Myo-Inositol Attenuates Renal Interstitial Fibrosis in Obstructive Nephropathy by Inhibiting PI3K/AKT Activation

Xiaofang Hu,Ming Yang,Xiangyi Li,Zhicheng Gong,Jianxiu Duan 한국식품영양과학회 2023 Journal of medicinal food Vol.26 No.6

Emerging evidence suggests that myo-inositol (MI) has a critical role in reducing renal inflammatory processes and improving podocyte function and preventing diabetes-related renal damage. We aimed to explore the function and underlying workings of MI in renal interstitial fibrosis (RIF). Based on a mouse model, we explored the effect of MI in unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) and in transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)-treated HK-2 cells. Pathological changes of the kidney tissues were examined following staining of the tissues with hematoxylin, eosin, and Masson's trichrome. The mRNA quantities of fibrosis markers, fibronectin, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), and collagen I, were analyzed by means of real-time polymerase chain reaction, whereas those of protein levels were assessed with Western blotting. We also determined the expression of collagen I by immunofluorescence, and the levels of phosphorylated phosphotidylinositol-3-kinase and protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT) by Western blot. In vivo, histopathological examination in the UUO mice revealed renal tubular epithelial cell necrosis, inflammatory cell infiltration, and RIF. UUO mice showed higher expression levels of collagen I, fibronectin, α-SMA, pPI3K, and pAKT compared with sham-operated mice. However, MI treatment diminished the pathological alterations of RIF in UUO mice and downregulated the expression of fibrosis markers and phosphorylated PI3K/AKT. In vitro, TGF-β1 positively influenced the propagation and differentiation of HK-2 cells and upregulated the levels of α-SMA, fibronectin, collagen I, pPI3K, and pAKT, but these became significantly reversed by MI treatment. In conclusion, MI ameliorates RIF, possibly by negatively regulating TGF-β1-induced epithelial transdifferentiation and PI3K/AKT activation.

Passive Fault-tolerant Control Based on Weighted LPV Tube-MPC for Air-breathing Hypersonic Vehicles

Chaofang Hu,Xiaofang Wei,Yanli Ren 제어·로봇·시스템학회 2019 International Journal of Control, Automation, and Vol.17 No.8

This paper proposes a novel passive fault-tolerant control method using weighted tube-based model predictive control (Tube-MPC) via polytopic linear parameter varying (LPV) for air-breathing hypersonic vehicles. Firstly, the longitudinal LPV model of the vehicle is established by the Jacobi linearization and tensor-product (TP). The random drift fault or loss of efficiency fault over the elevator deflection is transformed equivalently into the additional item as bounded disturbance. Based on invariant set theory, a weighted Tube-MPC control method is proposed. In traditional Tube-MPC controller design, the worst case of the fault is generally considered. In order to balance control performance and robustness of the control system, this paper introduces a weighted strategy, where the weighted factor α is used to change the robust positive invariant (RPI) set for incomplete fault set. The robustness of the system is sacrificed, so that the invariant set can be reduced to expand the domain of the nominal control input. In this way, the control performance of the nominal system can be improved. In the actual flight, the states of the hypersonic vehicle system cannot be measured completely, and therefore a polytopic Luenberger state observer is developed to estimate the unmeasured states. The control errors and estimate errors are limited by two incomplete disturbance minimum RPI (idmRPI) sets. Finally, simulations verify the fault-tolerant ability and tradeoff regulating ability of the designed control system.

Effects of Exogenous Organic Acids on the Growth and Antioxidant System of Cosmos bipinnatus under Cadmium Stress

Jiani Hu,Xinyi Gao,Yajie Yue,Xiaoyu Ming,Linjie Yue,Lijuan Yang,Xue Xiao,Xiaofang Yu 한국원예학회 2022 원예과학기술지 Vol.40 No.5

Cadmium pollution in China’s urban green spaces is extremely severe, causing a significant increase in the risk of urban environmental pollution. Applying organic acids under Cd stress conditions improves the activity of the major antioxidant enzymes in the AsA-GSH cycle signi- ficantly. In this study, Cosmos bipinnatus seedlings were cultured in a nutritive medium containing 40 µmol·L-1 Cd. They were subsequently supplemented with different concentrations of citric acid and malic acid (0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 mmol L-1 ) to analyze the roles of the organic acids in regulating the AsA-GSH cycle involved in plant resistance to Cd stress. Exogenous organic acids inhibited the growth of C. bipinnatus in a dose-dependent manner. AsA, GSH, and GR in the leaves decreased dramatically at high malic acid concentrations (2 mol L-1 ). The contents of GSH and GR and the APX activities showed a downward trend when the seedlings were treated with 0.5–2 mmol·L-1 of citric acid. However, AsA exhibited contrasting results under these conditions. Notably, both the antioxidant and enzyme activities were reduced considerably to a minimum when the citric acid concentration was 2 mmol·L-1 . Low concentrations of exogenous acids increased the activities of APX and GR in the leaves of C. bipinnatus, thus increasing the contents of ASA and GSH. Such increases boost the efficiency of the ASA-GSH cycle in relieving the toxic effect of cadmium on C. bipinnatus. Cadmium pollution in China’s urban green spaces is extremely severe, causing a significant increase in the risk of urban environmental pollution. Applying organic acids under Cd stress conditions improves the activity of the major antioxidant enzymes in the AsA-GSH cycle signi- ficantly. In this study, Cosmos bipinnatus seedlings were cultured in a nutritive medium containing -1 40 µmol·L Cd. They were subsequently supplemented with different concentrations of citric acid -1 and malic acid (0,0.5,1.0,2.0 mmol L ) to analyze the roles of the organic acids in regulating the AsA-GSH cycle involved in plant resistance to Cd stress. Exogenous organic acids inhibited the growth of C. bipinnatus in a dose-dependent manner. AsA, GSH, and GR in the leaves decreased -1 dramatically at high malic acid concentrations (2 mol L ). The contents of GSH and GR and the -1 APX activities showed a downward trend when the seedlings were treated with 0.5–2 mmol·L of citric acid. However, AsA exhibited contrasting results under these conditions. Notably, both the antioxidant and enzyme activities were reduced considerably to a minimum when the citric acid -1 concentration was 2 mmol·L . Low concentrations of exogenous acids increased the activities of APX and GR in the leaves of C. bipinnatus, thus increasing the contents of ASA and GSH. Such increases boost the efficiency of the ASA-GSH cycle in relieving the toxic effect of cadmium on C. bipinnatus.

The Nedd8‐activating enzyme inhibitor MLN 4924 ( TAK ‐924/Pevonedistat) induces apoptosis via c‐Myc‐Noxa axis in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Zhang, Wenjuan,Liang, Yupei,Li, Lihui,Wang, Xiaofang,Yan, Zi,Dong, Changsheng,Zeng, Mu‐,Sheng,Zhong, Qian,Liu, Xue‐,Kui,Yu, Jinha,Sun, Shuyang,Liu, Xiaojun,Kang, Jihui,Zhao, Hu,Jeong, Lak BLACKWELL SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATIONS 2019 CELL PROLIFERATION Vol.52 No.2

Promoting effect of Mn and Ti on the structure and performance of Co3O4 catalysts for oxidation of dibromomethane

Jian Mei,Zan Qu,Songjian Zhao,Xiaofang Hu,Haomiao Xu,Naiqiang Yan 한국공업화학회 2018 Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Vol.57 No.-

Co3O4 catalysts modified with Mn and Ti, prepared by co-precipitation method, were used for catalytic oxidation of dibromomethane (CH2Br2), a model molecule for brominated volatile organic compounds (BVOCs). Addition of Ti or Ti + Mn distorted the crystal structure and led to the formation of a Co–O–Ti solid solution. The addition of Mn further enhanced the surface acidity and redox ability of the catalysts. Co–Mn–Ti exhibited the highest activity with a T90 of approximately 234 °C and the highest selectivity to CO2 at low temperatures. Additionally, Co–Mn–Ti showed good stability for at least 30 h at 500 ppm CH2Br2, 0 or 2 vol% H2O, 0 or 500 ppm p-xylene (PX), and 10% O2 at a gas hourly space velocity of 60,000 h−1, and the final products were COx, Br2, and HBr, without the formation of other Br-containing organic byproducts. This high catalytic activity was attributed to its high specific area, high surface acidity, and strong redox property. Furthermore, the synergetic effect of Co, Mn, and Ti made it superior for CH2Br2 oxidation. A plausible reaction mechanism for CH2Br2 oxidation over Co–Mn–Ti catalysts was proposed based on the analysis of the products and in situ diffuse-reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy results.

FOXK1 regulates epithelial-mesenchymal transition and radiation sensitivity in nasopharyngeal carcinoma via the JAK/STAT3 signaling pathway

Duan Liqun,Huang Jinlong,Zhang Yong,Pi Guoliang,Ying Xiaofang,Zeng Fanyu,Hu Desheng,Ma Jia 한국유전학회 2023 Genes & Genomics Vol.45 No.6

Background Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is the most common head and neck tumor in China. Forkhead box (FOX) proteins have 19 subfamilies, which can maintain cell metabolism, regulate cell cycle and cell growth, etc. FOXK1 is a member of the FOX family, and studies have found that FOXK1 is closely related to tumors. Objective This experiment aims to study the effects of FOXK1 interference on proliferation, apoptosis, invasion, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and radiosensitivity, by regulating the Janus kinas/signal translator and activator of the transfer 3 (JAK/STAT3) pathway. Methods The expression of FOXK1 was detected via immunohistochemistry using clinical nasopharyngeal carcinoma tissues and adjacent tissues. The relationship between FOXK1 expression and tumor stage was subsequently evaluated. The colony formation rate was calculated through the colony formation experiment. Cell apoptosis and cell cycle distribution were detected using flow cytometry, while cell invasion was detected using the Transwell method. The number of cells in the nucleus of each group after 30 min, 4 h, and 24 h of radiotherapy with the 2 Gy dose was counted using immunofluorescence under γ-H2AX focal points of a laser confocal microscope. Results FOXK1 is clearly expressed in the patients’ cancer tissues. The expression of FOXK1 was significantly correlated with the patient’s sex. FOXK1 interference or Peficitinib can upregulate the apoptosis rate of 5-8 F and CNE-2 cells; increase the G2 phase of cells; and inhibit the invasion, migration, and EMT of cells. At the same time, FOXK1 interference can downregulate the protein expression of p-JAK1, p-JAK2, and p-STAT3 in cells. Interference from FOXK1 or Peficitinib alone can reduce the rate of cell colony formation under different radiation doses, and enhance the green fluorescence intensity of γ-H2AX in the nucleus after 4 and 24 h of the 2 Gy dose of radiotherapy. These results are optimal when FOXK1 interference and Peficitinib are used together. Conclusion FOXK1 interference in NPC cells can regulate EMT through the JAK/STAT3 signal pathway, enhance the radiosensitivity of cells, and thus inhibit tumor cell progression.

Study on the Preparation Method of an Intelligent Candy

王英明(Wang Yingming),杨,润,润,(Yang Runrun),冯,小芳(Feng Xiaofang),刘,静,(Liu Jing),胡林峰(Hu Linfeng) 아시아사회과학학회 2021 International Science Research Vol.1 No.1

Objective: To develop an intelligent soft candy with good taste, sweet taste and rich nutrition. Methods: Take dioscorea rhizoma and poria as main raw materials, study the content of konjac gum,gelatin,malt syrup and water on property of soft sweets,choose the best technology for making soft sweets. Results: The producted candy is sweet, soft and full of elasticity. Conclusion: The optimal formula of soft candy was 1%dioscorea rhizoma, 1% Poria, 3% konjac gum, 0.9% gelatin, 0.1% potassium sorbate, 69% water and 25% malt.

Calcium signalling mediated the regulation of growth and polysaccharide accumulation by light quality in Dendrobium offi cinale protocorms

Ting Lei,Suping Gao,Xiao Lin,Kaihui Zhang,Yingqi Liu,Wenji Li,Di Hu,Xiaofang Yu,Mingyan Jiang,Qibing Chen,Ying Sun 한국원예학회 2021 Horticulture, Environment, and Biotechnology Vol.62 No.2

This study selected Dendrobium offi cinale protocorms as the experimental material and used diff erent light-quality treatmentsand calcium signalling inhibitors to explore the mechanism of the biological response of calcium to light quality. The results indicate that a 1:3 red:blue (R:B) light ratio promotes the accumulation of biomass and polysaccharides in theprotocorm. Nevertheless, this eff ect can be entirely counteracted by calmodulin (CaM) inhibitors and calcium ion-chelatingagents. The possible mechanisms of this eff ect are as follows: (1) The Ca 2+ -CaM signal-regulated photosynthetic apparatusis improved by the R:B 1:3 light, increasing the CaM content and Ca 2+ -ATPase activity. Thus, R:B 1:3 light increases thedevelopment of the photosynthetic apparatus in the D. offi cinale protocorm, enhances its photosynthetic productivity, andpromotes the activities of sucrose phosphatase; accordingly, biomass and sucrose accumulation increase. (2) R:B 1:3 lightenhances Ca 2+ -CaM signalling and regulates glycometabolic processes to promote the activities of sucrose synthase, thusincreasing fructose and glucose levels and providing suffi cient synthetic precursors to promote polysaccharide production.