Cloning of porcine chemerin, ChemR23 and GPR1 and their involvement in regulation of Lipogenesis

( Jianfeng Huang ),( Jian Zhang ),( Ting Lei ),( Xiaodong Chen ),( Yan Zhang ),( Lulu Zhou ),( An Yu ),( Zhilong Chen ),( Ronghua Zhou ),( Zaiqing Yang ) 생화학분자생물학회 2010 BMB Reports Vol.43 No.7

Chemerin is a novel adipokine which is abundant in adipose tissue to promote adipocyte differentiation and with significant relativity to BMI and insulin sensitivity. We report here the molecular characterization of porcine chemerin and its receptors ChemR23 and GPR1, as well as their transcriptional regulation during lipogenesis. Chemerin was mainly expressed in liver, intestine, kidney and adipose tissue, consistent with the expression pattern of GPR1, but not ChemR23, which was predominantly present in spleen and temperately in adipose tissue. We further investigated the lipogenesis-related transcriptional activation of PPARγ and KLF15 on chemerin and its receptors. The data showed that KLF15, but not PPARγ, can up-regulate the mRNA level of chemerin, ChemR23 and GPR1, which was consistent with the results of luciferase assay that confirmed the effect of KLF15 on ChemR23 promoter. Taken together, our data provide basic molecular information for the further investigation on the function of chemerin in lipogenesis. [BMB reports 2010; 43(7): 491-498]

Poly(vinly alcohol)/Nano-Sized Layered Double Hydroxides Nanocomposite Hydrogels Prepared by Cyclic Freezing and Thawing

Shu Huang,Tianxi Liu,Zhe Yang,Hong Zhu,Lulu Ren,Weng Weei Tjiu 한국고분자학회 2012 Macromolecular Research Vol.20 No.6

In this paper, nano-sized MgAl-layered double hydroxides (LDH) were synthesized via a very fast nucleation and slow aging method that can be suspended in water. Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)/LDH nanocomposite hydrogels were then prepared using a cyclic freezing/thawing method. The mechanical properties of PVA hydrogels were significantly enhanced by incorporation of LDH nanoplatelets. After 7, 9, and 11 freezing/thawing cycles, the tensile strength of PVA nanocomposite hydrogels containing 0.5 wt% LDH was remarkably increased by 100%, 100%, and 300%, respectively, while the Young’s modulus was increased by 25%, 22%, and 149%, respectively. More interestingly,the nanocomposite hydrogels exhibited larger elongation at the break than neat PVA hydrogels. However,after addition of the LDH nanoplatelets, the water-swelling ability of PVA hydrogels decreased. The microstructures and morphologies of PVA/LDH nanocomposite hydrogels were further investigated by scanning electron microscopy,transmission electron microscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry. The results showed that well-dispersed LDH nanoplatelets played an important role in increasing physical cross-linking density by inducing PVA crystallization and the formation of more uniform polymer networks. As a result, the mechanical properties of PVA hydrogels were greatly improved, even at very low LDH loading levels.

Digital Authoritarianism and Threats Posed to Human-Rights Advocacy

Szu Hui Huang,Lulu Keng,Singing Li 동아시아재단 2023 Global Asia Vol.18 No.2

Huawei’s Thirty Years: From Phone Switch Resellers to Global Telecom Equipment and Service Giant

Kevin Han Huang,Selina Juehua Su,Lulu Ouyang Academy of Asian Business (AAB) 2017 Academy of Asian Business Review Vol.3 No.2

This case study aims to analyse the success story of Huawei, a leading Chinese telecommunication company, best known for its infrastructure equipment manufacturing and its smartphone production. The report is presented in three parts. The first part examines the events and turning points in the years prior to Huawei’s current market leadership. Market conditions and competitors at the key junctures are analysed, and Huawei’s corresponding strategies and consequent performance are discussed. The second part looks into the factors behind Huawei’s success, categorised in terms of internal management and external strategies. Distinct Asian-business features are highlighted and analysed in the context of the markets they are being applied to. The third part examines the current position and future potential of Huawei’s three major business groups in the context of market trends. This is followed by a discussion of the challenges faced by Huawei and recommended solutions. Market conditions underpinning the challenges are explored, while the effects and feasibility of solutions are analysed with specific examples. Finally, the conclusion examines what can be learned from Huawei’s success. As the world embraces rapid technological advancement in all spheres, this case study, by analysing the success story of a technological giant, hopes to offer insights for emerging Asian technological enterprises. Moreover, the many uniquely Asian-style business strategies, while not universally applicable, present valuable lessons for Asian enterprises wishing to succeed in the globalised world. Huawei’s revolutionary management structure, unique marketing strategies and devotion to research and development are particular aspects of its success that are worth examining.

Impact of NR1I2, adenosine triphosphateebinding cassette transporters genetic polymorphisms on the pharmacokinetics of ginsenoside compound K in healthy Chinese volunteers

Luping Zhou,Lulu Chen,Yaqin Wang,Jie Huang,Guo Ping Yang,Zhi-Rong Tang,Yicheng Wang,Jianwei Liao,Gan Zhou,Kai-hua Wei,Zhenyu Li,Dongsheng Ouyang 고려인삼학회 2019 Journal of Ginseng Research Vol.43 No.3

Background: Ginsenoside compound K (CK) is a promising drug candidate for rheumatoid arthritis. Thisstudy examined the impact of polymorphisms in NR1I2, adenosine triphosphateebinding cassette (ABC)transporter genes on the pharmacokinetics of CK in healthy Chinese individuals. Methods: Forty-two targeted variants in seven genes were genotyped in 54 participants using SequenomMassARRAY system to investigate their association with major pharmacokinetic parameters of CK and itsmetabolite 20(S)-protopanaxadiol (PPD). Subsequently, molecular docking was simulated using theAutoDock Vina program. Results: ABCC4 rs1751034 TT and rs1189437 TT were associated with increased exposure of CK anddecreased exposure of 20(S)-PPD, whereas CFTR rs4148688 heterozygous carriers had the lowestmaximum concentration (Cmax) of CK. The area under the curve from zero to the time of the lastquantifiable concentration (AUClast) of CK was decreased in NR1I2 rs1464602 and rs2472682 homozygouscarriers, while Cmax was significantly reduced only in rs2472682. ABCC4 rs1151471 and CFTR rs2283054influenced the pharmacokinetics of 20(S)-PPD. In addition, several variations in ABCC2, ABCC4, CFTR, andNR1I2 had minor effects on the pharmacokinetics of CK. Quality of the best homology model of multidrugresistance protein 4 (MRP4) was assessed, and the ligand interaction plot showed the mode of interactionof CK with different MRP4 residues. Conlusion: ABCC4 rs1751034 and rs1189437 affected the pharmacokinetics of both CK and 20(S)-PPD. NR1I2 rs1464602 and rs2472682 were only associated with the pharmacokinetics of CK. Thus, thesehereditary variances could partly explain the interindividual differences in the pharmacokinetics of CK.

Impact of NR1I2, adenosine triphosphate-binding cassette transporters genetic polymorphisms on the pharmacokinetics of ginsenoside compound K in healthy Chinese volunteers

Zhou, Luping,Chen, Lulu,Wang, Yaqin,Huang, Jie,Yang, Guoping,Tan, Zhirong,Wang, Yicheng,Liao, Jianwei,Zhou, Gan,Hu, Kai,Li, Zhenyu,Ouyang, Dongsheng The Korean Society of Ginseng 2019 Journal of Ginseng Research Vol.43 No.3

Background: Ginsenoside compound K (CK) is a promising drug candidate for rheumatoid arthritis. This study examined the impact of polymorphisms in NR1I2, adenosine triphosphate-binding cassette (ABC) transporter genes on the pharmacokinetics of CK in healthy Chinese individuals. Methods: Forty-two targeted variants in seven genes were genotyped in 54 participants using Sequenom MassARRAY system to investigate their association with major pharmacokinetic parameters of CK and its metabolite 20(S)-protopanaxadiol (PPD). Subsequently, molecular docking was simulated using the AutoDock Vina program. Results: ABCC4 rs1751034 TT and rs1189437 TT were associated with increased exposure of CK and decreased exposure of 20(S)-PPD, whereas CFTR rs4148688 heterozygous carriers had the lowest maximum concentration ($C_{max}$) of CK. The area under the curve from zero to the time of the last quantifiable concentration ($AUC_{last}$) of CK was decreased in NR1I2 rs1464602 and rs2472682 homozygous carriers, while $C_{max}$ was significantly reduced only in rs2472682. ABCC4 rs1151471 and CFTR rs2283054 influenced the pharmacokinetics of 20(S)-PPD. In addition, several variations in ABCC2, ABCC4, CFTR, and NR1I2 had minor effects on the pharmacokinetics of CK. Quality of the best homology model of multidrug resistance protein 4 (MRP4) was assessed, and the ligand interaction plot showed the mode of interaction of CK with different MRP4 residues. Conlusion: ABCC4 rs1751034 and rs1189437 affected the pharmacokinetics of both CK and 20(S)-PPD. NR1I2 rs1464602 and rs2472682 were only associated with the pharmacokinetics of CK. Thus, these hereditary variances could partly explain the interindividual differences in the pharmacokinetics of CK.

Stem-leaf saponins from Panax notoginseng counteract aberrant autophagy and apoptosis in hippocampal neurons of mice with cognitive impairment induced by sleep deprivation

Yin Cao,Yingbo Yang,Hui Wu,Yi Lu,Shuang Wu,Lulu Liu,Changhong Wang,Fei Huang,Hailian Shi,Beibei Zhang,Xiaojun Wu,Zhengtao Wang 고려인삼학회 2020 Journal of Ginseng Research Vol.44 No.3

Backgroud: Sleep deprivation (SD) impairs learning and memory by inhibiting hippocampal functioningat molecular and cellular levels. Abnormal autophagy and apoptosis are closely associated with neurodegenerationin the central nervous system. This study is aimed to explore the alleviative effect and theunderlying molecular mechanism of stemeleaf saponins of Panax notoginseng (SLSP) on the abnormalneuronal autophagy and apoptosis in hippocampus of mice with impaired learning and memory inducedby SD. Methods: Mouse spatial learning and memory were assessed by Morris water maze test. Neuronalmorphological changes were observed by Nissl staining. Autophagosome formation was examined bytransmission electron microscopy, immunofluorescent staining, acridine orange staining, and transienttransfection of the tf-LC3 plasmid. Apoptotic event was analyzed by flow cytometry after PI/annexin Vstaining. The expression or activation of autophagy and apoptosis-related proteins were detected byWestern blotting assay. Results: SLSP was shown to improve the spatial learning and memory of mice after SD for 48 h,accomanied with restrained excessive autophage and apoptosis, whereas enhanced activation of phosphoinositide3-kinase/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin signaling pathway in hippocampalneurons. Meanwhile, it improved the aberrant autophagy and apoptosis induced by rapamycinand re-activated phosphoinositide 3-kinase/Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin signaling transductionin HT-22 cells, a hippocampal neuronal cell line. Conclusion: SLSP could alleviate cognitive impairment induced by SD, which was achieved probablythrough suppressing the abnormal autophagy and apoptosis of hippocampal neurons. The findings maycontribute to the clinical application of SLSP in the prevention or therapy of neurological disordersassociated with SD.

Stem-leaf saponins from Panax notoginseng counteract aberrant autophagy and apoptosis in hippocampal neurons of mice with cognitive impairment induced by sleep deprivation

Cao, Yin,Yang, Yingbo,Wu, Hui,Lu, Yi,Wu, Shuang,Liu, Lulu,Wang, Changhong,Huang, Fei,Shi, Hailian,Zhang, Beibei,Wu, Xiaojun,Wang, Zhengtao The Korean Society of Ginseng 2020 Journal of Ginseng Research Vol.44 No.3

Backgroud: Sleep deprivation (SD) impairs learning and memory by inhibiting hippocampal functioning at molecular and cellular levels. Abnormal autophagy and apoptosis are closely associated with neurodegeneration in the central nervous system. This study is aimed to explore the alleviative effect and the underlying molecular mechanism of stem-leaf saponins of Panax notoginseng (SLSP) on the abnormal neuronal autophagy and apoptosis in hippocampus of mice with impaired learning and memory induced by SD. Methods: Mouse spatial learning and memory were assessed by Morris water maze test. Neuronal morphological changes were observed by Nissl staining. Autophagosome formation was examined by transmission electron microscopy, immunofluorescent staining, acridine orange staining, and transient transfection of the tf-LC3 plasmid. Apoptotic event was analyzed by flow cytometry after PI/annexin V staining. The expression or activation of autophagy and apoptosis-related proteins were detected by Western blotting assay. Results: SLSP was shown to improve the spatial learning and memory of mice after SD for 48 h, accomanied with restrained excessive autophage and apoptosis, whereas enhanced activation of phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin signaling pathway in hippocampal neurons. Meanwhile, it improved the aberrant autophagy and apoptosis induced by rapamycin and re-activated phosphoinositide 3-kinase/Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin signaling transduction in HT-22 cells, a hippocampal neuronal cell line. Conclusion: SLSP could alleviate cognitive impairment induced by SD, which was achieved probably through suppressing the abnormal autophagy and apoptosis of hippocampal neurons. The findings may contribute to the clinical application of SLSP in the prevention or therapy of neurological disorders associated with SD.

Fundamental impedance‑based digital synchronous rectification scheme for bidirectional CLLC resonant converters

Guopeng Zhang,Xindi Sun,Hao Wang,Yonghui Liu,Haijun Tao,Lulu Huang 전력전자학회 2024 JOURNAL OF POWER ELECTRONICS Vol.24 No.1

Synchronous rectification (SR) is an effective way to improve the efficiency of CLLC resonant converters. The soft switching of SR is affected by the parasitic capacitance and the zero-crossing point of the current of the secondary inductance. Therefore, based on uncontrolled rectification on the secondary of the converter, the effective range of soft switching for SR under different operating modes is analyzed. A fundamental impedance model is established to obtain the discharge time of the parasitic capacitance and the zero-crossing point of the current of the secondary in the upper resonant frequency mode. The relationship between the SR signals and primary driving signals in different operating modes is summarized, which can improve the operating range of the SR while ensuring soft-switching. This in turn, ensures the operating efficiency of the converter. The calculation method of the turn-ON and turn-OFF times of the SR in different modes is improved. In addition, the proposed SR method can be used in bidirectional CLLC resonant converters that do not have SR functionality. To accomplish this, only the control program needs to be updated. Experimental results on a 200 V 500 W prototype are given to verify the effectiveness of the SR method.

Amphidinium stirisquamtum sp. nov. (Dinophyceae), a new marine sand-dwelling dinoflagellate with a novel type of body scale

Zhaohe Luo,Na Wang,Hala F. Mohamed,Ye Liang,Lulu Pei,Shuhong Huang,Haifeng Gu 한국조류학회I 2021 ALGAE Vol.36 No.4

Amphidinium species are amongst the most abundant benthic dinoflagellates in marine intertidal sandy ecosystems. Some of them produce a variety of bioactive compounds that have both harmful effects and pharmaceutical potential. In this study, Amphidinium cells were isolated from intertidal sand collected from the East China Sea. The two strains established were subjected to detailed examination by light, and scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The vegetative cells had a minute, irregular, and triangular-shaped epicone deflected to the left, thus fitting the description of Amphidinium sensu stricto. These strains are distinguished from other Amphidinium species by combination characteristics: (1) longitudinal flagellum inserted in the lower third of the cell; (2) icicle-shaped scales, 276 ± 17 nm in length, on the cell body surface; (3) asymmetrical hypocone with the left side longer than the right; and (4) presence of immotile cells. Therefore, they are described here as Amphidinium stirisquamtum sp. nov. The molecular tree inferred from small subunit rRNA, large subunit rRNA, and internal transcribed spacer-5.8S sequences revealed that A. stirisquamtum is grouped together with the type species of Amphidinium, A. operculatum, in a fully supported clade, but is distantly related to other Amphidinium species bearing body scale. Live A. stirisquamtum cells greatly affected the survival of rotifers and brine shrimp, their primary grazers, making them more susceptible to predation by the higher tropic level consumers in the food web. This will increase the risk of introducing toxicity, and consequently, the bio-accumulation of toxins through marine food webs.