Discrete Element Study on Mesoscopic Shear Mechanical Behavior of Fully Weathered Coastal Red Sandstone Considering Different Rock Mass Stability Grades

Zhijie Wang,Xiaohao Rui,Haiyan Xu,Mingfan Zhao,Zhihong Qiu,Zengzhao Zhang 대한토목학회 2023 KSCE Journal of Civil Engineering Vol.27 No.11

The macro parameters such as cohesion and internal friction angle are usually measured on experimental test. The macro shear mechanical behaviors are determined by mesoscopic shear mechanical behaviors, which are difficult to be measured accurately on experimental test. This paper aims to study the mesoscopic shear mechanical behaviors of fully weathered coastal red sandstone (FWCRS) such as the force and displacement of rock particles, the force chain network, the microcracks and the coordination number, which can be systematically studied by discrete element software such as Particle Flow Code (PFC). This paper established models characterizing FWCRS with different rock mass stability grades by results obtained on experimental tests, and investigated the differences of their mesoscopic shear mechanical behaviors. The results show that the mesoscopic shear mechanical behaviors of FWCRS can be characterized by performing direct shear simulation and the differences among different rock mass stability grades were also revealed. As the stability increases from grade 1 to grade 5, the shear stiffness increases, the number of microcracks reduces by 48.07%, and there are significant differences in properties of shear band, development of microcrack, the coordination number and the force chain network. The research results can provide reference for the related research such as the evolution of mesoscopic shear mechanical behaviors in the failure process of rock mass in FWCRS and similar strata.

Mean Nocturnal Baseline Impedance and Post-reflux Swallow-induced Peristaltic Wave Index Could Identify Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease but pH-Impedance Metrics Alone Might Not Correlate With Proton Pump Inhibitor Response in Chinese Patients With Typica

Dongke Wang,Chaofan Duan,Xiaohao Zhang,Junying Xu,Xiaohua Hou,Xuelian Xiang 대한소화기 기능성질환∙운동학회 2022 Journal of Neurogastroenterology and Motility (JNM Vol.28 No.4

Background/Aims Lyon consensus differentiates acid exposure time (AET) as physiological, borderline, and pathological. Mean nocturnal baseline impedance (MNBI) and post-reflux swallow-induced peristaltic wave index (PSPWi) are believed to increase diagnostic yield of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and correlate with symptom outcome of proton pump inhibitor (PPI) treatment. We aim to explore the clinical characteristics and the correlation of pH-impedance parameters with PPI response in Chinese patients with different AET levels. Methods We retrospectively investigated 177 patients with typical reflux symptoms who received esophageal function tests. The demographics, GERD questionnaire scores, the proportion of esophagitis and PPI responders, and manometric and pH-impedance parameters were compared among patients with AET < 4%, 4-6%, and > 6%. In patients with AET ≥ 4%, manometric and pH-impedance parameters were compared between PPI responders and non-responders. Results Among 177 patients, 69 (39.0%) had AET 4-6%, and 53 (29.9%) had AET > 6%. The demographics, esophagogastric junction type, and occurrence of ineffective esophageal motility were similar between patients with AET 4-6% and > 6%, but different from AET < 4%. MNBI and PSPWi were different among different AET levels, but similar between PPI responders and non-responders in patients with AET ≥ 4%. Conclusions It is reasonable to set 4% as a threshold to define pathological AET in Chinese patients. MNBI and PSPWi could identify GERD patients, but may not correlate with PPI response of Chinese GERD patients.

Phenolic acids in Panax ginseng inhibit melanin production through bidirectional regulation of melanin synthase transcription via different signaling pathways

Jianzeng Liu,Xiaohao Xu,Jingyuan Zhou,Guang Sun,Zhenzhuo Li,Lu Zhai,Jing Wang,Rui Ma,Daqing Zhao,Rui Jiang,Liwei Sun 고려인삼학회 2023 Journal of Ginseng Research Vol.47 No.6

Background: Our previous investigation indicated that the preparation of Panax ginseng Meyer(P. ginseng) inhibited melanogenesis. It comprised salicylic acid (SA), protocatechuic acid (PA), p-coumaricacid (p-CA), vanillic acid (VA), and caffeic acid (CA). In this investigation, the regulatory effects ofP. ginseng phenolic acid monomers on melanin production were assessed. Methods: In vitro and in vivo impact of phenolic acid monomers were assessed. Results: SA, PA, p-CA and VA inhibited tyrosinase (TYR) to reduce melanin production, whereas CA hadthe opposite effects. SA, PA, p-CA and VA significantly downregulated the melanocortin 1 receptor(MC1R), cycle AMP (cAMP), protein kinase A (PKA), cycle AMP-response element-binding protein (CREB),microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) pathway, reducing mRNA and protein levels ofTYR, tyrosinase-related protein 1 (TYRP1), and TYRP2. Moreover, CA treatment enhanced the cAMP, PKA,and CREB pathways to promote MITF mRNA level and phosphorylation. It also alleviated MITF proteinlevel in a-MSH-stimulated B16F10 cells, comparable to untreated B16F10, increasing the expression ofphosphorylation glycogen synthase kinase 3b (p-GSK3b), b-catenin, p-ERK/ERK, and p-p38/p38. Furthermore, the GSK3b inhibitor promoted p-GSK3b and p-MITF expression, as observed in CA-treatedcells. Moreover, p38 and ERK inhibitors inhibited CA-stimulated p-p38/p38, p-ERK/ERK, and p-MITFincrease, which had negative binding energies with MC1R, as depicted by molecular docking. Conclusion: P. ginseng roots' phenolic acid monomers can safely inhibit melanin production by bidirectionallyregulating melanin synthase transcription. Furthermore, they reduced MITF expression viaMC1R/cAMP/PKA signaling pathway and enhanced MITF post-translational modification via Wnt/mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway.

Panax ginseng total protein promotes proliferation and secretion of collagen in NIH/3T3 cells by activating extracellular signal-related kinase pathway

Chen, Xuenan,Wang, Manying,Xu, Xiaohao,Liu, Jianzeng,Mei, Bing,Fu, Pingping,Zhao, Daqing,Sun, Liwei The Korean Society of Ginseng 2017 Journal of Ginseng Research Vol.41 No.3

Background: Recently, protein from ginseng was studied and used for the treatment of several kinds of diseases. However, the effect of ginseng total protein (GTP) on proliferation and wound healing in fibroblast cells remains unclear. Methods: In this study, cell viability was analyzed using the MTT [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] assay. Cell cycle distribution was analyzed by flow cytometer. The levels of transforming growth factor ${\beta}1$, vascular endothelial growth factor, and collagens were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunofluorescence staining. The expressions of cyclin A, phosphorylation of extracellular signal-related kinase (p-ERK1/2), and ERK1/2 were analyzed by Western blotting. Results: Our results showed that GTP promoted cell proliferation and increased the percentage of cells in S phase through the upregulation of cyclin A in NIH/3T3 cells. We also found that GTP induced the secretion of type I collagen, and promoted the expression of other factors that regulate the synthesis of collagen such as transforming growth factor ${\beta}1$ and vascular endothelial growth factor. In addition, the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 at Thr202/Tyr204 was also increased by GTP. Conclusion: Our studies suggest that GTP promoted proliferation and secretion of collagen in NIH/3T3 cells by activating the ERK signal pathway, which shed light on a potential function of GTP in promoting wound healing.

Panax ginseng total protein promotes proliferation and secretion of collagen in NIH/3T3 cells by activating extracellular signal-related kinase pathway

Xuenan Chen,Manying Wang,Xiaohao Xu,Jianzeng Liu,Bing Mei,Pingping Fu,Da-Qing Zhao,Liwei Sun 고려인삼학회 2017 Journal of Ginseng Research Vol.41 No.3

Background: Recently, protein from ginseng was studied and used for the treatment of several kinds of diseases. However, the effect of ginseng total protein (GTP) on proliferation and wound healing in fibroblast cells remains unclear. Methods: In this study, cell viability was analyzed using the MTT [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5- diphenyltetrazolium bromide] assay. Cell cycle distribution was analyzed by flow cytometer. The levels of transforming growth factor b1, vascular endothelial growth factor, and collagens were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunofluorescence staining. The expressions of cyclin A, phosphorylation of extracellular signal-related kinase (p-ERK1/2), and ERK1/2 were analyzed byWestern blotting. Results: Our results showed that GTP promoted cell proliferation and increased the percentage of cells in S phase through the upregulation of cyclin A in NIH/3T3 cells. We also found that GTP induced the secretion of type I collagen, and promoted the expression of other factors that regulate the synthesis of collagen such as transforming growth factor b1 and vascular endothelial growth factor. In addition, the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 at Thr202/Tyr204 was also increased by GTP. Conclusion: Our studies suggest that GTP promoted proliferation and secretion of collagen in NIH/3T3 cells by activating the ERK signal pathway, which shed light on a potential function of GTP in promoting wound healing.

Ginsenosides repair UVB-induced skin barrier damage in BALB/c hairless mice and HaCaT keratinocytes

Zhenzhuo Li,Rui Jiang,Manying Wang,Lu Zhai,Jianzeng Liu,Xiaohao Xu,Liwei Sun,Daqing Zhao 고려인삼학회 2022 Journal of Ginseng Research Vol.46 No.1

Background: Ginsenosides (GS) have potential value as cosmetic additives for prevention of skin photoaging. However, their protective mechanisms against skin barrier damage and their active monomeric constituents are unknown. Methods: GS monomer types and their relative proportions were identified. A UVB-irradiated BALB/c hairless mouse model was used to assess protective effects of GS components on skin epidermal thickness and transepidermal water loss (TEWL). Skin barrier function, reflected by filaggrin (FLG), involucrin (IVL), claudin-1 (Cldn-1), and aquaporin 3 (AQP3) levels and MAPK phosphorylation patterns, were analyzed in UVB-irradiated hairless mice or HaCaT cells. Results: Total GS monomeric content detected by UPLC was 85.45% and was largely attributed to 17 main monomers that included Re (16.73%), Rd (13.36%), and Rg1 (13.38%). In hairless mice, GS ameliorated UVB-induced epidermal barrier dysfunction manifesting as increased epidermal thickness, increased TEWL, and decreased stratum corneum water content without weight change. Furthermore, GS treatment of UVB-irradiated mice restored protein expression levels and epidermal tissue distributions of FLG, IVL, Cldn-1, and AQP3, with consistent mRNA and protein expression results obtained in UVB-irradiated HaCaT cells (except for unchanging Cldn-1 expression). Mechanistically, GS inhibited JNK, p38, and ERK phosphorylation in UVB-irradiated HaCaT cells, with a mixture of Rg2, Rg3, Rk3, F2, Rd, and Rb3 providing the same protective MAPK pathway inhibition-associated upregulation of IVL and AQP3 expression as provided by intact GS treatment. Conclusion: GS protection against UVB-irradiated skin barrier damage depends on activities of six ginsenoside monomeric constituents that inhibit the MAPK signaling pathway.

Proteomic analysis of amino acid metabolism differences between wild and cultivated Panax ginseng

Hang Sun,Fangbing Liu,Liwei Sun,Jianzeng Liu,Manying Wang,Xuenan Chen,Xiaohao Xu,Rui Ma,Kai Feng,Rui Jiang 고려인삼학회 2016 Journal of Ginseng Research Vol.40 No.2

Background: The present study aimed to compare the relative abundance of proteins and amino acid metabolites to explore the mechanisms underlying the difference between wild and cultivated ginseng (Panax ginseng Meyer) at the amino acid level. Methods: Two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation were used to identify the differential abundance of proteins between wild and cultivated ginseng. Total amino acids in wild and cultivated ginseng were compared using an automated amino acid analyzer. The activities of amino acid metabolism-related enzymes and the contents of intermediate metabolites between wild and cultivated ginseng were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and spectrophotometric methods. Results: Our results showed that the contents of 14 types of amino acids were higher in wild ginseng compared with cultivated ginseng. The amino acid metabolism-related enzymes and their derivatives, such as glutamate decarboxylase and S-adenosylmethionine, all had high levels of accumulation in wild ginseng. The accumulation of sulfur amino acid synthesis-related proteins, such as methionine synthase, was also higher in wild ginseng. In addition, glycolysis and tricarboxylic acid cycle-related enzymes as well as their intermediates had high levels of accumulation in wild ginseng. Conclusion: This study elucidates the differences in amino acids between wild and cultivated ginseng. These results will provide a reference for further studies on the medicinal functions of wild ginseng.

Proteomic analysis of amino acid metabolism differences between wild and cultivated Panax ginseng

Sun, Hang,Liu, Fangbing,Sun, Liwei,Liu, Jianzeng,Wang, Manying,Chen, Xuenan,Xu, Xiaohao,Ma, Rui,Feng, Kai,Jiang, Rui The Korean Society of Ginseng 2016 Journal of Ginseng Research Vol.40 No.2

Background: The present study aimed to compare the relative abundance of proteins and amino acid metabolites to explore the mechanisms underlying the difference between wild and cultivated ginseng (Panax ginseng Meyer) at the amino acid level. Methods: Two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation were used to identify the differential abundance of proteins between wild and cultivated ginseng. Total amino acids in wild and cultivated ginseng were compared using an automated amino acid analyzer. The activities of amino acid metabolism-related enzymes and the contents of intermediate metabolites between wild and cultivated ginseng were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and spectrophotometric methods. Results: Our results showed that the contents of 14 types of amino acids were higher in wild ginseng compared with cultivated ginseng. The amino acid metabolism-related enzymes and their derivatives, such as glutamate decarboxylase and S-adenosylmethionine, all had high levels of accumulation in wild ginseng. The accumulation of sulfur amino acid synthesis-related proteins, such as methionine synthase, was also higher in wild ginseng. In addition, glycolysis and tricarboxylic acid cycle-related enzymes as well as their intermediates had high levels of accumulation in wild ginseng. Conclusion: This study elucidates the differences in amino acids between wild and cultivated ginseng. These results will provide a reference for further studies on the medicinal functions of wild ginseng.

Strain evolution and morphological transition of magnetron-sputtered CeO2 thin films induced by deposition parameters

Yanyi Zhang,Feng Feng,Huang Rongxia,Kai Shi,Shaozhu Xiao,WeiWu,Timing Qu,Xiaohao Wang,Zhenghe Han 한국물리학회 2014 Current Applied Physics Vol.14 No.3

Cerium dioxide (CeO2) films were fabricated on yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) single crystals using unbalanced radio frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering. X-ray diffraction measurements revealed film strain discrepancies under different deposition parameters. Strain evolution was induced by varying sputtering pressure, RF power, and sputtering gas. A distinct morphological transition from a granular surface to an interwoven surface was also realized by varying the above parameters. On the basis of the “atomic peening” mechanism, the influence of different parameters on film strainwas discussed. The film surface characteristics were revealed to be highly correlated with film strain. YBa2Cu3O7d (YBCO) films were post-deposited on the as-grown CeO2/YSZ(001) stack by using the trifluoroacetate metal-organic deposition (TFA-MOD) method. The superconducting property of the YBCO layer varied significantly with the morphology of the CeO2 buffer films.