Curcumin targets vascular endothelial growth factor via activating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway and improves brain hypoxic-ischemic injury in neonatal rats

Jia Li,Yan An,Jia-Ning Wang,Xiao-Ping Yin,Huan Zhou,Yong-Sheng Wang 대한생리학회-대한약리학회 2020 The Korean Journal of Physiology & Pharmacology Vol.24 No.5

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of curcumin on brain hypoxicischemic (HI) damage in neonatal rats and whether the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt/vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling pathway is involved. Brain HI damage models were established in neonatal rats, which received the following treatments: curcumin by intraperitoneal injection before injury, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) by subcutaneous injection after injury, and VEGF by intracerebroventricular injection after injury. This was followed by neurological evaluation, hemodynamic measurements, histopathological assessment, TUNEL assay, flow cytometry, and western blotting to assess the expression of p-PI3K, PI3K, p-Akt, Akt, and VEGF. Compared with rats that underwent sham operation, rats with brain HI damage showed remarkably increased neurological deficits, reduced right blood flow volume, elevated blood viscosity and haematocrit, and aggravated cell damage and apoptosis; these injuries were significantly improved by curcumin pretreatment. Meanwhile, brain HI damage induced the overexpression of p-PI3K, p-Akt, and VEGF, while curcumin pretreatment inhibited the expression of these proteins. In addition, IGF-1 treatment rescued the curcumin-induced down-regulated expression of p- PI3K, p-Akt, and VEGF, and VEGF overexpression counteracted the inhibitory effect of curcumin on brain HI damage. Overall, pretreatment with curcumin protected against brain HI damage by targeting VEGF via the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in neonatal rats.

The Detection of Osthole and Application of Cell Imaging Based on Nitrogen-Doped Carbon Dots

Ning Wang,Xuefang Yang,Haojiang Wang,Liping Xie,Weihua Jia,Wei Bian,Martin M. F. Choi 성균관대학교(자연과학캠퍼스) 성균나노과학기술원 2020 NANO Vol.15 No.03

A fluorescence probe has been synthesized for the detection of osthole using the nitrogen-doped carbon dots (NCDs) as shown in Fig. 1. The NCDs were fully characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Under the optimal experimental conditions, the NCDs fluorescence probe was highly selective and sensitive to osthole. The linear response range for osthole was 5.0–7 5μM with a detection limit of 38 nM. The mechanism of the interaction of osthole and NCDs was discussed. The fluorescence probe has been applied to the analysis of biological samples. The as-synthesized NCDs with high fluorescence intensity, low toxicity and good biocompatibility were applied to cell imaging.

Comparison of Liver Transplantation and Liver Resection for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients with Portal Vein Tumor Thrombus Type I and Type II

Jia-Yu Lv,Ning-Ning Zhang,Ya-Wei Du,Ying Wu,Tian-Qiang Song,Ya-Min Zhang,Yan Qu,Yu-Xin Liu,Jie Gu,Ze-Yu Wang,Yi-Bo Qiu,Bing Yang,Da-Zhi Tian,Qing-Jun Guo,Li Zhang,Ji-San Sun,Yan Xie,Zheng-Lu Wang,Xin 연세대학교의과대학 2021 Yonsei medical journal Vol.62 No.1

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of liver transplantation (LT) and liver resection (LR) for hepatocellularcarcinoma (HCC) patients with portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT) and to investigate risk factors affecting prognosis. Materials and Methods: A total of 94 HCC patients with PVTT type I (segmental PVTT) and PVTT type II (lobar PVTT) were involvedand divided into LR (n=47) and LT groups (n=47). Recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) were comparedbefore and after inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW). Prognostic factors for RFS and OS were explored. Results: Two treatment groups were well-balanced using IPTW. In the entire cohort, LT provided a better prognosis than LR. Among patients with PVTT type I, RFS was better with LT (p=0.039); OS was not different significantly between LT and LR(p=0.093). In subgroup analysis of PVTT type I patients with α-fetoprotein (AFP) levels >200 ng/mL, LT elicited significantly longermedian RFS (18.0 months vs. 2.1 months, p=0.022) and relatively longer median OS time (23.6 months vs. 9.8 months, p=0.065). Among patients with PVTT type II, no significant differences in RFS and OS were found between LT and LR (p=0.115 and 0.335,respectively). Multivariate analyses showed treatment allocation (LR), tumor size (>5 cm), AFP and aspartate aminotransferase(AST) levels to be risk factors of RFS and treatment allocation (LR), AFP and AST as risk factors for OS. Conclusion: LT appeared to afford a better prognosis for HCC with PVTT type I than LR, especially in patients with AFP levels>200 ng/mL.

Isolation of Eight DM domains of Dmrt genes in Rana Livida (Amphibia: Anura)

Rui Jia,Liu Wang Nie,Jing Jing Wang,Ning Wang 한국유전학회 2008 Genes & Genomics Vol.30 No.6

The Dmrt gene family encodes putative transcription factors, sharing a highly conserved DNA-binding domain-the DM domain, related to the sexual regulators Doublesex from Drosophila melanogaster and MAB-3 from Caenorhabditis elegans. Besides sex determination or differentiation, this gene family has evolved to adopt functions in other developmental pathways. In this paper, eight distinct DM related transcription factor (Dmrt) genes from both male and female and detected using PCR and the SSCP technique. No sexual differences were observed. These fragments (named RlDmrt1a, RlDmrt1b, RlDmrt2a, RlDmrt2b, RlDmrt2c, RlDmrt3, RlDmrt4, RlDmrt5) exhibited 98%, 98%, 95%, 95%, 95%, 99%, 92% and 83% similarity respectively to the corresponding homologous human Dmrt genes. Phylogenetic analysis based on DM domain amino acid sequence similarities suggested that vertebrate and invertebrate Dmrt genes can be grouped into seven distinct subfamilies. Interestingly, sequence analysis further illustrates that the gene Dmrt1 and 2 found in R. livida are duplicated. The DM domains of R. livida genes contained two conserved zinc-chelating sites (CCHC and HCCC). Identification of these genes is a potential step in understanding development regulations including sex determination in green cascade frog.

Salt template-assisted construction of three-dimensional interconnected network in thermally conductive EP/PVDF/NiCo@GNP composites

Ning Jia,Bin Yang,Xiaohong Wang,Shishuang Cui,Peng Chen,Ru Xia,Zhengzhi Zheng,Jiasheng Qian,Yuchao Ke,Yang Pan 한국공업화학회 2023 Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Vol.125 No.-

In this study, graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) and nickel–cobalt (NiCo) alloy were adopted as reinforcingmaterials to prepare epoxy (EP) resin-based composites. NiCo particles were able to achieve uniformanchoring on GNPs’ surface under the electrostatic force due to the successful introduction of oxygendefects on GNPs. With the synergistic effect of adhesive PVDF and salt particles, the system with threedimensionally(3D) interconnected network was successfully constructed. Benefit from the formation ofmechanically stable and efficient heat conduction paths, the thermal conductivity (TC) of the EP/PVDF/NiCo@GNP composite reached 1.077 Wm1K1 at a filler volume fraction of 6.82 vol%, while the counterpart’sstoragemodulus (E’) was up to 3.22 GPa. In addition, a scaling formula was quantitatively proposed tocorrelate TC with E’, and the perfect agreement between the theoretical prediction and experimental dataclarified the underlying mechanism of the relationship between phonons transport and stress transferwithin a systemwith 3D ordered structures. The establishment of relationship between AHR (average heatingrate) and TC made it possible to further predict TC of composites based upon the infrared thermal imaging(ITI) data. The as-prepared GNP composites show good application prospects as thermal managementmaterials which need to experience thermally mechanical deformation.

Angiotensin I Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitory Activity and Antihypertensive Effects of Grass Carp Peptides

Wang Shen,Lin Li-mei,Wu Yong-ning,Fang Min,Yu Ya-qin,Zhou Jia,Gong Zhi-yong 한국식품과학회 2014 Food Science and Biotechnology Vol.23 No.5

In vitro and in vivo antihypertensive effects ofgrass carp peptides (GCP) were investigated. The aminoacid composition and the angiotensinconverting enzymeinhibitory activity were evaluated using HPLC. GCP wasadministrated to spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs)and Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY) by single and long-termadministration before blood pressure measurements. Plasma levels of angiotensin II (Ang II), rennin (RA), nitricoxide (NO), and plasma angiotensin I converting enzyme(ACE) activity were measured. The GCP molecular weightwas between 725 and 1,228 Da with high levels of Leu,Asp, Phe, Gly, and Pro. The in vitro IC50 value was 0.23mg/mL. GCP lowered SHR blood pressure dose and timedependently. Little change occurred in WKY. The plasmalevel of Ang II and the ACE activity decreased. SHR RAand NO concentrations in plasma increased. Theantihypertensive effect of GCP was associated with NOregulation and the rennin-angiotensin system.

Isomangiferin, a Novel Potent Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor 2 Kinase Inhibitor, Suppresses Breast Cancer Growth, Metastasis and Angiogenesis

Banghua Wang,Jia Shen,Zexia Wang,Jian-Xia Liu,Zhifeng Ning,Meichun Hu 한국유방암학회 2018 Journal of breast cancer Vol.21 No.1

Purpose: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signal transduction mainly depends on its binding to VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR-2). VEGF downstream signaling proteins mediate several of its effects in cancer progression, including those on tumor growth, metastasis, and blood vessel formation. The activation of VEGFR-2 signaling is a hallmark of and is considered a therapeutic target for breast cancer. Here, we report a study of the regulation of the VEGFR-2 signaling pathway by a small molecule, isomangiferin. Methods: A human breast cancer xenograft mouse model was used to investigate the efficacy of isomangiferin in vivo. The inhibitory effect of isomangiferin on breast cancer cells and the underlying mechanism were examined in vitro. Results: Isomangiferin suppressed tumor growth in xenografts. In vitro, isomangiferin treatment inhibited cancer cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and adhesion. The effect of isomangiferin on breast cancer growth was well coordinated with its suppression of angiogenesis. A rat aortic ring assay revealed that isomangiferin significantly inhibited blood vessel formation during VEGF-induced microvessel sprouting. Furthermore, isomangiferin treatment inhibited VEGF-induced proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells and the formation of capillary-like structures. Mechanistically, isomangiferin induced caspase-dependent apoptosis of breast cancer cells. Furthermore, VEGFinduced activation of the VEGFR-2 kinase pathway was downregulated by isomangiferin. Conclusion: Our findings demonstrate that isomangiferin exerts anti-breast cancer effects via the functional inhibition of VEGFR-2. Pharmaceutically targeting VEGFR-2 by isomangiferin could be an effective therapeutic strategy for breast cancer.

Detection of Powdery Mildew of Bitter Gourd Based on NIR/Fluorescence Spectra

Gao Jia Yu,Wei Dong Zheng,Wang Xiang,Tang Jin Cheng,Xu Ji Tong,Zhao Ping,Ning Xiao Feng 한국농업기계학회 2023 바이오시스템공학 Vol.48 No.3

Purpose Powdery mildew as one of the common vegetable diseases has very rapid infection. Its outbreak will bring about disastrous consequences to vegetable output; thus, it is of key importance to do rapid identifi cation and prevention of powdery mildew. Methods In this test, 100 bitter gourd leaves were collected as research samples, and the data of near-infrared spectra, fl uorescence spectra, and chromatic values L*a*b* , and the classic K-S algorithm was adopted to divide the sample sets; then, the quantitative forecasting and qualitative discrimination models were established. First, Pearson’s correlation analysis was carried out to fi nd the feasibility of taking a * as the modeling parameter, through cross-validation; the quantitative forecasting model was optimized by the PLSR (partial least squares regression) method. The model is also optimized by extracting the spectral feature bands using the continuous projection SPA method. Results The optimization results showed that the MSC + SPA + PLSR quantitative forecasting model of near-infrared spectra could eff ectively improve model precision, which was signifi cantly higher than that of fl uorescence spectra. Classifi cation Leaner was used to establish the quantitative forecasting model. Compared with the model of near-infrared spectra, the SPA + SVM qualitative discrimination model of fl uorescence spectra could improve the identifi cation precision of powdery mildew of bitter gourd as high as 98% through training. Conclusion This study proposed diff erent combination methods based on quantitative forecasting and qualitative discrimination and could provide a method and reference to the identifi cation of powdery mildew of bitter gourd.

Manufacture and antibacterial characteristics of Eucommia ulmoides leaves vinegar

Chun-Feng Jia,Wang-Ning Yu,Bo-Lin Zhang 한국식품과학회 2020 Food Science and Biotechnology Vol.29 No.5

In this work, the fermentation conditions and theantibacterial characteristics of Eucommia ulmoides leavesvinegar (EV) were studied. By single factor orthogonaltest, it was found that under optimal fermentation conditions(bran addition 10%, sugar addition 8%, leaven addition0.3% and acetic acid bacteria solution 12%), the aceticacid content and CA content of EV were 45.5 ± 2.8 mg/mL and 0.98 ± 0.08 mg/mL, respectively. Then, by thedisc diffusion method, it was concluded that the antibacterialeffect of EV was significantly higher than that ofEucommia ulmoides leaves enzymatic hydrolysate andZhenjiang aromatic vinegar (P\0.05). An investigationinto action mode of EV against Bacillus subtilis indicatedthat, under the combined action of CA and acetic acid, EVexerted its antibacterial effect by damaging bacterial cellwall and cell membrane, increasing the cell permeabilitywhich resulted in the structural lesions and release of cellcomponents, thus led to cell death.

Mechanical simulation for the bending process of the AMOLED panel pad

Wu Di,Jia Yongzhen,Liao Dunming,Zhang Bo,Liu Chen,Wang Ning,Peng Wenjing,Huang Liting 한국정보디스플레이학회 2023 Journal of information display Vol.24 No.2

Panel pad bending is a critical process to improve the screen-to-body ratio of an active-matrix organic light-emitting diode (AMOLED) panel. The failure analysis of the metal wirings is the key to ensure the reliability of signal transmission when the pad be bent to the back of the panel. In the present work, the sub-modeling technique combined with the periodic boundary condition was used to simulate the stress distribution of the bending area of the pad. The progressive failure of bent metal wirings was investigated by the extended finite element method. It is proved to be rational to prevent the wirings damage if the interlayer dielectric is replaced by an organic layer. In order to reduce stress of metal wirings, it is a measure to replace the original ultraviolet (UV) curable adhesive with a higher-modulus UV adhesive. The simulated results also show that rectangular perforations can avoid the stress concentration caused by the holes compared with circular perforations. For better stress distribution of metal wirings, it is necessary to increase the lengths of the rectangular holes and decrease the widths of that to a certain extent, which is helpful for restraining crack propagation by means of low-stress zones and holes.