Astragali Radix: comprehensive review of its botany, phytochemistry, pharmacology and clinical application

Ya-Xiao Liu,Xiao-Mei Song,Lin-Wei Dan,Jia-Mei Tang,Yi Jiang,Chong Deng,Dong-Dong Zhang,Yu-Ze Li,Wei Wang 대한약학회 2024 Archives of Pharmacal Research Vol.47 No.3

Astragali Radix ( A. Radix ) is the dried root of Astragalus membranaceus var. mongholicus (Bge) Hsiao or Astragalusmembranaceus (Fisch.) Bge., belonging to the family Leguminosae, which is mainly distributed in China. A. Radix hasbeen consumed as a tonic in China for more than 2000 years because of its medicinal eff ects of invigorating the spleenand replenishing qi. Currently, more than 400 natural compounds have been isolated and identifi ed from A. Radix , mainlyincluding saponins, fl avonoids, phenylpropanoids, alkaloids, and others. Modern pharmacological studies have shown thatA. Radix has anti-tumor, anti-infl ammatory, immunomodulatory, anti-atherosclerotic, cardioprotective, anti-hypertensive,and anti-aging eff ects. It has been clinically used in the treatment of tumors, cardiovascular diseases, and cerebrovascularcomplications associated with diabetes with few side eff ects and high safety. This paper reviewed the progress of researchon its chemical constituents, pharmacological eff ects, clinical applications, developing applications, and toxicology, whichprovides a basis for the better development and utilization of A. Radix .

Experimental and numerical investigation on post-earthquake fire behaviour of the circular concrete-filled steel tube columns

Yu-Hang Wang,Qi Tang,Mei-Ni Su,Ji-Ke Tan,Wei-Yong Wang,Yong-Sen Lan,Xiao-Wei Deng,Yong-Tao Bai,Wei Luo,Xiao-Hua Li,Jiu-Lin Bai 국제구조공학회 2021 Steel and Composite Structures, An International J Vol.38 No.1

Post-earthquake fire is a common disaster which causes serious safety issues to infrastructures. This study aims to investigate the residual loading capacities of circular concrete-filled steel tube (CFST) columns under post-earthquake fire experimentally and numerically. The experimental programme contains two loading steps - pre-damage cyclic loading at room temperature and transient state tests with constant compression loads. Three finite element models are developed and validated against the test results. Upon validation, a total of 48 numerical results were generated in the parametric study to investigate the effects of thickness and strengths of steel tube, axial compression ratio and damage degree on the fire resistance of circular CFST columns. Based on the analysis on experimental and numerical results, the loading mechanism of circular CFST columns is discussed. A design method is proposed for the prediction of fire resistance time under different seismic pre-damage and compression loads. The predictions by the new method is compared with the newly generated experimental and numerical results and is found to be accurate and consistent with the mean value close to the unity and a coefficient of variation around 1%.

Functional RsaI/PstI Polymorphism in Cytochrome P450 2E1 Contributes to Bladder Cancer Susceptibility: Evidence from a Meta-analysis

Deng, Xiao-Dong,Gao, Qin,Zhang, Bo,Zhang, Li-Xia,Zhang, Wei,Er, Zhe-Er Mu,Xie, Ying,Ma, Ying,Liu, Yun Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.12

Background: Cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) might be involved in the development of bladder cancer. However, previous studies of any association between CYP2E1 RsaI/PstI polymorphism and bladder cancer risk have yielded conflicting results. In this study, we performed a more precise estimation of the relationship by a meta-analysis based on the currently available evidence from the literature. Method: To assess the effect of CYP2E1 RsaI/PstI polymorphism on bladder cancer susceptibility, a meta-analysis of 6 available studies with 1,510 cases and 1,560 controls were performed through Feb 2014. Summary odds ratios (ORs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to estimate the strength of association for CYP2E1 RsaI/PstI polymorphism under different genetic models. Results: When available studies were pooled into the meta-analysis, we found that the C1C2 and C2C2 genotypes of CYP2E1 RsaI/PstI polymorphism significantly decreased bladder cancer risk under different genetic models (heterozygote: OR=0.766, 95%CI=0.613-0.957, $P_{OR}$=0.019; homozygote: OR=0.51, 95%CI=0.303-0.858, $P_{OR}$=0.011; dominant: OR=0.733, 95%CI=0.593-0.905, $P_{OR}$=0.004; recessive: OR=0.565, 95%CI=0.337-0.947, $P_{OR}$=0.030). Subgroup analysis indicated that C2C2 genotype was significantly associated with decreased bladder cancer risk under the homozygote genetic model in Caucasians. There was no evidence of heterogeneity or publication bias. Conclusions: The current meta-analysis suggested that the CYP2E1 RsaI/PstI polymorphism might be associated with bladder cancer susceptibility, especially in Caucasians. Further studies are needed to validate the above conclusion.

Spatial Path Following Control of an Autonomous Underactuated Airship

Wei-Xiang Zhou,Chang Xiao,Ping-Fang Zhou,Deng-Ping Duan 제어·로봇·시스템학회 2019 International Journal of Control, Automation, and Vol.17 No.7

This paper studies the spatial path following control of an autonomous underactuated airship in the presence of model uncertainties and external disturbances. Firstly, the nonlinear dynamics model, kinematics modeland path following error dynamics model are given. And the control objective is formulated. Then, an adaptivebackstepping sliding mode controller is designed. Besides, to overcome the disadvantage of dependence on theaccurate vehicle model, a nonlinear disturbance observer (NDOB) is adopted to estimate the attack and sideslip angular velocities. In addition, when backstepping technique is uesd, the complex analytic computation of commandderivative is required to be known. To handle this problem, a sliding mode differentiator is implemented to generatethe command derivatives. Finally, the closed loop stability for the system is proved using Lyapunov stability theory. Numerical simulations are given to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.

An Effective Method for Extraction of Glutaryl-7-aminocephalosporanic Acid Acylase from Recombinant E. coli Cells

Xiao-qiang Ma,Er-zheng Su,Sen-wen Deng,Dong-zhi Wei 한국생물공학회 2015 Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering Vol.20 No.4

In this study, several chemical treatment techniques commonly used for protein extraction were investigated for recovering glutaryl-7-aminocephalosporanic acid acylase (GLA) from recombinant E. coli cells. The best results were obtained by the combined use of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and KCl. Subsequently, various extraction conditions, such as cation salt, concentrations of CTAB and KCl, extraction temperature, extraction time, and biomass, were optimized to further enhance the release yield and specific activity of GLA. Our results showed that 110% of GLA was released after treatment with 0.5% CTAB (w/v, %) and 0.3 M KCl at 10°C for 12 h, and its specific activity in this extracting solution was approximately 1.5 times higher as compared to that obtained by sonication. This extraction method could avoid the inactivation of GLA caused by drastic mechanical methods, and also enhance its specific activity for industrial extraction.

ZNF552, a novel human KRAB/C2H2 zinc finger protein, inhibits AP-1- and SRE-mediated transcriptional activity

( Yun Deng ),( Bi Sheng Liu ),( Xiong Wei Fan ),( Yue Qun Wang ),( Ming Tang ),( Xiao Yang Mo ),( Yong Qing Li ),( Zao Chu Ying ),( Yong Qi Wan ),( Na Luo ),( Jun Mei Zhou ),( Xiu Shan Wu ),( Wu Zhou 한국생화학분자생물학회 (구 한국생화학회) 2010 BMB Reports Vol.43 No.3

In this study, we report the identification and characterization of a novel C2H2 zinc finger protein, ZNF552, from a human embryonic heart cDNA library. ZNF552 is composed of three exons and two introns and maps to chromosome 19q13.43. The cDNA of ZNF552 is 2.3 kb, encoding 407 amino acids with an amino-terminal KRAB domain and seven carboxyl-terminal C2H2 zinc finger motifs in the nucleus and cytoplasm. Northern blotting analysis indicated that a 2.3 kb transcript specific for ZNF552 was expressed in liver, lung, spleen, testis and kidney, especially with a higher level in the lung and testis in human adult tissues. Reporter gene assays showed that ZNF552 was a transcriptional repressor, and overexpression of ZNF552 in the COS-7 cells inhibited the transcriptional activities of AP-1 and SRE, which could be relieved through RNAi analysis. Deletion studies showed that the KRAB domain of ZNF552 may be involved in this inhibition. [BMB reports 2010; 43(3): 193-198]

Geft is dispensable for the development of the second heart field

( Xiong Wei Fan ),( Ning Hou ),( Kai Ji Fan ),( Jia Jia Yuan ),( Xiao Yang Mo ),( Yun Deng ),( Yong Qi Wan ),( Yan Teng ),( Xiao Yang ),( Xius Han Wu ) 생화학분자생물학회 (구 한국생화학분자생물학회) 2012 BMB Reports Vol.45 No.3

Geft is a guanine nucleotide exchange factor, which can specifically activate Rho family of small GTPase by catalyzing the exchange of bound GDP for GTP. Geft is highly expressed in the excitable tissue as heart and skeletal muscle and plays important roles in many cellular processes, such as cell proliferation, migration, and cell fate decision. However, the in vivo role of Geft remains unknown. Here, we generated a Geft conditional knockout mouse by flanking exons 5-17 of Geft with loxP sites. Cre-mediated deletion of the Geft gene in heart using Mef2c-Cre transgenic mice resulted in a dramatic decrease of Geft expression. Geft knockout mice develop normally and exhibit no discernable phenotype, suggesting Geft is dispensable for the development of the second heart field in mouse. The Geft conditional knockout mouse will be a valuable genetic tool for uncovering the in vivo roles of Geft during development and in adult homeostasis. (BMB reports 2012; 45(3): 153-158)

Dimethyl Sulfoxide Suppresses Mouse 4T1 Breast Cancer Growth by Modulating Tumor-Associated Macrophage Differentiation

Rui Deng,Shi-min Wang,Tao Yin,Ting-hong Ye,Guo-bo Shen, Ling Li,Jing-yi Zhao,Ya-xiong Sang,Xiao-gang Duan,Yu-Quan Wei 한국유방암학회 2014 Journal of breast cancer Vol.17 No.1

Purpose: The universal organic solvent dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)can be used as a differentiation inducer of many cancer cells andhas been widely used as a solvent in laboratories. However, itseffects on breast cancer cells are not well understood. The aimof this study is to investigate the effect and associated mechanismsof DMSO on mouse breast cancer. Methods: We appliedDMSO to observe the effect on tumors in a mouse breast cancermodel. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) were tested byflow cytometry. Ex vivo tumor microenvironment was imitated by4T1 cultured cell conditioned medium. Enzyme-linked immunosorbentassays were performed to detect interleukin (IL)-10 andIL-12 expression in medium. To investigate the cytotoxicity ofDMSO on TAMs, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazoliumbromide (MTT) assays were performed. Results: We foundthat DMSO produced tumor retardation when injected into mouseperitoneal cavities in a certain concentration range (0.5–1.0 mg/g). Furthermore, as detected by flow cytometry, TAM subtypeswere found to be transformed. We further imitated a tumor microenvironmentin vitro by using 4T1 cultured cell conditionedmedium. Similarly, by using low concentration DMSO (1.0%–2.0% v/v), TAMs were induced to polarize to the classically activatedmacrophage (M1-type) and inhibited from polarizing intothe alternatively activated macrophage (M2-type) in the conditionedmedium. IL-10 expression in tumors was reduced, whileIL-12 was increased compared with the control. Furthermore, wereported that 2.0% (v/v) DMSO could lead to cytotoxicity in peritonealmacrophages after 48 hours in MTT assays. Conclusion:Our findings suggest that DMSO could exert antitumor effects in4T1 cancer-bearing mice by reversing TAM orientation and polarizationfrom M2- to M1-type TAMs. These data may providenovel insight into studying breast cancer immunotherapy.

Deep-blue organic light-emitting diodes based on multi-tert-butyl modified naphthylene

Bin Wei,Hanfei Xu,Ning Zhao,Xicun Gao,Yiteng Ye,Yingnan Wang,Dengli Yao,Xiao-Wen Zhang,Xiujuan Liu 한국공업화학회 2021 Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Vol.102 No.-

Six tert-butyls modified naphthyl derivative (2,6-di-tert-butyl-1,5-bis-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-phenyl)-naphthalene (N(dtb)4) was synthesized and tested for host and guest materials in organic light-emittingdiodes (OLEDs). Blue OLED using N(dtb)4 as a host and an emitter DSA-PH as a guest reaches an efficiencyof 11.52 cd A 1 (maximum external quantum efficiency 7.8 % and maximum power efficiency10.33 lm W 1). In addition, for the OLED with N(dtb)4 being a guest, we find that the concentrations ofN(dtb)4 will also affect the performance of the OLED, among which ADN: 5 wt.% N(dtb)4 has higher efficiency,and the maximum current efficiency, external quantum efficiency (EQE) and power efficiency ofthe device reach 3.75 cd A 1, 3.93 % and 3.36 lm W 1, respectively. We also investigated the pure N(dtb)4-based ultraviolet OLED (UV-OLED), and achieved the maximum EQE of the device is 1.12 %. These resultsindicate that N(dtb)4, a novel synthesized fluorescent organic material, has great potential applications inOLEDs and accordingly advancing lightings and displays.

Synergistic efficacy of LBH and αB-crystallin through inhibiting transcriptional activities of p53 and p21

( Yun Deng ),( Yong Qing Li ),( Xiong Wei Fan ),( Wu Zhou Yuan ),( Hua Ping Xie ),( Xiao Yang Mo ),( Yan Yan ),( Jun Mei Zhou ),( Yue Qun Wang ),( Xian Li Ye ),( Yong Qi Wan ),( Xiu Shan Wu ) 생화학분자생물학회 (구 한국생화학분자생물학회) 2010 BMB Reports Vol.43 No.6

LBH is a transcription factor as a candidate gene for CHD associated with partial trisomy 2p syndrome. To identify potential LBH-interacting partners, a yeast two-hybrid screen using LBH as a bait was performed with a human heart cDNA library. One of the clones identified encodes αB-crystallin. Co-immunoprecipitation and GST pull-down assays showed that LBH interacts with αB-crystallin, which is further confirmed by mammalian two-hybrid assays. Co-localization analysis showed that in COS-7 cells, αB-crystallin that is cytoplasmic alone, accumulates partialy in the nucleus when co-transfected with LBH. Transient transfection assays indicated that overexpression of LBH or αB-crystallin reduced the transcriptional activities of p53 and p21, respectively, Overexpression of both αB-crystallin and LBH together resulted in a stronger repression of the transcriptional activities of p21 and p53. These results showed that the interaction of LBH and αB-crystallin may inhibit synergistically the transcriptional regulation of p53 and p21. [BMB reports 2010; 43(6): 432-437]