Investigation of the Phenomenon of Propagated Sensation along the Channels in the Upper Limb Following Administration of Acupuncture and Mock Laser

Shohreh Razavy,Marcus Gadau,Shi Ping Zhang,Fu Chun Wang,Sergio Bangrazi,Christine Berle,Mahrita Harahap,Tie Li,Wei Hong Li,Christopher Zaslawski 사단법인약침학회 2017 Journal of Acupuncture & Meridian Studies Vol.10 No.5

Background: Similar to De Qi psychophysical responses, propagated sensation along the channels (PSC) is considered an important phenomenon in traditional Chinese acupuncture. In acupuncture clinical trials, different acupuncture manipulation techniques are used to enhance the propagation of sensation along the channels to facilitate an optimum therapeutic result. Aim: To examine and compare the PSC reported by participants in a clinical trial following the administration of acupuncture and inactive mock laser. Methods: The study was embedded in a two-arm parallel design multicenter, randomized clinical trial, the Tennis Elbow AcupuncturedInternational StudydChina, Hong Kong, Australia, Italy (TEA IS CHAI). Needle sensations were measured using a validated instrument, the Massachusetts General Hospital Acupuncture Sensation Spreading Scale. Ninety-six participants with lateral elbow pain were randomly allocated into two groups in a 1:1 ratio; the acupuncture treatment group (n Z 47) and the mock laser control group (n Z 49). Participants in both groups received the intervention at two acupoints, LI10 and LI11, consisting of 2 minutes of either standardized needle manipulation or mock laser at each acupoint with a rest period between each intervention period. Data were collected immediately following the interventions at the first and the ninth session within the clinical trial. Results: Although participants in both groups perceived PSC radiating to similar sites along the upper limb, the frequency of the reported radiation sites among the two intervention groups for both radiation up the limb (p < 0.05) and radiation down the limb (p < 0.001) were statistically significantly different. Among the radiating sensation sites recorded within the two study groups, the sensations were reported as radiating a greater distance down the forearm to the wrist compared to up the arm. Evaluation of PSC across the four study sites revealed a statistically significant difference in frequency of the reported radiation down the limb sites in each study group and radiation up the limb sites only in control group only (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The findings of the study demonstrated that the PSC phenomenon is not just associated with needling but can be perceived when using a mock laser. Trial registration: Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry reference: ACTRN12613001138774 on 11th of October 2013.

Superhydrophobic ceramic hollow fiber membrane planted by ZnO nanorod-array for high-salinity water desalination

Wang, Tao,Yun, Yanbin,Wang, Manxiang,Li, Chunli,Liu, Guicheng,Yang, Woochul Elsevier 2019 JOURNAL- TAIWAN INSTITUTE OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERS Vol.105 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>To solve the problems of membrane material tolerance and membrane fouling, a micro/nano hierarchial structure with low surface energy was constructed above the exterior surface of a ceramic hollow fiber membrane using ZnO nanorod arrays and 1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorodecyltriethoxysilane (PDTS) coatings, which make it superhydrophobic and self-cleaning. The surface morphology, chemical functional groups, and water contact angel of the modified membranes were identified. The results show that large quantity of ZnO nanorods possess desirable characteristics (<I>i.e.</I> superhydrophobicity, exceptional thermal and mechanical stability, and water contact angle of 160.12°) were detected on the ceramic membrane. The novel membrane shows excellent self-cleaning performance and good desalination ability in the utilization of vacuum membrane distillation (VMD) system for high-salinity water desalination.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> • Ceramic membrane is modified by imitating of superhydrophobic biological surfaces. </LI> <LI> • The micro/nano hierarchical structure with low surface energy endows the superhydrophobicity. </LI> <LI> • The P-ZN-CHF membrane obtains antifouling ability. </LI> <LI> • The modified membrane shows excellent performances during vacuum membrane distillation. </LI> </UL> </P>

Suppression of the Epidermal Growth Factor-like Domain 7 and Inhibition of Migration and Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Human Pancreatic Cancer PANC-1 Cells

Wang, Yun-Liang,Dong, Feng-Lin,Yang, Jian,Li, Zhi,Zhi, Qiao-Ming,Zhao, Xin,Yang, Yong,Li, De-Chun,Shen, Xiao-Chun,Zhou, Jin Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.9

Background: Epidermal growth factor-like domain multiple 7 (EGFL7), a secreted protein specifically expressed by endothelial cells during embryogenesis, recently was identified as a critical gene in tumor metastasis. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) was found to be closely related with tumor progression. Accordingly, it is important to investigate the migration and EMT change after knock-down of EGFL7 gene expression in human pancreatic cancer cells. Materials and Methods: EGFL7 expression was firstly testified in 4 pancreatic cancer cell lines by real-time polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) and western blot, and the highest expression of EGFL7 was found in PANC-1 cell line. Then, PANC-1 cells transfected with small interference RNA (siRNA) of EGFL7 using plasmid vector were named si-PANC-1, while transfected with negative control plasmid vector were called NC-PANC-1. Transwell assay was used to analyze the migration of PANC-1 cells. Real-time PCR and western blotting were used to detect the expression change of EGFL7 gene, EMT markers like E-Cadherin, N-Cadherin, Vimentin, Fibronectin and transcription factors like snail, slug in PANC-1, NCPANC-1, and si-PANC-1 cells, respectively. Results: After successful plasmid transfection, EGFL7 gene were dramatically knock-down by RNA interference in si-PANC-1 group. Meanwhile, migration ability decreased significantly, compared with PANC-1 and NC-PANC-1 group. Meanwhile, the expression of epithelial phenotype marker E-Cadherin increased and that of mesenchymal phenotype markers N-Cadherin, Vimentin, Fibronectin dramatically decreased in si-PANC-1 group, indicating a reversion of EMT. Also, transcription factors snail and slug decreased significantly after RNA interference. Conclusions: Current study suggested that highly-expressed EGFL7 promotes migration of PANC-1 cells and acts through transcription factors snail and slug to induce EMT, and further study is needed to confirm this issue.

Influence of Pinewood Nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, on the Growth of Endoparasitic Fungus Esteya vermicola

Chun Yan Wang(왕춘연),Chung Ha Lee(이청하),Mi Ra Lee(이미라),Beom Sik Yun(윤범식),Lei Liu(유뢰),Zhen Wang(왕젠),Zhe Ming Fang(방철명),Dong Liang Zhang(장동량),Zheng Li(이정),Chang Keun Sung(성창근) 한국생명과학회 2010 생명과학회지 Vol.20 No.5

본 논문은 선충 포식성 곰팡이에 대한 선충의 영향을 조사한 연구로, 소나무 기생곰팡이인 E. vermicola에 미치는 소나무 선충의 영향을 체계적으로 분석하였다. 선충 대사물과 선충 균질액 모두 E. vermicola의 성장을 빠르게 촉진하였으나, 선충 대사물이 선충 균질액보다 약간 높은 효과를 보였다. 또한 소나무 선충이 생성하는 휘발성 물질이 E. vermicola 성장에 미치는 영향을 분석하는 새로운 실험방법을 개발하였다. 본 연구결과에 따르면, 선충의 휘발성 물질은 E. vermicola에 아무런 영향을 끼치지 않는다는 재현성 있는 결과를 도출하였다. 본 연구는 소나무 선충의 생물학적인 조절인자로서 E. vermicola을 적용할 수 있는 정보를 제공할 수 있을 것이다. The influence of nematodes on nematophagous fungi has seldom been investigated. In the present study, the influence of pinewood nematode on its endoparasitic fungus, Esteya vermicola, was investigated systemically. Although both nematodal metabolite and nematodal homogenate could stimulate and speed up the growth of E. vermicola, the impact of nematodal metabolite was slightly higher than that of nematodal homogenate. In addition, a method was developed to investigate the influence of volatiles, discharged by pinewood nematodes in their metabolic process, on the growth of E. vermicola. Reproductive results were given and confirmed that nematodal volatiles have no influence on the cell growth of E. vermicola. This study may provide information for the application of E. vermicola as biological control agent of pinewood nematode.

2-D graphical representation of protein sequences and its application to coronavirus phylogeny

( Chun Li ),( Li Li Xing ),( Xin Wang ) 생화학분자생물학회 2008 BMB Reports Vol.41 No.3

Synthesis, characterization, and temperature-dependent colloidal stability of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-grafted polystyrene/poly(styrene-co-4-vinylbenzyl N, N-diethyldithiocarbamate) hairy particles

Wang, Chun,Wang, Tao,Li, Li,Huh, Kang Moo,Shi, Shan,Kuroda, Shin-ichi Springer-Verlag 2012 Colloid and polymer science Vol.290 No.13

A New Cell Counting Method to Evaluate Anti-tumor Compound Activity

Wang, Xue-Jian,Zhang, Xiu-Rong,Zhang, Lei,Li, Qing-Hua,Wang, Lin,Shi, Li-Hong,Fang, Chun-Yan Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.8

Determining cell quantity is a common problem in cytology research and anti-tumor drug development. A simple and low-cost method was developed to determine monolayer and adherent-growth cell quantities. The cell nucleus is located in the cytoplasm, and is independent. Thus, the nucleus cannot make contact even if the cell density is heavy. This phenomenon is the foundation of accurate cell-nucleus recognition. The cell nucleus is easily recognizable in images after fluorescent staining because it is independent. A one-to-one relationship exists between the nucleus and the cell; therefore, this method can be used to determine the quantity of proliferating cells. Results indicated that the activity of the histone deacetylase inhibitor Z1 was effective after this method was used. The nude-mouse xenograft model also revealed the potent anti-tumor activity of Z1. This research presents a new anti-tumor-drug evaluation method.

Identification of MicroRNAs as potential biomarkers for detecting ischemic stroke

Li Kexin,Shen Li,Zheng Pingping,Wang Yanjun,Wang Lijuan,Meng Xiaoli,Lv Yaogai,Xue Zhiqiang,Guo Xin,Zhang Anning,Pan Pan,Bi Chunli,Chen Yang,Feng Tianyu,Li Bo,Jin Lina,Yao Yan 한국유전학회 2022 Genes & Genomics Vol.44 No.1

Background: Increasing epidemic of ischemic stroke (IS) makes it urgent to understand the pathogenesis and regulatory mechanism, previous studies have described microRNAs (miRNAs) is part of the brain's response to ischemia. Objective: The aim of this study was to screen potential biomarkers for the prediction and novel treatment of IS. Methods: Differentially expressed miRNAs were screened from three newly diagnosed IS patients and three controls by RNA sequencing technology. Furthermore, target prediction databases were then used to analysis the target genes of different expressed miRNAs, and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway database were used to identify the functions and the main biochemical and signal pathways of differentially expressed target genes. Results: Our results revealed that 27 miRNAs were differentially expressed in IS, among which, hsa-miR-659-5p was the most highly increased and was first found to be associated with IS. In addition, KEGG pathway analyses showed that differentially expressed miRNAs were mainly significantly enriched in lysosome pathway, cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction pathway, spliceosome pathway, base excision repair pathway. Conclusions: miRNAs were involved in IS pathogenesis, and hsa-miR-659-5p, hsa-miR-151a-3p and hsa-miR-29c-5p as the three highest |log2FoldChange| regulation in this study, which may be the biomarkers of IS and need further study.

Homocysteine-targeting compounds as a new treatment strategy for diabetic wounds via inhibition of the histone methyltransferase SET7/9

Li Guodong,Li Dan,Wu Chun,Li Shengnan,Chen Feng,Li Peng,Ko Chung-Nga,Wang Wanhe,Lee Simon Ming-Yuen,Lin Ligen,Ma Dik-Lung,Leung Chung-Hang 생화학분자생물학회 2022 Experimental and molecular medicine Vol.54 No.-

In hypoxia and hyperglycemia, SET7/9 plays an important role in controlling HIF-1α methylation and regulating the transcription of HIF-1α target genes, which are responsible for angiogenesis and wound healing. Here, we report the Ir(III) complex Set7_1a bearing acetonitrile (ACN) ligands as a SET7/9 methyltransferase inhibitor and HIF-1α stabilizer. Interestingly, Set7_1a could engage SET7/9 and strongly inhibit SET7/9 activity, especially after preincubation with homocysteine (Hcy), which is elevated in diabetes. We hypothesize that Set7_1a exchanges ACN subunits for Hcy to disrupt the interaction between SET7/9 and SAM/SAH, which are structurally related to Hcy. Inhibition of SET7/9 methyltransferase activity by Set7_1a led to reduced HIF-1α methylation at the lysine 32 residue, causing increased HIF-1α level and recruitment of HIF-1α target genes that promote angiogenesis, such as VEGF, GLUT1, and EPO, in hypoxia and hyperglycemia. Significantly, Set7_1a improved wound healing in a type 2 diabetic mouse model by activating HIF-1α signaling and downstream proangiogenic factors. To our knowledge, this is the first Hcy-targeting iridium compound shown to be a SET7/9 antagonist that can accelerate diabetic wound healing. More importantly, this study opens a therapeutic avenue for the treatment of diabetic wounds by the inhibition of SET7/9 lysine methyltransferase activity.

The Charring Effect and Flame Retardant Properties of Thermoplastic Elastomers Composites Applied for Cable

Li-Chun Wang,Qing Sun,Chen-Cheng Zhang 한국섬유공학회 2020 Fibers and polymers Vol.21 No.11

The halogen-free flame retardant (HFFR) thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) composites filled with aluminumhypophosphite had been prepared by twin-screw extruder. The flame retardancy, thermal stability, charring-effect,mechanical and rheological properties of TPE composites had been investigated by cone calorimeter, limiting oxygen index(LOI), UL-94 (vertical flame) test, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), ultimate tensileand rheometer. The research results indicated that the flame retardancy and thermal stability of flame retardant (FR) TPEshad been dramatically improved. Obvious char-forming effect can be found for the samples with the addition ofpolyphenylene oxide (PPO) during high heat flow conditions, which presented more content and more compact of residuecompared to the samples without PPO after combustion of cone calorimeter. Mechanical and rheological characteristicsshowed that the tensile strength and processability can be well maintained for FR TPEs composites, which was veryimportant for industrial applications.