Current state of research about acupuncture for the treatment of COVID-19: A scoping review

Chen Chen,Jie Zhan,Hao Wen,Xiaojing Wei,Lu Ding,Chenyang Tao,Cui Li,Peiming Zhang,Yuyuan Tang,Jing-chun Zeng,Li-ming Lu 한국한의학연구원 2021 Integrative Medicine Research Vol.10 No.-

Background Since the outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), acupuncture has been widely used in the treatment of COVID-19. The research community has responded rapidly and has already published many research articles about this topic. Methods We searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library as well as CNKI, Wanfang and VIP from January 1, 2020 to July 31, 2021. The dates of publication, language of publication, methodological characteristics and the key findings were analyzed separately. The data are presented as bar graphs, structured tables and figures. Results In this scoping review, 16 research articles were included: 7 case reports, 6 observational studies, 1 review, 1 RCT and 1 nonrandomized clinical trial. The majority of the articles (81.3%) were published by Chinese scholars, 12.5% articles were by scholars in the United States, and 6.3% articles were by scholars in Iran. The included studies reported that acupuncture could alleviate the symptoms of COVID-19 patients, shorten their hospitalization days, and is effective for the elderly. There were no side effects reported. The most frequent acupoints used were LI4, PC6, ST36 and KI3. They reported many obstacles in implementing acupuncture therapy for treating COVID-19 patients. Conclusion Acupuncture has a good effect for the treatment of COVID-19, but high-quality evidence support is still lacking. Coupled with the difficulties that acupuncturists experienced during the process of treatment, the promotion of acupuncture treatment for COVID-19 faces many obstacles. Background Since the outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), acupuncture has been widely used in the treatment of COVID-19. The research community has responded rapidly and has already published many research articles about this topic. Methods We searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library as well as CNKI, Wanfang and VIP from January 1, 2020 to July 31, 2021. The dates of publication, language of publication, methodological characteristics and the key findings were analyzed separately. The data are presented as bar graphs, structured tables and figures. Results In this scoping review, 16 research articles were included: 7 case reports, 6 observational studies, 1 review, 1 RCT and 1 nonrandomized clinical trial. The majority of the articles (81.3%) were published by Chinese scholars, 12.5% articles were by scholars in the United States, and 6.3% articles were by scholars in Iran. The included studies reported that acupuncture could alleviate the symptoms of COVID-19 patients, shorten their hospitalization days, and is effective for the elderly. There were no side effects reported. The most frequent acupoints used were LI4, PC6, ST36 and KI3. They reported many obstacles in implementing acupuncture therapy for treating COVID-19 patients. Conclusion Acupuncture has a good effect for the treatment of COVID-19, but high-quality evidence support is still lacking. Coupled with the difficulties that acupuncturists experienced during the process of treatment, the promotion of acupuncture treatment for COVID-19 faces many obstacles.

Three-dimensional Fe2O3–TiO2–graphene aerogel nanocomposites with enhanced adsorption and visible light-driven photocatalytic performance in the removal of RhB dyes

Jing-Jie Zhang,Pan Qi,Jie Li,Xiu-Cheng Zheng,Pu Liu,Xin-Xin Guan,Guang-Ping Zheng 한국공업화학회 2018 Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Vol.61 No.-

A series of Fe2O3 and TiO2 co-doped graphene aerogel (Fe2O3–TiO2–GA) nanocomposites with a unique 3D architecture are assembled by a one-pot hydrothermal method combined with freeze-drying. The one with 30 wt% Fe2O3 exhibits the highest adsorptivity (95.0%) and the another with 25 wt% Fe2O3 displays the highest total efficiency (97.7%) including adsorption and visible light-driven photocatalytic degradation for rhodamine B dyes (20.0 mg L−1, 25 mL) within 1 h over 5.0 mg of the nanocomposites. The materials also display satisfactory cyclic stability and the removal efficiency can be 81.8% even after four runs. Additionally, a related photocatalytic mechanism is proposed.

CbCOR15, A Cold-Regulated Gene from Alpine Chorispora bungeana, Confers Cold Tolerance in Transgenic Tobacco

Jing Si,Jian-hui Wang,Li-jing Zhang,Hua Zhang,Ya-jie Liu,Li-zhe An 한국식물학회 2009 Journal of Plant Biology Vol.52 No.6

Rapid amplification of cDNA ends was performed to isolate cold-regulated CbCOR15 (EF208112) from Chorispora bungeana. This alpine species is distributed in subnival areas. Transcripts were detected in the leaves, but not the roots, of plants acclimated to cold temperatures. Expression was induced at high levels at both 4°C and −4°C. In comparing its deduced protein sequence to that of AtCOR15a (cold-regulated 15a in Arabidopsis thaliana), the N terminus had less homology than the C terminus while still containing a region analogous to the chloroplast-targeted signal peptide of AtCOR15a. We also introduced CbCOR15, with the CaMV 35S promoter, into tobacco. Second-generation (T1) plants had significantly increased tolerance to chilling, as determined by their electrolyte leakage, chlorophyll content, and relative water content. Further freezing-stress experiments showed that the tolerance of transgenic lines was significantly greater than that of the nontransgenics. Although the degree of chilling and freezing tolerance in the transgenic plants was not directly correlated with the accumulated levels of CbCOR15, we could conclude that this gene confers cold tolerance.

Neutrophil Count and the Inflammation-based Glasgow Prognostic Score Predict Survival in Patients with Advanced Gastric Cancer Receiving First-line Chemotherapy

Li, Qing-Qing,Lu, Zhi-Hao,Yang, Li,Lu, Ming,Zhang, Xiao-Tian,Li, Jian,Zhou, Jun,Wang, Xi-Cheng,Gong, Ji-Fang,Gao, Jing,Li, Jie,Li, Yan,Shen, Lin Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.2

Purpose: To explore the value of systemic inflammatory markers as independent prognostic factors and the extent these markers improve prognostic classification for patients with inoperable advanced or metastatic gastric cancer (GC) receiving palliative chemotherapy. Methods: We studied the prognostic value of systemic inflammatory factors such as circulating white blood cell count and its components as well as that combined to form inflammation-based prognostic scores (Glasgow Prognostic Score (GPS), Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR), Platelet Lymphocyte Ratio (PLR), Prognostic Index (PI) and Prognostic Nutritional Index (PNI)) in 384 patients with inoperable advanced or metastatic gastric cancer (GC) receiving first-line chemotherapy. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to examine the impact of inflammatory markers on overall survival (OS). Results: Univariate analysis revealed that an elevated white blood cell, neutrophil and/or platelet count, a decreased lymphocyte count, a low serum albumin concentration, and high CRP concentration, as well as elevated NLR/PLR, GPS, PI, PNI were significant predictors of shorter OS. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that only elevated neutrophil count (HR 3.696, p=0.003) and higher GPS (HR 1.621, p=0.01) were independent predictors of poor OS. Conclusion: This study demonstrated elevated pretreatment neutrophil count and high GPS to be independent predictors of shorter OS in inoperable advanced or metastatic GC patients treated with first-line chemotherapy. Upon validation of these data in independent studies, stratification of patients using these markers in future clinical trials is recommended.

Involvement of Cdc25c in Cell Cycle Alteration of a Radioresistant Lung Cancer Cell Line Established with Fractionated Ionizing Radiation

Li, Jie,Yang, Chun-Xu,Mei, Zi-Jie,Chen, Jing,Zhang, Shi-Min,Sun, Shao-Xing,Zhou, Fu-Xiang,Zhou, Yun-Feng,Xie, Cong-Hua Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.10

Cancer patients often suffer from local tumor recurrence after radiation therapy. Cell cycling, an intricate sequence of events which guarantees high genomic fidelity, has been suggested to affect DNA damage responses and eventual radioresistant characteristics of cancer cells. Here, we established a radioresistant lung cancer cell line, A549R, by exposing the parental A549 cells to repeated ${\gamma}$-ray irradiation with a total dose of 60 Gy. The radiosensitivity of A549 and A549R was confirmed using colony formation assays. We then focused on examination of the cell cycle distribution between A549 and A549R and found that the proportion of cells in the radioresistant S phase increased, whereas that in the radiosensitive G1 phase decreased. When A549 and A549R cells were exposed to 4 Gy irradiation the total differences in cell cycle redistribution suggested that G2-M cell cycle arrest plays a predominant role in mediating radioresistance. In order to further explore the possible mechanisms behind the cell cycle related radioresistance, we examined the expression of Cdc25 proteins which orchestrate cell cycle transitions. The results showed that expression of Cdc25c increased accompanied by the decrease of Cdc25a and we proposed that the quantity of Cdc25c, rather than activated Cdc25c or Cdc25a, determines the radioresistance of cells.

Staged Improvement in Awareness of Disease for Elderly Cancer Patients in Southern China

Li, Xing,Dong, Min,Wen, Jing-Yun,Wei, Li,Ma, Xiao-Kun,Xing, Yan-Fang,Deng, Yun,Chen, Zhan-Hong,Chen, Jie,Ruan, Dan-Yun,Lin, Ze-Xiao,Wang, Tian-Tian,Wu, Dong-Hao,Liu, Xu,Hu, Hai-Tao,Lin, Jia-Yu,Li, Zhu Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.15

Background: In mainland China, awareness of disease of elderly cancer patients largely relies on the patients' families. We developed a staged procedure to improve their awareness of disease. Materials and Methods: Participants were 224 elderly cancer patients from 9 leading hospitals across Southern China. A questionnaire was given to the oncologists in charge of each patient to evaluate the interaction between family and patients, patient awareness of their disease and participation in medical decision-making. After first cycles of treatment, increased information of disease was given to patients with cooperation of the family. Then patient awareness of their disease and participation in medical decision-making was documented. Results: Among the 224 cancer elderly patients, 26 (11.6%) made decisions by themselves and 125 (55.8%) delegated their rights of decision-making to their family. Subordinate family members tended to play a passive role in decision-making significantly. Patients participating more in medical decision-making tended to know more about their disease. However, in contrast to the awareness of disease, patient awareness of violation of medical recommendations was reversely associated with their participation in medical decision-making. Improvement in awareness of diagnosis, stages and prognosis was achieved in about 20% elderly cancer patients. About 5% participated more actively in medical decision-making. Conclusions: Chinese elderly cancer patient awareness of disease and participation in medical decision-making is limited and relies on their family status. The staged procedure we developed to improve patient awareness of disease proved effective.

Tumor Markers for Diagnosis, Monitoring of Recurrence and Prognosis in Patients with Upper Gastrointestinal Tract Cancer

Jing, Jie-Xian,Wang, Yan,Xu, Xiao-Qin,Sun, Ting,Tian, Bao-Guo,Du, Li-Li,Zhao, Xian-Wen,Han, Cun-Zhi Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.23

To evaluate the value of combined detection of serum CEA, CA19-9, CA24-2, AFP, CA72-4, SCC, TPA and TPS for the clinical diagnosis of upper gastrointestinal tract (GIT) cancer and to analyze the efficacy of these tumor markers (TMs) in evaluating curative effects and prognosis. A total of 573 patients with upper GIT cancer between January 2004 and December 2007 were enrolled in this study. Serum levels of CEA, CA19-9, CA24-2, AFP, CA72-4, SCC, TPA and TPS were examined preoperatively and every 3 months postoperatively by ELISA. The sensitivity of CEA, CA19-9, CA24-2, AFP, CA72-4, SCC, TPA and TPS were 26.8%, 36.2%, 42.9%, 2.84%, 25.4%, 34.6%, 34.2% and 30.9%, respectively. The combined detection of CEA+CA199+CA242+CA724 had higher sensitivity and specificity in gastric cancer (GC) and cardiac cancer, while CEA+CA199+CA242+SCC was the best combination of diagnosis for esophageal cancer (EC). Elevation of preoperative CEA, CA19-9 and CA24-2, SCC and CA72-4 was significantly associated with pathological types (p<0.05) and TNM staging (p<0.05). Correlation analysis showed that CA24-2 was significantly correlated with CA19-9 (r=0.810, p<0.001). The levels of CEA, CA19-9, CA24-2, CA72-4 and SCC decreased obviously 3 months after operations. When metastasis and recurrence occurred, the levels of TMs significantly increased. On multivariate analysis, high preoperative CA72-4, CA24-2 and SCC served as prognostic factors for cardiac carcinoma, GC and EC, respectively. combined detection of CEA+CA199+CA242+SCC proved to be the most economic and practical strategy in diagnosis of EC; CEA+CA199+CA242+CA724 proved to be a better evaluation indicator for cardiac cancer and GC. CEA and CA19-9, CA24-2, CA72-4 and SCC, examined postoperatively during follow-up, were useful to find early tumor recurrence and metastasis, and evaluate prognosis. AFP, TPA and TPS have no significant value in diagnosis of patients with upper GIT cancer.

Improving the Capture-range Problem in Phase-diversity Phase Retrieval for Laser-wavefront Measurement Using Geometrical-optics Initial Estimates

Li Jie Li,Wen Bo Jing,Wen Shen,Yue Weng,Bing Kun Huang,Xuan Feng 한국광학회 2022 Current Optics and Photonics Vol.6 No.5

To overcome the capture-range problem in phase-diversity phase retrieval (PDPR), a geometricaloptics initial-estimate method is proposed to avoid a local minimum and to improve the accuracy of laser-wavefront measurement. We calculate the low-order aberrations through the geometrical-optics model, which is based on the two spot images in the propagation path of the laser, and provide it as a starting guess for the PDPR algorithm. Simulations show that this improves the accuracy of wavefront recovery by 62.17% compared to other initial values, and the iteration time with our method is reduced by 28.96%. That is, this approach can solve the capture-range problem.

Investment Climate Analysis of China and South Korea: Based on Grading Method

Jing LI(Jing LI),Xin Yu XU(Xin Yu XU),Jie XU(Jie XU),Shuai SU(Shuai SU),Fan ZHANG(Fan ZHANG) 한국4차산업학회 2022 4차산업연구 Vol.2 No.2

Purpose - This study analyzes the investment environment of South Korea by using the rating scale of Robert B Stobaugh, Jr, and draws conclusion implication. Research design, data, and methodology - The study conducted a survey on according to the political stability, capital repatriation, foreign ownership allowed, discrimination and controls, foreign vs domestic businesses, currency stability, willingness to grant tariff protection, availability of local capital, and annual inflation for last 5 years. The score of these eight aspects will be given based on the current situation in South Korea and the sum of the scores will be calculated. Result - China-Korea economic and trade relations are in a stage of transformation and upgrading, and the level of economic and trade cooperation in various fields is reaching a new level. It is hoped that Chinese enterprises will grasp business opportunities, strengthen research and analysis of the Korea market and achieve mutually beneficial cooperation. Conclusion - The investment environment of South Korea is superior according to the political stability, capital repatriation, foreign ownership allowed, discrimination and controls, foreign vs domestic businesses, currency stability, willingness to grant tariff protection, availability of local capital, and annual inflation for last 5 years.

mRNA Expression of Ovine Angiopoietin-like Protein 4 Gene in Adipose Tissues

Zhang, Jing,Jing, Jiong-Jie,Jia, Xia-Li,Qiao, Li-Ying,Liu, Jian-Hua,Liang, Chen,Liu, Wen-Zhong Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2016 Animal Bioscience Vol.29 No.5

Angiopoietin-like protein 4 (ANGPTL4) is involved in a variety of functions, including lipoprotein metabolism and angiogenesis. To reveal the role of ANGPTL4 in fat metabolism of sheep, ovine ANGPTL4 mRNA expression was analyzed in seven adipose tissues from two breeds with distinct tail types. Forty-eight animals with the gender ratio of 1:1 for both Guangling Large Tailed (GLT) and Small Tailed Han (STH) sheep were slaughtered at 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 months of age, respectively. Adipose tissues were collected from greater and lesser omental, subcutaneous, retroperitoneal, perirenal, mesenteric, and tail fats. Ontogenetic mRNA expression of ANGPTL4 in these adipose tissues from GTL and STH was studied by quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction. The results showed that ANGPTL4 mRNA expressed in all adipose tissues studied with the highest in subcutaneous and the lowest in mesenteric fat depots. Months of age, tissue and breed are the main factors that significantly influence the mRNA expression. These results provide new insights into ovine ANGPTL4 gene expression and clues for its function mechanism.