Effect of qigong exercise and acupressure rehabilitation program on pulmonary function and respiratory symptoms in patients hospitalized with severe COVID-19: A randomized controlled trial

Shu-ting Liu,Chao Zhan,Yun-jing Ma,Chao-yang Guo,Wei Chen,Xiao-ming Fang,Lei Fang 한국한의학연구원 2021 Integrative Medicine Research Vol.10 No.-

Background There are several effective complementary and integrative therapies for patients with severe COVID-19. The trial aims to evaluate the efficacy and advantages of the qigong exercise and acupressure rehabilitation program (QARP) for treating patients with severe COVID-19. Methods A total of 128 patients with COVID-19 aged 20 to 80 years were recruited and randomly allocated in a 1:1 ratio to receive QARP plus standard therapies or standard therapies alone. QARP consisted of acupressure therapy and qigong exercise (Liu Zi Jue). The primary outcome was measured with the modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) dyspnea scale, and the secondary outcomes included the modified Borg dyspnea scale (MBS), fatigue Scale-14 (FS-14), patient health questionnaire-9 scale (PHQ-9), duration of respiratory symptoms, and vital signs. Results In total, 128 patients completed the clinical trial. The QARP group and standard therapies group showed significant improvements in vital signs (except blood pressure) and clinical scales compared with baseline (p<0.05). The QARP group also showed more significant improvement in the mMRC dyspnea scale (-1.8 [-2.1, -1.6], p=0.018) and modified Borg dyspnea scale (-3.7 [95% confidence intervals (CI) -4.3, -3.1], p=0.045). The duration of cough was 14.3 days (95% CI 12.6, 16.1, p=0.046), and the length of hospital stay was 18.5 days (95% CI 17.0, 20.0, p=0.042) in the QARP group, both of which were significantly reduced compared with the standard therapies group (p<0.05). Conclusion QARP plus standard therapies improved lung function and symptoms such as dyspnea and cough in patients with severe COVID-19 and shortened the length of hospital stay. Therefore, QARP may be considered an effective treatment option for patients with severe COVID-19. Trial registration Clinical Research Information Service Identifier: ChiCTR2000029994 Background There are several effective complementary and integrative therapies for patients with severe COVID-19. The trial aims to evaluate the efficacy and advantages of the qigong exercise and acupressure rehabilitation program (QARP) for treating patients with severe COVID-19. Methods A total of 128 patients with COVID-19 aged 20 to 80 years were recruited and randomly allocated in a 1:1 ratio to receive QARP plus standard therapies or standard therapies alone. QARP consisted of acupressure therapy and qigong exercise (Liu Zi Jue). The primary outcome was measured with the modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) dyspnea scale, and the secondary outcomes included the modified Borg dyspnea scale (MBS), fatigue Scale-14 (FS-14), patient health questionnaire-9 scale (PHQ-9), duration of respiratory symptoms, and vital signs. Results In total, 128 patients completed the clinical trial. The QARP group and standard therapies group showed significant improvements in vital signs (except blood pressure) and clinical scales compared with baseline (p<0.05). The QARP group also showed more significant improvement in the mMRC dyspnea scale (-1.8 [-2.1, -1.6], p=0.018) and modified Borg dyspnea scale (-3.7 [95% confidence intervals (CI) -4.3, -3.1], p=0.045). The duration of cough was 14.3 days (95% CI 12.6, 16.1, p=0.046), and the length of hospital stay was 18.5 days (95% CI 17.0, 20.0, p=0.042) in the QARP group, both of which were significantly reduced compared with the standard therapies group (p<0.05). Conclusion QARP plus standard therapies improved lung function and symptoms such as dyspnea and cough in patients with severe COVID-19 and shortened the length of hospital stay. Therefore, QARP may be considered an effective treatment option for patients with severe COVID-19. Trial registration Clinical Research Information Service Identifier: ChiCTR2000029994

Non-Organ Specific Cancer Preventive Effect of Long-Term Administration of Korean Red Ginseng Extracts on the Incidence of Malignant Neoplasms

Taik-Koo Yun(윤택구),Shu Zheng,Soo-Yong Choi,Shan Rong Cai,Yun-Sil Lee,Xi Yong Liu,Kyung Ja Cho,Kun Young Park,Hyo Young Yun,Ji Young Yun 고려인삼학회 2009 고려인삼학회 학술대회 Vol.2009 No.5

Zebrafish Dnd protein binds to 3`UTR of geminin mRNA and regulates its expression

( Shu Chen ),( Mei Zeng ),( Hua Qin Sun ),( Wen Qian Deng ),( Yi Lu Lu ),( Da Chang Tao ),( Yun Qiang Liu ),( Si Zhong Zhang ),( Yong Xin Ma ) 생화학분자생물학회 (구 한국생화학분자생물학회) 2010 BMB Reports Vol.43 No.6

Dnd (dead end) gene encodes an RNA binding protein and is specifically expressed in primordial germ cells (PGCs) as a vertebrate-specific component of the germ plasma throughout embryogenesis. By utilizing a technique of specific nucleic acids associated with proteins (SNAAP), 13 potential target mRNAs of zebrafish Dnd (ZDnd) protein were identified from 8-cell embryo, and 8 target mRNAs have been confirmed using an RT-PCR analysis. Of the target mRNAs, the present study is focused on the regulation of geminin, which is an inhibitor of DNA replication. Using electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA), we demonstrated that ZDND protein bound the 67-nucleotide region from 864 to 931 in the 3`UTR of geminin mRNA, a sequence containing 60.29% of uridine. Results from a dual-luciferase assay in HEK293 cells showed that ZDND increases the translation of geminin. Taken together, the identification of target mRNA for ZDnd will be helpful to further explore the biological function of Dnd in zebrafish germ-line development as well as in cancer cells. [BMB reports 2010; 43(6): 438-444]

Fatty Acid Binding Protein 5 (FABP5) Promotes Aggressiveness of Gastric Cancer Through Modulation of Tumor Immunity

Shu Zhang,Mei-qing Qiu,Hui-jun Wang,Ya-fei Ju,Zhen Liu,Tao Wang,Shi-feng Kan,Zhen Yang,Ya-yun Cui,You-qiang Ke,Hong-min He,Li Sun 대한위암학회 2023 Journal of gastric cancer Vol.23 No.2

Purpose: Gastric cancer (GC) is the second most lethal cancer globally and is associated with poor prognosis. Fatty acid-binding proteins (FABPs) can regulate biological properties of carcinoma cells. FABP5 is overexpressed in many types of cancers; however, the role and mechanisms of action of FABP5 in GC remain unclear. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the clinical and biological functions of FABP5 in GC. Materials and Methods: We assessed FABP5 expression using immunohistochemical analysis in 79 patients with GC and evaluated its biological functions following in vitro and in vivo ectopic expression. FABP5 targets relevant to GC progression were determined using RNA sequencing (RNA-seq). Results: Elevated FABP5 expression was closely associated with poor outcomes, and ectopic expression of FABP5 promoted proliferation, invasion, migration, and carcinogenicity of GC cells, thus suggesting its potential tumor-promoting role in GC. Additionally, RNA-seq analysis indicated that FABP5 activates immune-related pathways, including cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction pathways, interleukin-17 signaling, and tumor necrosis factor signaling, suggesting an important rationale for the possible development of therapies that combine FABP5-targeted drugs with immunotherapeutics. Conclusions: These findings highlight the biological mechanisms and clinical implications of FABP5 in GC and suggest its potential as an adverse prognostic factor and/or therapeutic target.

Influences of High Environmental Temperatures in Pigs

Yun, Won. Lee, Ji-Hwan. Lee, Chang-Hee. Kwak, Woo-Gi. Oh, Han-Jin. Liu, Shu-Dong. Kim, Doo-Wan. Cho, Jin-Ho. 忠北大學校 農業科學硏究所 2017 農業科學硏究 Vol.33 No.1

The thermal environment is the most important ecological factor determining the growth, development, and productivity of domestic animals. In modern, environmental-caused heat stress is with major concern because of its harmful impacts, especially for high-productive animals. Especially, swine are extremely weak to high environmental temperatures because their sweat gland are not developed on body. When pigs are exposed to high environmental temperature and feel the heat stress, it causes various changes in the body such as blood flow, hormone, digestive system. The intestine is highly sensitive to heat stress in swine. Therefore, heat stress is directly related to pig production. Particle size of the feed ingredients is also an important factor in pig production. Thus, it is also important to fine the appropriate particle size of feed ingredients at high environmental temperatures.

Analysis of Key Genes and Pathways Associated with Colorectal Cancer with Microarray Technology

Liu, Yan-Jun,Zhang, Shu,Hou, Kang,Li, Yun-Tao,Liu, Zhan,Ren, Hai-Liang,Luo, Dan,Li, Shi-Hong Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.3

Objective: Microarray data were analyzed to explore key genes and their functions in progression of colorectal cancer (CRC). Methods: Two microarray data sets were downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified using corresponding packages of R. Functional enrichment analysis was performed with DAVID tools to uncover their biological functions. Results: 631 and 590 DEGs were obtained from the two data sets, respectively. A total of 32 common DEGs were then screened out with the rank product method. The significantly enriched GO terms included inflammatory response, response to wounding and response to drugs. Two interleukin-related domains were revealed in the domain analysis. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis showed that the PPAR signaling pathway and the renin-angiotensin system were enriched in the DEGs. Conclusions: Our study to systemically characterize gene expression changes in CRC with microarray technology revealed changes in a range of key genes, pathways and function modules. Their utility in diagnosis and treatment now require exploration.

Causes, Features, and Outcomes of Drug-Induced Liver Injury in 69 Children from China

( Yun Zhu ),( Yong Gang Li ),( Jia Bo Wang ),( Shu Hong Liu ),( Li Fu Wang ),( Yan Ling Zhao ),( Yun Feng Bai ),( Zhong Xia Wang ),( Jian Yu Li ),( Xiao He Xiao ) 대한소화기학회 2015 Gut and Liver Vol.9 No.4

Background/Aims: Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is a frequent cause of pediatric liver disease; however, the data on DILI are remarkably limited. Methods: All 69 children hospitalized with DILI between January 2009 and December 2011 were retrospectively studied. Results: A total of 37.7% of the children had medical histories of respiratory infection. The clinical injury patterns were as follows: hepatocellular 89.9%, cholestatic 2.9%, and mixed 7.2%. Liver biopsies from 55 children most frequently demonstrated chronic (47.3%) and acute (27.3%) hepatitis. Hypersensitivity features, namely, fever (31.9%), rash (21.7%), and eosinophilia (1.4%), were found. Twenty-four children (34.8%) developed chronic DILI. Antibiotics (26.1%) were the most common Western medicines (WMs) causing DILI, and the major implicated herbs were Ephedra sinica and Polygonum multiflorum. Compared with WM, the children whose injuries were caused by Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) showed a higher level of total bilirubin (1.4 mg/dL vs 16.6 mg/dL, p=0.004) and a longer prothrombin time (11.8 seconds vs 17.3 seconds, p=0.012), but they exhibited less chronic DILI (2/15 vs 18/39, p=0.031). Conclusions: Most cases of DILI in children are caused by antibiotics or CHM used to treat respiratory infection and present with hepatocellular injury. Compared with WM, CHM is more likely to cause severe liver injury, but liver injury caused by CHM is curable. (Gut Liver 2015;9:525-533)

Ultrafine SnO2nanoparticle loading onto reduced graphene oxide as anodes for sodium-ion batteries with superior rate and cycling performances

Wang, Yun-Xiao,Lim, Young-Geun,Park, Min-Sik,Chou, Shu-Lei,Kim, Jung Ho,Liu, Hua-Kun,Dou, Shi-Xue,Kim, Young-Jun The Royal Society of Chemistry 2014 Journal of Materials Chemistry A Vol.2 No.2

Novel Variants in the FIG4 Gene Associated With Chinese Sporadic Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis With Slow Progression

Chang-Yun Liu,Ji-Lan Lin,Shu-Yan Feng,Chun-Hui Che,Hua-Pin Huang,Zhang-Yu Zou 대한신경과학회 2022 Journal of Clinical Neurology Vol.18 No.1

Background and Purpose Mutations in the FIG4 gene have been linked to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) type 11 in Caucasian populations. The purpose of this study was to identify FIG4 variants in a cohort of 15 familial ALS (FALS) indexes and 275 sporadic ALS (SALS) patients of Han Chinese origin. Methods All 23 exons of FIG4 were sequenced using targeted next-generation sequencing. An extensive literature review was performed to detect genotype-phenotype associations of FIG4 mutations. Results No FIG4 variants were identified in the FALS patients. One novel heterozygous missense variant (c.352G>T [p.D118Y]) and one novel heterozygous nonsense variant (c.2158G>T [p.E720X]) in FIG4 were identified in two SALS patients. The p.E720X variant is interpreted as likely pathogenic while the p.D118Y variant is a variant of uncertain significance. The patient carrying the p.E720X mutation developed lower-limb-onset slowly progressive ALS, and survived for 11.5 years. The patient harboring the FIG4 p.D118Y variant also presented with progressive ALS, with the score on the ALS Functional Rating Scale–Revised (ALSFRS-R) decreasing by 0.4 per month. The rate of decrease in the ALSFRS-R scores from symptom onset to diagnosis seemed to be lower in the patients carrying FIG4 variants than the no-FIG4-mutation ALS patients in this study. Conclusions Our findings suggest that ALS patients carrying FIG4 mutations are not common in the Chinese population and are more likely to exhibit slow progression.

安倍经济学与韩国, 中国金融市场间的动态关系

厉蕴璋(Yun-Zhang Li),鱼永浩(Yong-Hao Yu),薄舒文(Shu-Wen Bao),刘轩玮(Xuan-Wei Liu),崔泰荣(Tae-Yeong Choi) 한국동북아경제학회 2023 동북아경제연구 Vol.35 No.2

本研究采用SV-TVP-VAR模型分析韩国和中国股市与安倍经济学之间的动态关系。 实证分析结果如下。 4个变量的随机变异率趋势图均表现出明显的变异聚集效应。 韩国KOSPI市场的随机波动率在400期(新型冠状病毒事件初期),中国SSEC指数的随机波动率在190期(2015年中国股票灾害)中呈现极端值。 日本20年国债的随机变动率在200期和400期附近,日元汇率在200季度附近达到了变动率的极端值。 另一方面,不同时差(第1、3、5期)的冲击反应函数结果如下。 日元汇率在kospi400期(新型冠状病毒)以后产生了强负的冲击。 中国SSEC指数从第80期(2013年初)开始出现明显的负冲击,新型冠状病毒以后这种冲击得到了加强。 20年期日本国债利率对韩国和中国股指产生了强烈的“正(+)”冲击,新型冠状病毒以后这种冲击正在加强。 各时间点(2013年1月、2015年7月、2020年2月)的冲击反应函数结果显示,三个时间点日元汇率都在短期内对韩国和中国股市造成负(-)冲击。 然而,这种负性冲击并没有持续很长时间。 以韩国市场为例,由于2013年安倍经济学经济政策发表和2020年新型冠状病毒事件的发生,20年期满的日本国债利率对韩国股市产生了最大的积极冲击。 以中国为例,在2020年新型冠状病毒事件时,从20年期满的日本国债利率受到了积极的冲击。 본 연구에서는 SV-TVP-VAR 모형을 이용하여 한국 및 중국 주식시장과 아베노믹스 간의 동태관계를 분석하였다. 실증분석 결과는 다음과 같다. 4개 변수의무작위 변동률 추세 그래프는 모두 명백한 변동 집합 효과를 나타냈다. 한국코스피 시장의 무작위 변동률은 400기(코로나19 사태 초기)에서, 중국 SSEC 지수의 무작위 변동률은 190기(2015년 중국 주식 재해)에서 극단값을 보였다. 일본의 20년 국채의 무작위 변동률은 200기와 400기 부근에서, 엔화 환율은 200 분기 부근에서 변동률의 극단값에 도달했다. 한편, 시차(1기, 3기, 5기)별 충격반응함수 결과는 다음과 같다. 엔화 환율은 코스피 400기(코로나19) 이후 강한음(-)의 충격을 미쳤다. 중국 SSEC 지수는 80기(2013년 초)부터 음(-)의 충격이뚜렷하게 나타나, 코로나19 이후 이런 충격이 강화됐다. 20년 만기 일본 국채금리는 한국과 중국 주가지수에 강한 양(+) 충격을 미쳤고, 코로나19 이후 이런양의 충격이 강화되고 있다. 시점별(2013년 1월, 2015년 7월, 2020년 2월) 충격반응함수 결과 세 시점 모두 엔화 환율이 한국과 중국 주식시장에 단기적으로 음(-)의 충격을 주는 것으로 나타났다. 그러나 이러한 부정적인 충격은 오래 지속되지 않았다. 한국 시장의 경우 2013년 아베노믹스 경제정책 발표와 2020년 코로나19 사태 발생으로 인해, 20년 만기 일본 국채금리가 한국 주식시장에 가장 큰 긍정적인 충격을 미쳤다. 중국의 경우 2020년 코로나19 사태 때 20년 만기 일본 국채금리로부터 긍정적인 충격을 받았다. This study analyzes the dynamic correlation between Abenomics and Korean and Chinese stock markets using SV-TVP-VAR model, and obtains the following empirical results. In the analysis of random volatility, the random volatility of four variables has obvious volatility aggregation effect. The random volatility of KOSPI market in Korea is extreme in 400th issue. The random volatility of Japan’s 20-year government bonds is extreme near the 200th and 400th issues, and the yen’s exchange rate is extreme near the 200th issue. According to the pulse response function of different lead times(3rd, 5th), the yen exchange rate had a strong negative impact on Korea’s KOSPI stock index after the 400th(COVID-19), and on China’s SSEC stock index from the 80th(early 2013). The 20-year interest rate on Japanese government bonds showed a strong positive impact on Korean and Chinese stock indices. The positive impact has been strengthened since COVID-19. The results of the impulse response function at different points of time (January 2013, July 2015, and February 2020) implied that the yen’s exchange rate had a short-term negative impact on Korean and Chinese stock markets at all three points of time. On the other hand, the negative impact of 20-year interest rates on the Korean and Chinese stock markets are not likely to be sustainable. For the Korean market, the stock market was hit hardest by 20-year interest rates on Japanese bonds in 13 years after the announcement of Abe’s economic policy and the outbreak of COVID-19 in 2020. For China, except for the positive impact of the 20-year interest rate on Japanese government bonds during the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020, the other two cases have been negatively impacted.