Anti-hyperuricemic and nephroprotective effects of Rhizoma Dioscoreae septemlobae extracts and its main component dioscin via regulation of mOAT1, mURAT1 and mOCT2 in hypertensive mice

Junxia Su,Yu-Hui Wei,Minglong Liu,Tianxi Liu,Jianhua Li,Yuanchun Ji,Jianping Liang 대한약학회 2014 Archives of Pharmacal Research Vol.37 No.10

Rhizoma Dioscoreae septemlobae (RDSE) hasbeen widely used for the treatment of hyperuricemia inChina. However, the therapeutic mechanism has beenunknown. This study investigated the antihyperuricemicmechanisms of the extracts obtained from RDSE and itsmain component dioscin (DIS) in hyperuricemic mice. Hyperuricemic mice were induced by potassium oxonate(250 mg/kg). RDSE or DIS was orally administered tohyperuricemic mice at dosages of 319.22, 638.43,1276.86 mg/kg/day for 10 days, respectively. Uric acid orcreatinine in serum and urine was determined by HPLC orHPLC–MS/MS, respectively. The xanthine oxidase (XO)activities in mice liver were examined in vitro. Proteinlevels of organic anion transporter 1 (mOAT1), uratetransporter 1 (mURAT1) and organic cation transporter 2(mOCT2) in the kidney were analyzed by western blotting. The results indicated that uric acid and creatinine in serumwere significantly increased by potassium oxonate, ascompared to that of control mice. Compared saline-treatedgroup, after RDSE treatment in the high and middle dose,the expression of mOAT1 increased 47.98 and 54.48 %,respectively, which accompanied with the decreasedexpression of mURAT1 (47.63 %) in high dose. After DIS treatment in high, middle and low dose, the expression ofmOAT1 increased 23.93, 32.80 and 25.28 % compared tosaline-treated group, respectively, which accompanied withthe decreased expression of mURAT1 (51.07, 51.42 and51.35 %). However, RDSE and DIS displayed a weak XOinhibition activity compared with allopurinol. Therefore,RDSE and DIS processed uricosuric and nephroprotectiveactions by regulation of mOAT1, mURAT1 and mOCT2.

Probing into the optimum preparation and the chemical durability of Sr0.5Zr2(PO4)3-SmPO4 dual-phase ceramics for nuclear waste forms via in-situ synthesis

Liu Kunqi,Wang Junxia,Wu Anhang,Wang Jin,Liu Die,Ma Xiaoling 한국원자력학회 2024 Nuclear Engineering and Technology Vol.56 No.6

In this work, Sr0⋅5Zr2(PO4)3-SmPO4 dual-phase ceramics were prepared via in-situ synthesis process, which is a potential novel nuclear waste form for immobilizing the fission product 90Sr and the trivalent actinide radionuclides in high-level waste (HLW). And the preparation technology, microstructure and chemical durability of Sr0⋅5Zr2(PO4)3-SmPO4 dual-phase ceramics were systematically investigated. It was confirmed that the optimum microwave-sintering temperature (1050 ◦C) and heat preservation time (1.5 h) is estimated by Archimedes method. Besides, the as-prepared samples that were consisted of strontium zirconium phosphate (SrZP) and monazite showed the remarkable densification, in which the two crystalline phases were intermixed well with each other. Meanwhile, the formation and evolution of microstructure was also consistent with the variational rule of Sr0⋅5Zr2(PO4)3/SmPO4, indicating that there was not mutual reaction during the in-situ synthesis process. The PCT and MCC-1 experimental results demonstrated that the elemental normalized leaching rates of tested samples are all at a low level (LRSr ~10 4 g‧m 2‧d 1, LRZr ~10 8-10 6 g‧m 2‧d 1, LRSm ~10 7-10 5 g‧m 2‧d 1 and LRP ~10 4 g‧m 2‧d 1). It is indicated that Sr0⋅5Zr2(PO4)3-SmPO4 dual-phase ceramics possesses excellent chemical durability for HLW disposal.

Verification of multilevel octree grid algorithm of SN transport calculation with the Balakovo-3 VVER-1000 neutron dosimetry benchmark

Liu Cong,Zhang Bin,Wei Junxia,Tan Shuang 한국원자력학회 2023 Nuclear Engineering and Technology Vol.55 No.2

Neutron transport calculations are extremely challenging due to the high computational cost of large and complex problems. A multilevel octree grid algorithm (MLTG) of discrete ordinates method was developed to improve the modeling accuracy and simulation efficiency on 3-D Cartesian grids. The Balakovo-3 VVER-1000 neutron dosimetry benchmark is calculated to verify and validate this numerical technique. A simplified S2 synthetic acceleration is used in the MLTG calculation method to improve the convergence of the source iterations. For the triangularly arranged fuel pins, we adopt a source projection algorithm to generate pin-by-pin source distributions of hexagonal assemblies. MLTG provides accurate geometric modeling and flexible fixed source description at a lower cost than traditional Cartesian grids. The total number of meshes is reduced to 1.9 million from the initial 9.5 million for the Balakovo-3 model. The numerical comparisons show that the MLTG results are in satisfactory agreement with the conventional SN method and experimental data, within the root-mean-square errors of about 4% and 10%, respectively. Compared to uniform fine meshing, approximately 70% of the computational cost can be saved using the MLTG algorithm for the Balakovo-3 computational model.

The abolition of the adultery law in South Korea: A critique

정재준,Junxia Liu 이화여자대학교 아시아여성학센터 2018 Asian Journal of Women's Studies(AJWS) Vol.24 No.2

This study seeks to illuminate the need to protect women’s rights by tracing legal changes and the unconstitutional decisions pertaining to the adultery statutes in Korea. Sexual freedom trumps sexual responsibility in today’s arena of gender. In terms of numbers, married men commit adultery more frequently than married women in contemporary Korea. While the abolition of the adultery statutes may potentially bring about improvement for the rights of the few married women who do commit adultery, the large number of men who do so would become exempt from criminal punishment. In addition, responsibilities, such as contraception, pregnancy, birth, abortion, divorce, marriage, and child support may be transferred to women. As a result, the decision on the abolition of the law will damage the process for pursuing improvement in the overall rights of women.

Review of Research on Yoga Intervention and Health Promotion Based on Citespace - A Comparative Analysis between China and the United States

Chengfei Zhang,Junxia Zhang,Jianjiao Su,Shengjie Liu,Lu Zhang 아시아건강운동학회 2019 Journal of Asian Society for Health & Exercise Vol.1 No.2

In order to research and inquire the development of yoga intervention and health promotion deeply in China and to find out the differences between China and the United States. This research uses Citespace software to analyze the evolution vein, research hotspots, and module knowledge groups of yoga intervention and health promotion research in China and the United States from three aspects: basic information, keywords, and co-citation networks. On this basis, the research theme, formation and development trend of each module knowledge group is analyzed, and the comparative analysis of the research concept, research content and research trend of each module group is carried out. The results suggest that the United States is significantly better than China in terms of total number of publications, trends in publications, volume of journals, and authors" related publications. Plenty of differences do exist in research models, research hotspots, and research continuity between China and the United States. The comparison shows that the United States focuses on the medical value of yoga, while China focuses on the value of yoga exercise. The differences in research concepts between China and the United States have led to differences in research approach and development trends between China and the United States. This study has played a positive role in clarifying the development status of yoga intervention and health promotion in China which could accelerate future research.

Effects of Achyranthes Bidentata Polysaccharide on Growth Performance, Immunological, Adrenal, and Somatotropic Responses of Weaned Pigs Challenged with Escherichia coli Lipopolysaccharide

Guo, Guanglun,Liu, Yulan,Fan, Wei,Han, Jie,Hou, Yongqing,Yin, Yulong,Zhu, Huiling,Ding, Binying,Shi, Junxia,Lu, Jing,Wang, Huirong,Chao, Jin,Qu, Yonghua Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2008 Animal Bioscience Vol.21 No.8

A study was conducted with 48 weaned barrows ($28{\pm}3d$, $8.45{\pm}0.14kg$) to determine the effect of Achyranthes bidentata polysaccharide (ABPS) supplementation on pig performance, immunological, adrenal and somatotropic responses following Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge. The experiment was a $2{\times}2$ factorial design; the main factors included diet (supplementation with 0 or 500 mg/kg ABPS) and immunological challenge (LPS or saline). On d 14 and 21 of the trial, pigs were given an intraperitoneal injection with either $100{\mu}g/kg$ BW of LPS or an equivalent amount of sterile saline. Blood samples were obtained 3 h after injection for analysis of tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$), prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$), cortisol, growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I and immunoglobulin G (IgG). On d 2 after LPS challenge, peripheral blood lymphocyte proliferation (PBLP) was measured. LPS administration decreased average daily feed intake (ADFI) (p<0.05), had a tendency to decrease average daily gain (ADG) (p<0.10) during both the first and second challenge periods and increased (p<0.05) feed:gain ratio only during the first challenge period. ABPS tended to improve ADG (p<0.10) during the first challenge period, and improved ADG (p<0.05) and tended to improve ADFI (p<0.10) during the second challenge period. ABPS did not affect feed:gain ratio. An interaction (p<0.05) between LPS challenge and diet was observed for the plasma concentrations of TNF-${\alpha}$, $PGE_2$ and cortisol after both LPS challenges such that, among LPS-treated pigs, pigs fed the ABPS diet were lower for these indices than those receiving the control diet. In contrast, pigs fed the ABPS diet had higher IGF-I (p<0.05) compared with those fed the control diet. No effect of diet, LPS challenge or both on GH and IgG was observed after both LPS administrations. LPS challenge increased PBLP when these cells were incubated with $8{\mu}g/ml$ of LPS during both the challenge periods, and did likewise when incubated with $8{\mu}g/ml$ of concanavalin A only after the first challenge. ABPS had no effect on PBLP. These data demonstrate that ABPS alters the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines following an immunological challenge, which might enable pigs to achieve better performance.

Melatonin Attenuates Mitochondrial Damage in Aristolochic Acid-Induced Acute Kidney Injury

Sun Jian,Pan Jinjin,Liu Qinlong,Cheng Jizhong,Tang Qing,Ji Yuke,Cheng Ke,wang Rui,Liu Liang,Wang Dingyou,Wu Na,Zheng Xu,Li Junxia,Zhang Xueyan,Zhu Zhilong,Ding Yanchun,Zheng Feng,Li Jia,Zhang Ying,Yua 한국응용약물학회 2023 Biomolecules & Therapeutics(구 응용약물학회지) Vol.31 No.1

Aristolochic acid (AA), extracted from Aristolochiaceae plants, plays an essential role in traditional herbal medicines and is used for different diseases. However, AA has been found to be nephrotoxic and is known to cause aristolochic acid nephropathy (AAN). AA-induced acute kidney injury (AKI) is a syndrome in AAN with a high morbidity that manifests mitochondrial damage as a key part of its pathological progression. Melatonin primarily serves as a mitochondria-targeted antioxidant. However, its mitochondrial protective role in AA-induced AKI is barely reported. In this study, mice were administrated 2.5 mg/kg AA to induce AKI. Melatonin reduced the increase in Upro and Scr and attenuated the necrosis and atrophy of renal proximal tubules in mice exposed to AA. Melatonin suppressed ROS generation, MDA levels and iNOS expression and increased SOD activities in vivo and in vitro. Intriguingly, the in vivo study revealed that melatonin decreased mitochondrial fragmentation in renal proximal tubular cells and increased ATP levels in kidney tissues in response to AA. In vitro, melatonin restored the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) in NRK-52E and HK-2 cells and led to an elevation in ATP levels. Confocal immunofluorescence data showed that puncta containing Mito-tracker and GFP-LC3A/B were reduced, thereby impeding the mitophagy of tubular epithelial cells. Furthermore, melatonin decreased LC3A/B-II expression and increased p62 expression. The apoptosis of tubular epithelial cells induced by AA was decreased. Therefore, our findings revealed that melatonin could prevent AA-induced AKI by attenuating mitochondrial damage, which may provide a potential therapeutic method for renal AA toxicity.

Associations among Genetic Variants and Intracranial Aneurysm in a Chinese Population

Bingyang Li,Chongyu Hu,Junyu Liu,Xin Liao,Jiayu Xun,Manqian Xiao,Junxia Yan 연세대학교의과대학 2019 Yonsei medical journal Vol.60 No.7

Purpose: Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have revealed that common variants on or near EDNRA, HDAC9, SOX17,RP1, CDKN2B-AS1, and RBBP8 genes are associated with intracranial aneurysm (IA) in European or Japanese populations. However,due to population heterogeneity, whether these loci are associated with IA pathogenesis in Chinese individuals is still unknown. The purpose of this study was to investigate associations among GWAS-identified loci and risk of IA in a Chinese population. Materials and Methods: A total of 765 individuals (including 230 IA patients and 535 controls) were involved in this study. Twelvesingle nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of candidate loci were genotyped using the Sequenom MassARRAY platform. Associationswere analyzed using univariate or multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results: SNPs in CDKN2B-AS1 (especially rs10757272) showed significant associations with IA in dominant and additive models[odds ratio (OR), 2.99 and 1.43; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.44–6.24 and 1.10–1.86, respectively]. A SNP near HDAC9 (rs10230207)was associated with IA in the dominant model (OR, 1.42; 95% CI, 1.01–1.99). One SNP near RP1 (rs1072737) showed a protectiveeffect on IA in the dominant model (OR, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.46–0.95), while another SNP in RP1 (rs9298506) showed a risk effect onIA in a recessive model (OR, 3.82; 95% CI, 1.84–7.91). No associations were observed among common variants near EDNRA,SOX17, or RBBP8 and IA. Conclusion: These data partially confirmed earlier results and showed that variants in CDKN2B-AS1, RP1, and HDAC9 could begenetic susceptibility factors for IA in a Chinese population.

SNPs in the coding region of bovine MGAT2 gene are associated with body weight and weight gain

Lian Qu,Mingjuan Yang,Jinlong Zhu,Junxia Liu,Mijie Li,Liangzhi Zhang,Xianyong Lan,Chuzhao Lei,Chunlei Zhang,Hong Chen 한국유전학회 2011 Genes & Genomics Vol.33 No.3

Monoacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 (MGAT2), as a candidate gene for quantitative traits, relates to dietary fat uptake, lipids synthesis and storage, which plays a major role in the absorption of dietary fat by catalyzing the resynthesis of triacylglycerol in enterocytes. In this study, based on DNA pool sequencing and PCR‐RFLP methods, polymorphisms of the MGAT2 gene were detected in 1145 Chinese indigenous cattle. The results revealed two novel mutations located on exon 1and exon 5 (NM_001099136.1:m.84G>T and 756A>G). Hence, we described the HaeIII forced PCR–RFLP method in exon1 and a MluI PCR–RFLP method in exon5 to detect them. In addition, the associations of these polymorphisms with growth traits were evaluated in Nanyang cattle. The results showed that only HaeIII locus was associated with body weight and average daily gain aged 6 months, and individuals with genotype TT showed significantly higher body weight and average daily gain than those with genotype GG.