The Beneficial Effects of a Polysaccharide from Moringa oleifera Leaf on Gut Microecology in Mice

Fang Wang,Yi-Fan Bao,Jia-Jun Si,Yu Duan,Ze-Bin Weng,Xin-Chun Shen 한국식품영양과학회 2019 Journal of medicinal food Vol.22 No.9

Moringa oleifera is a natural plant with high nutritional and pharmacological value. Leaves of M. oleifera contain a variety of active substances. In our previous research, we had obtained a polysaccharide separated from M. oleifera leaf, namely MOs-2-a (1.35 × 104 Da). In this study, this polysaccharide was administrated daily to 6 week-old ICR mice for 4 weeks. Then, the body weight, immunity, intestinal digestion, and intestinal microenvironment of Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) mice were investigated. After 4 weeks of feeding intervention with the polysaccharide, the immune and intestinal digestive ability of the ICR mice were significant as shown by the organ index, digestive enzymes, and reduction of serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha and diamine oxidase levels. The polysaccharide could regulate the microbial composition of the intestinal tract in mice by increasing the bacteria that have been reported for antiobesity effects, short chain fatty acid production, and lactic acid production. These findings indicate that the polysaccharide of M. oleifera leaf might be a promising prebiotic that exhibits health promotion effects.

SDSS J013127.34-032100.1: A NEWLY DISCOVERED RADIO-LOUD QUASAR AT <i>z</i> = 5.18 WITH EXTREMELY HIGH LUMINOSITY

Yi, Wei-Min,Wang, Feige,Wu, Xue-Bing,Yang, Jinyi,Bai, Jin-Ming,Fan, Xiaohui,Brandt, William N.,Ho, Luis C.,Zuo, Wenwen,Kim, Minjin,Wang, Ran,Yang, Qian,Zhang, Ju-jia,Wang, Fang,Wang, Jian-Guo,Ai, Yanl IOP Publishing 2014 ASTROPHYSICAL JOURNAL LETTERS - Vol.795 No.2

<P>Very few of the z > 5 quasars discovered to date have been radio-loud, with radio-to-optical flux ratios (radio-loudness parameters) higher than 10. Here we report the discovery of an optically luminous radio-loud quasar, SDSS J013127.34-032100.1 (J0131-0321 in short), at z = 5.18 +/- 0.01 using the Lijiang 2.4 m and Magellan telescopes. J0131-0321 has a spectral energy distribution consistent with that of radio-loud quasars. With an i-band magnitude of 18.47 and a radio flux density of 33 mJy, its radio-loudness parameter is similar to 100. The optical and near-infrared spectra taken by Magellan enable us to estimate its bolometric luminosity to be L-bol similar to 1.1 x 10(48) erg s(-1), approximately 4.5 times greater than that of the most distant quasar known to date. The black hole mass of J0131-0321 is estimated to be 2.7 x 10(9) M-circle dot, with an uncertainty up to 0.4 dex. Detailed physical properties of this high-redshift, radio-loud, potentially super-Eddington quasar can be probed in the future with more dedicated and intensive follow-up observations using multi-wavelength facilities.</P>

Synthesis and Application of Phosphorus-containing Flame Retardant Plasticizer for Polyvinyl Chloride

Fang Wang,Siyu Pan,Peikun Zhang,Haojun Fan,Yi Chen,Jun Yan 한국섬유공학회 2018 Fibers and polymers Vol.19 No.5

A novel phosphorus-containing flame retardant plasticizer (PFRP) derived from castor oil acid methyl ester (COME) was synthesized to substitute dioctyl phthalate (DOP) for plasticizing polyvinyl chloride (PVC) products. The chemical structures of PFRP were confirmed by fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR). Meanwhile, the plasticizing effect, flammability and thermal stability of plasticized PVC films were investigated by dynamic mechanical analyzer (DMA), limiting oxygen index (LOI) test, scanning electron microscope (SEM) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). As the PFRP content increasing from 0 wt% to 50 wt% amount of plasticizers, the plasticizing efficiency and the mechanical properties showed a slightly decreasing tendency compared with that of DOP, while the LOI value of plasticized PVC increased remarkably from 21.5 % to 25.2 %, showing a combined plasticizing efficiency and flame retardancy. SEM and TGA analysis indicated that PFRP had little effect on thermal stability but was effective to promote the formation of compact carbon residue.

Research of Building Load Optimal Scheduling Based on Multi-objective Estimation of Distributed Algorithm

Liu Jiankang,Lingzhi Yi,Yi Fang,Lin Jiahao,Li Wang,Fan Lǜ 대한전기학회 2021 Journal of Electrical Engineering & Technology Vol.16 No.2

In the centralized scheduling of multi-residents, the complexity of scheduling time will be greatly increased as the number of resident increases. In order to reduce the time complexity caused by centralized scheduling, a probability model based on the Time-of-use electricity tariff diff erence is proposed and applied to distributed estimation of the algorithm. According to the impact factor mechanism of the probability model of Time-of-use electricity tariff diff erence, not only the time complexity of centralized scheduling is reduced, but also the optimization of the algorithm will not fall into a local optimal situation. In the centralized scheduling model of building residents, the controllable load of residents and new energy are centralized. The consumption rate of new energy was improved by changing the new energy power supply mechanism. Under the conditions of ensuring the comfort of household electricity consumption, three objective functions of the model include: (a) to reduce the total daily electricity consumption, (b) to fl atten the peak-to-valley diff erence of daily electricity, (c) to decrease the discarded rate of new energy. The simulation of the calculation example verifi es the feasibility and eff ectiveness of the proposed method.

Age and Sex Distribution of Chinese Chronic Cough Patients and Their Relationship With Capsaicin Cough Sensitivity

Kefang Lai,Li Long,Fang Yi,Jiaman Tang,Zhe Chen,Fagui Chen,Jianmeng Zhou,Wen Peng,Liting Zhang,Hu Li,Wenzhi Zhan,Ruchong Chen,Wei Luo,Qiaoli Chen,Kian Fan Chung,Nanshan Zhong 대한천식알레르기학회 2019 Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Research Vol.11 No.6

Purpose: An older female predominance has been reported among chronic cough patients in Western countries, which is considered to be associated with a higher cough sensitivity in females. However, the characteristics of Chinese chronic cough patients remain unclear. This study aimed to explore the age and sex distribution as well as their relationship with cough reflex sensitivity to capsaicin in Chinese chronic cough patients. Methods: We analyzed the demographic features of 1,882 consecutive chronic cough patients who attended our cough clinic in Guangzhou, China. Cough sensitivity to capsaicin, which was defined as the lowest concentration of capsaicin causing 5 coughs or more (C5), was measured in 539 of the 1,882 patients and 68 healthy volunteers. Results: The mean age of the patients was 43.0 ± 13.7 years and patients aged <50 years accounted for more than two-thirds of the study population. Around 87% of the patients were never-smokers. The proportion of females (51.5%) was almost equal to that of males (48.5%). The pattern of the age and sex distribution was consistently reflected within most common causes of chronic cough, while a female predominance was shown in patients with coughvariant asthma and patients aged ≥50 years. Female patients had higher cough sensitivity to capsaicin than male patients (log C5: 1.58 ± 0.84 vs. 2.04 ± 0.84 μmol/L, P = 0.001), and patients aged ≥50 years had higher cough sensitivity to capsaicin than patients aged <50 years. Conclusions: In China, patients with chronic cough have a roughly equal sex distribution and a middle-aged predominance, irrespective of a higher cough sensitivity to capsaicin in females and older patients.

The evaluation of online course of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Medical Bachelor, Bachelor of Surgery international students during the COVID-19 epidemic period

Zhang Qing,He Yi-Jing,Zhu Yu-Hang,Dai Min-Chen,Pan Man-Man,Wu Jia-Qi,Zhang Xian,Gu Ying-Er,Wang Fang-Fang,Xu Xiang-Rong,Qu Fan 한국한의학연구원 2020 Integrative Medicine Research Vol.9 No.3

Background: During the COVID-19 epidemic period, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) course for international students of Medical Bachelor, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) program in Zhejiang University has shifted from traditional classroom to online environment. This study aimed to investigate MBBS international students’ perception on online TCM course, and to assess the online learning efficacy. Methods: A total of 84 MBBS international students attending course of “Basic Traditional Chinese Medicine” during 2020 academic years at Zhejiang University were enrolled in this study. A quantitative questionnaire was respectively completed before and after the TCM course using a pretest–post-test design. By means of two online learning platforms, Learning in ZJU and DingTalk, TCM course was broadcast in both live and archived format to students. Results: A total of 48 participants completed both baseline and follow-up questionnaires. The majority of participants preferred face-to-face classroom learning (26, 54.17% of total) when compared with online learning. Students felt that the course had brought in much benefits (mean 3.88, SD 0.87), and they were satisfied with the course content (mean 3.83, SD 0.95). Students’ TCM related knowledge and their behaviors of discussion and consulting were significantly improved by online TCM course (all P < 0.001). Students’ awareness of the necessity of TCM education and their feeling of difficulty in learning TCM were significantly strengthened (P = 0.042, 0.025, respectively). Conclusion: Online learning is a good alternative for TCM course of MBBS international students when classroom learning is suspended, whereas it cannot replace the need for onsite and face-to-face learning.

Enhanced Simulated Annealing-based Global MPPT for Different PV Systems in Mismatched Conditions

Feng Wang,Tianhua Zhu,Fang Zhuo,Hao Yi,Yusen Fan 전력전자학회 2017 JOURNAL OF POWER ELECTRONICS Vol.17 No.5

Photovoltaic (PV) systems are influenced by disproportionate impacts on energy production caused by frequent mismatch cases. The occurrence of multiple maximum power points (MPPs) adds complexity to the tracking process in various PV systems. However, current maximum-power point tracking (MPPT) techniques exhibit limited performance. This paper introduces an enhanced simulated annealing (ESA)-based GMPPT technique against multiple MPP issues in P–V curve with different PV system structures. The proposed technique not only distinguishes global and local MPPs but also performs rapid convergence speed and high tracking accuracy of irradiance changing and restart capability detection. Moreover, the proposed global maximum power tracking algorithm can be applied in the central converter of DMPPT and hybrid PV system to meet various application scenarios. Its effectiveness is verified by simulation and test results.

Feeding and related morphology of salivary glands of Bradysia odoriphaga (Diptera: Sciaridae)

Huan-Huan Gao,Yi-Fan Zhai,Xue Cao,Xian-Hong Zhou,Zhong-Yan Wang,Fang Wang,Hao Chen,Yi Yu 한국응용곤충학회 2016 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.19 No.2

The amount of Bradysia odoriphaga larval feeding at each developmental stage and the related morphology of salivary glands were investigated in this study. The amount of daily feeding in the third instar was greatest among all the developmental stageswhile the amount of cumulative feeding in the fourth-instar accounted for 53.56% of the total amount of larval feeding. The daily amount of feeding by B. odoriphaga during the whole larval stage peaked in the 8th and 14th day after hatching. The paired and transparent salivary glands of B. odoriphaga were characterized by two distinct regions: an anterior region and a posterior region. At the fourth-instar and pupal stage, the length of salivary glands decreased significantly compared with that of the third-instar, and the integrity of epithelium cytoplasm in the salivary glands also decreased markedly because of the formation of cytoplasmic vacuoles and degradation of rough endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria. We concluded that the decrease of daily feeding amount in the last instar was related to the structural change of salivary gland closely. The function of salivary glands in B. odoriphaga was mainly secretion of silk and cocooning-like materials during the last larval instar.

Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback Increased Autonomic Activation and Improved Symptoms of Depression and Insomnia among Patients with Major Depression Disorder

I-Mei Lin,Sheng-Yu Fan,Cheng-Fang Yen,Yi-Chun Yeh,Tze‐Chun Tang,Mei-Feng Huang,Tai-Ling Liu,Peng-Wei Wang,Huang-Chi Lin,Hsin-Yi Tsai,Yu-Che Tsai 대한정신약물학회 2019 CLINICAL PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY AND NEUROSCIENCE Vol.17 No.2

Objective: Autonomic imbalance is considered a psychopathological mechanism underlying major depressive disorder (MDD). Heart rate variability (HRV) is an index for autonomic activation. Poor sleep quality is common among patients with MDD. HRV biofeedback (BF) has been used for regulating autonomic balance among patients with physical illness and mental disorders. The purpose of present study was to examine the effects of HRV-BF on depressive symptoms, sleep quality, pre-sleep arousal, and HRV indices, in patients with MDD and insomnia. Methods: In this case-controlled study, patients with MDD and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) score higher than 6 were recruited. The HRV-BF group received weekly 60-minute protocol for 6 weeks, and the control group who have matched the age and sex received medical care only. All participants were assessed on Beck Depression Inventory-II, Back Anxiety Inventory, PSQI, and Pre-Sleep Arousal Scale. Breathing rates and electrocardiography were also performed under resting state at pre-testing, and post-testing conditions and for the HRV-BF group, also at 1-month follow-up. Results: In the HRV-BF group, symptoms of depression and anxiety, sleep quality, and pre-sleep arousal were significantly improved, and increased HRV indices, compared with the control group. Moreover, in the HRV-BF group, significantly improved symptoms of depression and anxiety, decreased breathing rates, and increased HRV indices were detected at post-testing and at 1-month follow-up, compared with pre-testing values. Conclusion: This study confirmed that HRV-BF is a useful psychosocial intervention for improving autonomic balance, baroreflex, and symptoms of depression and insomnia in MDD patients.

Study on Thermodynamics of Three Kinds of Benzindocarbocyanine Dyes in Aqueous Methanol Solution

Wei Huang,Lan-Ying Wang,Yi-Le Fu,Ji-Quan Liu,You-Ni Tao,Fang-Li Fan,Gao-Hong Zhai,Zhen-Yi Wen 대한화학회 2009 Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society Vol.30 No.3

Aggregation behavior of three kinds of benzindocarbocyanine dyes in aqueous methanol solution was studied by UV-Vis absorption spectrum. The results indicated that the three dyes all existed monomer-dimer equilibrium in aqueous methanol solution (concentration range 10−5 to 10−6 M) at 25.0~41.0 °C for Dye 1, 28.0~49.0 oC for Dye 2 and 26.0~47.0 °C for Dye 3. The fundamental property of the three dyes as the dimeric association constant KD, the dimeric free energy ΔGD, the dimeric entropy ΔSD, and the dimeric enthalpy ΔHD were determined. The ΔHD of three dyes: Dye 1, Dye 2 and Dye 3 was -42.5, -15.1 and -18.9 kJ/mol, respectively. The experimental observations were the subject of a theoretical study including the ground-state geometries which were fully optimized using DFT at B3LYP/6-31G level. The effect of dye molecule structure on ΔHD was discussed by theoretical calculations.