Ginsenoside Rk1 ameliorates paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity in mice through inhibition of inflammation, oxidative stress, nitrative stress and apoptosis

Hu, Jun-Nan,Xu, Xing-Yue,Li, Wei,Wang, Yi-Ming,Liu, Ying,Wang, Zi,Wang, Ying-Ping The Korean Society of Ginseng 2019 Journal of Ginseng Research Vol.43 No.1

Background: Frequent overdose of paracetamol (APAP) has become the major cause of acute liver injury. The present study was designed to evaluate the potential protective effects of ginsenoside Rk1 on APAP-induced hepatotoxicity and investigate the underlying mechanisms for the first time. Methods: Mice were treated with Rk1 (10 mg/kg or 20 mg/kg) by oral gavage once per d for 7 d. On the 7th d, allmice treated with 250mg/kg APAP exhibited severeliverinjury after 24 h, and hepatotoxicitywas assessed. Results: Our results showed that pretreatment with Rk1 significantly decreased the levels of serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, tumor necrosis factor, and interleukin-$1{\beta}$ compared with the APAP group. Meanwhile, hepatic antioxidants, including superoxide dismutase and glutathione, were elevated compared with the APAP group. In contrast, a significant decrease in levels of the lipid peroxidation product malondialdehyde was observed in the ginsenoside Rk1-treated group compared with the APAP group. These effects were associated with a significant increase of cytochrome P450 E1 and 4-hydroxynonenal levels in liver tissues. Moreover, ginsenoside Rk1 supplementation suppressed activation of apoptotic pathways by increasing Bcl-2 and decreasing Bax protein expression levels, which was shown using western blotting analysis. Histopathological observation also revealed that ginsenoside Rk1 pretreatment significantly reversed APAP-induced necrosis and inflammatory infiltration in liver tissues. Biological indicators of nitrative stress, such as 3-nitrotyrosine, were also inhibited after pretreatment with Rk1 compared with the APAP group. Conclusion: The results clearly suggest that the underlying molecular mechanisms in the hepatoprotection of ginsenoside Rk1 in APAP-induced hepatotoxicity may be due to its antioxidation, antiapoptosis, anti-inflammation, and antinitrative effects.

Comparative transcriptome analysis of three chrysanthemums provides insights into flavonoid and terpenoid biosynthesis

Wang Xu,Zhang Jingjing,Liu Zhige,Wang Shuaibin,Huang Bisheng,Hu Zhigang,Liu Yifei 한국식물학회 2021 Journal of Plant Biology Vol.64 No.5

Chrysanthemum indicum var. aromaticum is an important resource plant for breeding excellent aromatic varieties of ornamental and medicinal chrysanthemums. However, the biosynthesis and regulation mechanisms of typically aromatic ingredients in C. indicum var. aromaticum are poorly understood, which restricted the utilization of this plant. Here, the transcriptome of C. indicum var. aromaticum was investigated and comparative analysis was conducted with the other two closely related chrysanthemum taxa C. indicum and C. nankingense. The global transcriptome profiles showed clear difference of gene expression patterns between the three chrysanthemums, of which 52 flavonoid biosynthesis-associated genes, 157 transcription factors, and 24 flavonoid Uridine diphosphate (UDP) -glucuronosyl and -glucosyltransferase genes were significantly differentially expressed. Furthermore, 22 differential expression genes (DEGs) in relation to the terpenoid backbone biosynthesis and 183 DEGs related to terpenoid diversification were identified. Of which, 14 genes involved into TS/CYP gene cluster showed higher expression in CIA than those in CI or CN. These results increased our understanding of flavonoid diversification and aromatic ingredients accumulation in plants, and will also help improve resource conservation and sustainable utilization of the important resource plant C. indicum var. aromaticum.

Optimization for the direction of arrival estimation based on single acoustic pressure gradient vector sensor

Xu-hu Wang,Jian-feng Chen,Jing Han,Ya-meng Jiao 대한조선학회 2014 International Journal of Naval Architecture and Oc Vol.6 No.1

The optimization techniques are explored in the direction of arrival (DOA) estimation based on single acoustic pressure gradient vector sensor (APGVS). By analyzing the working principle and measurement errors of the APGVS, acoustic intensity approaches (AI) and the minimum variance distortionless response beamforming approach based on single APGVS (VMVDR) are deduced. The radius to wavelength ratio of the APGVS must be not bigger than 0.1 in the actual application, otherwise its DOA estimation performance will degrade significantly. To improve the ro-bustness and estimation performance of the DOA estimation approaches based on single APGVS, two modified proce-ssing approaches based on single APGVS are presented. Simulation and lake trial results indicate that the performance of the modified approaches based on single APGVS are better than AI and VMVDR approaches based on single APGVS when the radius to wavelength ratio is not bigger than 0.1, and the two modified DOA estimation methods have excel¬lent estimation performance when the radius to wavelength ratio is bigger than 0.1.

Blood lipids and all-cause mortality among old people: the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey 2008-2018

Wang Rongxi,Yu Xiaoyue,Wang Zhiqiang,Liu Yujie,Chen Hui,Liu Shangbin,XU CHENG,Chen Yingjie,Xia Danni,Ge Xin,Chang Ruijie,Xu Gang,Xiang Mi,Wang Ying,Shen Tian,Hu Fan,Cai Yong 한국역학회 2022 Epidemiology and Health Vol.44 No.-

OBJECTIVES: Proper blood lipid levels are essential for survival in older adults, but inconsistent relationships have been reported between blood lipids and all-cause mortality in the elderly. METHODS: This retrospective longitudinal study analyzed data from 1,067 Chinese older adults enrolled in the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey collected in 2008 and followed up until death or December 31, 2018. The outcome was allcause mortality. Multivariate Cox regression analyses were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) with stratification by age (60-80, 80-100, or ≥ 100 years) for further analysis. The survival probability according to lipid profile quartiles was calculated using Kaplan-Meier curves and the log-rank test. RESULTS: The participants’ mean age was 84.84 years, and 57.0% were female. In total, 578 individuals died, and 277 were lost to follow-up. The mean total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels were higher among those who died than among those who survived. Participants in the second HDL-C quartile and the highest LDL-C and triglyceride (TG) quartiles had 28% higher, 23% lower, and 49% lower risks of all-cause mortality, respectively. After further adjustment, the associations remained except for HDL-C, and additional associations were observed between all-cause mortality and the third TC and LDL-C quartiles and the second TG quartile (HR, 1.44; 95% CI, 1.01 to 2.06; HR, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.49 to 0.94; HR, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.62 to 0.99, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Older adults should maintain an LDL-C level of 1.91-2.47 mmol/L and a TG level of no less than 1.66 mmol/L.

Optimization for the direction of arrival estimation based on single acoustic pressure gradient vector sensor

Wang, Xu-Hu,Chen, Jian-Feng,Han, Jing,Jiao, Ya-Meng The Society of Naval Architects of Korea 2014 International Journal of Naval Architecture and Oc Vol.6 No.1

The optimization techniques are explored in the direction of arrival (DOA) estimation based on single acoustic pressure gradient vector sensor (APGVS). By analyzing the working principle and measurement errors of the APGVS, acoustic intensity approaches (AI) and the minimum variance distortionless response beamforming approach based on single APGVS (VMVDR) are deduced. The radius to wavelength ratio of the APGVS must be not bigger than 0.1 in the actual application, otherwise its DOA estimation performance will degrade significantly. To improve the robustness and estimation performance of the DOA estimation approaches based on single APGVS, two modified processing approaches based on single APGVS are presented. Simulation and lake trial results indicate that the performance of the modified approaches based on single APGVS are better than AI and VMVDR approaches based on single APGVS when the radius to wavelength ratio is not bigger than 0.1, and the two modified DOA estimation methods have excellent estimation performance when the radius to wavelength ratio is bigger than 0.1.

Surgical treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma with bile duct invasion

Xu-guang Hu,Wei Mao,Sung Yeon Hong,Bong-Wan Kim,Wei-guang Xu,Hee-Jung Wang 대한외과학회 2016 Annals of Surgical Treatment and Research(ASRT) Vol.90 No.3

Purpose: There is still some debate on surgical procedures for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients with bile duct tumor thrombi (BDTT, Ueda type 3 or 4). What is adequate extent of liver resection for curative treatment? Is extrahepatic bile duct resection mandatory for cure? The aim of this study is to answer these questions. Methods: Between February 1994 and December 2012, 877 consecutive HCC patients underwent hepatic resection at Ajou University Hospital. Thirty HCC patients (3.4%) with BDTT (Ueda type 3 or 4) were retrospective reviewed in this study. Results: In total, 20 patients enrolled in this study were divided into 2 groups: patients who underwent hemihepatectomy with extrahepatic bile duct resection (group 1, n = 10) and with only removal of BDTT (group 2, n = 10). The 1-, 3- and 5-year overall survival rates were 75.0%, 50.0%, and 27.8%, respectively. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates of group 1 were 100.0%, 80.0%, and 45.7%, and those of group 2 were 50.0%, 20.0%, and 10.0%, respectively (P = 0.014). The 1-, 3-, and 5-year recurrences free survival rates of group 1 were 90.0%, 70.0%, and 42.0%, and those of group 2 were 36.0%, 36.0%, and 0%, respectively (P = 0.014). Thrombectomy and infiltrative growth type (Ig) were found as independent prognostic factors for recurrence free survival by multivariate analysis. Thrombectomy, Ig, and high indocyanine green retention rate at 15 minutes were found as independent prognostic factors for overall survival by multivariate analysis. Conclusion: We suggest that the appropriate surgical procedure for icteric HCC patients should be comprised of ipsilateral hemihepatectomy with caudate lobectomy and extrahepatic bile duct resection.

Modification of activated carbon from agricultural waste lotus leaf and its adsorption mechanism of beryllium

Xu Zhao,Yucheng Su,Hongqiang Wang,Zhiwu Lei,Eming Hu,Fang Hu,Qingliang Wang,Lechang Xu,Shiyao Fan,Xinwei Liu,Xuanzhang Hao 한국화학공학회 2023 Korean Journal of Chemical Engineering Vol.40 No.1

With the wide application of beryllium globally, industrial wastewater has rapidly increased. Previously, adsorption was effective in treating this issue. However, most adsorbents have a poor removal rate, primarily in the low adsorption capacity. To remove Be from industrial wastewater and overcome the disadvantages of low adsorption capacity and poor removal rate of existing adsorbents, typical agricultural waste lotus leaf was used to prepare Al-activated carbon (Al-AC) by the impregnation-calcination modification of Al(NO3)3. The theoretical maximum adsorption capacity of Al-AC was 32.86 mg/g. Langmuir, Freundlich, and Temkin models were used to thermodynamically analyze Al-AC, and adsorption thermodynamics demonstrated that the adsorption reaction of Al-AC was endothermic. Through characterization analysis, the specific surface area of the modified AC increased from 4.3573 to 155.87 m2/g. This study provides a new approach to preparing and modifying AC and a new method for removing Be from industrial wastewater.

Transiting Exoplanet Monitoring Project (TEMP). IV. Refined System Parameters, Transit Timing Variations, and Orbital Stability of the Transiting Planetary System HAT-P-25

Wang, Xian-Yu,Wang, Songhu,Hinse, Tobias C.,Li, Kai,Wang, Yong-Hao,Laughlin, Gregory,Liu, Hui-Gen,Zhang, Hui,Wu, Zhen-Yu,Zhou, Xu,Zhou, Ji-Lin,Hu, Shao-Ming,Wu, Dong-Hong,Peng, Xi-Yan,Chen, Yuan-Yuan Astronomical Society of the Pacific 2018 Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pa Vol.130 No.988

Transcriptome reveals genes involving in black skin color formation of ducks

Lei Wang,Hehe Liu,Bo Hu,Jiwei Hu,Hengyong Xu,Hua He,Chunchun Han,Bo Kang,Lili Bai,Rongping Zhang,Jiwen Wang,Shengqiang Hu,Liang Li 한국유전학회 2021 Genes & Genomics Vol.43 No.2

Background Skin color is colorful for birds, which has been reported to be associated with multi-biological functions, such as crypsis, camoufage, social signaling and mate choice, but little is known about its underlying molecular mechanism. Objective Studies on the major genes afecting the black skin color of ducks. Methods For this purpose, Silver ammonia staining and RNA-seq analysis were carried out to identify the diferences in tissue morphology and gene expressions between black and yellow skin ducks. Results The silver ammonia dyes slice results showed that in the development of black duck, the content of melanin in black skin gradually increased and then decreased, and the content of melanin in yellow and black skin was signifcantly diferent. Through transcriptome, a total of 102 and 84 diferentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identifed in beak skin and web skin, respectively. These DEGs were enriched in melanin biosynthesis and play a critical role in melanogenesis pathway. Co-expression analysis showed that EDNRB2 was the only gene associated with black skin color in DEGs, which was also consistent with qRT-PCR. Conclusions The melanin synthesis pathway dominated by EDNRB2 up-regulated the amount of melanin synthesis, leading to the formation of black skin in ducks.

Sonchus asper extract inhibits LPS-induced oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory cytokine production in RAW264.7 macrophages

Lan Wang,Ming Lu Xu,Jie Liu,You Wang,Jian He Hu,Myeong-Hyeon Wang 한국영양학회 2015 Nutrition Research and Practice Vol.9 No.6

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Sonchus asper is used extensively as an herbal anti-inflammatory for treatment of bronchitis, asthma, wounds, burns, and cough; however, further investigation is needed in order to understand the underlying mechanism. To determine its mechanism of action, we examined the effects of an ethyl acetate fraction (EAF) of S. asper on nitric oxide (NO) production and prostaglandin-E2 levels in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages. MATERIALS/METHODS: An in vitro culture of RAW264.7 macrophages was treated with LPS to induce inflammation. RESULTS: Treatment with EAF resulted in significant suppression of oxidative stress in RAW264.7 macrophages as demonstrated by increased endogenous superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and intracellular glutathione levels, decreased generation of reactive oxygen species and lipid peroxidation, and restoration of the mitochondrial membrane potential. To confirm its anti-inflammatory effects, analysis of expression of inducible NO synthase, cyclooxygenase-2, tumor necrosis factor-α, and the anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-6 was performed using semi-quantitative RT-PCR. EAF treatment resulted in significantly reduced dose-dependent expression of all of these factors, and enhanced expression of the antioxidants MnSOD and heme oxygenase-1. In addition, HPLC fingerprint results suggest that rutin, caffeic acid, and quercetin may be the active ingredients in EAF. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, findings of this study imply that the anti-inflammatory effect of EAF on LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells is mediated by suppression of oxidative stress.