Comparative Evaluation of Hepatoprotective Activities of Geniposide, Crocins and Crocetin by CCl4-Induced liver Injury in Mice

( Ping Chen ),( Yang Chen ),( Ya Rong Wang ),( Shi Ning Cai ),( Liang Deng ),( Jia Liu ),( Hao Zhang ) 한국응용약물학회 2016 Biomolecules & Therapeutics(구 응용약물학회지) Vol.24 No.2

Iridoid glycosides (mainly geniposide) and crocetin derivatives (crocins) are the two major active constituents in Gardenia jasminoides Ellis. In the present study, geniposide, crocins, crocin-1 and crocetin were separated from gardenia chromatographically. Then, mice were orally administrated with geniposide (400 mg/kg b.w.), crocins (400 mg/kg b.w.), crocin-1 (400 mg/kg b.w.) and crocetin (140 mg/kg b.w.) once daily for 7 days with CCl4. Hepatoprotective properties were evaluated by biochemical parameters: Administration of geniposide, crocins, crocin-1and crocetin significantly lowered serum alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels in CCl4-treated mice. The reduced glutathione (GSH) levels and antioxidant enzymes (SOD and CAT) activities were also increased by geniposide, crocins, crocin-1 and crocetin. Histopathological examination of livers showed that these components reduced deformability, irregular arrangement and rupture of hepatocyte in CCl4-treated mice. These biochemical results and liver histopathological assessment demonstrated that geniposide, crocetin derivatives and crocetin show comparative beneficial effects on CCl4-induced liver damage via induction of antioxidant defense. Therefore, contents of geniposide and crocetin derivatives should be both considered for hepatoprotective efficacy of Gardenia jasminoides Ellis.

Clinicopathological Features and Immunohistochemical Alterations of Keratinocyte Proliferation, Melanocyte Density, Smooth Muscle Hyperplasia and Nerve Fiber Distribution in Becker`s Nevus

( Ping Sheng ),( Yun-long Cheng ),( Chuan-chuan Cai ),( Wei-jin Guo ),( Ying Zhou ),( Ge Shi ),( Yi-ming Fan ) 대한피부과학회 2016 Annals of Dermatology Vol.28 No.6

Background: Although Becker`s nevus (BN) is a relatively common disease, the systematic studies of clinicopathological and immunohistochemical results are poorly reported. Objective: To investigate the clinicopathological features and immunohistochemical alterations of keratinocyte proliferation, melanocyte density, smooth muscle hyperplasia and nerve fiber distribution in BN. Methods: Clinical and pathological data were collected in 60 newly-diagnosed BN cases. Immunohistochemical stain of Ki-67, Melan-A, keratin 15, smooth muscle actin and protein gene product 9.5 was performed in 21 cases. Results: The median diagnostic and onset age was 17 and 12 years, respectively. Skin lesions usually appeared on the upper trunk and upper limbs. The pathological features included the rete ridge elongation and fusion and basal hyperpigmentation. Epidermal Ki-67, Melan-A and keratin 15 expression and dermal nerve fiber length were significantly higher in lesional and perilesional skin than in normal skin (p<0.05∼0.01), while smooth muscle actin expression was upregulated only in skin lesion (p<0.05). Conclusion: Although the clinical diagnosis of BN is often straightforward, histopathology is helpful to differentiate from other pigmentary disorders. The hyperproliferation of keratinocytes, melanocytes, arrector pili muscle and dermal nerve fibers could be involved in the patho-genesis of BN. (Ann Dermatol 28(6) 697∼703, 2016)

MRI T2-Weighted Imaging and Fat-Suppressed T2-Weighted Imaging Image Fusion Technology Improves Image Discriminability for the Evaluation of Anal Fistulas

Shi-Ting Feng,Mengqi Huang,Zhi Dong,Ling Xu,Yin Li,Yingmei Jia,Huasong Cai,Bingqi Shen,Zi-Ping Li 대한영상의학회 2019 Korean Journal of Radiology Vol.20 No.3

Objective: To explore whether MRI fusion technology (combined T2-weighted imaging [T2WI] and fat-suppressed T2WI [T2WI-FS]) improves signal differences between anal fistulas and surrounding structures. Materials and Methods: A total of 32 patients with confirmed diagnoses of anal fistula were retrospectively studied. All available T2WI and T2WI-FS images for each patient were used to generate fusion image (T2WI-Fusion) based on the addition of gray values obtained from each pixel via an MR post-processing work station. The discriminability of fistula, perianal sphincter, and perianal fat in T2WI, T2WI-FS, and T2WI-Fusion images was quantified with Fisher’s scoring algorithm. For subjective visual image assessment by researchers, five-point scale scores were determined using a modified double-stimulus continuous qualityscale test to evaluate T2WI-FS, T2WI, enhanced axial three-dimensional-volumetric interpolated breath-hold examination (3D-VIBE), and T2WI-Fusion sequence images. The differences were subsequently compared. Results: Mean Fisher scores for fistulas vs. sphincters obtained from T2WI-Fusion (FFusion-fistula = 6.56) were significantly higher than those from T2WI (FT2WI-fistula = 3.35) (p = 0.001). Mean Fisher scores for sphincters vs. fat from T2WI-Fusion (FFusion-sphincter = 10.84) were significantly higher than those from T2WI-FS (FSFS-sphincter = 2.57) (p = 0.001). In human assessment, T2WI-Fusion showed the same fistula discriminability as T2WI-FS, and better sphincter discriminability than T2WI. Overall, T2WI-Fusion showed better discriminability than T2WI, T2WI-FS, and enhanced 3D-VIBE images. Conclusion: T2WI and T2WI-FS fusion technology improves signal differences between anal fistulas and surrounding structures, and may facilitate better evaluation of anal fistulas and sphincters.

Oleanolic Acid Inhibits Neuronal Pyroptosis in Ischaemic Stroke by Inhibiting miR-186-5p Expression

Shi-Chang Cai,Xiu-Ping Li,Xing Li,Gen-Yun Tang,Li-Ming Yi,Xiang-Shang Hu 한국뇌신경과학회 2021 Experimental Neurobiology Vol.30 No.6

Ischaemic stroke is a common condition leading to human disability and death. Previous studies have shown that oleanolic acid (OA) ameliorates oxidative injury and cerebral ischaemic damage, and miR-186-5p is verified to be elevated in serum from ischaemic stroke patients. Herein, we investigated whether OA regulates miR-186-5p expression to control neuroglobin (Ngb) levels, thereby inhibiting neuronal pyroptosis in ischaemic stroke. Three concentrations of OA (0.5, 2, or 8 μM) were added to primary hippocampal neurons subjected to oxygen–glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R), a cell model of ischaemic stroke. We found that OA treatment markedly inhibited pyroptosis. qRT–PCR and western blot revealed that OA suppressed the expression of pyroptosis-associated genes. Furthermore, OA inhibited LDH and proinflammatory cytokine release. In addition, miR-186-5p was downregulated while Ngb was upregulated in OA-treated OGD/R neurons. MiR-186-5p knockdown repressed OGD/R-induced pyroptosis and suppressed LDH and inflammatory cytokine release. In addition, a dual luciferase reporter assay confirmed that miR-186-5p directly targeted Ngb. OA reduced miR-186-5p to regulate Ngb levels, thereby inhibiting pyroptosis in both OGD/R-treated neurons and MCAO mice. In conclusion, OA alleviates pyroptosis in vivo and in vitro by downregulating miR-186-5p and upregulating Ngb expression, which provides a novel theoretical basis illustrating that OA can be considered a drug for ischaemic stroke.

Line-Interactive UPS for Low-Voltage Microgrids

Ping Zhang,Huanyu Cai,Hengyang Zhao,Jianjiang Shi,Xiangning He 전력전자학회 2015 JOURNAL OF POWER ELECTRONICS Vol.15 No.6

Line-interactive uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems are good candidates for providing energy storage within a microgrid. In this paper, a control scheme for a line-interactive UPS system applied in a low-voltage microgrid is presented. It is based on the Q-w and P-E droop control to achieve a seamless transition between grid-connected and stand-alone operation modes. Moreover, a new model for designing the controllers is built in the dq-frame based on the instantaneous power definition. The new-built model takes into account the dynamic performance of the output impedance of the inverter in the dq-frame and can be evaluated in the time domain. Compared to the traditional model based on the instantaneous power definition, the new-built model is more accurate to describe the dynamic performance of the system. Simulation and experimental results obtained with a microgrid consisting of two 40-kW line-interactive UPS systems are given to validate the control strategy of the line-active UPS system and the accuracy of the new-built model.

Dynamic analysis for gene expression profiles of endothelial colony forming cells under hypoxia

De-Cai Yu,Wen-Du Feng,Xian-Biao Shi,hi-Yong Wang,Wei Ge,Chun-Ping Jiang,Xi-Tai Sun,Yi-Tao Ding 한국유전학회 2013 Genes & Genomics Vol.35 No.4

Previous studies have shown that endothelial colony forming cells (ECFCs) play an important role in the neovascularization of tumors. Hypoxia is emphasized as an important promoter of angiogenesis. However, little is known about genome-wide transcriptional regulation of ECFCs under hypoxic conditions. In this study, gene expression profiles in ECFCswere evaluated under hypoxic conditions for 3, 6, 12, 24,and 48 h, using Affymetrix U133 plus 2.0 chip microarray. 1,103 hypoxia-regulated genes were filtered, with 379(0.693 %) genes up-regulated and 724 (1.32 %) genes downregulated. Most of the up-regulated genes were involved in apoptosis, cell proliferation, or metabolic processes, while most of the down-regulated genes were involved in cell adherence,cell cycle,DNAandmRNAmetabolic processes,multi-cellular organism development, protein metabolic processes, response to stress, signal transduction, or transport. This expression profile is ECFC-specific, because it is significantly different from those of endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells under hypoxic conditions. Moreover, hypoxia-regulated apoptosis in ECFCs is mainly related with the mitochondrial pathway (p53-BAX-Caspase-9) and the death receptor pathway (FASCaspase-8-Caspase-3). MAPK pathway is activated in ECFCs under hypoxic conditions. The differentially expressed genes of ECFCs were identified under hypoxic conditions, and related with cell apoptosis, cell cycle and MAPK pathways, shedding light on the mechanism of angiogenesis.

Line-Interactive UPS for Low-Voltage Microgrids

Zhang, Ping,Cai, Huanyu,Zhao, Hengyang,Shi, Jianjiang,He, Xiangning The Korean Institute of Power Electronics 2015 JOURNAL OF POWER ELECTRONICS Vol.15 No.6

Line-interactive uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems are good candidates for providing energy storage within a microgrid. In this paper, a control scheme for a line-interactive UPS system applied in a low-voltage microgrid is presented. It is based on the Q-w and P-E droop control to achieve a seamless transition between grid-connected and stand-alone operation modes. Moreover, a new model for designing the controllers is built in the dq-frame based on the instantaneous power definition. The new-built model takes into account the dynamic performance of the output impedance of the inverter in the dq-frame and can be evaluated in the time domain. Compared to the traditional model based on the instantaneous power definition, the new-built model is more accurate to describe the dynamic performance of the system. Simulation and experimental results obtained with a microgrid consisting of two 40-kW line-interactive UPS systems are given to validate the control strategy of the line-active UPS system and the accuracy of the new-built model.

Determination of Protein, Fat, Starch, and Amino Acids in Foxtail Millet [Setaria italica (L.) Beauv.] by Fourier Transform Near-Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy

Xiu-Shi Yang,Li-Li Wang,Xian-Rong Zhou,Shaomin Shuang,Zhi-Hua Zhu,Nan Li,Yan Li,Fang Liu,San-Cai Liu,Ping Lu,Guixing Ren,Chuan Dong 한국식품과학회 2013 Food Science and Biotechnology Vol.22 No.6

Quantitative detection of protein, fat, starch,and amino acids in foxtail millet using Fourier transformnear-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) was investigated. Foxtail millet samples (n=259) were analyzed using NIRS. Spectral data were linearized with data from chemicalanalyses. Calibration models were established using apartial least-squares (PLS) algorithm with cross-validation. Optimized models were tested using external validation setsamples with coefficients of determination in the externalvalidation (R2val) of >0.90. Residual predictive deviation(RPD) values were nearly equal to or >2.5 for crudeprotein, alanine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, isoleucine,leucine, and serine. However, for glycine, histidine,phenylalanine, proline, threonine, tyrosine, and valine, theR2val values were >0.83 and RPD values were nearly equalto or >2.0. For crude fat, total starch, arginine, and lysine,the R2val values were >0.70 and RPD values were >1.5. NIRS is a rapid determination tool for foxtail milletbreeding, and for quality control.

Transcriptome analysis of Δmig1Δmig2 mutant reveals their roles in methanol catabolism, peroxisome biogenesis and autophagy in methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris

Lei Shi,Xiaolong Wang,Jinjia Wang,Ping Zhang,Fei Qi,Menghao Cai,Yuanxing Zhang,Xiangshan Zhou 한국유전학회 2018 Genes & Genomics Vol.40 No.4

Two catabolite repressor genes (MIG1 and MIG2) were previously identified in Pichia pastoris, and the derepression of alcohol oxidase (AOX) expression was realized in Δmig1 or Δmig1Δmig2 mutants grown in glycerol, but not in glucose. In this study, genome-wide RNA-seq analysis of Δmig1Δmig2 and the wild-type strain grown in glycerol revealed that the expression of numerous genes was greatly altered. Nearly 7% (357 genes) of approximately 5276 genes annotated in P. pastoris were significantly upregulated, with at least a two-fold differential expression in Δmig1Δmig2; the genes were mainly related to cell metabolism. Approximately 23% (1197 genes) were significantly downregulated; these were mainly correlated with the physiological characteristics of the cell. The methanol catabolism and peroxisome biogenesis pathways were remarkably enhanced, and the genes AOX1 and AOX2 were upregulated higher than 30-fold, which was consistent with the experimental results of AOX expression. The Mig proteins had a slight effect on autophagy when cells were grown in glycerol. The expression analysis of transcription factors showed that deletion of MIG1 and MIG2 significantly upregulated the binding of an essential transcription activator, Mit1p, with the AOX1 promoter, which suggested that Mig proteins might regulate the AOX1 promoter through the regulation of Mit1p. This work provides a reference for the further exploration of the methanol induction and catabolite repression mechanisms of AOX expression in methylotrophic yeasts.

Risk assessment of water inrush in karst tunnels based on a modified grey evaluation model: Sample as Shangjiawan Tunnel

Yuan, Yong-cai,Li, Shu-cai,Zhang, Qian-qing,Li, Li-ping,Shi, Shao-shuai,Zhou, Zong-qing Techno-Press 2016 Geomechanics & engineering Vol.11 No.4

A modified grey clustering method is presented to systematically evaluate the risk of water inrush in karst tunnels. Based on the center triangle whitenization weight function and upper and lower limit measure whitenization weight function, the modified grey evaluation model doesn't have the crossing properties of grey cluster and meets the standard well. By adsorbing and integrating the previous research results, seven influence factors are selected as evaluation indexes. A couple of evaluation indexes are modified and quantitatively graded according to four risk grades through expert evaluation method. The weights of evaluation indexes are rationally distributed by the comprehensive assignment method. It is integrated by the subjective factors and the objective factors. Subjective weight is given based on analytical hierarchy process, and objective weight obtained from simple dependent function. The modified grey evaluation model is validated by Jigongling Tunnel. Finally, the water inrush risk of Shangjiawan Tunnel is evaluated by using the established model, and the evaluation result obtained from the proposed method is agrees well with practical situation. This risk assessment methodology provides a powerful tool with which planners and engineers can systematically assess the risk of water inrush in karst tunnels.