Core prescription pattern of Chinese herbal medicine for depressive disorders in Taiwan: a nationwide population-based study

Diem Ngoc Hong Tran,I-Hsuan Hwang,Fun-Jou Chen,Yuan-Pu Tseng,Ching-Mao Chang,Shih-Jen Tsai,Jen-Lin Yang,Ta-Peng Wu,Chung-Hua Hsu,Fang-Pey Chen,Yen-Ying Kung 한국한의학연구원 2021 Integrative Medicine Research Vol.10 No.3

Background: Depressive disorders (DD) affect not only mood and behavior but also various physical functions. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been shown to have some benefits in treating DD. However, one formula or one single herb might be not show high efficacy when used to treat depression. Thus, this study aimed to examine the core prescription pattern of Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) among patients with DD in Taiwan as a reference for related research and clinical applications. Methods: All patients, who had been diagnosed with major depressive disorder or minor depression or dysthymia without any other baseline diseases and had at least one CHM outpatient clinical visit from 2002 to 2011, were extracted from three randomly sampled cohorts, namely the 2000, 2005 and 2010 cohorts of the National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) of Taiwan. The collected data was analyzed to explore the patterns of herbal products. Results: There were 197,146 patients with a diagnosis of DD and of these 1806 subjects had only a diagnosis of DD and utilized CHM. The most common formula was Gan-Mai-Da-Zao-Tang (12.19%), while Suan-Zao-Ren (3.99%) was the most commonly prescribed single herb. The core pattern of prescriptions consisted of a combination of Gan-Mai-Da-Zao-Tang, Jia-Wei-Xiao-Yao-San, Chai-Hu-Jia-Long-Gu-Mu-Li-Tang, He-Huan-Pi, Yuan-Zhi and Shi-Chang-Pu. Conclusions: This study describes the CHM core prescription pattern used to treat patients in Taiwan with DD and it is a potential candidate for study in future pharmacological or clinical trials targeting DD.

Association between perioperative glucocorticoids and cancer metastasis and survival in patients undergoing radical cystectomy for urothelial carcinoma of the bladder: A single-center retrospective study

Shiyu Mao,Yuan Wu,Ruiliang Wang,Yadong Guo,Jing Yuan,Wentao Zhang,Junfeng Zhang,Yang Yan,Xudong Yao 대한비뇨의학회 2020 Investigative and Clinical Urology Vol.61 No.4

Purpose: Perioperative glucocorticoids have the potential to increase the risk of tumor metastasis. However, the relationship between perioperative glucocorticoids and oncologic outcomes remains controversial. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the association of perioperative glucocorticoids with clinicopathologic outcomes following radical cystectomy (RC). Materials and Methods: We screened and included 185 patients who underwent radical surgery for bladder cancer in our center between 2009 and 2018. The Kaplan–Meier method was applied, and a log-rank test was used to estimate differences in metastasis-free survival (MFS) and overall survival (OS) between the groups. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to analyze any association of glucocorticoids with clinical outcomes. Results: A total of 76 (41.1%) patients received perioperative glucocorticoids. Median postoperative follow-up was 2.0 years. Kaplan–Meier survival curve indicated that the glucocorticoids group was significantly associated with increased distant MFS (p=0.008) but not with OS. In the multivariate analysis, no significant differences were observed for MFS between the groups. Interestingly, when the variable of blood transfusion was excluded from the multivariate analysis model, we found that patients receiving glucocorticoids were independently associated with worse MFS (hazard ratio, 1.790; p=0.030). Furthermore, the partial correlation analysis showed a significant positive correlation between perioperative glucocorticoids and blood transfusion (r=0.604, p<0.001). In the nontransfusion subgroup, propensity score matching showed that patients receiving glucocorticoids had a higher risk of distant metastasis. Conclusions: Perioperative glucocorticoids were associated with a higher rate of distant metastasis in patients undergoing RC for bladder cancer.

Molecular Dynamics Simulation to Investigate the Rake Angle Effects on Nanometric Cutting of Single Crystal Ni3Al

Rui-cheng Feng,Yong-nian Qi,Zong-xiao Zhu,Wen-yuan Song,Hai-yan Li,Mao-mao Wang,Zhi-yuan Rui,Feng-shou Gu 한국정밀공학회 2020 International Journal of Precision Engineering and Vol.21 No.4

Molecular dynamics, an eff ective method to gain an insight into nanometric behaviour of materials, was employed to studythe nano-cutting behaviour of single crystal Ni 3 Al in nanometric scale. In this paper, comparisons were made for compressive/tensile stress, subsurface damage and surface roughness with three rake angles of a diamond tool. Subsurface damage waspartitioned by region and studied with work hardening in detail. A model for precise characterization of surface roughnesswas established with consideration of local surface fl uctuation. Simulation results showed that the chip thickness increasedas rake angle changed from negative to positive, and the boundary formed between tensile and compressive stress was inconsistent with the glide direction of stacking fault. Subsurface damage decreased as the increase of rake angle, and regularglide planes of stacking faults were found in front of the cutting tool. Further, the pinned dissociated 1/2 < 110 > superpartialdislocation with anti-phase boundary was demonstrated. The model was tested and characterized by implanted pits onperfect surface. Results showed that surface roughness can be well characterized, and an evident discrepancy was observedamong three rake angles, especially for 30° rake angle, which showed an distinct smooth surface compared with the others.

Simulation of porous claddings using LES and URANS: A 5:1 rectangular cylinder

Mao Xu,Luca Patruno,Yuan-Lung Lo,Stefano de Miranda,Francesco Ubertini 한국풍공학회 2022 Wind and Structures, An International Journal (WAS Vol.35 No.1

While the aerodynamics of solid bluff bodies is reasonably well-understood and methodologies for their reliable numerical simulation are available, the aerodynamics of porous bluff bodies formed by assembling perforated plates has received less attention. The topic is nevertheless of great technical interest, due to their ubiquitous presence in applications (fences, windbreaks and double skin facades to name a few). This work follows previous investigations by the authors, aimed at verifying the consistency of numerical simulations based on the explicit modelling of the perforated plates geometry and their representation by means of pressure-jumps. In this work we further expand such investigations and, contextually, we provide insight into the flow arrangement and its sensitivity to important modelling and setup configurations. To this purpose, Unsteady Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (URANS) and Large-Eddy Simulations (LES) are performed for a 5:1 rectangular cylinder at null angle of attack. Then, using URANS, porosity and attack angle are simultaneously varied. To the authors' knowledge this is the first time in which LES are used to model a porous bluff body and compare results obtained using the explicit modelling approach to those obtained relying on pressure-jumps. Despite the flow organization often shows noticeable differences, good agreement is found between the two modelling strategies in terms of drag force.

Genome-wide analysis of chemosensory protein genes in the small white butterfly Pieris rapae (Lepidoptera: Pieridae)

Mao-Ye Li,Xiu-Yun Jiang,Xi-Ya Liu,Yuan-Jie Huang,Shi-Guang Li,Su Liu 한국응용곤충학회 2020 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.23 No.3

Chemosensory proteins (CSPs) play a crucial role in olfactory recognition in insects. The small white butterfly Pieris rapae—a major pest of Brassicaceae vegetables, which causes enormous economic losses—uses olfaction to locate its host plants. However, the molecular mechanism of olfaction in this species remains unknown. Herein, we performed a genome-wide and transcriptome-wide analysis of CSP genes in P. rapae and identified 21 CSPs (PrapCSP1 to PrapCSP21). Proteins encoded by these genes showed typical characteristics of CSPs—an Nterminal signal peptide and four positionally conserved cysteine residues. BLASTX analysis indicated that most P. rapae CSPs showed high amino acid identity with their respective orthologs in other lepidopterans. Phylogenetic analysis showed that most P. rapae CSPs were well segregated and were clustered into different branches. The 21 genes were located on six genomic scaffolds, and most genes were tandemly arrayed. Quantitative reverse transcription-PCR showed that PrapCSP3, 4, 16 and 21 had the highest expression level in the antennae; PrapCSP7 and PrapCSP18 were mainly expressed in the ovaries, and PrapCSP9 and PrapCSP17 were leg-enriched. PrapCSP11 and PrapCSP20 were found mainly in the heads and testes, respectively. Our findings provide a solid foundation for studying the function of these genes.

Mesenchymal glioma stem cells are maintained by activated glycolytic metabolism involving aldehyde dehydrogenase 1A3

Mao, Ping,Joshi, Kaushal,Li, Jianfeng,Kim, Sung-Hak,Li, Peipei,Santana-Santos, Lucas,Luthra, Soumya,Chandran, Uma R.,Benos, Panayiotis V.,Smith, Luke,Wang, Maode,Hu, Bo,Cheng, Shi-Yuan,Sobol, Robert W National Academy of Sciences 2013 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF Vol.110 No.21

<P>Tumor heterogeneity of high-grade glioma (HGG) is recognized by four clinically relevant subtypes based on core gene signatures. However, molecular signaling in glioma stem cells (GSCs) in individual HGG subtypes is poorly characterized. Here we identified and characterized two mutually exclusive GSC subtypes with distinct dysregulated signaling pathways. Analysis of mRNA profiles distinguished proneural (PN) from mesenchymal (Mes) GSCs and revealed a pronounced correlation with the corresponding PN or Mes HGGs. Mes GSCs displayed more aggressive phenotypes in vitro and as intracranial xenografts in mice. Further, Mes GSCs were markedly resistant to radiation compared with PN GSCs. The glycolytic pathway, comprising aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) family genes and in particular ALDH1A3, were enriched in Mes GSCs. Glycolytic activity and ALDH activity were significantly elevated in Mes GSCs but not in PN GSCs. Expression of ALDH1A3 was also increased in clinical HGG compared with low-grade glioma or normal brain tissue. Moreover, inhibition of ALDH1A3 attenuated the growth of Mes but not PN GSCs. Last, radiation treatment of PN GSCs up-regulated Mes-associated markers and down-regulated PN-associated markers, whereas inhibition of ALDH1A3 attenuated an irradiation-induced gain of Mes identity in PN GSCs. Taken together, our data suggest that two subtypes of GSCs, harboring distinct metabolic signaling pathways, represent intertumoral glioma heterogeneity and highlight previously unidentified roles of ALDH1A3-associated signaling that promotes aberrant proliferation of Mes HGGs and GSCs. Inhibition of ALDH1A3-mediated pathways therefore might provide a promising therapeutic approach for a subset of HGGs with the Mes signature.</P>

rs12904 Polymorphism in the 3'UTR of EFNA1 is Associated with Colorectal Cancer Susceptibility in a Chinese Population

Mao, Ying-Ying,Jing, Fang-Yuan,Jin, Ming-Juan,Li, Ying-Jun,Ding, Ye,Guo, Jing,Wang, Fen-Juan,Jiang, Long-Fang,Chen, Kun Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.9

Accumulated evidence has indicated that Ephrin A1 (EFNA1) is associated with angiogenesis and tumorigenesis in various types of malignancies, including colorectal cancer (CRC). In the current study, we performed an online search using the public microarray database to investigate whether EFNA1 expression might be altered in CRC tissues. We then conducted a case-control study including 306 subjects (102 cases and 204 well-matched controls) in Xiaoshan County to assess any association between genetic polymorphisms in EFNA1 and CRC susceptibility. Searches in the Oncomine expression profiling database revealed EFNA1 to be overexpressed in CRC tissue compared with adjacent normal tissue. The rs12904 G-A variant located in the 3' untranslated region (UTR) of EFNA1 was observed to be associated with CRC susceptibility. Compared with the AA homozygous genotype, those carrying GA genotype had a decreased risk of developing CRC (odds ratio (OR)=0.469, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.225-0.977, and P=0.043). The association was stronger among smokers and tea drinkers, however, no statistical evidence of interaction between rs12904 polymorphism and smoking or tea drinking on CRC risk was found. Our results suggest that EFNA1 is involved in colorectal tumorigenesis, and rs12904 A>G polymorphism in the 3' UTR of EFNA1 is associated with CRC susceptibility. Larger studies and further mechanistic investigations are warranted to confirm our findings.

Polycaprolactone Scaffold Modified with Galactosylated Chitosan for Hepatocyte Culture

Yuan Qiu,Changyou Gao,Zhengwei Mao,Yimu Zhao,Jichuan Zhang,Qi Guo,Zhongru Gou 한국고분자학회 2012 Macromolecular Research Vol.20 No.3

A suitable extracellular matrix that can maintain long-term proliferation and liver-specific functions of hepatocytes is essential for both extracorporeal bioartificial liver (BAL) assist systems and implantable cell-scaffold constructs. In this work, a polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffold was modified with galactosylated chitosan (GC) to achieve better bioactivity and mechanical stability. The PCL scaffold, prepared by a method of gelatin particle leaching,was hydrolyzed to produce carboxylic groups that were utilized to react with the amine groups of the GC, which was synthesized by grafting the galactose to chitosan. Results showed that the content of carboxylic groups was increased initially with the hydrolysis time until 10 min, at which a COOH density of 2.0×10-5 mol/mg scaffold was reached. The incorporated GC amount showed a positive relationship with the COOH density and finally reached a 100 μg/mg scaffold with a hydrolysis time of 15 min. The incorporated GC was rather stable against incubation in the medium, and could significantly enhance the compression strength of the PCL scaffold in a wet state. With the galactose ligands on the surface, the PCL scaffold could be better recognized by hepatocytes, and show better cell viability, spheroid formation and long-term maintenance of liver-specific functions such as albumin secretion.

Fault Detection of a Proposed Three-Level Inverter Based on a Weighted Kernel Principal Component Analysis

Mao Lin,Ying-Hui Li,Liang Qu,Chen Wu,Guo-Qiang Yuan 전력전자학회 2016 JOURNAL OF POWER ELECTRONICS Vol.16 No.1

Fault detection is the research focus and priority in this study to ensure the high reliability of a proposed three-level inverter. Kernel principal component analysis (KPCA) has been widely used for feature extraction because of its simplicity. However, highlighting useful information that may be hidden under retained KPCs remains a problem. A weighted KPCA is proposed to overcome this shortcoming. Variable contribution plots are constructed to evaluate the importance of each KPC on the basis of sensitivity analysis theory. Then, different weighting values of KPCs are set to highlight the useful information. The weighted statistics are evaluated comprehensively by using the improved feature eigenvectors. The effectiveness of the proposed method is validated. The diagnosis results of the inverter indicate that the proposed method is superior to conventional KPCA.

On the numerical simulation of perforated bluff-bodies: A CFD study on a hollow porous 5:1 rectangular cylinder

Mao Xu,Luca Patruno,Yuan-Lung Lo,Stefano de Miranda,Francesco Ubertini 한국풍공학회 2022 Wind and Structures, An International Journal (WAS Vol.34 No.1

In this work the flow through a hollow porous 5:1 rectangular cylinder made of perforated plates is numerically investigated by means of 2D URANS based simulations. Two approaches are adopted to account for the porous surfaces: in the first one the pores are explicitly modeled, so providing a detailed representation of the flow. In the second one, the porous surfaces are modeled by means of pressure jumps, which allow to take into account the presence of pores without reproducing the flow details. Results obtained by using the two aforementioned techniques are compared aiming at evaluating differences and similarities, as well as identifying the main flow features which might cause discrepancies. Results show that, even in the case of pores remarkably smaller than the immersed body, their arrangement can lead to local mechanisms able to affect the global flow arrangement, so limiting the accuracy of pressure jumps based simulations. Despite that, time-averaged fields often show a reasonable agreement between the two approaches.