Shen-Kang protects against tacrolimus-induced renal injury

Long Ye Zhang,Jian Jin,Kang Luo,Shang Guo Piao,Hai Lan Zheng,Ji Zhe Jin,임선우,최범순,양철우,Can Li 대한내과학회 2019 The Korean Journal of Internal Medicine Vol.34 No.5

Background/Aims: Evidence suggests that Shen-Kang (SK), a traditional Chinese herbal medicine, protects against various types of renal injury. In this study, we evaluated whether SK treatment confers renoprotection in a rat model of chronic tacrolimus (TAC) nephropathy. Methods: Rats were treated daily with TAC (1.5 mg/kg, subcutaneously) and SK (450 mg/kg, intravenously) for 4 weeks. The effects of SK on TAC-induced renal injury were assessed by measuring renal function, urine albumin excretion, histopathology, inflammatory cell infiltration, expression of profibrotic (transforming growth factor β1 [TGF-β1] and TGF-β inducible gene-h3 [βig-h3]) and proinflammatory cytokines, oxidative stress, and apoptotic cell death. Results: Administration of SK preserved glomerular integrity (fractional mesangial area and Wilms tumor 1-positive glomeruli), attenuated tubulointerstitial fibrosis, and reduced the number of ectodermal dysplasia 1-positive cells, and this was paralleled by improved urine albumin excretion and renal dysfunction. At the molecular level, SK treatment suppressed expression of TGF-β1/Smad2/3, βig-h3, and proinflammatory cytokines. Oxidative stress and apoptotic cell death were significantly decreased with SK treatment, and apoptosis-related genes were regulated toward cell survival (active caspase-3 and the B-cell lymphoma-2/ Bcl2-associated X [Bcl-2/Bax] ratio). Conclusions: SK protects against TAC-induced renal injury.

Microstructure and Compression Strength of W/HfC Composites Synthesized by Plasma Activated Sintering

Jian Zhang,Shuai Ma,Jiawen Zhu,Kejia Kang,Guoqiang Luo,Chuandong Wu,Qiang Shen,Lianmeng Zhang 대한금속·재료학회 2019 METALS AND MATERIALS International Vol.25 No.2

In this work, W/HfC composite materials were synthesized using plasma activated sintering. The influence of the sinteringtemperature and HfC weight fraction on the relative density, microstructure and compression strength were investigated. The results demonstrated that the sintering temperature and the HfC content significantly affected the microstructure of W/HfC composites. Moreover, the grain size of the W/HC composites decreased and the mechanical properties were improvedremarkably due to the addition of HfC. The majority of HfC particles reacted with oxygen impurities to generate HfO2,whichpurified the grain boundaries and refined the grain size of the W matrix. The optimum content of HfC is 2 wt%, at which ahigh compressive strength of 1.98 GPa and a high strain of 34.7% were obtained.

Etoposide-Cisplatin Alternating with Vinorelbine-Cisplatin Versus Etoposide-Cisplatin Alone in Patients with Extensive Disease Combined with Small Cell Lung Cancer

Zhang, Jie,Qi, Hui-Wei,Zheng, Hui,Chen, Mo,Zhu, Jun,Xie, Hui-Kang,Ni, Jian,Xu, Jian-Fang,Zhou, Cai-Cun Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.10

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of alternating etoposide-cisplatin and vinorelbine-cisplatin (EP-NP) compared with an etoposide-cisplatin (EP) regimen for advanced combined small cell carcinomas. Materials and Methods: Histologically confirmed combined small cell carcinoma patients who met the inclusion criteria were randomly assigned (1:1) into either the EP-NP setting (group A) or the EP setting (group B). The primary endpoint was progression-free survival in patients who received at least one dose of treatment. Results: Eighty-two patients entered into this trial, 42 in group A and 40 in group B. The objective response rates in group A and group B were 42.9% and 32.5%, respectively (p=0.334). Survival analysis showed that median progression-free survival was 6.1 months in group A, which was significantly longer than the 4.1 months in group B (p=0.041). However, as to overall survival, no significant difference was found between the two groups (11.0 vs 10.1 months in groups A and B, respectively, p=0.545). No unexpected side effects were observed in either group. Conclusions: The EP-NP regimen for combined small cell carcinomas prolonged progressio-nfree survival compared with the EP regimen. Further clinical investigations are warranted.

Molecular and cytological evidences for the natural wheatgrass hybrids occurrence and origin in west China

Jian Zeng,Xing Fan,Hai-Qin Zhang,Li-Na Sha,Hou-Yang Kang,Li Zhang,Rui-Wu Yang,Chun-Bang Ding,Yong-Hong Zhou 한국유전학회 2012 Genes & Genomics Vol.34 No.5

Interspecies hybridization has been frequently observed in the tribe Triticeae. Natural hybridization between Kengyilia and Roegneria or Elymus species has not been reported as yet. Several sterile wheatgrass individuals exhibiting intermediately morphological traits between Kengyilia and Roegneria or Elymus species were identified in the meadow of Sichuan and Gansu provinces in China, suggesting their natural hybrid origin. The putative hybrids were analyzed by using the sequences of ITS and trnH-psbA together with cytological observation in order to assess the origin of hybrids. Both ITS and cytological data revealed the evidence of allopolyploid origin and confirmed the presence of StStYYP and StStYYHP genomes in the putative natural hybrids. The data suggest that the StStYYP hybrid originated from hybridization between Kengyilia and Roegneria and the hybrid with StStYYHP originated from hybridization between Kengyilia and Elymus. Chloroplast sequence data demonstrated that K. rigidula and K. melanthera were the likely maternal donors in the hybridization events.

Pancreatic lipase inhibitory activity of taraxacum officinale in vitro and in vivo

Jian Zhang,Min-Jung Kang,Myung-Jin Kim,Mi-Eun Kim,Ji-Hyun Song,Young-Min Lee,Jung-In Kim 한국영양학회 2008 Nutrition Research and Practice Vol.2 No.4

Obesity has become a worldwide health problem. Orlistat, an inhibitor of pancreatic lipase, is currently approved as an anti-obesity drug. However, gastrointestinal side effects caused by Orlistat may limit its use. In this study the inhibitory activities of dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) against pancreatic lipase in vitro and in vivo were measured to determine its possible use as a natural anti-obesity agent. The inhibitory activities of the 95% ethanol extract of T. officinale and Orlistat were measured using 4-methylumbelliferyl oleate (4-MU oleate) as a substrate at concentrations of 250, 125, 100, 25, 12.5 and 4 ㎍/㎖. To determine pancreatic lipase inhibitory activity in vivo, mice (n=16) were orally administered with corn oil emulsion (5 ㎖/㎏) alone or with the 95% ethanol extract of T. officinale (400 ㎎/㎏) following an overnight fast. Plasma triglyceride levels were measured at 0, 90, 180, and 240 min after treatment and incremental areas under the response curves (AUC) were calculated. The 95% ethanol extract of T. officinale and Orlistat, inhibited, porcine pancreatic lipase activity by 86.3% and 95.7% at a concentration of 250 ㎍/㎖, respectively. T. officinale extract showed dose-dependent inhibition with the IC50 of 78.2 μg/ml. A single oral dose of the extract significantly inhibited increases in plasma triglyceride levels at 90 and 180 min and reduced AUC of plasma triglyceride response curve (p<0.05). The results indicate that T. officinale exhibits inhibitory activities against pancreatic lipase in vitro and in vivo. Further studies to elucidate anti-obesity effects of chronic consumption of T. officinale and to identify the active components responsible for inhibitory activity against pancreatic lipase are necessary.

Research on the Artificial Neural Network Unfolding Method for the Water-Pumping-Injection Multi-Homocentric Sphere Neutron Spectrometer

Kang Chang,Yi Cheng,Jian-Bo Yang,Yujie Qiao,Rui Li,Can Zhang 한국물리학회 2019 THE JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN PHYSICAL SOCIETY Vol.74 No.6

This work aimed to study an algorithm for the unfolding spectrum acquired by using a water-pumping-injection multi-homocentric sphere neutron spectrometer. The readings of the water-pumping-injection multi-homocentric sphere neutron spectrometer under 32 different neutron sources, including $^{241}$Am-Be spontaneous, $^{238}$Pu Watt, and $^{232}$Th Maxwell fission, were obtained by using the FLUKA Monte Carlo code and were input as the neural network training values for constructing the method of back-propagation artificial neural network neutron spectrum unfolding (MBANSU). Two neutron readings that were Monte Carlo experimentally measured from $^{252}$Cf spontaneous and $^{245}$Cm Maxwell fission sources were used as the testing values for MBANSU. The calculated neutron energy spectrum was in good agreement with the ENDF energy spectrum, and the information entropy of the result spectrum approximated that of the ENDF spectrum. Results indicate that the established MBANSU algorithm has potential applications for unfolding spectra collected by using the water-pumping-injection multi-homocentric sphere neutron spectrometer.

Epigenetic alterations are involved in the overexpression of glutathione S-transferase π-1 in human colorectal cancers.

Zhang, Rui,Kang, Kyoung Ah,Piao, Mei Jing,Kim, Ki Cheon,Zheng, Jian,Yao, Cheng Wen,Cha, Ji Won,Maeng, Young Hee,Chang, Weon Young,Moon, Pyong-Gon,Baek, Moon-Chang,Hyun, Jin Won Lychnia 2014 International journal of oncology Vol.45 No.3

<P>Glutathione S-transferase pi-1 (GSTP-1) is a member of the glutathione S-transferase enzyme superfamily, which catalyzes the conjugation of electrophiles to glutathione during the process of detoxification. In this study, the epigenetic alterations of GSTP-1 expression in human colorectal cancers and the underlying mechanisms were investigated. In 10 colon cancer patients, proteomic analysis revealed that expression of GSTP-1 protein was higher in tumor tissues than in paired adjacent normal tissues. Likewise, in 7 of 10 colon cancer patients, GSTP-1 protein expression was more than 1.5-fold higher in tumor tissues than in adjacent normal tissues, as determined by western blotting. Immunohistochemical data confirmed that GSTP-1 protein was expressed at higher levels in colon cancer tissues compared to normal mucosa. GSTP-1 enzyme activity was closely correlated with GSTP-1 protein expression in colon cancer patients. Consistent with this, GSTP-1 mRNA, protein and activity levels were higher in the colorectal cancer cell lines Caco-2, HCT-116, HT-29, SNU-407 and SNU-1033 compared to the normal colon cell line FHC. Methylation-specific PCR results indicated that the high levels of GSTP-1 in human colorectal cancer cell lines were likely due to the lower degree of promoter methylation in colon cancer cell lines compared to the normal colon cell line, consistent with findings in colon cancer patients. Moreover, the levels of specific activator-protein complexes and histone marks were higher in human colorectal cancer cells compared to the normal human colon cell line, whereas the repressor protein complexes exhibited the opposite pattern. Furthermore, chromatin immunoprecipitation assays demonstrated that expression levels of the transcription factors AP-1 and SP-1 were correlated with the upregulation of GSTP-1 expression in colorectal cancer cells. Finally, knockdown of GSTP-1 promoted the sensitivity of SNU-407 cells to the anticancer agent 5-fluorouracil. These data indicate that GSTP-1 may serve as a clinically useful biomarker of colon cancer and a target for anti-colon cancer drugs.</P>

Numerical simulations on hot cracking of rock

Jian Kang,Yang-Sheng ZHAO,Da-hai Zhang 한국멀티미디어학회 2006 한국멀티미디어학회 국제학술대회 Vol.2006 No.-

Using random non-homogeneous the solid-head coupled mathematics model and FEM, For example of granite, changing of thermal dilatability and thermal conduction with uniform distributing, Weibull distributing, study on the changing process on hot cracking of rock it is pointed that the relationship between thermal cracking and random distributing, the relationship between thermal cracking and probability distribution mother relationship between thermal cracking and time t, the changing law of temperature and probability distribution and time.

Differential Distribution of miR-20a and miR-20b may Underly Metastatic Heterogeneity of Breast Cancers

Li, Jian-Yi,Zhang, Yang,Zhang, Wen-Hai,Jia, Shi,Kang, Ye,Zhu, Xiao-Yu Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.5

Background: The discovery that microRNA (miRNA) regulates metastasis provide a principal molecular basis for tumor heterogeneity. A characteristic of solid tumors is their heterogenous distribution of blood vessels, with significant hypoxia occurring in regions (centers of tumor) of low blood flow. It is necessary to discover the mechanism of breast cancer metastasis in relation to the fact that there is a differential distribution of crucial microRNA in tumors from centers to edges. Methods: Breast tissues from 48 patients (32 patients with breast cancer) were classified into the high invasive and metastatic group (HIMG), low invasive and metastatic group (LIMG), and normal group. Samples were collected from both the centers and edges of all tumors. The first six specimens were detected by microRNA array, and the second ten specimens were detected by real-time qRT-PCR and Western blot analyses. Correlation analysis was performed between the miRNAs and target proteins. Results: The relative content of miR-20a and miR-20b was lower in the center of the tumor than at the edge in the LIMG, lower at the edge of the tumor than in the center in the HIMG, and lower in breast cancer tissues than in normal tissues. VEGF-A and HIF-1alpha mRNA levels were higher in the HIMG than in the LIMG, and levels were higher in both groups than in the normal group; there was no difference in mRNA levels between the edge and center of the tumor. VEGF-A and HIF-1alpha protein levels were higher in the HIMG than in the LIMG, and protein levels in both groups were higher than in the normal group; there was a significant difference in protein expression between the edge and center of the tumor. Correlation analysis showed that the key miRNAs (miR-20a and miR-20b) negatively correlated with the target proteins (VEGF-A and HIF-1alpha). Conclusions: Our data suggest that miR-20a and miR-20b are differentially distributed in breast cancer, while VEGF-A and HIF-1alpha mRNA had coincident distributions, and VEGF-A and HIF-1alpha proteins had uneven and opposing distributions to the miRNAs. It appears that one of the most important facets underlying metastatic heterogeneity is the differential distribution of miR-20a and miR-20b and their regulation of target proteins.

Molecular cloning and characterization of a phenylalanine hydroxylase from the common cutworm Spodoptera litura☆

Yashu Zhang,Xiao Zhao,Jinyun Ji,Tinghao Kang,Jian Hong Li,Hu Wan 한국응용곤충학회 2016 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.19 No.2

In the present study, a phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) was cloned and characterized from the common cutworm Spodoptera litura (SlPAH). The SlPAH gene is an 1863 bp full-length cDNAwith a 1371 bp open reading frame that encodes a predicted 52.35 kDa protein of 457 amino acid residueswith an isoelectric point of 5.39. The SlPAH gene contains 6 exons and 5 introns. A multiple sequence analysis of SlPAH showed an 88–68% sequence identity to Papilio xuthus PAH and other insect PAHs. A phylogenetic tree revealed that SlPAH is a novel member of the PAH family. Tissue distribution analyses indicated that SlPAH is constitutively expressed in the epidermis, midgut, and fat body, with the highest expression occurring in the fat body on days 2 and 3 of the sixth-instar larval stage and day 1 of the prepupa stage. However, RNAi-mediated SlPAH gene silencing had no observable phenotype in S. litura larvae. Additionally, SlPAH expression is acutely up-regulated in the fat body after injection with Bacillus thuringiensis, Escherichia coli, or Beauveria bassiana. Therefore, these results provide a molecular basis for the functional roles of SlPAH during development and the innate immune response in S. litura.