Attenuation of Experimental Autoimmune Hepatitis in Mice with Bone Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Exosomes Carrying MicroRNA-223-3p

Lu, Feng-Bin,Chen, Da-Zhi,Chen, Lu,Hu, En-De,Wu, Jin-Lu,Li, Hui,Gong, Yue-Wen,Lin, Zhuo,Wang, Xiao-Dong,Li, Ji,Jin, Xiao-Ya,Xu, Lan-Man,Chen, Yong-Ping Korean Society for Molecular and Cellular Biology 2019 Molecules and cells Vol.42 No.12

MicroRNA-223-3p (miR-223-3p) is one of the potential microRNAs that have been shown to alleviate inflammatory responses in pre-clinical investigations and is highly encased in exosomes derived from bone mesenchymal stem cells (MSC-exosomes). MSC-exosomes are able to function as carriers to deliver microRNAs into cells. Autoimmune hepatitis is one of the challenging liver diseases with no effective treatment other than steroid hormones. Here, we examined whether MSC-exosomes can transfer miR-223-3p to treat autoimmune hepatitis in an experimental model. We found that MSC-exosomes were successfully incorporated with miR-223-3p and delivered miR-223-3p into macrophages. Moreover, there was no toxic effect of exosomes on the macrophages. Furthermore, treatments of either exosomes or exosomes with miR-223-3p successfully attenuated inflammatory responses in the liver of autoimmune hepatitis and inflammatory cytokine release in both the liver and macrophages. The mechanism may be related to the regulation of miR-223-3p level and STAT3 expression in the liver and macrophages. These results suggest that MSC-exosomes can be used to deliver miR-223-3p for the treatment of autoimmune hepatitis.

Simultaneous treatment with sorafenib and glucose restriction inhibits hepatocellular carcinoma in vitro and in vivo by impairing SIAH1-mediated mitophagy

Zhou Jing,Feng Ji,Wu Yong,Dai Hui-Qi,Zhu Guang-Zhi,Chen Pan-Hong,Wang Li-Ming,Lu Guang,Liao Xi-Wen,Lu Pei-Zhi,Su Wen-Jing,Hooi Shing Chuan,Ye Xin-Pin,Shen Han-Ming,Peng Tao,Lu Guo-Dong 생화학분자생물학회 2022 Experimental and molecular medicine Vol.54 No.-

Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is the first-line treatment for unresectable intermediate-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). It is of high clinical significance to explore the synergistic effect of TACE with antiangiogenic inhibitors and the molecular mechanisms involved. This study determined that glucose, but not other analyzed nutrients, offered significant protection against cell death induced by sorafenib, as indicated by glucose deprivation sensitizing cells to sorafenib-induced cell death. Next, this synergistic effect was found to be specific to sorafenib, not to lenvatinib or the chemotherapeutic drugs cisplatin and doxorubicin. Mechanistically, sorafenib-induced mitophagy, as indicated by PINK1 accumulation, increased the phospho-poly-ubiquitination modification, accelerated mitochondrial membrane protein and mitochondrial DNA degradation, and increased the amount of mitochondrion-localized mKeima-Red engulfed by lysosomes. Among several E3 ubiquitin ligases tested, SIAH1 was found to be essential for inducing mitophagy; that is, SIAH1 silencing markedly repressed mitophagy and sensitized cells to sorafenib-induced death. Notably, the combined treatment of glucose restriction and sorafenib abolished ATP generation and mitophagy, which led to a high cell death rate. Oligomycin and antimycin, inhibitors of electron transport chain complexes, mimicked the synergistic effect of sorafenib with glucose restriction to promote cell death mediated via mitophagy inhibition. Finally, inhibition of the glucose transporter by canagliflozin (a clinically available drug used for type-II diabetes) effectively synergized with sorafenib to induce HCC cell death in vitro and to inhibit xenograft tumor growth in vivo. This study demonstrates that simultaneous treatment with sorafenib and glucose restriction is an effective approach to treat HCC, suggesting a promising combination strategy such as transarterial sorafenib-embolization (TASE) for the treatment of unresectable HCC.

Characterization and uncertainty of uplift load-displacement behaviour of belled piers

Lu, Xian-long,Qian, Zeng-zhen,Zheng, Wei-feng,Yang, Wen-zhi Techno-Press 2016 Geomechanics & engineering Vol.11 No.2

A total of 99 full-scale field load tests at 22 sites were compiled for this study to elucidate several issues related to the load-displacement behaviour of belled piers under axial uplift loading, including (1) interpretation criteria to define various elastic, inelastic, and "failure" states for each load test from the load-displacement curve; (2) generalized correlations among these states and determinations to the predicted ultimate uplift resistances; (3) uncertainty in the resistance model factor statistics required for reliability-based ultimate limit state (ULS) design; (4) uncertainty associated with the normalized load-displacement curves and the resulting model factor statistics required for reliability-based serviceability limit state (SLS) design; and (5) variations of the combined ULS and SLS model factor statistics for reliability-based limit state designs. The approaches discussed in this study are practical and grounded realistically on the load tests of belled piers with minimal assumptions. The results on the characterization and uncertainty of uplift load-displacement behaviour of belled piers could be served as to extend the early contributions for reliability-based ULS and SLS designs.

Photo-multicomponent reactions leading to the construction of isocoumarins and large ring lactone precursors

Lu, Zhi-Feng,Yue, Jia-Jun,Zhu, Ye,Hu, Hong-Wen,Xu, Jian-Hua Korean Society of Photoscience 2009 Photochemical & photobiological sciences Vol.8 No.2

Photoinduced three-component reactions between tetracyanobenzene (TCNB), an alkene and water or a diol (as nucleophile) are initiated by electron transfer from the alkene to $^1TCNB^*$ and proceed via a photo-NOCAS reaction sequence by nucleophilic capture of the alkene cation radical and subsequent radical pair coupling of the resulting radical with TCNB anion radical with concomitant cyanide anion extrusion. These photo MCRs provide simple one pot access to isocoumarins and precursors of larger ring lactones with diversified structural features.

A Novel Control Strategy for Improving the Performance of Hybrid Active Power Filters

Wen Junming,Zhang Miao,Lu Jianhang,Guan YiChuan,Wu Shiyu,Feng Chunshou 대한전기학회 2023 Journal of Electrical Engineering & Technology Vol.18 No.6

Hybrid active power filters (HAPF) are effective harmonic compensation devices. However, the inductor voltage is too low, so the DC-bus voltage can not get enough power flow. Thus, the compensation performance and stability of HAPF can be reduced. Theoretically, increasing the inductor voltage can improve the DC side control performance. Therefore, the relevant mathematical model is established, and systematic analysis is carried out. To improve the performance of HAPF, a new double closed-loop control strategy is proposed. To sum up, the main variable of the outer loop control is the inductor voltage. The current flow direction can be changed by changing the value of the inductance voltage to improve the inductance voltage and realize the stability of the DC-side voltage. Secondly, from the transfer function and the Bode Plots, the introduction of the inverter output current inner loop results in significant resonant spike suppression of the system. Compared with the self-excitation control method with voltage feedforward, this new control method is easy to implement and very effective in DC-bus control. Simulation and experimental results show that the compensation effect of HAPF is improved, the DC-side voltage is stable, and the system can operate safely and reliably.

Study on the Performance Characteristics of Centrifugal Pump with Drag-reducing Surfactant Additives

Wang, Lu,Li, Feng-Chen,Dong, Yong,Cai, Wei-Hua,Su, Wen-Tao Korean Society for Fluid machinery 2011 International journal of fluid machinery and syste Vol.4 No.2

The performance characteristics of centrifugal pump were measured experimentally when running with tap water and drag-reducing surfactant (Octadecyl dimethyl amine oxide (OB-8)) solutions. Tests have been performed on five cases of surfactant solutions with different concentrations (0ppm (tap water), 200ppm, 500ppm, 900ppm and 1500ppm) and four different rotating speeds of pump (1500rpm, 2000rpm, 2500rpm and 2900rpm). Compared with tap water case, the experimental results show that the total pump heads for surfactant solution cases are higher. And the pump efficiency with surfactant solutions also increases, but the shaft power for surfactant solutions cases decreases compared to t hat for tap water. There exists an optimal temperature for surfactant solutions, which maximizes the pump efficiency.

Risk of Death in Colorectal Cancer Patients with Multi-morbidities of Metabolic Syndrome: A Retrospective Multicohort Analysis

Qingting Feng,Lingkai Xu,Lin Li,Junlan Qiu,Ziwei Huang,Yiqing Jiang,Tao Wen,Shun Lu,Fang Meng,Xiaochen Shu 대한암학회 2021 Cancer Research and Treatment Vol.53 No.3

Purpose The prevalence of multi-morbidities with colorectal cancer (CRC) is known to be increasing. Particularly prognosis of CRC patients co-diagnosed with metabolic syndrome (MetSyn) was largely unknown. We aimed to examine the death risk of CRC patients according to the multiple MetSyn morbidities.Materials and Methods We identified CRC patients with MetSyn from the electronic medical records (EMR) systems in five independent hospitals during 2006-2011. Information on deaths was jointly retrieved from EMR, cause of death registry and chronic disease surveillance as well as study-specific questionnaire. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to calculate the overall and CRC-specific hazards ratios (HR) comparing MetSyn CRC cohort with reference CRC cohort.Results A total of 682 CRC patients in MetSyn CRC cohort were identified from 24 months before CRC diagnosis to 1 month after. During a median follow-up of 92 months, we totally observed 584 deaths from CRC, 245 being in MetSyn cohort and 339 in reference cohort. Overall, MetSyn CRC cohort had an elevated risk of CRC-specific mortality (HR, 1.49; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.07 to 1.90) and overall mortality (HR, 1.43; 95% CI, 1.09 to 1.84) compared to reference cohort after multiple adjustment. Stratified analyses showed higher mortality risk among women (HR, 1.87; 95% CI, 1.04 to 2.27) and specific components of MetSyn. Notably, the number of MetSyn components was observed to be significantly related to CRC prognosis.Conclusion Our findings supported that multi-morbidities of MetSyn associated with elevated death risk after CRC. MetSyn should be considered as an integrated medical condition more than its components in CRC prognostic management.

Traditional Chinese medicine for COVID-19 pandemic and emerging challenges: An online cross-sectional survey in China

Chun-Li Lu,Ruo-Xiang Zheng,Xue Xue,Xiao-Wen Zhang,Xue-Han Liu,Xin-Yan Jin,Feng-Lan Pu,Hui-Di Lan,Min Fang,Ling-Yao Kong,Merlin Willcox,Bertrand Graz,Joelle Houriet,Xiao-Yang Hu,Jian-ping Liu 한국한의학연구원 2021 Integrative Medicine Research Vol.10 No.-

Background We aimed to investigate use of infection control behaviours, preventative and therapeutic interventions, and outcomes among respondents to an online survey during the COVID-19 pandemic in China. Methods The survey was designed by an international team, translated and adapted to simplified Chinese, including 132 kinds of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) preparation recommended by guidelines. It was distributed and collected from February to May 2021, with data analysed by WPS spreadsheet and wjx.cn. Descriptive statistics were used to describe demographics and clinical characteristics, diagnosis, treatments, preventative behaviours and interventions, and their associated outcomes. Results The survey was accessed 503 times with 341 (67.8%) completions covering 23 provinces and four municipalities in China. Most (282/341, 82.7%) respondents reported no symptoms during the pandemic and the majority (290/341, 85.0%) reported having a SARS-CoV-2 PCR test at some point. Forty-five (13.2%) reported having a respiratory infection, among which 19 (42.2%) took one or more categories of modern medicine, e.g. painkillers, antibiotics; 16 (35.6%) used TCM interventions(s); while seven respondents combined TCM with modern medicine. All respondents reported using at least one behavioural or medical approach to prevention, with 22.3% taking TCM and 5.3% taking modern medicines. No respondents reported having a critical condition related to COVID-19. Conclusion We found evidence of widespread use of infection control behaviours, modern medicines and TCM for treatment and prevention of COVID-19 and other respiratory symptoms. Larger scale studies are warranted, including a more representative sample exploring TCM preparations recommended in clinical guidelines. Background We aimed to investigate use of infection control behaviours, preventative and therapeutic interventions, and outcomes among respondents to an online survey during the COVID-19 pandemic in China. Methods The survey was designed by an international team, translated and adapted to simplified Chinese, including 132 kinds of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) preparation recommended by guidelines. It was distributed and collected from February to May 2021, with data analysed by WPS spreadsheet and wjx.cn. Descriptive statistics were used to describe demographics and clinical characteristics, diagnosis, treatments, preventative behaviours and interventions, and their associated outcomes. Results The survey was accessed 503 times with 341 (67.8%) completions covering 23 provinces and four municipalities in China. Most (282/341, 82.7%) respondents reported no symptoms during the pandemic and the majority (290/341, 85.0%) reported having a SARS-CoV-2 PCR test at some point. Forty-five (13.2%) reported having a respiratory infection, among which 19 (42.2%) took one or more categories of modern medicine, e.g. painkillers, antibiotics; 16 (35.6%) used TCM interventions(s); while seven respondents combined TCM with modern medicine. All respondents reported using at least one behavioural or medical approach to prevention, with 22.3% taking TCM and 5.3% taking modern medicines. No respondents reported having a critical condition related to COVID-19. Conclusion We found evidence of widespread use of infection control behaviours, modern medicines and TCM for treatment and prevention of COVID-19 and other respiratory symptoms. Larger scale studies are warranted, including a more representative sample exploring TCM preparations recommended in clinical guidelines.

Multiple Cytotoxic Factors Involved in IL-21 Enhanced Antitumor Function of CIK Cells Signaled through STAT-3 and STAT5b Pathways

Rajbhandary, S.,Zhao, Ming-Feng,Zhao, Nan,Lu, Wen-Yi,Zhu, Hai-Bo,Xiao, Xia,Deng, Qi,Li, Yu-Ming Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.10

Background/Objectives: Maintenance of cellular function in culture is vital for transfer and development following adoptive immunotherapy. Dual properties of IL-21 in activating T cells and reducing activation induced cell death led us to explore the mechanism of action of IL-21 enhanced proliferation and cytotoxic potential of CIK cells. Method: CIK cells cultured from PBMCs of healthy subjects were stimulated with IL-21 and cellular viability and cytotoxicity to K562 cells were measured. To elucidate the mechanism of action of IL-21, mRNA expression of cytotoxic factors was assessed by RT-PCR and protein expression of significantly important cytotoxic factors and cytokine secretion were determined through flow cytometry and ELISA. Western blotting was performed to check the involvement of the JAK/STAT pathway following stimulation. Results: We found that IL-21 did not enhance in vitro proliferation of CIK cells, but did increase the number of cells expressing the CD3+/CD56+ phenotype. Cytotoxic potential was increased with corresponding increase in perforin ($0.9831{\pm}0.1265$ to $0.7592{\pm}0.1457$), granzyme B ($0.4084{\pm}0.1589$ to $0.7319{\pm}0.1639$) and FasL ($0.4015{\pm}0.2842$ to $0.7381{\pm}0.2568$). Interferon gamma and TNF-alpha were noted to increase ($25.8{\pm}6.1ng/L$ to $56.0{\pm}2.3ng/L$; and $5.64{\pm}0.61{\mu}g/L$ to $15.14{\pm}0.93{\mu}g/L$, respectively) while no significant differences were observed in the expression of granzyme A, TNF-alpha and NKG2D, and NKG2D. We further affirmed that IL-21 signals through the STAT-3 and STAT-5b signaling pathway in the CIK cell pool. Conclusion: IL-21 enhances cytotoxic potential of CIK cells through increasing expression of perforin, granzyme B, IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha. The effect is brought about by the activation of STAT-3 and STAT-5b proteins.

Influence of synergistic effect of phosphate on corrosion resistance of self-assembled superhydrophobic composite film on 6061 aluminum alloy surfaces

Likui Wang,Shichen Lu,Feng Xie,Hanyu Liu,Jiaping Li,Wei Shang,Zhe Zhang,Yuqing Wen 한국공업화학회 2023 Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Vol.128 No.-

Aluminum (Al) alloys are used in a wide range of applications due to their advantages. However, theexisting corrosion protection methods have insufficient protection ability and cannot achieve longtermprotection. In this paper, reactive protective film on the surface of aluminum alloys using 1-hydroxyethyl-1,1-diphosphonic acid (HEDP) molecules. Then, Lauric acid/Graphene (LA/rGO) film is usedto prepared on the surface of HEDP film. SEM, XRD, EDS, Raman, XPS and WCA were conducted to analyzephysical and chemical features of coatings. The total resistance of the film reaches 1.0 1020 Xcm2, in asalt spray test using 5wt% NaCl as the corrosion medium, corrosion spots appeared on day 28 with a corrosioninhibition efficiency of 99.99%. Theoretical studies with quantum chemical calculations haveshown that HEDP/LA/rGO composite films can be adsorbed on Al alloy surfaces through P-O-Al and PO-C chemical bonding. The influence of phosphate synergistic effect on the corrosion resistance of theself-assembled superhydrophobic composite film on the surface of 6061 aluminum alloy is discussed. This study presents a scientific and innovative design concept to develop coatings with excellent corrosionprotection for aluminum alloy, and then extend their application to certain areas.