Enhancement of Short-Term Memory by Methyl-6-(Phenylethynyl)-Pyridine in the BTBR T+tf/J Mouse Model of Autism Spectrum Disorder

Haijie Yang,허성오,홍재승 대한내분비학회 2015 Endocrinology and metabolism Vol.30 No.1

Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) encompasses a range of disorders that are characterized by social and communication deficits and repetitive behaviors. This study evaluated the effect of methyl-6-(phenylethynyl)-pyridine (MPEP), an antagonist of the mGluR5 metabotropic glutamate receptor, on memory enhancement in the BTBR T+tf/J (BTBR) mouse strain, which has been recognized as a model of ASD. Methods: The pharmacological effects of MPEP on memory and motor coordination were assessed using the Morris water maze and rotarod tests in BTBR and C57BL/6J (B6) mice. Furthermore, we performed morphological analyses of cerebellar foliation in BTBR and B6 mice using hematoxylin and eosin staining. Results: MPEP-treated BTBR mice exhibited improved learning and memory in the Morris water maze test. MPEP administration also improved motor coordination in the rotarod test. However, no significant difference was observed regarding the numbers of Purkinje cells in the cerebella of BTBR versus normal B6 mice. Conclusion: This study suggests that the mGluR5 antagonist MPEP has the potential to ameliorate learning and memory dysfunction and impaired motor coordination in BTBR mice. These results further suggest that the BTBR mouse model may be useful in pharmacological studies investigating drugs that could potentially alleviate cognitive dysfunction in ASD.

Chronic pyometra due to bilateral ovarian tumors in a South American sea lion

HaiJie Yang, Sun-Hee Do, Eun-Mi Lee, Ah-Young Kim, Eun-Joo Lee, Chang-Woo Min, Kyung-Ku Kang, Myeong-Mi Lee, Kyu-Shik Jeong 충북대학교 동물의학연구소 2013 Journal of Biomedical and Translational Research Vol.14 No.1

A 14-year-old female South American sea lion (Otaria byronia) with persistent vaginal secretion and chronic hemorrhagic diarrhea was encountered. During postmortem examination, the uterus was found to resemble a balloon with mucosal congestion and was filled with grayish milky material. The ovaries also had abnormal features, including necrotic surface lesions and multiple whitish foci in the cut section. Hemorrhages and ulcerated changes due to toxemia were observed in other organs, including the liver, spleen, lung, intestines, and lymph nodes. Microscopically, the left ovary contained interlacing fascicles of fibroblast-like cells with blunt-end nuclei showing cytoplasmic positive immunoreactivity against alpha-smooth muscle actin and desmin. The right ovary contained cells with round to cigar-shaped nuclei showing cytoplasmic positive immunoreactivity against vimentin. In conclusion, based on classification of bilateral ovarian tumors as a leiomyoma in the left region and a fibroma in the right region, this sea lion was diagnosed with chronic closed pyometra.

Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitory Activity of Endophytic Fungus Aspergillus sp. MY056 Isolated from Huperzia serrata

Moon Young Jung,Seung Min Hong,Haijie Xu,Mo Wang,Young-Joon Ahn 한국응용곤충학회 2013 한국응용곤충학회 학술대회논문집 Vol.2013 No.04

Inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) is one of the important modes of action available for the control of insects. An assessment was made of the electric eel AChE inhibitory activity of 55 endophytic fungi isolated from the leaves of Huperzia serrata collected in Eunshi, Hubei Province, China. Of 55 mycelial extracts and 55 ethyl acetate-soluble fractions from liquid culture of the fungi, the ethyl acetate-soluble fraction of strain ES056 exhibited strong AChE inhibitory activity (88%) at a concentration of 100 μg/mL. Based on morphological characteristics and nuclear ribosomal DNA ITS sequence analysis, this fungus showed greatest similarity to members of the order Eurotiales and was shown to be most closely related to members of the Aspergillus aculeatus group. It was designated Aspergillus sp. MY056. This strain merits further study as a potential anti-AChE product.

Region-Specific Differences in the Apoe4-dependent Response to Focal Brain Injury

이성은,Haijie Yang,성영준,김영훈,Sun Ah Park 한국뇌신경과학회 2021 Experimental Neurobiology Vol.30 No.4

Apolipoprotein E (apoE) plays a role in various physiological functions including lipid transport, synaptic plasticity, and immune modulation. Epidemiological studies suggest that the apoE4 allele increases the risk of post-traumatic sequelae. This study was performed to investigate regionspecific effects of the apoE4 isoform on post-traumatic neurodegeneration. Two focal brain injuries were introduced separately in the motor cortex and hippocampus of apoE4 knock-in, apoE3 knock-in, apoE knockout, and wild-type (WT) mice. Western blotting showed that the expression levels of pre-synaptic and post-synaptic markers at the recovery stage were lower in the hippocampal injury core in apoE4 mice, compared with apoE3 and WT mice. Fast glial activation (determined by immunohistochemistry with glial fibrillary acidic protein, ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1, and cluster of differentiation 45 antibodies) was characteristic of apoE4 mice with hippocampal injury penumbra. apoE4-specific changes were not observed after cortical injury. The intensity of microglial activation in the hippocampus was inversely correlated with the volume of injury reduction on sequential magnetic resonance imaging examinations, when validated using matched samples. These findings indicate that the effects of the interaction between apoE4 and focal brain damage are specific to the hippocampus. Manipulation of inflammatory cell responses could be beneficial for reducing post-traumatic hippocampal neurodegeneration in apoE4 carriers.

BMB : Reports ; An inhibitory role of NEK6 in TGFβ/Smad signaling pathway

( Jie Zuo ),( Haijie Ma ),( Hao Cai ),( Yanhua Wu ),( Wei Jiang ),( Long Yu ) 생화학분자생물학회(구 한국생화학분자생물학회) 2015 BMB Reports Vol.48 No.8

The NEK6 (NIMA-related kinases 6) is reported to play po-tential roles in tumorigenesis. Although it is suggested to function in several cellular pathways, the underlying mechanism in tumorigenesis is still largely unknown. In the present study, we discovered interaction of NEK6 with Smad4, a key member of transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) pathway. Over-expression of NEK6 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell lines suppresses TGFβ- mediated transcription activity in a kinase activity-dependent manner. In addition, NEK6 suppresses the cell growth arrest induced by TGFβ. Mechanically, NEK6 blocks nuclear translocation of Smad4, which is essential for TGF β function. Moreover, we identified that NEK6 could be regulated by TGFβ and hypoxia. Our study sheds new light on the roles of NEK6 in canonical TGFβ/Smad pathway and tum-origenesis. [BMB Reports 2015; 48(8): 473-478]

An Exploratory Taxonomy of Job Quality of the Working Poor based on Hierarchical Cluster and K-Means Cluster Analysis

Yijia Wang,Haijie Yin,Ji Wu 보안공학연구지원센터 2016 International Journal of Hybrid Information Techno Vol.9 No.9

This article shows an analysis of job types which deepens the understanding of job quality of the working poor in the Northeast of China. Hierarchical cluster analysis and K-Means cluster analysis are adopted to develop taxonomy of four job types: vulnerable jobs, insecure jobs, environmental advantage jobs, and relatively saturated jobs. In these four job types, vulnerable jobs are characterized by low income, poor labor insurance, adverse working environment and little chances for future development. Environmental advantage jobs are characterized by relatively better working environment, but the conditions of other three aspects of job quality are lower than the average level of the sample. Insecure jobs are characterized by extremely poor condition on labor security and evidently higher income level. The conditions of working environment and vocational development in this job types are evidently lower than the average levels of the sample. Relatively saturated jobs are characterized by higher income, and better labor security. The working environment and vocational development are just at the average level of the sample.

Lysophosphatidic Acid Induces Neurite Retraction in Differentiated Neuroblastoma Cells via GSK-3β Activation

손원재,김남호,Haijie Yang,김승혁,허성오 한국분자세포생물학회 2011 Molecules and cells Vol.31 No.5

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is a lipid growth factor that exerts diverse biological effects, including rapid neurite retraction and cell migration. Alterations in cell morphology,including neurite retraction, in neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease involve hyperphosphorylation of the cytoskeletal protein tau. Since LPA has been shown to induce neurite retraction in various cultured neural cells and the detailed underlying molecular mechanisms have not yet been elucidated, we investigated whether LPA induced neurite retraction through taumediated signaling pathways in differentiated neuroblastoma cells. When Neuro2a cells differentiated with retinoic acid (RA) were exposed to LPA, cells exhibited neurite retraction in a time-dependent manner. The retraction of neurites was accompanied by the phosphorylation of tau. The LPA-induced neurite retraction and tau phosphorylation in differentiated Neuro2a cells were significantly abolished by the glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) inhibitor lithium chloride. Interestingly, the LPA-stimulated tau phosphorylation and neurite retraction were markedly prevented by the administration of H89, an inhibitor of both cyclic-AMP dependent protein kinase (PKA) and cyclic-AMP response element-binding protein (CREB). Transfection of the dominant-negative CREBs, K-CREB and ACREB,failed to prevent LPA-induced tau phosphorylation and neurite retraction in differentiated Neuro2a cells. Taken together, these results suggest that GSK-3β and PKA,rather than CREB, play important roles in tau phosphorylation and neurite retraction in LPA-stimulated differentiated Neuro2a cells.

An Improved Empirical Method for Evaluating Job Quality of the Working Poor : Results from Northeast China

Yijia Wang,Haijie Yin 보안공학연구지원센터 2016 International Journal of Database Theory and Appli Vol.9 No.1

This study identifies the job quality among the working poor in Harbin from five aspects: physical working environment, psychological working environment, job security and flexibility, job satisfaction and income. Three hundred and seventy-seven working poor people are recruited using convenience sampling strategies. Factor analysis and cluster analysis results indicate that there are three types of job quality groups among the respondents. Low job quality group shows the characteristics of adverse working environment, informal employment, middle ranking on relationship with co-workers, and low satisfaction on job quality. On the contrary, high job quality group presented the characteristics of comfortable working environment, formal employment, high ranking on relationship with co-workers, and high satisfaction. Multiple regression results indicate that gender, hukou system and educational background are closely associated with job quality. Female’s job quality is higher than male’s. People with nonagricultural hukou keep a higher job quality than people with agricultural ones. People who graduate from university keep a higher job quality than others.

Intranasal administration of oxytocin attenuates stress responses following chronic complicated stress in rats.

Yu Yang,Haijie Yu,Reji Babygirija,Bei Shi,Weinan Sun,Xiaojiao Zheng,Jun Zheng 대한소화기 기능성질환∙운동학회 2019 Journal of Neurogastroenterology and Motility (JNM Vol.25 No.4

Background/Aims Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms may develop when we fail to adapt to various stressors of our daily life. Central oxytocin (OXT) can counteract the biological actions of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), and in turn attenuates stress responses. Administration (intracerebroventricular) of OXT significantly antagonized the inhibitory effects of chronic complicated stress (CCS) on GI dysmotility in rats. However, intracerebroventricular administration is an invasive pathway. Intranasal administration can rapidly deliver peptides to the brain avoiding stress response. The effects of intranasal OXT on hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis and GI motility in CCS conditions have not been investigated. Methods A CCS rat model was set up, OXT 5, 10, or 20 μg were intranasal administered, 30 minutes prior to stress loading. Central CRF and OXT expression levels were analyzed, serum corticosterone and OXT concentrations were measured, and gastric and colonic motor functions were evaluated by gastric emptying, fecal pellet output, and motility recording system. Results Rats in CCS condition showed significantly increased CRF expression and corticosterone concentration, which resulted in delayed gastric emptying and increased fecal pellet output, attenuated gastric motility and enhanced colonic motility were also recorded. OXT 10 μg or 20 μg significantly reduced CRF mRNA expression and the corticosterone concentration, OXT 20 μg also helped to restore GI motor dysfunction induced by CCS. Conclusion Intranasal administration of OXT has an anxiolytic effect and attenuates the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis in response to CCS, and gave effects which helped to restore GI dysmotility, and might be a new approach for the treatment of stress-induced GI motility disorders. Background/Aims Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms may develop when we fail to adapt to various stressors of our daily life. Central oxytocin (OXT) can counteract the biological actions of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), and in turn attenuates stress responses. Administration (intracerebroventricular) of OXT significantly antagonized the inhibitory effects of chronic complicated stress (CCS) on GI dysmotility in rats. However, intracerebroventricular administration is an invasive pathway. Intranasal administration can rapidly deliver peptides to the brain avoiding stress response. The effects of intranasal OXT on hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis and GI motility in CCS conditions have not been investigated. Methods A CCS rat model was set up, OXT 5, 10, or 20 μg were intranasal administered, 30 minutes prior to stress loading. Central CRF and OXT expression levels were analyzed, serum corticosterone and OXT concentrations were measured, and gastric and colonic motor functions were evaluated by gastric emptying, fecal pellet output, and motility recording system. Results Rats in CCS condition showed significantly increased CRF expression and corticosterone concentration, which resulted in delayed gastric emptying and increased fecal pellet output, attenuated gastric motility and enhanced colonic motility were also recorded. OXT 10 μg or 20 μg significantly reduced CRF mRNA expression and the corticosterone concentration, OXT 20 μg also helped to restore GI motor dysfunction induced by CCS. Conclusion Intranasal administration of OXT has an anxiolytic effect and attenuates the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis in response to CCS, and gave effects which helped to restore GI dysmotility, and might be a new approach for the treatment of stress-induced GI motility disorders.

Efficacy of Sublingual Immunotherapy for House Dust Mite-Induced Allergic Rhinitis: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Bohai Feng,Haijie Xiang,Haiyong Jin,Jinjian Gao,Saiyu Huang,Yunbin Shi,Ruru Chen,Bobei Chen 대한천식알레르기학회 2017 Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Research Vol.9 No.3

Purpose: Allergic rhinitis (AR) has become a global issue for a large part of the general population. Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) has been used extensively to treat persistent allergic rhinitis (PAR). Although systematic reviews have confirmed the effectiveness of SLIT for the treatment of AR, a considerable number of studies using extracts of house dust mites (HDMs) for immunotherapy found no consensus on basic treatment parameters and questioned the efficacy of SLIT. Methods: In this study, we evaluated SLIT for PAR by a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Medline, Embase, and Cochrane Library database searches were performed for RCTs on the treatment of PAR by SLIT that assessed clinical outcomes related to efficacy through May 2016. Descriptive and quantitative information was abstracted. An analysis was performed with standardized mean differences (SMDs) under a fixed or random effects model. Subgroup analyses were performed. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 metric. Results: In total, 25 studies were eligible for inclusion in the meta-analysis for symptom scores and 15 studies for medication scores. SLIT was significantly different from the controls for symptom scores (SMD=1.23; 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.74 to 0.73; P<0.001). For medication scores, significant differences for SLIT were also observed versus the controls (SMD=-1.39; 95% CI=-1.90 to -0.88; P<0.001). Conclusions: Our meta-analysis indicates that SLIT provided significant symptom relief and reduced the need for medications in PAR. In this study, significant evidence was obtained despite heterogeneity with regard to the use of mite extract. Specifically, the mite extract used was provided by the patients with PAR. Furthermore, to confirm both the objective outcomes and the effective doses of HDM allergen extracts, experimental data should be obtained from large high-quality population-based studies.