White-Matter Hyperintensities and Lacunar Infarcts Are Associated with an Increased Risk of Alzheimer’s Disease in the Elderly in China

Shuai Ye,Shuyang Dong,Jun Tan,Le Chen,Hai Yang,Yang Chen,Zeyan Peng,Yingchao Huo,Juan Liu,Mingshan Tang,Yafei Li,Huadong Zhou,Yong Tao 대한신경과학회 2019 Journal of Clinical Neurology Vol.15 No.1

Background and Purpose This study investigated the contribution of white-matter hyperintensities (WMH) and lacunar infarcts (LI) to the risk of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) in an elderly cohort in China. Methods Older adults who were initially cognitively normal were examined with MRI at baseline, and followed for 5 years. WMH were classified as mild, moderate, or severe, and LI were classified into a few LI (1 to 3) or many LI (≥4). Cognitive function was assessed using the Mini Mental State Examination and the Activities of Daily Living scale. Results Among the 2,626 subjects, 357 developed AD by the end of the 5-year follow-up period. After adjusting for age and other potential confounders, having only WMH, having only LI, and having both WMH and LI were associated with an increased risk of developing AD compared with having neither WMH nor LI. Moderate and severe WMH were associated with an increased risk of developing AD compared with no WMH. Furthermore, patients with many LI had an increased risk of developing AD compared with no LI. Conclusions Having moderate or severe WMH and many LI were associated with an increased risk of developing AD, with this being particularly striking when both WMH and LI were present.

Structure and Performances of xLiFePO4/C·(1 − x)Li3V2(PO4)3/C Cathode for Lithium-Ion Batteries by Using Poly(vinyl alcohol) as Carbon Source

Chang-ling Fan,Wei-hua Zhang,Tao-tao Zeng,Ling-fang Li,Xiang Zhang,Shao-chang Han 대한화학회 2015 Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society Vol.36 No.11

Poly(vinyl alcohol), whose pyrolysis carbon possesses high conductivity of 8.88 × 10−1 S/cm, was used to synthesize xLiFePO4/C·(1 − x)Li3V2(PO4)3/C cathode. It was characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, conductivity, cyclic voltammetry, and galvanostatic charge and discharge experiments. Results show that LiFePO4/C and Li3V2(PO4)3/C coexists in the cathode. The particles sizes of 0.75LiFePO4/C·0.25Li3V2(PO4)3/C (x = 0.75) are much smaller than 100 nm due to the role of poly(vinyl alcohol). Its conductivity is 8.79 × 10−2 S/cm. The oxidative and reductive peaks in cyclic voltammetry are sharp and symmetrical. Their low potential gaps indicate that the extractions and insertions of lithium ion possess excellent reversibility. Its discharge capacities at 1 and 5 C are 141.1 and 100.1 mAh/g. The more Li3V2(PO4)3/C in cathode results in the deterioration of electrochemical performances due to its low theoretical capacity. It is concluded that poly(vinyl alcohol) is an effective carbon source in the preparation of xLiFePO4/C·(1 − x)Li3V2(PO4)3/C composite cathode with excellent performances.

Characteristics of isolated lactic acid bacteria and their effects on the silage quality

Siran Wang,Xianjun Yuan,Zhihao Dong,Junfeng Li,Gang Guo,Yunfeng Bai,Junyu Zhang,Tao Shao 아세아·태평양축산학회 2017 Animal Bioscience Vol.30 No.6

Objective: Four lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains isolated from common vetch, tall fescue and perennial ryegrass on the Tibetan Plateau were characterized, and their effects on the fermentation quality of Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) silage were studied. Methods: The four isolated strains and one commercial inoculant (G, Lactobacillus plantarum MTD-1) were evaluated using the acid production ability test, morphological observation, Gram staining, physiological, biochemical and acid tolerance tests. The five LAB strains were added to Italian ryegrass for ensiling at three different temperatures (10°C, 15°C, and 25°C). Results: All isolated strains (LCG3, LTG7, I5, and LI3) could grow at 5°C to 20°C, pH 3.0 to 8.0 and NaCl (3.0%, 6.5%). Strains LCG3, LTG7, I5, and LI3 were identified as Lactobacillus plantarum, Pediococcus acidilactici, Lactobacillus paraplantarum, and Lactobacillus casei by sequencing 16S rDNA, respectively. All LAB inoculants significantly (p<0.05) increased lactic acid (LA) contents and ratios of lactic acid to acetic acid, and reduced pH and ammonia nitrogen/ total nitrogen (AN/TN) compared with uninoculated silages at various temperatures (10°C, 15°C, and 25°C). Compared to the commercial inoculant G, I5, and LI3 showed similar effects on improving the silage quality of Italian ryegrass at 10°C and 15°C, indicated by similar pH, LA content and AN/TN. Conclusion: All inoculants could improve the silage fermentation quality at various temperatures (10°C, 15°C, and 25°C). At the temperature of 10°C and 15°C, strain I5 and LI3 had similar effects with the commercial inoculant G on improving the silage quality of Italian ryegrass.

Current state of research about acupuncture for the treatment of COVID-19: A scoping review

Chen Chen,Jie Zhan,Hao Wen,Xiaojing Wei,Lu Ding,Chenyang Tao,Cui Li,Peiming Zhang,Yuyuan Tang,Jing-chun Zeng,Li-ming Lu 한국한의학연구원 2021 Integrative Medicine Research Vol.10 No.-

Background Since the outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), acupuncture has been widely used in the treatment of COVID-19. The research community has responded rapidly and has already published many research articles about this topic. Methods We searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library as well as CNKI, Wanfang and VIP from January 1, 2020 to July 31, 2021. The dates of publication, language of publication, methodological characteristics and the key findings were analyzed separately. The data are presented as bar graphs, structured tables and figures. Results In this scoping review, 16 research articles were included: 7 case reports, 6 observational studies, 1 review, 1 RCT and 1 nonrandomized clinical trial. The majority of the articles (81.3%) were published by Chinese scholars, 12.5% articles were by scholars in the United States, and 6.3% articles were by scholars in Iran. The included studies reported that acupuncture could alleviate the symptoms of COVID-19 patients, shorten their hospitalization days, and is effective for the elderly. There were no side effects reported. The most frequent acupoints used were LI4, PC6, ST36 and KI3. They reported many obstacles in implementing acupuncture therapy for treating COVID-19 patients. Conclusion Acupuncture has a good effect for the treatment of COVID-19, but high-quality evidence support is still lacking. Coupled with the difficulties that acupuncturists experienced during the process of treatment, the promotion of acupuncture treatment for COVID-19 faces many obstacles. Background Since the outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), acupuncture has been widely used in the treatment of COVID-19. The research community has responded rapidly and has already published many research articles about this topic. Methods We searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library as well as CNKI, Wanfang and VIP from January 1, 2020 to July 31, 2021. The dates of publication, language of publication, methodological characteristics and the key findings were analyzed separately. The data are presented as bar graphs, structured tables and figures. Results In this scoping review, 16 research articles were included: 7 case reports, 6 observational studies, 1 review, 1 RCT and 1 nonrandomized clinical trial. The majority of the articles (81.3%) were published by Chinese scholars, 12.5% articles were by scholars in the United States, and 6.3% articles were by scholars in Iran. The included studies reported that acupuncture could alleviate the symptoms of COVID-19 patients, shorten their hospitalization days, and is effective for the elderly. There were no side effects reported. The most frequent acupoints used were LI4, PC6, ST36 and KI3. They reported many obstacles in implementing acupuncture therapy for treating COVID-19 patients. Conclusion Acupuncture has a good effect for the treatment of COVID-19, but high-quality evidence support is still lacking. Coupled with the difficulties that acupuncturists experienced during the process of treatment, the promotion of acupuncture treatment for COVID-19 faces many obstacles.

Facile and controllable synthesis of nitrogen self-doped chitosan-derived carbon for high-performance Li-ion batteries

Xia Wentao,Cheng Miao,Hu Jing,Liu Qianqian,Wei Tao,Wang Ruirui,Li Wanfei,Liu Bo 한국탄소학회 2024 Carbon Letters Vol.34 No.1

N-doping content and configurations have a significant effect on the electrochemical performance of carbon anodes. Herein, we proposed a simple method to synthesize highly N self-doped chitosan-derived carbon with controllable N-doping types by introducing 2ZnCO3·3Zn(OH)2 into the precursor. The as-synthesized NC-CS/2ZnCO3·3Zn(OH)2 electrode exhibited more than twice the reversible capacity (518 mAh g−1 after 100 cycles at 200 mA g−1) compared to the NC-CS electrode, superior rate performance and outstanding cycling stability. The remarkable improvement should be mainly attributed to the increase of N-doping content (particularly the pyrrolic-N content), which provided more active sites and favored Li+ diffusion kinetics. This study develops a cost-effective and facile synthesis route to fabricate high-performance N self-doped carbon with tunable doping sites for rechargeable battery applications.

Evolution of the effect of sulfur confinement in graphene-based porous carbons for use in Li-S batteries

Jia, Xiangling,Zhang, Chen,Liu, Juanjuan,Lv, Wei,Wang, Da-Wei,Tao, Ying,Li, Zhengjie,Zheng, Xiaoyu,Yu, Jong-Sung,Yang, Quan-Hong The Royal Society of Chemistry 2016 Nanoscale Vol.8 No.8

<P>A controllable drying strategy is proposed for the precise and non-destructive control over the structure of a 3D graphene assembly. Such an assembly is used as a model carbon material to investigate the pore structure-dependent shuttle effect and cycling performance of the cathode of a Li-S battery.</P>

Effect of aberrantly methylated androgen receptor target gene PCDH7 on the development of androgen-independent prostate cancer cells

Siqi Xu,Xiaoyan Wu,Zhihua Tao,Hongsheng Li1,Chenliang Fan,Songjin Chen,Jianwei Guo,Yao Ning,Xuqi Hu 한국유전학회 2020 Genes & Genomics Vol.42 No.3

Background Androgen-independent prostate cancer (AIPC) is an extremely malignant tumor developed from the androgen dependent (ADPC). However, the mechanism of transition process from ADPC to AIPC remains unknown. Objective Here we aimed to identify the androgen receptor (AR) target gene and its roles in AIPC. Methods Target genes of AR were identified by ChIP-seq in AIPC cells. AR target gene PCDH7 was detected by real time PCR and western blot. Methylation of PCDH7 was measured by bisulfite sequencing and bisulfite amplicon sequencing. Cell growth, invasion and apoptosis were measured by CCK-8, transwell and flow cytometry, respectively. Results AR was significantly enriched in the upstream of PCDH7 gene. The expression of PCDH7 was significantly decreased, while the methylation of PCDH7 was increased in the AIPC cells compared to the ADPC cells. DNA methyltransferase inhibitor significantly suppressed the methylation and increased the mRNA and protein level of PCDH7. Moreover, overexpression of DNMT1 remarkably reduced the mRNA and protein level of PCDH7. DNA methyltransferase inhibitor decreased the cell growth and invasion while promote the cell apoptosis in the AIPC cells. AR significantly target PCDH7, whose hypermethylation may repress cell growth and invasion, and promote apoptosis in AIPC. Conclusions This study might provide a novel potential target for the treatment of AIPC.

Pyrophosphate-triggered nanoaggregates with aggregation-induced emission

Li, Chun-Tao,Xu, You-Liang,Yang, Jian-Gong,Chen, Yong,Kim, Hyeong Seok,Cao, Qian-Yong,Kim, Jong Seung Elsevier Sequoia 2017 Sensors and actuators. B Chemical Vol.251 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>A novel tetraphenylethene-based probe bearing bis-imidazolium anion donors is herein reported for pyrophosphate anion recognition. This probe can self-assemble finite, small sphere nanoaggregates with very weak emission in aqueous solution, and changes into large rod-like nanoaggregates with strong aggregation-induced emission upon binding with the pyrophosphate anion.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> A bis-imidazolium functionalized tetraphenylethene probe was prepared. </LI> <LI> This probe self-assemble finite small sphere nanoaggregates in aqueous solution. </LI> <LI> The probe can recognize pyrophosphate anion with strong aggregation-induced emission. </LI> <LI> The probe/pyrophosphate assembly can fluorescence assay alkaline phosphatase. </LI> </UL> </P> <P><B>Graphical abstract</B></P> <P>A novel nanoaggregates for recognition of pyrophosphate anion with aggregation-induced emission in pure aqueous solution is introduced.</P> <P>[DISPLAY OMISSION]</P>

Titania nanopores with dual micro-/nano-topography for selective cellular bioactivity

Gulati, Karan,Moon, Ho-Jin,Li, Tao,Sudheesh Kumar, P.T.,Ivanovski, Saš,o Elsevier 2018 Materials Science and Engineering C Vol.91 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>This letter describes a simple surface modification strategy based on a single-step electrochemical anodization towards generating dual micro- and nano-rough horizontally-aligned TiO<SUB>2</SUB> nanopores on the surface of clinically utilized micro-grooved titanium implants. Primary macrophages, osteoblasts and fibroblasts were cultured on the nano-engineered implants, and it was demonstrated that the modified surfaces selectively reduced the proliferation of macrophages (immunomodulation), while augmenting the activity of osteoblasts (osseo-integration) and fibroblasts (soft-tissue integration). Additionally, the mechanically robust nanopores also stimulated osteoblast and fibroblast adhesion, attachment and alignment along the direction of the pores/grooves, while macrophages remained oval-shaped and sparsely distributed. This study for the first time reports the use of cost-effectively prepared nano-engineered titanium surface via anodization, with aligned multi-scale micro/nano features for selective cellular bioactivity, without the use of any therapeutics.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Single-step fabrication of dual micro-rough and nanoporous titanium surfaces </LI> <LI> Mechanically robust aligned nanopores with preserved underlying micro-features </LI> <LI> Upregulated attachment and adhesion of osteoblasts and fibroblasts </LI> <LI> Reduced macrophage proliferation and adherence </LI> <LI> Osteoblasts and fibroblasts align parallel to the nanopore arrangement. </LI> </UL> </P>

Predictive value of preoperative lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio for patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma

Li, Tao,Xu, Hang,Yang, Lu,Tan, Ping,Wei, Qiang Elsevier 2019 Clinica chimica acta Vol.492 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P><B>Background</B></P> <P>To determine the predictive value of preoperative lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR) for pathological and survival outcomes in upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) after radical nephroureterectomy (RNU).</P> <P><B>Methods</B></P> <P>This retrospective study included 704 UTUC patients between 2008 and 2017. We used a cutoff LMR of 3.6 to evaluate its relationship with oncological outcomes after RNU, using the Kaplan–Meier method and logistic regression models.</P> <P><B>Results</B></P> <P>During median follow-up of 39 months, decreased preoperative LMR was an independent predictor of poor pathological outcomes. Kaplan–Meier analysis revealed that patients with low LMR (<3.6) had poor cancer-specific survival (CSS), recurrence-free survival (RFS), and overall survival (OS); this prognostic value was ascertained for patients with high pathological grade and more advanced stage UTUC, but not for patients with low pathological features. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards model revealed that low LMR was an independent predictor of poor CSS, RFS and OS [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.42, <I>P</I> = 0.02; HR = 1.39, <I>P</I> = 0.008; HR = 1.38, <I>P</I> = 0.017, respectively].</P> <P><B>Conclusion</B></P> <P>Preoperative low LMR was an independent predictor of poor pathological and oncological outcomes of UTUC after RNU. Subgroup analysis confirmed that the prognostic value of LMR was confined to patients with a high pathological grade and more advanced stage tumor.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Preoperative low lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR) predicts worse pathologic result for upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) patients after radical nephroureterectomy (RNU). </LI> <LI> Preoperative low LMR is associated with poor clinical outcomes for UTUC patients after RUN. </LI> <LI> Preoperative low LMR exert a prognostic value mainly for UTUC patient with high pathologic grade and stage tumor. </LI> </UL> </P>