Wogonin attenuates vascular remodeling by inhibiting smooth muscle cell proliferation and migration in hypertensive rat

Yang Yang,Huang Shan,Wang Jun,Nie Xiao,Huang Ling,Li Tianfa 대한약리학회 2024 The Korean Journal of Physiology & Pharmacology Vol.28 No.1

Wogonin, extracted from the roots of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, has been shown to suppress collagen deposition in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). This study was performed to investigate the role and mechanism of wogonin underlying vascular remodeling in SHRs. After injection of SHRs with 40 mg/kg of wogonin, blood pressure in rats was measured once a week. Masson's trichrome staining was conducted to observe the changes in aortas and mesenteric arteries. Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) isolated from rat thoracic aortas were treated with Angiotensin II (Ang II; 100 nM) in the presence or absence of varying concentrations of wogonin. The viability and proliferation of VSMCs were examined using Cell Counting Kit-8 assay and 5-ethynyl-2’-deoxyuridine assay, respectively. The migration of VSMCs was examined using wound healing assay and transwell assay. We found that wogonin administration alleviated hypertension, increased lumen diameter, and reduced the thickness of the arterial media in SHRs. Ang II treatment enhanced the viability of VSMCs, which was inhibited by wogonin in a concentration -dependent manner. Wogonin reversed Ang II-induced increases in the viability, proliferation, and migration of VSMCs. Moreover, wogonin inhibited Ang II-induced activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling in VSMCs. Overall, wogonin repressed the proliferative and migratory capacity of VSMCs by regulating the MAPK signaling pathway, thereby attenuating vascular remodeling in hypertensive rats, indicating that wogonin might be a therapeutic agent for the treatment of vascular diseases.

Expression of Connexin 43 and E-cadherin Protein and mRNA in Non-small Cell Lung Cancers in Chinese Patients

Zhao, Jun-Qiang,Sun, Fang-Jie,Liu, Shan-Shan,Yang, Jun,Wu, Yu-Quan,Li, Gui-Shan,Chen, Qing-Yong,Wang, Jia-Xiang Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.2

Aim: Connexin 43 (Cx43) and E-cadherin are important biomarkers related with cancer. Their expression at protein and mRNA levels was here investigated in 50 primary lung carcinoma tissues and 20 samples of adjacent normal tissue of Chinese patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods: Protein and mRNA expression were evaluated by ABC immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR. Results: (1) The positive expression rates of Cx43 and E-cadherin protein were higher in the adjacent normal tissues than those in the primary lung carcinoma tissues; (2) the positive expression rates of Cx43 and E-cadherin protein decreased with NSCLC progression; (3) the expression of E-cadherin protein was not related with the pathological type of NSCLC; and (4) the relative quantity of the Cx43 or E-cadherin mRNA expression was correlated with the the histological type, clinical stage, cancer cell differentiation and the lymph node metastasis. Conclusion: The data suggested that the Cx43 and E-cadherin are reduced with NSCLC progression, and might be important biomarkers for judging the metastasis and prognosis.

A practical coherency model for spatially varying ground motions

Yang, Qing-Shan,Chen, Ying-Jun Techno-Press 2000 Structural Engineering and Mechanics, An Int'l Jou Vol.9 No.2

Based on the discussion about some empirical coherency models resulted from earthquake-induced ground motion recordings at the SMART-1 array in Taiwan, and a heuristic model of the coherency function from elementary notions of stationary random process theory and a few simplifying assumptions regarding the propagation of seismic waves, a practical coherency model for spatially varying ground motions, which can be applied in aseismic analysis and design, is proposed, and the regressive coefficients are obtained using least-square fitting technique from the above recordings.

Induction Chemotherapy Plus Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy versus Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy Alone in Locoregionally Advanced Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma in Children and Adolescents: A Matched Cohort Analysis

Yang Li,Lin-Quan Tang,Li-Ting Liu,Shan-Shan Guo,Yu-Jing Liang,Xue-Song Sun,Qing-Nan Tang,Jin-Xin Bei,Jing Tan,Shuai Chen,Jun Ma,Chong Zhao,Qiu-Yan Chen,Hai-Qiang Mai 대한암학회 2018 Cancer Research and Treatment Vol.50 No.4

Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate the long-term clinical outcome and toxicity of induction chemotherapy (IC) followed by concomitant chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) compared with CCRT alone for the treatment of children and adolescent locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (LACANPC). Materials and Methods A total of 194 locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients younger than 21 years who received CCRT with or without IC before were included in the study population. Overall survival (OS) rate, progression-free survival (PFS) rate, locoregional recurrence-free survival (LRFS) rate, and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) rate were assessed by the Kaplan-Meier method and a log-rank test. Treatment toxicities were clarified and compared between two groups. Results One hundred and thiry of 194 patients received IC+CCRT. Patients who were younger and with more advanced TNM stage were more likely to receive IC+CCRT and intensive modulated radiotherapy. The addition of IC before CCRT failed to improve survival significantly. The matched analysis identified 43 well-balanced patients in both two groups. With a median follow-up of 51.5 months, no differences were found between the IC+CCRT group and the CCRT group in 5-year OS (83.7% vs. 74.6%, p=0.153), PFS (79.2% vs. 73.4%, p=0.355), LRFS (97.7% vs. 88.2%, p=0.083), and DMFS (81.6% vs. 81.6%, p=0.860). N3 was an independent prognostic factor predicting poorer OS, PFS, and DMFS. The addition of IC was associated with increased rates of grade 3 to 4 neutropenia. Conclusion This study failed to demonstrate that adding IC before CCRT could provide a significant additional survival benefit for LACANPC patients. Further investigations are warranted.

Study on mechanical behaviors of loose mortise-tenon joint with neighbouring gap

Jun-xiao He,Juan Wang,Qing-shan Yang,Miao Han,Yang Deng 국제구조공학회 2021 Structural Engineering and Mechanics, An Int'l Jou Vol.77 No.4

The neighbouring gaps at the mortise-tenon joint in traditional timber structure, which leads to the complexity of the joint, are considered to impair the mechanical performance of the joint. In this paper, numerical simulation of loose joint was conducted to examine the deformation states, stress distributions, and bearing capacities, which was verified by full-scale test. On the basis of the experimental and numerical results, a simplified mechanics model with gaps has been proposed to present the bending capacity of the loose joint. Besides, the gap effects and parameter studies on the influences of tenon height, friction coefficient, elastic modulus and axial load were also investigated. As a result, the estimated relationship between moment and rotation angle of loose joint showed the agreement with the numerical results, demonstrating validity of the proposed model; The bending bearing capacity and rotational stiffness of loose joint had a certain drop with the increasing of gaps; and the tenon height may be the most important factor affecting the mechanical behaviors of the joint when it is subjected to repeated load; Research results can provide important references on the condition assessments of the existing mortise-tenon joint.

Bulk Synthesis of Fe3Al Intermetallic Compound Nanoparticles by Flow-Levitation Method

Shan-Jun Chen,Song Li,Yang-En Wang,Hui Zeng,Yong-Jian Tang,Wei-Guo Sun,Yan Chen 성균관대학교(자연과학캠퍼스) 성균나노과학기술원 2015 NANO Vol.10 No.1

Metallic nanopowders have an increasing application in magnetic materials, catalysts and chemical and metallic industries. In this research, a novel bulk synthesis method for preparing high pure intermetallic Fe3Al nanoparticles was developed by flow-levitation (FL) method. The Fe and Al vapors ascending from the high-temperature levitated droplet were condensed by cryogenic argon gas under atmospheric pressure. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and selected-area electron diffraction (SAED) were used to identify and characterize the prepared nanopowders exhibiting a Fe3Al phase. Measurement of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) indicated that the Fe3Al particles are nearly spherical, and the particle size of the compound ranges from 10 nm to 200 nm in diameter. The chemical composition of the nanoparticles were determined with energy dispersive spectrometer. The magnetic properties of the nanopowder indicate that Fe3Al intermetallic compound is a soft magnet at room temperature, with coercivity of 24.2 Oe and saturation magnetization of 173.2 emu/g. The production rate of Fe3Al nanoparticles was estimated to be about 4 g/h in a continuous manner, by using the FL method. This method as great potential in mass production of Fe3Al nanoparticles.

Study on the mechanical behaviors of timber frame with the simplified column foot joints

Qing-shan Yang,Jun-xiao He,Juan Wang 국제구조공학회 2021 Structural Engineering and Mechanics, An Int'l Jou Vol.77 No.3

Column foot in traditional Chinese timber structures may be subjected to be uplifted due to the lateral load and subsequently reset under the vertical loads. The residual moment of the rocking column foot is the most important parameter representing the mechanical behaviors of column foot, and the simplification of joints is the basis of structural analysis of whole structure. The complicated mechanical behaviors of joint and the modeling of the column foot joint has been undertaken historically based on the experiments and numerical simulation. On the condition of limited application range of those models, a lack of simplified model to represent the mechanical behaviors of joint deserves attentions. There is a great need to undertake theoretical studies to derive the residual moment and make better simplified model of the joint. This paper proposes the residual moment and equivalent simplified model of the rotational stiffness for column foot joint. And, the timber frame is established based on the simplified model, which is verified by solid finite element model. Results show that a mutual agreement on the mechanical behaviors of the timber frame is obtained between the simplified model and the solid finite element model. This study can serve as the references of the structural analysis for the traditional timber structures.

An intelligent hybrid methodology of on-line system-level fault diagnosis for nuclear power plant

Min-jun Peng,Hang Wang,Shan-shan Chen,Genglei Xia,Yong-kuo Liu,Xu Yang,Abiodun Ayodeji 한국원자력학회 2018 Nuclear Engineering and Technology Vol.50 No.3

To assist operators to properly assess the current situation of the plant, accurate fault diagnosis methodologyshould be available and used. A reliable fault diagnosis method is beneficial for the safety ofnuclear power plants. The major idea proposed in this work is integrating the merits of different faultdiagnosis methodologies to offset their obvious disadvantages and enhance the accuracy and credibilityof on-line fault diagnosis. This methodology uses the principle component analysis-based model andmulti-flow model to diagnose fault type. To ensure the accuracy of results from the multi-flow model, amechanical simulation model is implemented to do the quantitative calculation. More significantly,mechanism simulation is implemented to provide training data with fault signatures. Furthermore, oneof the distance formulas in similarity measurementdMahalanobis distancedis applied for on-line failuredegree evaluation. The performance of this methodology was evaluated by applying it to the reactorcoolant system of a pressurized water reactor. The results of simulation analysis show the effectivenessand accuracy of this methodology, leading to better confidence of it being integrated as a part of thecomputerized operator support system to assist operators in decision-making.

Parkinson’s Disease with Fatigue: Clinical Characteristics and Potential Mechanisms Relevant to α-Synuclein Oligomer

Li-Jun Zuo,Shu-Yang Yu,Fang Wang,Yanghui Xia,Ying-Shan Piao,Yang Du,Teng-Hong Lian,Rui-Dan Wang,Qiu-Jin Yu,Ya-Jie Wang,Xiao-Min Wang,Piu Chan,Sheng-Di Chen,Yongjun Wang,Wei Zhang 대한신경과학회 2016 Journal of Clinical Neurology Vol.12 No.2

Background and Purpose The aim of this study was to identify the clinical characteristics and potential mechanisms relevant to pathological proteins in Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients who experience fatigue. Methods PD patients (n=102) were evaluated using a fatigue severity scale and scales for motor and nonmotor symptoms. The levels of three pathological proteins—α-synuclein oligomer, β-amyloid (Aβ)1-42, and tau—were measured in 102 cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from these PD patients. Linear regression analyses were performed between fatigue score and the CSF levels of the above-listed pathological proteins in PD patients. Results The frequency of fatigue in the PD patients was 62.75%. The fatigue group had worse motor symptoms and anxiety, depression, and autonomic dysfunction. The CSF level of α-synuclein oligomer was higher and that of Aβ1-42 was lower in the fatigue group than in the non-fatigue group. In multiple linear regression analyses, fatigue severity was significantly and positively correlated with the α-synuclein oligomer level in the CSF of PD patients, after adjusting for confounders. Conclusions PD patients experience a high frequency of fatigue. PD patients with fatigue have worse motor and part nonmotor symptoms. Fatigue in PD patients is associated with an increased α-synuclein oligomer level in the CSF

Identification and Functional Analysis of the Chain Length Determinant Gene ste8 Involved in the Biosynthesis of Ebosin by Streptomyces sp.139

( Zhang Yang ),( Xiao Hua Li ),( Xiao Qaing Qi ),( Jun Jie Shan ),( Rong Jiang ),( Lian Hong Guo ),( Ren Zhang ),( Yuan Li ) 한국미생물 · 생명공학회 2013 Journal of microbiology and biotechnology Vol.23 No.11

Ebosin, a novel exopolysaccharide produced by Streptomyces sp. 139, has obvious antirheumatic arthritis activity in vivo, and its biosynthesis gene cluster (ste), consisting of 27 open reading frames, has been identified. This paper reports our study of the gene functionality of ste8, the predicted protein product of which is homologous to some bacterial chain length determinant Wzz proteins. For characterization of Ste8, ste8 was cloned and expressed in the mutant strain E. coli 086:H2 (Δwzz). The functional complementation of wzz by ste8 was demonstrated by the restoration of wild-type lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis and increased levels of serum resistance of E. coli 086:H2 (Δwzz) (pET30a-ste8). To examine the function of ste8 in ebosin biosynthesis, the gene was knocked out with a double crossover via homologous recombination. The molecular weight of the ebosin derivative EPS-8m produced by the mutant Streptomyces sp. 139 (ste8-) was much lower than that of ebosin, and the binding activity of EPS-8m for IL-1R decreased significantly compared with ebosin. These results demonstrate that ste8 encodes a chain length determinant (Wzz) that functions in ebosin biosynthesis.