title of top sport and exercise journals. Regarding English translation, despite of “department of physical education”, “sports” remained the most common terminology. Moreover, “體育 (ti-yu)” and “sports” are the highest hierarchy among government authorities, and sport related university; “體育 (ti-yu)” and “physical education” are the highest hierarchy among traditional sport and exercise journals; “運動 (yun-dong)” and “sports” are the highest hierarchy among college departments also the mainstream of current translation and hierarchy. Conclusions “體育 (ti-yu)” was the highest hierarchy in the past. However, “運動 (yun-dong)” has been the mainstream of the highest hierarchy in Mandarin according to college departments. In English, “sport(s)” is the main term in Taiwan when translating “體育 (ti-yu)” and 運動 (yun-dong)”, also being the highest hierarchy. On the other hand, “體育 (ti-yu)” and “physical education” are utilized regarding those departments focusing on educating PE teachers. This study expects the terminology, English translations, and hierarchy being align with the mainstream of current translation and hierarchy in the future.

Tumor acidity and CD44 dual targeting hyaluronic acid-coated gold nanorods for combined chemo- and photothermal cancer therapy

Li, Yi,Duy Le, Thai Minh,Nam Bui, Quang,Yang, Hong Yu,Lee, Doo Sung Elsevier 2019 Carbohydrate polymers Vol.226 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>In this work, tumor acidity and CD44 dual targeting hyaluronic acid-coated gold nanorods (AuNRs) are investigated for combined chemo- and photothermal cancer therapy. Low molecular weight hyaluronic acid (LMWHA) is conjugated with pH-sensitive groups for pH-induced aggregation and lipoic acid for coating of AuNRs. By changing pH-sensitive groups with different pKa values, pH-sensitivity of modified LMWHA can be tuned. After coating modified LMWHA onto AuNRs, biocompatibility of the AuNRs is significantly improved. These LMWHA-coated AuNRs can gradually aggregate under slightly acidic conditions, making them favorable for accumulation at acidic tumor sites. Surface LMWHA allows the nanocomposites to be selectively uptaken by CD44-expressing cancer cells, and AuNRs endows the nanocomposites with excellent photothermal ability. Loading of doxorubicin, a chemical drug, provides the LMWHA-coated AuNRs synergistic cancer cell-killing (<I>in vitro</I>) and tumor growth inhibiting (<I>in vivo</I>) ability. Taken together, these results demonstrate that this multifunctional nanosystem with pH-induced aggregation and CD44 targeting has potential for combined chemo- and photothermal cancer therapy.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Conjugation of pH-sensitive groups induces acidity-triggered aggregation. </LI> <LI> Surface coating of hyaluronic acid allows selective tumor targeting of nanoparticles. </LI> <LI> Co-delivery of chemical drugs and gold nanorods enables combined cancer therapy. </LI> </UL> </P>

Expression of Endogenous Hypoxia Markers in Vulvar Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Li, Yu-Zhu,Li, Shu-Ling,Li, Xia,Wang, Li-Jie,Wang, Jiu-Ling,Xu, Jia-Wen,Wu, Zhi-Hong,Gong, Li,Zhang, Xiao-Dan Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.8

Objective: To investigate the expression of endogenous hypoxia-related markers identified as being involved in vulvar squamous cell carcinoma (VSCC). Methods: We performed immunohistochemical staining of hypoxia-inducible factor-$1{\alpha}$ (HIF-$1{\alpha}$), glucose transporter-1 (GLUT-1), carbonic anhydrase 9 (CA-9) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), on tissue sections of 25 VSCC patients, 10 vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN) patients and 12 healthy controls. Results: HIF-$1{\alpha}$ expression was found in all sections, with no significant difference between controls, VIN and VSCC sections (all P<0.05). Glut-1 expression was found in 25% of control, 90% of VIN and 100% of VSCC sections. A significant difference between control and VIN or VSCC was observed (all P<0.05), while no difference was found between VIN and VSCC sections (P>0.05). CA-9 expression was negative in control sections, but it was found in 30% of VIN sections and 52% of VSCC sections with strong staining. Similarly, CA-9 expression also showed obvious differences between controls and VIN or VSCC sections (all P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference between VIN and VSCC (P>0.05). There were only 25% of control sections with weak VEGF expression, while strong staining was found in about 60% of VIN sections and 25% of VSCC sections (all P<0.05). In addition, a difference was also found between VIN and VSCC sections (P<0.05). Conclusion: Expression of endogenous hypoxia markers (HIF-$1{\alpha}$, GLUT-1, CA-9 and VEGF) might be involved in the malignant progression of VSCC.

T-SPOT.TB for Detection of Tuberculosis Infection among Hematological Malignancy Patients and Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Recipients

Qin, Li-Li,Wang, Qin-Rong,Wang, Qian,Yao, Hong,Wen, Li-Jun,Wu, Li-Li,Ping, Na-Na,Xie, Jun-Dan,Chen, Mei-Yu,Chen, Su-Ning Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.12

The diagnosis of latent Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection (LTBI) is recommended in hematological malignancy patients and before hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (Guidelines for the prevention and management of infectious complications of solid organ transplantation, 2004). Compared to traditional methods such as tuberculin skin test (TST), T-SPOT.TB has been shown to be more specific. In the present study we enrolled 536 patients for whom T-SPOT.TB was performed, among which 295 patients also received the TST test. The agreement (79%) between T-SPOT.TB and TST was poor (x=0.274, P<0.001). The patients with positive T-SPOT.TB results numbered 62 (11.6%), in which only 20 (48.8%) of the 41 receiving the TST test had positive results. A majority of the patients with T-SPOT.TB positive results had some other evidence ofTB, such as TB history, clinical symptoms and an abnormal chest CT scan. Active TB was found in 9 patients, in which 2 had negative TST results. We followed up the patients and no one developed active TB. Our study suggested that the T-SPOT.TB may be more useful for screening LTBI and active TB in hematological malignancy patients and hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients than the TST test.

Disruption of endothelial barrier function is linked with hyposecretion and lymphocytic infiltration in salivary glands of Sjögren's syndrome

Cong, Xin,Zhang, Xue-Ming,Zhang, Yan,Wei, Tai,He, Qi-Hua,Zhang, Li-Wei,Hua, Hong,Lee, Sang-Woo,Park, Kyungpyo,Yu, Guang-Yan,Wu, Li-Ling Elsevier 2018 Biochimica et biophysica acta. Molecular basis of Vol.1864 No.10

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is an inflammatory autoimmune disease that causes hyposecretion in salivary glands. Endothelial tight junctions (TJs) play crucial roles in salivation and barrier function of blood vessels. However, whether the alteration of endothelial TJs were involved in pathogenesis of SS was still unknown. Here, the ultrastructure and function of endothelial TJs in submandibular glands (SMGs) were detected by transmission electron microscopy and in vivo paracellular permeability assay in different aged NOD mouse model for SS. CFSE-labeled lymphocytes were injected into tail vein to trace the infiltration, while claudin-5 expression and distribution were detected by immunofluorescence, qRT-PCR, and western blot. Results showed that the stimulated salivary flow rate was gradually decreased and lymphocytic infiltration was found as age increased in 12- and 21-week-old NOD mice, but not 7-week-old NOD mice. Blood vessels were dilated, while endothelial TJ width and paracellular tracer transport were increased in 12-week-old NOD mice. Moreover, the injected CFSE-labeled lymphocytes were observed in SMGs of 12-week-old NOD mice. Claudin-5 level was increased and relocalized from the apical portion of neighboring endothelial cells to lateral membranes and cytoplasm in 12-week-old NOD mice. Additionally, the alteration of claudin-5 expression and distribution was further confirmed in labial salivary glands and bilateral parotid glands from SS patients. In cultured human microvessel endothelial cell line (HMEC-1), IFN-γ stimulation significantly increased claudin-5 expression. Taken together, we identified that the endothelial TJ barrier was disrupted and contributed to the development of salivary hyposecretion and lymphocytic infiltration in SS.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Endothelial tight junction barrier is disrupted in hyposecretory submandibular glands from Sjögren's syndrome mouse model </LI> <LI> The disrupted salivary endothelial barrier is linked with lymphocytic infiltration in Sjögren's syndrome mouse model </LI> <LI> The redistribution of claudin-5 is responsible for disrupted endothelial barrier in salivary glands from Sjögren's syndrome </LI> </UL> </P>

Causal Relations between Exposome and Stroke: A Mendelian Randomization Study

Hong-Qi Li,Yi-Wei Feng,Yu-Xiang Yang,Xin-Yi Leng,Prof Can Zhang,Shi-Dong Chen,Kevin Kuo,Shu-Yi Huang,Xue-Qing Zhang,Yi Dong,Xiang Han,Xin Cheng,Mei Cui,Lan Tan,Qiang Dong,Jin-Tai Yu 대한뇌졸중학회 2022 Journal of stroke Vol.24 No.2

Background and Purpose To explore the causal relationships of elements of the exposome with ischemic stroke and its subtypes at the omics level and to provide evidence for stroke prevention. Methods We conducted a Mendelian randomization study between exposure and any ischemic stroke (AIS) and its subtypes (large-artery atherosclerotic disease [LAD], cardioembolic stroke [CE], and small vessel disease [SVD]). The exposure dataset was the UK Biobank involving 361,194 subjects, and the outcome dataset was the MEGASTROKE consortium including 52,000 participants. Results We found that higher blood pressure (BP) (systolic BP: odds ratio [OR], 1.02; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01 to 1.04; diastolic BP: OR, 1.03; 95% CI, 1.01 to 1.05; pulse pressure: OR, 1.03; 95% CI, 1.00 to 1.06), atrial fibrillation (OR, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.13 to 1.25), and diabetes (OR, 1.13; 95% CI, 1.07 to 1.18) were significantly associated with ischemic stroke. Importantly, higher education (OR, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.60 to 0.79) decreased the risk of ischemic stroke. Higher systolic BP (OR, 1.06; 95% CI, 1.02 to 1.10), pulse pressure (OR, 1.08; 95% CI, 1.02 to 1.14), diabetes (OR, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.13 to 1.45), and coronary artery disease (OR, 1.58; 95% CI, 1.25 to 2.00) could cause LAD. Atrial fibrillation could cause CE (OR, 1.90; 95% CI, 1.71 to 2.11). For SVD, higher systolic BP (OR, 1.04; 95% CI, 1.00 to 1.07), diastolic BP (OR, 1.06; 95% CI, 1.01 to 1.12), and diabetes (OR, 1.22; 95% CI, 1.10 to 1.36) were causal factors. Conclusions The study revealed elements of the exposome causally linked to ischemic stroke and its subtypes, including conventional causal risk factors and novel protective factors such as higher education.

Gene cloning and expression analysis of trehalose-6-phosphate synthase, glycogen synthase and glycogen phosphorylase reveal the glycometabolism in the diapause process of Aphidius gifuensis

Hong Zhi Zhang,Meng Qing Wang,Ying Qiang Xie,Mei Xiang,Ping Li,Yu Yan Li,Li Sheng Zhang 한국응용곤충학회 2020 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.23 No.3

Aphidius gifuensis is an important biological control agent of aphid. It stores sugar as energy reserves before the onset of diapause, a form of dormancy that occurs when environmental conditions become unfavorable for development. In this study, cDNA of three relevant enzymes, trehalose-6-phosphate synthase (TPS), glycogen synthase (GYS) and glycogen phosphorylase (GP) were cloned, and their expression profiles in the preparation and maintenance of diapause, and post-diapause development were analyzed. The results showed that AgTPS, AgGYS and AgGP encoded proteins consisting of 807, 690 and 844 amino acids respectively. The expression profiles of three genes were significantly affected by diapause-inducing condition. The increase of transcription of AgGYS and AgGP were followed by the up-regulate of AgTPS expression in the preparation of diapause, expression of all three genes were inhibited while diapause is maintained, and expression of AgGYS was upregulated when diapause was terminated. These results suggested that trehalose is accumulated before initiation of diapause and glycogen may play an important role in post-diapause development.

Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy Versus Radiotherapy Alone for Locoregionally Advanced Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

Yu, Hong-Sheng,Wang, Xin,Song, Ai-Qin,Liu, Ning,Zhang, Wei,Yu, Li Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.8

Objective: To compare the clinical effects of concurrent radiochemotherapy with those of radiotherapy in treating locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (Stage III~IVa). Methods: A total of 95 patients suffering from nasopharyngeal carcinoma (Stage III~IVa) were divided into two groups: concurrent radiochemotherapy (Group CCRT, n=49) and radiotherapy (Group RT, n=46). The two groups were both delivered conventional fractionated radiotherapy, while Group CCRT also received three cycles of PF (DDP+5-Fu) or PLF (DDP+5-Fu+CF) chemotherapy. Results: The complete remission rate and total remission rate of Group CCRT were higher than those of Group RT ($X^2$=4.72~7.19, P<0.05). The one-year overall survival (OS) rate calculated by the life table method, was also higher than that of Group RT ($X^2$=4.24, P<0.05) as well as the 3-year OS rate, nasopharyngeal control rate and cervical lymph nodes' control rate ($X^2$=4.28~4.40, P<0.05). In addition, the 5-year OS and metastasis-free rates of Group CCRT were higher than those of Group RT and the differences were of statistical importance ($X^2$=3.96~8.26, P<0.05). However, acute toxicity was also obviously higher, the difference in gastrointestinal reactions being statistically significant ($X^2$=11.70, P<0.05). Conclusion: This study demonstrated that concurrent radiochemotherapy could improve the remission rate, overall survival rate and locally control rate. The toxicity of concurrent radiochemotherapy could be tolerated by the patients.