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.

The miR-145-5p/CD36 pathway mediates PCB2-induced apoptosis in MCF-7 cells

Yuan Yuan,Caihua Xue,Qiang Wu,Mengjie Wang,Jiahua Liu,Longfei Zhang,Qianwen Xing,Jingyan Liang,Hua Wu,Zhi Chen 한국유전학회 2021 Genes & Genomics Vol.43 No.2

Background Procyanidin B2 (PCB2) can increase the levels of anti-infammatory and immune mediators. Objectives However, its molecular mechanism in human breast cancer remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the antitumor efect of PCB2 on MCF-7 cells and to examine the underlying mechanism. Methods The fow cytometry and EdU incorporation assays were measured the PCB2-induced BMECs. The expression levels of infammatory factors and immune response genes were upregulated in MCF-7 cells, high-throughput sequencing was used to detect diferentially expressed genes in blank and PCB2-treated MCF-7 cells. Results The results showed that PCB2 induced the apoptosis of MCF-7 cells. CD36 profles were afected in MCF-7 cells. Additionally, prediction software identifed a miR-145-5p binding site in the CD36 sequence. Luciferase reporter assays and Western blot analysis were used to verify the regulatory relationships between the diferentially expressed miRNA miR145-5p and CD36. MiR-145-5p and its key target (CD36) constitute a potential miRNA-mRNA regulatory pair. Functional studies in MCF-7 cells revealed that CD36 promotes but miR-145-5p inhibits apoptosis. Conclusion Overall, these data suggest that miR-145-5p inhibits the enhancing efect of PCB2 on CD36 expression by binding CD36 and subsequently regulating apoptosis, the immune response and anti-infammatory pathways. These results provide theoretical and experimental support for the treatment of breast cancer.

Association Study of Polymorphisms in Neuronal Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Subunit Genes With Schizophrenia in the Han Chinese Population

Yuan-yuan Li,Rui-jie Geng,Shun-ying Yu,Guan-jun Li,Zhou-ye Wang,Hua-fang Li 대한신경정신의학회 2021 PSYCHIATRY INVESTIGATION Vol.18 No.10

Objective To investigate the relation between nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunit (nAChR) genes and schizophrenia, and the relation between tag single nucleotide polymorphism (rs1317286, rs1044396, rs6494212, rs16969968, and rs684513) and schizophrenia in Han Chinese people. Methods The protein-protein interaction (PPI) network among nAChR protein and 350 proteins encoded by schizophrenia-related susceptibility genes was constructed through the String database to explore whether nAChR genes were associated with schizophrenia in these known databases. Then, five single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of CHRNA3 (rs1317286), CHRNA4 (rs1044396), CHRNA7 (rs6494212), and CHRNA5 (rs16969968, rs684513) were analyzed in a sample of 1,035 schizophrenic patients and 816 healthy controls. The interaction between the markers was analyzed using multifactor dimensionality reduction (MDR) software. Power analysis was performed using the Quanto program. Results There are no significant differences in genotype or allele distribution were identified between the patients and controls (p>0.05). The haplotypes constructed by four markers rs1317286, rs6494212, rs16969968, and rs684513 were not associated with schizophrenia either. However, a significant association between models made of rs1317286, rs1044396, rs6494212, and rs684513 and schizophrenia was revealed in interaction analysis (p<0.05). Conclusion The nAChR protein may have effects on the development of schizophrenia through the interaction with proteins encoded by schizophrenia-related susceptibility genes, but no relation was found between selected polymorphisms and schizophrenia in the collected Han Chinese people. However, interaction analysis suggested four-SNP model has an important effect on schizophrenia.

Novel and Effective Almagate Enema for Hemorrhagic Chronic Radiation Proctitis and Risk Factors for Fistula Development

Yuan, Zi-Xu,Ma, Teng-Hui,Zhong, Qing-Hua,Wang, Huai-Ming,Yu, Xi-Hu,Qin, Qi-Yuan,Chu, Li-Li,Wang, Lei,Wang, Jian-Ping Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2016 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.17 No.2

Radiation proctitis is a common complication after radiotherapy for pelvic malignant tumors. This study was conducted to assess the efficacy of novel almagate enemas in hemorrhagic chronic radiation proctitis (CRP) and evaluate risk factors related to rectal deep ulcer or fistula secondary to CRP. All patients underwent a colonoscopy to confirm the diagnosis of CRP and symptoms were graded. Typical endoscopic and pathological images, risk factors, and quality of life were also recorded. A total of 59 patients were enrolled. Gynecological cancers composed 93.1% of the primary malignancies. Complete or obvious reduction of bleeding was observed in 90% (53/59) patients after almagate enema. The mean score of bleeding improved from 2.17 to 0.83 (P<0.001) after the enemas. The mean response time was 12 days. No adverse effects were found. Moreover, long-term successful rate in controlling bleeding was 69% and the quality of life was dramatically improved (P=0.001). The efficacy was equivalent to rectal sucralfate, but the almagate with its antacid properties acted more rapidly than sucralfate. Furthermore, we firstly found that moderate to severe anemia was the risk factor of CRP patients who developed rectal deep ulcer or fistulas (P= 0.015). We also found abnormal hyaline-like thick wall vessels, which revealed endarteritis obliterans and the fibrosis underlying this disease. These findings indicate that almagate enema is a novel effective, rapid and well-tolerated method for hemorrhagic CRP. Moderate to severe anemia is a risk factor for deep ulceration or fistula.

Experimental and Numerical Investigation of the Effect of Blast-induced Vibration from Adjacent Tunnel on Existing Tunnel

Hua-bing Zhao,Yuan Long,Xing-hua Li,Liang Lu 대한토목학회 2016 KSCE JOURNAL OF CIVIL ENGINEERING Vol.20 No.1

Since the new tunnel is close to existing tunnel, the vibration wave induced by blasting endangers the safety and stabilization of the surrounding rock and the lining of existing tunnel. In the tunnel blasting vibration monitoring and safety prediction, Peak Particle Velocity (PPV) and vibration frequency are used widely as safety standards. To investigate the effect of blast-induced vibration from adjacent tunnel on existing tunnel, field monitoring experiments and a numerical method that is Finite Element Method (FEM) were adopted to study the blasting vibration velocity and vibration frequency of existing tunnel. Combined blasting vibration velocity with vibration frequency, the paper studied axial and radial blasting vibration velocity distributions and the corresponding Power Spectral Density (PSD) distributions of the existing tunnel under the effect of blast-induced vibration from adjacent subway tunnel. And the parameters of constitutive model and blasting loads were also discussed. It is shown that field monitoring experiment and numerical simulation can optimize blasting excavation program and provide a reference for other similar engineering projects.

Three-dimensional cone beam computed tomography analysis of temporomandibular joint response to the Twin-block functional appliance

Yuan-yuan Jiang,Lian Sun,Hua Wang,Chun-yang Zhao,Wei-Bing Zhang 대한치과교정학회 2020 대한치과교정학회지 Vol.50 No.2

Objective: To propose a three-dimensional (3D) method for evaluating temporomandibular joint (TMJ) changes during Twin-block treatment. Methods: Seventeen patients with Class II division 1 malocclusion treated using Twinblock and nine untreated patients with a similar malocclusion were included in this research. We collected their cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) data from before and 8 months after treatment. Segmentations were constructed using ITK-SNAP. Condylar volume and superficial area were measured using 3D Slicer.The 3D landmarks were identified on CBCT images by using Dolphin software to assess the condylar positional relationship. 3D models of the mandible and glenoid fossa of the patients were constructed and registered via voxel-based superimposition using 3D Slicer. Thereafter, skeletal changes could be visualized using 3DMeshMetric in any direction of the superimposition on a color-coded map. All the superimpositions were measured using the same scale on the distance color-coded map, in which red color represents overgrowth and blue color represents resorption. Results: Significant differences were observed in condylar volume, superficial area, and condylar position in bothgroups after 8 months. Compared with the control group (CG), the Twin-block group exhibited more obvious condyle-fossa modifications and joint positional changes. Moreover, on the color-coded map, more obvious condyle-fossa modifications could be observed in the posterior and superior directions in the Twin-block group than in the CG. Conclusions: We successfully established a 3D method for measuring and evaluating TMJ changes caused by Twin-block treatment. The treatment produced a larger condylar size and caused condylar positional changes. [Korean J Orthod 2020;50(2):86-97]

Removal of elemental mercury using TiO₂-based nanofibers from coal combustion flue gas

( Yuan Yuan ),( Yong Chun Zhao ),( Ji Hua Qiu ),( Ya Qing Qiu ),( Chu Guang Zheng ),( Jun Ying Zhang ) 한국폐기물자원순환학회 2023 I-CIPEC Vol.2012 No.0

OK-432 Suppresses Proliferation and Metastasis by Tumor Associated Macrophages in Bladder Cancer

Tian, Yuan-Feng,Tang, Kun,Guan, Wei,Yang, Tao,Xu, Hua,Zhuang, Qian-Yuan,Ye, Zhang-Qun Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.11

OK-432, a Streptococcus-derived anticancer immunotherapeutic agent, has been applied in clinic for many years and achieved great progress in various cancers. In the present study, we investigated its anticancer effect on bladder cancer through tumor associated macrophages (TAMs). MTS assay validated OK-432 could inhibit proliferation in both T24 and EJ bladder cell lines. OK-432 also induced apoptosis of bladder cancer cells in vitro. Consequently, we demonstrated that OK-432 could suppress the bladder cancer cells migration and invasion by altering the EMT-related factors. Furthermore, using SD rat model, we revealed that OK-432 inhibited tumor growth, suppressed PCNA expression and inhibited metastasis in vivo. Taken together, these findings strongly suggest that OK-432 inhibits cell proliferation and metastasis through inducing macrophages to secret cytokines in bladder cancer.

Privet golden leaves adapt unexpectedly well to light changes

Ming Yuan,Bo Huang,Li-Hua Dong,Qiao-Hong Han,Yong Yang,Chun-Bang Ding,Chao Hu,Yang-Er Chen,Zhong-Wei Zhang,Shu Yuan 한국원예학회 2020 Horticulture, Environment, and Biotechnology Vol.61 No.4

Golden-leaf privet ( Ligustrum × vicaryi ) is widely used as a horticultural shrub because of its upper golden leaves, butits lower leaves are green. However, the putative mechanisms of its upper golden leaves and the leaf color changes inresponse to light shifts have not been well studied so far. Here, chlorophylls (Chl), carotenoids, and Chl precursors from bothgolden and green leaves grown in full sunlight (approximately 1200 μmol photons m −2 s −1 at noon) or low-light conditions(180 μmol m −2 s −1 ) were determined spectrophotometrically. In addition, their gas exchange parameters and Chl fl uorescencewere measured in situ. Metabolic fl ux analysis of chlorophyll intermediates indicated that the conversion of prochlorophyllideto chlorophyllide was signifi cantly blocked in golden leaves when compared with green leaves. Green leaves showed higherphotosynthetic capacity in low light than golden leaves, but golden leaves presented unexpectedly stronger photosyntheticcapacity and lower reactive oxygen species accumulation under the high-light condition. Furthermore, golden leaves showeda higher level of nonphotochemical quenching (NPQ) after the light-to-dark shift and presented a stronger adaptive abilityto a broad range of light environments. Higher NPQ values and less oxidative damage in golden leaves may be correlatedwith their higher carotenoid levels. The results imply that lower chlorophyll levels and higher carotenoid levels in canopyleaves may help privet plants acclimate better to illumination changes. This study demonstrates the key role of irradiance ingenerating the two types of Ligustrum × vicaryi leaves and sheds a light on cultivation of other ornamental foliage plants.

Prognostic Value of Baseline and Interim Total Metabolic Tumor Volume and Total Lesion Glycolysis Measured on 18F-FDG PET-CT in Patients with Follicular Lymphoma

Jin-Hua Liang,Yun-Ping Zhang,Jun Xia,Chong-Yang Ding,Wei Wu,Li Wang,Lei Cao,Hua-Yuan Zhu,Lei Fan,Tian-Nv Li,Jian-Yong Li,Wei Xu 대한암학회 2019 Cancer Research and Treatment Vol.51 No.4

Purpose The purpose of this study was to investigate the prognostic significance of total metabolic tumor volume (TMTV) and total lesion glycolysis (TLG) in patients with follicular lymphoma (FL) at baseline and mid-treatment with 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography computed tomography (PET-CT) scans. Materials and Methods The study analyzed data from 48 patients with FL who were treated in Jiangsu Province Hospital and reviewed their baseline PET-CT scans. TMTV and TLG were computed by using the absolute value of 2.0, 2.5, and 3.0 thresholding method, respectively. Results Median age was 53 years, 75.0% of patients had stage III to IV disease, 43.8% had a Follicular Lymphoma International Prognostic Index 1 (FLIPI1) score of 3 to 5 and 20.8% had a FLIPI2 score of 3 to 5. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed the optimal cut-off values for TMTV3.0 and TLG3.0 were 476.4 (sensitivity, 85.7%; specificity, 78.0%; area under the curve [AUC], 0.760; p=0.003) and 2,676.9 (sensitivity, 71.4%; specificity, 78.0%; AUC, 0.760; p=0.003). On multivariable analysis, TMTV3.0 and TLG3.0 were independent predictors of both progression-free survival (PFS) (hazard ratio [HR], 5.406; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.326 to 22.040; p=0.019 and HR, 6.502; 95% CI, 1.079 to 39.182; p=0.042) and overall survival (OS) (HR, 4.111; 95% CI, 1.125 to 15.027; p=0.033 and HR, 5.885; 95% CI, 1.014 to 34.148; p=0.049). ROC curve analysis showed the optimal cut-off values for TMTV3.0 and TLG3.0 were 66.3% (sensitivity, 85.7%; specificity, 63.4%; AUC, 0.774; p < 0.001) and 64.5% (sensitivity, 85.7%; specificity, 65.9%; AUC, 0.777; p < 0.001). Conclusion Baseline TMTV and TLG are strong predictors of PFS and OS in FL. Furthermore, interim TMTV (TMTV > 66.3%) and TLG (TLG > 64.5%) reduction are valuable tools for early treatment response assessment in FL patients.