Suppression of GHS-R in AgRP Neurons Mitigates Diet-Induced Obesity by Activating Thermogenesis

Wu, Chia-Shan,Bongmba, Odelia Y. N.,Yue, Jing,Lee, Jong Han,Lin, Ligen,Saito, Kenji,Pradhan, Geetali,Li, De-Pei,Pan, Hui-Lin,Xu, Allison,Guo, Shaodong,Xu, Yong,Sun, Yuxiang MDPI AG 2017 INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES Vol.18 No.4

<P>Ghrelin, an orexigenic hormone released primarily from the gut, signals the hypothalamus to stimulate growth hormone release, enhance appetite and promote weight gain. The ghrelin receptor, aka Growth Hormone Secretagogue Receptor (GHS-R), is highly expressed in the brain, with highest expression in Agouti-Related Peptide (AgRP) neurons of the hypothalamus. We recently reported that neuron-specific deletion of GHS-R completely prevents diet-induced obesity (DIO) in mice by activating non-shivering thermogenesis. To further decipher the specific neuronal circuits mediating the metabolic effects of GHS-R, we generated AgRP neuron-specific GHS-R knockout mice (<I>AgRP-Cre</I>;<I>Ghsr<SUP>f/f</SUP></I>). Our data showed that GHS-R in AgRP neurons is required for ghrelin’s stimulatory effects on growth hormone secretion, acute food intake and adiposity, but not for long-term total food intake. Importantly, deletion of GHS-R in AgRP neurons attenuated diet-induced obesity (DIO) and enhanced cold-resistance in mice fed high fat diet (HFD). The HFD-fed knockout mice showed increased energy expenditure, and exhibited enhanced thermogenic activation in both brown and subcutaneous fat; this implies that GHS-R suppression in AgRP neurons enhances sympathetic outflow. In summary, our results suggest that AgRP neurons are key site for GHS-R mediated thermogenesis, and demonstrate that GHS-R in AgRP neurons plays crucial roles in governing energy utilization and pathogenesis of DIO.</P>

β-arrestin Promotes c-Jun N-terminal Kinase Mediated Apoptosis via a GABA_BR·β-arrestin·JNK Signaling Module

Wu, Jin-Xia,Shan, Feng-Xiao,Zheng, Jun-Nian,Pei, Dong-Sheng Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.2

Evidence is growing that the $GABA_B$ receptor, which belongs to the G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) superfamily, is involved in tumorigenesis. Recent studies have shown that ${\beta}$-arrestin can serve as a scaffold to recruit signaling protein c-Jun N-terminal knase (JNK) to GPCR. Here we investigated whether ${\beta}$-arrestin recruits JNK to the $GABA_B$ receptor and facilitates its activation to affect the growth of cancer cells. Our results showed that ${\beta}$-arrestin expression is decreased in breast cancer cells in comparison with controls. ${\beta}$-arrestin could enhance interactions of the $GABA_BR{\cdot}{\beta}-arrestin{\cdot}JNK$ signaling module in MCF-7 and T-47D cells. Further studies revealed that increased expression of ${\beta}$-arrestin enhances the phosphorylation of JNK and induces cancer cells apoptosis. Collectively, these results indicate that ${\beta}$-arrestin promotes JNK mediated apoptosis via a $GABA_BR{\cdot}{\beta}-arrestin{\cdot}JNK$ signaling module.

온라인 협업 도구 활용 한국어 수업 사례 : 상해 삼달대학교를 중심으로

배영련(Pei, Ying Lian),오선자(Wu, Shan Zi),최선진(Choi, Seon Jin),한나(Han, Na),오영화(Wu, Ying Hua) 글로벌교육연구학회 2021 글로벌교육연구 Vol.13 No.4

본 연구는 온라인 수업에서의 상호작용에 도움을 주며, 중국과 한국에서 동시에 사용할수 있는 다양한 온라인 협업 도구를 소개하고, 이 도구 네 가지(mentimeter, zoom, padlet, Quizizz)를 사용하여 중국인 대상 한국어 수업을 운영한 사례를 제시하였다. 그리고본 수업 운영에 대한 학습자 만족도를 살펴보기 위하여 2021학년도 3월 학기에 본 수업을수강한 상해 삼달대학교 한국어 학습자 75명을 대상으로 만족도 조사를 시행하였으며, 그결과 전체적인 수업 만족도는 평균 4.09였다. 또한, 온라인 수업에서의 상호작용 향상을위한 방법으로 활용한 온라인 협업 도구에 대한 전체적인 만족도는 4.24였으며, 각 도구의만족도는 mentimeter가 4.63, zoom이 4.15, padlet이 4.09, Quizizz 3.81 순이었다. 이 중에서 협업 도구에 대한 전체적인 만족도와 padlet 만족도가 수업 전체 만족도에 영향을미치는 것으로 분석되었다. 본 연구 결과에 따른 제언은 다음과 같다. 첫째, 온라인 협업도구 활용에 대한 학습자 만족도가 높기 때문에 한국어 수업에 활용할 수 있는 다양한 협업도구 연구를 바탕으로 수업 적용이 필요하며, 각 국 학습자용 교재 편찬이 필요하다고 할수 있다. 본 연구는 다양한 온라인 수업에서의 상호작용에 필요한 다양한 협업 도구를 소개하고 비대면 수업에서의 실제 활용방안을 제시했으며, 이에 대한 학습자들의 의견을 수렴했다는 점에서 의의가 있다. This study was to present a case of an Online Korean class using four online tools such as Mentimeter, Zoom, Padlet, Quizizz for helping the interaction of Korean and Chinese students. To investigate learner satisfaction, 75 Chinese students from Shanda University participated in a survey after the class. The results were as follows: First, the overall class satisfaction was 4.09, especially students were satisfied with using collaboration tools. Second, online tool satisfaction was 4.63 for Mentimeter, 4.15 for Zoom, 4.09 for Padlet, and 3.81 for Quizizz in the order of the program. Based on the results, it was suggested applications of various online tools into class and textbooks for learners. At last, it was significant that the case of online Korean class was presented with many online tools and learners satisfaction in this study.

Evaluation of Malignancy Risk of Ampullary Tumors Detected by Endoscopy Using 2-[18F]FDG PET/CT

Chuang Pei-Ju,Wang Hsiu-Po,Tien Yu-Wen,Chin Wei-Shan,Hsieh Min-Shu,Chen Chieh-Chang,Hong Tzu-Chan,Ko Chi-Lun,Wu Yen-Wen,Cheng Mei-Fang 대한영상의학회 2024 Korean Journal of Radiology Vol.25 No.3

Objective: We aimed to investigate whether 2-[18F]fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (2-[18F]FDG PET/CT) can aid in evaluating the risk of malignancy in ampullary tumors detected by endoscopy. Materials and Methods: This single-center retrospective cohort study analyzed 155 patients (79 male, 76 female; mean age, 65.7 ± 12.7 years) receiving 2-[18F]FDG PET/CT for endoscopy-detected ampullary tumors 5–87 days (median, 7 days) after the diagnostic endoscopy between June 2007 and December 2020. The final diagnosis was made based on histopathological findings. The PET imaging parameters were compared with clinical data and endoscopic features. A model to predict the risk of malignancy, based on PET, endoscopy, and clinical findings, was generated and validated using multivariable logistic regression analysis and an additional bootstrapping method. The final model was compared with standard endoscopy for the diagnosis of ampullary cancer using the DeLong test. Results: The mean tumor size was 17.1 ± 7.7 mm. Sixty-four (41.3%) tumors were benign, and 91 (58.7%) were malignant. Univariable analysis found that ampullary neoplasms with a blood-pool corrected peak standardized uptake value in earlyphase scan (SUVe) ≥ 1.7 were more likely to be malignant (odds ratio [OR], 16.06; 95% confidence interval [CI], 7.13–36.18; P < 0.001). Multivariable analysis identified the presence of jaundice (adjusted OR [aOR], 4.89; 95% CI, 1.80–13.33; P = 0.002), malignant traits in endoscopy (aOR, 6.80; 95% CI, 2.41–19.20; P < 0.001), SUVe ≥ 1.7 in PET (aOR, 5.43; 95% CI, 2.00–14.72; P < 0.001), and PET-detected nodal disease (aOR, 5.03; 95% CI, 1.16–21.86; P = 0.041) as independent predictors of malignancy. The model combining these four factors predicted ampullary cancers better than endoscopic diagnosis alone (area under the curve [AUC] and 95% CI: 0.925 [0.874–0.956] vs. 0.815 [0.732–0.873], P < 0.001). The model demonstrated an AUC of 0.921 (95% CI, 0.816–0.967) in candidates for endoscopic papillectomy. Conclusion: Adding 2-[18F]FDG PET/CT to endoscopy can improve the diagnosis of ampullary cancer and may help refine therapeutic decision-making, particularly when contemplating endoscopic papillectomy.

Clinical Value of Dual-phase ¹⁸F-FDG SPECT with Serum Procalcitonin for Identification of Etiology in Tumor Patients with Fever of Unknown Origin

Zhang, Qun,Shan, Chun,Wu, Pei,Huang, Xin-En Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.2

Objective: The purpose of the study was to evaluate clinical value of dual-phase $^{18}F$-FDG SPECT with serum procalcitonin (PCT) in identifying cancers in patients with fever of unknown origin (FUO). Methods: PCT test and dual-phase $^{18}F$-FDG SPECT were sequentially performed on 50 consecutive patients with FUO. Two radiologists evaluated all $^{18}F$-FDG SPECT data independently. A consensus was reached if any difference of opinions existed. Final diagnosis was based on a comprehensive analysis of results for the PCT test, dual-phase $^{18}F$-FDG SPECT and bacterial cultivation, regarded as a gold standard. Results: Among 50 patients, 34 demonstrated PCT ${\geq}0.5{\mu}g/L$. Coincidence imaging showed in 37 patients with inflammatory lesions, and 13 with malignancy. Finally, 36 bacterial, 1 fungal and 1 viral infections, as well as 12 cancerous fevers were confirmed by dual-phase $^{18}F$-FDG SPECT with PCT, combined with bacterial cultivation and clinical follow-up. Conclusion: Our study demonstrated that dual-phase $^{18}F$-FDG SPECT in association with PCT could be a valuable tool for diagnosis in tumor patients with FUO.

Pathogenesis and treatment of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and its fibrosis

Kuei-Chuan Lee,Pei-Shan Wu,Han-Chieh Lin 대한간학회 2023 Clinical and Molecular Hepatology(대한간학회지) Vol.29 No.1

The initial presentation of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is hepatic steatosis. The dysfunction of lipid metabolism within hepatocytes caused by genetic factors, diet, and insulin resistance causes lipid accumulation. Lipotoxicity, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and endoplasmic reticulum stress would further contribute to hepatocyte injury and death, leading to inflammation and immune dysfunction in the liver. During the healing process, the accumulation of an excessive amount of fibrosis might occur while healing. During the development of NASH and liver fibrosis, the gut-liver axis, adipose-liver axis, and renin-angiotensin system (RAS) may be dysregulated and impaired. Translocation of bacteria or its end-products entering the liver could activate hepatocytes, Kupffer cells, and hepatic stellate cells, exacerbating hepatic steatosis, inflammation, and fibrosis. Bile acids regulate glucose and lipid metabolism through Farnesoid X receptors in the liver and intestine. Increased adipose tissue-derived non-esterified fatty acids would aggravate hepatic steatosis. Increased leptin also plays a role in hepatic fibrogenesis, and decreased adiponectin may contribute to hepatic insulin resistance. Moreover, dysregulation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors in the liver, adipose, and muscle tissues may impair lipid metabolism. In addition, the RAS may contribute to hepatic fatty acid metabolism, inflammation, and fibrosis. The treatment includes lifestyle modification, pharmacological therapy, and non-pharmacological therapy. Currently, weight reduction by lifestyle modification or surgery is the most effective therapy. However, vitamin E, pioglitazone, and obeticholic acid have also been suggested. In this review, we will introduce some new clinical trials and experimental therapies for the treatment of NASH and related fibrosis.

A False Positive 18F-FDG PET/CT Scan Caused by Breast Silicone Injection

Chao-Jung Chen,Bi-Fang Lee,Wei-Jen Yao,Pei-Shan Wu,Wen-Chung Chen,Shu-Lin Peng,Nan-Tsing Chiu 대한영상의학회 2009 Korean Journal of Radiology Vol.10 No.2

We present here the case of a 40-year-old woman with a greater than 10 year prior history of bilateral breast silicone injection and saline bag implantation. Bilateral palpable breast nodules were observed, but the ultrasound scan was suboptimal and the magnetic resonance imaging showed no gadoliniumenhanced tumor. The 18F-FDG PET/CT scan showed a hypermetabolic nodule in the left breast with a 30% increase of 18F-FDG uptake on the delayed imaging, and this mimicked breast cancer. She underwent a left partial mastectomy and the pathology demonstrated a siliconoma.