The K+/H+ antiporter AhNHX1 improved tobacco tolerance to NaCl stress by enhancing K+ retention

Wei-Wei Zhang,Jing-Jing Meng,Jin-Yi Xing,Sha Yang,Feng Guo,Xin-Guo Li,Shu-Bo Wan 한국식물학회 2017 Journal of Plant Biology Vol.60 No.3

High salinity is the one of important factors limiting plant growth and crop production. Many NHX-type antiporters have been reported to catalyze K+/H+ exchange to mediate salt stress. This study shows that an NHX gene from Arachis hypogaea L. has an important role in K+ uptake and transport, which affects K+ accumulation and plant salt tolerance. When overexpressing AhNHX1, the growth of tobacco seedlings is improved with longer roots and a higher fresh weight than the wild type (WT) under NaCl treatment. Meanwhile, when exposed to NaCl stress, the transgenic seedlings had higher K+/H+ antiporter activity and their roots got more K+ uptake. NaCl stress could induce higher K+ accumulation in the roots, stems, and leaves of transgenic tobacco seedlings but not Na+ accumulation, thus, leading to a higher K+/Na+ ratio in the transgenic seedlings. Additionally, the AKT1, HAK1, SKOR, and KEA genes, which are involved in K+ uptake or transport, were induced by NaCl stress and kept higher expression levels in transgenic seedlings than in WT seedlings. The H+-ATPase and H+-PPase activities were also higher in transgenic seedlings than in the WT seedlings under NaCl stress. Simultaneously, overexpression of AhNHX1 increased the relative distribution of K+ in the aerial parts of the seedlings under NaCl stress. These results showed that AhNHX1 catalyzed the K+/H+ antiporter and enhanced tobacco tolerance to salt stress by increasing K+ uptake and transport.

Concurrent Weekly Docetaxel Chemotherapy in Combination with Radiotherapy for Stage III and IVA-B Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

Wei, Wei-Hong,Cai, Xiu-Yu,Xu, Tao,Zhang, Guo-Yi,Wu, Yong-Feng,Feng, Wei-Neng,Lin, Li,Deng, Yan-Ming,Lu, Qiu-Xia,Huang, Zhe-Li Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.3

Background and Purpose: Cisplatin is the most common chemotherapeutic agent for loco-regionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC); however, toxicity is a limiting factor for some patients. We retrospectively compared the efficacy and toxicity of weekly docetaxel-based and cisplatin-based concurrent chemoradiotherapy in loco-regionally advanced NPC. Methods and Materials: Eighty-four patients with Stage III and IVA-B NPCs, treated between 2007 and 2008, were retrospectively analyzed. Thirty received weekly docetaxel-based concurrent chemotherapy, and 43 were given weekly cisplatin-based concurrent chemotherapy. Radiotherapy was administered using a conventional technique (seven weeks, 2.0 Gy per fraction, total dose 70-74 Gy) with 6-8 Gy boosts for some patients with locally advanced disease. Results: Median follow-up time was 42.3 months (range, 8.6-50.8 months). There were no significant differences in the 3-year loco-regional failure-free survival (85.6% vs. 92.3%; p=0.264), distant failure-free survival (87.0% vs. 92.5%; p=0.171), progression-free survival (85.7% vs. 88.4%; p=0.411) or overall survival (86.5% vs. 92.5%, p=0.298) of patients treated concurrently with docetaxel or cisplatin. Severe toxicity was not common in either group. Conclusions: Weekly docetaxel-based concurrent chemoradiotherapy is potentially effective and has a tolerable toxicity; however, further investigations are required to determine if docetaxel is superior to cisplatin for advanced stage NPC.

2022 Taiwan clinical multicenter expert consensus and recommendations for thyroid radiofrequency ablation

Wei-Che Lin,Wen-Chieh Chen,Pei-Wen Wang,Yi-Chia Chan,Yen-Hsiang Chang,Harn-Shen Chen,Szu-Tah Chen,Wei-Chih Chen,Kai-Lun Cheng,Shun-Yu Chi,Pi-Ling Chiang,Chen-Kai Chou,Feng-Fu Chou,Shun-Chen Huang,Feng 대한초음파의학회 2023 ULTRASONOGRAPHY Vol.42 No.3

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a minimally invasive management strategy that has been widely applied for benign and recurrent malignant thyroid lesions as an alternative to surgery in Taiwan. Members of academic societies for specialists in interventional radiology, endocrinology, and endocrine surgery collaborated to develop the first consensus regarding thyroid RFA in Taiwan. The modified Delphi method was used to reach a consensus. Based on a comprehensive review of recent and valuable literature and expert opinions, the recommendations included indications, pre-procedural evaluations, procedural techniques, post-procedural monitoring, efficacy, and safety, providing a comprehensive review of the application of RFA. The consensus effectively consolidates advice regarding thyroid RFA in clinical practice for local experts.

Novel AgCl/Ag2SO3 Hybrids as a Visible-Light-driven Photocatalyst: Preparation, Characterization, and Degradation of Rhodamine-B and Methyl Orange

Xiang-Feng Wu,Yi-Jin Wang,Zuo-Lin Cao,Yan-Mei Feng,Hui Li,Chen-Xu Zhang,Jun-Zhang Su,Jia-Rui Zhang,Yi-Wei Wang,Kai-Yuan Wang,Guo-Wen Sun 대한화학회 2018 Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society Vol.39 No.7

The novel AgCl/Ag2SO3 hybrids as an efficient photocatalyst had been fabricated by an in situ synthetic method. The correlations between the structure and the photocatalytic properties of the as-fabricated hybrids were analyzed. Experimental results exhibited that with increasing the amount of Ag2SO3, the degradation rate of the as-obtained samples was firstly increased and then decreased under the visible light irradiation. When the mass ratio of AgCl to Ag2SO3 was 1:2, in 30?min, it displayed the highest degradation rate of 99.2% for rhodamine-B, which was obviously higher than 46.1, 60.5, and 14.6% of pure AgCl, Ag2SO3, and TiO2 (P25), respectively. Similar results could be found in degradation of methyl orange. It had the maximum of 97.4% in 90?min, which was higher than 55.2, 48.7, and 12.7% of pure AgCl, Ag2SO3, and P25, respectively. Moreover, the as-prepared hybrids possessed the enhanced separation and transfer of photo-generated electron?hole pairs compared to the pure samples. In addition, the holes and superoxide radicals played the dominant role and the hydroxyl radicals played the secondary role during the process of photocatalytic degradation.

MiR-21 Upregulation Induced by Promoter Zone Histone Acetylation is Associated with Chemoresistance to Gemcitabine and Enhanced Malignancy of Pancreatic Cancer Cells

Song, Wei-Feng,Wang, Lei,Huang, Wei-Yi,Cai, Xun,Cui, Jiu-Jie,Wang, Li-Wei Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.12

Background and Aims: MicroRNA-21 (miR-21) is reported to be overexpressed and to contribute to proliferation, apoptosis and gemcitabine resistance in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (PDACs). The aims of this study were to explore regulation of miR-21 expression by epigenetic change and its impact on chemoresistance and malignant properties of of pancreatic cancer. Materials and methods: We retrospectively collected 41 cases of advanced pancreatic cancer patients who were sensitive or resistant to gemcitabine and assessed levels of serum circulating miR-21 for correlation with cytotoxic activity. Histone acetylation in the miR-21 promoter was also studied in gemcitabine-sensitive and gemcitabine-resistant PDAC cells. Gemcitabine-resistant HPAC and PANC-1 cells were transfected with pre-miR-21 precursors (pre-miR-21) and antisense oligonucleotides (anti-miR-21), and were treated with TSA. Finally, invasion and metastasis assays were performed and alteration in mir-21, PTEN, AKT and pAKT level was evaluated in these cells. Results: Serum miR-21 levels were increased in gemcitabine-resistant PDAC patients compared with gemcitabine-sensitive subjects. The miR-21 levels were increased in 6 PDAC cells treated with gemcitabine significantly, associated with 50% inhibitory concentrations ($IC_{50}s$). Histone acetylation levels at miR-21 promoter were increased in PDAC cells after treatment with gemcitabine. Enhanced invasion and metastasis, increased miR-21 expression, decreased PTEN, elevated pAKT level were demonstrated in gemcitabine-resistant HPAC and PANC-1 cells. Pre-miR-21 transfection or TSA treatment further increased invasion and metastasis ability, decreased PTEN, and elevated pAKT levels in these two lines. In contrast, anti-miR-21 transfection could reverse invasion and metastasis, and PTEN and pAKT expressions induced by gemcitabine. Conclusions: MiR-21 upregulation induced by histone acetylation in the promoter zone is associated with chemoresistance to gemcitabine and enhanced malignant potential in pancreatic cancer cells.

애니메이션 이모티콘 표현유형에 따른 의미해석과 지속사용의도 연구-중국 Wechat 이모티콘을 중심으로-

장일위 ( Zhang Yi Wei ),풍가이 ( Feng Ke Yi ),김세화 ( Kim Se Hwa ) 한국기초조형학회 2016 기초조형학연구 Vol.17 No.6

본 연구는 애니메이션 이모티콘의 표현유형(일러스트와 사진)에 따라 이모티콘에 대한 의미해석과 사용자 평가의 차이가 있는지, 그리고 이모티콘 표현유형에 따라 이모티콘 사용자 평가 요인이 지속사용의도에 미치는 영향에 차이가 있는가를 알아보기 위한 것이다. 연구의 진행을 위하여 20대~30대 중국인 234명에게 12가지의 일러스트와 사진 이모티콘을 제시하고 의미해석에 대한 12개 문항과 ①심미성, ②유희성, ③유용성, ④명확성, ⑤효율성, ⑥지속사용의도 6개 변인 총 22개 문항을 측정하였다. 연구 결과는 다음과 같다. 1)일러스트 애니메이션 이모티콘에 대한 의미해석에서 행위적 의미에서 사진 이모티콘의 의미해석 일치 정도는 일러스트 이모티콘보다 매우 높게 나타났으나, 감정적 의미 측면에서는 일러스트 이모티콘이 사진 이모티콘보다 일치 정도가 비교적 높게 나타났다. 2)이모티콘의 특성이 지속사용의도에 영향을 미치는가에 대한 검증에서는 명확성 외에 나머지 4개 이모티콘 특성 요인인 심미성, 유희성, 유용성과 효율성이 지속사용의도에 유의미한 영향을 미치는 것으로 나타났다. 각 요인들의 효과크기를 살펴보면 이모티콘 특성 중 효율성이 지속사용의도에 가장 큰 영향을 미치는 것으로 나타나 효율성이 지속사용의도를 야기하는 중요한 요소임을 알 수 있다. 그러나 일러스트 표현과 사진 표현을 나누어 검증해보면, 일러스트 애니메이션 이모티콘의 경우에는 효율성을 중심으로 하여 유희성이 지속사용의도를 형성하는데 영향을 미치는 것으로 나타나는 반면에, 사진 애니메이션 이모티콘의 경우에는 심미성만이 높은 영향력을 보이는 것으로 나타났다. This study examines the semantic interpretation and user assessment of emoticons based on the difference between the two types of animated emoticons - illustration and photo. In addition, just as in research results that state that there are differences in the evaluation of media services based on individual tastes, there is a need for research that considers user preferences in the use of animated emoticons. Thus, by surveying 234 Chinese users of WeChat in their 20s-30s, this study examined whether there was a difference in the degree of consistency of an emoticon`s semantic interpretation based on both the emoticon type and user type. In addition, five factors were designated as characteristic factors of animated emoticons-aesthetic appeal, playfulness, usefulness, clarity, and efficiency- and continued usage intention was examined based on these five factors. Based on the results of our survey, three analyses were carried out. First, the degree of semantic interpretation was examined based on the differences in emoticon type and user preferences. Secondly, we examined whether such factors influenced the continued usage intention of animated emoticons. Regarding whether or not the five designated characteristic factors of emoticons influenced continuous usage intention, with the exception of clarity, each of the other four factors (aesthetic appeal, playfulness, usefulness, and efficiency), were seen to have a significant influence. In examining the size of the effect of each of these factors, efficiency was seen to have the greatest influence on continuous usage intention. Through this, one can see that the efficiency possessed by emoticons is able to raise users` continuous usage intention.

Causal Relations between Exposome and Stroke: A Mendelian Randomization Study

Hong-Qi Li,Yi-Wei Feng,Yu-Xiang Yang,Xin-Yi Leng,Prof Can Zhang,Shi-Dong Chen,Kevin Kuo,Shu-Yi Huang,Xue-Qing Zhang,Yi Dong,Xiang Han,Xin Cheng,Mei Cui,Lan Tan,Qiang Dong,Jin-Tai Yu 대한뇌졸중학회 2022 Journal of stroke Vol.24 No.2

Background and Purpose To explore the causal relationships of elements of the exposome with ischemic stroke and its subtypes at the omics level and to provide evidence for stroke prevention. Methods We conducted a Mendelian randomization study between exposure and any ischemic stroke (AIS) and its subtypes (large-artery atherosclerotic disease [LAD], cardioembolic stroke [CE], and small vessel disease [SVD]). The exposure dataset was the UK Biobank involving 361,194 subjects, and the outcome dataset was the MEGASTROKE consortium including 52,000 participants. Results We found that higher blood pressure (BP) (systolic BP: odds ratio [OR], 1.02; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01 to 1.04; diastolic BP: OR, 1.03; 95% CI, 1.01 to 1.05; pulse pressure: OR, 1.03; 95% CI, 1.00 to 1.06), atrial fibrillation (OR, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.13 to 1.25), and diabetes (OR, 1.13; 95% CI, 1.07 to 1.18) were significantly associated with ischemic stroke. Importantly, higher education (OR, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.60 to 0.79) decreased the risk of ischemic stroke. Higher systolic BP (OR, 1.06; 95% CI, 1.02 to 1.10), pulse pressure (OR, 1.08; 95% CI, 1.02 to 1.14), diabetes (OR, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.13 to 1.45), and coronary artery disease (OR, 1.58; 95% CI, 1.25 to 2.00) could cause LAD. Atrial fibrillation could cause CE (OR, 1.90; 95% CI, 1.71 to 2.11). For SVD, higher systolic BP (OR, 1.04; 95% CI, 1.00 to 1.07), diastolic BP (OR, 1.06; 95% CI, 1.01 to 1.12), and diabetes (OR, 1.22; 95% CI, 1.10 to 1.36) were causal factors. Conclusions The study revealed elements of the exposome causally linked to ischemic stroke and its subtypes, including conventional causal risk factors and novel protective factors such as higher education.

Characterization of free and glycosidically bound volatile compounds, fatty acids, and amino acids in Vitis davidii Foex grape species native to China

Yi-Bin Lan,Xiao-Feng Xiang,Wei-Xi Yang,Bao-Qing Zhu,Hong-Tie Pu,Chang-Qing Duan 한국식품과학회 2020 Food Science and Biotechnology Vol.29 No.12

Berries of six Vitis davidii Foex (spine grape)cultivars (‘Baiputao’, ‘Gaoshan 1’, ‘Gaoshan 2’, ‘Seputao’,‘Miputao’, and ‘Tianputao’) were harvested from a commercialvineyard in Hunan Province in China. Free andbound volatile compounds and fatty acids were analyzedby GC–MS, and amino acids were analyzed by HPLC. ‘Tianputao’ and ‘Miputao’ were characterized by relativelyhigher concentrations of aromatic amino acids and lowerconcentrations of branched-chain amino acids. The majorfree volatile compounds of spine grapes were hexanal, (E)-2-hexenal, 1-hexanol, (E)-2-hexenol, (E)-b-damascenone,and benzeneacetaldehyde. The major glycosidically boundvolatile compounds identified were 1-hexanol, menthol,nerol, 1-butanol, 3-methyl-3-butenol, benzenemethanol, bphenylethanol,eugenol, and guaiacol. (E)-b-damascenone,benzeneacetaldehyde, guaiacol, and eugenol had odoractivity values (OAVs)[1 in all cultivar grapes. Partialleast squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) revealed‘Tianputao’ to be distinct from the other cultivars due to itsrelatively higher concentrations of major terpenoids,norisoprenoids, higher alcohols, and aromatic amino acids.

Research on a Multi-Objective Control Strategy for Current-source PWM Rectifiers under Unbalanced and Harmonic Grid Voltage Conditions

Yi-Wen Geng,Hai-Wei Liu,Ren-Xiong Deng,Fang-Fang Tian,Hao-Feng Bai,Kai Wang 전력전자학회 2018 JOURNAL OF POWER ELECTRONICS Vol.18 No.1

Unbalanced and distorted grid voltages cause the grid side current of a current source PWM rectifier to be heavily distorted. They can also cause the DC-link current to fluctuate with a huge amplitude. In order to enhance the performance of a current-source PWM rectifier under unbalanced and harmonic grid voltage conditions, a mathematical model of a current-source PWM rectifier is established and a flexible multi-objective control strategy is proposed to control the DC-link current and grid-current. The fundamental positive/negative sequence, 5th and 7th order harmonic components of the grid voltage are first separated with the proposed control strategy. The grid current reference are optimized based on three objectives: 1) sinusoidal and symmetrical grid current, 2) sinusoidal grid current and elimination of the DC-current 2nd order fluctuations, and 3) elimination of the DC-current 2nd and 6th order fluctuations. To avoid separation of the grid current components, a multi-frequency proportional-resonant controller is applied to control the fundamental positive/negative sequence, 5th and 7th order harmonic current. Finally, experimental results verify the effectiveness of proposed control strategy.

The evolution of permeability and gas composition during remote protective longwall mining and stress-relief gas drainage: a case study of the underground Haishiwan Coal Mine

Wei Li,Yuan-ping Cheng,Pin-kun Guo,Feng-hua An,Ming-yi Chen 한국지질과학협의회 2014 Geosciences Journal Vol.18 No.4

The mining of protective coal seams can cause changesin geostress, leading to changes in the permeability of coal rock and creatingfavorable conditions for gas extraction from coal seams. Atthe Haishiwan Coal Mine, field tests using remote protective coalseam mining were performed in the protected layer, which is richin CO2 gas. In remote protective longwall mining, the permeabilityand composition of extracted stress-relief gas can vary. Under theconditions of remote protective longwall mining, the permeabilityof a protected coal seam can be generally described by the Liumodel. During protective layer mining, the permeability of theprotective layer increases rapidly with the release of stress, thendecreases gradually with the recovery of the geostress. However,matrix shrinkage and decreased pore pressure caused by CO2 desorptionfrom coal seams also cannot be ignored when considering thefactors that affect the permeability. Thus, it is necessary to appropriatelyconfigure the cross-measure boreholes in advance to drainthe stress-relief gas during remote protective layer mining. StressreliefCO2 gas extraction presents multiple consecutive peaks. TheNo. 2 coal seam has different trap pressure systems as CO2 migratesinto the coal seam. The protected seam experiences different effectivestresses during protective layer mining, and the permeabilitiesappear to periodically increase due to differences in the originalpermeability. The various permeability and diffusion coefficientsfor CO2 and CH4 in coal induce CO2 and CH4 fractionation in theroof and floor of the No. 2 coal seam.