RING Finger Proteins Are Involved in the Progression of Barrett Esophagus to Esophageal Adenocarcinoma: A Preliminary Study

( Xing Wei Wang ),( Wei Wei ),( Wei Qiang Wang ),( Xiao Yan Zhao ),( Hong Guo ),( Dian Chun Fang ) 대한소화기학회 2014 Gut and Liver Vol.8 No.5

Background/Aims: To investigate the differential expression of RING finger (RNF) proteins in Barrett esophagus (BE) and esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC). Methods: The differential expression of RNFs in normal esophagus (NE), BE, and EAC was screened using microarray assay. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR), tissue microarray assay, and Western blot analysis were independently performed to detect the mRNA and protein expression of screened RNFs. Results: The expression of nine RNFs in the BE or EAC was 2-fold higher than those in NE. Among these proteins, the RNF32 and RNF121 expression in BE was 20.3-fold and 16.4-fold higher, respectively, than that in NE, and the expression of RNF24, RNF130, RNF141, RNF139, RNF11, RNF14, and RNF159 was upregulated more than 2-fold compared with NE. The expression of nine RNFs was not only upregulated in the EAC but was also positively related to the RNF expression in BE. The PCR results also indicated increased expression of these RNFs in BE and EAC compared to NE. Furthermore, the mRNA expression of all RNFs, except for RNF141 in EAC, was dramatically higher than those in the BE. Similar results were also obtained from the Western blot analysis. Conclusions: A total of nine RNFs play critical roles in the progression of BE to EAC. (Gut Liver 2014;8:487-494)

Effect of Scarification and Stratification on Seed Germination of Pasania konishii

Chun-Wei Wang,I-Ching Huang,Sheng-You Lu,Wei-Jing Chen,Iou-Zen Chen 한국원예학회 2008 한국원예학회 기타간행물 Vol.- No.-

The Effect of Tai Chi on Psychosocial Well-being: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials

Wei Chun Wang,Bodil Rasmussen,Anthony Lin Zhang,Li-Wei Lin,Trisha Dunning,강승완,Byung-Joo Park,Sing Kai Lo 사단법인약침학회 2009 Journal of Acupuncture & Meridian Studies Vol.2 No.3

Objective: This systematic review aimed to critically appraise published clinical trials designed to assess the effect of Tai Chi on psychosocial well-being. Data Sources: Databases searched included MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, HEALT, PsycINFO, CISCOM, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials of the Cochrane Library, and dissertations and conference proceedings from inception to August 2008. Review Methods: Methodological quality was assessed using a modified Jadad scale. A total of 15 studies met the inclusion criteria (i.e. English publications of randomized controlled trials with Tai Chi as an intervention and psychological well-being as an outcome measure), of which eight were high quality trials. The psychosocial outcomes measured included anxiety (eight studies), depression (eight studies), mood (four studies), stress (two studies), general mental health three studies), anger, positive and negative effect, self-esteem, life satisfaction, social interaction and self-rated health (one study each). Results: Tai Chi intervention was found to have a significant effect in 13 studies, especially in the management of depression and anxiety. Although the results seemed to suggest Tai Chi is effective, they should be interpreted cautiously as the quality of the trials varied substantially. Furthermore, significant findings were shown in only six high quality studies. Moreover, significant between group differences after Tai Chi intervention was demonstrated in only one high quality study (the other three significant results were observed in non-high quality studies). Two high quality studies in fact found no significant Tai Chi effects. Conclusion: It is still premature to make any conclusive remarks on the effect of Tai Chi on psychosocial well-being. Objective: This systematic review aimed to critically appraise published clinical trials designed to assess the effect of Tai Chi on psychosocial well-being. Data Sources: Databases searched included MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, HEALT, PsycINFO, CISCOM, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials of the Cochrane Library, and dissertations and conference proceedings from inception to August 2008. Review Methods: Methodological quality was assessed using a modified Jadad scale. A total of 15 studies met the inclusion criteria (i.e. English publications of randomized controlled trials with Tai Chi as an intervention and psychological well-being as an outcome measure), of which eight were high quality trials. The psychosocial outcomes measured included anxiety (eight studies), depression (eight studies), mood (four studies), stress (two studies), general mental health three studies), anger, positive and negative effect, self-esteem, life satisfaction, social interaction and self-rated health (one study each). Results: Tai Chi intervention was found to have a significant effect in 13 studies, especially in the management of depression and anxiety. Although the results seemed to suggest Tai Chi is effective, they should be interpreted cautiously as the quality of the trials varied substantially. Furthermore, significant findings were shown in only six high quality studies. Moreover, significant between group differences after Tai Chi intervention was demonstrated in only one high quality study (the other three significant results were observed in non-high quality studies). Two high quality studies in fact found no significant Tai Chi effects. Conclusion: It is still premature to make any conclusive remarks on the effect of Tai Chi on psychosocial well-being.

Recent Progress in HER2 Associated Breast Cancer

Wang, Wei-Jia,Lei, Yuan-Yuan,Mei, Jin-Hong,Wang, Chun-Liang Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.7

Breast cancer is the most common cancer worldwide among women and the second most common cancer. Approximately 15-23% of breast cancers over-express human epidermal growth factor receptor2 (HER2), a 185-kDa transmembrane tyrosine kinase, which is mainly found at the cell surface of tumor cells. HER2-positive breast cancer, featuring amplification of HER2/neu and negative expression of ER and PR, has the three following characteristics: rapid tumor growth, lower survival rate, and better response to adjuvant therapies. Clinically, it is notable for its role in a pathogenesis that is associated with increased disease recurrence and acts as a worse prognosis. At the same time, it represents a good target for anti-cancer immunotherapy despite the prevalence of drug resistance. New treatments are a major topic of research, and a brighter future can be expected. This review discusses the role of HER2 in breast cancer, therapeutic modalities available and prognostic factors.

Notch1 promotes the pericytemyofibroblast transition in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis through the PDGFR/ ROCK1 signal pathway

Yi-Chun Wang,Qiong Chen,Jun-Ming Luo,Jing Nie,Qing-He Meng,Wei Shuai,Han Xie,Jia-Mei Xia,Hui Wang 생화학분자생물학회 2019 Experimental and molecular medicine Vol.51 No.-

The goals of this study were to investigate the role of the Notch1/PDGFRβ/ROCK1 signaling pathway in the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis and to explore the possibility of treating fibrosis by targeting Notch1. Lung tissues from patients with pulmonary fibrosis were examined for the expression of Notch1/PDGFRβ/ROCK1 using RT-qPCR, western blotting, and immunostaining. Cultured mouse lung pericytes were transfected with Notch1-overexpressed vectors or shRNA targeting PDGFRβ/ROCK1 to examine cell behaviors, including proliferation, cell cycle arrest, and differentiation toward myofibroblasts. Finally, a mouse pulmonary fibrosis model was prepared, and a Notch1 inhibitor was administered to observe tissue morphology and pericyte cell behaviors. Human pulmonary fibrotic tissues presented with overexpression of Notch1, PDGFRβ, and ROCK1, in addition to a prominent transition of pericytes into myofibroblasts. In cultured mouse lung pericytes, overexpression of Notch1 led to the accelerated proliferation and differentiation of cells, and it also increased the expression of the PDGFRβ and ROCK1 proteins. The knockdown of PDGFRβ/ROCK1 in pericytes remarkably suppressed pericyte proliferation and differentiation. As further substantiation, the administration of a Notch1 inhibitor in a mouse model of lung fibrosis inhibited the PDGFRβ/ROCK1 pathway, suppressed pericyte proliferation and differentiation, and alleviated the severity of fibrosis. Our results showed that the Notch1 signaling pathway was aberrantly activated in pulmonary fibrosis, and this pathway may facilitate disease progression via mediating pericyte proliferation and differentiation. The inhibition of the Notch1 pathway may provide one promising treatment strategy for pulmonary fibrosis.

Sensitivity of Plasmodium falciparum to Antimalarial Drugs in Hainan Island, China

Shan-Qing Wang,Guang-Ze Wang,Yu-Chun Li,Feng Meng,Shi-Gan Lin,Zhen-Hu Zhu,Ding-Wei Sun,Chang-Hua He,Xi-Min Hu,Jian-Wei Du 대한기생충학열대의학회 2015 The Korean Journal of Parasitology Vol.53 No.1

The natural product salicin alleviates osteoarthritis progression by binding to IRE1α and inhibiting endoplasmic reticulum stress through the IRE1α-IκBα-p65 signaling pathway

Zhu Zhenglin,Gao Shengqiang,Chen Cheng,Xu Wei,Xiao Pengcheng,Chen Zhiyu,Du Chengcheng,Chen Bowen,Gao Yan,Wang Chunli,Wang Chunli,Huang Wei 생화학분자생물학회 2022 Experimental and molecular medicine Vol.54 No.-

Despite the high prevalence of osteoarthritis (OA) in older populations, disease-modifying OA drugs (DMOADs) are still lacking. This study was performed to investigate the effects and mechanisms of the small molecular drug salicin (SA) on OA progression. Primary rat chondrocytes were stimulated with TNF-α and treated with or without SA. Inflammatory factors, cartilage matrix degeneration markers, and cell proliferation and apoptosis markers were detected at the mRNA and protein levels. Cell proliferation and apoptosis were evaluated by EdU assays or flow cytometric analysis. RNA sequencing, molecular docking and drug affinity-responsive target stability analyses were used to clarify the mechanisms. The rat OA model was used to evaluate the effect of intra-articular injection of SA on OA progression. We found that SA rescued TNF-α-induced degeneration of the cartilage matrix, inhibition of chondrocyte proliferation, and promotion of chondrocyte apoptosis. Mechanistically, SA directly binds to IRE1α and occupies the IRE1α phosphorylation site, preventing IRE1α phosphorylation and regulating IRE1α-mediated endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress by IRE1α-IκBα-p65 signaling. Finally, intra-articular injection of SA-loaded lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) ameliorated OA progression by inhibiting IRE1α-mediated ER stress in the OA model. In conclusion, SA alleviates OA by directly binding to the ER stress regulator IRE1α and inhibits IRE1α-mediated ER stress via IRE1α-IκBα-p65 signaling. Topical use of the small molecular drug SA shows potential to modify OA progression.

Blocking Bcl-2 Leads to Autophagy Activation and Cell Death of the HEPG2 Liver Cancer Cell Line

Du, Peng,Cao, Hua,Wu, Hao-Rong,Zhu, Bao-Song,Wang, Hao-Wei,Gu, Chun-Wei,Xing, Chun-Gen,Chen, Wei Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.10

Background: Apoptosis may be induced after Bcl-2 expression is inhibited in proliferative cancer cells. This study focused on the effect of autophagy activation by ABT737 on anti-tumor effects of epirubicin. Methods: Cytotoxic effects of ABT737 on the HepG2 liver cancer cell line were assessed by MTT assay and cell apoptosis through flow cytometry. Mitochondrial membrane potential was measured by fluorescence microscopy. Monodansylcadaverin (MDC) staining was used to detect activation of autophagy. Expression of p53, p62, LC3, and Beclin1, apoptotic or autophagy related proteins, was detected by Western blotting. Results: ABT737 and epirubicin induced growth inhibition in HepG2 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Both ABT737 and epirubicin alone could induce cell apoptosis with a reduction in mitochondrial membrane potential as well as increased apoptotic protein expression. Further increase of apoptosis was detected when HepG2 cells were co-treated with ABT373 and epirubicin. Furthermore, our results demonstrated that ABT373 or epirubicin ccould activate cell autophagy with elevated autophagosome formation, increased expression of autophagy related proteins and LC3 fluorescent puncta. Conclusions: ABT737 influences cancer cells through both apoptotic and autophagic mechanisms, and ABT737 may enhance the effects of epirubicin on HepG2 cells by activating autophagy and inducing apoptosis.

Application of Block Diagonal Technique to a Hamiltonian Matrix in Performing Spin-splitting Calculations for GaN Wurtzite Materials

Chun-Nan Chen,Sheng-Hsiung Chang,Wei-Long Su,Wan-Tsang Wang,Hsiu-Fen Kao,Jen-Yi Jen,Yiming Li 한국물리학회 2012 THE JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN PHYSICAL SOCIETY Vol.60 No.3

The bulk inversion asymmetry (Dresselhaus) terms (i.e., B2, B1, and B01 terms) of wurtzite materials are determined. The 2 × 2 conduction band, 2 × 2 heavy-hole band, 2 × 2 light-hole band,and 2 × 2 crystal-field split-off hole band matrices of wurtzite semiconductors are developed and decoupled by using a block diagonal technique. Importantly, those 2 × 2 block diagonal matrices incorporate not only the interband coupling effect but also the bulk inversion asymmetry effect. Analytical expressions for the conduction and the valence band spin-splitting parameters and energies of GaN wurtzite materials are formulated by solving the block diagonal matrices. The presence of these terms is shown to include the spin-splitting phenomenon. The bulk inversion asymmetry (Dresselhaus) terms (i.e., B2, B1, and B01 terms) of wurtzite materials are determined. The 2 × 2 conduction band, 2 × 2 heavy-hole band, 2 × 2 light-hole band,and 2 × 2 crystal-field split-off hole band matrices of wurtzite semiconductors are developed and decoupled by using a block diagonal technique. Importantly, those 2 × 2 block diagonal matrices incorporate not only the interband coupling effect but also the bulk inversion asymmetry effect. Analytical expressions for the conduction and the valence band spin-splitting parameters and energies of GaN wurtzite materials are formulated by solving the block diagonal matrices. The presence of these terms is shown to include the spin-splitting phenomenon.

Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Awareness, Acceptability, and Decision-Making Factors among Chinese College Students

Wang, Shao-Ming,Zhang, Shao-Kai,Pan, Xiong-Fei,Ren, Ze-Fang,Yang, Chun-Xia,Wang, Zeng-Zhen,Gao, Xiao-Hong,Li, Man,Zheng, Quan-Qing,Ma, Wei,Zhao, Fang-Hui,Qiao, You-Lin,Sivasubramaniam, Priya Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.7

Background: College students are recommended as the target groups for catch-up human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination. Systematical exploration of awareness, acceptability, and decision-making factors of HPV vaccination among Chinese college students has been limited. Materials and Methods: A multi-center survey was conducted in mainland China between November 2011 and May 2012. College students aged 18-22 years were stratified by their grade, gender, and major for sampling. Socio-demographic and HPV-related information such as knowledge, perceptions, acceptability, and attitudes were collected through a questionnaire. Results: A total of 3,497 undergraduates completed the questionnaire, among which 1,686 were males. The acceptability of the HPV vaccine was high (70.8%). Undergraduates from high-level universities, at lower grade, or with greater prior knowledge of HPV vaccines showed higher acceptability of HPV vaccination ($p_{trend}$ <0.001). Additionally, undergraduates with vaccination experience outside the National Expanded Program on Immunization (OR=1.29; 95%CI: 1.10-1.51) or fear of HPV-related diseases (OR=2.79; 95%CI: 2.28-3.41) were more willing to accept HPV vaccination. General knowledge of HPV vaccine was low among undergraduates, and safety was a major concern (71.05%). The majority of students wished to pay less than 300RMB for HPV vaccine and chose the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention as the most appropriate venue for vaccination. Conclusions: Although most undergraduates demonstrate positive attitudes towards HPV vaccination, challenges pertaining to introduction exist in China. Corresponding proactive education and governmental subsidy to do so are urgently needed by this age-group population. Suggestions and potential strategies indicated may help shape the future HPV vaccination program in China.