Core prescription pattern of Chinese herbal medicine for depressive disorders in Taiwan: a nationwide population-based study

Diem Ngoc Hong Tran,I-Hsuan Hwang,Fun-Jou Chen,Yuan-Pu Tseng,Ching-Mao Chang,Shih-Jen Tsai,Jen-Lin Yang,Ta-Peng Wu,Chung-Hua Hsu,Fang-Pey Chen,Yen-Ying Kung 한국한의학연구원 2021 Integrative Medicine Research Vol.10 No.3

Background: Depressive disorders (DD) affect not only mood and behavior but also various physical functions. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been shown to have some benefits in treating DD. However, one formula or one single herb might be not show high efficacy when used to treat depression. Thus, this study aimed to examine the core prescription pattern of Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) among patients with DD in Taiwan as a reference for related research and clinical applications. Methods: All patients, who had been diagnosed with major depressive disorder or minor depression or dysthymia without any other baseline diseases and had at least one CHM outpatient clinical visit from 2002 to 2011, were extracted from three randomly sampled cohorts, namely the 2000, 2005 and 2010 cohorts of the National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) of Taiwan. The collected data was analyzed to explore the patterns of herbal products. Results: There were 197,146 patients with a diagnosis of DD and of these 1806 subjects had only a diagnosis of DD and utilized CHM. The most common formula was Gan-Mai-Da-Zao-Tang (12.19%), while Suan-Zao-Ren (3.99%) was the most commonly prescribed single herb. The core pattern of prescriptions consisted of a combination of Gan-Mai-Da-Zao-Tang, Jia-Wei-Xiao-Yao-San, Chai-Hu-Jia-Long-Gu-Mu-Li-Tang, He-Huan-Pi, Yuan-Zhi and Shi-Chang-Pu. Conclusions: This study describes the CHM core prescription pattern used to treat patients in Taiwan with DD and it is a potential candidate for study in future pharmacological or clinical trials targeting DD.

[PA-0076] Genome-wide Association Study for the Resistance to the Brown Spot in Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Fang-Yuan Cao(Fang-Yuan Cao),Yuting Zeng(Yuting Zeng),Seong-Gyu Jang(Seong-Gyu Jang),Hongjia Zhang(Hongjia Zhang),Sang-Cheol Kim(Sang-Cheol Kim),Soon-Wook Kwon(Soon-Wook Kwon) 한국육종학회 2022 한국육종학회 공동학술발표집 Vol.2022 No.-

《現代漢語詞典》3、5版的輕聲詞處理及 對外漢語輕聲詞敎學

方媛媛(Fang, Yuan-yuan),朴炯春(Park, Hyeong-chun) 순천향대학교 인문학연구소 2015 순천향 인문과학논총 Vol.34 No.4

Neutral tone words are an essential part in Chinese language study. It is a basic tone in Mandarin, but it is often not taken seriously in the teaching. As a Chinese learner, the learning and teaching conditions of neutral tone words in the teaching of Chinese as a foreign language are not very mature. There are neither basic teaching materials nor basic law, which brings great difficulties to the teachers and learners. This paper is based on The Modern Chinese Dictionary, which is authoritative in Chinese language, analyzing the vocabulary characteristics of neutral tone words, searching their role, comparing their change and development in recent years, launching a questionnaire survey and summarizing the reasons. A few personal opinions on neutral tone words in Chinese language teaching are also put forward.

Genome-wide identification and analysis of MIKC-type MADS-box genes expression in Chimonanthus salicifolius

Gui Fang-Fang,Jiang Ge-Ge,Bin Dong,Zhong Shi-Wei,Xiao Zheng,Qiu Fang,Wang Yi-Guang,Yang Li-Yuan,Zhao Hongbo 한국유전학회 2023 Genes & Genomics Vol.45 No.9

Background MIKC type MADS-box transcription factors are one of the largest gene families and play a pivotal role in flowering time and flower development. Chimonanthus salicifolius belongs to the family Calycanthaceae and has a unique flowering time and flowering morphology compared to other Chimonanthus species, but the research on MIKC type MADS-box gene family of C. salicifolius has not been reported. Objective Identification, comprehensive bioinformatic analysis, the expression pattern of MIKC-type MADS-box gene family from different tissues of C. salicifolius. Methods Genome-wide investigation and expression pattern under different tissues of the MIKC-type MADS-box gene family in C. salicifolius, and their phylogenetic relationships, evolutionary characteristics, gene structure, motif distribution, promoter cis-acting element were performed. Results A total of 29 MIKC-type MADS-box genes were identified from the whole genome sequencing. Interspecies synteny analysis revealed more significant collinearity between C. salicifolius and the magnoliids species compared to eudicots and monocots. MIKC-type MADS-box genes from the same subfamily share similar distribution patterns, gene structure, and expression patterns. Compared with Arabidopsis thaliana, Nymphaea colorata, and Chimonanthus praecox, the FLC genes were absent in C. salicifolius, while the AGL6 subfamily was expanded in C. salicifolius. The selectively expanded promoter (AGL6) and lack of repressor (FLC) genes may explain the earlier flowering in C. salicifolius. The loss of the AP3 homologous gene in C. salicifolius is probably the primary cause of the morphological distinction between C. salicifolius and C. praecox. The csAGL6a gene is specifically expressed in the flowering process and indicates the potential function of promoting flowering. Conclusion This study offers a genome-wide identification and expression profiling of the MIKC-types MADS-box genes in the C. salicifolius, and establishes the foundation for screening flowering development genes and understanding the potential function of the MIKC-types MADS-box genes in the C. salicifolius.

Health Economics Evaluation of a Gastric Cancer Early Detection and Treatment Program in China

Li, Dan,Yuan, Yuan,Sun, Li-Ping,Fang, Xue,Zhou, Bao-Sen Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.13

Objective: To use health economics methodology to assess the screening program on gastric cancer in Zhuanghe, China, so as to provide the basis for health decision on expanding the program of early detection and treatment. Materials and Methods: The expense of an early detection and treatment program for gastric cancer in patients found by screening, and also costs of traditional treatment in a hospital of Zhuanghe were assessed. Three major techniques of medical economics, namely cost-effective analysis (CEA), cost-benefit analysis (CBA) and cost-utility analysis (CUA), were used to assess the screening program. Results: Results from CEA showed that investing every 25, 235 Yuan on screening program in Zhuanghe area, one gastric cancer patient could be saved. Data from CUA showed that it was cost 1, 370 Yuan per QALY saved. Results from CBA showed that: the total cost was 1,945,206 Yuan with a benefit as 8,669,709 Yuan and an CBR of 4.46. Conclusions: The early detection and treatment program of gastric cancer appears economic and society-beneficial. We suggest that it should be carry out in more high risk areas for gastric cancer.

Bacterial Fruit Rot of Apricot Caused by Burkholderia cepacia in China

Fang, Yuan,Li, Bin,Wang, Fang,Liu, Baoping,Wu, Zhiyi,Su, Ting,Qiu, Wen,Xie, Guanlin The Korean Society of Plant Pathology 2009 Plant Pathology Journal Vol.25 No.4

An unreported disease of apricot was observed in orchards in Zhejiang province, China. Symptoms started as water soaked lesions on the fruit surface. Later, water-soaked areas developed and spread to the entire fruit, resulting in soft rot of the whole fruit. The causal organism isolated from symptomatic fruits was identified as Burkholderia cepacia based on its biochemical and physiological characteristics and confirmed by the cellular fatty acid composition and Biolog data as well as 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. The bacterial isolates caused similar symptoms when inoculated onto fruits of apricot. In addition, European plum, Japanese plum, nectarine and kiwifruit were susceptible to the B. cepacia pathogen. However, the B. cepacia pathogen failed to cause any visible symptoms when it was inoculated onto 16 other fruits. This is the first report of a bacterial disease of apricot caused by B. cepacia in China.

Diversity Analysis of Burkholderia cepacia Complex in the Water Bodies of West Lake, Hangzhou, China

Yuan Fang,Guan-lin Xie,Miao-miao Lou,Bin Li,Ibrahim Muhammad 한국미생물학회 2011 The journal of microbiology Vol.49 No.2

A survey of Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc) species was conducted in water bodies of West Lake in China. A total of 670 bacterial isolates were recovered on selective media. Out of them, 39.6% (265 isolates)were assigned to the following species: Burkholderia multivorans, Burkholderia cenocepacia recA lineage IIIA,IIIB, Burkholderia stabilis, Burkholderia vietnamiensis, and Burkholderia seminalis while B. cenocepacia is documented as a dominant Bcc species in water of West Lake. In addition, all Bcc isolates tested were PCR negative for the cblA and esmR transmissibility marker genes except B. cenocepacia IIIB A8 which was positive for esmR genelater. The present study raises great concerns on the role of West Lake as a “reservoir” for potential Bcc pathogenic strains.

MiR-542-5p Inhibits Hyperglycemia and Hyperlipoidemia by Targeting FOXO1 in the Liver

Fang Tian,Hui-Min Ying,Yuan-Yuan Wang,Bo-Ning Cheng,Juan Chen 연세대학교의과대학 2020 Yonsei medical journal Vol.61 No.9

Purpose: This research was designed to investigate how miR-542-5p regulates the progression of hyperglycemia and hyperlipoidemia. Materials and Methods: An in vivo model with diabetic db/db mice and an in vitro model with forskolin/dexamethasone (FSK/DEX)-induced primary hepatocytes and HepG2 cells were employed in the study. Bioinformatics analysis was conducted to identifythe expression of candidate miRNAs in the liver tissues of diabetic and control mice. H&E staining revealed liver morphologyin diabetic and control mice. Pyruvate tolerance tests, insulin tolerance tests, and intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test were utilizedto assess insulin resistance. ELISA was conducted to evaluate blood glucose and insulin levels. Red oil O staining showed lipiddeposition in liver tissues. Luciferase reporter assay was used to depict binding between miR-542-5p and forkhead box O1 (FOXO1). Results: MiR-542-5p expression was under-expressed in the livers of db/db mice. Further in vitro experiments revealed that FSK/DEX, which mimics the effects of glucagon and glucocorticoids, induced cellular glucose production in HepG2 cells and in primaryhepatocytes cells. Notably, these changes were reversed by miR-542-5p. We found that transcription factor FOXO1 is a target ofmiR-542-5p. Further in vivo study indicated that miR-542-5p overexpression decreases FOXO1 expression, thereby reversing increasesin blood glucose, blood lipids, and glucose-related enzymes in diabetic db/db mice. In contrast, anti-miR-542-5p exertedan adverse influence on blood glucose and blood lipid metabolism, and its stimulatory effects were significantly inhibited by sh-FOXO1 in normal control mice. Conclusion: Collectively, our results indicated that miR-542-5p inhibits hyperglycemia and hyperlipoidemia by targeting FOXO1.

Protective Effect of Andrographolide on Alleviating Chronic Alcoholic Liver Disease in Mice by Inhibiting Nuclear Factor Kappa B and Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha Activation

Yuan Song,Xiangqun Wu,Di Yang,Fang Fang,Lingshi Meng,Ya Liu,Weiwei Cui 한국식품영양과학회 2020 Journal of medicinal food Vol.23 No.4

Much research has indicated that alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is associated with oxidative stress and inflammation induced by ethanol, and that numerous antioxidants could effectively alleviate such injuries. Moreover, recent studies have identified andrographolide (AD) as having strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities, which can block oxidative damage associated with nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB)-mediated inflammation. However, the biological role and potential mechanism of AD in its protection against ALD have not been fully characterized. To observe the possible effect of AD, male C57BL/6J mice received ethanol through intragastrical gavage for 12 weeks in this study. The ethanol group was separated into five subgroups: (1) model group (n = 10); (2) silymarin group (0.1 mg/g body weight [BW], n = 10); (3) AD (0.05 mg/g BW) group (n = 10); (4) AD (0.1 mg/g BW) group (n = 10); and (5) AD (0.2 mg/g BW) group (n = 10). Mice in AD groups were treated orally by gavage once per day. The experimental results show that serum aminotransferase, liver lipids, lipid peroxidation, and antioxidant capacities were significantly changed in the model group after alcohol treatment, and the liver tissue histological findings showed pathological changes. Compared with the model group, treatment with AD improved serum aminotransferase, liver function, lipid accumulation, and hepatic reactive oxygen species levels. And AD decreased the hepatic NF-κB and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) protein expression of ALD mice. This research demonstrated that AD can alleviate liver pathological injury and oxidative stress in mice exposed to ethanol by decreasing the expression of NF-κB and TNF-α.

Association Study of Single-Nucleotide Polymorphisms of STAT2/STAT3/IFN-γ Genes in Cervical Cancer in Southern Chinese Han Women

Yuan, Yuan,Fan, Jie-Lin,Yao, Fang-Ling,Wang, Kang-Tao,Yu, Ying,Carlson, Jennifer,Li, Ming Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.8

Objective: Interferon-${\gamma}$ (IFN-${\gamma}$) and signal transducers and activators of transcription (STATs) each play an important role in carcinogenesis associated with viral infection. Cervical cancer is almost invariably associated with infection by human papillomavirus (HPV), and previous studies suggested that dysregulation of the signal pathway involved in IFN-${\gamma}$ and STATs is associated. Our objective was to evaluate the association of SNPs in STAT2, STAT3, and IFN-${\gamma}$ with cervical cancer susceptibility in Chinese Han women in Hunan province. Materials and Methods: Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood samples of 234 cervical cancer patients and 216 healthy female controls. STAT2 and STAT3 genotyping was performed using polymerase chain reaction-restriction enzyme (PCR-RE) analysis. IFN-${\gamma}$ genotyping was detected by PCR-amplification of specific allele (PASA). Results: For STAT2 rs2066807 polymorphisms, there was no significant difference of genotype distribution (P=0.827) and allele frequencies (P=0.830, OR=1.09, 95% CI: 0.51-2.31) between cases and controls. For STAT3 rs957970 polymorphisms, there was no significant difference of genotype distribution (P=0.455) and allele frequencies (P=0.560, OR=0.92, 95% CI: 0.71-1.20) between cases and controls. For IFN-${\gamma}$ +874A/T polymorphisms, there was no significant difference of genotype distribution (P=0.652) and allele frequencies (P=0.527, OR=1.12, 95% CI: 0.79-1.59) between cases and controls. Conclusion: These results suggest that polymorphisms in STAT2, STAT3 and IFN-${\gamma}$ genes are not likely to be strong predictors of cervical cancer in Han women in southern China.