Structural optimization of rapidly separating microneedles for efficient drug delivery

Dan Dan Zhu,Bo Zhi Chen,Meng Chan He,Xin Dong Guo 한국공업화학회 2017 Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Vol.51 No.-

Rapidly separating microneedles (RSMNs) arose as an improvement of traditional MNs for the specialseparable structures. The aim of this study was to investigate various structural parameters contributedto the delivery performance of RSMNs. The experimental results indicated that the optimized RSMNswith 500 mm-long solid PLA MNs, 250 mm-long overlap and 500 mm-long dissolving MNs delivered over95% of drugs within 30 s. In the in vivo diabetic mice treatment, insulin loaded optimized RSMNs reachedapproximately the same therapeutic effect on lowering the glucose in blood as injection, significantlybetter than traditional MNs.

Cat NPC2, a Newly Identified Allergen, With High Cross-Reactivity to Can f 7

Zhu Dan-Xuan,Li Lin,Xu Zhi-Qiang,Zhang Cheng,Zhang Jin-Song,Sun Jin-Lyu,Wei Ji-Fu 대한천식알레르기학회 2021 Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Research Vol.13 No.1

Purpose: Pet-derived allergens are the common indoor inhalant allergens. Among them, cat and dog allergens constitute more than 80% of animal allergic patients, which greatly affect the quality-of-life of patients and increase the burden of social health care. The aim of this study was to identify Cat-Niemann pick type C2 (NPC2) protein, a homologue of Can f 7, as a new allergen. Methods: Cat-NPC2 complementary DNA (cDNA) was cloned and optimized for amplification and expression in Escherichia coli. Then, recombinant Cat-NPC2 (rCat-NPC2) was purified by Ni2+ affinity chromatography. The allergenicity was assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), western blot and basophil activation test (BAT). Based on the sequence similarity, the cross-reactivity between Cat-NPC2 and Can f 7 was investigated by inhibition ELISA. Circular dichroism spectroscopy and homology modeling were used to characterize the structure of Cat-NPC2. Results: The cDNA sequence of Cat-NPC2 was cloned with a 450-bp open reading frame coding for 149 amino acids (GenBank MN_737596). The condon-optimized NPC2 gene was subcloned and expressed in E. coli with a molecular weight of 18.9 kDa. The native Cat-NPC2 was detected in cat dander extracts. The allergenicity determined by ELISA, western blot and BAT suggested at least 14.5% cat-allergic patients displayed high specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) recognition of Cat-NPC2. The predicted structure of Cat-NPC2 was found to consist of 7 β-strands arranged in 2 β-sheets. An ELISA based assay showed that rCat-NPC2 bound to cholesterol in a dose dependent manner. Based on the structure and sequence similarities, IgE cross-reactivity was demonstrated between Cat-NPC2 and Can f 7/Der f 2. Conclusions: In the study, a novel cat allergen, belonging to the NPC2 protein family, was identified and characterized at both molecular and immunological levels. The study will offer a deeper understanding of cat allergens and improve a component-resolved diagnosis in pet allergy.

EBV-miR-BHRF1-1 Targets p53 Gene: Potential Role in Epstein-Barr Virus Associated Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

Dan-Min Xu,Yi-Lin Kong,Li Wang,Hua-Yuan Zhu,Jia-Zhu Wu,Yi Xia,Yue Li,Shu-Chao Qin,Lei Fan,Jian-Yong Li,Jin-Hua Liang,Wei Xu 대한암학회 2020 Cancer Research and Treatment Vol.52 No.2

Purpose The purpose of this study was to investigate the prognostic impact of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)–microRNA (miRNA, miR)-BHRF1-1 with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) as well as role of EBV-miR-BHRF1-1 in p53 gene. Materials and Methods Quantitative reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction and western blotting were used to quantify EBV-miR-BHRF1-1 and p53 expression in cultured CLL. Results p53 aberration was associated with the higher expression level of EBV-miR-BHRF1-1 (p < 0.001) which was also an independent prognostic marker for overall survival (p=0.028; hazard ratio, 5.335; 95% confidence interval, 1.193 to 23.846) in 97 newly-diagnosed CLL patients after adjusted with International Prognostic Index for patients with CLL. We identified EBV-miR-BHRF1-1 as a viral miRNA regulator of p53. EBV-miR-BHRF1-1 repressed luciferase reporter activity by specific interaction with the seed region within the p53 3- untranslated region. Discordance of p53 messenger RNA and protein expression was associated with high EBV-miR-BHRF1-1 levels in CLL patients and cell lines. EBV-miR-BHRF1- 1 inhibition upregulated p53 protein expression, induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis and decreased cell proliferation in cell lines. EBV-miR-BHRF1-1 mimics downregulated p53 protein expression, decreased cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, and induced cell proliferation in cell lines. Conclusion This study supported the role of EBV-miR-BHRF1-1 in p53 regulation in vitro. Our results support the potential of EBV-miR-BHRF1-1 as a therapeutic target in EBV-associated CLL with p53 gene aberration.

Quality of Life of Male Spouse Caregivers for Breast Cancer Patients in China

Zhu, Ping,Fu, Ju-Fang,Wang, Bo,Lin, Jing,Wang, Yan,Fang, Ning-Ning,Wang, Dan-Dan Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.10

Background: The aim of this study was to describe the characteristics of male spouse caregivers of breast cancer patients in China, assess their quality of life (QOL), and investigate the influencing factors. Materials and Methods: A total of 243 breast cancer patient-spouse caregiver dyads were recruited from four hospitals in Shanxi and Anhui province of China. A cross-sectional design was applied to collect data and the Chinese version of the Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short Form (SF-36) was used to measure caregivers' QOL, and the Chinese version of M.D. Anderson Symptom Inventory (MDASI-C) was applied to measure patient symptom severity and interference. Pearson's correlation was used to examine the correlations between caregiver burden and QOL. The multiple regression analysis was used to determine the most predictive factors influencing QOL. Results: The scores of all SF-36 scales were above 50.0, which were much lower than that of general mainland Chinese males. Mental QOL was significantly worse than physical QOL. Spouses demographic characteristics, caregiving-related variables and patient symptoms were related to spouse QOL. Caregiver burden has a negative relationship with QOL. Conclusions: A decrease in life events and patient symptoms, as well as increase in spouse sleeping time and family income, ought to improve QOL.

The Effects of ASMase Mediated Endothelial Cell Apoptosis in Multiple Hypofractionated Irradiations in CT26 Tumor Bearing Mice

Zhu, Hong,Deng, Kai,Zhao, Ya-Qin,Wang, Xin,Shen, Ya-Li,Liu, Tai-Guo,Cui, Dan-Dan,Xu, Feng Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.11

Background: To investigate the effects of ASMase mediated endothelial cell apoptosis in multiple hypofractionated irradiations in CT26 tumor bearing mice. Materials and Methods: Thirty-five CT26 tumor bearing mice were subjected to single ionizing radiation (IR) of 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18 Gy. Eight hours after IR, the mice were sacrificed and tumor tissues were used for CD31 immunohistochemistry staining, TUNEL and CD31 double staining, ASMase activity assay. Then 6 and 12 Gy were chosen for multiple hypofractionated IR experiments according to the above results. Each time after IR, 5 mice were sacrificed and assayed as above. Results: The ASMase activities were increased significantly after a single IR of 12 Gy or higher which was accompanied with remarkable increased endothelial cell apoptosis and decreased MVD. For 6 Gy which was not high enough to trigger ASMase activation, after 2 or more times of IR, the ASMase activities were significantly increased accompanied with remarkable increased endothelial cell apoptosis and decreased MVD. While for 12 Gy, after 2 or more times of IR, the ASMase activities and endothelial cell apoptosis rates were maintained without remarkable increase; however, the MVD was significantly decreased. What's more, the cancer cell apoptosis rates were significantly increased after multiple IR for both 6 Gy and 12 Gy. Conclusions: ASMase mediated endothelial cell apoptosis may play an important role in the process of multiple hypofractionated IR for CT26 colorectal carcinoma.

PMN-PT Single Crystal for Endoscopic Ultrasound 2D Array Application

Yuhang Zhu,Huageng Liang,Benpeng Zhu,Dan Zhou,Xiaofei Yang 대한금속·재료학회 2017 ELECTRONIC MATERIALS LETTERS Vol.13 No.2

Based on lead magnesium niobate-lead titanate single crystal, a 24 × 24row-column addressing endoscopic two-dimensional array has beensuccessfully fabricated using novel flanged electrodes and “semi-kerf”technologies. Each row/column array element was measured to have anelectromechanical coupling coefficient of 0.81, a center frequency of5MHz, and a fractional bandwidth of approximately 88% at −6 dB. Ofparticular significance was that the lead magnesium niobate-lead titanateelement exhibits much higher sensitivity compared with lead zirconatetitanate-based 2D arrays with similar operational frequency and elementarea. According to the Field II simulated results, although the obtainedbeamwidth at −6 dB was a little inferior to that of the fully sampled 24 × 24two-dimensional array, it is believed that the beamwidth can be improved byappropriately increasing the element number. These results demonstratedthat the lead magnesium niobate-lead titanate single-crystal 2D array is apromising candidate for real-time three-dimensional endoscopic ultrasoundimaging.

Post Marketing Surveillance for the Quality Evaluation of Several Drugs

Mei Dan,Li Dakui,Zhang Jichun,Zhu Zhu,Fu Qiang 한국임상약학회 2004 학술대회 Vol.2004 No.1

The Phytotoxic Effects of Selenium–Mercury Interactions on Root Growth in Brassica rapa (LvLing)

Zhi-Wei Bian,Jian Chen,Hui Li,Dan-Dan Liu,Li-Fei Yang,Yue-Lin Zhu,Wen-Li Zhu,Wei Liu,Zheng-Zheng Ying 한국원예학회 2016 Horticulture, Environment, and Biotechnology Vol.57 No.3

Rapid industrial and agricultural development has dramatically increased the emission of selenium (Se) and mercury (Hg) into the environment. Combined soil pollution by Se and Hg poses a potential threat to crop production. However, no toxic effects of Hg–Se interactions on plants have been reported previously. In this study, we investigated the effects of Hg–Se interactions on biochemical and physiological indices in the roots of Brassica rapa (LvLing). Seedlings were treated hydroponically with solutions of mercury chloride (1 μM), sodium selenite (4 μM), or a combination of the two. Combined Hg+Se treatment significantly inhibited root growth, reduced root biomass, and enhanced reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde accumulation and led to a loss of plasma membrane integrity. The combined treatment increased glutathione peroxidase, glutathione S-transferase, and peroxidase activity, reduced superoxide dismutase activity, and had no effect on catalase activity. In addition, we detected increased glutathione concentrations in root tips and reduced ascorbic acid concentrations in the presence of Hg+Se relative to individual treatments with these elements. Thus, Hg–Se interactions enhanced oxidative injury, cell death, and phytotoxicity in B. rapa roots.

Study of Oleophobic Modification of Fiber Material Surface and Its Performance

Dan Zhang,Chanjuan Huang,Wei Luo,Yuhe Wu,Zhu Long 한국섬유공학회 2019 Fibers and polymers Vol.20 No.6

In recent years, remarkable development and progresses have been made on the study of oleophobic modificationof fibers. Modified oleophobic fibers have broad application prospects not only owing to their important uses in daily life, butalso their extraordinary use in the fields of defense science and technology, and medical health care. In this study, fluorinecontainingacrylate (FP) emulsion was synthesized via emulsion polymerization method using perfluorooctyl acrylate(PFOA) as the fluorine-containing monomer, and butyl acrylate (BA) and styrene (St) as the basic monomers. In addition,SiO2 hydrosol was also prepared by water-based sol-gel reaction using tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) as the precursor. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, particle size analysis,thermogravimetric analysis and contact angle measurement were used to characterize the structural morphology and thermalstability of the FP polymer. The as-obtained FP and SiO2/FP were coated on cotton fabrics by the impregnation-curingmethod, successfully affording the cotton fabrics with oleophobic property. The application performance of the fabrics beforeand after finishing were measured and analyzed, and the effect of rubbing and soap washing on the oleophobic property of thefabrics were investigated. Then property changes, such as the anti-ultraviolet property, whiteness, breathability, and breakingstrength, of the fabrics before and after finishing were investigated. The results showed that the FP finishing agent exhibitedexcellent thermal property and satisfied the basic requirements for the fabrics finishing agents. The oleophobic property ofthe fabrics after FP emulsion finishing achieved grade 5, with no wettability to n-dodecane. The oleophobic property of theSiO2/FP treated fabrics was better than those of the FP treated fabrics, indicating that the roughen treatment of cotton fabricssurfaces using silica sol first and then coating with FP improved the oleophobic property. The combined actions of the coarsesurface structure provided by SiO2 nanoparticles and the low surface energy of the fluorine-containing polymers afforded thecotton fabric surfaces with oleophobic property. The treated fabrics retained good oleophobic performance after multipletimes of water washing and rubbings, and the physical mechanical properties of the cotton fabrics did not change muchbefore and after finishing, and thus did not affect the clothing performance of the cotton fabrics.

Molecular characterization and expression of suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS) 1, 2 and 3 under acute hypoxia and reoxygenation in pufferfish, Takifugu fasciatus

Dan Wang,Xin Wen,Xinyu Zhang,Yadong Hu,Xinru Li,Wenxu Zhu,Tao Wang,Shaowu Yin 한국유전학회 2018 Genes & Genomics Vol.40 No.11

Hypoxia seriously affects the innate immune system of fish. However, the roles of suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS), pivotal anti-inflammatory genes, in response to hypoxia/reoxygenation remain largely unexplored. The primary objective of this study was to elucidate the function of SOCS genes under acute hypoxia and reoxygenation in pufferfish (Takifugu fasciatus). In the present study, SOCS1, 2 and 3 were identified in T. fasciatus referred to as TfSOCS1, 2 and 3. Then, qRTPCR and western blot analysis were employed to assess their expressions at both the mRNA and protein levels. Tissue distribution demonstrated that the three SOCS genes were predominantly distributed in gill, brain and liver. Under hypoxia challenge (1.63 ± 0.2 mg/L DO for 2, 4, 6 and 8 h), the expressions of TfSOCS1 and 3 in brain and liver at the mRNA and protein levels were significantly decreased, while their expressions showed an opposite trend in gill. Different from the expressions of TfSOCS1 and 3, the expression of TfSOCS2 was inhibited in gill, along with its increased expression in brain and liver. After normoxic recovery (7.0 ± 0.3 mg/L of DO for 4 and 12 h), most of TfSOCS genes were significantly altered at R4 (reoxygenation for 4 h) and returned to the normal level at R12 (reoxygenation for 12 h). SOCS genes played vital roles in response to hypoxia/reoxygenation challenge. Our findings greatly strengthened the relation between innate immune and hypoxia stress in T. fasciatus.