School Consolidation: Whither China’s Rural Education?

Hong Mei,Quanbao Jiang,Yuanyuan Xiang,Xiaoping Song 한국사회복지학회 2015 Asian Social Work and Policy Review Vol.9 No.2

The School Consolidation Policy in the 1990s significantly impacted Chinese rural compulsory education and Chinese rural communities. Although this policy has been involved in many negative news reports, there is a lack of scientific research on it. To address the research gap, this paper first delineates the evolution of this policy, which was formed to balance the disparity between urban and rural education, accelerated by rural financial reformation and aborted due to various emerging problems. It then discusses the educational problems caused by the policy including misallocated resources, poor quality, rising costs, student safety issues, high dropout rate, and lost rural culture heritage. Through the analyses, this paper provides a clear picture of the development of Chinese rural education, and offers implications for improving educational policy, promoting educational quality, and securing educational rights of students in rural China.

Magnolol Inhibits LPS-induced NF-ՊB/Rel Activation by Blocking p38 Kinase in Murine Macrophages

Mei Hong Li,Gugan Kothandan,Seung Joo Cho,Pham Thi Thu Huong,Yong Hai Nan,Kun Yeong Lee,Song Yub Shin,Sung Su Yea,Young Jin Jeon 대한생리학회-대한약리학회 2010 The Korean Journal of Physiology & Pharmacology Vol.14 No.6

This study demonstrates the ability of magnolol, a hydroxylated biphenyl compound isolated from Magnolia officinalis, to inhibit LPS-induced expression of iNOS gene and activation of NF-ՊB/Rel in RAW 264.7 cells. Immunohisto-chemical staining of iNOS and Western blot analysis showed magnolol to inhibit iNOS gene expression. Reporter gene assay and electrophoretic mobility shift assay showed that magnolol inhibited NF-ՊB/Rel transcriptional activation and DNA binding, respectively. Since p38 is important in the regulation of iNOS gene expression, we investigated the possibility that magnolol to target p38 for its anti-inflammatory effects. A molecular modeling study proposed a binding position for magnolol that targets the ATP binding site of p38 kinase (3GC7). Direct interaction of magnolol and p38 was further confirmed by pull down assay using magnolol conjugated to Sepharose 4B beads. The specific p38 inhibitor SB203580 abrogated the LPS-induced NF-ՊB/Rel activation, whereas the selective MEK-1 inhibitor PD98059 did not affect the NF-ՊB/Rel. Collectively, the results of the series of experiments indicate that magnolol inhibits iNOS gene expression by blocking NF-ՊB/Rel and p38 kinase signaling.

The Mechanism of Chronic Alcoholism-mediated Impairment in Traumatic Brain Injury

( Qing Song Huang ),( Hong Zhi Li ),( Hong Mei Chen ),( Yu Fang Pan ) 조선대학교 공학기술연구원 2013 공학기술논문지 Vol.6 No.1

Alcohol-related traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a common condition in medical and forensic practice and results in high pre-hospital mortality. However, the related mechanism is still unclear. Herein, we establish a chronic alcoholism model of rats, and the chronic alcoholism rats showed an axonal degeneration and a decrease in the numerical density of synapses (p<0.01). Moreover, these rats also showed a compensatory increase in PSD-95 expression (p<0.01). Compared with chronic alcoholism rats, the EtOH-TBI rats group showed high mortality (50%, p<0.01), inhibition of respiration before death, severe axonal injury and decrease in PSD-95 expression (p<0.05). So, we concluded that chronic alcoholism can induce significant synapse loss and axonal impairment in the medulla oblongata and render the brain more susceptible to TBI. The synergistic effect of chronic alcoholism and TBI induces significant synapse and axon impairment and contributed to high mortality.

Expression and Effects of JMJD2A Histone Demethylase in Endometrial Carcinoma

Wang, Hong-Li,Liu, Mei-Mei,Ma, Xin,Fang, Lei,Zhang, Zong-Feng,Song, Tie-Fang,Gao, Jia-Yin,Kuang, Ye,Jiang, Jing,Li, Lin,Wang, Yang-Yang,Li, Pei-Ling Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.7

Previous studies have demonstrated that JMJD2A is a potential oncogene and is overexpressed in human tumors. However, its role in the endometrial carcinoma remains largely unknown. In this study, we discovered that JMJD2A was overexpressed in endometrial carcinoma, using immunohistochemistry, quantitative realtime polymerase chain reaction, and western blotting. Downregulation of JMJD2A led to reduced endometrial carcinoma RL95-2 and ISK cell proliferation, invasion and metastasis as asessed with cell counting kit-8, cell migration and invasive assays. Collectively, our results support that JMJD2A is a promoter of endometrial carcinoma cell proliferation and survival, and is a potential novel drug target.

L1 cell adhesion molecule as a novel independent poor prognostic factor in gallbladder carcinoma

Choi, Song-Yi,Jo, Young Suk,Huang, Song-Mei,Liang, Zhe Long,Min, Jeong-Ki,Hong, Hyo Jeong,Kim, Jin-Man Elsevier 2011 Human pathology Vol.42 No.10

<P><B>Summary</B></P><P>Gallbladder carcinoma is a lethal malignancy and is hard to cure by current treatment. Thus, identification of molecular prognostic markers to predict gallbladder carcinoma as therapeutic targets is urgently needed. Recent studies have demonstrated that L1 cell adhesion molecule is associated with the prognosis of variable malignancy. Here, we investigated L1 cell adhesion molecule expression in gallbladder carcinoma and its prognostic significance. In this study, we examined L1 cell adhesion molecule expression in tumor specimens from 69 patients with gallbladder carcinoma by immunohistochemistry and analyzed the correlation between L1 cell adhesion molecule expression and clinicopathologic factors or survival. L1 cell adhesion molecule was not expressed in the normal epithelium of the gallbladder but in 63.8% of gallbladder carcinomas, remarkably at the invasive front of the tumors. In addition, L1 cell adhesion molecule expression was significantly associated with high histologic grade, advanced pathologic T stage and clinical stage, and positive venous/lymphatic invasion. Multivariate analyses showed that L1 cell adhesion molecule expression (hazard ratio, 3.503; <I>P</I> = .028) and clinical stage (hazard ratio, 3.091; <I>P</I> = .042) were independent risk factor for disease-free survival. L1 cell adhesion molecule expression in gallbladder carcinoma was significantly correlated with tumor progression and unfavorable clinicopathologic features. L1 cell adhesion molecule expression was an independent poor prognostic factor for disease-free survival in patients with gallbladder carcinoma. Taken together, our findings suggest that L1 cell adhesion molecule expression could be used as a novel prognostic factor for patient survival and might be a potential therapeutic target in gallbladder carcinomas.</P>

Magnolol Inhibits LPS-induced NF-${\kappa}B$/Rel Activation by Blocking p38 Kinase in Murine Macrophages

Li, Mei Hong,Kothandan, Gugan,Cho, Seung-Joo,Huong, Pham Thi Thu,Nan, Yong Hai,Lee, Kun-Yeong,Shin, Song-Yub,Yea, Sung-Su,Jeon, Young-Jin The Korean Society of Pharmacology 2010 The Korean Journal of Physiology & Pharmacology Vol.14 No.6

This study demonstrates the ability of magnolol, a hydroxylated biphenyl compound isolated from Magnolia officinalis, to inhibit LPS-induced expression of iNOS gene and activation of NF-${\kappa}B$/Rel in RAW 264.7 cells. Immunohisto-chemical staining of iNOS and Western blot analysis showed magnolol to inhibit iNOS gene expression. Reporter gene assay and electrophoretic mobility shift assay showed that magnolol inhibited NF-${\kappa}B$/Rel transcriptional activation and DNA binding, respectively. Since p38 is important in the regulation of iNOS gene expression, we investigated the possibility that magnolol to target p38 for its anti-inflammatory effects. A molecular modeling study proposed a binding position for magnolol that targets the ATP binding site of p38 kinase (3GC7). Direct interaction of magnolol and p38 was further confirmed by pull down assay using magnolol conjugated to Sepharose 4B beads. The specific p38 inhibitor SB203580 abrogated the LPS-induced NF-${\kappa}B$/Rel activation, whereas the selective MEK-1 inhibitor PD98059 did not affect the NF-${\kappa}B$/Rel. Collectively, the results of the series of experiments indicate that magnolol inhibits iNOS gene expression by blocking NF-${\kappa}B$/Rel and p38 kinase signaling.

Efficacy and Safety of Neurokinin-1 Receptor Antagonists for Prevention of Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Yuan, Dong-Mei,Li, Qian,Zhang, Qin,Xiao, Xin-Wu,Yao, Yan-Wen,Zhang, Yan,Lv, Yan-Ling,Liu, Hong-Bin,Lv, Tang-Feng,Song, Yong Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2016 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.17 No.4

Objectives: Can addition of neurokinin-1 receptor antagonists (NK1-RAs) be considered as an ideal strategy for the prevention of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV)? Researchers differ on this question. Materials and Methods: Electronic databases were searched for randomized control trials (RCTs) that evaluated the effectiveness and safety of NK1-RAs in preventing CINV. The primary end point was complete response (CR) in the acute, delayed, and overall phases after chemotherapy. Subgroup analyses evaluated the types of NK1-RAs, routines of administration, types of malignancies, regimens used in combination with NK1-RAs, and age of patients included in the studies. The incidences of different types of adverse events were also extracted to estimate the safety of NK1-RAs. Results: A total of 38 RCTs involving 13,923 patients were identified. The CR rate of patients receiving NK-RAs was significantly higher than patients in the control groups during overall phase (70.8% vs 56.0%, P<0.001), acute phase (85.1% vs 79.6%, P<0.001), and delayed phase (71.4% vs 58.2%, P<0.001). There were three studies including patients of children or adolescents, the CR rate was also significantly higher in the treatment group (overall phase: OR=2.807, P<0.001; acute phase: OR=2.863, P =0.012; delayed phase: OR=2.417, P<0.001). For all the other outcomes, patients in the NK1-RAs groups showed improvements compared to the control groups (incidence of nausea: 45.2% vs 45.9%, P<0.001; occurrence of vomiting: 22.6% vs 38.9%, P<0.001; usage of rescue drugs: 23.5% vs 34.1%, P<0.001). The pooled side effects from NK1-RAs did not significantly differ from previous reports and the toxicity rates in patients less than eighteen years old also did not diff between the two groups (P=0.497). However, we found that constipation and insomnia were more common in the patients of control groups, whereas diarrhea and hiccups were more frequently detected in patients receiving NK1-RAs. Conclusions: NK1-RAs improved the CR rate of CINV. They are effective for both adults and children. The use of NK1-RAs might be associated with the appearance of diarrhea and hiccups, while decreasing the possibility of constipation and insomnia.

Diversity and composition of microbiota during fermentation of traditional Nuodeng ham

Zhang Xiao-mei,Dang Xi-jun,Wang Yuan-bing,Sun Tao,Wang Yao,Yu Hong,Yang Wu-song 한국미생물학회 2021 The journal of microbiology Vol.59 No.1

The microbial community is one of the most important factors in shaping the characteristics of fermented food. Nuodeng ham, traditionally produced and subjected to 1–4 years of fermentation, is a dry fermented food product with cultural and economic significance to locals in southwestern China. In this study, we aimed to characterize the microbiota and physicochemical profiles of Nuodeng ham across different stages of fermentation. Ham samples from each of the four years were analyzed by sequencing bacterial 16S rRNA gene and fungal internal transcribed spacer sequence, in order to characterize the diversity and composition of their microflora. A total of 2,679,483 bacterial and 2,983,234 fungal sequences of high quality were obtained and assigned to 514 and 57 genera, respectively. Among these microbes, Staphylococcus and Candida were the most abundant genera observed in the ham samples, though samples from different years showed differences in their microbial abundance. Results of physicochemical properties (pH, water, amino acid, NaCl, nitrate and nitrite contents, and the composition of volatile compounds) revealed differences among the ham samples in the composition of volatile compounds, especially in the third year samples, in which no nitrite was detected. These results suggest that the structure and diversity of microbial communities significantly differed across different stages of fermentation. Moreover, the third year hams exhibits a unique and balanced microbial community, which might contribute to the special flavor in the green and safe food products. Thus, our study lends insights into the production of high quality Nuodeng ham.

Sauchinone, a lignan from Saururus chinensis, attenuates neutrophil pro-inflammatory activity and acute lung injury

( Hui Jing Han ),( Mei Li ),( Jong Keun Son ),( Chang Seob Seo ),( Seung Won Song ),( Sang Hyun Kwak ),( Hong Beom Bae ) 영남대학교 약품개발연구소 2014 영남대학교 약품개발연구소 연구업적집 Vol.24 No.0

Previous studies have shown that sauchinone modulates the expression of inflammatory mediators through mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways in various cell types. However, little information exists about the effect of sauchinone on neutrophils, which play a crucial role in inflammatory process such as acute lung injury (ALI). We found that sauchinone decreased the phosphorylation of p38 MAPK in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated murine bone marrow neutrophils, but not ERK1/2 and JNK. Exposure of LPS-stimulated neutrophils to sauchinone or SB203580, a p38 inhibitor, diminished production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-2 compared to neutrophils cultured with LPS. Treatment with sauchinone decreased the level of phosphorylated ribosomal protein S6 (rpS6) in LPS-stimulated neutrophils. Systemic administration of sauchinone to mice led to reduced levels of phosphorylation of p38 and rpS6 in mice lungs given LPS, decreased TNF-α and MIP-2 production in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, and also diminished the severity of LPS-induced lung injury, as determined by reduced neutrophil accumulation in the lungs, wet/dry weight ratio, and histological analysis. These results suggest that sauchinone diminishes LPS-induced neutrophil activation and ALI.

Identification of Lys49-PLA2 from crude venom of Crotalus atrox as a human neutrophil-calcium modulating protein

Sultan, Md. Tipu,Li, Hong-Mei,Lee, Yong Zu,Lim, Soon Sung,Song, Dong-Keun The Korean Society of Pharmacology 2016 The Korean Journal of Physiology & Pharmacology Vol.20 No.2

We fortuitously observed a human neutrophil intracellular free-calcium concentration ($[Ca^{2+}]_i$) increasing activity in the commercially available phosphodiesterase I (PDE I), which is actually dried crude venom of Crotalus atrox. As this activity was not observed with another commercially available pure PDE I, we tried to find out the causative molecule(s) present in 'crude' PDE, and identified Lys49-phospholipase A2 (Lys49-PLA2 or K49-PLA2), a catalytically inactive protein which belongs to the phospholipase A2 family, by activity-driven three HPLC (reverse phase, size exclusion, reverse phase) steps followed by SDS-PAGE and LC-MS/MS. K49-PLA2 induced $Ca^{2+}$ influx in human neutrophils without any cytotoxic effect. Two calcium channel inhibitors, 2-aminoetoxydiphenyl borate (2-APB) ($30{\mu}M$) and SKF-96365 ($20{\mu}M$) significantly inhibited K49-PLA2-induced $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ increase. These results suggest that K49-PLA2 modulates $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ in human neutrophils via 2-APB- and SKF-96365-sensitive calcium channels without causing membrane disruption.