Curcumin Alleviates Dystrophic Muscle Pathology in mdx Mice

Ying Pan,Chen Chen,Yue Shen,Chun-Hua Zhu,Gang Wang,Xiao-Chun Wang,Hua-Qun Chen,Min-Sheng Zhu 한국분자세포생물학회 2008 Molecules and cells Vol.25 No.4

Abnormal activation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) probably plays an important role in the pathogenesis of Duchenne’s muscular dystrophy (DMD). In this report, we evaluated the efficacy of curcumin, a potent NF-κB inhibitor, in mdx mice, a mouse model of DMD. We found that it improved sarcolemmic integrity and enhanced muscle strength after intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection. Histological analysis revealed that the structural defects of myofibrils were reduced, and biochemical analysis showed that creatine kinase (CK) activity was decreased. We also found that levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in the mdx mice were decreased by curcumin administration. EMSA analysis showed that NF-κB activity was also inhibited. We thus conclude that curcumin is effective in the therapy of muscular dystrophy in mdx mice, and that the mechanism may involve inhibition of NF-κB activity. Since curcumin is a nontoxic compound derived from plants, we propose that it may be useful for DMD therapy.

Rapid Detection of Ovarian Cancer from Immunized Serum Using a Quartz Crystal Microbalance Immunosensor

Chen, Yan,Huang, Xian-He,Shi, Hua-Shan,Mu, Bo,Lv, Qun Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.7

Background: The objective of this study was to measure the antibody content of NuTu-19 ovarian cancer cells in serum samples using a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) immunosensor. Materials and Methods: NuTu-19 cells were first cultured onto the electrode surfaces of crystals in Dulbecco's modified Eagle medium, and then specified amounts of immunized serum samples of immunized rabbit were also added. The change in mass caused by specific adsorbtion of antibodies of NuTu-19 to the surfaces of the crystals was detected. Results: The change in resonance frequency of crystals caused by immobilization of NuTu-19 cells was from 83 to 429Hz. The antibody content of NuTu-19 detected was 341ng/ul. The frequency shifts were linearly dependent on the amount of antibody mass in the range of 69 to 340ng. The positive detection rate and the negative detection rate were 80% and 100%, respectively. Conclusion: This immunoassay provides a viable alternative to other early ovarian cancer detection methods and is particularly suited for health screening of the general population.

Modelling the Construction of a High Embankment Dam

Qun Chen,Yu-Hua Zou,Min Tang,Chang-Rong He 대한토목학회 2014 KSCE Journal of Civil Engineering Vol.18 No.1

Appropriate layer quantity has been considered to model the sequential construction of a high embankment dam over 300 m and its effect on the predicted settlement of the 314 m high Shuangjiangkou dam has been discussed. The simulation results have demonstrated that at least 25 layers are required to accurately model the stage construction of a high embankment dam over 300 m. The stress and deformation within the dam and the foundation during the dam construction and reservoir filling have been simulated using finite element analysis. Saturated-unsaturated seepage theory is used to analyse the transient seepage field in the dam and in the foundation. Two different cases about the construction and the operation are modelled. One involves gradual reservoir filling after the completion of sequential construction, whereas the other involves sequential construction and reservoir impounding by several interleaved stages. The simulation results for both cases have been compared and discussed.

A New Large-Scale Plane-Strain Permeameter for Gravelly Clay Soil under Stresses

Yu-Hua Zou,Qun Chen,Chang-Rong He 대한토목학회 2013 KSCE JOURNAL OF CIVIL ENGINEERING Vol.17 No.4

A large-scale plane-strain permeameter was designed to investigate the hydraulic characteristics of gravelly clay base soil and a filter under various stresses and different water heads. The apparatus provides a specimen size about 80 cm long, 40 cm wide and 40cm high. It is equipped with a horizontal and vertical loading system with capacities of 1000 kN in the horizontal direction and 2000kN in the vertical direction and a water pressure system which can provide water head up to 300 m. The components of the planestrain permeameter are described in detail in this paper. The performance of the permeameter is demonstrated through a group of tests on specimens combining gravelly clay soil and a filter.

Molecular phylogenetic analysis of key Jatropha species inferred from nrDNA ITS and chloroplast (trnL-F and rbcL) sequences

Fang Chen,Guo-ye Guo,Sheng-hua Wang,Ying Xu,Lin Tang,Mao-qun Yu 한국유전학회 2016 Genes & Genomics Vol.38 No.6

The genus Jatropha (Euphorbiaceae) contains species that are of significant economic and ornamental value. However, Jatropha breeding material is rather limited due to incomplete information regarding phylogenetic relationships among germplasm resources. Phylogenetic analyses were performed based on the internal transcribed spacer of nuclear ribosomal DNA (nrDNA ITS), two chloroplast regions (trnL-F and rbcL), and the combined (ITS?trnL-F?rbcL) dataset among twenty-five specimens representing six key Jatropha species. Phylogenetic relationships of Jatropha were well resolved between subgenus Curcas and subgenus Jatropha, and demonstrated the intermediate position of section Polymorphae among sections of both subgenera. Jatropha curcas and J. integerrima demonstrated a close phylogenetic relationship. The molecular data agreed with the morphological classification that recognized J. multifida and J. podagrica in sec. Peltatae. The distinct intraspecific divergence that occurred in J. curcas could be attributed to restricted gene flow caused by geographical isolation and different ecological conditions. Phylograms produced with trnL-F and rbcL sequence data suggested slow rates of sequence divergence among Jatropha spp., while the ITS gene tree had good resolution suggesting high genetic variation of ITS among Jatropha species.

Protective effect of Macleaya cordata isoquinoline alkaloids on lipopolysaccharide-induced liver injury in broilers

Jiaxin Chen,Weiren Yang,Hua Liu,Jiaxing Niu,Yang Liu,Qun Cheng Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2024 Animal Bioscience Vol.37 No.1

Objective: This experiment aimed to explore the protective action of dietary supplementation with isoquinoline alkaloids (IA) from Macleaya cordata on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced liver injury in broilers. Methods: Total 216 healthy broilers were selected in a 21-d trial and assigned randomly to the following 3 treatments: control (CON) group, LPS group, and LPS+IA group. The CON and LPS groups were provided with a basal diet, whereas the LPS+IA group received the basal diet supplemented with 0.6 mg/kg Macleaya cordata IA. Broilers in LPS and LPS+IA groups were intraperitoneally injected with LPS (1 mg/kg body weight) at 17, 19, and 21 days of age, while those in CON group were injected with equivalent amount of saline solution. Results: Results showed LPS injection caused systemic and liver inflammation in broilers, inhibited immune function, and ultimately lead to liver injury. By contrast, supplementation of IA ameliorated LPS-induced adverse change in serum parameters, boosted immunity in LPS+IA group. Furthermore, IA suppressed the elevation of hepatic inflammatory cytokines and caspases levels induced by LPS, as well as the expressions of genes related to the toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/myeloid differentiation primary response 88 (MyD88)/nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) pathway. Conclusion: Dietary inclusion of 0.6 mg/kg Macleaya cordata IA could enhance immune function of body and inhibit liver damage via inactivating TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway in broilers.

Separation Technology, Thermodynamics : Tray Efficiency in the Air-Water-Solid System without Reaction and Its Application

( Zhi Gang Lei ),( Qun Sheng Li ),( Cheng Yue Li ),( Biao Hua Chen ) 한국화학공학회 2004 Korean Journal of Chemical Engineering Vol.21 No.5

Dendrite-like Process Formation and Cytoskeletal Remodeling Regulated by δ-Catenin expression

Kim, Kwonseop,Sirota, Anna,Chen, Yan-hua,Jones, Shiloh B.,Dudek, Ronald,Lanford, George W.,Thakore, Chittam,Lu, Qun 전남대학교 약품개발연구소 2002 약품개발연구지 Vol.11 No.-

Actin- and microtubule-mediated changes in cell shape are essential for many cellular activities. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the interplay between the two are complex and remain obscure. Here we show that the expression of δ-catenin (or NPRAP/Neurojungin), a member of p120^ctm subfamily of armadillo proteins can induce the branching of dendrite-like processes in 3T3 cells and enhance dendritic morphogenesis in primary hippocampal neurons. This induction of branching phenotype involves initially the disruption of filamentous actin, and requires the growth of microtubules. The carboxyl-terminal truncation mutant of δ-catenin can cluster and redistribute the full-length protein, and dominantly inhibit its branching effect. δ-Catenin forms protein complexes and can bind directly to actin in vitro. The carboxyl-terminal truncation of δ-catenin does not interfere with its actin-binding capability; therefore the actin interaction alone is not sufficient for the induction of dendrite-like processes. When δ-catenin-transformed cells establish elaborate dendrite-like branches, the main cellular processes become stabilized and resist the disruption od both actin filaments and microscopy and time-lapse recording analyses. We suggest that δ-catenin can effect a biphasic cytoskeletal remodeling event which differentially regulates actin and microtubules and promotes cellular morphogenesis.

SIMULATION AND OPTIMIZATION METHODS OF THE THERMAL CONTROL LOOP OF SPACECRAFT

Xin Gang Liang,Qun Chen,Xiang Hua Xu 대한기계학회 2019 대한기계학회 춘추학술대회 Vol.2019 No.5

Power consumption keeps increasing with increase in their functions and capabilities of spacecraft, which in turn results in the requirement of thermal control techniques, efficient that dissipation and thermal management. The numerical simulation of the thermal control loop should be performed before and after its design and ground test of the thermal control and management is necessary to measure their reliability. A semi-physical ground test method for the thermal control loop of space station is proposed which can realize dynamic measurement of the thermal control loop. A method of simplifying the numerical simulation of the thermal control loop is developed and a new technique, the heat flow circuit, is induced for the numerical simulation and optimization of the thermal control loop.

WNK4 phosphorylates ser²⁰⁶ of claudin-7 and promotes paracellular Cl⁻ permeability

Tatum, Rodney,Zhang, Yuguo,Lu, Qun,Kim, Kwonseop,Jeansonne, Beverly G.,Chen, Yan-Hua North-Holland Pub 2007 FEBS letters Vol.581 No.20

<P><B>Abstract</B></P><P>Mutations in WNK4 have been linked to hypertension in PHAII. Paracellular ion transport has been reported to be involved in this disease process; however, the specific molecular target has not been identified. In this study, we found that TJ protein claudin-7 and WNK4 were partially co-localized in renal tubules of rat kidney and co-immunoprecipitated in kidney epithelial cells. The wild-type and PHAII-causing mutant, but not the kinase-dead mutant, phosphorylated claudin-7. We have identified ser<SUP>206</SUP> in the COOH-terminus of claudin-7 as a putative phosphorylation site for WNK4. More importantly, disease-causing mutant enhanced claudin-7 phosphorylation and significantly increased paracellular permeability to Cl<SUP>−</SUP>.</P>