Nitric oxide-caused rabbit chondrocyte apoptosis is linked to cytoskeletal protein proteolysis anomaly through intracellular JNK and ERK signal pathways

Chen Qun,Kao Xibin,Gao Yan,Chen Jinghong,Dong Zhaoheng,Chen Chen 대한독성 유전단백체 학회 2023 Molecular & cellular toxicology Vol.19 No.1

Backgrounds Nitric oxide (NO) plays a key role in the pathological chondrocyte apoptosis of osteoarthritis (OA). Cytoskeletal proteins form cytoskeleton network to maintain normal chondrocyte structure and function. JNK and ERK pathways are the signal pathways involved in the cell apoptosis. The role of cytoskeletal proteins in cytoskeleton perturbation and cell apoptosis was investigated in this study. Objectives In vitro cell apoptosis was induced in rabbit articular chondrocytes by NO donor Sodium Nitroprusside (SNP). The JNK-specific inhibitor SP600125 and ERK-specific inhibitor PD98059 were employed to clarify the mechanism. The level of apoptosis was evaluated by TUNEL assay and Annexin V flow cytometry. Results SNP induced concentration-dependent apoptosis, which was further enhanced by PD98059 but reduced by SP600125. Furthermore, PD98059 significantly increased caspase-3 expression and activity respectively, whereas SP600125 reduced caspase- 3 expression and activity. SP600125 increased the cytoskeletal protein mRNA and protein expression, while PD98059 decreased them. Conclusion Intracellular JNK/ERK pathways were involved in chondrocyte apoptosis induced by SNP through oppositely regulated effects on cytoskeletal proteins; ERK pathway protected cytoskeletal protein from dissolution via inhibition of caspase-3 activation, while JNK pathway promoted the dissolution via activation of caspase-3 activity.

PERCEIVED RESIDENTIAL ENVIRONMENT QUALITY, PLACE ATTACHMENT, AND ENVIRONMENTAL SATISFACTION: THE COMPETING MODELS IN RURAL AND URBAN AREAS OF CHINA

Kangkang Yu,Ning (Chris) Chen,Xinkai Zhu,Jian Gao 글로벌지식마케팅경영학회 2016 Global Marketing Conference Vol.2016 No.7

Level of urbanization in China has reached 53.73% in 2013, indicating a tremendous progress on the urbanization of China. On the other hand, the number of villages in China reduces by around one million from 3.6 million in 2000 to 2.7 million in 2010 (Zhang, 2014). Issues in both urban and rural areas of China appear, including the imbalance between increased population and limited resources in urban region, and more significantly, the increasing disparity between rural and urban areas. Chinese researchers interpret and analyse these matters from different perspectives. For instance, Zheng (2006) and Ma (2006) suggest the importance of the infrastructure construction and public service. Wu (2006) advises that the government should pay attention to the development of the secondary and tertiary industry. Wen (2005) proposes that the improvement of social institution and the recovery of social cultural environment are required to achieve sustainability in the urbanization process in China. Previous studies in environmental psychology put quality of life, attachment to place, and residence satisfaction at the center to understand the relationship between inhabitants and their neighborhood of residence. However, there are gaps in this research realm in both practice and theories. Firstly, very limited research studies this environmental psychology issue in China (e.g. Mao, Fornara, Manca, Bonnes, & Bonaiuto, 2015). Secondly, there are different opinions on the causal order between quality, attachment, and satisfaction. Research on the relationship between perceived residential environment quality (PREQ), place attachment, and environmental satisfaction has not reached a consensus. The debate on the direction of the causal relationship between perceived quality and satisfaction has been summarized by Bradya and Robertson (2001). They conclude that the quality to satisfaction causal order holds up well across diverse cultures. However, relevant debate is still ongoing. A number of research articles place satisfaction as an antecedent to attachment, e.g. Chen, Dwyer, and Firth (2014); Lee, Kyle, and Scott (2012); Ramkissoon and Mavondo (2015); etc. Some argue that place attachment is an indicator of satisfaction. Kyle et al. (2004) investigate the effect of place attachment on the perceived values of tourists and find that place attachment is an important factor explaining the variance of perceived values. This is supported by research e.g. Hwang, Lee, and Chen (2005); Prayag and Ryan (2012); Yuksel, Yuksel, Biljm (2010); etc. As to the relationship between perceived quality and attachment, the debate has not stopped. Through comparisons, Mesch and Manor (1996) conclude that the residents who give a higher evaluation of the social and natural environment may have greater place attachment. Brown, Perkins, and Brown (2003) also suggest that the residents who agree that the street environment is better would attach to this place. Sam, Bayram, and Bilgel (2012) have certified the relationship between residential environment quality and place attachment. Furthermore, Borrie and Roggenbuck (2001) and Walker and Ryan (2008) find that the connection between human beings and the nature environment would affect their affection toward the environment. It means that the closer the relationship with the nature environment is, the stronger the attachment would be, which in turn, enhances the intentions to protect the environment. This quality to satisfaction relationship is supported by other research such as Bonaiuto, Aiello, Perugini, Bonnes, and Ercolani (1999); Grisaffe and Nguyen (2011); Yu, Chen, and Chen (2015); etc. Nevertheless, a different opinion arguing that attachment to a place may affect one’s perception on the quality related to a place is emerging in tourism research (e.g. Neuvonen, Pouta, & Siev?nen, 2010). This paper takes the credit of quality → attachment → satisfaction causal order as the initial model and proposes three hypotheses as follows. H1a: One’s PREQ has a positive impact on his/her attachment to this place; H2a: One’s attachment to a place has a positive impact on his/her satisfaction to the environmental settings in this place; H3a: Place attachment in addition performs as a mediating role between PREQ and environment satisfaction.To be noted, the initial model has its theoretical basis as discussed above but is not necessarily the absolute optimal model. Relatively, this model provides more theoretical interpretation and practical implications in the specific research context: residential psychology in urban and rural areas of China. On this basis, this article further examines a competing model illustrating an alternative theoretical framework on the relationships between these three constructs (satisfaction → attachment → quality). Relatively, another group of hypotheses in this competing model is listed as follows. H1b: One’s attachment to a place has a positive impact on his/her PREQ; H2b: One’s satisfaction to the environmental settings in this place has a positive impact on his/her attachment to this place; H3b: Place attachment in addition performs as a mediating role between environment satisfaction and PREQ. A survey approach is employed and data are collected from several backgrounds. Dataset A (rural) is collected from three villages from Heilongjiang Province and two villages from Shandong Province in China from July to August 2014. The choices of the provinces, rural areas, and the sampling process are random. 490 valid questionnaires are included in the data analysis. Dataset B (urban) is collected via an online survey portal, which allows a nationwide sampling reach. In total 1368 online survey entries are recorded and 420 valid questionnaires are included, resulting in a valid rate of 30.7%. The measures for each construct are based on an extensive literature review. The measurement of perceived residential environment quality is from Sam, Bayram, & Bilgel’s (2012) development on the perception of residential environment. The measurement of place attachment in this study is adopted from Kyle, Graefe, and Manning’s (2005) and Chen, Dwyer, and Firth’s (2014) evaluation based place attachment dimensionality and scales. As for the scale of environmental satisfaction, Pelletier, Legault, and Tuson’s (1996) measure was applied. All the entire variables adopted multiple-item, 5-point Likert scales were adopted, where “1” indicated “strongly disagree” and “5” indicated “strongly agree”. After pre-testing the preliminary version of the survey instrument, a revised version was developed. This study adopts structural equation modeling (SEM) based on partial least squares (PLS) modeling given the small sample size and the explorative purpose of this study (Dijkstra & Henseler, 2015a). The software used was Smart PLS 3.0. The reliability and validity of the constructs were assessed. Cronbach’s alpha and the value of CR of each construct were found to exceed the cut-off value of 0.70 (Fornell & Larcker, 1981), except for adequacy of education which is close to 0.70 (only for Cronbach’s alpha but not for CR). Furthermore, the AVE of each construct exceeded the variance attributable to its measurement error cut-off value of 0.50 (Chin, 1998; Fornell & Larcker, 1981). In addition, heterotrait-monotrait ratio (HTMT) is recommended as a better method to test discriminant validity (Henseler, Dijkstra, Sarstedt, Ringle, Diamantopoulos, Straub, Ketchen, Hair, Hult, & Calantone, 2014). The result shows that there is neither value of the HTMT higher than the threshold of 0.85 nor confidence interval containing the value one, indicating that all the constructs exhibit satisfactory discriminant validity. The hypothesized effects in the theoretical model were tested by structural equation modeling (SEM). The first group of models tested the effect of perceived environmental quality on environmental satisfaction through place attachment i.e. initial model (Model A, Model B, Model C), while the second group of models tested the reverse effect of environmental satisfaction on perceived environmental quality through place attachment (Model D, Model E, Model F). Both the full model and the multi-group model were tested. The value of SRMR of the full model that tests either the effect of perceived environmental quality on environmental satisfaction (SRMR = 0.104, t = 41.826, p < 0.001) or the reversed effect (SRMR = 0.106, t = 37.736, p < 0.001) shows that the models fit the data quite well (Dijkstra & Henseler, 2015b). However, the former is little bit more significant. In this study, PREQI is found different impacts on place attachment and environmental satisfaction. This provides evidence to support a similar mechanism of studying residents’ psychology with SERVEQUAL model. However, the model testing is found significantly different between rural and urban samples, indicating a systematic difference in the psychology of rural and urban populations. Quality ? attachment ? satisfaction causal order is found significant and supported by both samples in this study. However, a reversed causal order model (satisfaction ? attachment ? quality) is also supported by the samples. Although the results may not be able to end the debate on alternative models between PREQ, place attachment, and environmental satisfaction, this paper provides empirical evidence from a specific context (urban and rural China) for further research. Specifically, PREQ has a significant impact on place attachment in both urban and rural areas in China. As for the impact of place attachment on environmental satisfaction as well as the indirect impact of PREQ on environmental satisfaction, the influence is more significant in cities of China compared to rural areas. This suggests in the urban areas in China, affective and emotional responses to their lives play an important role to residents. Local government in cities should balance between improving and maintaining quality of the environment and strengthening local residents’ psychological attachment to the place. Governments in rural areas, on the other hand, should lay great focus on the physical aspects of the environment including nature, health, education, commerce, and venture of the rural areas, to enhance residents’ living experience and satisfaction. Further, there are some limitations. Although this study attempts to clarify the framework of “perception-affection-attitude” in the field of environment management, considering the practical implications, the future study could bring the individuals’ behaviors or intentions into this model such as willingness-to-pay for environment-friendly products. It will also benefit from reviewing more literature on community-based social marketing.

SDC4 Gene Silencing Favors Human Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma Cell Apoptosis and Inhibits Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition via Wnt/β-Catenin Pathway

Chen, Liang-Liang,Gao, Ge-Xin,Shen, Fei-Xia,Chen, Xiong,Gong, Xiao-Hua,Wu, Wen-Jun Korean Society for Molecular and Cellular Biology 2018 Molecules and cells Vol.41 No.9

As the most common type of endocrine malignancy, papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) accounts for 85-90% of all thyroid cancers. In this study, we presented the hypothesis that SDC4 gene silencing could effectively attenuate epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT), and promote cell apoptosis via the $Wnt/{\beta}-catenin$ signaling pathway in human PTC cells. Bioinformatics methods were employed to screen the determined differential expression levels of SDC4 in PTC and adjacent normal samples. PTC tissues and adjacent normal tissues were prepared and their respective levels of SDC4 protein positive expression, in addition to the mRNA and protein levels of SDC4, $Wnt/{\beta}-catenin$ signaling pathway, EMT and apoptosis related genes were all detected accordingly. Flow cytometry was applied in order to detect cell cycle entry and apoptosis. Finally, analyses of PTC migration and invasion abilities were assessed by using a Transwell assay and scratch test. In PTC tissues, activated $Wnt/{\beta}-catenin$ signaling pathway, increased EMT and repressed cell apoptosis were determined. Moreover, the PTC K1 and TPC-1 cell lines exhibiting the highest SDC4 expression were selected for further experiments. In vitro experiments revealed that SDC4 gene silencing could suppress cell migration, invasion and EMT, while acting to promote the apoptosis of PTC cells by inhibiting the activation of the $Wnt/{\beta}-catenin$ signaling pathway. Besides, $si-{\beta}-catenin$ was observed to inhibit the promotion of PTC cell migration and invasion caused by SDC4 overexpression. Our study revealed that SDC4 gene silencing represses EMT, and enhances cell apoptosis by suppressing the activation of the $Wnt/{\beta}-catenin$ signaling pathway in human PTC.

Mobile Social Helping Platform of LBS

Chen Yuefeng,Li Bingquan,Gao sheng,Peng Linxi 보안공학연구지원센터 2015 International Journal of Smart Home Vol.9 No.1

Mobile Internet grows with demands of location information of mobile users . In order to overcome the limitation of sociality, we develop Mobile social helping platform (MSH) of LBS, which realize the sharing of sociality. First, we analyze the requirement of MSHP platform, then design its architecture and database, and finally discuss the key technologies of MSHP. The platform makes use of open source technology, implements and optimizes LBS service. The simulation results show the system has good portability and maintainability, which is easy to be commercialized.

High-throughput data on circular RNA reveal novel insights into chronic glomerulonephritis

Gao Ya-chen,Jiang Nan-nan,Qin Xiu-juan,Jiang Hui,Wei Liang-bing,Gao Jia-rong 한국유전학회 2023 Genes & Genomics Vol.45 No.4

Background Circular RNAs (circRNAs), a unique novel type of RNA, have been widely reported to be involved in physiologic and pathologic processes in humans. However, the exact molecular pathogenesis of circRNAs in chronic glomerulonephritis (CGN) is far from clear. Objective This paper aims to evaluate the specific expression profile of circRNAs in renal cortex tissues from Adriamycin-induced CGN rats. Methods CircRNAs were screened in renal cortex tissues from 3 CGN rats and 3 control rats by using high-throughput sequencing (HTS). Then, 4 circRNAs were selected randomly for verification by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). In addition, the differentially expressed (DE) circRNAs were analyzed by bioinformatics methods. Results In total, 31 significantly DE circRNAs were identified, which revealed their potential roles in CGN; in particular, we found that 4 confirmed altered circRNAs (rno-circ-RNAs 689, 3217, 1327, and 5001) might play important roles in the development of CGN. Conclusion This study reveals a cluster of circRNAs that are DE in Adriamycin-induced CGN rats, which brings us closer to understanding the pathogenic mechanisms and may provide new potential targets for clinical treatment.

Hypoglycemic Properties of Polysaccharides Extracted from Ganoderma lucidum in Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Rats

Gao, Yihuai,Gao, He,Chan, Eli,Tan, Wenbo,Lan, Jin,Koh, Hwee-Ling,Chen, Guoliang,Zhou, Shufeng The Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition 2004 Preventive Nutrition and Food Science Vol.9 No.3

A recent randomized and double-blind placebo-controlled clinical study bas indicated that Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides (GLP) decrease blood glucose in patients with type II diabetes. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the GLP extract in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Oral administration of GLP at 0.25, 0.5 and 1.0 g/kg for 4 weeks resulted in a reduction of blood glucose levels by 12.5, 18.7 and 33.7% respectively, while glibenclamide treatment brought the hyperglycemic value down to normal. The hyperglycemic effect was supported by a significant decrease in glycosylated haemoglobin and increased plasma insulin levels (p<0.01) in a dose- and time-dependent manner. This study showed that GLP has similar hypoglycemic effects as glibenclamide in alloxan-induced diabetic rats.

3,7-Dihydroxy-2,4,6-trimethoxyphenanthrene, A New Phenanthrene from Bulbophyllum Odoratissimum

Chen, Ye-Gao,Xu, Jun-Ju,Yu, Hong,Qing, Chen,Zhang, Yan-Li,Liu, Ying,Wang, Ji-Hua Korean Chemical Society 2007 대한화학회지 Vol.51 No.4

Efficient stereoselective synthesis of α,β-Unsaturated acids, α-Cyanoacrylonitriles and α-Cyanoacrylates has been carried out in the presence of NaHSO4·SiO2 under solvent?free conditions with an E-geometry. A new phenanthrene derivative 3,7-dihydroxy-2,4,6-trimethoxyphenanthrene was isolated from the all plant of Bulbophyllum odoratissimum, and its structure was elucidated by extensive spectral studies and chemical transformation. The compound displayed cytotoxicity against the growth of human leukemia cell lines K562 and HL-60, human lung adenocarcinoma A549, human hepatoma BEL-7402 and human stomach cancer cell lines SGC-7901 with IC50 values of 14.23, 10.02, 3.42, 15.36 and 1.13 mg/ml respectively.

China Consensus Document on Allergy Diagnostics

Chen Hao,Li Jing,Cheng Lei,Gao Zhongshan,Lin Xiaoping,Zhu Rongfei,Yang Lin,Tao Ailin,Hong Haiyu,Tang Wei,Guo Yinshi,Huang Huaiqiu,Sun Jinlyu,Lai He,Lei Cheng,Liu Guanghui,Xiang Li,Chen Zhuanggui,Ma Ha 대한천식알레르기학회 2021 Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Research Vol.13 No.2

The prevalence of allergic diseases has increased dramatically in recent years in China, affecting the quality of life in 40% of the population. The identification of allergens is the key to the diagnosis of allergic diseases. Presently, several methods of allergy diagnostics are available in China, but they have not been standardized. Additionally, cross-sensitization and co-sensitization make allergy diagnostics even more complicated. Based on 4 aspects of allergic disease (mechanism, diagnosis procedures, allergen detection in vivo and in vitro as well as the distribution map of the most important airborne allergens in China) and by referring to the consensus of the European Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, the World Allergy Organization, and the important literature on allergy diagnostics in China in recent years, we drafted this consensus of allergy diagnostics with Chinese characteristics. It aims to standardize the diagnostic methods of allergens and provides a reference for health care givers. The current document was prepared by a panel of experts from the main stream of professional allergy associations in China.

Whole-genome identification and salt- and ABA-induced expression trends of the Nicotiana tabacum CKX gene family

Chen Wenwen,Wang Genhong,Yi Meiqin,Gao Tianke,Song Chunman,Gao Qian,Xia Qingyou,Xiang Haiying 한국식물생명공학회 2023 Plant biotechnology reports Vol.17 No.3

Cytokinin hormones are indispensable for plant growth and development. Cytokinin oxidase/dehydrogenase (CKX) helps regulate the dynamic balance of endogenous cytokinin levels. However, little is known about the CKX genes of Nicotiana tabacum (NtCKXs). In silico analyses were used to isolate, characterize, and elucidate the phylogenetic relationships of 15 NtCKX genes. Multi-species phylogenetic tree construction placed NtCKX1–15 on five of the eight branches of the CKX phylogenetic tree. Protein structure and network analyses revealed that NtCKX genes located on the same phylogenetic branch generally contained several conserved motifs and have highly similar structures, with structural domains related to flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) and cytokinin-binding found on all of the predicted NtCKX-encoded proteins. The upstream promotor region of NtCKX genes contained many abiotic stress-responsive cis-acting elements, including DRE, ERE, MBS, MYB, and MYC. Gene expression analysis revealed that each NtCKX gene responded differently to salt stress and exogenous abscisic acid (ABA) treatment. Four NtCKX genes exhibited ABA-induced expression trends with varying peak times. Under salt stress, NtCKX expression was significantly suppressed in two genes and upregulated in five others. In summary, we provided basic information regarding the CKX gene family of N. tabacum and elucidated their gene expression patterns under abiotic stresses, including ABA treatment and salt stress. The findings of this work can serve as a foundation for future study of the functions of NtCKX genes.

Triterpenoids from Schisandra henryi with Cytotoxic Effect on Leukemia and Hela Cells In Vitro

Chen, Ye-Gao,Wu, Zheng-Cai,Lv, Yu-Ping,Gui, Shi-Hong,Wen, Jin,Liao, Xin-Rong,Yuan, Li-Ming,Halaweish, Fathi The Pharmaceutical Society of Korea 2003 Archives of Pharmacal Research Vol.26 No.11

Four known lanostane triterpenoids, schiprolactone A (1), schisanlactone B (2), nigranoic acid (3) and schisandronic acid (4) Were isolated from the stems of Schisandra henryi for the first time. Their structures were characterized by IR, MS and NMR techniques. Compounds 1, 2 and 4 showed moderate cytotoxic activity against Leukemia cells in vitro. Cytotoxic activity of compounds 1-4 showed $IC_{50}$ of 0.0097, 0.01, 0.097 and 0.0099 $\mu$ mol/mL respectively toward Leukemia cells and $IC_{50}$ of 0.097, 0.1, 0.097 and 0.099 $\mu$mol/mL toward Hela cells respectively. It is the first report that these compounds possess cytotoxic activity on Leukemia and Hela cells.