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.

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>

A Genetic Analysis of Taoyuan Pig and Its Phylogenetic Relationship to Eurasian Pig Breeds

Li, Kuan-Yi,Li, Kuang-Ti,Cheng, Chun-Chun,Chen, Chia-Hsuan,Hung, Chien-Yi,Ju, Yu-Ten Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2015 Animal Bioscience Vol.28 No.4

Taoyuan pig is a native Taiwan breed. According to the historical record, the breed was first introduced to Taiwan from Guangdong province, Southern China, around 1877. The breed played an important role in Taiwan's early swine industry. It was classified as an indigenous breed in 1986. After 1987, a conserved population of Taoyuan pig was collected and reared in isolation. In this study, mitochondrial DNA sequences and 18 microsatellite markers were used to investigate maternal lineage and genetic diversity within the Taoyuan pig population. Population differentiation among Taoyuan, Asian type, and European type pig breeds was also evaluated using differentiation indices. Only one D-loop haplotype of the Taoyuan pig was found. It clustered with Lower Changjiang River Basin and Central China Type pig breeds. Based on the polymorphism of microsatellite markers, a positive fixation index value ($F_{IS}$) indicates that the conserved Taoyuan population suffers from inbreeding. In addition, high $F_{ST}$ values (>0.2105) were obtained, revealing high differentiation among these breeds. Non-metric multi-dimensional scaling showed a clear geometric structure among 7 breeds. Together these results indicate that maternally Taoyuan pig originated in the Lower Changjiang River Basin and Central China; however, since being introduced to Taiwan differentiation has occurred. In addition, Taoyuan pig has lost genetic diversity in both its mitochondrial and nuclear genomes.

Factors Predicting the Effi cacy of Adefovir Dipivoxil on Treatment-Naïve Chronic Hepatitis B Patients at 48 Weeks

Li-Chun Wang,En-Qiang Chen,Xiao-Feng Zhu,Zhong-Hua Xiong,Li Liu,Lu Xu,Xue-Zhong Lei,Cong Liu,Hong Tang 거트앤리버 소화기연관학회협의회 2011 Gut and Liver Vol.5 No.4

Background/Aims: To reveal possible factors predicting the effect of adefovir dipivoxil (ADV) treatment on chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and optimize the utilization of ADV. Methods:In total, 168 treatment-naïve CHB patients were enrolled,including 117 hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive patients and 51 HBeAg-negative patients who met the inclusion criteria. All patients were treated with ADV 10 mg per day for 48 weeks. Multiple logistic regression analyses were used to investigate baseline factors, and responses at weeks 12and 24 were analyzed as predictive values. Results: Multiple regression analyses showed that baseline HBeAg status and HBV DNA levels signifi cantly affected the virological response (VR) (p<0.05), baseline ALT levels were an independent predictor of serological response (SR) (p<0.05) and the body mass index (BMI) may affect the biochemical response (BR)(p<0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in the VR and SR between patients with a primary nonresponse (PNR) at week 12 and those with a VR at week 12 (p<0.01). Additionally, the VR was significantly different between patients with HBV DNA lower than 10^3 copies/mL at week 24 and those with greater than 10^3 copies/mL (p<0.01). Conclusions: Patients with negative HBeAg, lower HBV DNA levels and higher ALT values at baseline are more suitable for ADV treatment, whereas patients with lower BMIs may be more amenable to ALT normalization. Adjustments for treatment strategy should be considered if PNR at week 12 or HBV DNA ≥103 copies/mL at week 24 is observed.

Ginsenoside Rg1 Induces Apoptosis through Inhibition of the EpoR-Mediated JAK2/STAT5 Signalling Pathway in the TF-1/Epo Human Leukemia Cell Line

Li, Jing,Wei, Qiang,Zuo, Guo-Wei,Xia, Jing,You, Zhi-Mei,Li, Chun-Li,Chen, Di-Long Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.6

Ginsenoside Rg1 is one effective anticancer and antioxidant constituent of total saponins of Panax ginseng (TSPG), which has been shown to have various pharmacological effects. Our previous study demonstrated that Rg1 had anti-tumor activity in K562 leukemia cells. The aim of this study was designed to investigate whether Rg1 could induce apoptosis in TF-1/Epo cells and further to explore the underlying molecular mechanisms. Here we found that Rg1 could inhibit TF-1/Epo cell proliferation and induce cell apoptosis in vitro in a concentration and time dependent manner. It also suppressed the expression of EpoR on the surface membrane and inhibited JAK2/STAT5 pathway activity. Rg1 induced up-regulation of Bax, cleaved caspase-3 and C-PAPR protein and down-regulation of Bcl-2 and AG490, a JAK2 specific inhibitor, could enhance the effects of Rg1. Our studies showed that EpoR-mediated JAK2/STAT5 signaling played a key role in Rg1-induced apoptosis in TF-1/Epo cells. These results may provide new insights of Rg1 protective roles in the prevention a nd treatment of leukemia.

Studies on the Mechanism of AIN Synthesis by Chemical Vapor Deposition

Li, Chun-Zhong,Hu, Li-Ming,Yuan, Wei-Kang,Chen, Min-Heng 한국재료학회 1995 Fabrication and Characterization of Advanced Mater Vol.2 No.4

Ultrafine AIN particles were synthesized by chemical vapor deposition at 973-1273K. Effects of reaction temperature, totlaflow rate AIC$l_3$ concentration on AIN particle morphology, particle size distribution were studied. Also investigated was the mechanism of the reaction between AIC$l_3$ and N$H_3$. The mechanisms for homogeneous formation of AIN particles and growth of AIN film by surface reactions were investigated.

Homocysteine-targeting compounds as a new treatment strategy for diabetic wounds via inhibition of the histone methyltransferase SET7/9

Li Guodong,Li Dan,Wu Chun,Li Shengnan,Chen Feng,Li Peng,Ko Chung-Nga,Wang Wanhe,Lee Simon Ming-Yuen,Lin Ligen,Ma Dik-Lung,Leung Chung-Hang 생화학분자생물학회 2022 Experimental and molecular medicine Vol.54 No.-

In hypoxia and hyperglycemia, SET7/9 plays an important role in controlling HIF-1α methylation and regulating the transcription of HIF-1α target genes, which are responsible for angiogenesis and wound healing. Here, we report the Ir(III) complex Set7_1a bearing acetonitrile (ACN) ligands as a SET7/9 methyltransferase inhibitor and HIF-1α stabilizer. Interestingly, Set7_1a could engage SET7/9 and strongly inhibit SET7/9 activity, especially after preincubation with homocysteine (Hcy), which is elevated in diabetes. We hypothesize that Set7_1a exchanges ACN subunits for Hcy to disrupt the interaction between SET7/9 and SAM/SAH, which are structurally related to Hcy. Inhibition of SET7/9 methyltransferase activity by Set7_1a led to reduced HIF-1α methylation at the lysine 32 residue, causing increased HIF-1α level and recruitment of HIF-1α target genes that promote angiogenesis, such as VEGF, GLUT1, and EPO, in hypoxia and hyperglycemia. Significantly, Set7_1a improved wound healing in a type 2 diabetic mouse model by activating HIF-1α signaling and downstream proangiogenic factors. To our knowledge, this is the first Hcy-targeting iridium compound shown to be a SET7/9 antagonist that can accelerate diabetic wound healing. More importantly, this study opens a therapeutic avenue for the treatment of diabetic wounds by the inhibition of SET7/9 lysine methyltransferase activity.

Generalization of Fisher′s linear discriminant analysis via the approach of sliced inverse regression

Chen, Chun-Houh,Li, Ker-Chau The Korean Statistical Society 2001 Journal of the Korean Statistical Society Vol.30 No.2

Despite of the rich literature in discriminant analysis, this complicated subject remains much to be explored. In this article, we study the theoretical foundation that supports Fisher's linear discriminant analysis (LDA) by setting up the classification problem under the dimension reduction framework as in Li(1991) for introducing sliced inverse regression(SIR). Through the connection between SIR and LDA, our theory helps identify sources of strength and weakness in using CRIMCOORDS(Gnanadesikan 1977) as a graphical tool for displaying group separation patterns. This connection also leads to several ways of generalizing LDA for better exploration and exploitation of nonlinear data patterns.

Ligand-Receptor Recognition for Activation of Quorum Sensing in Staphylococcus aureus

Li-Chun Chen,Li-Tse Tsou,Feng-Jui Chen 한국미생물학회 2009 The journal of microbiology Vol.47 No.5

The accessory gene regulator (agr) locus controls many of the virulence toxins involved in Staphylococcus aureus pathogenesis, and can be divided into four specificity groups. AgrC is the only group-specific receptor to mediate both intra-group activation and inter-group inhibition. We studied the ligand-receptor recognition of the agr system in depth by using a luciferase reporter system to identify the key residues responsible for AgrC activation in two closely related agr groups, AgrC-I, and AgrC-IV. Fusion PCR and site-directed mutagenesis were used to screen for functional residues of AgrC. Our data suggest that for AgrC-IV activation, residue 101 is critical for activating the receptor. In contrast, the key residues for the activation of AgrC-I are located at residues 49~59, 107, and 116. However, three residue changes, T101A, V107S, I116S, are sufficient to convert the AIP recognizing specificity from AgrC-IV to AgrC-I.

International Aid for Wildlife Conservation, Local Environmental Governance and Local Sustainable Livelihoods: Case of the Caohai Nature Reserve in China

( Li-chun Chen ) 한국환경경제학회·한국자원경제학회(구 한국환경경제학회) 2017 한국환경경제학회 학술발표논문집 Vol.2017 No.경제학 공동

With the international community clearly interested in environmental protection associated with rural development, the number of international aid projects on natural resources management or biodiversity protection has significantly grown, more than the number of projects in other fields. This paper takes a case of development assistance for biodiversity protection and poverty reduction at Guizhou Province in China. It examines not only the role of development assistance in reducing poverty with a goal to protect wild birds and broader biodiversity, but also actual activities which took place. The purpose of this paper is to show, through case analysis, how international aid efforts with a main goal of protecting the ecosystem can overcome unique difficulties that arise due to the fact that they must also reduce poverty. This paper argues that community-based regional development can contribute to the development of agricultural communities while preserving both traditional society and the environment. Environmental protection based on resident participation and close connection with local communities is effective even in areas of China as long as local residents hove long conducted economic activities for their livelihood there.