Evidence for the medicinal value of Squama Manitis (pangolin scale): A systematic review

Xinyao Jin,Hui Zi Chua,Keyi Wang,Nan Li,Wenke Zheng,Wentai Pang,Fengwen Yang,Bo Pang,Mingyan Zhang,Junhua Zhang 한국한의학연구원 2021 Integrative Medicine Research Vol.10 No.1

Background: Squama Manitis (pangolin scale) has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years. However, its efficacy has not been systematically reviewed. This review aims to fill the gap. Methods: We searched six electronic databases including PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure Database (CNKI), WanFang Database and SinoMed from inception to May 1, 2020. Search terms included “pangolin”, “Squama Manitis”, “Manis crassicaudata”, “Manis javanica”, “Malayan pangolins”, “Manis pentadactyla”, “Ling Li”, “Chuan Shan Jia”, “Shan Jia”, “Pao Jia Zhu”, “Jia Pian” and “Pao Shan Jia”. The Cochrane Risk of Bias (RoB) assessment tool and Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) were used to evaluate the risk of bias of the included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and case control studies (CCSs). Results: After screening, 15 articles that met the inclusion criteria were finally included. There were 4 randomized controlled trials, 1 case control study, 3 case series and 7 case reports. A total of 15 different diseases were reported in these studies, thus the data could not be merged to generate powerful results. Two RCTs suggested that Squama Manitis combined with herbal decoction or antibiotics could bring additional benifit for treating postpartum hypogalactia and mesenteric lymphadenitis. However, this result was not reliable due to low methodological quality and irrational outcomes. The other two RCTs generated negative results. All the non-RCTs did not add any valuable evidence to the efficacy of Squama Manitis beacause of small samples, incomplete records, non-standardized outcome detection. In general, currently available evidence cannot support the clinical use of Squama Manitis. Conclusion: There is no reliable evidence that Squama Manitis has special medicinal value. The removal of Squama Manitis from Pharmacopoeia is rational.

Microstructure and viscoelastic behavior of waterborne polyurethane/cellulose nanofiber nanocomposite

Hui Zhao,Kui-Can Li,Wei Wu,Qing Li,Yan Jiang,Bing-Xu Cheng,Chong-Xing Huang,Hua-Nan Li 한국공업화학회 2022 Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Vol.110 No.-

Cellulose nanofiber (CNF) has been widely used to reinforce the mechanical properties of waterbornepolyurethane (WPU). There are, however, few works that focus on structure, rheological behavior, andcreep resistance of WPU/CNF composites. To fill this research gap, in this work, the m-CNF was obtainedby c-aminopropyltriethoxysilane modification to improve the interfacial strength of CNF and WPU, andthen it was introduced into the polyurethane matrix. Structure characterization of WPU/m-CNFnanocomposites is performed using Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction(XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The obtainedresults show that with the increase of m-CNF, the hydrogen bonding index (HBI) increased, which meanta significant improvement in the mechanical properties. The tensile strength improved by 480%. Moreover, with the increase of m-CNF content, the viscosity, storage modulus, and loss modulus of thedispersions increased and showed more obvious shear-thinning behavior. In addition, m-CNF improvedthe thermal stability and creep resistance of WPU. The creep strain of WPU decreased from 3% to 0.2%. This work offers a simply feasible way to prepare environmental friendly green nanocomposites.

Lung Cancer Risk Prediction Method Based on Feature Selection and Artificial Neural Network

Xie, Nan-Nan,Hu, Liang,Li, Tai-Hui Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.23

A method to predict the risk of lung cancer is proposed, based on two feature selection algorithms: Fisher and ReliefF, and BP Neural Networks. An appropriate quantity of risk factors was chosen for lung cancer risk prediction. The process featured two steps, firstly choosing the risk factors by combining two feature selection algorithms, then providing the predictive value by neural network. Based on the method framework, an algorithm LCRP (lung cancer risk prediction) is presented, to reduce the amount of risk factors collected in practical applications. The proposed method is suitable for health monitoring and self-testing. Experiments showed it can actually provide satisfactory accuracy under low dimensions of risk factors.

Value of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography in microwave ablation treatment of symptomatic focal uterine adenomyosis

Xiao-Long Li,Jia-Xin Li,Song-Yuan Yu,Pei-Li Fan,Yun-Jie Jin,Er-Jiao Xu,Sai-Nan Guan,Er-Ya Deng,Qiu-Yan Li,Zheng-Biao Ji,Jiu-Ling Qi,Hui-Xiong Xu,China Alliance of Multi-Center Clinical Study for Ultra 대한초음파의학회 2024 ULTRASONOGRAPHY Vol.43 No.1

Purpose: This study evaluated the value of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) in the ultrasound-guided microwave ablation (MWA) treatment of symptomatic focal uterine adenomyosis.Methods: This retrospective study was conducted between March 2020 and January 2023, enrolling 52 patients with symptomatic focal uterine adenomyosis who had undergone MWA. All patients were examined with CEUS before and after MWA. The non-perfused volume (NPV) was compared between CEUS and dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCEMRI) following ablation. Therapeutic efficacy and safety were evaluated at 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-ups. Additionally, this study explored the correlations between pre-treatment CEUS features and a volume reduction ratio indicating sufficient ablation, defined as 50% or more at the 3-month follow-up.Results: No significant differences in NPV were noted between CEUS and DCE-MRI immediately after MWA and during follow-up (all P>0.05). At the 3-month follow-up, the median VRRs for the uterus and adenomyosis were 33.2% and 63.9%, respectively. Sufficient ablation was achieved in 69.2% (36/52) of adenomyosis cases, while partial ablation was observed in the remaining 30.8% (16/52). The identification of non-enhancing areas on pre-treatment CEUS was associated with sufficient ablation (P=0.016). At the 12-month follow-up, significant decreases were observed in both the uterine and adenomyosis volumes (all P<0.001). Dysmenorrhea and menorrhagia were significantly alleviated at 12 months, and no major complications were encountered.Conclusion: CEUS can be used to evaluate the ablation zone of focal adenomyosis that has been treated with MWA, similarly to DCE-MRI. The identification of non-enhancing areas on pretreatment CEUS indicates satisfactory treatment outcomes. Purpose: This study evaluated the value of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) in the ultrasound-guided microwave ablation (MWA) treatment of symptomatic focal uterine adenomyosis. Methods: This retrospective study was conducted between March 2020 and January 2023, enrolling 52 patients with symptomatic focal uterine adenomyosis who had undergone MWA. All patients were examined with CEUS before and after MWA. The non-perfused volume (NPV) was compared between CEUS and dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE- MRI) following ablation. Therapeutic efficacy and safety were evaluated at 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-ups. Additionally, this study explored the correlations between pre-treatment CEUS features and a volume reduction ratio indicating sufficient ablation, defined as 50% or more at the 3-month follow-up. Results: No significant differences in NPV were noted between CEUS and DCE-MRI immediately after MWA and during follow-up (all P>0.05). At the 3-month follow-up, the median VRRs for the uterus and adenomyosis were 33.2% and 63.9%, respectively. Sufficient ablation was achieved in 69.2% (36/52) of adenomyosis cases, while partial ablation was observed in the remaining 30.8% (16/52). The identification of non-enhancing areas on pre-treatment CEUS was associated with sufficient ablation (P=0.016). At the 12-month follow-up, significant decreases were observed in both the uterine and adenomyosis volumes (all P<0.001). Dysmenorrhea and menorrhagia were significantly alleviated at 12 months, and no major complications were encountered. Conclusion: CEUS can be used to evaluate the ablation zone of focal adenomyosis that has been treated with MWA, similarly to DCE-MRI. The identification of non-enhancing areas on pre- treatment CEUS indicates satisfactory treatment outcomes.

Two new benzylisoquinoline alkaloids from Thalictrum foliolosum and their antioxidant and in vitro antiproliferative properties

Da-Hong Li,Jia Guo,Wen Bin,Nan Zhao,Kai-bo Wang,Jian-yong Li,Zhan-Lin Li,Hui-Ming Hua 대한약학회 2016 Archives of Pharmacal Research Vol.39 No.7

Two novel rare chloro-containing benzylisoquinolinealkaloids, thalfoliolosumines A (1) and B (2),along with eight known isoquinoline alkaloids (3–10) wereisolated from the whole plant of Thalictrum foliolosum. The structures of these compounds were elucidated byspectral analyses, including 1D and 2D NMR (COSY,HSQC, HMBC and NOESY) experiments. The antiproliferativeeffects of all the isolated compounds were evaluatedby MTT method against MCF-7, PC-3, and U937cells, and trypan blue method against HL-60 cells. Newcompounds 1 and 2 exhibited moderate in vitro antiproliferativeactivity against MCF-7, PC-3, and HL-60 cells,and good inhibitory effects against U937 cells with IC50values of 7.50 and 6.97 μM, respectively. Compounds 7and 10 showed the strongest in vitro antiproliferative withIC50 values of 0.93 and 1.69 lM against HL-60 cell line. The antioxidant properties were also measured, bisbenzyltetrahydroisoquinolinealkaloids 3–6 showed the strongestantioxidant activities in ABTS assay.

2-Hydroxy-3-methylanthraquinone from Hedyotis diffusa Willd induces apoptosis in human leukemic U937 cells through modulation of MAPK pathways

Nan Wang,Dong-Yang Li,Hui-Yan Niu,Yi Zhang,Ping He,Jia-He Wang 대한약학회 2013 Archives of Pharmacal Research Vol.36 No.6

The herb of Hedyotis diffusa Willd (H. diffusaWilld), an annual herb distributed in northeastern Asia, hasbeen known as a traditional orientalmedicine for the treatmentof cancer. Recently, Chinese researchers have discovered thattwo anthraquinones isolated from a water extract of H. diffusaWilld showed apoptosis-inducing effects against cancer cells. However, the cellular and molecular mechanisms responsiblefor this phenomenon are poorly understood. The current studydetermines the role of mitogen-activated protein kinases(MAPK) in human leukemic U937 cells apoptosis inducedby 2-hydroxy-3-methylanthraquinone from H. diffusa. Ourresults showed that 2-hydroxy-3-methylanthraquinone decreasedphosphorylation-ERK1/2 (p-ERK1/2), and increasedp-p38MAPK, but did not affect expressions of p-JNK1/2 inU937 cells. Moreover, treatment of U937 cells with2-hydroxy-3-methylanthraquinone resulted in activation ofcaspase-3. Furthermore, PD98059 (ERK1/2 inhibitor)significantly enhanced 2-hydroxy-3-methylanthraquinoneinducedapoptosis in U937 cells, whereas caspase-3 inhibitoror SB203580 (p-p38MAPK inhibitor), decreased apoptosis inU937 cells. Taken together, our study for the first time suggeststhat 2-hydroxy-3-methylanthraquinone is able toenhance apoptosis of U937 cells, at least in part, throughactivation of p-p38MAPK and downregulation of p-ERK1/2. Moreover, the triggering of caspase-3 activation mediatedapoptotic induction.

Sulforaphane Inhibits TNF-α-Induced Adhesion Molecule Expression Through the Rho A/ROCK/NF-κB Signaling Pathway

Chi-Nan Hung,Hui-Pei Huang,Chau-Jong Wang,Kai-Li Liu,Chong-Kuei Lii 한국식품영양과학회 2014 Journal of medicinal food Vol.17 No.10

Endothelial dysfunction is an early indicator of cardiovascular diseases. Increased stimulation of tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a) triggers the inflammatory mediator secretion of endothelial cells, leading to atherosclerotic risk. In this study, we investigated whether sulforaphane (SFN) affected the expression of intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) in TNF-a-induced ECV 304 endothelial cells. Our data showed that SFN attenuated TNF-a-induced expression of ICAM-1 in ECV 304 cells. Pretreatment of ECV 304 cells with SFN inhibited dose-dependently the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-1b, IL-6, and IL-8. SFN inhibited TNF-a-induced nuclear factor-jB (NF-jB) DNA binding activity. Furthermore, SFN decreased TNF-a-mediated phosphorylation of IjB kinase (IKK) and IjBa, Rho A, ROCK, ERK1/2, and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) levels. Collectively, SFN inhibited the NF-jB DNA binding activity and downregulated the TNF-a-mediated induction of ICAM-1 in endothelial cells by inhibiting the Rho A/ROCK/NF-jB signaling pathway, suggesting the beneficial effects of SFN on suppression of inflammation within the atherosclerotic lesion.

A heat shock protein 70 protects the green peach aphid (Myzus persicae) against high-temperature stress

Chen Nan,Tan Jia-Yu,Wang Ying,Qi Ming-Hui,Peng Jiang-Nan,Chen De-Xin,Liu Su,Li Mao-Ye 한국응용곤충학회 2022 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.25 No.4

Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are encoded by Hsp genes and are important in insect tolerance to heat stress. The green peach aphid, Myzus persicae, is an important agricultural pest. The functions of Hsp genes in the thermal tolerance of M. persicae are unknown. This study identified an Hsp70 gene (MpHsp70a) and analyzed its role in protection against high-temperature stress. MpHsp70a encoded a protein consisting of 659 amino acid residues. The protein had three signature motifs of the HSP70 family and was predicted to be localized in the cytoplasm. The highest expression level of MpHsp70a was in adults, and differences in the mRNA levels between apterous and alate adults were not significant. Exposure to high temperatures (30, 35 and 40 ◦ C) for one hour and treatment with 40 ◦ C for different times (0.5, 1 and 2 h) all resulted in a greatly elevated expression level of MpHsp70a, suggesting that the gene is heat-inducible. The transcriptional level of MpHsp70a was suppressed by injection with double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), and knockdown of MpHsp70a significantly increased the suscep tibility of apterous adults to 40 ◦ C. These results indicate that MpHsp70a is required for tolerance to hightemperature stress in M. persicae. Our findings highlight the molecular mechanism underlying Hsp70-mediated thermal adaptation in M. persicae.

Anti-androgen-independent Prostate Cancer Effects of Ginsenoside Metabolites In Vitro: Mechanism and Possible Structure-Activity Relationship Investigation

Wei Li,Yong Liu,Jiang-Wei Zhang,Chun-Zhi Ai,Nan Xiang,Hui-Xin Liu,Ling Yang 대한약학회 2009 Archives of Pharmacal Research Vol.32 No.1

Treatment of androgen-independent prostate cancer (AIPC) remains unsatisfactory. In our present experiment, natural occurring ginsenosides (NOGs) and intestinal bacterial metabolites (IBMs) were employed to investigate their anti-AIPC cell growth activity using PC-3 cells. Our results showed that the IBMs exerted more portent anti-AIPC activity than NOGs, by decreasing survival rate, inhibiting proliferation, inducing apoptosis, and leading to cell cycle arrest in AIPC PC-3 cells. The increase of LogP and decrease of C-6 steric hindrance, which were caused by deglycosylation by intestinal bacteria, may be the reason for the higher anti-AIPC activity of IBMs.

Application of a Q Method Study to Understanding Nurses’ Perspective of Adopting Evidence-Based Nursing

Ruo-Nan Jueng,Shu-He Huang,Tsui-Ping Li,Hui-Yu Liang,Chiu-Mieh Huang 한국간호과학회 2017 Asian Nursing Research Vol.11 No.4

Purpose: This study applied the Q method to identify and describe the various types of nurse perceptions that are crucially associated with their engagement in evidence-based nursing (EBN). Methods: The study participants were nurses at a medical center and a regional teaching hospital. A series of Q sorts was performed by nurses to subjectively rank the Q statements. Q statements were constructed based on the literature related to EBN adoption by nurses and face-to-face interviews. Results: A total of 60 participants were invited to rank 44 Q statements related to EBN. Factor analysis was conducted on the rankings of the Q statements. The following are the five prominent shared perspectives: (1) emphasized the obstacles to evidence searching and reading ability; (2) emphasized the organizational promotive strategies; (3) emphasized the available supportive resources; (4) emphasized the significance of EBN; and (5) emphasized the evidence-searching ability and external incentives. The five identified groups of perspectives can enhance hospital administrators to acknowledge the barriers and incentives associated with EBN practices. Conclusion: The exploration of clustering nurses' perceptions may facilitate the development of customized strategies to enable more appropriate training.