TANG1, Encoding a Symplekin_C Domain-Contained Protein, Influences Sugar Responses in Arabidopsis1

PubMed Central

Shang, Li; Chen, Xing; Zhang, Limin; Smith, Caroline; Jing, Hai-Chun

2015-01-01

Sugars not only serve as energy and cellular carbon skeleton but also function as signaling molecules regulating growth and development in plants. Understanding the molecular mechanisms in sugar signaling pathways will provide more information for improving plant growth and development. Here, we describe a sugar-hypersensitive recessive mutant, tang1. Light-grown tang1 mutants have short roots and increased starch and anthocyanin contents when grown on high-sugar concentration medium. Dark-grown tang1 plants exhibit sugar-hypersensitive hypocotyl elongation and enhanced dark development. The tang1 mutants also show an enhanced response to abscisic acid but reduced response to ethylene. Thus, tang1 displays a range of alterations in sugar signaling-related responses. The TANG1 gene was isolated by a map-based cloning approach and encodes a previously uncharacterized unique protein with a predicted Symplekin tight-junction protein C terminus. Expression analysis indicates that TANG1 is ubiquitously expressed at moderate levels in different organs and throughout the Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) life cycle; however, its expression is not affected by high-sugar treatment. Genetic analysis shows that PRL1 and TANG1 have additive effects on sugar-related responses. Furthermore, the mutation of TANG1 does not affect the expression of genes involved in known sugar signaling pathways. Taken together, these results suggest that TANG1, a unique gene, plays an important role in sugar responses in Arabidopsis. PMID:26002908

Spatial chaos of Wang tiles with two symbols

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Jin-Yu; Chen, Yu-Jie; Hu, Wen-Guei; Lin, Song-Sun

2016-02-01

This investigation completely classifies the spatial chaos problem in plane edge coloring (Wang tiles) with two symbols. For a set of Wang tiles B , spatial chaos occurs when the spatial entropy h ( B ) is positive. B is called a minimal cycle generator if P ( B ) ≠ 0̸ and P ( B ' ) = 0̸ whenever B ' ⫋ B , where P ( B ) is the set of all periodic patterns on ℤ2 generated by B . Given a set of Wang tiles B , write B = C 1 ∪ C 2 ∪ ⋯ ∪ C k ∪ N , where Cj, 1 ≤ j ≤ k, are minimal cycle generators and B contains no minimal cycle generator except those contained in C1∪C2∪⋯∪Ck. Then, the positivity of spatial entropy h ( B ) is completely determined by C1∪C2∪⋯∪Ck. Furthermore, there are 39 equivalence classes of marginal positive-entropy sets of Wang tiles and 18 equivalence classes of saturated zero-entropy sets of Wang tiles. For a set of Wang tiles B , h ( B ) is positive if and only if B contains a MPE set, and h ( B ) is zero if and only if B is a subset of a SZE set.

Analysis of temporal and spatial trends of hydro-climatic variables in the Wei River Basin.

PubMed

Zhao, Jing; Huang, Qiang; Chang, Jianxia; Liu, Dengfeng; Huang, Shengzhi; Shi, Xiaoyu

2015-05-01

The Wei River is the largest tributary of the Yellow River in China. The relationship between runoff and precipitation in the Wei River Basin has been changed due to the changing climate and increasingly intensified human activities. In this paper, we determine abrupt changes in hydro-climatic variables and identify the main driving factors for the changes in the Wei River Basin. The nature of the changes is analysed based on data collected at twenty-one weather stations and five hydrological stations in the period of 1960-2010. The sequential Mann-Kendall test analysis is used to capture temporal trends and abrupt changes in the five sub-catchments of the Wei River Basin. A non-parametric trend test at the basin scale for annual data shows a decreasing trend of precipitation and runoff over the past fifty-one years. The temperature exhibits an increase trend in the entire period. The potential evaporation was calculated based on the Penman-Monteith equation, presenting an increasing trend of evaporation since 1990. The stations with a significant decreasing trend in annual runoff mainly are located in the west of the Wei River primarily interfered by human activities. Regression analysis indicates that human activity was possibly the main cause of the decline of runoff after 1970. Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Structural behavior of the space shuttle SRM Tang-Clevis joint

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Greene, W. H.; Knight, N. F., Jr.; Stockwell, A. E.

1986-01-01

The space shuttle Challenger accident investigation focused on the failure of a tang-clevis joint on the right solid rocket motor. The existence of relative motion between the inner arm of the clevis and the O-ring sealing surface on the tang has been identified as a potential contributor to this failure. This motion can cause the O-rings to become unseated and therefore lose their sealing capability. Finite element structural analyses have been performed to predict both deflections and stresses in the joint under the primary, pressure loading condition. These analyses have demonstrated the difficulty of accurately predicting the structural behavior of the tang-clevis joint. Stresses in the vicinity of the connecting pins, obtained from elastic analyses, considerably exceed the material yield allowables indicating that inelastic analyses are probably necessary. Two modifications have been proposed to control the relative motion between the inner clevis arm and the tang at the O-ring sealing surface. One modification, referred to as the capture feature, uses additional material on the inside of the tang to restrict motion of the inner clevis arm. The other modification uses external stiffening rings above and below the joint to control the local bending in the shell near the joint. Both of these modifications are shown to be effective in controlling the relative motion in the joint.

Structural behavior of the space shuttle SRM tang-clevis joint

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Greene, William H.; Knight, Norman F., Jr.; Stockwell, Alan E.

1988-01-01

The space shuttle Challenger accident investigation focused on the failure of a tang-clevis joint on the right solid rocket motor. The existence of relative motion between the inner arm of the clevis and the O-ring sealing surface on the tang has been identified as a potential contributor to this failure. This motion can cause the O-rings to become unseated and therefore lose their sealing capability. Finite element structural analyses have been performed to predict both deflections and stresses in the joint under the primary, pressure loading condition. These analyses have demonstrated the difficulty of accurately predicting the structural behavior of the tang-clevis joint. Stresses in the vicinity of the connecting pins, obtained from elastic analyses, considerably exceed the material yield allowables indicating that inelastic analyses are probably necessary. Two modifications have been proposed to control the relative motion between the inner clevis arm and the tang at the O-ring sealing surface. One modification, referred to as the capture feature, uses additional material on the inside of the tang to restrict motion of the inner clevis arm. The other modification uses external stiffening rings above and below the joint to control the local bending in the shell near the joint. Both of these modifications are shown to be effective in controlling the relative motion in the joint.

Silica-volatile interaction and the geological cause of the Xuan Wei lung cancer epidemic

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

David J. Large; Shona Kelly; Baruch Spiro

2009-12-01

Parts of Xuan Wei County, Yunnan Province, China have the highest known lung cancer mortality in nonsmoking women. This high mortality displays a clear spatial relationship to the mines producing coal from the uppermost Permian. Geochemical, petrographic, and grain size analyses were undertaken on a set of coal samples from Xuan Wei. Results demonstrate that the single geochemical property that makes this coal unusual is its high concentration of quartz (13.5 wt %) of which 35-55% occurs as < 10 {mu}m grains. We propose the potential for silica-volatile interaction (PSVI) as a new method for assessing the combined influence ofmore » silica and volatile organic matter and use this as a basis for re-evaluating existing ecological data. Published lung cancer mortality values are more strongly correlated with PSVI values for Xuan Wei coal than with volatiles or silica alone and the PSVI values measured are distinct from those of other coals. Finally we propose that the localization of this epidemic to Xuan Wei results from enhanced weathering of the local Emeishan basalts as a consequence of geochemical perturbations at the Permo-Triassic Boundary.« less

[Textual research on the chronicle of Wang Fengchun's life].

PubMed

Wu, Z

1999-10-01

Wang Fengchun was a noted doctor in Beijing, but there were a lot of discrepancies and errors about the chronicle of Wang's life in the literatures. This article was a textual research on the chronicle of Wang Fengchun's life, such as the date of birth, the time when migrated to Beijing, and the number of years practised medicine in Beijing, mostly based on the Bo Lu Yi An.

T'ang Dynasty Tomb Figure.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Selle, Penny

1988-01-01

Uses a print of a T'ang Dynasty tomb figure to acquaint grades 10-12 students with the tools needed for developing aesthetic judgement and artistic criticism. Includes background on the artwork and instructional strategies to help students describe the object, analyze the artmaking process, and formulate their own opinions. (GEA)

The epidemiology of lung cancer in Xuan Wei, China: current progress, issues, and research strategies.

PubMed

Chapman, R S; Mumford, J L; Harris, D B; He, Z Z; Jiang, W Z; Yang, R D

1988-01-01

In Xuan Wei, a rural Chinese county of about one million people, females' annual lung cancer mortality is China's highest, and males' is among China's highest. Xuan Wei's very high indoor air pollution levels (sometimes exceeding 20 mg/m3), residentially stable population, relatively uncomplicated lifestyle, and wide geographic variation in lung cancer mortality render it highly amenable to quantitative, interdisciplinary investigation of chemical carcinogens due to indoor air pollution. To date, epidemiologic findings reveal a closer association of lung cancer with the indoor burning of "smoky" coal (as opposed to "smokeless" coal or wood) than with tobacco use or occupation. Current aerometric, chemical, and toxicologic findings tend to confirm this association, though the specific carcinogenic constituents of Xuan Wei indoor air pollution have not yet been determined. Chinese and American investigators are conducting interdisciplinary field and laboratory investigations to quantify the lung cancer risk attendant on indoor air pollution relative to other factors, to measure and compare the characteristics of pollution from different Xuan Wei fuels, to determine the relative etiologic importance of pollution composition and concentration, and to develop quantitative relationships between air pollution dose and lung cancer risk.

Dynamic monitoring of blood-brain barrier integrity using water exchange index (WEI) during mannitol and CO2 challenges in mouse brain.

PubMed

Huang, Shuning; Farrar, Christian T; Dai, Guangping; Kwon, Seon Joo; Bogdanov, Alexei A; Rosen, Bruce R; Kim, Young R

2013-04-01

The integrity of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) is critical to normal brain function. Traditional techniques for the assessment of BBB disruption rely heavily on the spatiotemporal analysis of extravasating contrast agents. However, such methods based on the leakage of relatively large molecules are not suitable for the detection of subtle BBB impairment or for the performance of repeated measurements in a short time frame. Quantification of the water exchange rate constant (WER) across the BBB using strictly intravascular contrast agents could provide a much more sensitive method for the quantification of the BBB integrity. To estimate WER, we have recently devised a powerful new method using a water exchange index (WEI) biomarker and demonstrated BBB disruption in an acute stroke model. Here, we confirm that WEI is sensitive to even very subtle changes in the integrity of the BBB caused by: (i) systemic hypercapnia and (ii) low doses of a hyperosmolar solution. In addition, we have examined the sensitivity and accuracy of WEI as a biomarker of WER using computer simulation. In particular, the dependence of the WEI-WER relation on changes in vascular blood volume, T1 relaxation of cellular magnetization and transcytolemmal water exchange was explored. Simulated WEI was found to vary linearly with WER for typically encountered exchange rate constants (1-4 Hz), regardless of the blood volume. However, for very high WER (>5 Hz), WEI became progressively more insensitive to increasing WER. The incorporation of transcytolemmal water exchange, using a three-compartment tissue model, helped to extend the linear WEI regime to slightly higher WER, but had no significant effect for most physiologically important WERs (WER < 4 Hz). Variation in cellular T1 had no effect on WEI. Using both theoretical and experimental approaches, our study validates the utility of the WEI biomarker for the monitoring of BBB integrity. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Dynamic Monitoring of Blood-Brain Barrier Integrity using Water Exchange Index (WEI) During Mannitol and CO2 Challenges in Mouse Brain

PubMed Central

Huang, Shuning; Farrar, Christian T.; Dai, Guangping; Kwon, Seon Joo; Bogdanov, Alexei A.; Rosen, Bruce R.; Kim, Young R.

2012-01-01

The integrity of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) is critical to normal brain function. Traditional techniques for assessing BBB disruption rely heavily on the spatiotemporal analysis of extravasating contrast agents. But such methods based on the leakage of relatively large molecules are not suitable to detect subtle BBB impairment or to perform repeated measurements in a short time frame. Quantification of the water exchange rate constant (WER) across the BBB using strictly intravascular contrast agents could provide a much more sensitive method for quantifying the BBB integrity. For estimating the WER, we have recently devised a powerful new method using a water exchange index (WEI) biomarker and demonstrated BBB disruption in an acute stroke model. Here we confirm that the WEI is sensitive to even very subtle changes in the integrity of the BBB caused by (1) systemic hypercapnia and (2) low doses of a hyperosmolar solution. In addition, we have examined the sensitivity and accuracy of the WEI as a biomarker of the WER using computer simulation. In particular, the dependence of the WEI-WER relation on changes in vascular blood volume, T1 relaxation of cellular magnetization, and transcytolemmal water exchange was explored. The simulated WEI was found to vary linearly with the WER for typically encountered exchange rate constants (1–4 Hz) regardless of the blood volume. However, for very high WER (>5 Hz) the WEI became progressively more insensitive to increasing WER. The incorporation of transcytolemmal water exchange, using a three-compartment tissue model, helped to extend the linear WEI regime to slightly higher WER, but had no significant effect for most physiologically important water exchange rate constants (WER<4 Hz). Variation in the cellular T1 had no effect on the WEI. Using both theoretical and experimental approaches, our study validates the utility of the WEI biomarker for monitoring BBB integrity. PMID:23055278

Cyclic Testing of the 6-Strand Tang and Modified Lim-Tsai Flexor Tendon Repair Techniques.

PubMed

Kang, Gavrielle Hui-Ying; Wong, Yoke-Rung; Lim, Rebecca Qian-Ru; Loke, Austin Mun-Kitt; Tay, Shian-Chao

2018-03-01

In this study, we compared the Tang repair technique with the 6-strand modified Lim-Tsai repair technique under cyclic testing conditions. Twenty fresh-frozen porcine flexor tendons were randomized into 2 groups for repair with either the modified Lim-Tsai or the Tang technique using Supramid 4-0 core sutures and Ethilon 6-0 epitendinous running suture. The repaired tendons were subjected to 2 stage cyclic loading. The survival rate and gap formation at the repair site were recorded. Tendons repaired by the Tang technique achieved an 80% survival rate. None of the modified Lim-Tsai repairs survived. The mean gap formed at the end of 1000 cycles was 1.09 mm in the Tang repairs compared with 4.15 mm in the modified Lim-Tsai repairs. The Tang repair is biomechanically stronger than the modified Lim-Tsai repair under cyclic loading. The Tang repair technique may exhibit a higher tolerance for active mobilization after surgery with less propensity for gap formation. Copyright © 2018 American Society for Surgery of the Hand. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

[Metabonomics on toxicity reduction of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma for Aconiti Lateralis Radix Preparata in Sini Tang].

PubMed

Li, Ying; Fu, Chao-Mei; Peng, Wei; Li, Bo; Fu, Shu; Zhang, Hui-Min

2016-04-01

To analyze the endogenous metabolite changes in rat plasma after intervention by Sini Tang and Sini Tang without Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma based on GC-MS metabonomics technology, and study the toxicity reduction effect of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma in Sini Tang on Aconiti Lateralis Radix Preparata. Eighteen SD rats were randomly divided into normal group, Sini Tang group and Sini Tang without Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma group on average. The rats in Sini Tang group and Sini Tang without Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma group were treated respectively with physic liquor by intragastric administration at the dose of 0.02 mL•g ⁻¹ (equivalent to 0.8 g•mL ⁻¹ crude drugs) once a day for 7 days. The rats in normal group were given with equal volume of saline solution. The plasma samples were collected from each rat 0.5 h after the last administration for GC-MS detection. The data was used for multivariate statistical analysis to obtain 14 potential metabolic markers(13 of them were identified). Then their relative content and metabolic pathways were analyzed. Compared with Sini Tang without Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma group, seven metabolic markers of were reduced in Sini Tang group. Analysis on physiological functions of these potential metabolic markers showed that the Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma in Sini Tang could reduce the toxicity of Aconiti Lateralis Radix Preparata by adjusting the glycolysis, lipid metabolism, citrate cycle and some amino acids metabolism. Copyright© by the Chinese Pharmaceutical Association.

[The affinity between Le family of Tong Ren Tang and acu-moxibustion as viewed from Mian xue tang zhen jiu ji cheng (Mian Xuetang's Synthetic Work of Acu-moxibustion)].

PubMed

Huang, L X

2017-11-28

This compilation process of Mian xue tang zhen jiu ji cheng ( Mian Xuetang ' s Synthetic Work of Acu - moxibustion )was quite mysterious, the book's advent coincidentally met with several major historical events which made its value of decoding its historical functions far beyond its academic value. The editor of this book is Le Xianyang, the founder of Tong Ren Tang. While compiling this book, he also made a replica of Ming-Dynasty's Zhengtong bronze statue. More than 200 years later, Le Jingyu, the 12th generation of the Le family revised Ming Tang Tu inherited from his ancestors and engraved Ming Tang Tu on the stone for its standardization. This great achievement of Le family was no less than the recasting of the Tiansheng bronze statue and the reengraving Tong ren shu xue zhen jiu tu jing ( Illustrated Manual of Acupuncture Points of the Bronze Figure ) by support of state power for building the Beijing Imperial Hospital in the eighth year of the Zhengtong reign (1443).

Grandfather Tang Goes to High School

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Johnson, Iris DeLoach

2006-01-01

This article describes how the children's literature book, Grandfather Tang's Story, which is commonly used in the elementary grades, may be used at the high school level to engage students in an exploration of area and perimeter which includes basic operations with square roots, ordering numbers (decimal approximations, and their exact…

China Report: Political, Sociological and Military Affairs. No. 429

DTIC Science & Technology

1983-06-10

according to the number of strokes in the family name. Wang Wei, (Wang Dachuan), (Wang Xinmin), Lu Liang, Lu Yukun, Zhu Danhua (female), (Liu Jiufeng...Li Shanyuan), He Shikun, (Shen Gan), Shen Hanqing, (Du Shijiu), Lu Xiaopeng, (Pu Jiguang), (Zhang Yulong), (Zhang Xiren), (Zhang Xiuxi), (Zhang...the session in accordance with the CPPCC Constitution. Wu Ping was elected chairman and Li Shizhang, Gu Jiguang, He Shikun, Lu Xiaopeng, Shen

The full-scale process and design changes for elimination of insulation edge separations and voids in tang flap area

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Danforth, Richard A.

1991-01-01

Qualification of the full-scale process and design changes for elimination of redesigned solid rocket motor tang nitrile butadiene rubber insulation edge separations and voids was performed from 24 March to 3 December 1990. The objectives of this test were: to qualify design and process changes on flight hardware using a tie ply between the redesigned solid rocket motor steel case and the nitrile butadiene rubber insulation over the tang capture features; to qualify the use of methyl ethyl ketone in the tang flap region to reduce voids; and to determine if holes in the separator film reduce voids in the tang flap region. The tie ply is intended to aid insulation flow during the insulation cure process, and thus reduce or eliminate edge unbonds. Methyl ethyl ketone is intended to reduce voids in the tang flap area by providing better tacking characteristics. The perforated film was intended to provide possible vertical breathe paths to reduce voids in the tang area. Tang tie ply testing consisted of 270 deg of the tang circumference using a new layup method and 90 deg of the tang circumference using the current layup methods. Tie ply process success was defined as a reduction of insulation unbonds. Lack of any insulation edge unbonds on the tang area where the new process was used, and the presence of 17 unbonds with the current process, proves the test to be a success. Successful completion of this test has qualified the new processes.

Chemical gas-dynamics beyond Wang Chang-Uhlenbeck's kinetics

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kolesnichenko, Evgeniy G.; Gorbachev, Yuriy E.

Wang Chang-Uhlenbeck equation does not give possibility to take into account intermolecular processes such as redistribution of the energy among different degrees of freedom. The modification of the generalized Wang Chang-Uhlenbeck equation including such processes is proposed. It allows to study for instance the kinetics of non-radiative transitions. Limitations of this approach are connected with the requirements of absence of polarization of rotational momentum and phases of intermolecular vibrations.

Effects of Wen Dan Tang on insomnia-related anxiety and levels of the brain-gut peptide Ghrelin.

PubMed

Wang, Liye; Song, Yuehan; Li, Feng; Liu, Yan; Ma, Jie; Mao, Meng; Wu, Fengzhi; Wu, Ying; Li, Sinai; Guan, Binghe; Liu, Xiaolan

2014-01-15

Ghrelin, a brain-gut peptide that induces anxiety and other abnormal emotions, contributes to the effects of insomnia on emotional behavior. In contrast, the traditional Chinese Medicine remedy Wen Dan Tang reduces insomnia-related anxiety, which may perhaps correspond to changes in the brain-gut axis. This suggests a possible relationship between Wen Dan Tang's pharmacological mechanism and the brain-gut axis. Based on this hypothesis, a sleep-deprived rat model was induced and Wen Dan Tang was administered using oral gavage during model establishment. Wen Dan Tang significantly reduced insomnia-related anxiety and prevented Ghrelin level decreases following sleep deprivation, especially in the hypothalamus. Increased expression of Ghrelin receptor mRNA in the hypothalamus was also observed, suggesting that reduced anxiety may be a result of Wen Dan Tang's regulation of Ghrelin-Ghrelin receptors.

[Transmission and development of foreign medicinal materials in the Tang and Song Dynasties].

PubMed

Wu, Meng-Hua; Zhao, Zhong-Zhen; Cao, Hui

2016-11-01

Many foreign medicinal materials that were imported to China via the Silk Road and maritime trade have enriched Chinese medicine. Imported foreign medicines reached a high point by the Tang and Song Dynasties, particularly in the case of aromatic medicines, which supplemented domestic Chinese aromatics and were widely employed in official dispensaries in the Song Dynasty. This study investigated historical records related to imported Chinese medicines in the Tang and Song periods, focusing on their varieties, quantity, use, and localization trends. Foreign medicines were assimilated as Chinese medical theory was applied to interpret their effects, and aromatics such as frankincense that were extremely expensive in the Tang Dynasty became accessible to common people by the Song Dynasty. By the Song Dynasty, some foreign medicines began to be domestically cultivated and the boundary between foreign and traditional Chinese medicines became blurred; foreign medicines gradually transformed into Chinese medicines. The importation of foreign medicines during the Tang and Song Dynasties was a historical turning point that contributed greatly to the development of traditional Chinese medicine. Copyright© by the Chinese Pharmaceutical Association.

Using the WEIS-SR to evaluate employee perceptions of their college work environment.

PubMed

Dorsey, Julie; Kaye, Miranda; Barratt, Jennifer; Biondi, Jennifer; Habrial, Amanda; Lane, Amanda; Marinelli, Victoria; Paulino, Tiffany; Singletary, Amanda

2016-04-06

Colleges have been experiencing reduced resource allocations, shifting student expectations, and organizational change. These changes increase employee stress at all levels. Ensuring that employee needs are being met and promoting a healthy and productive workforce has never been more important. To investigate employees' current perceptions of their work environments using the Work Environment Impact Scale-Self Rating (WEIS-SR). Full and part time employees on a small college campus in the United States were surveyed using the WEIS-SR through an online survey program to protect their anonymity. Perception of staffing levels, workplace support for a healthy lifestyle, number of supervisors, and personal health ratings contributed to employee perceptions of their work environment. There were also differences between staff, administration, and tenured and non-tenured faculty. From an occupational performance perspective, valuable information on employees' levels of volition, performance capacity and habituation, and perceptions of their physical and social environment in relation to their work environments was obtained. Further support for the use of the WEIS-SR and psychometric properties of the instrument (reliability and validity) was obtained.

Simulation of blue and green water resources in the Wei River basin, China

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, Z.; Zuo, D.

2014-09-01

The Wei River is the largest tributary of the Yellow River in China and it is suffering from water scarcity and water pollution. In order to quantify the amount of water resources in the study area, a hydrological modelling approach was applied by using SWAT (Soil and Water Assessment Tool), calibrated and validated with SUFI-2 (Sequential Uncertainty Fitting program) based on river discharge in the Wei River basin (WRB). Sensitivity and uncertainty analyses were also performed to improve the model performance. Water resources components of blue water flow, green water flow and green water storage were estimated at the HRU (Hydrological Response Unit) scales. Water resources in HRUs were also aggregated to sub-basins, river catchments, and then city/region scales for further analysis. The results showed that most parts of the WRB experienced a decrease in blue water resources between the 1960s and 2000s, with a minimum value in the 1990s. The decrease is particularly significant in the most southern part of the WRB (Guanzhong Plain), one of the most important grain production basements in China. Variations of green water flow and green water storage were relatively small on the spatial and temporal dimensions. This study provides strategic information for optimal utilization of water resources and planning of cultivating seasons in the Wei River basin.

A partial entropic lattice Boltzmann MHD simulation of the Orszag-Tang vortex

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Flint, Christopher; Vahala, George

2018-02-01

Karlin has introduced an analytically determined entropic lattice Boltzmann (LB) algorithm for Navier-Stokes turbulence. Here, this is partially extended to an LB model of magnetohydrodynamics, on using the vector distribution function approach of Dellar for the magnetic field (which is permitted to have field reversal). The partial entropic algorithm is benchmarked successfully against standard simulations of the Orszag-Tang vortex [Orszag, S.A.; Tang, C.M. J. Fluid Mech. 1979, 90 (1), 129-143].

[Analysis of chemical constituents of volatile components from Jia Ga Song Tang by GC-MS].

PubMed

Tan, Qing-long; Xiong, Tian-qin; Liao, Jia-yi; Yang, Tao; Zhao, Yu-min; Lin, Xi; Zhang, Cui-xian

2014-10-01

To analyze the chemical components of volatile components from Jia Ga Song Tang. The volatile oils were extracted by water steam distillation. The chemical components of essential oil were analyzed by GC-MS and quantitatively determined by a normalization method. 103 components were separated and 87 components were identified in the volatile oil of Zingiberis Rhizoma. 58 components were separated and 38 components were identified in the volatile oil of Myristicae Semen. 49 components were separated and 38 components were identified in the volatile oil of Amomi Rotundus Fructus. 89 components were separated and 63 components were identified in the volatile oil of Jia Ga Song Tang. Eucalyptol, β-phellandrene and other terpenes were the main compounds in the volatile oil of Jia Ga Song Tang. Changes in the kinds and content of volatile components can provide evidences for scientific and rational compatibility for Jia Ga Song Tang.

Concurrent administration of anticancer chemotherapy drug and herbal medicine on the perspective of pharmacokinetics.

PubMed

Cheng, Yung-Yi; Hsieh, Chen-Hsi; Tsai, Tung-Hu

2018-04-01

With an increasing number of cancer patients seeking an improved quality of life, complementary and alternative therapies are becoming more common ways to achieve such improvements. The potential risks of concurrent administration are serious and must be addressed. However, comprehensive evidence for the risks and benefits of combining anticancer drugs with traditional herbs is rare. Pharmacokinetic investigations are an efficient way to understand the influence of concomitant remedies. Therefore, this study aimed to collect the results of pharmacokinetic studies relating to the concurrent use of cancer chemotherapy and complementary and alternative therapies. According to the National Health Insurance (NHI) database in Taiwan and several publications, the three most commonly prescribed formulations for cancer patients are Xiang-Sha-Liu-Jun-Zi-Tang, Jia-Wei-Xiao-Yao-San and Bu-Zhong-Yi-Qi-Tang. The three most commonly prescribed single herbs for cancer patients are Hedyotis diffusa, Scutellaria barbata, and Astragalus membranaceus. Few studies have discussed herb-drug interactions involving these herbs from a pharmacokinetics perspective. Here, we reviewed Jia-Wei-Xiao-Yao-San, Long-Dan-Xie-Gan-Tang, Curcuma longa and milk thistle to provide information based on pharmacokinetic evidence for healthcare professionals to use in educating patients about the risks of the concomitant use of various remedies. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Phonology and reading: a response to Wang, Trezek, Luckner, and Paul.

PubMed

Allen, Thomas E; Clark, M Diane; del Giudice, Alex; Koo, Daniel; Lieberman, Amy; Mayberry, Rachel; Miller, Paul

2009-01-01

Four critical responses to an article, "The Role of Phonology and Phonologically Related Skills in Reading Instruction for Students Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing" (Wang, Trezek, Luckner, & Paul, 2008), are presented. Issue is taken with the conclusions of the article by Wang and colleagues regarding the "necessary" condition of phonological awareness for the development of reading skills among deaf readers. Research findings (not cited by Wang and colleagues) are pointed out that reveal weak correlations between phonemic awareness and reading comprehension, and stronger correlations between other variables such as overall language skill and early exposure to a visual language.

Euiiyin-tang in the treatment of obesity: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

PubMed

Cheon, Chunhoo; Jang, Soobin; Park, Jeong-Su; Ko, Youme; Kim, Doh Sun; Lee, Byung Hoon; Song, Hyun Jong; Song, Yun-Kyung; Jang, Bo-Hyoung; Shin, Yong-Cheol; Ko, Seong-Gyu

2017-06-21

Obesity is a public health concern in many countries due to its increasing prevalence. Euiiyin-tang is an herbal medicine formula often used as a clinical treatment for obesity. It acts to eliminate humidity and purify the blood, the causes of obesity identified by the theoretical framework of Korean medicine. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Euiiyin-tang in treating obesity. This study is a randomised, double-blinded and placebo-controlled, multicentre trial. It has two parallel arms: the Euiiyin-tang group and the placebo group. A total of 160 obese adult women will be enrolled in the trial. The participants will be randomly divided at a 1:1 ratio at visit 2 (baseline). The participants will be administered Euiiyin-tang or placebo for 12 weeks. The primary endpoint is the change in weight occurring between baseline and post-treatment. The secondary outcomes include average weight reduction, changes in body fat, waist and hip circumferences, body mass index, and lipid profile, and the results of questionnaires such as the Korean version of Obesity-related Quality of Life, the Korean version of Eating Attitudes Test, the Social Readjustment Rating Scale, and the Stress Reaction Inventory. The present study will provide research methodologies for evaluating the efficacy and safety of Euiiyin-tang in patients with obesity. In addition, it will provide evidence of correlation between obesity and Sasang constitutional medicine. ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01724099 . Registered on 2 November 2012.

Weiße und Braune Zwerge zeigen sich unwirtlich

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Heller, René

2013-02-01

Mehr als 850 Exoplaneten haben Astronomen seit dem Jahr 1992 nachgewiesen. Die meisten von ihnen umkreisen normale Hauptreihensterne, aber es wurden auch Trabanten im Umlauf um Braune oder Weiße Zwerge aufgespürt. Nun haben Rory Barnes von der University of Washington in Seattle und René Heller am Leibniz-Institut für Astrophysik Potsdam die Bewohnbarkeit möglicher Planeten um solche Objekte untersucht und dabei festgestellt, dass sie für Leben, wie wir es kennen, ungeeignet sind.

Efficacy and Safety of Sipjeondaebo-Tang for Anorexia in Patients with Cancer: A Pilot, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

PubMed

Cheon, Chunhoo; Yoo, Jeong-Eun; Yoo, Hwa-Seung; Cho, Chong-Kwan; Kang, Sohyeon; Kim, Mia; Jang, Bo-Hyoung; Shin, Yong-Cheol; Ko, Seong-Gyu

2017-01-01

Anorexia occurs in about half of cancer patients and is associated with high mortality rate. However, safe and long-term use of anorexia treatment is still an unmet need. The purpose of the present study was to examine the feasibility of Sipjeondaebo-tang (Juzen-taiho-to, Shi-Quan-Da-Bu-Tang) for cancer-related anorexia. A total of 32 participants with cancer anorexia were randomized to either Sipjeondaebo-tang group or placebo group. Participants were given 3 g of Sipjeondaebo-tang or placebo 3 times a day for 4 weeks. The primary outcome was a change in the Anorexia/Cachexia Subscale of Functional Assessment of Anorexia/Cachexia Therapy (FAACT). The secondary outcomes included Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) of anorexia, FAACT scale, and laboratory tests. Anorexia and quality of life measured by FAACT and VAS were improved after 4 weeks of Sipjeondaebo-tang treatment. However, there was no significant difference between changes of Sipjeondaebo-tang group and placebo group. Sipjeondaebo-tang appears to have potential benefit for anorexia management in patients with cancer. Further large-scale studies are needed to ensure the efficacy. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02468141.

[History of hot spring bath treatment in China].

PubMed

Hao, Wanpeng; Wang, Xiaojun; Xiang, Yinghong; Gu Li, A Man; Li, Ming; Zhang, Xin

2011-07-01

As early as the 7th century B.C. (Western Zhou Dynasty), there is a recording as 'spring which contains sulfur could treat disease' on the Wentang Stele written by WANG Bao. Wenquan Fu written by ZHANG Heng in the Easten Han Dynasty also mentioned hot spring bath treatment. The distribution of hot springs in China has been summarized by LI Daoyuan in the Northern Wei Dynasty in his Shuijingzhu which recorded hot springs in 41 places and interpreted the definition of hot spring. Bencao Shiyi (by CHEN Cangqi, Tang Dynasty) discussed the formation of and indications for hot springs. HU Zai in the Song Dynasty pointed out distinguishing hot springs according to water quality in his book Yuyin Conghua. TANG Shenwei in the Song Dynasty noted in Jingshi Zhenglei Beiji Bencao that hot spring bath treatment should be combined with diet. Shiwu Bencao (Ming Dynasty) classified hot springs into sulfur springs, arsenicum springs, cinnabar springs, aluminite springs, etc. and pointed out their individual indications. Geologists did not start the work on distribution and water quality analysis of hot springs until the first half of the 20th century. There are 972 hot springs in Wenquan Jiyao (written by geologist ZHANG Hongzhao and published in 1956). In July 1982, the First National Geothermal Conference was held and it reported that there were more than 2600 hot springs in China. Since the second half of the 20th century, hot spring sanatoriums and rehabilitation centers have been established, which promoted the development of hot spring bath treatment.

High-performance liquid chromatography determination and pharmacokinetics of coumarin compounds after oral administration of Samul-Tang to rats.

PubMed

Hwang, Youn-Hwan; Cho, Won-Kyung; Jang, Doorye; Ha, Jeong-Ho; Ma, Jin Yeul

2014-01-01

Samul-tang has been traditionally used for the treatment of cardiovascular, gynecologic, cutaneous, and chronic inflammation disorders. Although coumarin compounds do have various pharmacological activities and the same may be present in Samul-tang, however there is little information about it. A simple and sensitive high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method has been developed for the determination of nodakenin, nodakenetin, decursin, decursinol, and decursinol angelate in rat plasma. To obtain a better understanding for pharmacological properties of Samul-tang, pharmacokinetic study of coumarin compounds was performed after oral administration of Samul-tang in rats. Chromatographic separation of the analytes was successfully achieved on a Phenomenex Luna C18 column (4.6 mm×250 mm, 5 μm) using a mobile phase composed of acetonitrile water with a gradient elution at a flow rate of 1 mL/min. Noncompartmental analysis was performed. Calibration curves for all analytes had good linearity (r(2) <0.999) in a wide linear range. The lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) ranged from 0.05 to 0.1 μg/mL. The variation of intra- and interday assay was less than 15%. Nodakenin, nodakenetin, and decursinol were determined in rat plasma after oral administration of Samul-tang. This developed and validated HPLC method was successfully applied to the pharmacokinetic study of three coumarin compounds in rats, given as a single oral administration of Samul-tang. These pharmacokinetic data of the nodakenin, nodakenetin, and decursinol could offer a new point of view to evaluate the pharmacological effects of Samul-tang.

Wenyi Wang, Statistical Bioinformatics Expert, Visits DCEG

Cancer.gov

In March 2018, Wenyi Wang, Ph.D., Associate Professor in the Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, visited DCEG to give a seminar and meet with staff.

[Medical application of the art of supplication before the Tang dynasty].

PubMed

Ding, Yuan; Ding, Jieyun; Zhang, Ruqing

2015-05-01

Ample materials on diseases treated with supplication were seen on excavated texts, medical works from ancient time, and religious works before the Tang dynasty (including Tang dynasty). Since the breaking up of witchcraft from medicine, there are still supplication applied in the treatment and prevention of diseases, including those of internal medicine, external medicine, women's and children's diseases, disease of the sense organs, and infections. There are dual reasons for this phenomena, one being the diseases caused by spirit and ghostss; and the other being certain effectiveness of this art on some diseases not cured by other regular treatments, hence, its acceptance by secular people.

Changes in the long-term hydrological regimes and the impacts of human activities in the main Wei River, China

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Hongbo; Huang, Qiang; Zhang, Qiang; Gu, Lei; Chen, Keyu; Yu, Qijun

2016-03-01

Under the combined influence of climate changes and human activities, the hydrological regime of the Wei River shows remarkable variations which have caused many issues in the Wei River in recent decades, such as a lack of freshwater, water pollution, disastrous flooding and channel sedimentation. Hence, hydrological regime changes and potential human-induced impacts have been drawing increasing attention from local government and hydrologists. This study investigates hydrological regime changes in the natural and measured runoff series at four hydrological stations on the main Wei River and quantifies features of their long-term change by analysing their historical annual and seasonal runoff data using several approaches, i.e., continuous wavelet transform, cross-wavelet, wavelet coherence, trend-free pre-whitening Mann-Kendall test and detrended fluctuation analysis. By contrasting two different analysis results between natural and measured river runoff series, the impacts of human activities on the long-term hydrological regime were investigated via the changes of spatio-temporal distribution in dominant periods, the trends and long-range memory of river runoff. The results show : (a) that periodic properties of the streamflow changes are the result of climate, referring to precipitation changes in particular, while human activities play a minor role; (b) a significant decreasing trend can be observed in the natural streamflow series along the entire main stream of the Wei River and the more serious decrease emerging in measured flow should result from human-induced influences in recent decades; and (c) continuous decreasing streamflow in the Wei River will trigger serious shortages of freshwater in the future, which may challenge the sustainability and safety of water resources development in the river basin, and should be paid great attention before 2020.

High-performance liquid chromatography determination and pharmacokinetics of coumarin compounds after oral administration of Samul-Tang to rats

PubMed Central

Hwang, Youn-Hwan; Cho, Won-Kyung; Jang, Doorye; Ha, Jeong-Ho; Ma, Jin Yeul

2014-01-01

Background: Samul-tang has been traditionally used for the treatment of cardiovascular, gynecologic, cutaneous, and chronic inflammation disorders. Although coumarin compounds do have various pharmacological activities and the same may be present in Samul-tang, however there is little information about it. Objective: A simple and sensitive high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method has been developed for the determination of nodakenin, nodakenetin, decursin, decursinol, and decursinol angelate in rat plasma. To obtain a better understanding for pharmacological properties of Samul-tang, pharmacokinetic study of coumarin compounds was performed after oral administration of Samul-tang in rats. Materials and Methods: Chromatographic separation of the analytes was successfully achieved on a Phenomenex Luna C18 column (4.6 mm×250 mm, 5 μm) using a mobile phase composed of acetonitrile water with a gradient elution at a flow rate of 1 mL/min. Noncompartmental analysis was performed. Results: Calibration curves for all analytes had good linearity (r2 <0.999) in a wide linear range. The lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) ranged from 0.05 to 0.1 μg/mL. The variation of intra- and interday assay was less than 15%. Nodakenin, nodakenetin, and decursinol were determined in rat plasma after oral administration of Samul-tang. Conclusion: This developed and validated HPLC method was successfully applied to the pharmacokinetic study of three coumarin compounds in rats, given as a single oral administration of Samul-tang. These pharmacokinetic data of the nodakenin, nodakenetin, and decursinol could offer a new point of view to evaluate the pharmacological effects of Samul-tang. PMID:24696544

The alteration of components in the fermented Hwangryunhaedok-tang and its neuroprotective activity

PubMed Central

Yang, Hye Jin; Weon, Jin Bae; Lee, Bohyoung; Ma, Choong Je

2011-01-01

Background: Hwangryunhaedok-tang is a traditional herbal prescription that has sedative activity, hypotensive and anti-bacterial effects. Objective: In this study, we investigated the alteration of contents of components in Hwangryunhaedok-tang, antioxidant activity and neuroprotective activity by fermentation with Lactobacillus acidophilus KFRI 128. Materials and Methods: Contents of three marker compounds (geniposide, berberine and palmatine) and unknown compounds in the Hwangryunhaedok-tang (HR) and the fermented Hwangryunhaedok-tang (FHR) were measured and compared using the established high-performance liqued chromatograph coupled with a photodiode (HPLC-DAD) method. The antioxidant activity of HR and FHR were determined by DPPH free radical and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) scavenging assay. Also, the neuroprotective activities of HR and FHR against glutamate-induced oxidative stress in a mouse hippocampal cell line (HT22) were evaluated by MTT assay. Results: The contents of geniposide and palmatine were decreased but the content of berberine was increased in the FHR. And the contents of unknown compounds (1), (2), (3), (4) and (5) in the HR were altered by fermentation. Electron donating activity (EDA, %) value of FHR was higher than HR for DPPH radical scavenging activity and H2O2 scavenging activity, respectively. In the MTT assay, FHR showed more potent neuroprotective activity than HR by 513.90%. Conclusion: The FHR using microorganism could convert compounds in HR and enhance the antioxidant and neuroprotective activity. PMID:21969791

[Clinical observation on idiopathic tinnitus treated with acupuncture, buzhong yiqi tang and cizhu wan].

PubMed

Chen, Surong; Tan, Xuming; Fei, Lanbo; Xiang, Xiande

2018-04-12

To observe the differences in the clinical therapeutic effects on idiopathic tinnitus between the combined therapy with acupuncture and the modified formula of buzhong yiqi tang and cizhu wan and the simple administration of the modified formula of buzhong yiqi tang and cizhu wan . A total of 60 patients were randomized into a combined treatment group and an herbal medicine group, 30 cases in each one and 2 cases dropped out in the herbal medicine group. In the combined treatment group, acupuncture was given at the local acupoints for tinnitus, such as Yifeng (TE 17), penetrating needling technique from Ermen (TE 21) to Tinggong (SI 19) and Tinghui (GB 2) combined with the scalp acupuncture [the vertigo-auditory area, Baihui (GV 20)] and the oral administration of the modified formula of buzhong yiqi tang and cizhu wan . In the herbal medicine group, the oral administration of the modified formula of buzhong yiqi tang and cizhu wan was only applied. The treatment was given once a day in each group, 5 times a week for acupuncture and 7 times a week for the oral administration of herbal medicine. Totally, the treatment for 6 weeks was required in the two groups. Before and after treatment, the tinnitus severity score (TSS) and the score of tinnitus handicap inventory (THI) were observed and the clinical therapeutic effects were compared between the two groups. After treatment, the TSS and THI scores reduced as compared with those before treatment in the two groups (all P <0.05). The scores in the combined treatment group were lower than those in the herbal medicine group (both P <0.05). The total effective rate in the combined treatment group was 93.3% (28/30), better than 67.9% (19/28) in the herbal medicine group ( P <0.05). The combined treatment with scalp acupuncture, acupuncture around the ear and the modified formula of buzhong yiqi tang and cizhu wan achieve the superior therapeutic effects on idiopathic tinnitus as compared with the simple oral

[Effect and mechanism of Mahuang Tang against influenza A/H1N1 virus in vitro].

PubMed

Wei, Wen-Yang; Wan, Hai-Tong; Yu, Li; Lu, Yi-Yu; He, Yu

2018-02-01

To study the effect and underlying mechanism of Mahuang Tang against influenza A virus in vitro ， the influenza virus-infected Madin-Darby canine kidney(MDCK) cells were used as the carrier in this study to detect the median tissue culture-infective dose(TCID₅₀) of influenza A virus strains(A/PR8/34) on MDCK cells with cytopathic effect(CPE) assay. Blocking influenza virus invading host cells and anti-influenza virus biosynthesis were used as two different administration methods， and then the methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium(MTT) assay was utilized to determine the antiviral effective rate(ER)， median efficacious concentration(EC₅₀) and therapeutic index(TI) of Mahuang Tang. The quantitative Real-time polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) was used to measure virus load and the mRNA expression levels of TLR4， TLR7， MyD88 and TRAF6 in MDCK cells at 24， 48 h after the treatment. The experiment results indicated that TCID₅₀ of A/PR8/34 for MDCK cells was 1×10-4.32/mL. The EC₅₀ values of two different treatment methods were 4.92，1.59 g·L⁻¹ respectively， the TI values were 12.53， 38.78 respectively， and when the concentration of Mahuang Tang was 5.00 g·L⁻¹， ER values were 50.21%， 98.41% respectively， showing that Mahuang Tang can block influenza virus into the host cells and significantly inhibit their biosynthesis. Meanwhile， as compared with the virus group， the virus load was significantly inhibited in Mahuang Tang groups， and Mahuang Tang high and middle doses had the significant effect on decreasing the mRNA expression of TLR4， TLR7，MyD88 and TRAF6 at 24， 48 h after the treatment. It can be demonstrated that the mechanisms of Mahuang Tang against influenza A virus are related to the inhibition of influenza virus replication and the mRNA expression of correlative genes in TLR4 and TLR7 signaling pathways. Copyright© by the Chinese Pharmaceutical Association.

Strength-based Supervision: Frameworks, Current Practice, and Future Directions A Wu-wei Method.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Edwards, Jeffrey K.; Chen, Mei-Whei

1999-01-01

Discusses a method of counseling supervision similar to the wu-wei practice in Zen and Taoism. Suggests that this strength-based method and an understanding of isomorphy in supervisory relationships are the preferred practice for the supervision of family counselors. States that this model of supervision potentiates the person-of-the-counselor.…

[Influences of Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism on Chinese Medical Formulas in Jin-Tang Dynasties].

PubMed

Wu, Xiao-xiang

2006-04-01

In the Jin-Tang Dynasties, when Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism contended, conflicted and well blent, forming a state of mingled thoughts of the three sects. It exerted profound influences on Chinese Medical Formulas and promoted the academic fashion of compiling books about medical formulas characterized by collecting various formulas especially the simple and proved recipes. This plays a role in the formation of the formulas used in the Jin-Tang Dynasties, featuring simplicity, convenience, cheapness, and effectiveness, different from those of other periods.

Lipoxygenase, Angiogenicity, and Prostate Cancer Radioresistance

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-01-01

radical prosta - tectomy (7).Approximately 38%of the 138prostate cancer patients studied exhibited an elevated expression of 12-LOX at themRNA level in...Biol. Chem. 270, 19761–19766 26. Xie, K., Wei, D., Shi, Q., and Huang, S. (2004) Cytokine Growth Factor Rev. 15, 297– 324 27. Pidgeon, G. P., Tang, K

Payload Specialist Taylor Wang performs repairs on Drop Dynamics Module

NASA Image and Video Library

1985-05-01

51B-03-035 (29 April-6 May 1985) --- Payload specialist Taylor G. Wang performs a repair task on the Drop Dynamics Module (DDM) in the Science Module aboard the Earth-orbiting Space Shuttle Challenger. The photo was taken with a 35mm camera. Dr. Wang is principal investigator for the first time-to-fly experiment, developed by his team at NASA?s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), Pasadena, California. This photo was among the first to be released by NASA upon return to Earth by the Spacelab 3 crew.

Undercooling, Rapid Solidification, and Relations to Processing in Low Earth Orbit (A Review of the Works of Bingbo Wei)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

deGroh, Henry C., III

1999-01-01

This is a survey of the published works of Prof. Bingbo Wei of the Department of Applied Physics at Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xian P.R. China. Transformations among solid - liquid - and vapor are fundamental to the foundations of life and culture on Earth. The development and understanding of materials has lead the evolution and advancement of the human race since antiquity. Materials and fluids research is continuing today, with us standing on the shoulders of those that have gone before us. Technological and scientific breakthroughs continue due to studies of greater and greater complexity, that include for example, research done at high pressures, in high magnetic fields, at temperatures near absolute zero, and in the low gravity environment of low Earth orbit. Of particular technological importance is the liquid to solid transformation of metals and alloys. Solidification processing is generally the most important factor in the final properties of objects made of metal; and undercooling is the fundamental driving force for all solidification. The interest and resources dedicated to the study of solidification and undercooling are great and World wide. For many years B. Wei and his coworkers have been studying undercooling and rapid solidification and have amassed a significant body of published research in this important field, contributing to the leading edge of the state-of-the-art. It is the goal of this memorandum to provide a review of the research of B. Wei et al.; publications in Chinese are included in the reference list but are not discussed. The bulk of Wei's work has been in the area of undercooling and rapid solidification [1-11, 13-16, 24-36] with papers dating back to 1989, the same year he earned his Ph.D. Below, discussions of Wei's undercooling and rapid solidification research have been grouped together mostly on the basis of alloy type, such as eutectic, intermetallic, or monotectic.

Psychometric Evaluation of the Wang Pregnancy Stress Scale: Revised for Taiwanese Women.

PubMed

Wang, Janet F; Billings, Anthony A

2015-01-01

Develop and assess psychometric properties of the Wang Pregnancy Stress Scale for measuring stress among pregnant women in Taiwan. Data were collected in 3 obstetric and gynecological clinics in Taiwan; 485 pregnant women participated in this study. We used exploratory factor analysis and internal consistency reliability was measured using Cronbach's alpha. A 4-factor structure emerged for the Wang Pregnancy Stress Scale. The internal reliability of the scale as measured by Cronbach's alpha was .898, with standardized alpha .905. The Wang Pregnancy Stress Scale has high reliability and validity in measuring pregnancy stress that would allow nurses or health care workers to measure women's stress levels during pregnancy. Nurses can use the assessed pregnancy stress to alter intervention of care for their pregnant clients.

Use of Herbal Dietary Supplement Si-Wu-Tang and Health-Related Quality of Life in Postpartum Women: A Population-Based Correlational Study

PubMed Central

Chang, Pei-Jen; Lin, Ching-Chun; Chen, Yi Chun; Chuang, Chao-Hua; Tseng, Yu-Ching; Hsieh, Wu-Shiun; Lin, Shio-Jean

2013-01-01

Objective. The aim of the study was to explore the association between women's use of herbal dietary supplement Si-Wu-Tang during the postpartum period and their health-related quality of life. Methods. This is a population-based correlational study. We used multistage, stratified, systematic sampling to recruit 24,200 pairs of postpartum women and newborns from the Taiwan National Birth Registry in 2005. A structured questionnaire was successfully administered to 87.8% of the sampled population. Trained interviewers performed home interviews 6 months after the women's deliveries between June 2005 and July 2006. The Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short-Form (SF-36) was used to measure the quality of life of the women along with the frequency of Si-Wu-Tang use. Results. Si-Wu-Tang use after delivery improved women's score for bodily pain and also improved their score for mental health when used more than 10 times. In addition, there were increases in general health and vitality scores in the group who continuously used Si-Wu-Tang more than 10 times after using Sheng-Hua-Tang. Conclusion. Use of Si-Wu-Tang after delivery may be associated with women's health-related quality of life especially for those who previously used Sheng-Hua-Tang. These results are exploratory and need to be replicated. PMID:23476705

[Simultaneous determination of five active constitutents in Xiaochaihu Tang by HPLC].

PubMed

Liu, Qingchun; Zhao, Junning; Yan, Liangchun; Yi, Jinhai; Song, Jun

2010-03-01

To establish a HPLC-PDA method for the determination of baicalin, wogonoside, baicalein, wogonin and glycyrrhizic acid in Xiaochaihu Tang. A Symmetry Shield RP18 (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5.0 microm) was used with a mobile phase of acetonitrile-0.01% H3PO4 in gradient elution. The detection wavelength was 251 nm,the flow rate was 0.45 mL x min(-1) and the column temperature was maintained at 30 degrees C. The accuracy, precision, sensitivity, specificity and linearity of this method met the requirements. The contents of the five effective fractions were determined simultaneously. The method is rapid,simple and accurate and it can be suitable for the determination of baicalin, wogonoside, baicalein, wogonin and glycyrrhizic acid in Xiaochaihu Tang simultaneously.

Evaluating Small Sphere Limit of the Wang-Yau Quasi-Local Energy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Po-Ning; Wang, Mu-Tao; Yau, Shing-Tung

2018-01-01

In this article, we study the small sphere limit of the Wang-Yau quasi-local energy defined in Wang and Yau (Phys Rev Lett 102(2):021101, 2009, Commun Math Phys 288(3):919-942, 2009). Given a point p in a spacetime N, we consider a canonical family of surfaces approaching p along its future null cone and evaluate the limit of the Wang-Yau quasi-local energy. The evaluation relies on solving an "optimal embedding equation" whose solutions represent critical points of the quasi-local energy. For a spacetime with matter fields, the scenario is similar to that of the large sphere limit found in Chen et al. (Commun Math Phys 308(3):845-863, 2011). Namely, there is a natural solution which is a local minimum, and the limit of its quasi-local energy recovers the stress-energy tensor at p. For a vacuum spacetime, the quasi-local energy vanishes to higher order and the solution of the optimal embedding equation is more complicated. Nevertheless, we are able to show that there exists a solution that is a local minimum and that the limit of its quasi-local energy is related to the Bel-Robinson tensor. Together with earlier work (Chen et al. 2011), this completes the consistency verification of the Wang-Yau quasi-local energy with all classical limits.

Adaptive Piezoelectric Circuitry Sensor Network with High-Frequency Harmonics Interrogation for Structural Damage Detection

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-09-17

AFRL-OSR-VA-TR-2014-0255 ADAPTIVE PIEZOELECTRIC CIRCUITRY SENSOR NETWORK KON -WELL WANG MICHIGAN UNIV ANN ARBOR Final Report 09/17/2014 DISTRIBUTION A...Harmonics Interrogation for Structural Damage Detection FA9550-11-1-0072 Kon -Well Wang and Jiong Tang The Regents of the University of Michigan, 3003...mechanism. These efforts have yielded a complete methodology of adaptive high-frequency piezoelectric self-sensing interrogation. None None None SAR Kon

Evaluation of the Influence of Sulfur-Fumigated Paeoniae Radix Alba on the Quality of Si Wu Tang by Chromatographic and Chemometric Analysis

PubMed Central

Pei, Ke; Duan, Yu; Qiao, Feng-Xian; Tu, Si-Cong; Liu, Xiao; Wang, Xiao-Li; Song, Xiao-Qing; Fan, Kai-Lei; Cai, Bao-Chang

2016-01-01

An accurate and reliable method of high-performance liquid chromatographic fingerprint combining with multi-ingredient determination was developed and validated to evaluate the influence of sulfur-fumigated Paeoniae Radix Alba on the quality and chemical constituents of Si Wu Tang. Multivariate data analysis including hierarchical cluster analysis and principal component analysis, which integrated with high-performance liquid chromatographic fingerprint and multi-ingredient determination, was employed to evaluate Si Wu Tang in a more objective and scientific way. Interestingly, in this paper, a total of 37 and 36 peaks were marked as common peaks in ten batches of Si Wu Tang containing sun-dried Paeoniae Radix Alba and ten batches of Si Wu Tang containing sulfur-fumigated Paeoniae Radix Alba, respectively, which indicated the changed fingerprint profile of Si Wu Tang when containing sulfur-fumigated herb. Furthermore, the results of simultaneous determination for multiple ingredients showed that the contents of albiflorin and paeoniflorin decreased significantly (P < 0.01) and the contents of gallic acid and Z-ligustilide decreased to some extent at the same time when Si Wu Tang contained sulfur-fumigated Paeoniae Radix Alba. Therefore, sulfur-fumigation processing may have great influence on the quality of Chinese herbal prescription. PMID:27034892

POLYMORPHISMS IN THE DNA NUCLEOTIDE EXCISION REPAIR GENES AND LUNG CANCER RISK IN XUAN WEI, CHINA

EPA Science Inventory

The lung cancer mortality rate in Xuan Wei County, China is among the highest in the country and has been etiologically attributed to exposure to indoor smoky coal emissions that contain very high levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Nucleotide excision repair (NE...

Applying Spatial-Temporal Model and Game Theory to Asymmetric Threat Prediction

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-06-01

Genshe Chen, Denis Garagic, Xiaohuan Tan, Dongxu Li, Dan Shen, Mo Wei, Xu Wang, “Team Dynamics and Tactics for Mission Planning,” Proceedings...Cruz, Jr., Genshe Chen, Dongxu Li, and Denis Garagic, “Target Selection in UAV Cooperative Control Under Uncertain Environment: Genetic Algorithm

Prescription patterns of Chinese herbal products for post-surgery colon cancer patients in Taiwan.

PubMed

Chao, Te-Hsin; Fu, Pin-Kuei; Chang, Chiung-Hung; Chang, Shih-Ni; Chiahung Mao, Frank; Lin, Ching-Heng

2014-08-08

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is commonly provided to cancer patients, however, the patterns of prescriptions for this type of medicine in Taiwan are unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the use of traditional Chinese medicine products in colon cancer patients post-surgery in Taiwan and to research patterns of TCM. This was a cross-sectional study of newly diagnosed colon cancer patients who received surgery between 2004 and 2008 identified from the National Health Insurance Research Database of Taiwan. The prescription patterns and reasons for the use of TCM for colon cancer were analyzed. The results showed that "symptoms, signs and ill-defined conditions" (23.3%) and diseases of the digestive system (16.9%) were the most common reasons for using Chinese herbal medicine. Xiang-sha-liu-jun-zi-tang (7.1%), Bu-zhong-yi-qi-tang (4.3%), Jia-wei-xiao-yao-san (4.1%), Shen-Ling-Bai-Zhu-San (3.7%), Ban-Xia-Xie-Xin-Tang (3.4%), Gui-pi-tang (2.4%), Ping-Wei-San (2.4%), Gan-Lu-Yin (2.0%), Bao-He-Wan (1.9%), and Zhen-Ren-Huo-Ming-Yin (1.8%) were the most commonly prescribed single Chinese herbal formulae (CHF) for colon cancer patients post-surgery. Hedyotis diffusa Willd (Bai Hua She She Cao) (5.1%) and Scutellaria barbata (Ban Zhi Lian )(4.8%) were the most commonly prescribed single Chinese herbs. This study identified patterns of TCM use in colon cancer patients post-surgery in Taiwan. The herbal ingredients were most commonly used for stimulate ghrelin secretion to increase food intake and had potential anti-tumor effect. However, further research is required to evaluate any beneficial effects which could identify leads for the development of new treatment strategies using TCM. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

An overview of the China Bioanalytical Forum: interview with Daniel Tang.

PubMed

Tang, Daniel

2017-02-01

Daniel Tang talks to Sankeetha Nadarajah, Commissioning Editor (Bioanalysis), regarding the China Bioanalysis Forum (CBF), in which Daniel was one of the co-founders and remains as its co-chair. Daniel is currently the CEO of UP Pharma, a biologics focused bioanalytical CRO in China.

Computer-aided Human Centric Cyber Situation Awareness

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-03-20

in Video, IJCAI: International Joint Conf. on Artificial Intelligence . 16-JUL-11, . : , Kun Sun, Sushil Jajodia, Jason Li, Yi Cheng, Wei Tang...Cyber-Security Conference, June 2015. 2. V.S. Subrahmanian, Invited Speaker, Summer School on Business Intelligence and Big Data Analysis, Capri, Italy... Cybersecurity Conference, Yuval Ne’eman Workshop for Science, Technology and Security, Tel Aviv University, the Israeli National Cyber Bureau, Prime

Dynamical traps in Wang-Landau sampling of continuous systems: Mechanism and solution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Koh, Yang Wei; Sim, Adelene Y. L.; Lee, Hwee Kuan

2015-08-01

We study the mechanism behind dynamical trappings experienced during Wang-Landau sampling of continuous systems reported by several authors. Trapping is caused by the random walker coming close to a local energy extremum, although the mechanism is different from that of the critical slowing-down encountered in conventional molecular dynamics or Monte Carlo simulations. When trapped, the random walker misses the entire or even several stages of Wang-Landau modification factor reduction, leading to inadequate sampling of the configuration space and a rough density of states, even though the modification factor has been reduced to very small values. Trapping is dependent on specific systems, the choice of energy bins, and the Monte Carlo step size, making it highly unpredictable. A general, simple, and effective solution is proposed where the configurations of multiple parallel Wang-Landau trajectories are interswapped to prevent trapping. We also explain why swapping frees the random walker from such traps. The efficacy of the proposed algorithm is demonstrated.

Spatiotemporal variability and assessment of drought in the Wei River basin of China

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cai, Siyang; Zuo, Depeng; Xu, Zongxue; Han, Xianming; Gao, Xiaoxi

2018-06-01

The temporal and spatial variations of drought in the Wei River basin (WRB) were investigated by calculating the meteorological drought Index (Standardized Precipitation Index, SPI) and the agricultural drought index (Vegetation Health Index, VHI). Monthly precipitation and air temperature were from 22 meteorological stations over the region from 1960 to 2015. Monthly Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and 8-days Land Surface Temperature (LST) were provided from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for the period 2000-2015 were also adopted. The results showed that the drought initially increased and then decreased, reaching at the maximum value in 1990s. The spatial pattern of meteorological drought showed that the drought in northern WRB was heavier than that in southern WRB before 1990s, after that, the situation had the opposite. By comparing the agricultural drought index (VHI) with crop yield, it was proved that VHI was applicable in the WRB and could well reflect the fluctuation of agricultural drought. The WRB suffered from serious agricultural drought in 2000, 2001, 2007 and 2008. Through analysis of the historical precipitation and temperature data, it was found that precipitation had a greater contribution to creating agricultural drought conditions than temperature in the Wei River basin.

Rap and Resistance: A Social Movement of the Wu-Tang Clan.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chasteen, Amy L.; Shriver, Thomas

1998-01-01

Examines specific collective identity and political expression of the rap group the Wu-Tang Clan. Reveals a multi-layered political strategy that has been conscientiously designed and implemented to instigate a social movement. Prioritizes the voices of marginalized Black peoples and provides raw narratives about oppression. (MMU)

Kinetics Modeling of Hypergolic Propellants

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-07-01

comprehensive preconditioning and employs the line Gauss Seidel algorithm for the solution of the linear system. A multi-block unstructured mesh is...Explosives, Pyrotechnics, 33(3):209–212, 2008. 24Wei-Guang Liu, Shiqing Wang, Siddharth Dasgupta, Stefan T Thynell, William A Goddard III, Sergey Zybin

Exploring Replica-Exchange Wang-Landau sampling in higher-dimensional parameter space

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Valentim, Alexandra; Rocha, Julio C. S.; Tsai, Shan-Ho

We considered a higher-dimensional extension for the replica-exchange Wang-Landau algorithm to perform a random walk in the energy and magnetization space of the two-dimensional Ising model. This hybrid scheme combines the advantages of Wang-Landau and Replica-Exchange algorithms, and the one-dimensional version of this approach has been shown to be very efficient and to scale well, up to several thousands of computing cores. This approach allows us to split the parameter space of the system to be simulated into several pieces and still perform a random walk over the entire parameter range, ensuring the ergodicity of the simulation. Previous work, inmore » which a similar scheme of parallel simulation was implemented without using replica exchange and with a different way to combine the result from the pieces, led to discontinuities in the final density of states over the entire range of parameters. From our simulations, it appears that the replica-exchange Wang-Landau algorithm is able to overcome this diculty, allowing exploration of higher parameter phase space by keeping track of the joint density of states.« less

[Herbal textual research on Chinese medicine "Huangjing" (Polygonati Rhizoma)and some enlightenments].

PubMed

Liu, Jing-Jing; Si, Jin-Ping

2018-02-01

To clarify the change and development of the original plants， medicinal organs， traditional functions， resource distribution of "Huangjing"(Polygonati Rhizome)， a traditional Chinese medicine， we investigated Polygonatum species on the ancient Chinese herbal texts. The name of "Nüwei" was first carried out in the book of Sheng Nong's Herbal Classic. Its effects included two aspects： one was similar to "Weirui"(Polygonati Odorati Rhizome， "Yuzhu")， that was tonifying， nourishing one's vitality， removing wind and dampness， settling five organs， making body lightness， keeping longevity and not being hungry; the second was alike to "Huangjing" recorded in the book of Ming Yi Bie Lu(Appendant Records of Famous Physicians). Specifically， "Weirui" possesses the therapeutic effect of "Nüwei"， while "Huangjing" possesses the tonic effect of " Nüwei". Thereafter， the following ancient Chinese herbal texts kept those two names and function records. Accordingly， we hold the point of view that "Huangjing" was first carried out in the book of Sheng Nong's Herbal Classic in the synonym of "Nüwei". "Yuzhu" included the "Huangjing" in ancient herbal text before Qing Dynasty， that was further confirmed by the research on change and development of the original plants. The identification between "Yuzhu" and "Huangjing" was based on the shape of rhizome and size before early Tang Dynasty. The shape was a key character and used up to now， but size was not reasonable. The opposite phyllotaxy was an important character of authentic "Huangjing" from Tang to Qing Dynasty. The seedling of Polygonatum sibiricum and P. kingianum， the adult plant of P. cyrtonema with alternate leaves were misused as "Yuzhu"("Nüwei" and "Weirui") at that time. Therefore， both "Yuzhu" and "Huangjing" should be used as key words during the search of ancient prescriptions and development of new drugs and health foods. The leaves， flowers， fruits and seedlings could

[Effect of Zhenwu Tang on regulating of "AVP-V2R-AQP2" pathway in NRK-52E cells].

PubMed

Zhou, Xiao-Jie; Bao, Yu-Ting; Chen, Hong-Shu; Xuan, Ling; Chen, Xue-Ming; Zhang, Jie-Ying; Yang, Yuan-Xiao; Li, Chang-Yu

2018-02-01

This study was aimed to investigate the effect and mechanism of Zhenwu Tang on AVP-V2R-AQP2 pathway in NRK-52E cells in vitro . Forty eight male SD rats were randomly divided into eight groups with 6 animals in each group. Distilled water or 22.68 g·kg⁻¹·d⁻¹ Zhenwu Tang(calculated by raw drug dosage meter) was given by gavage. Blood samples were collected by cardiac puncture， and the medicated serum was centrifuged from the blood by 3 000 r·min⁻¹. NRK-52E cells were treated with different medicated serum or dDAVP. The condition of cell proliferation was detected by RTCA. The distribution of V2R and AQP2 in cells were detected by immunofluorescence. The expression of V2R， PKA and AQP2 were detected by Western blot and AQP2 mRNA level was detected by real-time PCR. Results showed that the level of AQP2 mRNA( P <0.01) and protein expression of V2R， PKA and AQP2( P <0.05， P <0.01， P <0.05) of Z7d group which was treated with Zhenwu Tang medicated serum for 24 h were significantly higher than that of normal rat serum group. And the expression level of V2R， p-AQP2 and AQP2( P <0.01， P <0.05， P <0.01) of Z7d+dDAVP group were significantly increased comparing to normal rat serum group. The results indicate that the applying of Zhenwu Tang medicated serum could increase the expression level of V2R， PKA and AQP2 which exist in AVP-V2R-AQP2 pathway in NRK-52E， and there is synergistic effect between Zhenwu Tang medicated serum and dDAVP. So the pathway of AVP-V2R-AQP2 may be one of the mechanism for which Zhenwu Tang regulate balance of water transportation. Copyright© by the Chinese Pharmaceutical Association.

Recovery of piece of the aft center segment tang joint of SRB

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1986-01-01

A 4000 pound, 11' x 20' piece of the aft center segment tang joint of the Shuttle Challenger's right-hand solid rocket booster is off loaded from the Stena Workhorse after its recovery on April 13, 1986. The burned out area is 15' x 28'.

Sipjeondaebo-tang in patients with cancer with anorexia: a protocol for a pilot, randomised, controlled trial

PubMed Central

Cheon, Chunhoo; Park, Sunju; Park, Yu Lee; Huang, Ching-Wen; Ko, Youme; Jang, Bo-Hyoung; Shin, Yong-Cheol; Ko, Seong-Gyu

2016-01-01

Introduction Cancer-related anorexia is the loss of appetite or desire to eat in patients with cancer. Although treatments for cancer-related anorexia do exist, patients have sought complementary and alternative medicine including herbal remedies, due to safety concerns. Sipjeondaebo-tang is one among other popular herbal medicines that are beneficial to management of anorexia in Korea. The purpose of this study is to examine the feasibility for a full randomised clinical trial of Sipjeondaebo-tang for cancer-related anorexia. Methods and analysis This study is a randomised, double-blinded and placebo-controlled trial of Sipjeondaebo-tang. For the study, 40 patients with cancer, aged 20–80 years, who reported anorexia, will be recruited. The participants will receive either 3 g of Sipjeondaebo-tang or a placebo, 3 times a day for 4 weeks. The primary end point is a change in the anorexia/cachexia subscale (A/CS) of Functional Assessment of Anorexia/Cachexia Therapy (FAACT). The secondary end points include changes in the visual analogue scale (VAS) of appetite, cortisol and ghrelin. The outcomes will be measured on every visit. Each participant will visit once a week during 4 weeks. Ethics and dissemination The present study has been approved by the Institutional Review Board of the Dunsan Korean Medicine Hospital of Daejeon University (reference DJDSKH-15-03-2 (V.2.0)). The results will be disseminated in a peer-reviewed journal and scientific conference. Trial registration number NCT02468141; Pre-results. PMID:27173813

VizieR Online Data Catalog: Kepler multiple transiting planet systems (Wang+, 2015)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, J.; Fischer, D. A.; Xie, J.-W.; Ciardi, D. R.

2017-10-01

The sample of MTPSs remains the same as that in Wang et al. (2014, J/ApJ/783/4). From the NASA Exoplanet Archive (http://exoplanetarchive.ipac.caltech.edu), we select Kepler objects of interest (KOIs) that satisfy the following criteria: (1) disposition of either Candidate or Confirmed; (2) with at least two planet candidates; (3) Kepler magnitude (KP) brighter than 13.5. The above selection criteria resulted in 138 MTPSs in Wang et al. (2014, J/ApJ/783/4). With the updated Exoplanet Archive, the selection criteria resulted in 208 MTPSs. In this paper, we focus on the 138 MTPSs to be consistent with previous work. (4 data files).

Retraction Note to: Ultra-High Strength and Ductile Lamellar-Structured Powder Metallurgy Binary Ti-Ta Alloys

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Yong; Xu, Shenghang; Wang, Xin; Li, Kaiyang; Liu, Bin; Wu, Hong; Tang, Huiping

2018-05-01

The editors and authors have retracted the article, "Ultra-High Strength and Ductile Lamellar-Structured Powder Metallurgy Binary Ti-Ta Alloys" by Yong Liu, Shenghang Xu, Xin Wang, Kaiyang Li, Bin Liu, Hong Wu, and Huiping Tang (https://doi.org/10.1007/s11837-015-1801-1).

Sipjeondaebo-tang in patients with cancer with anorexia: a protocol for a pilot, randomised, controlled trial.

PubMed

Cheon, Chunhoo; Park, Sunju; Park, Yu Lee; Huang, Ching-Wen; Ko, Youme; Jang, Bo-Hyoung; Shin, Yong-Cheol; Ko, Seong-Gyu

2016-05-12

Cancer-related anorexia is the loss of appetite or desire to eat in patients with cancer. Although treatments for cancer-related anorexia do exist, patients have sought complementary and alternative medicine including herbal remedies, due to safety concerns. Sipjeondaebo-tang is one among other popular herbal medicines that are beneficial to management of anorexia in Korea. The purpose of this study is to examine the feasibility for a full randomised clinical trial of Sipjeondaebo-tang for cancer-related anorexia. This study is a randomised, double-blinded and placebo-controlled trial of Sipjeondaebo-tang. For the study, 40 patients with cancer, aged 20-80 years, who reported anorexia, will be recruited. The participants will receive either 3 g of Sipjeondaebo-tang or a placebo, 3 times a day for 4 weeks. The primary end point is a change in the anorexia/cachexia subscale (A/CS) of Functional Assessment of Anorexia/Cachexia Therapy (FAACT). The secondary end points include changes in the visual analogue scale (VAS) of appetite, cortisol and ghrelin. The outcomes will be measured on every visit. Each participant will visit once a week during 4 weeks. The present study has been approved by the Institutional Review Board of the Dunsan Korean Medicine Hospital of Daejeon University (reference DJDSKH-15-03-2 (V.2.0)). The results will be disseminated in a peer-reviewed journal and scientific conference. NCT02468141; Pre-results. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/

[WANG Zhizhong and his Experience on Acupuncture and Moxibustion Therapy].

PubMed

Qin, Qin; Chai, Tiequ; Wang, Jiahui; Zhou, Lei

2016-07-12

WANG Zhizhong , born in the Southern Song Dynasty, was proficient in TCM theory and enjoyed summarizing proved prescriptions. During his spare time, he wrote Experience on Acupuncture and Moxibustion Therapy with scientific writing structure, wide quote of references and attached medical reports, which modified and enriched the content of acupoint therapy. This book played an important role as a link between past and future; it included a considerable number of moxibustion methods and was considered as the greatest medical achievement before Song Dynasty. In addition, this book contained the greatest number of proved prescriptions among the ancient acupuncture books, so its academic value was self-evident. However, when examining and correcting the acupoints, WANG ignored the fact that acupuncture physicians had different clinical experience and their understanding on the body structure was discrepant, so the contradictions of location and indications of acupoints appeared in the book.

Compressing random microstructures via stochastic Wang tilings.

PubMed

Novák, Jan; Kučerová, Anna; Zeman, Jan

2012-10-01

This Rapid Communication presents a stochastic Wang tiling-based technique to compress or reconstruct disordered microstructures on the basis of given spatial statistics. Unlike the existing approaches based on a single unit cell, it utilizes a finite set of tiles assembled by a stochastic tiling algorithm, thereby allowing to accurately reproduce long-range orientation orders in a computationally efficient manner. Although the basic features of the method are demonstrated for a two-dimensional particulate suspension, the present framework is fully extensible to generic multidimensional media.

Dual regulation of HMGB1 by combined JNK1/2-ATF2 axis with miR-200 family in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis in mice.

PubMed

Chen, Xin; Ling, Yan; Wei, Yanping; Tang, Jing; Ren, Yibing; Zhang, Baohua; Jiang, Feng; Li, Hengyu; Wang, Ruoyu; Wen, Wen; Lv, Guishuai; Wu, Mengchao; Chen, Lei; Li, Liang; Wang, Hongyang

2018-05-01

In the context of diabetes, obesity, and metabolic syndrome, the inflammatory signaling has critical roles in the pathogenesis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), but the underlying mechanisms remain poorly delineated. Herein, early and persistently elevated, proinflammatory cytokine HMGB1 expression was detected in a high-fat diet (HFD)-induced NAFLD model in C57BL/6 mice. The expression and extracellular release of HMGB1 was rapidly and dramatically induced by saturated palmitic acid in vitro. HFD-induced inflammatory response and liver function impairment were both mitigated after the inhibition of endogenous HMGB1 by neutralizing antibody in vivo. The up-regulation of HMGB1 was thought to be modified by dual channels: in the transcriptional level, it was regulated by JNK1/JNK2-ATF2 axis; post-transcriptionally, it was regulated by the microRNA (miR)-200 family, especially miR-429. miR-429 liver conditional knockout mice (miR-429 Δhep ), fed either a normal diet or an HFD, showed severe liver inflammation and dysfunction, accompanied by greater expression of HMGB1. Intriguingly, the up-regulation and release of HMGB1 could in turn self-activate TLR4-JNK1/JNK2-ATF2 signaling, thus forming a positive feedback. Our findings reveal a novel mechanism by which HMGB1 expression was regulated by both the JNK1/2-ATF2 axis and the miR-200 family, which provides a potential new approach for the treatment of NAFLD.-Chen, X., Ling, Y., Wei, Y., Tang, J., Ren, Y., Zhang, B., Jiang, F., Li, H., Wang, R., Wen, W., Lv, G., Wu, M., Chen, L., Li, L., Wang, H. Dual regulation of HMGB1 by combined JNK1/2-ATF2 axis with miR-200 family in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis in mice.

Argonne HEP Lunch Seminars

Science.gov Websites

coating of nanoporous materials March 27, 2007 Wei Wang (Boston University) Studies of non-standard - The first experimental demonstration of wakefield transformer ratio enhancement June 19, 2007 Room F Avenue, to obtain a gate pass. Non-US citizens should contact the HEP office at (630) 252-6270 in advance

Antidepressant-like effects of Gan-Mai-Dazao-Tang via monoamine regulatory pathways on forced swimming test in rats.

PubMed

Huang, Hsiang-Ling; Lim, Swee-Ling; Lu, Kuan-Hung; Sheen, Lee-Yan

2018-01-01

Depression is a highly prevalent and recurrent mental disorder that impacts all aspects of human life. Undesirable effects of the antidepressant drugs led to the development of complementary and alternative therapies. Gan-Mai-Da-Zao-Tang (, gān mài dà zǎo tang) is a traditional herbal formula commonly used for the treatment of depression, but lack of scientific proof on its mechanism. It consisted of Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch. (licorice), Triticum aestivum L. (wheat) and Zizphus jujuba Mill. (jujube). The objective of this study is to investigate the antidepressant effects of Gan-Mai-Dazao-Tang and its ingredients in rats exposed to forced swimming test (FST). The 72 of male Nerl: Wistar rats (8 weeks old) were randomized into control (10 mL/kg bw H 2 O), licorice (0.4 g/kg bw), wheat (1.6 g/kg bw), jujube (0.5 g/kg bw), Gan-Mai-Da-Zao-Tang (2.5 g/kg bw of licorice: wheat: jujube in ratio of 5:20:6) and Prozac (18 mg/kg bw) groups. Samples were administered by oral gavage for 21 days. FST was performed on 21st day, with 15 min for pretest followed by 5 min for real test. Then, the animals were sacrificed and brain tissues were collected for monoamines analyses. The Gan-Mai-Da-Zao-Tang (LWJ) showed significantly down-regulation of immobility time, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and DOPAC/dopamine (DA) turnover rates, and also enhanced the concentration of serotonin (5-HT) and DA in brain tissues, as compared with the control. The LWJ stated the potent antidepressant-like effect by modulating these monoamines concentration, while the licorice, wheat and jujube did not reported significant results as compared with control group. The positive control (Prozac) was noted with significantly reduction in body weight and appetite. In conclusion, the antidepressant-like effects of LWJ might be mediated by the regulation of monoamine neurotransmitters. Thus, it could beneficial in depression treatment as a complementary approach.

The "Three Doctrines Discussions" of Tang China: Religious Debate as a Rhetorical Strategy.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Garrett, Mary M.

1994-01-01

Reports on the origins and importance of the "Three Doctrines Discussions" of the Chinese Tang dynasty (618-960). Shows how their evolution and decline parallel shifts in the balance of political power. Argues that these debates functioned rhetorically to enhance and legitimate the emperor's political power. (HB)

Free energy computations employing Jarzynski identity and Wang – Landau algorithm

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kalyan, M. Suman, E-mail: maroju.sk@gmail.com; Murthy, K. P. N.; School of Physics, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad, Telangana, India – 500046

We introduce a simple method to compute free energy differences employing Jarzynski identity in conjunction with Wang – Landau algorithm. We demonstrate this method on Ising spin system by comparing the results with those obtained from canonical sampling.

Integrating Real-World Numeracy Applications and Modelling into Vocational Courses

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hall, Graham

2014-01-01

Practitioner research is in progress at a Further Education college to improve the motivation of vocational students for numeracy and problem solving. A framework proposed by Tang, Sui, & Wang (2003) has been adapted for use in courses. Five levels are identified for embedding numeracy applications and modelling into vocational studies:…

Modeling of Residual Stress and Machining Distortion in Aerospace Components (PREPRINT)

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-03-01

John Gayda, “The Effect of Heat Treatment on Residual Stress and Machining Distortions in Advanced Nickel Base Disk Alloys,” NASA/TM-2001-210717. 2...Wei-Tsu Wu, Guoji Li, Juipeng Tang, Shesh Srivatsa, Ravi Shankar, Ron Wallis, Padu Ramasundaram and John Gayda, “A process modeling system for heat...Materials Processing Technology 98 (2000) 189-195. 6. M.A. Rist, S. Tin, B.A. Roder, J.A. James, and M.R. Daymond , “Residual Stresses in a

Chemical characterization of indoor air of homes from communes in Xuan Wei, China, with high lung cancer mortality rates

EPA Science Inventory

In a rural county, Xuan Wei, China, the lung cancer mortality rate is among China's highest, especially in women. This mortality rate is more associated with indoor air burning of smoky coal, as opposed to smokeless coal or wood, for cooking and heating under unvented conditions....

Yukmijihwang-tang for the treatment of xerostomia in the elderly: study protocol for a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, two-center trial.

PubMed

Han, Gajin; Park, Jae-Woo; Ko, Seok-Jae; Son, Jihee; Seon, Jongki; Kim, Juyeon; Kim, Seulki; Yeo, Inkwon; Ryu, Bongha; Kim, Jinsung

2013-09-03

Xerostomia, a subjective sense of dry mouth, is not generally regarded a disease despite its high prevalence among the elderly, and therefore continues to impair affected patients' quality of life. In traditional Korean medicine, 'Yin-Deficiency' has been implicated in the pathogenesis of xerostomia among the elderly. Yukmijihwang-tang is a famous herbal prescription used to relieve 'Yin-Deficiency', and reportedly has antioxidant effects; therefore, it is postulated that Yukmijihwang-tang can be used to treat xerostomia in the elderly. However, to our knowledge, no clinical trial has been conducted on the effects of Yukmijihwang-tang on xerostomia. Thus, we designed a randomized clinical trial to investigate the effects and safety of Yukmijihwang-tang on xerostomia in the elderly. In addition, we will clarify the aforementioned assumption that 'Yin-Deficiency' is the major cause of xerostomia in the elderly by identifying a correlation between xerostomia and 'Yin-Deficiency'. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial will be carried out at two centers: Kyung Hee University Korean Medicine Hospital and Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong. We will recruit 96 subjects aged 60-80 years who have experienced xerostomia for 3 months prior to participation. Subjects who present with score >40 on the visual analogue scale for xerostomia and unstimulated salivary flow rate under 0.3mL/min will be included and the randomization will be carried out by an independent statistician by using a random number creation program. The subjects and all researchers except the statistician will be blinded to the group assignment. Yukmijihwang-tang or placebo will be administered to each group for 8 weeks. The primary outcome is change in the scores for the visual analogue scale for xerostomia and the dry mouth symptom questionnaire from 0 to 8 weeks. It will be assessed whether Yukmijihwang-tang can be used as a new herbal treatment for xerostomia in the elderly by

Yukmijihwang-tang for the treatment of xerostomia in the elderly: study protocol for a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, two-center trial

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Background Xerostomia, a subjective sense of dry mouth, is not generally regarded a disease despite its high prevalence among the elderly, and therefore continues to impair affected patients’ quality of life. In traditional Korean medicine, ‘Yin-Deficiency’ has been implicated in the pathogenesis of xerostomia among the elderly. Yukmijihwang-tang is a famous herbal prescription used to relieve ‘Yin-Deficiency’, and reportedly has antioxidant effects; therefore, it is postulated that Yukmijihwang-tang can be used to treat xerostomia in the elderly. However, to our knowledge, no clinical trial has been conducted on the effects of Yukmijihwang-tang on xerostomia. Thus, we designed a randomized clinical trial to investigate the effects and safety of Yukmijihwang-tang on xerostomia in the elderly. In addition, we will clarify the aforementioned assumption that ‘Yin-Deficiency’ is the major cause of xerostomia in the elderly by identifying a correlation between xerostomia and ‘Yin-Deficiency’. Methods/Design This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial will be carried out at two centers: Kyung Hee University Korean Medicine Hospital and Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong. We will recruit 96 subjects aged 60-80 years who have experienced xerostomia for 3 months prior to participation. Subjects who present with score >40 on the visual analogue scale for xerostomia and unstimulated salivary flow rate under 0.3mL/min will be included and the randomization will be carried out by an independent statistician by using a random number creation program. The subjects and all researchers except the statistician will be blinded to the group assignment. Yukmijihwang-tang or placebo will be administered to each group for 8 weeks. The primary outcome is change in the scores for the visual analogue scale for xerostomia and the dry mouth symptom questionnaire from 0 to 8 weeks. Discussion It will be assessed whether Yukmijihwang-tang can be used as a

A Response to Ling-chi Wang, Elaine Kim, and Sucheng Chan.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Takaki, Ronald

1990-01-01

Replies to every criticism in the foregoing essays of Ling-chi Wang, Elaine Kim, and Sucheng Chan. Endorses Chan's call for more in-depth research. Explains that the size of the book and the number of sources prevented closer annotation in the first edition. (DM)

Wang OIS glossary package for reformatting documents telecommunicated to the OIS system

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Markow, S.R.

1983-12-09

Documents that are composed on a computer and then transmitted by telecommunications into a Wang Office Information System (OIS) word processing system need to be reformatted and cleaned up before they can be used properly as word processing documents suitable for further revisions or additions. This report describes a group of glossary entries created for the Wang OIS which simplifies the job of cleaning up telecommunicated documents. This glossary is a semi-automated process designed to eliminate most of the tedious work needed to be performed in removing extra spaces and returns, adjusting formats, moving material, repagination, using tabs or indents,more » and similar problems. The report briefly discusses the problems, describes the glossary approach to solving them, and gives instructions for actually using the glossary entries.« less

Solution of the Wang Chang-Uhlenbeck equation for molecular hydrogen

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Anikin, Yu. A.

2017-06-01

Molecular hydrogen is modeled by numerically solving the Wang Chang-Uhlenbeck equation. The differential scattering cross sections of molecules are calculated using the quantum mechanical scattering theory of rigid rotors. The collision integral is computed by applying a fully conservative projection method. Numerical results for relaxation, heat conduction, and a one-dimensional shock wave are presented.

[Evaluation study on integration effect of taohong siwu tang in treating primary dysmenorrhea].

PubMed

Liu, Li; Duan, Jin-Ao; Hua, Yong-Qing; Liu, Pei; Shang, Er-Xin; Tang, Yu-Ping; Su, Shu-Lan

2012-11-01

To evaluate the effect of Taohong Siwu Tang and its fractions on hotplate-induced pain in mice, acetic acid-induced writhing response, dysmenorrheal model and isolated uterine contraction in vitro in mice, and discuss material basis of effect sites. The samples of fractions were prepared by macroporous adsorptive resins (TH-1-TH-15). In the whole animal experiment, the hotplate-induced pain mice model was established to observe the effect of the samples on pain threshold in mice; the acetic acid-induced writhing response mice model was built to observe the effect of the samples on the writhing response in mice; the mice dysmenorrheal model was established to observe the effect of the samples on the writhing response, and calcium ion (Ca2+) and nitric oxide (NO) levels in uterine tissue of mice. In the isolated uterus contraction experiment, the oxytocin-induced isolated uterus contraction mice model was established to observe the effect of the samples on the isolated uterus contraction index. HPLC-DAD method was adopted for the content determination of effect sites. According to the evaluation of the integration geological effect, beside TH-2 and TH-4, other three active fractions (TH-9, TH-10 and TH-11) extracted from Taohong Siwu Tang are the main effect sites. Their chemical components were analyzed and identified as monoterpene glycosides, phthalides, organic acids, etc. The effect sites of Taohong Siwu Tang on dysmenorrhea are TH-9, TH-10 and TH-11, which are 30% - 50% active fractions obtained from water-soluble small-molecular fractions by gradient elution using ethanol through macroporous absorption resin. Compared with TH-10 and TH-11, TH-9 shows stronger effect, which may be related to the type and content of chemical components it contains.

[Professor WANG Fuchun's experience in the acupoint selection of clinical treatment with acupuncture and moxibustion].

PubMed

Jiang, Hailin; Liu, Chengyu; Ha, Lijuan; Li, Tie

2017-11-12

Professor WANG Fuchun 's experience in the acupoint selection of clinical treatment with acupuncture and moxibustion was summarized. The main acupoints are selected by focusing on the chief symptoms of disease, the supplementary points are selected by differentiating the disorders. The acupoints are modified in terms of the changes of sickness. The effective acupoints are selected flexibly in accordance with the specific effects of points. The summary on the acupoint selection reflects professor WANG Fuchun 's academic thoughts and clinical experience and effectively instructs the clinical practice of acupuncture and moxibustion.

Replica-exchange Wang Landau sampling: pushing the limits of Monte Carlo simulations in materials sciences

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Perera, Meewanage Dilina N; Li, Ying Wai; Eisenbach, Markus

We describe the study of thermodynamics of materials using replica-exchange Wang Landau (REWL) sampling, a generic framework for massively parallel implementations of the Wang Landau Monte Carlo method. To evaluate the performance and scalability of the method, we investigate the magnetic phase transition in body-centered cubic (bcc) iron using the classical Heisenberg model parameterized with first principles calculations. We demonstrate that our framework leads to a significant speedup without compromising the accuracy and precision and facilitates the study of much larger systems than is possible with its serial counterpart.

[Experience summary of professor WANG Fuchun's "Zhenjing Anshen" acupuncture method for insomnia].

PubMed

Li, Tie; Ha, Lijuan; Cao, Fang; Zhi, Mujun; Wang, Fuchun

2015-11-01

The experience of "Zhenjing Anshen" acupuncture method originally created by professor WANG Fuchun for treatment of insomnia was introduced in this paper. From aspects of insomnia pathogenesis, theoretical foundation, characteristics of acupoint selection, needing methods, needing time, etc., the experience of Professor WANG Fuchun for treatment of insomnia was explained. The "Zhenjing Anshen" acupuncture method proposed, for the first time, "new three layers" method of acupoint selection, including Sishencong (EX-HN 1), Shenmen (HT 7), Sanyinjiao (SP 6). This method presents the principles of acupoint selection along meridian, acupoint selection based on essence-qi-spirit, harmony of yin and yang. The acupuncture manipulation is emphasized, and treating time (the period of the day from 3 pm to 5 pm) is focused on; acupoint selection is simple but essential, and acupoint combination is scientific, which receives notable therapeutic effect in clinic.

Micro-Raman analysis of the pigments on painted pottery figurines from two tombs of the Northern Wei Dynasty in Luoyang

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Zhaojun; Han, Yunxia; Han, Ligang; Cheng, Yongjian; Ma, Yiqiang; Fang, Li

2013-05-01

The pigments on the painted pottery figurines from two tombs of Northern Wei Dynasty (AD 386-534) in Luoyang were analyzed by Raman microscopy. All the pigments were identified compared with the Raman spectra of standard pigments. The red pigments were identified as haematite, the blue pigment as lapis lazuli, the green pigment as malachite, the black pigment as carbon black and the white pigment as calcite. Similar pigments were used in the two tombs despite the pottery figurines were very different in artistic style. The use of lapis lazuli as blue pigment on Chinese painted pottery figurines was found for the first time. This pigment and the painted pottery figurine of Sogdians are of great archaeological significance because it demonstrated that the trade and cultural exchanges via the Silk Road had extended to Luoyang city in the Northern Wei Dynasty. The result also confirms that micro-Raman spectroscopy is a powerful analytical method for the identification of pigments on ancient artworks.

[Professor WANG Yin's academic thoughts and clinical application of acupuncture for spleen-sto-mach care].

PubMed

Niu, Hua; Cao, Haibo; Wang, Yin

Professor WANG Yin 's academic thoughts and clinical application for difficult and miscellaneous di-seases, especially acupuncture for spleen-stomach care, are introduced. Based on TCM basic theory and "ten needles for elderly" by WANG Yueting , Professor WANG Yin proposes the acupuncture for spleen-stomach care. In this method, three-element acupoint selection is applied; the conception vessel, spleen meridian of foot taiyin and stomach meridian of foot yangming were selected. The deep and penetration acupuncture with 0.4 mm×100 mm elongated needles is used at Zhongwan (CV 12), Qihai (CV 6) and Zigong (EX-CA 1), and the mild reinforcing-reducing method is used at remaining acupoints. According to the severity of diseases, fire acupuncture combined with blood-letting cupping is applied at Tianshu (ST 25), Xuehai (SP 10) and Yinlingquan (SP 9); gene-rally, two acupoints are selected and 1 to 3 mL blood-letting is appropriate. The modification based on this me-thod can be applied for various difficult and miscellaneous diseases, leading to superior efficacy.

From Wang-Chen System with Only One Stable Equilibrium to a New Chaotic System Without Equilibrium

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pham, Viet-Thanh; Wang, Xiong; Jafari, Sajad; Volos, Christos; Kapitaniak, Tomasz

2017-06-01

Wang-Chen system with only one stable equilibrium as well as the coexistence of hidden attractors has attracted increasing interest due to its striking features. In this work, the effect of state feedback on Wang-Chen system is investigated by introducing a further state variable. It is worth noting that a new chaotic system without equilibrium is obtained. We believe that the system is an interesting example to illustrate the conversion of hidden attractors with one stable equilibrium to hidden attractors without equilibrium.

Mineralogical and compositional characteristics of Late Permian coals from an area of high lung cancer rate in Xuan Wei, Yunnan, China: Occurrence and origin of quartz and chamosite

USGS Publications Warehouse

Dai, S.; Tian, L.; Chou, C.-L.; Zhou, Y.; Zhang, M.; Zhao, L.; Wang, Jingyuan; Yang, Z.; Cao, H.; Ren, D.

2008-01-01

Some townships in Xuan Wei County, Yunnan Province, have one of the highest lung cancer mortality rates in China and the epidemic disease in the area has generally been attributed to the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) released from domestic coal burning. However, the cancer-causing culprit is not settled as Tian [Tian, L., 2005. Coal Combustion Emissions and Lung Cancer in Xuan Wei, China. Ph.D. thesis, University of California, Berkeley.] found nanometer quartz in these coals, soot emissions, and lung cancer tissues. We have conducted mineralogical and geochemical studies of the coals from Xuan Wei for the purpose of shedding light on the minerals which may be related to the epidemic lung cancer. In this paper, abundances, modes of occurrence, and origins of minerals and elements in the coals from two mines in Xuan Wei have been studied using optical microscope, low-temperature ashing, X-ray diffraction analysis, scanning electron microscope equipped with energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer, and inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The minerals in the coals are mainly composed of quartz, chamosite, kaolinite, and calcite. The particle size of quartz is rather small, mostly less than 20????m and it is of authigenic origin. Chamosite occurs mainly as cell-fillings. The occurrence of quartz and chamosite indicates that they were derived from the hydrothermal fluids. Epigenetic calcite is derived from calcic fluids. Kaolinite is derived mainly from sediment source region of Kangdian Oldland to the west of coal basin. The composition of Xuan Wei coal is high in SiO2, Fe2O3, TiO2, CaO, MnO, V, Co, Ni, Cu, and Zn. The high SiO2 content is attributed to quartz, and the Fe2O3 content to chamosite. The high Mn and low Mg contents in the coal indicate the inputs of hydrothermal fluids. CaO occurs mainly in epigenetic calcite. Elements Ti, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, and rare earth elements were derived from the basaltic rocks at sediment source region. ?? 2008

Ke Wang, a Chinese television soap opera with a message.

PubMed

Wang, M; Singhal, A

1992-01-01

The Chinese soap opera, Ke Wang, was created by Li Xiaoming between August 1989 and June 1990 and produced at a cost of US$4650 per episode. The characters were drawn from everyday ordinary Chinese life: a traditional and open-minded and caring woman, a typical mother who works hard and loves her children, a highly educated upwardly mobile man who divorces his wife, a professor criticized during the Cultural Revolution, a doctor prejudiced against ordinary people, a kind honest man who marries the divorcee, a friend of the divorcee, a man who is optimistic in spite of bad experiences during the Cultural Revolution, and an excellent medical doctor who also resolves conflicts. The program was very popular, even among Communists, because of its value-based content, the real-life nature of the show, the change from highly restricted programming, the elaborate and supportive media coverage, and dialogue which closely matches audience preferences. The show has been aired by over 100 stations to date and has reached a total estimated audience of 550 million. The sale of television sets has increased since the show's appearance. The script reflects the conflicts between traditional and modern Chinese values. Pro-social values and behaviors are learned from the role models depicted; examples are given of immediate social impact. Ke Wang was a by-product of the Beijing Television Arts Center's interest in designing television programs that are relevant to the lives of ordinary people. The 60-minute scripts dealt with issues such as the status of women, social morality, family harmony, class conflict, responsible parenthood, maintenance of traditional culture, volunteerism, child development, and coping with physical disability. The Chinese government hailed Ke Wang as model television and awarded US$20,000 in prize money to the producers. The Chinese government is planning to produce other entertainment-education soap operas, which raises the problem of blatant, political

[Professor WANG Linpeng's experience of acupuncture for migraine based on different stages and types].

PubMed

Wang, Shaosong

2016-07-12

By using the methods of experience summary and case report, professor WANG Linpeng 's clinical experience of acupuncture for migraine was summarized.Professor WANG proposed the different acupuncture plans should be established according to the active stage and remission stage of migraine; in the active stage acupuncture should be applied at gallbladder meridian with penetration needling technique to reinforce the stimulation intensity; in the remission stage the aim was to regulate zang-fu and back- shu points should be emphasized.In addition, attention should be paid on acupuncture technique and preventive treatment.For menstruation-type and psychological disorder-type migraine, different acupuncture plans should be adopted and regulating meridian and spirit was essential in the treatment.

Evolution of the Orszag-Tang vortex system in a compressible medium. II - Supersonic flow

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Picone, J. Michael; Dahlburg, Russell B.

1991-01-01

A study is presented on the effect of embedded supersonic flows and the resulting emerging shock waves on phenomena associated with MHD turbulence, including reconnection, the formation of current sheets and vortex structures, and the evolution of spatial and temporal correlations among physical variables. A two-dimensional model problem, the Orszag-Tang (1979) vortex system, is chosen, which involves decay from nonrandom initial conditions. The system is doubly periodic, and the initial conditions consist of single-mode solenoidal velocity and magnetic fields, each containing X points and O points. The initial mass density is flat, and the initial pressure fluctuations are incompressible, balancing the local forces for a magnetofluid of unit mass density. Results on the evolution of the local structure of the flow field, the global properties of the system, and spectral correlations are presented. The important dynamical properties and observational consequences of embedded supersonic regions and emerging shocks in the Orszag-Tang model of an MHD system undergoing reconnection are discussed. Conclusions are drawn regarding the effects of local supersonic regions on MHD turbulence.

On the mixing time in the Wang-Landau algorithm

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fadeeva, Marina; Shchur, Lev

2018-01-01

We present preliminary results of the investigation of the properties of the Markov random walk in the energy space generated by the Wang-Landau probability. We build transition matrix in the energy space (TMES) using the exact density of states for one-dimensional and two-dimensional Ising models. The spectral gap of TMES is inversely proportional to the mixing time of the Markov chain. We estimate numerically the dependence of the mixing time on the lattice size, and extract the mixing exponent.

POLYMORPHISMS IN THE DNA BASE EXCISION REPAIR GENES APEX1 AND XRCC1 AND LUNG CANCER RISK IN XUAN WEI, CHINA

EPA Science Inventory

The lung cancer mortality rate in Xuan Wei County is among the highest in China and has been attributed to exposure to indoor smoky coal emissions that contain very high levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Nucleotide excision repair (NER) plays a key role in revers...

Comparison of the Side Populations in Pretreatment and Postrelapse Neuroblastoma Cell Lines

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-08-01

396–401. [15] Hansford LM, McKee AE, Zhang L, George RE, Gerstle JT, Thorner PS, Smith KM, Look AT, Yeger H, Miller FD, et al. (2007). Neuroblastoma...Acad Sci USA 103, 11154–11159. [32] Wu C, Wei Q , Utomo V, Nadesan P, Whetstone H, Kandel R, Wunder JS, and Alman BA (2007). Side population cells...Jeter CR, Badeaux M, Choy G, Chandra D, Patrawala L, Liu C, Calhoun- Davis T, Zaehres H, Daley GQ, and Tang DG (2009). Functional evidence that the

The administration of Sheng Hua Tang immediately after delivery to reduce the incidence of retained placenta in Holstein dairy cows.

PubMed

Cui, Dongan; Wang, Xuezhi; Wang, Lei; Wang, Xurong; Zhang, Jingyan; Qin, Zhe; Li, Jianxi; Yang, Zhiqiang

2014-03-15

Sheng Hua Tang, a classical herbal formula consisting of Radix Angelicae sinensis, Ligustici rhizoma, Semen persicae, Zingiberis rhizoma, and Radix glycyrrhizae, is known to be beneficial in alleviating postpartum diseases and facilitating a return to normal reproductive function. This study investigated whether the administration of Sheng Hua Tang within 2 to 4 hours after delivery was effective as a preventive treatment for reducing the risk of retained placenta in Holstein dairy cows. A total of 357 cows, each of which had delivered its calf spontaneously, were randomly allocated to one of two groups. In the treatment group, the cows (n = 175) received Sheng Hua Tang with an oral dose of 0.36 g crude herb per kg·body weight once daily for three consecutive days. The controls (n = 182) received no treatment. The placental retention proportion was 4.0% and 17.0% within 12 hours after delivery in the treated and control animals, respectively (P < 0.01). We found decreases in the calving-to-first-service interval (73.2 ± 25.1 vs. 81.9 ± 32.8 days; P < 0.01), calving-to-conception interval (93.4 ± 38.8 vs. 114.6 ± 42.9 days; P < 0.01), and service per conception (1.5 ± 0.8 vs. 1.9 ± 1.0 days; P < 0.01) in the treatment group compared with the control group. The first artificial insemination conception proportion was higher in the treatment group than in the control group (60.4% vs. 41.1%; P = 0.01). Moreover, the between-group difference in the proportion of cows that were pregnant within 180 days postpartum approached statistical significance (88.2% vs. 80.6%; P = 0.07). Sheng Hua Tang showed beneficial effects in reducing the incidence of retained placenta and improving subsequent reproductive performance in cows. This preventive treatment strategy would be effective in improving the management of puerperal health. The potential benefits of Sheng Hua Tang warrant further investigation to determine whether this preventive treatment strategy can be endorsed as

Expression of Cytochrome P450s in the Liver of Rats Administered with Socheongryong-tang, a Traditional Herbal Formula

PubMed Central

Jin, Seong Eun; Ha, Hyekyung; Seo, Chang-Seob; Shin, Hyeun-Kyoo; Jeong, Soo-Jin

2016-01-01

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential influences of Socheongryong-tang (SCRT) on the messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) and protein expression of cytochrome P450 (CYP450) in vivo. Materials and Methods: SCRT was orally administered to either male or female Sprague-Dawley rats once daily at doses of 0, 1000, 2000, or 5000 mg/kg/day for 13 weeks. The mRNA expression of CYP450s (CYP1A1, 1A2, 2B1/2, 2C11, 2E1, 3A1, 3A2, and 4A1) in liver tissues was measured by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. And then, the protein expression of CYP1A1 and CYP2B1/2 in liver tissues was analyzed by the Western blot. Results: We found no significant influence in the mRNA expression of hepatic CYP1A2, 2C11, 2E1, 3A1, 3A2, and 4A1 after repeated administration of SCRT for 13 weeks. By contrast, the mRNA and protein expression of hepatic CYP1A1 was increased by repeated SCRT treatment in male rats, but not in female rats. The mRNA and protein expression of hepatic CYP2B1/2 in both genders was increased by administration of SCRT. Conclusion: A caution is needed when SCRT is co-administered with substrates of CYP2B1/2 for clinical usage. In case of male, an attention is also required when SCRT and drugs metabolized by CYP1A1 are taken together. Our findings provide information regarding the safety and effectiveness of SCRT when combined with conventional drugs. SUMMARY Oral administration of Socheongryong-tang for 13 weeks did not affect the mRNA expression of hepatic CYP1A2, 2C11, 2E1, 3A1, 3A2, and 4A1In male rats, oral administration of Socheongryong-tang for 13 weeks induced the mRNA and protein expression of hepatic CYP1A1 and CYP2B1/2In female rats, oral administration of Socheongryong-tang for 13 weeks induced the mRNA and protein expression of hepatic CYP2B1/2. Abbreviations used: SCRT: Socheongryong-tang, CYP450: Cytochrome P450, HPLC: High performance liquid chromatography, RT-PCR: Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. PMID

1/f Noise in Bak-Tang-Wiesenfeld Models on Narrow Stripes

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Maslov, S.; Tang, C.; Zhang, Y.

We report our findings of a 1/f power spectrum for the total amount of sand in directed and undirected Bak-Tang-Wiesenfeld models confined to narrow stripes and driven locally. The underlying mechanism for the 1/f noise in these systems is an exponentially long configuration memory giving rise to a very broad distribution of time scales. Both models are solved analytically with the help of an operator algebra to explicitly show the appearance of the long configuration memory. {copyright} {ital 1999} {ital The American Physical Society}

Dynamics analysis of fractional order Yu-Wang system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bhalekar, Sachin

2013-10-01

Fractional order version of a dynamical system introduced by Yu and Wang (Engineering, Technology & Applied Science Research, 2, (2012) 209-215) is discussed in this article. The basic dynamical properties of the system are studied. Minimum effective dimension 0.942329 for the existence of chaos in the proposed system is obtained using the analytical result. For chaos detection, we have calculated maximum Lyapunov exponents for various values of fractional order. Feedback control method is then used to control chaos in the system. Further, the system is synchronized with itself and with fractional order financial system using active control technique. Modified Adams-Bashforth-Moulton algorithm is used for numerical simulations.

[Line scanning analysis of white porcelain from Gong Kiln in early Tang dynasty by energy disperse X-ray fluorescence].

PubMed

Ling, Xue; Mao, Zhen-wei; Feng, Min; Hu, Yao-wu; Wang, Chang-sui; Liu, Hong-miao

2005-07-01

Gong kiln, for its long porcelain-firing history, was one of three representative white porcelain kilns in northern China. In order to improve the quality and whiteness of white porcelain, a decorating layer or cosmetic earth was laid on the body surface in Gong kiln during early Tang dynasty, which was able to blot out rough surface and weaken the influence of fuscous body upon surface color. In this paper the main chemical composition of the white porcelain's profile was analyzed by using energy disperse X-Ray fluorescence. The result showed that different materials were used as cosmetic earth during early Tang dynasty, in accordance with the phenomenon under optical microscope. In addition, the glaze belongs to calcium glaze in which plant ash was added.

Tang dynasty (618-907) bowl measured with PIXE

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Laitinen, M.; Käyhkö, M.; Hahn, G.; von Uexküll-Güldenband, N.; Sajavaara, T.

2017-09-01

Brownish bowl originating from an underwater shipwreck located near Belitung island in the Java Sea, some 600 km south-east from Singapore, has been measured with particle induced X-ray emission. This study was a pilot project for the - now a spin-off company - Recenart research team where one target was to evaluate the authenticity of the different type of art objects. PIXE measurements were done from three different material positions from a single bowl received from a customer. These locations were categorized as a bluish/greenish pigment (under glaze), thick glaze and the body clay. When the obtained data was compared to the other references from different dynasties and kiln sites, the closest match was indeed the Tang dynasty, Tongguan/Ghangsha kiln-site potsherds - from where the bowl in question was also suspected to originate.

Identification and comparative quantification of bio-active phthalides in essential oils from si-wu-tang, fo-shou-san, radix angelica and rhizoma chuanxiong.

PubMed

Tang, Yuping; Zhu, Min; Yu, Sheng; Hua, Yongqing; Duan, Jin-Ao; Su, Shulan; Zhang, Xu; Lu, Yin; Ding, Anwei

2010-01-15

Phthalides are important bio-active constituents in Si-Wu-Tang and Fo-Shou-San, two commonly used Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) combined prescriptions mainly derived from Radix Angelica and Rhizoma Chuanxiong. In this paper, the contents of eight phthalides, including Z-ligustilide, E-ligustilide, Z-butylenephthalide, E-butylene-phthalide, 3-butylphthalide, neocnidilide and senkyunolide A were determined or estimated by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The results showed GC-MS was a simple, rapid, and high sensitive method for analyzing phthalides in Si-Wu-Tang, Fo-Shou-San, Radix Angelica and Rhizoma Chuanxiong, and the extractable contents of each phthalides including Z-ligustilide, E-ligustilide, Z-butylenephthalide, etc. varied after Radix Angelica, Rhizoma Chuanxiong were combined into a formulation, such as Si-Wu-Tang and Fo-Shou-San. Furthermore, inhibition activity of essential oils from Si-Wu-Tang, Fo-Shou-San, Radix Angelica and Rhizoma Chuanxiong on uterine contraction was tested in an in vitro assay, and the results showed that the activity of the essential oil is higher as the content of the phthalides increase, which demonstrated that phthalides are possibly main active components inhibiting mice uterine contraction in vitro. All of the results suggested that comparative analysis of chemical components and pharmacological activities of each herb and formula is possibly helpful to elucidate the active components in traditional Chinese medicine, and to reveal the compatibility mechanism of TCM formulae.

Elemental analyses on porcelains of Tang and Song Dynasties excavated from Yongjinwan zone at Jinsha site

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xia, C. D.; Ge, L. J.; Liu, M. T.; Zhu, J. J.; An, Z.; Bai, B.

2018-02-01

The work presented here carried out elemental analyses on 60 porcelain shards of Tang and Song Dynasties, unearthed from Yongjinwan zone at Jinsha site, Sichuan, China, using a combination of PIXE and RBS methods. Six shards from Liulichang kiln site and 6 from Shifangtang kiln site were also analyzed as reference materials. The factor analyses for the elemental compositions in the bodies and glazes of the total 72 porcelain shards have been performed to explore their similarities and differences. Combining the results of factor analyses on elements in bodies and glazes and the classification by traditional archaeological criteria, the provenances for most of shards unearthed from Yongjinwan zone in Jinsha site could be determined. Majority of shards with a Qiong-kiln style were found as products of Liulichang kiln, this is consistent with Yongjinwan's geographical location and social environment, i.e., Yongjinwan was a suburban settlement nearest to Liulichang kiln in ancient times. Although both products of Liulichang kiln and Shifangtang kiln belonged to Qiong-kiln system and they shared a similar appearance such as red body and celadon glaze, there were distinct differences in chemical composition which could be unraveled by PIXE-RBS measurements and factor analysis. There were no apparent differences of chemical compositions for the same kinds of body and glaze between Tang and Song Dynasties, which may suggest that raw materials and production techniques for the same kinds of body and glaze continued between Tang and Song Dynasties. The chemical characteristics for each kind of body and glaze and the correlations between element composition and porcelain appearance were also obtained in this work.

Becoming an International Scientist in South Korea: Ho Wang Lee's Research Activity about Epidemic Hemorrhagic Fever.

PubMed

Shin, Miyoung

2017-04-01

In the 1960-70s, South Korea was still in the position of a science latecomer. Although the scientific research environment in South Korea at that time was insufficient, there was a scientist who achieved outcomes that could be recognized internationally while acting in South Korea. He was Ho Wang Lee(1928~ ) who found Hantann Virus that causes epidemic hemorrhagic fever for the first time in the world. It became a clue to identify causative viruses of hemorrhagic diseases that were scattered here and there throughout the world. In addition, these outcomes put Ho Wang Lee on the global center of research into epidemic hemorrhagic fever. This paper examines how a Korean scientist who was in the periphery of virology could go into the central area of virology. Also this article shows the process through which the virus found by Ho Wang Lee was registered with the international academia and he proceeded with follow-up research based on this progress to reach the level at which he generalized epidemic hemorrhagic fever related studies throughout the world. While he was conducting the studies, experimental methods that he had never experienced encountered him as new difficulties. He tried to solve the new difficulties faced in his changed status through devices of cooperation and connection. Ho Wang Lee's growth as a researcher can be seen as well as a view of a researcher that grew from a regional level to an international level and could advance from the area of non-mainstream into the mainstream. This analytic tool is meaningful in that it can be another method of examining the growth process of scientists in South Korea or developing countries.

Effects of Inhalable Microparticles of Seonpyejeongcheon-Tang in an Asthma Mouse Model: - Effects of Microparticles of SJT.

PubMed

Yang, Won-Kyung; Lee, Chul-Hwa; Kim, Min-Hee; Kim, Seung-Hyeong; Choi, Hae-Yoon; Yeo, Yoon; Park, Yang-Chun

2016-12-01

Allergic asthma generally presents with symptoms of wheezing, coughing, breathlessness, and airway inflammation. Seonpyejeongcheon-tang (SJT) consists of 12 herbs. It originated from Jeongcheon-tang (JT), also known as Ding-chuan-tang, composed of 7 herbs, in She-sheng-zhong-miao-fang. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of local delivery of SJT via inhalable microparticles in an asthma mouse model. Microparticles containing SJT were produced by spray-drying with leucine as an excipient. SJT microparticles were evaluated with respect to their aerodynamic properties, in vitro cytotoxicity, in vivo toxicity, and therapeutic effects on ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthma in comparison with orally-administered SJT. SJT microparticles provided desirable aerodynamic properties (fine particle fraction of 48.9% ± 6.4% and mass median aerodynamic diameter of 3.7 ± 0.3 μm). SJT microparticles did not show any cytotoxicity against RAW 264.7 macrophages at concentrations of 0.01 - 3 mg/mL. Inhaled SJT microparticles decreased the levels of IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, IL-17A, eotaxin and OVA-IgE in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) in mice with OVA-induced asthma. These effects were verified by histological evaluation of the levels of infiltration of inflammatory cells and collagen, destructions of alveoli and bronchioles, and hyperplasia of goblet cells in lung tissues. The effects of SJT microparticles in the asthma model were equivalent to those of orally-administered SJT extract. This study suggests that SJT is a promising agent for inhalation therapy for patients with asthma.

Peer review statement

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

2012-11-01

All papers published in this volume of Journal of Physics: Conference Series have been peer reviewed through processes administered by the editors of the 26th IAHR Symposium on Hydraulic Machinery and Systems proceedings. Reviews were conducted by expert referees from the International Technical Committee to the professional and scientific standards expected of a proceedings journal published by IOP Publishing. The members of the Scientific Committee who selected and reviewed the papers included in the Proceedings of the 26th IAHR Symposium on Hydraulic Machinery and Systems are: Yulin WU Tsinghua University China François AVELLAN EPFL-LMH Switzerland (principal) Xingqi LUO Xi'an University of Sci & Tech China Martin BÖHLE Kaiserslautern University Germany Gerard BOIS Arts et Métiers ParisTech France Luca D'AGOSTINO University of Pisa Italy Eduard EGUSQUIZA Polytechnical University Catalonia Spain Richard FISHER Voith Hydro Inc USA Regiane FORTES-PATELLA Institute Polytechnique de Grenoble France Aleksandar GAJIC University of Belgrade Serbia Wei YANG China Agriculture University China YinLu YOUNG University of Michigan USA Adrian LUNGU Dunarea de Jos University of Galati Romania Arpad FAY University of Miskolcz Hungary José GONZÁLEZ Universidad de Oviedo Spain Baoshan ZHU Tsinghua University China Hongxun CHEN Shanghai University China Chisachi KATO University of Tokyo Japan Zhenyue MA Dalian University of Sci & Tech China Honggang FAN Tsinghua University China François GUIBAULT Ecole Polytechnique de Montreal Canada Pengcheng GUO Xian University of Technology China Leqing WANG Zhejiang University China Toshiaki IKOHAGI Tohoku University Japan Jiandong YANG Wuhan University China Jianzhong ZHOU Huazhong University of Sci & Tech China Jinwei LI NULL China Rennian LI Lanzhou University of Sci & Tech China Houlin LIU NULL China Juan LIU Tsinghua University China Shuhong LIU Tsinghua University China Xianwu LUO Tsinghua University China Michihiro NISHI Tsinghua

China Report: Political, Sociological and Military Affairs.

DTIC Science & Technology

1983-03-18

Production Brigade of Guangbao Commune in raising chickens and rabbits in a big way. We must mobilize the commune member house- holds to utilize...The state and the commune, production brigades, and production teams operate fish farms, some of which raise fry . Why not go ahead with raising fish...Wei Xinyi, Huang Yu, Yang Jike, Guo Tixiang, Meng Fulin, Hu Tan, Zhu Nong, Fang Shiliang, Wang Zenong, Pan Ezhang, Liu Zhengwen, Chen Tianren, Ma

The Wang-Landau Sampling Algorithm

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Landau, David P.

2003-03-01

Over the past several decades Monte Carlo simulations[1] have evolved into a powerful tool for the study of wide-ranging problems in statistical/condensed matter physics. Standard methods sample the probability distribution for the states of the system, usually in the canonical ensemble, and enormous improvements have been made in performance through the implementation of novel algorithms. Nonetheless, difficulties arise near phase transitions, either due to critical slowing down near 2nd order transitions or to metastability near 1st order transitions, thus limiting the applicability of the method. We shall describe a new and different Monte Carlo approach [2] that uses a random walk in energy space to determine the density of states directly. Once the density of states is estimated, all thermodynamic properties can be calculated at all temperatures. This approach can be extended to multi-dimensional parameter spaces and has already found use in classical models of interacting particles including systems with complex energy landscapes, e.g., spin glasses, protein folding models, etc., as well as for quantum models. 1. A Guide to Monte Carlo Simulations in Statistical Physics, D. P. Landau and K. Binder (Cambridge U. Press, Cambridge, 2000). 2. Fugao Wang and D. P. Landau, Phys. Rev. Lett. 86, 2050 (2001); Phys. Rev. E64, 056101-1 (2001).

An L1-Script-Transfer-Effect Fallacy: A Rejoinder to Wang et al

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Yamada, Jun

2004-01-01

Do different L1 (first language) writing systems differentially affect word identification in English as a second language (ESL)? Wang, Koda, and Perfetti [Cognition 87 (2003) 129] answered yes by examining Chinese students with a logographic L1 background and Korean students with an alphabetic L1 background for their phonological and orthographic…

Untargeted serum metabolomics reveals Fu-Zhu-Jiang-Tang tablet and its optimal combination improve an impaired glucose and lipid metabolism in type II diabetic rats.

PubMed

Tao, Yi; Chen, Xi; Cai, Hao; Li, Weidong; Cai, Baochang; Chai, Chuan; Di, Liuqing; Shi, Liyun; Hu, Lihong

2017-01-01

Fu-Zhu-Jiang-Tang tablet, a six-herb preparation, was proved to show beneficial effects on type II diabetes patients in clinical. This study aims to optimize the component proportion of the six-herb preparation and explore the serum metabolic signatures of type II diabetes rats after treatment with Fu-Zhu-Jiang-Tang tablet and its optimal combination. The component proportion of the preparation was optimized using uniform experimental design and machine learning techniques. Untargeted GC-MS metabolomic experiments were carried out with serum samples from model group and treatment groups. Data were normalized, multivariate and univariate statistical analysis performed and metabolites of interest putatively identified. 23 metabolites were significantly changed by Fu-Zhu-Jiang-Tang tablet treatment and the majority of these were decreased, including various carbohydrates (glucose, mannose, fructose, allose and gluconic acid), unsaturated fatty acids (palmitic acid, 9-octadecenoic acid, oleic acid, arachidonic acid), alanine, valine, propanoic acid, 3-hydroxybutyrate, along with pyrimidine and cholesterol. Increased concentrations of oxalic acid, leucine, glycine, serine, threonine, proline, lysine and citrate were observed. In the optimal combination-fed group, 21 metabolites were significantly affected and strikingly, the magnitudes of changes here were generally much greater than that of Fu-Zhu-Jiang-Tang tablet treated rats. 18 metabolites affected in both groups included various carbohydrates (mannose, glucose, allose, fructose and gluconic acid), unsaturated fatty acids (palmitic acid, 9-octadecenoic acid, oleic acid and arachidonic acid), short-chain fatty acids (oxalic acid, 3-hydroxybutyrate), and amino acids (alanine, valine, leucine, glycine, proline and lysine), as well as pyrimidine. Metabolites exclusively affected in optimal combination treated rat included succinic acid, cysteine and phenylalanine, whilst four metabolites (propanoic acid, citrate

Wang-Landau Reaction Ensemble Method: Simulation of Weak Polyelectrolytes and General Acid-Base Reactions.

PubMed

Landsgesell, Jonas; Holm, Christian; Smiatek, Jens

2017-02-14

We present a novel method for the study of weak polyelectrolytes and general acid-base reactions in molecular dynamics and Monte Carlo simulations. The approach combines the advantages of the reaction ensemble and the Wang-Landau sampling method. Deprotonation and protonation reactions are simulated explicitly with the help of the reaction ensemble method, while the accurate sampling of the corresponding phase space is achieved by the Wang-Landau approach. The combination of both techniques provides a sufficient statistical accuracy such that meaningful estimates for the density of states and the partition sum can be obtained. With regard to these estimates, several thermodynamic observables like the heat capacity or reaction free energies can be calculated. We demonstrate that the computation times for the calculation of titration curves with a high statistical accuracy can be significantly decreased when compared to the original reaction ensemble method. The applicability of our approach is validated by the study of weak polyelectrolytes and their thermodynamic properties.

Heavy metal pollution and health risk assessment in the Wei River in China.

PubMed

Yang, Xuefu; Duan, Jinming; Wang, Lei; Li, Wei; Guan, Jianling; Beecham, Simon; Mulcahy, Dennis

2015-03-01

From data collected monthly at 26 monitoring cross sections in the Wei River in the Shaanxi Region of China during the period 2008-2012, the temporal pollution characteristics of heavy metals (Hg, Cd, Cr(VI), Pb, and As) were analyzed based on a heavy metal pollution index (HPI). The monthly HPI values of the five heavy metals in the river fluctuated greatly in 2008 and then declined gradually with time. This general trend of reduction in HPI appears not to have a seasonal variation and most likely resulted from the continued improvement in heavy metal pollution control strategies implemented by local environmental agencies combined with a significant improvement in wastewater treatment capacities. Among the five heavy metals, Cd and Pb were below 0.1 and 3 μg L(-1), respectively, at all the sampling points in the studied areas in the year 2012. The detection rates of As, Hg, and Cr(VI) were in the order of Hg > Cr(VI) > As. Hg, Cr(VI), and As exceeded, in a month of the dry season in 2012, the standard limits for category III surface waters according to the China Environment Quality Standards for Surface Water (CEQSSW). Based on the assessment using the HPI method, the pollution status of these heavy metals in water of the Wei River in the Shaanxi Region was generally at an acceptable level, but exhibited distinctive characteristics between the main stream river and tributaries. Most of the tributaries were more seriously polluted than the main river. A health risk assessment was conducted based on the Human Health Risk Assessment (HHRA) method recommended by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). Apart from As, the health risk for the five heavy metals in the region were at acceptable levels for drinking water sources (hazard quotient (HQ) < 1, carcinogenic risk (CR) ranged from 10(-4)-10(-6)) according to the Risk Assessment Guidance for Superfund (RAGS), USEPA. Arsenic was identified as the most important pollutant of concern

New Principles for Interfacial Engineering and Superstabilization of Biphase Systems by Using Particles with Engineered Structure and Properties

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-09-27

fresher foams are more resistant to destruction by a magnetic field since its higher water content and thicker films allowed for the movement of loose...of the carbonyl iron particles in the foam. As the strength of the applied magnetic field is increased, the strength of the particle chains resisting ...E. S.; Klamczynski, A.; Glenn, G. M., Starch -lignin Foams. eXPRESS Polym. Lett. 2010, 4, 311–320. 60. Wei, Z.; Yang, Y.; Yang, R.; Wang, C

Combined Effects of Primary and Tertiary Blast on Rat Brain: Characterization of a Model of Blast-induced Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-03-01

membranes and blocked with 4% non- fat dry milk for 1 h at room temperature. The blots were incubated with anti-mouse MPO monoclonal antibody (1:1000...Arun, M. Valiyaveettil, L. Biggemann, Y. Alamneh, Y. Wei, S. Oguntayo, Y. Wang, J.B. Long, M.P. Nambiar. Modulation of hearing related proteins in...skull with weight drop 30 sec post BOP, N=6-7 rats/gp) Fig 12. Changes in the neuron-specific cytoskeletal protein Microtubule-associated protein

GSTM1 AND GSTT1 GENOTYPES AND LUNG CANCER RISK ASSOCIATED WITH EXPOSURE TO INDOOR COAL EMISSIONS: A CASE-CONTROL STUDY IN XUAN WEI, CHINA

EPA Science Inventory

The lung cancer mortality rate in Xuan Wei County, China is among the highest in the country and has been associated with exposure to indoor smoky coal emissions that contain high levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. This risk may be modified by variation in metabolism gen...

[Book reviews] The Science of Allelopathy, edited by A. R. Putnam and C. Tang; Allelopathy, by E .L. Rice

USGS Publications Warehouse

Keeley, J.E.

1988-01-01

Review of: Putnam, Alan R., and Chung-Shih Tang (eds.). 1986. The science of allelopathy. Wiley-Interscience Publications, John Wiley and Sons, New York. xi + 317 p. $52.50. Rice, Elroy L. 1984. Allelopathy. Second Edition. Academic Press, New York. xi + 422 p. $71.00.

Orszag Tang vortex - Kinetic study of a turbulent plasma

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Parashar, T. N.; Servidio, S.; Shay, M. A.

Kinetic evolution of the Orszag-Tang vortex is studied using collisionless hybrid simulations based on particle in cell ions and fluid electrons. In magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) this configuration leads rapidly to broadband turbulence. An earlier study estimated the dissipation in the system. A comparison of MHD and hybrid simulations showed similar behavior at large scales but substantial differences at small scales. The hybrid magnetic energy spectrum shows a break at the scale where Hall term in the Ohm's law becomes important. The protons heat perpendicularly and most of the energy is dissipated through magnetic interactions. Here, the space time structure of themore » system is studied using frequency-wavenumber (k-omega) decomposition. No clear resonances appear, ruling out the cyclotron resonances as a likely candidate for the perpendicular heating. The only distinguishable wave modes present, which constitute a small percentage of total energy, are magnetosonic modes.« less

Combined pressure-thermal inactivation effect on spores in lu-wei beef--a traditional Chinese meat product.

PubMed

Wang, B-S; Li, B-S; Du, J-Z; Zeng, Q-X

2015-08-01

This study investigated the inactivation effect and kinetics of Bacillus coagulans and Geobacillus stearothermophilus spores suspended in lu-wei beef by combining high pressure (500 and 600 MPa) and moderate heat (70 and 80 °C or 80 and 90 °C). During pressurization, the temperature of pressure-transmitting fluid was tested with a K-type thermocouple, and the number of surviving cells was determined by a plate count method. The pressure come-up time and corresponding inactivation of Bacillus coagulans and G. stearothermophilus spores were considered during the pressure-thermal treatment. For the two types of spores, the results showed a higher inactivation effect in phosphate buffer solution than that in lu-wei beef. Among the bacteria evaluated, G. stearothermophilus spores had a higher resistance than B. coagulans spores during the pressure-thermal processing. One linear model and two nonlinear models (i.e. the Weibull and log-logistic models) were fitted to the survivor data to obtain relevant kinetic parameters, and the performance of these models was compared. The results suggested that the survival curve of the spores could be accurately described utilizing the log-logistic model, which produced the best fit for all inactivation data. The compression heating characteristics of different pressure-transmitting fluids should be considered when using high pressure to sterilize spores, particularly while the pressure is increasing. Spores can be inactivated by combining high pressure and moderate heat. The study demonstrates the synergistic inactivation effect of moderate heat in combination with high pressure in real-life food. The use of mathematical models to predict the inactivation for spores could help the food industry further to develop optimum process conditions. © 2015 The Society for Applied Microbiology.

Impact of LUCC on streamflow based on the SWAT model over the Wei River basin on the Loess Plateau in China

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Hong; Sun, Fubao; Xia, Jun; Liu, Wenbin

2017-04-01

Under the Grain for Green Project in China, vegetation recovery construction has been widely implemented on the Loess Plateau for the purpose of soil and water conservation. Now it is becoming controversial whether the recovery construction involving vegetation, particularly forest, is reducing the streamflow in the rivers of the Yellow River basin. In this study, we chose the Wei River, the largest branch of the Yellow River, with revegetated construction area as the study area. To do that, we apply the widely used Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model for the upper and middle reaches of the Wei River basin. The SWAT model was forced with daily observed meteorological forcings (1960-2009) calibrated against daily streamflow for 1960-1969, validated for the period of 1970-1979, and used for analysis for 1980-2009. To investigate the impact of LUCC (land use and land cover change) on the streamflow, we firstly use two observed land use maps from 1980 and 2005 that are based on national land survey statistics merged with satellite observations. We found that the mean streamflow generated by using the 2005 land use map decreased in comparison with that using the 1980 one, with the same meteorological forcings. Of particular interest here is that the streamflow decreased on agricultural land but increased in forest areas. More specifically, the surface runoff, soil flow, and baseflow all decreased on agricultural land, while the soil flow and baseflow of forest areas increased. To investigate that, we then designed five scenarios: (S1) the present land use (1980) and (S2) 10 %, (S3) 20 %, (S4) 40 %, and (S5) 100 % of agricultural land that was converted into mixed forest. We found that the streamflow consistently increased with agricultural land converted into forest by about 7.4 mm per 10 %. Our modeling results suggest that forest recovery construction has a positive impact on both soil flow and baseflow by compensating for reduced surface runoff, which leads

Wang-Landau sampling: Saving CPU time

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ferreira, L. S.; Jorge, L. N.; Leão, S. A.; Caparica, A. A.

2018-04-01

In this work we propose an improvement to the Wang-Landau (WL) method that allows an economy in CPU time of about 60% leading to the same results with the same accuracy. We used the 2D Ising model to show that one can initiate all WL simulations using the outputs of an advanced WL level from a previous simulation. We showed that up to the seventh WL level (f6) the simulations are not biased yet and can proceed to any value that the simulation from the very beginning would reach. As a result the initial WL levels can be simulated just once. It was also observed that the saving in CPU time is larger for larger lattice sizes, exactly where the computational cost is considerable. We carried out high-resolution simulations beginning initially from the first WL level (f0) and another beginning from the eighth WL level (f7) using all the data at the end of the previous level and showed that the results for the critical temperature Tc and the critical static exponents β and γ coincide within the error bars. Finally we applied the same procedure to the 1/2-spin Baxter-Wu model and the economy in CPU time was of about 64%.

Security analysis of boolean algebra based on Zhang-Wang digital signature scheme

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zheng, Jinbin, E-mail: jbzheng518@163.com

2014-10-06

In 2005, Zhang and Wang proposed an improvement signature scheme without using one-way hash function and message redundancy. In this paper, we show that this scheme exits potential safety concerns through the analysis of boolean algebra, such as bitwise exclusive-or, and point out that mapping is not one to one between assembly instructions and machine code actually by means of the analysis of the result of the assembly program segment, and which possibly causes safety problems unknown to the software.

Mechanisms of Residual Stress Generation in Mechanical Surface Treatment: the Role of Cyclic Plasticity and Texture

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-08-24

modulus, yield strength, strain hardening exponent, and hardness can be estimated by this technique (Pethica 1982, Newey, Wilkins & Pollock 1982, Stone et...properties of metal alloys: a review", International Journal of Fatigue, vol. 24, no. 10, pp. 1021-1036. Newey, D., Wilkins , M.A. & Pollock, H.M. 1982...Zhang, Y., Zhang, S., Yu, C., Tang , Y., Zhang, H., Wu, H., Guo, D., Wang, S., Xia, X., Chen, M. & Dai, Y. 1997, "Laser shock-processing for

Enhanced Wang Landau sampling of adsorbed protein conformations.

PubMed

Radhakrishna, Mithun; Sharma, Sumit; Kumar, Sanat K

2012-03-21

Using computer simulations to model the folding of proteins into their native states is computationally expensive due to the extraordinarily low degeneracy of the ground state. In this paper, we develop an efficient way to sample these folded conformations using Wang Landau sampling coupled with the configurational bias method (which uses an unphysical "temperature" that lies between the collapse and folding transition temperatures of the protein). This method speeds up the folding process by roughly an order of magnitude over existing algorithms for the sequences studied. We apply this method to study the adsorption of intrinsically disordered hydrophobic polar protein fragments on a hydrophobic surface. We find that these fragments, which are unstructured in the bulk, acquire secondary structure upon adsorption onto a strong hydrophobic surface. Apparently, the presence of a hydrophobic surface allows these random coil fragments to fold by providing hydrophobic contacts that were lost in protein fragmentation. © 2012 American Institute of Physics

Study on the effect of Jia-Wei-Xiao-Yao-San decoction on patients with functional dyspepsia.

PubMed

Qu, Yang; Gan, Hong Quan; Mei, Qi Bing; Liu, Li

2010-02-01

The effect of Jia-Wei-Xiao-Yao-San (JWXYS) decoction on patients with functional dyspepsia was studied by means of electrogastrography (EGG) and symptoms of dyspepsia were assessed. Twenty patients with functional dyspepsia were selected; before and after internal treatment with JWXYS, the integrated symptoms of the patients were down-regulated from 18.55 +/- 3.24 (before treatment) to 11.65 +/- 2.37 (after treatment) (p < 0.01); electrogastrography showed that all the EGG parameters of the patients were outside the normal range. After treatment with JWXYS, all these indices improved before and after dinner. The results showed that the JWXYS decoction could not only improve the symptoms, but also adjust the abnormal gastric motility and gastric myoelectrical activity of patients with functional dyspepsia. (c) 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

[Analysis on professor WANG Juyi's crevice theory from Tao Teh King].

PubMed

Luo, Lu; Wang, Juyi

2015-10-01

The crevice theory proposed by professor WANG Juyi is analyzed in this article. In the crevice theory, it is believed that the meridians are located among "skin, pulse, flesh, tendon and bone", and the crevice is the path for the transportation of qi-blood and body fluid in the body, which is the essential condition for vital movement. This is in agreement with the idea of "action through inaction" from Tao Teh King. Based on crevice theory, the abnormalities of meridians can reflex the deficiency and excess of diseases, and regulating meridians is a significant way to treat diseases, and maintaining smooth meridian is important for healthcare.

Comment on "Parametric Instability Induced by X-Mode Wave Heating at EISCAT" by Wang et al. (2016)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Blagoveshchenskaya, N. F.; Borisova, T. D.; Yeoman, T. K.

2017-12-01

In their recent article Wang et al. (2016) analyzed observations from EISCAT (European Incoherent Scatter) Scientific Association Russian X-mode heating experiments and claimed to explain the potential mechanisms for the parametric decay instability (PDI) and oscillating two-stream instability (OTSI). Wang et al. (2016) claim that they cannot separate the HF-enhanced plasma and ion lines excited by O or X mode in the EISCAT UHF radar spectra. Because of this they distinguished the parametric instability excited by O-/X-mode heating waves according to their different excitation heights. Their reflection heights were determined from ionosonde records, which provide a rough measure of excitation altitudes and cannot be used for the separation of the O- and X-mode effects. The serious limitation in their analysis is the use of a 30 s integration time of the UHF radar data. There are also serious disagreements between their analysis and the real observational facts. The fact is that it is the radical difference in the behavior of the X- and O-mode plasma and ion line spectra derived with a 5 s resolution, which provides the correct separation of the X- and O-mode effects. It is not discussed and explained how the parallel component of the electric field under X-mode heating is generated. Apart from the leakage to the O mode, results by Wang et al. (2016) do not explain the potential mechanisms for PDI and OTSI and add nothing to understanding the physical factors accounting for the parametric instability generated by an X-mode HF pump wave.

Development of Sesquioxide Ceramic for High Energy Lasers

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-05-25

CSJ308 , Mutsuno, Atsuta- ku Nagoya 456-0023 Japan 8. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION REPORT NUMBER N/A 9. SPONSORING/MONITORING AGENCY NAME...Labo Co., Ltd.,1-2-19-CSJ308 , Mutsuno, Atsuta- ku ,Nagoya 456-0023,Japan,NA,NA 8. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION REPORT NUMBER N/A 9. SPONSORING/MONITORING...Huang, D. Shen , J. Zhang, H. Chen, Y. Wang, X. Liu, D. Tang, “Room Temperature Continuous-wave Laser Performance of LD Pumped Er:Lu2O3 and Er:Y2O3

Observations from Space: Marine Ecosystem and Environment Response to Typhoon/ Hurricanes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tang, Danling; Yi, Sui

Isoguchi, 2005. Seasonal phytoplankton blooms associated with monsoonal influences and coastal environments in the sea areas either side of the Indochina Peninsula. JGR-Bio-geo. VOL. 111, G01010, doi:10.1029/2005JG000050, 2006. Tang, DanLing, H Kawamura, Hai Doan-Nhu, W Takahashi , 2004. Remote sensing oceanography of a harmful algal bloom (HAB) off the coast of southeastern Vietnam. J. of Geophysical Research (Ocean).Vol 109, doi:10.1029/2003JC002045; Tang, DanLing, H Kawamura, TV Dien. MA Lee, 2004. Offshore phytoplankton biomass increase and its oceanographic causes in the South China Sea. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 268: 31-41; Tang, DanLing, H ZHAO, B. Satyanarayana, GM ZHENG, RP. SINGH, JH LV, 2009, Enhancement of Chlorophyll-a in the Northeastern Indian Ocean after the 2004 South Asian Tsunami, Int. J. Remote Sensing doi10.1080/01431160802603778 , Vol.30 (17):4553-4565; Zhao, H., DanLing Tang, and Y. Wang, 2008, Comparison of phyto-plankton blooms triggered by two typhoons with different intensities and translation speeds in the South China SeaMar Ecol Prog Ser, 365, 57-65; Zheng, GM. and DanLing Tang ,2007Off-shore and nearshore chlorophyll increases induced by typhoon winds and subsequent terrestrial rainwater runoff, Mar Ecol Prog Ser, 333, 61-72; H Zhao, DanLing TANG, DX Wang, 2009, Phytoplankton blooms near the Pearl River Estuary induced by Typhoon Nuri, Journal of Geophysical Research -Oceans. 114, C12027; YQ Chen, DanLing Tang, 2010, Cold eddies and eddy-shape phytoplankton blooms induced by tropical cyclone Linfa in the South China Sea. In preparation; XX Yang, DanLing Tang, 2010, Sea Surface Temperature Decreasing in the Northern South China Sea Induced by Typhoon. In preparation.

Revision of the Taiwanese millipede genus Chamberlinius Wang, 1956, with descriptions of two new species and a reclassification of the tribe Chamberlinini (Diplopoda, Polydesmida, Paradoxosomatidae, Paradoxosomatinae).

PubMed

Chen, Chao-Chun; Golovatch, Sergei I; Chang, Hsueh-Wen; Chen, Shyh-Hwang

2011-05-13

The millipede genus Chamberlinius is basically confined to Taiwan, with only one of the four known species presumably introduced to southern Japan. Both previously known species are redescribed, based on new material: Chamberlinius hualienensis Wang, 1956 (the type species) and Chamberlinius piceofasciatus (Gressitt, 1941), the latter being a new subjective senior synonym of Chamberlinius shengmui Wang, 1957, syn. n. Two further congeners are described as new: Chamberlinius pessiorsp. n. and Chamberlinius sublaevussp. n. The genus is re-diagnosed, all of its four species are keyed, and their distributions mapped. The tribe Chamberlinini is reclassified and, based on gonopod traits, shown to comprise the following five genera: Chamberlinius Wang, 1956, Haplogonosoma Brölemann, 1916, Riukiupeltis Verhoeff, 1939, Aponedyopus Verhoeff, 1939 and Geniculodesmus Chen, Golovatch and Chang, 2008.

Calculation of the Curie temperature of Ni using first principles based Wang-Landau Monte-Carlo

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Eisenbach, Markus; Yin, Junqi; Li, Ying Wai; Nicholson, Don

2015-03-01

We combine constrained first principles density functional with a Wang-Landau Monte Carlo algorithm to calculate the Curie temperature of Ni. Mapping the magnetic interactions in Ni onto a Heisenberg like model to underestimates the Curie temperature. Using a model we show that the addition of the magnitude of the local magnetic moments can account for the difference in the calculated Curie temperature. For ab initio calculations, we have extended our Locally Selfconsistent Multiple Scattering (LSMS) code to constrain the magnitude of the local moments in addition to their direction and apply the Replica Exchange Wang-Landau method to sample the larger phase space efficiently to investigate Ni where the fluctuation in the magnitude of the local magnetic moments is of importance equal to their directional fluctuations. We will present our results for Ni where we compare calculations that consider only the moment directions and those including fluctuations of the magnetic moment magnitude on the Curie temperature. This research was sponsored by the Department of Energy, Offices of Basic Energy Science and Advanced Computing. We used Oak Ridge Leadership Computing Facility resources at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, supported by US DOE under contract DE-AC05-00OR22725.

Identification and Characterization of Genomic Amplifications in Ovarian Serous Carcinoma

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-01-01

Powell B, Mills GB, Gray JW. PIK3CA is implicated as an oncogene in ovarian cancer. Nat Genet 1999; 21:99-102. 26. Ma YY, Wei SJ, Lin YC, Lung JC, Chang TC...Woffendin H, Garnett MJ, Bottomley W, Davis N, Dicks E, Ewing R, Floyd Y, Gray K, Hall S, Hawes R, Hughes J, Kosmidou V, Menzies A, Mould C, Parker A...McCormick F, Gray JW. Chromosome aberrations in solid tumors. Nat Genet 2003;34:369–76. 3. Wang TL, Diaz LA, Jr, Romans K, Bardelli A, Saha S, Galizia

Three-Dimensional MHD Modeling of The Solar Corona and Solar Wind: Comparison with The Wang-Sheeley Model

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Usmanov, A. V.; Goldstein, M. L.

2003-01-01

We present simulation results from a tilted-dipole steady-state MHD model of the solar corona and solar wind and compare the output from our model with the Wang-Sheeley model which relates the divergence rate of magnetic flux tubes near the Sun (inferred from solar magnetograms) to the solar wind speed observed near Earth and at Ulysses. The boundary conditions in our model specified at the coronal base and our simulation region extends out to 10 AU. We assumed that a flux of Alfven waves with amplitude of 35 km per second emanates from the Sun and provides additional heating and acceleration for the coronal outflow in the open field regions. The waves are treated in the WKB approximation. The incorporation of wave acceleration allows us to reproduce the fast wind measurements obtained by Ulysses, while preserving reasonable agreement with plasma densities typically found at the coronal base. We find that our simulation results agree well with Wang and Sheeley's empirical model.

Two alternate proofs of Wang's lune formula for sparse distributed memory and an integral approximation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jaeckel, Louis A.

1988-01-01

In Kanerva's Sparse Distributed Memory, writing to and reading from the memory are done in relation to spheres in an n-dimensional binary vector space. Thus it is important to know how many points are in the intersection of two spheres in this space. Two proofs are given of Wang's formula for spheres of unequal radii, and an integral approximation for the intersection in this case.

Coprescription of Chinese herbal medicine and Western medication among female patients with breast cancer in Taiwan: analysis of national insurance claims.

PubMed

Wang, Bih-Ru; Chang, Yuh-Lih; Chen, Tzeng-Ji; Chiu, Jen-Hwey; Wu, Jing Chong; Wu, Min-Shan; Chou, Chia-Lin; Chou, Yueh-Ching

2014-01-01

Many female breast cancer (FBC) patients take Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) and Western medication (WM) concurrently in Taiwan. Despite the possibility of interactions between the CHM and WM mentioned in previous studies, the pattern of these coprescriptions in FBC patients remains unclear. Hence, the aim of the present study is to investigate the utilization of coprescriptions of CHM and WM among the FBC patients in Taiwan. The study was a cross-sectional survey using the sampled cohort in 2009 obtained from the National Health Insurance Research Database in Taiwan. There were 3,507 FBC patients identified from the registry for catastrophic illness patients. Ambulatory visit records, corresponding prescriptions, and the data of beneficiaries belonging to the FBC patients were further extracted. A total of 1,086 FBC patients used CHM at least once. CHM and WM prescribed within any overlapping duration were defined as coprescriptions. There were 868 (80.0%) patients simultaneously receiving CHM and WM. A total of 4,927 CHM prescriptions and 6,358 WM prescriptions were prescribed concurrently. Among these coprescriptions, the most frequently used CHM was jia-wei-xiao-yao-san (21.2%), and the most frequently coprescribed WM was acetaminophen (38.9%), followed by tamoxifen (25.5%). There were 346 patients using systemic adjuvant therapy and CHM concurrently. The most commonly coprescribed CHM with chemotherapy, endocrine therapy, and trastuzumab was xiang-sha-liu-jun-zi-tang, jia-wei-xiao-yao-san, and zhi-gan-cao-tang, respectively. The combined use of CHM with WM is prevalent. The main purpose of combining CHM with systemic cancer treatment is to alleviate the treatment-related adverse effects. However, the combination may result in the potential risk of drug-herb interactions. Further clinical studies are needed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the CHM and WM coprescriptions for FBC patients.

Huangqin-Tang and Ingredients in Modulating the Pathogenesis of Ulcerative Colitis.

PubMed

Wang, Chunyan; Tang, Xudong; Zhang, Li

2017-01-01

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is the most common inflammatory bowel disease worldwide. Current therapies in UC cause limitations, and herb medicine provides an important choice for UC treatment. Huangqin-Tang (HQT) is a well-known classical traditional Chinese herbal formula and has been used in China for thousands of years. A large number of pharmacological studies demonstrated HQT and its ingredients to be effective in treating UC. Though the therapeutic effect has been evaluated, comprehensive up-to-date reviews in this field are not yet available. Here we aim to review our current understanding of HQT and its ingredients in treating UC and how the agents modulate the main pathogenesis of the disease, including the intestinal environment, immune imbalance, inflammatory pathways, and oxidative stress. The summary on this issue may provide better understanding of HQT and its ingredients in treating UC and possibly help in promoting its clinical application.

An Example of Wang and Yau's Quasilocal Energy for Constant Radial Spacelike 2-Surfaces in a Maximally Rotating Black Hole Spacetime

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ray, Shannon; Miller, Warner

2017-01-01

We present the first non-trivial illustration of Wang and Yau's quasilocal energy (WYQLE) for a maximally rotating Kerr spacetime. The surfaces for which we compute quasilocal energy (QLE) are axisymmetric closed space like 2-surfaces S with constant radii in Boyer-Lindquist coordinates. There exists a critical radius r* for which these 2-surfaces are isometrically embeddable in R3 . For surfaces with r >=r* , the WYQLE trivially becomes the Brown and York QLE (BYQLE). To fully illustrate Wang and Yau's formulation, we compute the WYQLE for surfaces with r

The Wang Landau parallel algorithm for the simple grids. Optimizing OpenMPI parallel implementation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kussainov, A. S.

2017-12-01

The Wang Landau Monte Carlo algorithm to calculate density of states for the different simple spin lattices was implemented. The energy space was split between the individual threads and balanced according to the expected runtime for the individual processes. Custom spin clustering mechanism, necessary for overcoming of the critical slowdown in the certain energy subspaces, was devised. Stable reconstruction of the density of states was of primary importance. Some data post-processing techniques were involved to produce the expected smooth density of states.

Neuroprotective and cognitive enhancing activity of the fermented Bozhougyiqi-Tang

PubMed Central

Weon, Jin Bae; Lee, Bohyoung; Yun, Bo-Ra; Lee, Jiwoo; Ma, Jin Y; Ma, Choong Je

2014-01-01

Background: Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative disease related to memory impairments and neuronal cell death. Bozhougyiqi-Tang (BZYQT), a traditional herbal medicine, has been therapeutically used for the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis. Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluated the neuroprotective effect of the fermented BZYQT and compared with unfermented BZYQT in HT22 cells by MTT assay and tested the beneficial effect on memory impairments induced by scopolamine (1 mg/kg, i.p.) using the passive avoidance and Morris water maze tests. Results: Compared with unfermented BZYQT, the neuroprotective effect of fermented BZYQT on glutamate induced neurotoxicity in HT22 cells increased at a concentration of 100 μg/mL. Fermented BZYQT increased the step-through latency of the passive avoidance response. Furthermore, in Morris water maze test for evaluation of spatial learning and memory, escape latency time was significantly reduced by fermented BZYQT. Conclusion: These results suggest that the fermentation process of BZYQT led to improve neuroprotective and cognitive enhancing effect. PMID:24991099

Effects of Gui Zhi Ma Huang Ge Ban Tang on the TLR7 Pathway in Influenza Virus Infected Mouse Lungs in a Cold Environment

PubMed Central

Shi, Shan-Shan; Fu, Ying-Jie; Yan, Yu-Qi; Wu, Sha; Tang, Xiao-Long

2018-01-01

Objective We wished to investigate the effects of the traditional Chinese medicine Gui Zhi Ma Huang Ge Ban Tang on controlling influenza A virus (IAV) infection and improving inflammation in mouse lungs. Method Mice were maintained in normal and cold environments and infected with IAV by intranasal application, respectively. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to measure mRNA expression of TLR7, myeloid differentiation primary response 88 (MyD88), and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB)p65 in the TLR7 signaling pathway and virus replication in lungs. Western blotting was used to measure expression levels of TLR7, MyD88, and NF-κB p65 proteins. Flow cytometry was used to detect the proportion of T-helper (Th)1/Th2 and Th17/T-regulatory (Treg) cells. Results Application of Gui Zhi Ma Huang Ge Ban Tang in influenza-infected mice in a cold environment showed (i) downregulation of TLR7, MyD88, and NF-κBp65; (ii) inhibition of transcriptional activities of promoters coding for TLR7, MyD88, and NF-κBp65; (iii) reduction in the proportion of Th1/Th2 and Th17/Treg cells. Conclusions Gui Zhi Ma Huang Ge Ban Tang had a good therapeutic effect on mice infected with IAV, especially in the cold environment. It could reduce lung inflammation in mice significantly and elicit an anti-influenza effect by downregulating expression of the key factors in TLR7 signaling pathway.

Effects of Gui Zhi Ma Huang Ge Ban Tang on the TLR7 Pathway in Influenza Virus Infected Mouse Lungs in a Cold Environment.

PubMed

Qin, Hong-Qiong; Shi, Shan-Shan; Fu, Ying-Jie; Yan, Yu-Qi; Wu, Sha; Tang, Xiao-Long; Chen, Xiao-Yin; Hou, Guang-Hui; Jiang, Zhen-You

2018-01-01

We wished to investigate the effects of the traditional Chinese medicine Gui Zhi Ma Huang Ge Ban Tang on controlling influenza A virus (IAV) infection and improving inflammation in mouse lungs. Mice were maintained in normal and cold environments and infected with IAV by intranasal application, respectively. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to measure mRNA expression of TLR7, myeloid differentiation primary response 88 (MyD88), and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF- κ B)p65 in the TLR7 signaling pathway and virus replication in lungs. Western blotting was used to measure expression levels of TLR7, MyD88, and NF- κ B p65 proteins. Flow cytometry was used to detect the proportion of T-helper (Th)1/Th2 and Th17/T-regulatory (Treg) cells. Application of Gui Zhi Ma Huang Ge Ban Tang in influenza-infected mice in a cold environment showed (i) downregulation of TLR7, MyD88, and NF- κ Bp65; (ii) inhibition of transcriptional activities of promoters coding for TLR7, MyD88, and NF- κ Bp65; (iii) reduction in the proportion of Th1/Th2 and Th17/Treg cells. Gui Zhi Ma Huang Ge Ban Tang had a good therapeutic effect on mice infected with IAV, especially in the cold environment. It could reduce lung inflammation in mice significantly and elicit an anti-influenza effect by downregulating expression of the key factors in TLR7 signaling pathway.

Numerical simulation of the compressible Orszag-Tang vortex 2. Supersonic flow

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Picone, J. M.; Dahlburg, Russell B.

1990-01-01

The numerical investigation of the Orszag-Tang vortex system in compressible magnetofluids will consider initial conditions with embedded supersonic regions. The simulations have initial average Mach numbers 1.0 and 1.5 and beta 10/3 with Lundquist numbers 50, 100, or 200. The behavior of the system differs significantly from that found previously for the incompressible and subsonic analogs. Shocks form at the downstream boundaries of the embedded supersonic regions outside the central magnetic X-point and produce strong local current sheets which dissipate appreciable magnetic energy. Reconnection at the central X-point, which dominates the incompressible and subsonic systems, peaks later and has a smaller impact as M increases from 0.6 to 1.5. Similarly, correlation between the momentum and magnetic field begins significant growth later than in subsonic and incompressible flows. The shocks bound large compression regions, which dominate the wavenumber spectra of autocorrelations in mass density, velocity, and magnetic field.

Effect of land use on the seasonal variation of streamwater quality in the Wei River basin, China

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yu, S.; Xu, Z.; Wu, W.; Zuo, D.

2015-05-01

The temporal effect of land use on streamwater quality needs to be addressed for a better understanding of the complex relationship between land use and streamwater quality. In this study, GIS and Pearson correlation analysis were used to determine whether there were correlations of land-use types with streamwater quality at the sub-basin scale in the Wei River basin, China, during dry and rainy seasons in 2012. Temporal variation of these relations was observed, indicating that relationships between water quality variables and proportions of different land uses were weaker in the rainy season than that in the dry season. Comparing with other land uses, agriculture and urban lands had a stronger relationship with water quality variables in both the rainy and dry seasons. These results suggest that the aspect of temporal effects should be taken into account for better land-use management.

Why Three Heads Are a Better Bet than Four: A Reply to Sun, Tweney, and Wang (2010)

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hahn, Ulrike; Warren, Paul A.

2010-01-01

We (Hahn & Warren, 2009) recently proposed a new account of the systematic errors and biases that appear to be present in people's perception of randomly generated events. In a comment on that article, Sun, Tweney, and Wang (2010) critiqued our treatment of the gambler's fallacy. We had argued that this fallacy was less gross an error than it…

Chen-Nester-Tung quasi-local energy and Wang-Yau quasi-local mass

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Jian-Liang; Yu, Chengjie

2017-10-01

In this paper, we show that the Chen-Nester-Tung (CNT) quasi-local energy with 4D isometric matching references is closely related to the Wang-Yau (WY) quasi-local energy. As a particular example, we compute the second variation of the CNT quasi-local energy for axially symmetric Kerr-like spacetimes with axially symmetric embeddings at the obvious critical point (0 , 0) and find that it is a saddle critical point in most of the cases. Also, as a byproduct, we generalize a previous result about the coincidence of the CNT quasi-local energy and Brown-York mass for axially symmetric Kerr-like spacetimes by Tam and the first author Liu and Tam (2016) to general spacetimes.

Study on Strata Behavior Regularity of 1301 Face in Thick Bedrock of Wei - qiang Coal Mine

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gu, Shuancheng; Yao, Boyu

2017-09-01

In order to ensure the safe and efficient production of the thick bedrock face, the rule of the strata behavior of the thick bedrock face is discussed through the observation of the strata pressure of the 1301 first mining face in Wei qiang coal mine. The initial face is to press the average distance of 50.75m, the periodic weighting is to press the average distance of 12.1m; during the normal mining period, although the upper roof can not be broken at the same time, but the pressure step is basically the same; the working face for the first weighting and periodical weighting is more obvious to the change of pressure step change, when the pressure of the working face is coming, the stent force increased significantly, but there are still part of the stent work resistance exceeds the rated working resistance, low stability, still need to strengthen management.

Simultaneous determination of five marker constituents in Ssanghwa tang by HPLC/DAD

PubMed Central

Won, Jin Bae; Ma, Jin Yeul; Um, Young Ran; Ma, Choong Je

2010-01-01

A HPLC-DAD method was established for the simultaneous evaluation of five bioactive compounds in Ssanghwa tang (SHT) including glycyrrhizin, paeoniflorin, cinnamic acid, decursin and 6-gingerol. These compounds were separated in less than 40 min using a Dionex C18 column with a gradient elution system of water and methanol at a flow rate of 1 ml/min. Calibration curve of standard components presented excellent linear regression (R2 > 0.9903) within the test range. Limit of detection and limit of quantification varied from 0.07 to 0.46 μg/ml and 0.13 to 1.11 μg/ml, respectively. The relative standard deviations (RSDs) of data of the intraday and interday experiments were less than 3.67 and 5.73%, respectively. The accuracy of recovery test ranged from 95.98 to 105.88% with RSD values 0.10– 4.82%. PMID:20668576

A new genus of oak gallwasp, Cyclocynips Melika, Tang & Sinclair (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae: Cynipini), with descriptions of two new species from Taiwan.

PubMed

Melika, George; Tang, Chang-ti; Sinclair, Frazer; Yang, Man-miao; Lohse, Konrad; Hearn, Jack; Nicholls, James A; Stone, Graham N

2013-01-01

A new genus of cynipid oak gallwasp-Cyclocynips Melika, Tang, & Sinclair (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae: Cynipini), with two new species--C. uberis and C. tumorvirgae--reared from galls on oaks of the Quercus subgenus Cyclobalanopsis is described from Taiwan. Descriptions of asexual generation adults and their diagnostic characters are presented. The likelihood of yet undiscovered sexual generations and the evolution of host-plant associations in these species are discussed.

Yongdamsagan-tang, a traditional herbal formula, inhibits cell growth through the suppression of proliferation and inflammation in benign prostatic hyperplasia epithelial-1 cells.

PubMed

Park, Eunsook; Lee, Mee-Young; Seo, Chang-Seob; Jeon, Woo-Young; Shin, Hyeun-Kyoo

2017-09-14

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), also called benign enlargement of the prostate, is a progressive disease that is observed in most elderly men. Yongdamsagan-tang, a traditional herbal formula, is used commonly for the treatment of inflammation-related diseases. Although the therapeutic efficacy of Yongdamsagan-tang against BPH in vivo was reported previously, its underlying mechanisms are not clearly understood. In this study, we investigated the effect of Yongdamsagan-tang water extract (YSTE) and its mechanism on the growth of human BPH epithelial BPH-1 cells. YSTE was extracted from 11 herbaceous plants and its chemical composition was analyzed by High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). YSTE was treated in the epithelial BPH-1 cell line and then cell lysates or supernant were used to evaluate cell viability, cell cycle, proliferation and cytokine production. HPLC revealed that Baicalin and gentiopicroside were involved as the major compounds of YSTE. YSTE treatment in BPH-1 cells repressed cell viability in a dose-dependent manner. Regarding the inhibitory mechanisms of YSTE on cell growth, YSTE inhibited cell proliferation via a decrease in endogenous cyclin D1 protein levels and arrest at the S phase during cell-cycle progression. Furthermore, YSTE treatment in BPH-1 cells suppressed prostaglandin E 2 production and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) protein levels. The secretion of the proinflammatory cytokines, interleukin-8 and interleukin-6, was also reduced by YSTE treatment. YSTE in BPH-1 cells showed antiproliferative and anti-inflammatory activities via cell-cycle arrest and downregulation of COX-2 expression, respectively. Taken together, the results of the present study will enhance our understanding of the mechanisms underlying the effect of YSTE in BPH. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Phylogenetic relationships of Hemiuridae (Digenea: Hemiuroidea) with new morphometric and molecular data of Aphanurus mugilis Tang, 1981 (Aphanurinae) from mullet fish of Vietnam.

PubMed

Atopkin, D M; Besprozvannykh, V V; Yu Beloded, A; Ngo, H D; Ha, N V; Tang, N V

2017-12-01

Adult Aphanurus mugilis Tang, 1981 worms were detected in the intestine of Moolgarda engeli in the shallow waters off Cat Ba Island, Vietnam. Tang (1981) first described this species in Mugil cephalus off China. The worms in Vietnamese mullet were identical to Chinese specimens in a number of morphometric characteristics, with the exception of body and ovary size. In the present study, morphological characteristics, and the first molecular data for A. mugilis are provided. Additionally, molecular phylogenetic analysis of the family Hemiuridae was performed. The results of our molecular phylogenetic study indicate that the presence or absence of an ecsoma was not associated with molecular data for hemiurid subfamilies differentiation. The basal position of Bunocotylinae on the molecular-based phylogenetic tree indicated a primordial nature of ecsoma of hemiurid trematodes. Considerable molecular differentiation of Bunocotylinae from other hemiurids indicated the possibility of the recognition of the family Bunocotylidae Dollfus, 1950. Assuming that Machidatrema chilostoma is considered within the Bunocotylinae, the paraphyly of the Lecithasterinae was supported. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Total Glucosides of Danggui Buxue Tang Attenuate BLM-Induced Pulmonary Fibrosis via Regulating Oxidative Stress by Inhibiting NOX4

PubMed Central

Zhao, Ping; Zhou, Wen-Cheng; Li, De-Lin; Mo, Xiao-Ting; Xu, Liang; Li, Liu-Cheng; Cui, Wen-Hui; Gao, Jian

2015-01-01

Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is a serious chronic lung disease with unknown pathogenesis. Researches have confirmed that oxidative stress which is regulated by NADPH oxidase-4 (NOX4), a main source of reactive oxygen species (ROS), is an important molecular mechanism underlying PF. Previous studies showed that total glucosides of Danggui Buxue Tang (DBTG), an extract from a classical traditional Chinese herbal formula, Danggui Buxue Tang (DBT), attenuated bleomycin-induced PF in rats. However, the mechanisms of DBTG are still not clear. We hypothesize that DBTG attenuates PF through regulating the level of oxidative stress by inhibiting NOX4. And we found that fibrosis indexes hydroxyproline (HYP) and type I collagen (Col-I) were lower in DBTG groups compared with the model group. In addition, the expression of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and expression of alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) were also much more decreased than the model group. For oxidative stress indicators, DBTG blunted the decrease of superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), and the increase in malondialdehyde (MDA), 8-iso-prostaglandin in lung homogenates. Treatment with DBTG restrained the expression of NOX4 compared to the model group. Present study confirms that DBTG inhibits BLM-induced PF by modulating the level of oxidative stress via suppressing NOX4. PMID:26347805

Influence of yield on in vitro accumulation of aflatoxins in pecan (Carya illinoensis (Wang.) K. Koch) nutmeats.

PubMed Central

McMeans, J L

1983-01-01

Pecans were harvested from trees (Carya illinoensis (Wang.) K. Koch) in November of 1977 through 1979. Kernel meals from high-, medium-, and low-yielding trees were inoculated with a spore suspension of Aspergillus parasiticus and incubated for 7 days at 25 degrees C. Significant differences in aflatoxin accumulation were found among the three substrates, with a direct correlation between high aflatoxin concentration and tree yield. PMID:6830223

Influence of yield on in vitro accumulation of aflatoxins in pecan (Carya illinoensis (Wang.) K. Koch) nutmeats.

PubMed

McMeans, J L

1983-02-01

Pecans were harvested from trees (Carya illinoensis (Wang.) K. Koch) in November of 1977 through 1979. Kernel meals from high-, medium-, and low-yielding trees were inoculated with a spore suspension of Aspergillus parasiticus and incubated for 7 days at 25 degrees C. Significant differences in aflatoxin accumulation were found among the three substrates, with a direct correlation between high aflatoxin concentration and tree yield.

Genoprotective effect of the Chinese herbal decoction xiao jian zhong tang.

PubMed

Szeto, Yim-Tong; Cheng, Ngok-Fung; Pak, Sok-Cheon; Kalle, Wouter

2013-03-01

The Chinese herbal decoction formula Xiao Jian Zhong Tang (XJZT) is one of the classic formulas from the classic traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Previous studies on XJZT found that it is effective for treating peptic ulcer, irritable bowel syndrome, functional gastroenteritis and similar psychosomatic disorders of the digestive organs. It has also been shown that all the herbs used in XJZT contain antioxidants. In this study, we investigated the in vitro DNA protection effect of the individual herb extracts and the whole formula. Water extract of the herbs and XJZT were used to pre-treat human lymphocytes. The lymphocytes were then exposed to hydrogen peroxide. The in vitro DNA protection effect of the herbs was investigated by comet assay. No DNA protective effect (P < 0.05) was found for individual herb extracts, but XJZT showed protection of human lymphocytic DNA upon oxidative stress (P < 0.05). The in vitro DNA protection effect of XJZT was conferred by the synergistic effect of the herbs, while the individual herbs had no such effect.

Monte Carlo and Molecular Dynamics in the Multicanonical Ensemble: Connections between Wang-Landau Sampling and Metadynamics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vogel, Thomas; Perez, Danny; Junghans, Christoph

2014-03-01

We show direct formal relationships between the Wang-Landau iteration [PRL 86, 2050 (2001)], metadynamics [PNAS 99, 12562 (2002)] and statistical temperature molecular dynamics [PRL 97, 050601 (2006)], the major Monte Carlo and molecular dynamics work horses for sampling from a generalized, multicanonical ensemble. We aim at helping to consolidate the developments in the different areas by indicating how methodological advancements can be transferred in a straightforward way, avoiding the parallel, largely independent, developments tracks observed in the past.

A comparative pharmacokinetic study of three flavonoids and three anthraquinones in normal and gastrointestinal motility disorders rat plasma after the oral administration of Wei-Chang-Shu tablet using high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

PubMed

Ren, Yan; Zhao, Weiwei; Zhao, Juanjuan; Chen, Xiangming; Yu, Chen; Liu, Mengan

2017-11-01

A simple, fast and reliable high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method was developed and validated for the simultaneous quantification and pharmacokinetic study of three flavonoids (liquiritigenin, isoliquiritigenin and formononetin) and three anthraquinones (emodin, rhein and aloe-emodin), which are the bioactive ingredients of Wei-Chang-Shu tablet found in rat plasma. After extraction by liquid-liquid extraction with ethyl acetate, chromatographic separation was achieved on an Agilent Zorbax SB-C 18 column (4.6 × 150 mm, 5 μm) at a flow rate of 1 mL/min by gradient elution using 0.1% aqueous acetic acid and acetonitrile. The detection was performed using a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer equipped with electrospray ionization source in the negative ionization and selected reaction monitoring mode. Method validation was performed in terms of specificity, carryover, linearity (r > 0.99), intra-/inter-day precision (1.0-10.1%), accuracy (relative error, <7.6%), stability (0.6-13.2%), extract recovery (74.9-91.9%) and matrix effect (89.1-109%). The lower limits of quantification of the six analytes varied from 0.92 to 10.4 ng/mL. The validated method was successfully applied to compare the pharmacokinetic properties of Wei-Chang-Shu tablet in normal rats and in rats with gastrointestinal motility disorders. The results indicated that there were obvious differences in the pharmacokinetic behavior between normal and model rats. This study will be helpful in the clinical application of Wei-Chang-Shu tablet. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Comments on "Adaptive resolution simulation in equilibrium and beyond" by H. Wang and A. Agarwal

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Klein, R.

2015-09-01

Wang and Agarwal (Eur. Phys. J. Special Topics, this issue, 2015, doi: 10.1140/epjst/e2015-02411-2) discuss variants of Adaptive Resolution Molecular Dynamics Simulations (AdResS), and their applications. Here we comment on their report, addressing scaling properties of the method, artificial forcings implemented to ensure constant density across the full simulation despite changing thermodynamic properties of the simulated media, the possible relation between an AdResS system on the one hand and a phase transition phenomenon on the other, and peculiarities of the SPC/E water model.

Public health impact of disease-behavior dynamics. Comment on "Coupled disease-behavior dynamics on complex networks: A review" by Z. Wang et al.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wells, Chad R.; Galvani, Alison P.

2015-12-01

In a loop of dynamic feedback, behavior such as the decision to vaccinate, hand washing, or avoidance influences the progression of the epidemic, yet behavior is driven by the individual's and population's perceived risk of infection during an outbreak. In what we believe will become a seminal paper that stimulates future research as well as an informative teaching aid, Wang et. al. comprehensively review methodological advances that have been used to incorporate human behavior into epidemiological models on the effects of coupling disease transmission and behavior on complex social networks [1]. As illustrated by the recent outbreaks of measles and Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), here we highlight the importance of coupling behavior and disease transmission that Wang et al. address.

Qualitative and quantitative analysis of nine major compounds in the Bozhougyiqi-Tang using a high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with a diode array detector and electrospray ionization mass spectrometer

PubMed Central

Weon, Jin Bae; Ma, Jin Yeul; Yang, Hye Jin; Lee, Bohyoung; Yun, Bo-Ra; Ma, Choong Je

2013-01-01

Background: Bozhougyiqi-Tang (BZYQT) is of traditional herbal medicine used for enhancement of digestive capacity. Objective: An accurate and reliable simultaneous determination using a HPLC-DAD and ESI-MS was developed and validated for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of 9 major compounds, ferulic acid (1), naringin (2), hesperidin (3), decursinol (4), glycyrrhizin (5), saikosaponin A (6), 6-gingerol (7), ginsenoside Rg3 (8), decursin (9), in traditional herbal medicine ‘Bozhougyiqi-Tang.’ Materials and Methods: The chromatographic separation of 9 compounds was performed on a SHISEIDO C18 column (250 mm × 4.6 mm i.d., S-5 μm) using gradient elution with 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid and acetonitrile at a flow rate of 1.0 ml/min. The 9 compounds were identified based on peak retention time and UV spectrum and MS data of these compounds. Results: This developed method showed good linearity (R2 > 0.999). The LOD and LOQ of the major compounds were less than 0.09 and 0.28 μg/ml, respectively. The intra - day and inter - day RSD values were within 2.06% and 1.64%, respectively. The mean recoveries were from 92.10% to 108.56% with less than 1.88%. The results indicated that established method had good precision and accuracy. Conclusion: The new method was successfully applied to the simultaneous analysis of 9 compounds in Bozhougyiqi-Tangs samples. PMID:23930013

Retraction Statement: "Overexpression of miR-708 and its targets in the childhood common precursor B-cell ALL" by Xue Li, MMed, Dong Li, PhD, Yong Zhuang, MMed, Qing Shi, BSc, Wei Wei, MMed, and Xiuli Ju, MD, PhD.

PubMed

2017-05-01

The above article, published online 23 August 2013 in Pediatric Blood and Cancer, Volume 60, Issue 12, December 2013, Pages 2060-2067, has been retracted by agreement among the authors, the journal's Editor-in-Chief, Peter E. Newburger, M.D., and Wiley Periodicals, Inc. The decision to retract was agreed upon following notification that the paper substantially duplicates a prior study already published in Chinese https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23611221. The authors were not aware that publication in another language would constitute a duplicate publication and, upon being informed of this fact, have agreed to withdraw the paper from Pediatric Blood and Cancer. Reference Li X, Li D, Zhuang Y, Shi Q, Wei W and Ju X. Overexpression of miR-708 and its targets in the childhood common precursor B-cell ALL. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2013; 60: 2060-2067. doi:10.1002/pbc.24583. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Kyungheechunggan-Tang-01, a New Herbal Medication, Suppresses LPS-Induced Inflammatory Responses through JAK/STAT Signaling Pathway in RAW 264.7 Macrophages

PubMed Central

Han, Hee-Soo; Shin, Ji-Sun; Inn, Kyung-Soo; Lee, Jang-Hoon; Park, Geonha

2017-01-01

Medicinal plants have been used as alternative therapeutic tools to alleviate inflammatory diseases. The objective of this study was to evaluate anti-inflammatory properties of Kyungheechunggan-tang- (KCT-) 01, KCT-02, and Injinchunggan-tang (IJCGT) as newly developed decoctions containing 3–11 herbs in LPS-induced macrophages. KCT-01 showed the most potent inhibitory effects on LPS-induced NO, PGE2, TNF-α, and IL-6 production among those three herbal formulas. In addition, KCT-01 significantly inhibited LPS-induced iNOS and COX-2 at protein levels and expression of iNOS, COX-2, TNF-α, and IL-6 at mRNA levels. Molecular data revealed that KCT-01 attenuated the activation of JAK/STAT signaling cascade without affecting NF-κB or AP-1 activation. In ear inflammation induced by croton oil, KCT-01 significantly reduced edema, MPO activity, expression levels of iNOS and COX-2, and STAT3 phosphorylation in ear tissues. Taken together, our findings suggest that KCT-01 can downregulate the expression of proinflammatory genes by inhibiting JAK/STAT signaling pathway under inflammatory conditions. This study provides useful data for further exploration and application of KCT-01 as a potential anti-inflammatory medicine. PMID:29348772

Genotoxicity evaluation of So-ochim-tang-gamibang (SOCG), a herbal medicine.

PubMed

Lee, Mi Young; Park, Yang-Chun; Jin, Mirim; Kim, Eunseok; Choi, Jeong June; Jung, In Chul

2018-02-02

So-ochim-tang-gamibang (SOCG) is a traditional Korean medicine frequently used for depression in the clinical field. In this study, we evaluated the potential genotoxicity of SOCG using three standard batteries of tests as part of a safety evaluation. SOCG was evaluated for potential genotoxic effects using the standard three tests recommended by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) of Korea. These tests were the bacterial reverse mutation test (Ames test), in vitro mammalian chromosomal aberration test using Chinese hamster lung cells, and in vivo micronucleus test using ICR mice. The Ames test with Salmonella typhimurium strains TA98, TA100, TA1535 and TA1537 and the Escherichia coli strain WP2uvrA(pKM101) showed that SOCG did not induce gene mutations at any dose level in all of the strains. SOCG did not induce any chromosomal aberrations in the in vitro chromosomal aberration test (for both the 6 and 24 h test) and the in vivo micronucleus test. Based on the results of these tests, it was concluded that SOCG does not exhibit any genotoxic risk under the experimental conditions of this study.

Tang-Tong-Fang Confers Protection against Experimental Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy by Reducing Inflammation

PubMed Central

Li, Mingdi; Huang, Da; Liu, Xiaoxing; Lin, Lan

2015-01-01

Tang-tong-fang (TTF) is a Chinese herbal formula that has been shown to be beneficial in diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN), a common complication secondary to diabetic microvascular injury. However, the underlying mechanism of protection in nerve ischemia provided by TTF is still unclear. We hypothesized that TTF alleviates DPN via inhibition of ICAM-1 expression. Therefore, we tested the effect of TTF in a previously established DPN model, in which nerve injury was induced by ischemia/reperfusion in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. We found that the conduction velocity and amplitude of action potentials of sciatic nerve conduction were reduced in the DPN model group but were rescued by TTF treatment. In addition, TTF treatment also attenuated the effect of DPN on other parameters including histology and ultrastructural changes, expression of ICAM-1, MPO, and TNF-α in rat sciatic nerves, and plasma sICAM-1 and MPO levels. Together, our data suggest that TTF treatment may alleviate DPN via ICAM-1 inhibition. PMID:26539228

Numerical simulation of the compressible Orszag-Tang vortex. II. Supersonic flow. Interim report

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Picone, J.M.; Dahlburg, R.B.

The numerical investigation of the Orszag-Tang vortex system in compressible magnetofluids will consider initial conditions with embedded supersonic regions. The simulations have initial average Mach numbers M = 1.0 and 1.5 and beta = 10/3 with Lundquist numbers S = 50, 100, or 200. The behavior of the system differs significantly from that found previously for the incompressible and subsonic analogs. Shocks form at the downstream boundaries of the embedded supersonic regions outside the central magnetic X-point and produce strong local current sheets which dissipate appreciable magnetic energy. Reconnection at the central X-point, which dominates the incompressible and subsonic systems,more » peaks later and has a smaller impact as M increases from 0.6 to 1.5. Similarly, correlation between the momentum and magnetic field begins significant growth later than in subsonic and incompressible flows. The shocks bound large compression regions, which dominate the wavenumber spectra of autocorrelations in mass density, velocity, and magnetic field.« less

A mathematical view for ordinary differential equation models. Comment on ;Epigenetic game theory: How to compute the epigenetic control of maternal-to-zygotic transition; by Qian Wang et al.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fu, Guifang

2017-03-01

Qian Wang et al. have written an interesting article to propose a modeling framework named epiGame in this issue of Physics of Life Reviews [1]. The epiGame framework models how the methylation state of paternal and maternal genomes regulates the embryogenesis as an ecological system in which two highly distinct and specialized gametes coordinate through either cooperation or competition, or both, to maximize the fitness of embryos. Qian Wang et al. also provide solid simulation studies and real data analysis to validate the correctness of their epiGame framework. The importance of embryo development and fertility mechanism cannot be overemphasized, hence, I think that the present review by Qian Wang et al. will stand as a useful modeling guide for practicing biologists or researchers in fertility health to quantify how sperms and oocytes interact through epigenetic process to determine embryo development. In addition, it will serve as a source of many important references to work in the reproductive biology field.

Macroscopically constrained Wang-Landau method for systems with multiple order parameters and its application to drawing complex phase diagrams

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chan, C. H.; Brown, G.; Rikvold, P. A.

2017-05-01

A generalized approach to Wang-Landau simulations, macroscopically constrained Wang-Landau, is proposed to simulate the density of states of a system with multiple macroscopic order parameters. The method breaks a multidimensional random-walk process in phase space into many separate, one-dimensional random-walk processes in well-defined subspaces. Each of these random walks is constrained to a different set of values of the macroscopic order parameters. When the multivariable density of states is obtained for one set of values of fieldlike model parameters, the density of states for any other values of these parameters can be obtained by a simple transformation of the total system energy. All thermodynamic quantities of the system can then be rapidly calculated at any point in the phase diagram. We demonstrate how to use the multivariable density of states to draw the phase diagram, as well as order-parameter probability distributions at specific phase points, for a model spin-crossover material: an antiferromagnetic Ising model with ferromagnetic long-range interactions. The fieldlike parameters in this model are an effective magnetic field and the strength of the long-range interaction.

Comparative pharmacokinetics study of three anthraquinones in rat plasma after oral administration of Radix et Rhei Rhizoma extract and Dahuang Fuzi Tang by high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.

PubMed

Li, Huan; Guo, Hui; Wu, Li; Zhang, Yongxin; Chen, Juan; Liu, Xiao; Cai, Hao; Zhang, Kewei; Cai, Baochang

2013-03-25

A specific and sensitive high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometric (HPLC-MS) method has been developed and validated for simultaneous determination of three anthraquinones of rhein, aloe-emodin and emodin in rat plasma after oral administration of Radix et Rhei Rhizoma extract and Dahuang Fuzi Tang. The analytes were separated on a Kromaisl(®) C(18) column within a total running time of 12min with a mobile phase of methanol:ammonium acetate (3mM) (75:25, v/v). The calibration curves for all the anthraquinones showed good linearity in the measured range with correlation coefficient (r) higher than 0.9978. The precision, accuracy, recovery and stability were deemed acceptable. The method was successfully applied to the comparative pharmacokinetics study of the anthraquinones in rat plasma after oral administration of Radix et Rhei Rhizoma extract and Dahuang Fuzi Tang. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Rebuttal to "On the distribution of the modulus of Gabor wavelet coefficients and the upper bound of the dimensionless smoothness index in the case of additive Gaussian noises: Revisited" by Dong Wang, Qiang Zhou, and Kwok-Leung Tsui

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Soltani Bozchalooi, Iman; Liang, Ming

2018-04-01

A discussion paper entitled "On the distribution of the modulus of Gabor wavelet coefficients and the upper bound of the dimensionless smoothness index in the case of additive Gaussian noises: revisited" by Dong Wang, Qiang Zhou, Kwok-Leung Tsui has been brought to our attention recently. This discussion paper (hereafter called Wang et al. paper) is based on arguments that are fundamentally incorrect and which we rebut within this commentary. However, as the flaws in the arguments proposed by Wang et al. are clear, we will keep this rebuttal as brief as possible.

Two Simple Approaches to Overcome a Problem with the Mantel-Haenszel Statistic: Comments on Wang, Bradlow, Wainer, and Muller (2008)

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sinharay, Sandip; Dorans, Neil J.

2010-01-01

The Mantel-Haenszel (MH) procedure (Mantel and Haenszel) is a popular method for estimating and testing a common two-factor association parameter in a 2 x 2 x K table. Holland and Holland and Thayer described how to use the procedure to detect differential item functioning (DIF) for tests with dichotomously scored items. Wang, Bradlow, Wainer, and…

A Chinese herbal medicine, jia-wei-xiao-yao-san, prevents dimethylnitrosamine-induced hepatic fibrosis in rats.

PubMed

Chien, Shu-Chen; Chang, Wei-Chiao; Lin, Pu-Hua; Chang, Wei-Pin; Hsu, Shih-Chung; Chang, Jung-Chen; Wu, Ya-Chieh; Pei, Jin-Kuo; Lin, Chia-Hsien

2014-01-01

Jia-wei-xiao-yao-san (JWXYS) is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine that is widely used to treat neuropsychological disorders. Only a few of the hepatoprotective effects of JWXYS have been studied. The aim of this study was to investigate the hepatoprotective effects of JWXYS on dimethylnitrosamine- (DMN-) induced chronic hepatitis and hepatic fibrosis in rats and to clarify the mechanism through which JWXYS exerts these effects. After the rats were treated with DMN for 3 weeks, serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT) and serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT) levels were significantly elevated, whereas the albumin level decreased. Although DMN was continually administered, after the 3 doses of JWXYS were orally administered, the SGOT and SGPT levels significantly decreased and the albumin level was significantly elevated. In addition, JWXYS treatment prevented liver fibrosis induced by DMN. JWXYS exhibited superoxide-dismutase-like activity and dose-dependently inhibited DMN-induced lipid peroxidation and xanthine oxidase activity in the liver of rats. Our findings suggest that JWXYS exerts antifibrotic effects against DMN-induced chronic hepatic injury. The possible mechanism is at least partially attributable to the ability of JWXYS to inhibit reactive-oxygen-species-induced membrane lipid peroxidation.

Predictive Control of the Blood Glucose Level in Type I Diabetic Patient Using Delay Differential Equation Wang Model.

PubMed

Esna-Ashari, Mojgan; Zekri, Maryam; Askari, Masood; Khalili, Noushin

2017-01-01

Because of increasing risk of diabetes, the measurement along with control of blood sugar has been of great importance in recent decades. In type I diabetes, because of the lack of insulin secretion, the cells cannot absorb glucose leading to low level of glucose. To control blood glucose (BG), the insulin must be injected to the body. This paper proposes a method for BG level regulation in type I diabetes. The control strategy is based on nonlinear model predictive control. The aim of the proposed controller optimized with genetics algorithms is to measure BG level each time and predict it for the next time interval. This merit causes a less amount of control effort, which is the rate of insulin delivered to the patient body. Consequently, this method can decrease the risk of hypoglycemia, a lethal phenomenon in regulating BG level in diabetes caused by a low BG level. Two delay differential equation models, namely Wang model and Enhanced Wang model, are applied as controller model and plant, respectively. The simulation results exhibit an acceptable performance of the proposed controller in meal disturbance rejection and robustness against parameter changes. As a result, if the nutrition of the person decreases instantly, the hypoglycemia will not happen. Furthermore, comparing this method with other works, it was shown that the new method outperforms previous studies.

Predictive Control of the Blood Glucose Level in Type I Diabetic Patient Using Delay Differential Equation Wang Model

PubMed Central

Esna-Ashari, Mojgan; Zekri, Maryam; Askari, Masood; Khalili, Noushin

2017-01-01

Because of increasing risk of diabetes, the measurement along with control of blood sugar has been of great importance in recent decades. In type I diabetes, because of the lack of insulin secretion, the cells cannot absorb glucose leading to low level of glucose. To control blood glucose (BG), the insulin must be injected to the body. This paper proposes a method for BG level regulation in type I diabetes. The control strategy is based on nonlinear model predictive control. The aim of the proposed controller optimized with genetics algorithms is to measure BG level each time and predict it for the next time interval. This merit causes a less amount of control effort, which is the rate of insulin delivered to the patient body. Consequently, this method can decrease the risk of hypoglycemia, a lethal phenomenon in regulating BG level in diabetes caused by a low BG level. Two delay differential equation models, namely Wang model and Enhanced Wang model, are applied as controller model and plant, respectively. The simulation results exhibit an acceptable performance of the proposed controller in meal disturbance rejection and robustness against parameter changes. As a result, if the nutrition of the person decreases instantly, the hypoglycemia will not happen. Furthermore, comparing this method with other works, it was shown that the new method outperforms previous studies. PMID:28487828

Investigation of Kelvin wave periods during Hai-Tang typhoon using Empirical Mode Decomposition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kishore, P.; Jayalakshmi, J.; Lin, Pay-Liam; Velicogna, Isabella; Sutterley, Tyler C.; Ciracì, Enrico; Mohajerani, Yara; Kumar, S. Balaji

2017-11-01

Equatorial Kelvin waves (KWs) are fundamental components of the tropical climate system. In this study, we investigate Kelvin waves (KWs) during the Hai-Tang typhoon of 2005 using Empirical Mode Decomposition (EMD) of regional precipitation, zonal and meridional winds. For the analysis, we use daily precipitation datasets from the Global Precipitation Climatology Project (GPCP) and wind datasets from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) Interim Re-analysis (ERA-Interim). As an additional measurement, we use in-situ precipitation datasets from rain-gauges over the Taiwan region. The maximum accumulated precipitation was approximately 2400 mm during the period July 17-21, 2005 over the southwestern region of Taiwan. The spectral analysis using the wind speed at 950 hPa found in the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th intrinsic mode functions (IMFs) reveals prevailing Kelvin wave periods of ∼3 days, ∼4-6 days, and ∼6-10 days, respectively. From our analysis of precipitation datasets, we found the Kelvin waves oscillated with periods between ∼8 and 20 days.

Frequency and pattern of Chinese herbal medicine prescriptions for chronic hepatitis in Taiwan.

PubMed

Chen, Fang-Pey; Kung, Yen-Ying; Chen, Yu-Chun; Jong, Maw-Shiou; Chen, Tzeng-Ji; Chen, Fun-Jou; Hwang, Shinn-Jang

2008-04-17

Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) has been commonly used in treating liver diseases in Asian countries. To conduct a large-scale pharmacoepidemiological study and evaluate the frequency and pattern of CHM prescriptions in treating chronic hepatitis. We obtained the database of traditional Chinese medicine outpatient claims from the national health insurance in Taiwan for the whole 2002. Patients with chronic hepatitis were identified by the corresponding diagnosis of International Classification of Disease among claimed visiting files. Corresponding prescription files were analyzed, and association rule were applied to evaluate the co-prescription of CHM in treating chronic hepatitis. Among the 91,080 subjects treated by CHM for chronic hepatitis, the peak age was in the 40 s, followed by 30 s and 50 s. Male/female ratio was 2.07:1. Long-dan-xie-gan-tang and Saliva miltiorrhiza (Dan-shen) were the most commonly prescribed Chinese herbal formula and single herbal drug, respectively. The most common two-drug prescription was Jia-wei-xia-yao-san plus Saliva miltiorrhiza, and the most common three-drug prescription was Jia-wei-xia-yao-san plus Saliva miltiorrhiza and Artemisia capillaries (Yin-chen-hao). This study showed the utilization pattern of Chinese herbal drugs or formulae in treating chronic hepatitis. Further researches and clinical trials are needed to evaluate the efficacy of these Chinese herbs or its ingredients in treating chronic hepatitis.

Dangguijihwang-tang and Dangguijakyak-san Prevent Menopausal Symptoms and Dangguijihwang-tang Prevents Articular Cartilage Deterioration in Ovariectomized Obese Rats with Monoiodoacetate-Induced Osteoarthritis

PubMed Central

Kang, Suna; Kim, Min Joo

2017-01-01

We investigated whether dangguijakyak-san (DJY) and dangguijihwang-tang (DJH), oriental medicines traditionally used for inflammatory diseases, could prevent and/or delay the progression of postmenopausal symptoms and osteoarthritis in osteoarthritis-induced estrogen-deficient rats. Treated ovariectomized (OVX) rats consumed either 1% DJY or 1% DJH in the diets. Positive-control rats were given 30 μg/kg bw 17β-estradiol and control rats were given 1% fat as were the normal-control rats. All rats received high-fat diets for 8 weeks. At the 9th week, OVX rats received articular injections of monoiodoacetate (MIA) or saline (normal control) into the right knee. At 3 weeks after MIA injection, DJY reduced visceral-fat mass and improved glucose metabolism by reducing insulin resistance, whereas DJH increased BMD and decreased insulin resistance. DJH improved weight distribution in the right knee and maximum running velocity on a treadmill at days 14 and 21 as much as those of the positive control. TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 levels in articular cartilage were much higher in the control than the positive control, whereas both DJY and DJH reduced the levels to those of the positive control. The histological analysis assessed articular cartilage damage near the tidemark and proteoglycan loss in the control versus the positive control; DJY and DJH prevented this damage and proteoglycan loss. In conclusion, DJY may provide an effective treatment for improving glucose tolerance, and DJH may be appropriate for preventing osteoarthritis. PMID:29348767

MIEC-SVM: automated pipeline for protein peptide/ligand interaction prediction.

PubMed

Li, Nan; Ainsworth, Richard I; Wu, Meixin; Ding, Bo; Wang, Wei

2016-03-15

MIEC-SVM is a structure-based method for predicting protein recognition specificity. Here, we present an automated MIEC-SVM pipeline providing an integrated and user-friendly workflow for construction and application of the MIEC-SVM models. This pipeline can handle standard amino acids and those with post-translational modifications (PTMs) or small molecules. Moreover, multi-threading and support to Sun Grid Engine (SGE) are implemented to significantly boost the computational efficiency. The program is available at http://wanglab.ucsd.edu/MIEC-SVM CONTACT: : wei-wang@ucsd.edu Supplementary data available at Bioinformatics online. © The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Wang-Landau method for calculating Rényi entropies in finite-temperature quantum Monte Carlo simulations.

PubMed

Inglis, Stephen; Melko, Roger G

2013-01-01

We implement a Wang-Landau sampling technique in quantum Monte Carlo (QMC) simulations for the purpose of calculating the Rényi entanglement entropies and associated mutual information. The algorithm converges an estimate for an analog to the density of states for stochastic series expansion QMC, allowing a direct calculation of Rényi entropies without explicit thermodynamic integration. We benchmark results for the mutual information on two-dimensional (2D) isotropic and anisotropic Heisenberg models, a 2D transverse field Ising model, and a three-dimensional Heisenberg model, confirming a critical scaling of the mutual information in cases with a finite-temperature transition. We discuss the benefits and limitations of broad sampling techniques compared to standard importance sampling methods.

Pharmacokinetic interactions of herbal medicines for the treatment of chronic hepatitis.

PubMed

Hsueh, Tun-Pin; Lin, Wan-Ling; Tsai, Tung-Hu

2017-04-01

Chronic liver disease is a serious global health problem, and an increasing number of patients are seeking alternative medicines or complementary treatment. Herbal medicines account for 16.8% of patients with chronic liver disease who use complementary and alternative therapies. A survey of the National Health Insurance Research Database in Taiwan reported that Long-Dan-Xie-Gan-Tang, Jia-Wei-Xia-Yao-San, and Xiao-Chai-Hu-Tang (Sho-saiko-to) were the most frequent formula prescriptions for chronic hepatitis used by traditional Chinese medicine physicians. Bioanalytical methods of herbal medicines for the treatment of chronic hepatitis were developed to investigate pharmacokinetics properties, but multicomponent herbal formulas have been seldom discussed. The pharmacokinetics of herbal formulas is closely related to efficacy, efficiency, and patient safety of traditional herbal medicines. Potential herbal formula-drug interactions are another essential issue during herbal formula administration in chronic hepatitis patients. In a survey with the PubMed database, this review article evaluates the existing evidence-based data associated with the documented pharmacokinetics profiles and potential herbal-drug interactions of herbal formulas for the treatment of chronic hepatitis. In addition, the existing pharmacokinetic profiles were further linked with clinical practice to provide insight for the safety and specific use of traditional herbal medicines. Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier B.V.

The construction of the spatio-temporal database of the ancient Silk Road within Xinjiang province during the Han and Tang dynasties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bi, Jiantao; Luo, Guilin; Wang, Xingxing; Zhu, Zuojia

2014-03-01

As the bridge over the Chinese and Western civilization, the ancient Silk Road has made a huge contribution to cultural, economic, political exchanges between China and western countries. In this paper, we treated the historical period of Western Han Dynasty, Eastern Han Dynasty and Tang Dynasty as the research time domain, and the Western Regions' countries that were existed along the Silk Road at the mean time as the research spatial domain. Then we imported these data into the SQL Server database we constructed, from which we could either query the attribute information such as population, military force, the era of the Central Plains empire, the significant events taking place in the country and some related attribute information of these events like the happened calendar year in addition to some related spatial information such as the present location, the coordinates of the capital and the territory by inputting the name of the Western countries. At the same time we could query the significant events, government institution in Central Plains and the existent Western countries at the mean time by inputting the calendar year. Based on the database, associated with GIS, RS, Flex, C# and other related information technology and network technology, we could not only browsing, searching and editing the information of the ancient Silk Road in Xinjiang Province during the Han and Tang Dynasties, but preliminary analysing as well. This is the combination of archaeology and modern information technology, and the database could also be a reference to further study, research and practice in the related fields in the future.

Therapeutic potential of Wenshen Xiaozheng tang, a traditional Chinese medicine prescription, for treating endometriosis.

PubMed

Zhang, Zhenzhen; Hu, Chunping; Tang, Weiwei; Gui, Tao; Qian, Ruyun; Xing, Yuxia; Cao, Peng; Wan, Guiping

2013-10-01

The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of Wenshen Xiaozheng Tang (WXT) on the development of endometriosis in a rat model. Sprague-Dawley rats in which endometriotic implants were induced were divided randomly into 3 groups. The rats in the low-dose and high-dose WXT groups were administered WXT 8.57 and 17.14 g/kg/d, respectively. The rats in the control groups received an equal volume of dissolvent, as did the sham-operated rats. After treatment for 4 weeks, WXT significantly decreased the mean lesion size as well as the peritoneal fluid and serum levels of tumor necrosis factor α and interleukin 1β. Cyclooxygenase-2, matrix metalloproteinase 9, plasminogen activator inhibitor 1, and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 messenger RNA (mRNA) levels were downregulated, and the mRNA expression of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 was upregulated in the endometriotic lesions of WXT versus control group. Our data suggested that WXT may suppress the development of endometriosis by inhibiting the production of proinflammatory cytokines and regulating the expression of invasion-related genes in the endometriotic lesions.

Nonconvergence of the Wang-Landau algorithms with multiple random walkers.

PubMed

Belardinelli, R E; Pereyra, V D

2016-05-01

This paper discusses some convergence properties in the entropic sampling Monte Carlo methods with multiple random walkers, particularly in the Wang-Landau (WL) and 1/t algorithms. The classical algorithms are modified by the use of m-independent random walkers in the energy landscape to calculate the density of states (DOS). The Ising model is used to show the convergence properties in the calculation of the DOS, as well as the critical temperature, while the calculation of the number π by multiple dimensional integration is used in the continuum approximation. In each case, the error is obtained separately for each walker at a fixed time, t; then, the average over m walkers is performed. It is observed that the error goes as 1/sqrt[m]. However, if the number of walkers increases above a certain critical value m>m_{x}, the error reaches a constant value (i.e., it saturates). This occurs for both algorithms; however, it is shown that for a given system, the 1/t algorithm is more efficient and accurate than the similar version of the WL algorithm. It follows that it makes no sense to increase the number of walkers above a critical value m_{x}, since it does not reduce the error in the calculation. Therefore, the number of walkers does not guarantee convergence.

Effects of Jia-Wei-Xiao-Yao-San on the Peripheral and Lymphatic Pharmacokinetics of Paclitaxel in Rats.

PubMed

Hou, Mei-Ling; Lu, Chia-Ming; Tsai, Tung-Hu

2016-01-01

Paclitaxel is effective against breast cancer. The herbal medicine, Jia-Wei-Xiao-Yao-San (JWXYS), is the most frequent prescription used to relieve the symptoms of breast cancer treatments. The aim of the study was to investigate the herb-drug interaction effects of a herbal medicine on the distribution of paclitaxel to lymph. A validated ultraperformance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) method was used to determine the paclitaxel levels in rat plasma and lymph after intravenous infusion of paclitaxel alone with or without 7 days of JWXYS pretreatment. The pharmacokinetic results indicate that paclitaxel concentrations in plasma exceeded those in lymph by approximately 3.6-fold. The biodistribution of paclitaxel from plasma to lymph was 39 ± 5%; however, this increased to 45 ± 4% with JWXYS pretreatment. With JWXYS pretreatment, the AUC and C max of paclitaxel in plasma were significantly reduced by approximately 1.5-fold, compared to paclitaxel alone. Additionally, JWXYS decreased the AUC and C max of paclitaxel in lymph. However, the lymph absorption rate of paclitaxel with or without JWXYS pretreatment was not significantly changed (27 ± 3 and 30 ± 2%, resp.). Our findings demonstrate that when paclitaxel is prescribed concurrently with herbal medicine, monitoring of the blood pharmacokinetics of paclitaxel is recommended.

Effects of Jia-Wei-Xiao-Yao-San on the Peripheral and Lymphatic Pharmacokinetics of Paclitaxel in Rats

PubMed Central

Hou, Mei-Ling; Lu, Chia-Ming

2016-01-01

Paclitaxel is effective against breast cancer. The herbal medicine, Jia-Wei-Xiao-Yao-San (JWXYS), is the most frequent prescription used to relieve the symptoms of breast cancer treatments. The aim of the study was to investigate the herb-drug interaction effects of a herbal medicine on the distribution of paclitaxel to lymph. A validated ultraperformance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) method was used to determine the paclitaxel levels in rat plasma and lymph after intravenous infusion of paclitaxel alone with or without 7 days of JWXYS pretreatment. The pharmacokinetic results indicate that paclitaxel concentrations in plasma exceeded those in lymph by approximately 3.6-fold. The biodistribution of paclitaxel from plasma to lymph was 39 ± 5%; however, this increased to 45 ± 4% with JWXYS pretreatment. With JWXYS pretreatment, the AUC and C max of paclitaxel in plasma were significantly reduced by approximately 1.5-fold, compared to paclitaxel alone. Additionally, JWXYS decreased the AUC and C max of paclitaxel in lymph. However, the lymph absorption rate of paclitaxel with or without JWXYS pretreatment was not significantly changed (27 ± 3 and 30 ± 2%, resp.). Our findings demonstrate that when paclitaxel is prescribed concurrently with herbal medicine, monitoring of the blood pharmacokinetics of paclitaxel is recommended. PMID:27057200

Stimulated Brillouin scattering in highly birefringent multimode tapered chalcogenide photonic crystal fiber for distributed optical sensors (Retraction Notice)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Baili, Amira; Cherif, Rim; Zghal, Mourad

2016-09-01

This paper, originally published on September 15, 2016, was retracted from the SPIE Digital Library on October 5, 2016, due to a high degree of similarity between specific portions of the text of the paper to the following publications: J. Tchahame, J. Beugnot, A. Kudlinski, and T. Sylvestre, "Multimode Brillouin spectrum in a long tapered birefringent photonic crystal fiber," Opt. Lett. 40, 4281-4284 (2015). doi: 10.1364/OL.40.004281 W. W. Ke, X. J. Wang and X. Tang, "Stimulated Brillouin Scattering Model in Multi-Mode Fiber Lasers," in IEEE Journal of Selected Topics in Quantum Electronics, vol. 20, no. 5, pp. 305-314, Sept.-Oct. 2014. doi: 10.1109/JSTQE.2014.2303256.

Prediction of dissolved oxygen concentration in hypoxic river systems using support vector machine: a case study of Wen-Rui Tang River, China.

PubMed

Ji, Xiaoliang; Shang, Xu; Dahlgren, Randy A; Zhang, Minghua

2017-07-01

Accurate quantification of dissolved oxygen (DO) is critically important for managing water resources and controlling pollution. Artificial intelligence (AI) models have been successfully applied for modeling DO content in aquatic ecosystems with limited data. However, the efficacy of these AI models in predicting DO levels in the hypoxic river systems having multiple pollution sources and complicated pollutants behaviors is unclear. Given this dilemma, we developed a promising AI model, known as support vector machine (SVM), to predict the DO concentration in a hypoxic river in southeastern China. Four different calibration models, specifically, multiple linear regression, back propagation neural network, general regression neural network, and SVM, were established, and their prediction accuracy was systemically investigated and compared. A total of 11 hydro-chemical variables were used as model inputs. These variables were measured bimonthly at eight sampling sites along the rural-suburban-urban portion of Wen-Rui Tang River from 2004 to 2008. The performances of the established models were assessed through the mean square error (MSE), determination coefficient (R 2 ), and Nash-Sutcliffe (NS) model efficiency. The results indicated that the SVM model was superior to other models in predicting DO concentration in Wen-Rui Tang River. For SVM, the MSE, R 2 , and NS values for the testing subset were 0.9416 mg/L, 0.8646, and 0.8763, respectively. Sensitivity analysis showed that ammonium-nitrogen was the most significant input variable of the proposal SVM model. Overall, these results demonstrated that the proposed SVM model can efficiently predict water quality, especially for highly impaired and hypoxic river systems.

Pharmacokinetic determination of ephedrine in Herba Ephedrae and Wu Tou Tang decoctions in rats using ultra performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry.

PubMed

Zheng, Zhijie; Yan, Tongmeng; Chen, Weiying; Ye, Ling; Tang, Lan; Liu, Zhongqiu

2012-08-01

A rapid and sensitive ultra performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method was developed and validated for the determination and quantification of ephedrine in rat plasma samples. An Acquity UPLC BEH C18 column (1.7 μm, 2.1 mm × 50 mm) was used for chromatographic separation. Electrospray ionization in the positive mode was used, and the precursor-fragment ion pairs of m/z 166/148 and m/z 289/97 were adopted to characterize ephedrine and testosterone (internal standard), respectively. The method was validated using 10, 100 and 500 ng/mL of ephedrine. It demonstrated adequate levels of precision and accuracy, matrix effect, extraction recovery and stability. Linearity over the concentration range of 0.5-2000 ng/mL was acceptable with a correlation coefficient (r²) better than 0.990. To determine the pharmacokinetic behaviour of this sympathomimetic compound in the Sprague-Dawley rats, ephedrine hydrochloride, Herba Ephedrae single-herb and Wu Tou Tang decoctions were administered orally, and ephedrine hydrochloride was also administered by intravenous injection, and blood samples were collected over 24 h. Ephedrine was measured in plasma and pharmacokinetic parameters were determined by using the standard non-compartmental method and calculated by using Practical Pharmacokinetic Program-Version 87/97. The AUC(0-t) and T(max) values were significantly different (p < 0.05). Ephedrine AUC(0-t) values were significantly lower following the Wu Tou Tang decoction compared to the other oral treatments, suggesting that some components in the decoction may reduce the bioavailability of ephedrine.

Factors Affecting Domestic Water Consumption in Rural Households upon Access to Improved Water Supply: Insights from the Wei River Basin, China

PubMed Central

Fan, Liangxin; Liu, Guobin; Wang, Fei; Geissen, Violette; Ritsema, Coen J.

2013-01-01

Comprehensively understanding water consumption behavior is necessary to design efficient and effective water use strategies. Despite global efforts to identify the factors that affect domestic water consumption, those related to domestic water use in rural regions have not been sufficiently studied, particularly in villages that have gained access to improved water supply. To address this gap, we investigated 247 households in eight villages in the Wei River Basin where three types of improved water supply systems are implemented. Results show that domestic water consumption in liters per capita per day was significantly correlated with water supply pattern and vegetable garden area, and significantly negatively correlated with family size and age of household head. Traditional hygiene habits, use of water appliances, and preference for vegetable gardening remain dominant behaviors in the villages with access to improved water supply. Future studies on rural domestic water consumption should pay more attention to user lifestyles (water appliance usage habits, outdoor water use) and cultural backgrounds (age, education). PMID:23977190

Factors affecting domestic water consumption in rural households upon access to improved water supply: insights from the Wei River Basin, China.

PubMed

Fan, Liangxin; Liu, Guobin; Wang, Fei; Geissen, Violette; Ritsema, Coen J

2013-01-01

Comprehensively understanding water consumption behavior is necessary to design efficient and effective water use strategies. Despite global efforts to identify the factors that affect domestic water consumption, those related to domestic water use in rural regions have not been sufficiently studied, particularly in villages that have gained access to improved water supply. To address this gap, we investigated 247 households in eight villages in the Wei River Basin where three types of improved water supply systems are implemented. Results show that domestic water consumption in liters per capita per day was significantly correlated with water supply pattern and vegetable garden area, and significantly negatively correlated with family size and age of household head. Traditional hygiene habits, use of water appliances, and preference for vegetable gardening remain dominant behaviors in the villages with access to improved water supply. Future studies on rural domestic water consumption should pay more attention to user lifestyles (water appliance usage habits, outdoor water use) and cultural backgrounds (age, education).

Supporting Homework Compliance in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy: Essential Features of Mobile Apps.

PubMed

Tang, Wei; Kreindler, David

2017-06-08

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the most effective psychotherapy modalities used to treat depression and anxiety disorders. Homework is an integral component of CBT, but homework compliance in CBT remains problematic in real-life practice. The popularization of the mobile phone with app capabilities (smartphone) presents a unique opportunity to enhance CBT homework compliance; however, there are no guidelines for designing mobile phone apps created for this purpose. Existing literature suggests 6 essential features of an optimal mobile app for maximizing CBT homework compliance: (1) therapy congruency, (2) fostering learning, (3) guiding therapy, (4) connection building, (5) emphasis on completion, and (6) population specificity. We expect that a well-designed mobile app incorporating these features should result in improved homework compliance and better outcomes for its users. ©Wei Tang, David Kreindler. Originally published in JMIR Mental Health (http://mental.jmir.org), 08.06.2017.

New contributions to the knowledge of Chinese flea beetle fauna (III): Revision of Meishania Chen & Wang with description of five new species (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Galerucinae)

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

The flea beetle genus Meishania Chen & Wang is revised and five new species - M. cangshanensis sp. nov., M. flavipennis sp. nov., M. fulvotigera sp. nov., and M. sichuanica sp. nov. from China and M. bhutanensis sp. nov. from Bhutan - are described. All species of Meishania are illustrated and a key...

Buyanghuanwu Tang therapy for neonatal rats with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy

PubMed Central

Liu, Xiyao; Min, Yue; Gu, Weiwang; Wang, Yujue; Tian, Yuguang

2015-01-01

Background: Neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is a clinical syndrome manifested by neurological symptoms in the first days of life in term infants. Purpose: To investigate the therapy effect of Buyanghuanwu Tang (BYHWT), a decoction with 7 herbal ingredients, on neonatal rats with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) and its mechanism. Methods: 50 3-week male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into normal control group, model group, BYHWT 1d group, BYHWT 3d group and BYHWT 7d group, 10 rats in each group. The HIE model of was established in later 4 groups. The later 3 groups were treated with BYHWT for 1, 3 and 7 days, respectively, and the normal control group and model group were treated with PBS. The Morris water maze test and dynamic 18F-FDG-PET/CT imaging were performed. The changes of hippocampal tissue observed by histopathologic examination, and the expressions of JNK1/JNK2 and TNF-α protein were observed western blotting. Results: Compared with model group, the impaired performance on distance and latency parameters was mitigated in BYHWT 1d group, BYHWT 3d group and BYHWT 7d group (P < 0.01), the FDG uptake was decreased in BYHWT 3d group and BYHWT 7d group, the apoptotic cells and inflammatory cells were significantly decreased in BYHWT 3d group and BYHWT 7d group, and the expressions of JNK1/JNK2 and TNF-α protein were significantly decreased in BYHWT 7d group (P < 0.05). Conclusion: BYHWT can delay the HIE onset and preserve the motor function, primarily by regulating inflammation, apoptosis and inhibition by mediating JNK signaling. PMID:26770451

Banxia Xiexin tang for gastro-oesophageal reflux disease: A protocol for a systematic review of controlled trials.

PubMed

Kang, Bohyung; Lee, Haesol; Choi, Youkyung; Jeon, Chanyong; Lee, Ju Ah

2018-04-01

Gastrooesophageal reflux disease (GORD) is one of the most common gastrointestinal diseases encountered in clinical practice. The aim of the present study is thus to systematically review the literature, including Asian studies, to assess the efficacy and safety of Banxia Xiexin tang (BXT) for the treatment of GORD. Eleven databases will be searched for studies conducted through March 2018. We will include randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of BXT as a treatment for GORD. All RCTs on BXT or related formulations will be included. The risk of bias will be assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Assessment Tool, while confidence in the cumulative evidence will be evaluated using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) tool. This systematic review will be published in a peer-reviewed journal and will also be disseminated electronically and in print. The review will be updated to inform and guide healthcare practices. CRD42018087056.

Diterpenoid alkaloids from the root of Aconitum sinchiangense W. T. Wang with their antitumor and antibacterial activities.

PubMed

Liang, Xiaoxia; Chen, Lan; Song, Lei; Fei, Wenbo; He, Min; He, Changliang; Yin, Zhongqiong

2017-09-01

A phytochemical study of the root barks of Aconitum sinchiangense W. T. Wang, a traditional Chinese herb medicine, led to the isolation of 15 diterpenoid alkaloids, including one new C 19 -diterpenoid alkaloid, sinchiangensine A (1), whose structure was determined by spectral methods including 2D NMR. Additionally, sinchiangensine A and its known analogue 3 were first reported as potential antitumor and antibacterial diterpenoid alkaloids, which showed significant antitumor activities against tumour cells (HL-60, A-549, SMCC-7721, MCF-7 and SW480), with IC 50 comparable to cisplatin, and significant antibacterial activities against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC-25923 with MIC value of 0.147 and 0.144 μmol/mL, respectively.

Numerical simulation of the compressible Orszag-Tang vortex. Interim report, June 1988-February 1989

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Dahlburg, R.B.; Picone, J.M.

Results of fully compressible, Fourier collocation, numerical simulations of the Orszag-Tang vortex system are presented. Initial conditions consist of a nonrandom, periodic field in which the magnetic and velocity fields contain X-points but differ in modal structure along one spatial direction. The velocity field is initially solenoidal, with the total initial pressure-field consisting of the superposition of the appropriate incompressible pressure distribution upon a flat pressure field corresponding to the initial, average flow Mach number of the flow. In the numerical simulations, this initial Mach number is varied from 0.2 to 0.6. These values correspond to average plasma beta valuesmore » ranging from 30.0 to 3.3, respectively. Compressible effects develop within one or two Alfven transit times, as manifested in the spectra of compressible quantities such as mass density and nonsolenoidal flow field. These effects include (1) retardation of growth of correlation between the magnetic field and the velocity field, (2) emergence of compressible small-scale structure such as massive jets, and (3) bifurcation of eddies in the compressible-flow field. Differences between the incompressible and compressible results tend to increase with increasing initial average Mach number.« less

Effect of chimneys on indoor air concentrations of PM 10 and benzo[a]pyrene in Xuan Wei, China

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tian, Linwei; Lan, Qing; Yang, Dong; He, Xingzhou; Yu, Ignatius T. S.; Hammond, S. Katharine

This paper reports the effect of chimneys in reducing indoor air pollution in a lung cancer epidemic area of rural China. Household indoor air pollution concentrations were measured during unvented burning (chimneys blocked) and vented burning (chimneys open) of bituminous coal in Xuan Wei, China. Concentrations of particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of 10 μm or less (PM 10) and of benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) were measured in 43 homes during normal activities. The use of chimneys led to significant decreases in indoor air concentrations of particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of 10 μm or less (PM 10) by 66% and of benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) by 84%. The average BaP content of PM 10 also decreased by 55% with the installation of a chimney. The reduction of indoor pollution levels by the installation of a chimney supports the epidemiology findings on the health benefits of stove improvement. However, even in the presence of a chimney, the indoor air concentrations for both PM 10 and BaP still exceeded the indoor air quality standards of China. Movement up the energy ladder to cleaner liquid or gaseous fuels is probably the only sustainable indoor air pollution control measure.

Simultaneous determination of 12 chemical constituents in the traditional Chinese Medicinal Prescription Xiao-Yao-San-Jia-Wei by HPLC coupled with photodiode array detection.

PubMed

Zhang, Hongmin; Chen, Shiwei; Qin, Feng; Huang, Xi; Ren, Ping; Gu, Xinqi

2008-12-15

An HPLC-photodiode array (PDA) detection method was established for the simultaneous determination of 12 components in Xiao-Yao-San-Jia-Wei (XYSJW): geniposide, puerarin, paeoniflorin, ferulic acid, liquiritin, hesperidin, naringin, paeonol, daidzein, glycyrrhizic acid, honokiol, and magnolol. These were separated in less than 70 min using a Waters Symmetry Shield RP 18 column with gradient elution using (A) acetonitrile, (B) water, and (C) acetic acid at a flow rate of 1 ml/min, and with a PDA detector. All calibration curves showed good linear regression (r(2)>0.9992) within the test ranges. The method was validated for specificity, accuracy, precision, and limits of detection. The proposed method enables in a single run the simultaneous identification and determination for quality control of 12 multi-structural components of XYSJW forming the basis of its therapeutic effect.

From genome to drug lead: identification of a small-molecule inhibitor of the SARS virus.

PubMed

Dooley, Andrea J; Shindo, Nice; Taggart, Barbara; Park, Jewn-Giew; Pang, Yuan-Ping

2006-02-15

Virtual screening, a fast, computational approach to identify drug leads [Perola, E.; Xu, K.; Kollmeyer, T. M.; Kaufmann, S. H.; Prendergast, F. G. J. Med. Chem.2000, 43, 401; Miller, M. A. Nat. Rev. Drug Disc.2002, 1 220], is limited by a known challenge in crystallographically determining flexible regions of proteins. This approach has not been able to identify active inhibitors of the severe acute respiratory syndrome-associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV) using solely the crystal structures of a SARS-CoV cysteine proteinase with a flexible loop in the active site [Yang, H. T.; Yang, M. J.; Ding, Y.; Liu, Y. W.; Lou, Z. Y. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.2003, 100, 13190; Jenwitheesuk, E.; Samudrala, R. Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett.2003, 13, 3989; Rajnarayanan, R. V.; Dakshanamurthy, S.; Pattabiraman, N. Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun.2004, 321, 370; Du, Q.; Wang, S.; Wei, D.; Sirois, S.; Chou, K. Anal. Biochem.2005, 337, 262; Du, Q.; Wang, S.; Zhu, Y.; Wei, D.; Guo, H. Peptides2004, 25, 1857; Lee, V.; Wittayanarakul, K.; Remsungenen, T.; Parasuk, V.; Sompornpisut, P. Science (Asia)2003, 29, 181; Toney, J.; Navas-Martin, S.; Weiss, S.; Koeller, A. J. Med. Chem.2004, 47, 1079; Zhang, X. W.; Yap, Y. L. Bioorg. Med. Chem.2004, 12, 2517]. This article demonstrates a genome-to-drug-lead approach that uses terascale computing to model flexible regions of proteins, thus permitting the utilization of genetic information to identify drug leads expeditiously. A small-molecule inhibitor of SARS-CoV, exhibiting an effective concentration (EC50) of 23 microM in cell-based assays, was identified through virtual screening against a computer-predicted model of the cysteine proteinase. Screening against two crystal structures of the same proteinase failed to identify the 23-microM inhibitor. This study suggests that terascale computing can complement crystallography, broaden the scope of virtual screening, and accelerate the development of therapeutics to treat emerging infectious diseases

Wang and Yau’s quasi-local energy for an extreme Kerr spacetime

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Miller, Warner A.; Ray, Shannon; Wang, Mu-Tao; Yau, Shing-Tung

2018-03-01

There exist constant radial surfaces, S , that may not be globally embeddable in {R}3 for Kerr spacetimes with a>\\sqrt{3}M/2 . To compute the Brown and York (B–Y) quasi-local energy (QLE), one must isometrically embed S into {R}3 . On the other hand, the Wang and Yau (W–Y) QLE embeds S into Minkowski space. In this paper, we examine the W–Y QLE for surfaces that may or may not be globally embeddable in {R}3 . We show that their energy functional, E[τ] , has a critical point at τ=0 for all constant radial surfaces in t=constant hypersurfaces using Boyer–Lindquist coordinates. For τ=0 , the W–Y QLE reduces to the B–Y QLE. To examine the W–Y QLE in these cases, we write the functional explicitly in terms of τ under the assumption that τ is only a function of θ. We then use a Fourier expansion of τ(θ) to explore the values of E[τ(θ)] in the space of coefficients. From our analysis, we discovered an open region of complex values for E[τ(θ)] . We also study the physical properties of the smallest real value of E[τ(θ)] , which lies on the boundary separating real and complex energies.

Simultaneous determination of eight major bioactive compounds in Dachengqi Tang (DT) by high-performance liquid chromatography.

PubMed

Tang, Wenfu; Wan, Meihua; Zhu, Zhengyan; Chen, Guanyuan; Huang, Xi

2008-04-29

Dachengqi Tang (DT) is a common traditional Chinese medicine formula for expelling neire ('internal heat') in the stomach and intestines. There was no reliable analytical method available for the quality control of DT. A high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method with a reverse phase C18 column (150 x 4.6 mm) was developed. The mobile phase was methanol with 0.2% acetic acid. Eight markers including naringin, hesperidin, aloe emodin, rhein, honokiol, magnolol, emodin and chrysophanol were determined. Regression analysis revealed a linear relationship between the concentrations of the markers and the peak area ratio of the standards and internal standard. The limit of detection (S/N = 3) and the limit of qualification (RSD < 20%) ranged from 0.21 to 0.43 ng/microl and 0.76 to 1.74 ng/microl respectively. The recovery was between 95.6% and 103.4%. The tests on the samples from three batches of DT showed that the profiles of the markers did not vary significantly among batches. A reliable HPLC method for simultaneous determination of the eight markers in DT was developed.

Application of metabonomic strategy to discover an unreported active ingredient in LiuWeiDiHuang pills suppressing beta-glucuronidase.

PubMed

Xie, Baogang; Zhang, Zhirong; Gong, Tao; Zhang, Ningning; Wang, Huiyun; Zou, Huiqing

2015-01-01

Identification of the bioactive ingredient from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) remains a challenging task by traditional approach that focuses on chemical isolation coupled with biological activity screening. Here, we present a metabonomics-based approach for bioactive ingredient discovery in LiuWeiDiHuang pills (LWPs). First, a non-targeted high-performance liquid chromatography ultraviolet (HPLC-UV) profiling of rat urine was used to discriminate urinary profiling intervened by LWPs. Orthogonal partial least-squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) revealed that eight chromatographic peaks made a significant contribution to the classification of the LWPs group and the control group. Five of these chromatographic peaks were successfully isolated and identified as hippurate, genistein (GT), daidzein (DZ), and glucuronide conjugate of GT and that of DZ by mass spectroscopy (MS). Subsequently, we found that LWPs significantly decreased the activity of intestinal β-glucuronidase by 18 % and exerted a dose-dependent inhibitory effect on rat liver lysosomal fraction, suggesting that LWPs were a β-glucuronidase inhibitor. In the end, by inhibiting β-glucuronidase-guided isolation, D-glucaro-1,4-lactone, a previously unreported ingredient of LWPs, was identified by MS, MS/MS, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Our findings indicated that metabonomics might increase research productivity toward the drug targets and/or bioactive compounds from TCM.

Susceptibility of the Ising Model on a Kagomé Lattice by Using Wang-Landau Sampling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Seung-Yeon; Kwak, Wooseop

2018-03-01

The susceptibility of the Ising model on a kagomé lattice has never been obtained. We investigate the properties of the kagomé-lattice Ising model by using the Wang-Landau sampling method. We estimate both the magnetic scaling exponent yh = 1.90(1) and the thermal scaling exponent yt = 1.04(2) only from the susceptibility. From the estimated values of yh and yt, we obtain all the critical exponents, the specific-heat critical exponent α = 0.08(4), the spontaneous-magnetization critical exponent β = 0.10(1), the susceptibility critical exponent γ = 1.73(5), the isothermalmagnetization critical exponent δ = 16(4), the correlation-length critical exponent ν = 0.96(2), and the correlation-function critical exponent η = 0.20(4), without using any other thermodynamic function, such as the specific heat, magnetization, correlation length, and correlation function. One should note that the evaluation of all the critical exponents only from information on the susceptibility is an innovative approach.

News & Views Evaluation of Projects for Basic Research of Scientific Instruments in 2008 Completed NSFC Former President Tang Ao-qing Passed Away Professor Tang Aoqing and NSFC Carbon Nanotube Film-Based Speaker Developed in Tsinghua University Dinosaur Footprint Fossils Discovered in Xinjiang New Method for Early Cancer Diagnosis New Progress Achieved by NSFC Project in Basic Research of Black Hole Physics New progress in Organic FET 67 NSFC-RFBR Cooperative Projects Approved for 2008 Spin Configuration and Super-exchange Mechanism in Molecular Magnets Observed NSFC Strengthens its Funding in Wenchuan Concerns Go to Disaster's Impact on Economy and Emergency Response Thirty-seven NSFC-KOSEF Cooperative Projects Approved

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

2008-01-01

Evaluation of Projects for Basic Research of Scientific Instruments in 2008 Completed NSFC Former President Tang Ao-qing Passed Away Professor Tang Aoqing and NSFC Carbon Nanotube Film-Based Speaker Developed in Tsinghua University Dinosaur Footprint Fossils Discovered in Xinjiang New Method for Early Cancer Diagnosis New Progress Achieved by NSFC Project in Basic Research of Black Hole Physics New progress in Organic FET 67 NSFC-RFBR Cooperative Projects Approved for 2008 Spin Configuration and Super-exchange Mechanism in Molecular Magnets Observed NSFC Strengthens its Funding in Wenchuan Concerns Go to Disaster's Impact on Economy and Emergency Response Thirty-seven NSFC-KOSEF Cooperative Projects Approved

A systems biology-based investigation into the therapeutic effects of Gansui Banxia Tang on reversing the imbalanced network of hepatocellular carcinoma

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Yanqiong; Guo, Xiaodong; Wang, Danhua; Li, Ruisheng; Li, Xiaojuan; Xu, Ying; Liu, Zhenli; Song, Zhiqian; Lin, Ya; Li, Zhiyan; Lin, Na

2014-02-01

Several complex molecular events are involved in tumorigenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The interactions of these molecules may constitute the HCC imbalanced network. Gansui Banxia Tang (GSBXT), as a classic Chinese herbal formula, is a popular complementary and alternative medicine modality for treating HCC. In order to investigate the therapeutic effects and the pharmacological mechanisms of GSBXT on reversing HCC imbalanced network, we in the current study developed a comprehensive systems approach of integrating disease-specific and drug-specific networks, and successfully revealed the relationships of the ingredients in GSBXT with their putative targets, and with HCC significant molecules and HCC related pathway systems for the first time. Meanwhile, further experimental validation also demonstrated the preventive effects of GSBXT on tumor growth in mice and its regulatory effects on potential targets.

Review article: Herbal hepatotoxicity--an update on traditional Chinese medicine preparations.

PubMed

Teschke, R; Wolff, A; Frenzel, C; Schulze, J

2014-07-01

Although evidence for their therapeutic efficacy is limited, herbal traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) preparations increasingly gain popularity. In contrast to other herbal products, adverse effects by herbal TCM including liver toxicity were rarely reported. In recent years, more cases were published, providing new clinical challenges. To summarise comprehensively the literature on herbal TCM hepatotoxicity since 2011. PubMed was searched using key words related to TCM, the results were restricted to full English-language publications and abstracts published since 2011. In addition, the database of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and LiverTox was accessed under the topic 'Drug record: Chinese and other Asian herbal medicines'. Since 2011, new case reports and case series provided evidence for herbal hepatotoxicity by TCM, focusing on nine TCM herbal mixtures and four individual TCM herbs with potential health hazards. These were the TCM products Ban Tu Wan, Chai Hu, Du Huo, Huang Qin, Jia Wei Xia Yao San, Jiguja, Kamishoyosan, Long Dan Xie Gan Tang, Lu Cha, Polygonum multiflorum products, Shan Chi, 'White flood' containing the herbal TCM Wu Zhu Yu and Qian Ceng Ta, and Xiao Chai Hu Tang. Other developments include the establishment of a new and early diagnostic serum marker for hepatotoxicity caused by pyrrolizidine alkaloids, assessed using ultra performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis, and new regulatory details to improve herbal TCM product quality and safety. Stringent evaluation of the risk/benefit ratio is essential to protect traditional Chinese medicines users from health hazards including liver injury. © 2014 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

The prescribing of Chinese herbal products in Taiwan: a cross-sectional analysis of the national health insurance reimbursement database.

PubMed

Hsieh, Shu-Ching; Lai, Jung-Nien; Lee, Chuan-Fang; Hu, Fu-Chang; Tseng, Wei-Lum; Wang, Jung-Der

2008-06-01

The consumption of Chinese herbal products (CHPs) is increasing exponentially. However, the scientific evidence is lacking and there is an urgent requirement for detailed pharmacoepidemiological information on CHP usage. This study was to investigate CHP prescription patterns in Taiwan. We carried out a cross-sectional analysis on a cohort of 200,000 patients based on 2004 data from the National Health Insurance (NHI) reimbursement database. Data mining techniques were applied to explore CHP co-prescription patterns. A total of 46,938 patients had been prescribed CHPs on at least one occasion in 2004. Patients using CHPs were generally female and middle-aged, made more outpatient visits, had fewer hospitalizations and consumed more medical resources than non-users of CHPs. A total of 1,073,030 CHPs were contained within 220,123 prescriptions, for which acute nasopharyngitis was the most common indication. Yan hu suo and Jia Wei Xiao Yao San were the most frequently prescribed single herb (SH) and herbal formula (HF), respectively. The results of the data mining showed that the best predictions were provided by co-prescriptions of 'Mo yao and Ru xiang', 'Ye jiao teng and Suan Zao Ren Tan' and 'Dang Gui Nian Tong Tang and Shu Jing Huo Xue Tang' in the groups of SH-SH, SH-HF and HF-HF, respectively. This study provides national-level CHP prescription profiles and utilization rates, and documents, for the first time, HF-HF prescription combinations in Chinese medicine (CM) practices in Taiwan. We conclude that more studies are needed to validate the safety and effectiveness of CHP prescriptions.

Simultaneous determination of eight major bioactive compounds in Dachengqi Tang (DT) by high-performance liquid chromatography

PubMed Central

Tang, Wenfu; Wan, Meihua; Zhu, Zhengyan; Chen, Guanyuan; Huang, Xi

2008-01-01

Background Dachengqi Tang (DT) is a common traditional Chinese medicine formula for expelling neire ('internal heat') in the stomach and intestines. There was no reliable analytical method available for the quality control of DT. Methods A high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method with a reverse phase C18 column (150 × 4.6 mm) was developed. The mobile phase was methanol with 0.2% acetic acid. Eight markers including naringin, hesperidin, aloe emodin, rhein, honokiol, magnolol, emodin and chrysophanol were determined. Results Regression analysis revealed a linear relationship between the concentrations of the markers and the peak area ratio of the standards and internal standard. The limit of detection (S/N = 3) and the limit of qualification (RSD < 20%) ranged from 0.21 to 0.43 ng/μl and 0.76 to 1.74 ng/μl respectively. The recovery was between 95.6% and 103.4%. The tests on the samples from three batches of DT showed that the profiles of the markers did not vary significantly among batches. Conclusion A reliable HPLC method for simultaneous determination of the eight markers in DT was developed. PMID:18445276

Post-treatment with Ma-Huang-Tang ameliorates cold-warm-cycles induced rat lung injury.

PubMed

Xiao, Meng-Meng; Pan, Chun-Shui; Liu, Yu-Ying; Ma, Li-Qian; Yan, Li; Fan, Jing-Yu; Wang, Chuan-She; Huang, Rong; Han, Jing-Yan

2017-03-22

Frequent and drastic ambient temperature variation may cause respiratory diseases such as common cold and pneumonia, the mechanism for which is not fully understood, however, due to lack of appropriate animal models. Ma-Huang-Tang (MHT) is widely used in China for treatment of respiratory diseases. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of MHT on temperature alternation induced rat lung injury and explore underlying mechanisms. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to a cold environment for 1 h and then shifted to a warm environment for 30 min. This cold and warm alteration cycled 4 times. Rats were administrated with MHT (1.87 g/kg) by gavage 6 h after cold-warm-cycles. Cold-warm-cycles induced pulmonary microcirculatory disorders, lung edema and injury, decrease in the expression of tight junction proteins, increase in VE-cadherin activation, increase in the expression and activation of Caveolin-1, Src and NF-κB, and NADPH oxidase subunits p47 phox , p40 phox and p67 phox membrane translocation and inflammatory cytokines production. All alterations were significantly ameliorated by post-treatment with MHT. This study showed that rats subjected to cold-warm-cycles may be used as an animal model to investigate ambient temperature variation-induced lung injury, and suggested MHT as a potential strategy to combat lung injury induced by temperature variation.

Huangqi Jianzhong Tang for Treatment of Chronic Gastritis: A Systematic Review of Randomized Clinical Trials

PubMed Central

Wei, Yue; Ma, Li-Xin; Yin, Sheng-Jun; An, Jing; Wei, Qi; Yang, Jin-Xiang

2015-01-01

To assess the clinical effects and safety of Huangqi Jianzhong Tang (HQJZ) for the treatment of chronic gastritis (CG), three English databases and four Chinese databases were searched through the inception to January 2015. In randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing HQJZ with placebo, no intervention and western medicine were included. A total of 9 RCTs involving 979 participants were identified. The methodological quality of the included trials was generally poor. Meta-analyses demonstrated that HQJZ plus conventional medicine was more effective in improving overall gastroscopy outcome than western medicine alone for treatment of chronic superficial gastritis with the pooling result of overall improvement [OR 3.78 (1.29,11.06), P = 0.02]. In addition, the combination of HQJZ with antibiotics has higher overall effect rate than antibiotics alone for the treatment of CG [OR 2.60 (1.49,4.54), P = 0.0007]. There were no serious adverse events reported in both the intervention and controlled groups. HQJZ has the potential of improvement of the patients' gastroscopy outcomes, Helicobacter pylori clearance rate, traditional Chinese Medicine syndromes, and overall effect rate alone or in combination use with conventional western medicine for chronic atrophic gastritis. However, due to poor methodological quality, the beneficial effect and safeties of HQJZ for CG could not be confirmed. PMID:26819622

Understanding the polypharmacological anticancer effects of Xiao Chai Hu Tang via a computational pharmacological model

PubMed Central

ZHENG, CHUN-SONG; WU, YIN-SHENG; BAO, HONG-JUAN; XU, XIAO-JIE; CHEN, XING-QIANG; YE, HONG-ZHI; WU, GUANG-WEN; XU, HUI-FENG; LI, XI-HAI; CHEN, JIA-SHOU; LIU, XIAN-XIANG

2014-01-01

Xiao Chai Hu Tang (XCHT), a traditional herbal formula, is widely administered as a cancer treatment. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms of its anticancer effects are not fully understood. In the present study, a computational pharmacological model that combined chemical space mapping, molecular docking and network analysis was employed to predict which chemical compounds in XCHT are potential inhibitors of cancer-associated targets, and to establish a compound-target (C-T) network and compound-compound (C-C) association network. The identified compounds from XCHT demonstrated diversity in chemical space. Furthermore, they occupied regions of chemical space that were the same, or close to, those occupied by drug or drug-like compounds that are associated with cancer, according to the Therapeutic Targets Database. The analysis of the molecular docking and the C-T network demonstrated that the potential inhibitors possessed the properties of promiscuous drugs and combination therapies. The C-C network was classified into four clusters and the different clusters contained various multi-compound combinations that acted on different targets. The study indicated that XCHT has a polypharmacological role in treating cancer and the potential inhibitory components of XCHT require further investigation as potential therapeutic strategies for cancer patients. PMID:24926384

Hepatic Stellate Cells Alter Liver Immune Environment to Promote Cancer | Center for Cancer Research

Cancer.gov

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common form of liver cancer, accounting for up to 90 percent of cases, and is the second most common cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide according to the World Health Organization’s 2014 World Cancer Report. Even when caught early, HCC often recurs, either from intra-liver metastases or new primary tumors, and recurrence is the leading cause of death for patients with HCC. The liver microenvironment is an important contributor to HCC initiation and progression and also likely plays a role in tumor recurrence. Xin Wei Wang, Ph.D., of CCR’s Laboratory of Human Carcinogenesis, and his colleagues wondered whether activated hepatic stellate cells (A-HSCs), stromal cells in the liver known to participate in repair following injury and in the development of fibrosis, contribute directly to HCC recurrence.

Probing critical behavior of 2D Ising ferromagnet with diluted bonds using Wang-Landau algorithm

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ridha, N. A.; Mustamin, M. F.; Surungan, T.

2018-03-01

Randomness is an important subject in the study of phase transition as defect and impurity may present in any real material. The pre-existing ordered phase of a pure system can be affected or even ruined by the presence of randomness. Here we study ferromagnetic Ising model on a square lattice with a presence of randomness in the form of bond dilution. The pure system of this model is known to experience second order phase transition, separating between the high temperature paramagnetic and low-temperature ferromagnetic phase. We used Wang-Landau algorithm of Monte Carlo method to obtain the density of states from which we extract the ensemble average of energy and the specific heat. We observed the signature of phase transition indicated by the diverging peak of the specific heat as system sizes increase. These peaks shift to the lower temperature side as the dilution increases. The lower temperature ordered phase preserves up to certain concentration of dilution and is totally ruined when the bonds no longer percolates.

Ising Criticality of the Clock Model from Density of States Obtained by the Replica Exchange-Wang-Landau Method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cadilhe, Antonio

2018-04-01

We performed extensive simulations, using the Replica Exchange-Wang-Landau method, of the clock model for orders 3 and 4 on a square lattice, where critical behaviors are expected to belong to the Ising universality class. Though order 2 represents the Ising model, thus, being exactly solvable in two-dimensions, we still provide such results for comparison to the other two orders. Results for various energy related quantities such as the mean energy per spin, specific heat, as well as logarithm scaling of the peak of the specific heat are presented and shown to follow Ising behavior. Additionally, we also present results related to magnetic quantities, such as the magnetization, magnetic susceptibility, and corresponding scaling behavior of the peak of the magnetic susceptibility. Again, our results show scaling in conformity to Ising critical behavior.

Aqueous Extract of Gumiganghwal-tang, a Traditional Herbal Medicine, Reduces Pulmonary Fibrosis by Transforming Growth Factor-β1/Smad Signaling Pathway in Murine Model of Chronic Asthma.

PubMed

Jeon, Woo-Young; Shin, In-Sik; Shin, Hyeun-Kyoo; Jin, Seong Eun; Lee, Mee-Young

2016-01-01

Gumiganghwal-tang is a traditional herbal prescription that is used widely for the treatment of the common cold and inflammatory diseases in Korea and other Asian countries. In this study, we investigated the protective effects of a Gumiganghwal-tang aqueous extract (GGTA) against airway inflammation and pulmonary fibrosis using a mouse model of chronic asthma. Chronic asthma was modeled in BALB/c mice via sensitization/challenge with an intraperitoneal injection of 1% ovalbumin (OVA) and inhalation of nebulized 1% OVA for 4 weeks. GGTA (100 mg/kg or 200 mg/kg) was also administered by oral gavage once a day for 4 weeks. We investigated the number of inflammatory cells, production of T-helper type 2 (Th2) cytokines, chemokine and the total transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF); the levels of immunoglobulin E (IgE) in the plasma; the infiltration of inflammatory cells in lung tissue; and the expression of TGF-β1, Smad-3, and collagen in lung tissue. Our results revealed that GGTA lowered the recruitment of inflammatory cells (particularly, lymphocyte); and decreased the production of Th2 cytokines, chemokine and total TGF-β1; and attenuated the levels of total and OVA-specific IgE; and decreased the infiltration of inflammatory cells. Moreover, GGTA significantly reduced the expression of TGF-β1 and Smad-3, and lowered collagen deposition. These results indicate that GGTA reduces airway inflammation and pulmonary fibrosis by regulating Th2 cytokines production and the TGF-β1/Smad-3 pathway, thus providing a potential treatment for chronic asthma.

Cation coordination reactions on nanocrystals: surface/interface, doping control and advanced photocatalysis applications (Conference Presentation)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Jiatao

2016-10-01

Abstract: Including the shape and size effect, the controllable doping, hetero-composite and surface/interface are the prerequisite of colloidal nanocrystals for exploring their optoelectronic properties, such as fluorescence, plasmon-exciton coupling, efficient electron/hole separation, and enhanced photocatalysis applications. By controlling soft acid-base coordination reactions between cation molecular complexes and colloidal nanocrystals, we showed that chemical thermodynamics could drive nanoscale monocrystalline growth of the semiconductor shell on metal nano-substrates and the substitutional heterovalent doping in semiconductor nanocrystals. We have demonstrated evolution of relative position of Au and II-VI semiconductor in Au-Semi from symmetric to asymmetric configuration, different phosphines initiated morphology engineering, oriented attachment of quantum dots into micrometer nanosheets with synergistic control of surface/interface and doing, which can further lead to fine tuning of plasmon-exciton coupling. Therefore, different hydrogen photocatalytic performance, Plasmon enhanced photocatalysis properties have been achieved further which lead to the fine tuning of plasmon-exciton coupling. Substitutional heterovalent doping here enables the tailoring of optical, electronic properties and photocatalysis applications of semiconductor nanocrystals because of electronic impurities (p-, n-type doping) control. References: (1) J. Gui, J. Zhang*, et al. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2015, 54, 3683. (2) Q. Zhao, J. Zhang*, etc., Adv. Mater. 2014, 26, 1387. (3) J. Liu, Q. Zhao, S. G. Wang*, J. Zhang*, etc., Adv. Mater. 2015, 27-2753-2761. (4) H. Qian, J. Zhang*, etc., NPG Asia Mater. (2015) 7, e152. (5) M. Ji, M. Xu, etc., J. Zhang*, Adv. Mater. 2016, in proof. (6) S. Yu, J. T. Zhang, Y. Tang, M. Ouyang*, Nano Lett. 2015, 15, 6282-6288. (7) J. Zhang, Y. Tang, K. Lee and M. Ouyang*, Science 2010, 327, 1634. (8) J. Zhang, Y. Tang, K. Lee, M. Ouyang*, Nature 2010, 466

Epigenetic information in gametes: Gaming from before fertilization. Comment on ;Epigenetic game theory: How to compute the epigenetic control of maternal-to-zygotic transition; by Qian Wang et al.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shi, Junchao; Zhang, Xudong; Liu, Ying; Chen, Qi

2017-03-01

In their interesting article [1] Wang et al. proposed a mathematical model based on evolutionary game theory [2] to tackle the fundamental question in embryo development, that how sperm and egg interact with each other, through epigenetic processes, to form a zygote and direct successful embryo development. This work is based on the premise that epigenetic reprogramming (referring to the erasure and reconstruction of epigenetic marks, such as DNA methylation and histone modifications) after fertilization might be of paramount importance to maintain the normal development of embryos, a premise we fully agree, given the compelling experimental evidence reported [3]. Wang et al. have specifically chosen to employ the well-studied DNA methylation reprogramming process during mammalian early embryo development, as a basis to develop their mathematical model, namely epigenetic game theory (epiGame). They concluded that the DNA methylation pattern in mammalian early embryo could be formulated and quantified, and their model can be further used to quantify the interactions, such as competition and/or cooperation of expressed genes that maximize the fitness of embryos. The efforts by Wang et al. in quantitatively and systematically analyzing the beginning of life apparently hold value and represent a novel direction for future embryo development research from both theoretical and experimental biologists. On the other hand, we see their theory still at its infancy, because there are plenty more parameters to consider and there are spaces for debates, such as the cases of haploid embryo development [4]. Here, we briefly comment on the dynamic process of epigenetic reprogramming that goes beyond DNA methylation, a dynamic interplay that involves histone modifications, non-coding RNAs, transposable elements et al., as well as the potential input of the various types of 'hereditary' epigenetic information in the gametes - a game that has started before the fertilization.

A new framework to evaluate ecosystem health: a case study in the Wei River basin, China.

PubMed

Wu, Wei; Xu, Zongxue; Zhan, Chesheng; Yin, Xuwang; Yu, Songyan

2015-07-01

water and watershed management of the Wei River basin, or even the Yellow River basin.

IN VIVO EFFECT OF GUIDING-HERB RADIX PLATYCODONIS AND RADIX CYATHULAE ON PAEONIFLORIN PHARMACOKINETICS OF XUEFU ZHUYU TANG IN RATS.

PubMed

Tang, Song-Qi; Chen, Yun-Hui; Chen, Xi-Ping; Zhang, Xiao-Dan; Huang, Wei

2017-01-01

Xuefu Zhuyu Tang (XFZYT), first recorded in Correction of Errors in Medical Works by Qing-ren Wang, has been proven reliable and effective for curing various diseases such as atherosclerosis, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and angina pectoris. It consists of 11 herbs and two of them, Radix platycodonis and Radix cyathulae , have been traditionally considered as guiding herbs and deeply valued by tens of millions of Chinese medicine practitioners. Do Radix platycodonis and Radix cyathulae affect the pharmacokinetics of the effective constituent-paeoniflorin of XFZYT? If yes, in what way? This study aims to answer these questions. The medicinal solutions of XFZYT, XFZYT without Radix platycodonis (XFZYT-JG), XFZYT without Radix cyathulae (XFZYT-NX), and XFZYT without Radix platycodonis and Radix cyathulae (XFZYT-JG-NX) were prepared and administrated to rats in the normal group and the blood-stasis model group by gavage, respectively. The blood samples of rats in the normal group were obtained 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 45, 60, 120, and 240 minutes after gavage; whereas the blood samples of rats in the blood-stasis model group were obtained 10, 15, 20, 30, 45, 90, 150, and 240 minutes after gavage. Biological samples were processed; the assays of specificity, precision, linearity, intra-day and inter-day precisions, recovery and stability were conducted; high performance liquid chromatography was performed to detect paeoniflorin content; and DAS software was adopted to generate pharmacokinetic parameters. Mobile phase was composed of acetonitrile and water (16:84), detection wavelength was 230 nm, and riboflavin was set as internal standard substance. The pharmacokinetic parameters of the rats in the normal group after oral gavage of XFZYT, XFZYT-JG, XFZYT-NX, and XFZYT-JG-NX were C max = (0.363±0.248, 0.065±0.020, 0.099±0.033, 0.099±0.020) mg/L, T max = (0.276±0.084, 0.583±0.342, 0.555±0.228, 0.317±0.033)h, t 1/2 = (0.501±0.241, 1.021±0.522, 0.853±0.377, 1.227±0

PREFACE International Symposium on Spintronic Devices and Commercialization 2010

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Du, You-wei; Judy, Jack; Qian, Zhenghong; Wang, Jianping

2011-01-01

very successful indeed. We are also grateful to the Advisory Committee, the Conference Chairs, the Excutive Chairs, the Academic Committee, the Organization Committee and the Secretariat for their fruitful work. We would especially like to thank all the organizers listed below for their support in all aspects of the conference. We would like to express our thanks to all the authors for their time and genuine efforts, and to the reviewers for their fruitful comments during the preparation of this volume. ISSDC'2010 ORGANIZATION Advisory Committee Chialing Chien, USAJunhao Chu, ChinaBernard Dieny, FranceKoichiro Inomata, Japan Liangmo Mei, ChinaJohn Sivertsen, USAMingjing Tu, ChinaDingsheng Wang, China Zhanguo Wang, ChinaQikun Xue, ChinaWenshan Zhan, China Conference Chairs Jack Judy, USAYouwei Du, China Executive Chairs Zhenghong Qian, USAJianping Wang, USA Organization Committee ChairJiyan Luo, China Vice ChairsGuilin Duan, ChinaLingling Sun, ChinaBaogen Shen, China MembersTiecheng Lu, ChinaDa Ma, ChinaYe Tian, China Jinsong Xu, ChinaQiuling XuChangmao Yang, China Guanghua Yu, ChinaYi Yan, China Academic Committee ChairsZhenghong Qian, USAYongbing Xu, UK Vice ChairsSeongtae Bae, SingaporeYong Jiang, ChinaDexin Wang, USA Huaiwu Zhang, ChinaJianhua Zhao, China MembersJianwang Cai, ChinaXiangdong Chen, ChinaHaifeng Ding, China Chunhong Hou, USAGunther Baubock, USABin Hu, USA Jungchun Huang, TaiwanDexuan Huo, ChinaYoon H Jeong, Korea Chihuang Lai, TaiwanRunwei Li, ChinaWei Liu, China Jing Shi, USAYasushi Takemura, JapanMark Tondra, USA Shan X Wang, USADi Wu, ChinaDesheng Xue, China Minglang Yan, USAShishen Yan, ChinaXiaofei Yang, China Chun Yeol You, KoreaWei Zhao, ChinaShiming Zhou, China Jianguo Zhu, China Secretariat Secretary-generalChangmao Yang, China Vice Secretary-generalJunli Wang, ChinaJinsong Xu, ChinaYe Tian, China MembersRu Bai, ChinaHongliang Zhan, China ISSDC' 2010 Organizers Department of Science and Technology, CSIC, China SpinIC Inc., China Hangzhou

Simultaneous determination of 11 bioactive compounds in Jaeumganghwa-tang by high performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection

PubMed Central

Yun, Bo-Ra; Weon, Jin Bae; Lee, Jiwoo; Eom, Min Rye; Ma, Choong Je

2014-01-01

Background: Jaeumganghwa-tang (JEGH) is a traditional Korean herbal medicine for the treatment of chronic bronchitis, nephritis and diabetes mellitus. Objective: A high performance liquid chromatography-diode array detector (HPLC-DAD) method was developed for simultaneous determination of 11 major compounds such as 5- hydroxymethylfurfural, mangiferin, paeoniflorin, nodakenin, naringin, hesperidin, decursinol, berberine, glycyrrhizin, atractylenolide III and decursin, in JEGH. Materials and Methods: The separation was conducted on Shishedo C18 column with gradient elution of 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid–acetonitrile. Detection of wavelength was set at 205, 250, 280 and 330 nm. Results: The developed analysis showed a good linearity (R2 >0.9997). The range of limit of detection and limit of quantification were observed from 0.04 to 0.43 and from 0.11 to 1.30, respectively. The intra- and inter-day test relative standard deviations (RSD) were less than 3% and the accuracy was 95.98-108.44%. The recoveries were between 92.75% and 109.19% and RSD range of recoveries was measured from 0.52% to 2.78%. Conclusion: This HPLC-DAD method can be successfully applied for simultaneous determination of 11 major compounds in JEGH samples. PMID:24991100

Evolution of the Orszag-Tang vortex system in a compressible medium. I - Initial average subsonic flow

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dahlburg, R. B.; Picone, J. M.

1989-01-01

The results of fully compressible, Fourier collocation, numerical simulations of the Orszag-Tang vortex system are presented. The initial conditions for this system consist of a nonrandom, periodic field in which the magnetic and velocity field contain X points but differ in modal structure along one spatial direction. The velocity field is initially solenoidal, with the total initial pressure field consisting of the superposition of the appropriate incompressible pressure distribution upon a flat pressure field corresponding to the initial, average Mach number of the flow. In these numerical simulations, this initial Mach number is varied from 0.2-0.6. These values correspond to average plasma beta values ranging from 30.0 to 3.3, respectively. It is found that compressible effects develop within one or two Alfven transit times, as manifested in the spectra of compressible quantities such as the mass density and the nonsolenoidal flow field. These effects include (1) a retardation of growth of correlation between the magnetic field and the velocity field, (2) the emergence of compressible small-scale structure such as massive jets, and (3) bifurcation of eddies in the compressible flow field. Differences between the incompressible and compressible results tend to increase with increasing initial average Mach number.

Evolution of the Orszag--Tang vortex system in a compressible medium. I. Initial average subsonic flow

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Dahlburg, R.B.; Picone, J.M.

In this paper the results of fully compressible, Fourier collocation, numerical simulations of the Orszag--Tang vortex system are presented. The initial conditions for this system consist of a nonrandom, periodic field in which the magnetic and velocity field contain X points but differ in modal structure along one spatial direction. The velocity field is initially solenoidal, with the total initial pressure field consisting of the superposition of the appropriate incompressible pressure distribution upon a flat pressure field corresponding to the initial, average Mach number of the flow. In these numerical simulations, this initial Mach number is varied from 0.2--0.6. Thesemore » values correspond to average plasma beta values ranging from 30.0 to 3.3, respectively. It is found that compressible effects develop within one or two Alfven transit times, as manifested in the spectra of compressible quantities such as the mass density and the nonsolenoidal flow field. These effects include (1) a retardation of growth of correlation between the magnetic field and the velocity field, (2) the emergence of compressible small-scale structure such as massive jets, and (3) bifurcation of eddies in the compressible flow field. Differences between the incompressible and compressible results tend to increase with increasing initial average Mach number.« less

Bak-Tang-Wiesenfeld model in the upper critical dimension: Induced criticality in lower-dimensional subsystems.

PubMed

Dashti-Naserabadi, H; Najafi, M N

2017-10-01

We present extensive numerical simulations of Bak-Tang-Wiesenfeld (BTW) sandpile model on the hypercubic lattice in the upper critical dimension D_{u}=4. After re-extracting the critical exponents of avalanches, we concentrate on the three- and two-dimensional (2D) cross sections seeking for the induced criticality which are reflected in the geometrical and local exponents. Various features of finite-size scaling (FSS) theory have been tested and confirmed for all dimensions. The hyperscaling relations between the exponents of the distribution functions and the fractal dimensions are shown to be valid for all dimensions. We found that the exponent of the distribution function of avalanche mass is the same for the d-dimensional cross sections and the d-dimensional BTW model for d=2 and 3. The geometrical quantities, however, have completely different behaviors with respect to the same-dimensional BTW model. By analyzing the FSS theory for the geometrical exponents of the two-dimensional cross sections, we propose that the 2D induced models have degrees of similarity with the Gaussian free field (GFF). Although some local exponents are slightly different, this similarity is excellent for the fractal dimensions. The most important one showing this feature is the fractal dimension of loops d_{f}, which is found to be 1.50±0.02≈3/2=d_{f}^{GFF}.

Bak-Tang-Wiesenfeld model in the upper critical dimension: Induced criticality in lower-dimensional subsystems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dashti-Naserabadi, H.; Najafi, M. N.

2017-10-01

We present extensive numerical simulations of Bak-Tang-Wiesenfeld (BTW) sandpile model on the hypercubic lattice in the upper critical dimension Du=4 . After re-extracting the critical exponents of avalanches, we concentrate on the three- and two-dimensional (2D) cross sections seeking for the induced criticality which are reflected in the geometrical and local exponents. Various features of finite-size scaling (FSS) theory have been tested and confirmed for all dimensions. The hyperscaling relations between the exponents of the distribution functions and the fractal dimensions are shown to be valid for all dimensions. We found that the exponent of the distribution function of avalanche mass is the same for the d -dimensional cross sections and the d -dimensional BTW model for d =2 and 3. The geometrical quantities, however, have completely different behaviors with respect to the same-dimensional BTW model. By analyzing the FSS theory for the geometrical exponents of the two-dimensional cross sections, we propose that the 2D induced models have degrees of similarity with the Gaussian free field (GFF). Although some local exponents are slightly different, this similarity is excellent for the fractal dimensions. The most important one showing this feature is the fractal dimension of loops df, which is found to be 1.50 ±0.02 ≈3/2 =dfGFF .

Comment on "Electron impact excitation of N-like ions from the ICFT R-matrix calculation" by HB Wang, G Jiang, XF Li, and ZC He in At. Data Nucl. Data Tables 120 (2018) 373-429

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aggarwal, Kanti M.

2018-03-01

The paper "Electron impact excitation of N-like ions from the ICFT R-matrix calculation" by Wang et al. [1] lacks details of calculations, presents only limited data, and has a few anomalies, as listed below.

Open sesame: Identification of sesame oil and oil soot ink in organic deposits of Tang Dynasty lamps from Astana necropolis in China

PubMed Central

Knaust, Andrea; Verbavatz, Jean-Marc; Mai, Huijuan; Wang, Bo; Wang, Changsui; Shevchenko, Andrej

2017-01-01

Lamp illuminants evidence the exploitation of natural resources, animal and plant domestication, commerce, religious practices and nutrition of ancient populations. However, the physicochemical analysis of their major constituent—burned, degraded and aged mixture of triacylglycerols is imprecise and may lead to ambiguous interpretations. We applied proteomics to analyze fuel deposits from eight lamps dated by 6th to 8th centuries AD that were excavated at the Astana necropolis (Xinjiang, China) and determined their origin by identifying organism-specific proteins. Proteomics evidence corroborated and detailed the assignments of source organism relying upon comparative profiling of intact triacylglycerols by shotgun lipidomics. We found that ruminant (mostly, sheep) fat, cattle ghee and sesame oil were common combustibles in Astana and concluded that sesame as an oilseed appeared in China under Tang Dynasty concomitantly with the expansion of Buddhism. PMID:28234998

Efficacy and adequacy of conventional transbronchial needle aspiration of IASLC stations 4R, 4L and 7 using endobronchial landmarks provided by the Wang nodal mapping system in the staging of lung cancer.

PubMed

Liu, Qinghua; Han, Songyan; Arias, Sixto; Turner, J Francis; Lee, Hans; Browning, Robert; Wang, Ko-Pen

2016-01-01

The role of transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) in the diagnosis and staging of lung cancer has been well established. Recently, the efficacy of conventional TBNA in the staging of lung cancer has been enhanced by the use of endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS)-TBNA. Our study sought to evaluate the adequacy of TBNA of International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC) stations 4R, 4L and 7 using endobronchial landmarks provided by the Wang nodal mapping system in the staging of lung cancer. We retrospectively analyzed all bronchoscopic cases with conventional TBNA punctures positive for malignancy at our institution from 1 January to 31 October 2014. The endobronchial puncture site was guided by the Wang nodal mapping system. The Wang stations were correlated with the IASLC lymph node map. No endobronchial ultrasound or rapid on-site evaluation was used. Pathological analysis included cytological and histological examination. Diagnosis by histological analysis was obtained in 115 (55.3%) out of 208 puncture sites. The metastatic lymph nodes were distributed at IASLC stations 4R (W1, 3, 5) 46.6 %, 7 (W2, 8, 10) 19.7%, 4L (W4, 6) 11.5%, 11R (W7, W9) 11.1% 11L (W11) 9.6%, 2R (high station W3) 0.5%, and the proximal portion of station 8 (station W10 beyond the middle lobe orifice) 1%. No complications were observed. IASLC station 4R (W1, 3, 5), 7 (W2, 8, 10) and 4L (W4, 6) are adequate for the staging of lung cancer.

Reply to Comment on ``Effects of fast and slow solar wind on the correlations between interplanetary medium and geomagnetic activity'' by C. B. Wang and J. K. Chao

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ballatore, Paola

2003-10-01

The paper [2002] (the paper commented) shows that the statistical significance of the correlations between the interplanetary parameters and the geomagnetic indices (Kp or Dst) is generally less significant during the fastest solar wind. On the other hand, at these fast solar wind periods, the significance of the Kp versus Dst correlation is equal to or higher than during slower solar wind. These results, together with further observations related to substorm periods and with previously published findings, are interpreted in terms of a difference in the interplanetary-magnetospheric coupling for solar wind faster or slower than a certain threshold (identified between about 500 and 600 km/s). Specifically, it is suggested that a possible linear approximation of the geomagnetic-interplanetary coupling is more appropriate during solar wind speed (Vsw) slower than this threshold, being nonlinear processes more dominant during the fastest speeds. This reply highlights that the correlation coefficients shown by [2003] are in agreement with these findings. In addition, Wang and Chao show that the statistical significance of the difference between the correlation coefficients for Vsw ≥ 550 km/s and those for Vsw < 550 km/s would indicate that the interplanetary-geomagnetic correlations during the fastest speeds are not significantly different from those at slower Vsw ranges. Here we give evidence of the fact that according to the common definition of this parameter, the calculation of the significance of the difference between two correlation coefficients made by Wang and Chao is wrong. Moreover, Wang and Chao recalculate the correlations between the interplanetary parameters and the ΔDst instead of Dst; in fact they note that the time derivative of this index (not the index itself) is driven by the interplanetary medium. Here we note that on the contrary, they show that the correlation coefficients between interplanetary parameters and Dst are larger than those

Upgrade of absolute extreme ultraviolet diagnostic on J-TEXT

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zhang, X. L.; Cheng, Z. F., E-mail: chengfe@hust.edu.cn; Hou, S. Y.

The absolute extreme ultraviolet (AXUV) diagnostic system is used for radiation observation on J-TEXT tokamak [J. Zhang, G. Zhuang, Z. J. Wang, Y. H. Ding, X. Q. Zhang, and Y. J. Tang, Rev. Sci. Instrum. 81, 073509 (2010)]. The upgrade of the AXUV system is aimed to improve the spatial resolution and provide a three-dimensional image on J-TEXT. The new system consists of 12 AXUV arrays (4 AXUV16ELG arrays, 8 AXUV20ELG arrays). The spatial resolution in the cross-section is 21 mm for the AXUV16ELG arrays and 17 mm for the AXUV20ELG arrays. The pre-amplifier is also upgraded for a highermore » signal to noise ratio. By upgrading the AXUV imaging system, a more accurate observation on the radiation information is obtained.« less

Analysis of Forgery Attack on One-Time Proxy Signature and the Improvement

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Tian-Yin; Wei, Zong-Li

2016-02-01

In a recent paper, Yang et al. (Quant. Inf. Process. 13(9), 2007-2016, 2014) analyzed the security of one-time proxy signature scheme Wang and Wei (Quant. Inf. Process. 11(2), 455-463, 2012) and pointed out that it cannot satisfy the security requirements of unforgeability and undeniability because an eavesdropper Eve can forge a valid proxy signature on a message chosen by herself. However, we find that the so-called proxy message-signature pair forged by Eve is issued by the proxy signer in fact, and anybody can obtain it as a requester, which means that the forgery attack is not considered as a successful attack. Therefore, the conclusion that this scheme cannot satisfy the security requirements of proxy signature against forging and denying is not appropriate in this sense. Finally, we study the reason for the misunderstanding and clarify the security requirements for proxy signatures.

Quality evaluation of Yin Chen Hao Tang extract based on fingerprint chromatogram and simultaneous determination of five bioactive constituents.

PubMed

Wang, Xijun; Lv, Haitao; Sun, Hui; Jiang, Xingang; Wu, Zeming; Sun, Wenjun; Wang, Ping; Liu, Lian; Bi, Kaishun

2008-01-01

A completely validated method based on HPLC coupled with photodiode array detector (HPLC-UV) was described for evaluating and controlling quality of Yin Chen Hao Tang extract (YCHTE). First, HPLC-UV fingerprint chromatogram of YCHTE was established for preliminarily elucidating amount and chromatographic trajectory of chemical constituents in YCHTE. Second, for the first time, five mainly bioactive constituents in YCHTE were simultaneously determined based on fingerprint chromatogram for furthermore controlling the quality of YCHTE quantitatively. The developed method was applied to analyze 12 batches of YCHTE samples which consisted of herbal drugs from different places of production, showed acceptable linearity, intraday (RSD <5%), interday precision (RSD <4.80%), and accuracy (RSD <2.80%). As a result, fingerprint chromatogram determined 15 representative general fingerprint peaks, and the fingerprint chromatogram resemblances are all better than 0.9996. The contents of five analytes in different batches of YCHTE samples do not indicate significant difference. So, it is concluded that the developed HPLC-UV method is a more fully validated and complete method for evaluating and controlling the quality of YCHTE.

Treatment of Goiter with Traditional Chinese Medicine Regimen Xing Qi Hua Ying Tang: A Clinical Study on 72 Patients with Multinodular and Diffuse Goiter.

PubMed

Yang, Ming-Li; Lu, Bo

2018-04-01

The present work aimed to further explore the therapeutic potential of Xing Qi Hua Ying Tang (XQHYT) by conducting a systemic clinical study in patients with goiter. Seventy-two patients with either multinodular or diffuse goiter were enrolled and randomly assigned into treatment group receiving XQHYT (n = 36) and control group receiving Hai Zao Yu Hu Tang (n = 36). Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Shanxi. Patients were diagnosed multinodular goiter or diffuse goiter resulting from Qi stagnation. All patients took the extract twice a day (100 mL each time) for two courses of treatment, of which a single course lasted for 3 months. Before the treatment was commenced and after the completion of the treatment, general body checks, thyroid function test, and goiter size examination were performed. Scoring of the clinical symptoms using Chinese medicine symptomatology was also done. The symptom score of the treatment group was significantly lower than that of the control group (treatment group, 8.26 ± 2.62; control group, 10.02 ± 2.62; p < 0.05). Substantial reduction in goiter size was seen in 82.3% of XQHYT-treated patients, whereas in the control group only 67.7% of patients exhibited constricted goiter. When assessed by both the Chinese medicine criteria and goiter size, the overall effective rate of the treatment group was 91.2%, whereas that of the control group was only 67.7%. The difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05). XQHYT did not affect the normal functions of liver, kidney, and heart. For both groups of patients, their levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone, free T4 and free T3 were normal before the treatment, and were not affected by the treatment. XQHYT was shown to be a promising therapeutic regimen for the treatment of goiter. The herbal regimen ameliorated clinical symptoms of patients that were accompanied with reduction in the size of goiter.

Chlorpromazine-induced perturbations of bile acids and free fatty acids in cholestatic liver injury prevented by the Chinese herbal compound Yin-Chen-Hao-Tang.

PubMed

Yang, Qiaoling; Yang, Fan; Tang, Xiaowen; Ding, Lili; Xu, Ying; Xiong, Yinhua; Wang, Zhengtao; Yang, Li

2015-04-16

Yin-Chen-Hao-Tang (YCHT), a commonly used as a traditional chinese medicine for liver disease. Several studies indicated that YCHT may improving hepatic triglyceride metabolism and anti-apoptotic response as well as decreasing oxidative stress .However, little is known about the role of YCHT in chlorpromazine (CPZ) -induced chlolestatic liver injury. Therefore, we aimed to facilitate the understanding of the pathogenesis of cholestatic liver injury and evaluate the effect of Yin-Chen-Hao-Tang (YCHT) on chlorpromazine (CPZ)-induced cholestatic liver injury in rats based on the change of bile acids (BAs) and free fatty acids (FFAs) alone with the biochemical indicators and histological examination. We conducted an experiment on CPZ-induced cholestatic liver injury in Wistar rats with and without YCHT for nine consecutive days. Serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), albumin (ALB), total bilirubin (TBIL), total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) were measured to evaluate the protective effect of YCHT against chlorpromazine (CPZ)-induced cholestatic liver injury. Histopathology of the liver tissue showed that pathological injuries were relieved after YCHT pretreatment. In addition, ultra-performance lipid chromatography coupled with quadrupole mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS) and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was applied to determine the content of bile acids, free fatty acids, respectively. Obtained data showed that YCHT attenuated the effect of CPZ-induced cholestatic liver injury, which was manifested by the serum biochemical parameters and histopathology of the liver tissue. YCHT regulated the lipid levels as indicated by the reversed serum levels of TC, TG, and LDL-C. YCHT also regulated the disorder of BA and FFA metabolism by CPZ induction. Results indicated that YCHT exerted a protective effect on CPZ-induced cholestasis liver injury. The variance of

Integrated pharmacokinetics of major bioactive components in MCAO rats after oral administration of Huang-Lian-Jie-Du-Tang.

PubMed

Zhu, Huaxu; Qian, Zhilei; Li, Huan; Guo, Liwei; Pan, Linmei; Zhang, Qichun; Tang, Yuping

2012-05-07

Huang-Lian-Jie-Du-Tang (HLJDT, or Oren-gedoku-to in Japanese), an important multi-herb remedy in China and other Asia countries, has been used clinically to treat cerebral ischemia for decades. According to the previous studies we have reported, an HPLC method was developed and validated for determination of berberine, palmatine, baicalin, baicalein and geniposide simultaneously in MCAO rat plasma after administration of HLJDT aqueous extract. A classified integral pharmacokinetic method was put forward after having compared the integrated concentration-time profile with that of single component. An AUC based weighting approach was used for integrated principle. The results indicated the classified integral pharmacokinetic profile of index components from HLJDT could reveal the pharmacokinetic behavior of original components, and was corresponding to the holistic pharmacological effects of anti-ischemia with HLJDT. This study was aimed to explore an approach that could be applied to integrate the pharmacokinetic behavior of different components derived from HLJDT. The integrated pharmacokinetic results also provided more information for further understanding of the clinical cerebrovascular disease in use of HLJDT. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Evolution of the Orszag--Tang vortex system in a compressible medium. II. Supersonic flow

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Picone, J.M.; Dahlburg, R.B.

The numerical investigation of Orszag--Tang vortex system in compressible magnetofluids continues, this time using initial conditions with embedded supersonic regions. The simulations have initial average Mach numbers M=1.0 and 1.5 and {beta}=10/3 with Lundquist numbers {ital S}=50, 100, or 200. Depending on the particular set of parameters, the numerical grid contains 256{sup 2} or 512{sup 2} collocation points. The behavior of the system differs significantly from that found previously for the incompressible and subsonic analogs. Shocks form at the downstream boundaries of the embedded supersonic regions outside the central magnetic X point and produce strong local current sheets that dissipatemore » appreciable magnetic energy. Reconnection at the central X point, which dominates the incompressible and subsonic systems, peaks later and has a smaller impact as {ital M} increases from 0.6 to 1.5. Reconnection becomes significant only after shocks reach the central region, compressing the weak current sheet there. Similarly, the correlation between the momentum and magnetic field begins significant growth later than in subsonic and incompressible flows. The shocks bound large compression regions, which dominate the wave-number spectra of autocorrelations in mass density, velocity, and magnetic field. The normalized spectral amplitude of the cross helicity is almost zero over the middle and upper portions of the wave-number domain, unlike the incompressible and subsonic flows. The thermal and magnetic pressures are anticorrelated over a wide wave-number range during the earlier portion of the calculations, consistent with the presence of quasistationary structures bounded by shocks.« less

Alterations in Pharmacokinetics of Gemcitabine and Erlotinib by Concurrent Administration of Hyangsayukgunja-Tang, a Gastroprotective Herbal Medicine.

PubMed

Kim, Tae Hwan; Shin, Soyoung; Kim, Sarah; Bulitta, Jürgen B; Weon, Kwon-Yeon; Joo, Sang Hoon; Ma, Eunsook; Yoo, Sun Dong; Park, Gi-Young; Kwon, Dong Rak; Jeong, Seok Won; Lee, Da Young; Shin, Beom Soo

2017-09-10

Gemcitabine and erlotinib are the chemotherapeutic agents used in the treatment of various cancers and their combination is being accepted as a first-line treatment of advanced pancreatic cancer. Hyangsayukgunja-tang (HYT) is a traditional oriental medicine used in various digestive disorders and potentially helpful to treat gastrointestinal adverse effects related to chemotherapy. The present study was aimed to evaluate the effect of HYT on the pharmacokinetics of gemcitabine and erlotinib given simultaneously in rats. Rats were pretreated with HYT at an oral dose of 1200 mg/kg/day once daily for a single day or 14 consecutive days. Immediately after pretreatment with HYT, gemcitabine and erlotinib were administered by intravenous injection (10 mg/kg) and oral administration (20 mg/kg), respectively. The effects of HYT on pharmacokinetics of the two drugs were estimated by non-compartmental analysis and pharmacokinetic modeling. The pharmacokinetics of gemcitabine and erlotinib were not altered by single dose HYT pretreatment. However, the plasma levels of OSI-420 and OSI-413, active metabolites of erlotinib, were significantly decreased in the multiple dose HYT pretreatment group. The pharmacokinetic model estimated increased systemic clearances of OSI-420 and OSI-413 by multiple doses of HYT. These data suggest that HYT may affect the elimination of OSI-420 and OSI-413.

Novel pharmacokinetic studies of the Chinese formula Huang-Lian-Jie-Du-Tang in MCAO rats.

PubMed

Zhu, Huaxu; Qian, Zhilei; He, Feng; Liu, Mengzhu; Pan, Linmei; Zhang, Qichun; Tang, Yuping

2013-07-15

Our previous studies showed that after oral administration of an Huang-Lian-Jie-Du-Tang (HLJDT) decoction, there is a higher concentration of the pure components, berberine, baicalin and gardenoside in the plasma of Middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) rats than in sham-operated rats, The aim of the present study was to determine whether these components could be reliably measured in MCAO rat tissues. First, the plasma concentration-time profiles of berberine, palmatine, baicalin, baicalein and gardenoside were characterised in MCAO rats after oral administration of the aqueous extract of HLJDT. Subsequently, liver, lung and kidney tissues were obtained from sudden death MCAO rats in the absorption phase (0.25 h), the distribution phase (1.0 h) and the elimination phase (8.0 h) after administration of the HLJDT aqueous extract. An HPLC method was developed and validated for the determination of the distribution characteristics of berberine, palmatine, baicalin, baicalein and gardenoside simultaneously from the above-mentioned rat tissues. The results indicated that berberine, palmatine, baicalin and baicalein distributed rapidly and accumulated at high levels in the lung, while gardenoside distributed widely in the lung and the kidney. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report to describe the distribution of the active ingredients derived from HLJDT in MCAO rat tissues. The tissue distribution results provide a biopharmaceutical basis for the design of the clinic application of HLJDT in cerebrovascular disease. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

[Determination of ephedrine and pseudoephedrine in Herba Ephedrae and Maxing Shigan Tang by capillary zone electrophoresis].

PubMed

Jing, Haoran; Guo, Huaizhong; Wang, Zijun; Wang, Min; Zhang, Bin

2009-04-01

To establish a method for the determination of ephedrine and pseudoephedrine in Herba Ephedrae and Maxing Shigan Tang by capillary zone electrophoresis. The conditions of the experiment were optimized with a fused-silica capillary of 60 cm x 50 microm (50 cm effective length) in a running buffer of 50 mmol x L(-1) borax-20 mmol x L(-1) threonine (pH 9.27) and an applied voltage of 15 kV (room temperature). Samples were introduced by hydrodynamic injections (10 cm x 20 s)and determined with on-column UV monitoring at 210 nm. Phenobarbital was chosen as the internal standard. Ephedrine and pseudoephedrine are separated successfully within 8 min. The linear responses covered the ranges from 21.3 to 213 mg x L(-1) (r = 0.9996) for ephedrine and from 8.4 to 84 mg x L(-1) (r = 0.9995) for pseudoephedrine. The detection limits (S/N = 3) of ephedrine and pseudoephedrine were shown to be 1.45 and 1.48 microg x mL(-1), respectively, The quantitation limits (S/N = 10) of ephedrine and pseudoephedrine were shown to be 4.81 and 4.93 mg x L(-1), respectively. The average recoveries for ephedrine and pseudoephedrine were 97.5% and 98.6% with RSD less than 5.0%. The method is simple, rapid, cost-effective and precise with satisfactory results.

Effect of Sipjeondaebo-Tang on Cancer-Induced Anorexia and Cachexia in CT-26 Tumor-Bearing Mice

PubMed Central

Jung, Ki Yong; Woo, Sang-Mi; Jun, Chan-Yong; Park, Jong Hyeong; Shin, Yong Cheol; Ko, Seong-Gyu

2014-01-01

Cancer-associated anorexia and cachexia are a multifactorial condition described by a loss of body weight and muscle with anorexia, asthenia, and anemia. Moreover, they correlate with a high mortality rate, poor response to chemotherapy, poor performance status, and poor quality of life. Cancer cachexia is regulated by proinflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-6 (IL-6), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). In addition, glucagon like peptide-1 (GIP-1), peptide YY (PYY), ghrelin, and leptin plays a crucial role in food intake. In this study, we investigated the therapeutic effects of one of the traditional herbal medicines, Sipjeondaebo-tang (Juzen-taiho-to in Japanese; SJDBT), on cancer anorexia and cachexia in a fundamental mouse cancer anorexia/cachexia model, CT-26 tumor-bearing mice. SJDBT was more significantly effective in a treatment model where it was treated after anorexia and cachexia than in a prevention model where it was treated before anorexia and cachexia on the basis of parameters such as weights of muscles and whole body and food intakes. Moreover, SJDBT inhibited a production of IL-6, MCP-1, PYY, and GLP-1 and ameliorated cancer-induced anemia. Therefore, our in vivo studies provide evidence on the role of SJDBT in cancer-associated anorexia and cachexia, thereby suggesting that SJDBT may be useful for treating cancer-associated anorexia and cachexia. PMID:24963216

Effect of Sipjeondaebo-tang on cancer-induced anorexia and cachexia in CT-26 tumor-bearing mice.

PubMed

Choi, Youn Kyung; Jung, Ki Yong; Woo, Sang-Mi; Yun, Yee Jin; Jun, Chan-Yong; Park, Jong Hyeong; Shin, Yong Cheol; Cho, Sung-Gook; Ko, Seong-Gyu

2014-01-01

Cancer-associated anorexia and cachexia are a multifactorial condition described by a loss of body weight and muscle with anorexia, asthenia, and anemia. Moreover, they correlate with a high mortality rate, poor response to chemotherapy, poor performance status, and poor quality of life. Cancer cachexia is regulated by proinflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-6 (IL-6), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), and tumor necrosis factor- α (TNF- α). In addition, glucagon like peptide-1 (GIP-1), peptide YY (PYY), ghrelin, and leptin plays a crucial role in food intake. In this study, we investigated the therapeutic effects of one of the traditional herbal medicines, Sipjeondaebo-tang (Juzen-taiho-to in Japanese; SJDBT), on cancer anorexia and cachexia in a fundamental mouse cancer anorexia/cachexia model, CT-26 tumor-bearing mice. SJDBT was more significantly effective in a treatment model where it was treated after anorexia and cachexia than in a prevention model where it was treated before anorexia and cachexia on the basis of parameters such as weights of muscles and whole body and food intakes. Moreover, SJDBT inhibited a production of IL-6, MCP-1, PYY, and GLP-1 and ameliorated cancer-induced anemia. Therefore, our in vivo studies provide evidence on the role of SJDBT in cancer-associated anorexia and cachexia, thereby suggesting that SJDBT may be useful for treating cancer-associated anorexia and cachexia.

Hydrolysis of Glycosidic Flavonoids during the Preparation of Danggui Buxue Tang: An Outcome of Moderate Boiling of Chinese Herbal Mixture

PubMed Central

Zhang, Wendy Li; Chen, Jian-Ping; Lam, Kelly Yin-Ching; Zhan, Janis Ya-Xian; Yao, Ping; Dong, Tina Ting-Xia; Tsim, Karl Wah-Keung

2014-01-01

Chemical change during boiling of herbal mixture is a puzzle. By using Danggui Buxue Tang (DBT), a herbal decoction that contains Astragali Radix (AR) and Angelicae Sinensis Radix (ASR), we developed a model in analyzing the hydrolysis of flavonoid glycosides during the boiling of herbal mixture in water. A proper preparation of DBT is of great benefit to the complete extraction of bioactive ingredients. Boiling of DBT in water increased the solubility of AR-derived astragaloside IV, calycosin, formononetin, calycosin-7-O-β-D-glucoside, and ononin in a time- and temperature-dependent manner: the amounts of these chemicals reached a peak at 2 h. The glycosidic resides of AR, calycosin-7-O-β-D-glucoside, and ononin could be hydrolyzed during the moderate boiling process to form calycosin and formononetin, respectively. The hydrolysis efficiency was strongly affected by pH, temperature, and amount of herbs. Interestingly, the preheated herbs were not able to show this hydrolytic activity. The current results supported the rationality of ancient preparation of DBT in boiling water by moderate heat. PMID:24744813

Gastroprotective effects of Hwanglyeonhaedok-tang against Helicobacter pylori-induced gastric cell injury.

PubMed

Park, Hee-Seon; Wijerathne, Charith U B; Jeong, Hye-Yun; Seo, Chang-Seob; Ha, Hyekyung; Kwun, Hyo-Jung

2018-04-24

Helicobacter pylori, which is found in the stomachs of approximately half of the world's population, has been associated with the development of chronic gastritis and gastric cancer. Hwanglyeonhaedok-tang (HHT) is a popular traditional medicine for the therapies of gastric ulcers and gastritis. The emerging resistance of H. pylori to antibiotics arouses requirement on alternative nonantibiotic-based therapies. In the present study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory activity and anti-microbial activity of HHT against H. pylori in vitro and in an H. pylori-infected mouse model. H. pylori were treated with various concentrations of HHT and then incubated with human gastric carcinoma AGS cells. For the in vivo study, mice were orally infected with H. pylori three times over the course of 1 week, and then subjected to daily administration of HHT (120 or 600 mg/kg) for 4 weeks or standard triple therapy for 1 week. At the scheduled termination of the experiment, all mice were killed and their stomachs were collected for histological examination, quantitative real-time PCR, and Western blot analysis. Our in vitro studies showed that HHT treatment inhibited the adhesion of H. pylori to AGS cells and suppressed the H. pylori-induced increases of inflammatory regulators, such as interleukin (IL)-8, cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2), and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). In the mouse model, HHT treatment significantly reduced H. pylori colonization, inflammation, and the levels of IL-1β, IL-6, C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 1 (CXCL1), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), COX-2, and iNOS in gastric mucosa. Further investigation showed that HHT treatment reduced the H. pylori-induced phosphorylations of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2), c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase (JNK), and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB). Our findings collectively suggest that HHT has anti-inflammatory activity and antibacterial activity

Discovery of estrogen receptor α modulators from natural compounds in Si-Wu-Tang series decoctions using estrogen-responsive MCF-7 breast cancer cells.

PubMed

Liu, Li; Ma, Hongyue; Tang, Yuping; Chen, Wenxing; Lu, Yin; Guo, Jianming; Duan, Jin-Ao

2012-01-01

The binding between the estrogen receptor α (ER-α) and a variety of compounds in traditional Chinese formulae, Si-Wu-Tang (SWT) series decoctions, was studied using a stably-transfected human breast cancer cell line (MVLN). In 38 compounds tested from SWT series decoctions, the estrogen-like activity of 22 compounds was above 60% in 20 μg mL(-1). Furthermore, theoretical affinity of these compounds was certificated using the functional virtual screen of ER-α modulators by FlexX-Pharm. The accuracy of functional virtual screening of ER-α modulators could reach to 77.27%. The results showed that some compounds, such as organic acids and flavones in SWT series decoctions could be used as selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) and could be selected for further development as potential agents for estrogen related diseases. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Radiation Environment at GEO from the FY2G Satellite Observations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, C.

2016-12-01

WANG Chun-Qin1,2*, Zhang Shen-Yi1,2 Jing Tao1,2, Zhang Huan-Xin1,2 Li Jia-Wei3 Zhang Xiao-Xin3 Sun Yue-Qiang1,2 Liang Jin-Bao1,2 Wei Fei1,2 Shen Guo-Hong1,2 Huang Cong3 Shi Chun-Yan1,21.National Space Science Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China; 2.Beijing Key Laboratory of Space Environment Exploration, Beijing 100190,China 3.National Satellite Meteorological Center, National Center for Space Weather, Beijing 100081, China; Abstract Recent measurements of the high energy electrons and protons with energetic particle instrument carried on the FY-2G satellite are presented. The instrument consist of two detectors-the high energy electrons instrument which can measure 200keV to greater than 4MeV electrons with eleven channels, and the high energy protons and heavy ions instrument which mainly senses incident flux of solar protons with seven channels from 4MeV to 300 MeV. The paper shows electrons and protons observations from Jan 2015 until Oct 2015. A precise description and preliminary analysis of particle dynamic during disturbances of magnetic storms、substorms and solar eruptions suggest that both of the detectors show accurate response to various disturbances and provide refined particles data. Comparison results of FY2G satellite with GOES series satellites reflect obvious local difference in particle flux evolvement especially during intensive disturbances time, which can be helpful for data assimilation of multi-satellite as well as further research in more complicated magnetosphere energy particle dynamic.

Global assessment of predictability of water availability: A bivariate probabilistic Budyko analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Weiguang; Fu, Jianyu

2018-02-01

Estimating continental water availability is of great importance for water resources management, in terms of maintaining ecosystem integrity and sustaining society development. To more accurately quantify the predictability of water availability, on the basis of univariate probabilistic Budyko framework, a bivariate probabilistic Budyko approach was developed using copula-based joint distribution model for considering the dependence between parameter ω of Wang-Tang's equation and the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), and was applied globally. The results indicate the predictive performance in global water availability is conditional on the climatic condition. In comparison with simple univariate distribution, the bivariate one produces the lower interquartile range under the same global dataset, especially in the regions with higher NDVI values, highlighting the importance of developing the joint distribution by taking into account the dependence structure of parameter ω and NDVI, which can provide more accurate probabilistic evaluation of water availability.

The use of Chinese herbal products and its influence on tamoxifen induced endometrial cancer risk among female breast cancer patients: a population-based study.

PubMed

Tsai, Yueh-Ting; Lai, Jung-Nien; Wu, Chien-Tung

2014-09-11

The increased practice of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) worldwide has raised concerns regarding herb-drug interactions. The purpose of our study was to analyze the use of Chinese herbal products (CHPs) and to estimate the influence of the use of CHP on tamoxifen induced endometrial cancer risk among female breast cancer patients in Taiwan. All patients newly diagnosed with invasive breast cancer receiving tamoxifen treatment from January 1, 1998 to December 31, 2008 were selected from the National Health Insurance Research Database. The usage, frequency of service, and CHPs prescribed among the 20,466 tamoxifen-treated female breast cancer patients were analyzed. The logistic regression method was employed to estimate the odds ratios (ORs) for utilization of CHPs. Cox proportional hazard regression was performed to calculate the hazard ratios (HRs) for subsequent endometrial cancer for CHP non-users and CHP users among female breast cancer patients who had undergone tamoxifen treatment. More than half of the subjects had ever used a CHP. Jia-Wei-Xiao-Yao-San (Augmented Rambling Powder) and Shu-Jing-Huo-Xue-Tang (Channel-Coursing Blood-Quickening Decoction) were the two most commonly used CHPs. The HR for the development of endometrial cancer among CHP users was 0.50-fold (95% CI=0.38-0.64) compared to that of CHP non-users. More than half of the study subjects had ever used a CHP. Jia-Wei-Xiao-Yao-San was the most commonly used CHP. Among female breast cancer patients who had undergone tamoxifen therapy, CHP consumption decreased the risk of subsequent endometrial cancer. Exploring potential Chinese herb-tamoxifen interactions and integrating both healthcare approaches are beneficial to the overall health outcomes of tamoxifen-treated female breast cancer patients. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Enhanced von Weizsäcker Wang-Govind-Carter kinetic energy density functional for semiconductors

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Shin, Ilgyou; Carter, Emily A., E-mail: eac@princeton.edu

2014-05-14

We propose a new form of orbital-free (OF) kinetic energy density functional (KEDF) for semiconductors that is based on the Wang-Govind-Carter (WGC99) nonlocal KEDF. We enhance within the latter the semi-local von Weizsäcker KEDF term, which is exact for a single orbital. The enhancement factor we introduce is related to the extent to which the electron density is localized. The accuracy of the new KEDF is benchmarked against Kohn-Sham density functional theory (KSDFT) by comparing predicted energy differences between phases, equilibrium volumes, and bulk moduli for various semiconductors, along with metal-insulator phase transition pressures. We also compare point defect andmore » (100) surface energies in silicon for a broad test of its applicability. This new KEDF accurately reproduces the exact non-interacting kinetic energy of KSDFT with only one additional adjustable parameter beyond the three parameters in the WGC99 KEDF; it exhibits good transferability between semiconducting to metallic silicon phases and between various III-V semiconductors without parameter adjustment. Overall, this KEDF is more accurate than previously proposed OF KEDFs (e.g., the Huang-Carter (HC) KEDF) for semiconductors, while the computational efficiency remains at the level of the WGC99 KEDF (several hundred times faster than the HC KEDF). This accurate, fast, and transferable new KEDF holds considerable promise for large-scale OFDFT simulations of metallic through semiconducting materials.« less

Spatial-temporal changes of maximum and minimum temperatures in the Wei River Basin, China: Changing patterns, causes and implications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Saiyan; Huang, Shengzhi; Xie, Yangyang; Huang, Qiang; Leng, Guoyong; Hou, Beibei; Zhang, Ying; Wei, Xiu

2018-05-01

Due to the important role of temperature in the global climate system and energy cycles, it is important to investigate the spatial-temporal change patterns, causes and implications of annual maximum (Tmax) and minimum (Tmin) temperatures. In this study, the Cloud model were adopted to fully and accurately analyze the changing patterns of annual Tmax and Tmin from 1958 to 2008 by quantifying their mean, uniformity, and stability in the Wei River Basin (WRB), a typical arid and semi-arid region in China. Additionally, the cross wavelet analysis was applied to explore the correlations among annual Tmax and Tmin and the yearly sunspots number, Arctic Oscillation, Pacific Decadal Oscillation, and soil moisture with an aim to determine possible causes of annual Tmax and Tmin variations. Furthermore, temperature-related impacts on vegetation cover and precipitation extremes were also examined. Results indicated that: (1) the WRB is characterized by increasing trends in annual Tmax and Tmin, with a more evident increasing trend in annual Tmin, which has a higher dispersion degree and is less uniform and stable than annual Tmax; (2) the asymmetric variations of Tmax and Tmin can be generally explained by the stronger effects of solar activity (primarily), large-scale atmospheric circulation patterns, and soil moisture on annual Tmin than on annual Tmax; and (3) increasing annual Tmax and Tmin have exerted strong influences on local precipitation extremes, in terms of their duration, intensity, and frequency in the WRB. This study presents new analyses of Tmax and Tmin in the WRB, and the findings may help guide regional agricultural production and water resources management.

Study of Pharmacodynamic and Pharmacokinetic Interaction of Bojungikki-Tang with Aspirin in Healthy Subjects and Ischemic Stroke Patients

PubMed Central

Yoo, Jung-Hwa; Yim, Sung-Vin

2018-01-01

Background Bojungikki-tang (BJIKT) is a widely used traditional herbal formula in China, Japan, and Korea. There have been reports that several herbs among BJIKT have interactions with antiplatelet drugs, such as aspirin. This study aimed to assess whether BJIKT interacts with aspirin in terms of pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD) in healthy subjects and ischemic stroke patients. Methods The phase I interaction trial was a randomized, open-label, crossover study of 10 healthy male subjects, and the phase III interaction trial was a randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel study of 43 ischemic stroke patients. Each participant randomly received aspirin + BJIKT or aspirin + placebo. For PK analysis, plasma acetyl salicylic acid (ASA) and salicylic acid (SA) were evaluated, and, for PD analysis, platelet aggregation and plasma thromboxane B2 (TxB2) were measured. Results In the PK parameters, mean area under curve, maximum concertation, and peak concentration time of ASA and SA were not different between two groups in healthy subjects and ischemic stroke patients. In the PD profiles, TxB2 concentrations and platelet aggregation were not affected by coadministration of BJIKT in healthy subjects and ischemic stroke patients. Conclusions These results suggest that coadministration of BJIKT with aspirin may not result in herb-drug interaction. PMID:29599812

Reflection and transmission characteristics of a layer obeying the two-pressure field poroelastic phenomenological model of Berryman and Wang.

PubMed

Kachkouch, F; Franklin, H; Tinel, A

2018-07-01

The characteristics of the reflection and transmission by a fluid-loaded double porosity layer are studied. The medium obeys the two-pressure field poroelastic phenomenological model of Berryman and Wang. The open pore hydraulic conditions applied at the interfaces yield factorized expressions for the coefficients exhibiting on the one hand a separation allowing to distinguish between symmetrical and antisymmetrical motions and on the other hand the way each of the three dilatational waves associate with the shear wave. The numerical study done for a layer of Berea sandstone saturated by water shows clearly the role of each of the dilatational waves. There are peculiarities such as the absence of the fundamental antisymmetrical mode (zero order) and a singular behaviour of the symmetrical fundamental mode. The low frequency approximation for this latter is derived from the proposed formulas and compared with the numerical results. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Occurrence and photodegradation of methylmercury in surface water of Wen-Rui-Tang River network, Wenzhou, China.

PubMed

Pan, Shuihong; Feng, Chuchu; Lin, Jialu; Cheng, Lidong; Wang, Chengjun; Zuo, Yuegang

2017-04-01

The spatial distribution and seasonal variations of methylmercury (MeHg) in Wen-Rui-Tang (WRT) River network were investigated by monitoring the MeHg concentrations in surface water samples collected from 30 sites across the river network over four seasons. Detection frequencies and concentrations of MeHg were generally higher in January, indicating that low sunlight irradiation, wind speed, and temperature conditions might enhance the persistence of MeHg in surface water. The MeHg levels varied with sampling locations, with the highest concentrations being observed in the industrial area especially around wastewater outfall, revealing that the mercury contamination in WRT River mainly comes from the industrial wastewater. Photodegradation of MeHg in WRT River surface water and the effects of natural constituents such as fulvic acid (FA), ferric ions (Fe 3+ ), nitrate (NO 3 - ), and dissolved oxygen on the MeHg photodegradation in aqueous solutions were studied under the simulated sunlight. The experimental data indicated that the indirect photodecomposition of MeHg occurred in WRT River surface water. Photodegradation of MeHg in FA solution was initiated by triplet 3 FA* or MeHg-FA* via electron transfer interaction under light irradiations. The Fe 3+ and NO 3 - can absorb light energy to produce ·OH and enhance the photochemical degradation of MeHg. The MeHg photodecompositions in FA, nitrate, and Fe 3+ solutions were markedly accelerated after removing the dissolved oxygen.

Da-Chaihu-Tang alters the pharmacokinetics of nifedipine in rats and a treatment regimen to avoid this.

PubMed

He, Ju-Xiu; Ohno, Kenji; Tang, Jun; Hattori, Masao; Tani, Tadato; Akao, Teruaki

2014-11-01

To investigate the influence of co-administrated Da-Chaihu-Tang (DCT; a traditional Chinese formulation) on the pharmacokinetics of nifedipine, as well as the safe optimal dosing interval to avoid the adverse interactions. A single dose of DCT was administered with nifedipine simultaneously, 2 h before, 30 min before or 30 min after nifedipine administration. Pharmacokinetics of nifedipine with or without DCT were compared. The influences of DCT on nifedipine intestinal mucosal and hepatic metabolism were studied by using rat in-vitro everted jejunal sac model and hepatic microsomes. A simultaneous co-administration of DCT significantly increased the area under concentration-time curve from time zero to infinity (AUC0-inf ) of nifedipine. In-vitro mechanism investigations revealed that DCT inhibited both the intestinal and the hepatic metabolism of nifedipine. Further study on the optimal dosing interval for nifedipine and DCT revealed that administration of DCT 30 min before or after nifedipine did not significantly change the AUC of nifedipine. The bioavailability of nifedipine is significantly increased by a simultaneous oral co-administration of DCT. This increase is caused by the inhibitory effect of DCT on both the intestinal mucosal and the hepatic metabolism of nifedipine. The dose interval between DCT and nifedipine needs to be set for over 30 min to avoid such drug-drug interactions. © 2014 Royal Pharmaceutical Society.

Potential Beneficial Effects of Si-Wu-Tang on White Blood Cell Numbers and the Gastrointestinal Tract of γ-Ray Irradiated Mice

PubMed Central

Ni, Jin; Romero-Weaver, Ana L.; Kennedy, Ann R.

2014-01-01

Si-Wu-Tang (SWT) is a decoction consisting of a mixture of ingredients of Rehmanniae Radix, Angelica Radix, Chuanxiong Rhizoma and Paeoniae Radix. As a traditional Chinese herbal decoction, SWT has been widely used for the treatment of diseases characterized as blood and/or energy deficit. The present study was performed to evaluate the effects of SWT on the different populations of circulating white blood cells (WBCs) and gastrointestinal changes in γ-ray irradiated mice. Female mice were treated daily with orally administered SWT seven days before irradiation, until one day before irradiation or until one day before sample collection. WBC counts were determined from peripheral blood samples taken from the mice at different times post-irradiation. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, as well as immunohistochemical analysis of fibrinogen, were utilized to evaluate the effects of SWT in the intestines of mice after radiation exposure. The results of the present studies demonstrate that SWT has protective effects against radiation damage to circulating WBCs, specifically to lymphocytes, and to the gastrointestinal tract of the irradiated animals. PMID:25324699

Effects of Chinese herbal medicines on the occurrence of diabetic retinopathy in type 2 diabetes patients and protection of ARPE-19 retina cells by inhibiting oxidative stress.

PubMed

Tsai, Fuu-Jen; Li, Te-Mao; Ko, Cheng-Hang; Cheng, Chi-Fung; Ho, Tsung-Jung; Liu, Xiang; Tsang, Hsinyi; Lin, Ting-Hsu; Liao, Chiu-Chu; Li, Ju-Pi; Huang, Shao-Mei; Lin, Jung-Chun; Lin, Chih-Chien; Liang, Wen-Miin; Lin, Ying-Ju

2017-09-08

Diabetic retinopathy is a microvascular complication of type 2 diabetes and the leading cause of acquired blindness. In Taiwan, Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) is a popular adjunctive therapy. In this study, we investigated the CHM prescription patterns and their effects. We identified 23,701 subjects with type 2 diabetes in a database, and after matching for age and gender, 6,948 patients each were assigned to CHM and non-CHM groups. In the female subgroups, the cumulative retinopathy probability was lower for the CHM users than that for the CHM non-users ( P < 0.001, log-rank test). Among the top 10 CHMs, Jia-Wei-Xiao-Yao-San (JWXYS; 52.9%), Shu-Jing-Huo-Xue-Tang (SJHXT; 45.1%), and Ge-Gen-Tang (GGT; 43.7%) were the most common herbal formulas. Yan-Hu-Suo (48.1%), Ge-Gen (42.1%), and Huang-Qin (HQin; 40.1%) were the most common single herbs. CHM network analysis showed that JWXYS was the core CHM of cluster 1. JWXYS, DS, XF, and SZRT exhibited both of the reductions of H 2 O 2 -induced phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and p44/42 MAPK (Erk1/2) in human ARPE-19 retina cells. In cluster 2, SJHXT was the core CHM. SJHXT and NX showed both of the phosphorylation reductions. In cluster 3, GGT was the core CHM, and it reduced the phosphorylation of both MAPKs. In cluster 4, HQin was the core CHM, and it also reduced the phosphorylation of both MAPKs. Our study suggests that adjunctive CHM therapy may reduce diabetic retinopathy via antioxidant activity of the herbs and provides information on core CHM treatments for further scientific investigations or therapeutic interventions.

Effects of Chinese herbal medicines on the occurrence of diabetic retinopathy in type 2 diabetes patients and protection of ARPE-19 retina cells by inhibiting oxidative stress

PubMed Central

Cheng, Chi-Fung; Ho, Tsung-Jung; Liu, Xiang; Tsang, Hsinyi; Lin, Ting-Hsu; Liao, Chiu-Chu; Li, Ju-Pi; Huang, Shao-Mei; Lin, Jung-Chun; Lin, Chih-Chien

2017-01-01

Diabetic retinopathy is a microvascular complication of type 2 diabetes and the leading cause of acquired blindness. In Taiwan, Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) is a popular adjunctive therapy. In this study, we investigated the CHM prescription patterns and their effects. We identified 23,701 subjects with type 2 diabetes in a database, and after matching for age and gender, 6,948 patients each were assigned to CHM and non-CHM groups. In the female subgroups, the cumulative retinopathy probability was lower for the CHM users than that for the CHM non-users (P < 0.001, log-rank test). Among the top 10 CHMs, Jia-Wei-Xiao-Yao-San (JWXYS; 52.9%), Shu-Jing-Huo-Xue-Tang (SJHXT; 45.1%), and Ge-Gen-Tang (GGT; 43.7%) were the most common herbal formulas. Yan-Hu-Suo (48.1%), Ge-Gen (42.1%), and Huang-Qin (HQin; 40.1%) were the most common single herbs. CHM network analysis showed that JWXYS was the core CHM of cluster 1. JWXYS, DS, XF, and SZRT exhibited both of the reductions of H2O2-induced phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and p44/42 MAPK (Erk1/2) in human ARPE-19 retina cells. In cluster 2, SJHXT was the core CHM. SJHXT and NX showed both of the phosphorylation reductions. In cluster 3, GGT was the core CHM, and it reduced the phosphorylation of both MAPKs. In cluster 4, HQin was the core CHM, and it also reduced the phosphorylation of both MAPKs. Our study suggests that adjunctive CHM therapy may reduce diabetic retinopathy via antioxidant activity of the herbs and provides information on core CHM treatments for further scientific investigations or therapeutic interventions. PMID:28969009

Automatic locking knee brace joint

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Weddendorf, Bruce (Inventor)

1995-01-01

This invention is an apparatus for controlling the pivotal movement of a knee brace comprising a tang-and-clevis joint that has been uniquely modified. Both the tang and the clevis have a set of teeth that, when engaged, can lock the tang and the clevis together. In addition, the tang is biased away from the clevis. Consequently, when there is no axial force (i.e., body weight) on the tang, the tang is free to pivot within the clevis. However, when an axial force is exerted on the tang, the tang is pushed into the clevis, both sets of teeth engage, and the tang and the clevis lock together.

Simple deterministic models and applications. Comment on "Coupled disease-behavior dynamics on complex networks: A review" by Z. Wang et al.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Hyun Mo

2015-12-01

Currently, discrete modellings are largely accepted due to the access to computers with huge storage capacity and high performance processors and easy implementation of algorithms, allowing to develop and simulate increasingly sophisticated models. Wang et al. [7] present a review of dynamics in complex networks, focusing on the interaction between disease dynamics and human behavioral and social dynamics. By doing an extensive review regarding to the human behavior responding to disease dynamics, the authors briefly describe the complex dynamics found in the literature: well-mixed populations networks, where spatial structure can be neglected, and other networks considering heterogeneity on spatially distributed populations. As controlling mechanisms are implemented, such as social distancing due 'social contagion', quarantine, non-pharmaceutical interventions and vaccination, adaptive behavior can occur in human population, which can be easily taken into account in the dynamics formulated by networked populations.

The impact of an underground cut-off wall on nutrient dynamics in groundwater in the lower Wang River watershed, China.

PubMed

Kang, Pingping; Xu, Shiguo

2017-03-01

Underground cut-off walls in coastal regions are mainly used to prevent saltwater intrusion, but their impact on nutrient dynamics in groundwater is not clear. In this study, a combined analysis of multiple isotopes ([Formula: see text]) and nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations is used in order to assess the impact of the underground cut-off walls on the nutrient dynamics in groundwater in the lower Wang River watershed, China. Compared with the nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations in groundwater downstream of the underground cut-off walls, high [Formula: see text] and total dissolved nitrogen concentrations and similar concentration levels of [Formula: see text] and total dissolved phosphorus are found in groundwater upstream of the underground cut-off walls. The isotopic data indicated the probable occurrence of denitrification and nitrification processes in groundwater upstream, whereas the fingerprint of these processes was not shown in groundwater downstream. The management of fertilizer application is critical to control nitrogen concentrations in groundwater restricted by the underground cut-off walls.

The Dual Antimelanogenic and Antioxidant Activities of the Essential Oil Extracted from the Leaves of Acorus macrospadiceus (Yamamoto) F. N. Wei et Y. K. Li

PubMed Central

Huang, Huey-Chun; Wang, Hsiao-Fen; Yih, Kuang-Hway; Chang, Long-Zen; Chang, Tsong-Min

2012-01-01

The antimelanogenic and antioxidant activities of the essential oil extracted from the leaves of Acorus macrospadiceus (Yamamoto) F. N. Wei et Y. K. Li have never been explored. The essential oil effectively inhibited mushroom tyrosinase activity (EC50 = 1.57 mg/mL) and B16F10 tyrosinase activity (IC50 = 1.01 mg/mL), decreased the melanin content (EC50 = 1.04 mg/mL), and depleted the cellular level of the reactive oxygen species (ROS) (EC50 = 1.87 mg/mL). The essential oil effectively scavenged 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) (EC50 = 0.121 mg/mL) and 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) ABTS+ radicals (EC50 = 0.122 mg/mL). It also exhibited an apparent reducing power (EC50 = 0.021 mg/mL) and metal-ion chelating activity (EC50 = 0.029 mg/mL). The chemical constituents of the essential oil are ethers (55.73%), ketones (19.57%), monoterpenes (7.82%), alcohols (3.85%), esters (3.77%), sesquiterpenes (3.72%), and aromatic compounds (2.85%). The results confirm that A. macrospadiceus essential oil is a natural antioxidant and inhibitor of melanogenesis. PMID:23304214

Development of Simultaneous Analysis of Thirteen Bioactive Compounds in So-Cheong-Ryong-Tang Using UPLC-DAD

PubMed Central

2018-01-01

So-Cheong-Ryong-Tang, which is a standardized Korean medicine of the National Health Insurance, is a traditional prescription for the treatment of allergic rhinitis, bronchitis, and bronchial asthma. Simultaneous analysis and development of SCRT is essential for its stability, efficacy, and risk management. In this study, a simple, reliable, and accurate method using ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) fingerprinting with a diode array detector (DAD) was developed for the simultaneous analysis. The chromatographic separation of the analytes was performed by an ACQUITY UPLC BEH C18 column (1.7 μM, 2.1 × 100 mm, Waters) with a mobile phase of water containing 0.01% (v/v) phosphoric acid and acetonitrile containing 0.01% (v/v) phosphoric acid. The flow rate and detection wavelength were set at 0.4 mL/min and 215, 230, 254, and 280 nm. All calibration curves of the thirteen components showed good linearity (R2 > 0.999). The limit of detection and limit of quantification ranged 0.001–0.360 and 0.004–1.200 µg/mL, respectively. The relative standard deviation (RSD) of intra- and interday was less than 2.60%, and the recoveries were within the range 76.08–103.79% with an RSD value of 0.03–1.50%. The results showed that the developed method was simple, reliable, accurate, sensitive, and precise for the quantification of bioactive components of SCRT. PMID:29854559

Seven new species of the Stenus cirrus group (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae) from Guangxi, South China.

PubMed

Liu, Sheng-Nan; Tang, Liang

2017-05-16

Seven new species of the Stenus cirrus group collected from Guangxi, South China are described and illustrated: S. hujiayaoi Liu and Tang, sp. n., S. bullatus Liu and Tang, sp. n., S. exesus Liu and Tang, sp. n., S. damingshanus Liu and Tang, sp. n., S. jinxiuensis Liu and Tang, sp. n., S. lianhuashanus Liu and Tang, sp. n., S. hechiensis Liu and Tang, sp. n. The diagnostic characters of the new species are illustrated, and a key to species of the group from Guangxi is provided.

Epigenetic battle of the sexes. Comment on: ;Epigenetic game theory: How to compute the epigenetic control of maternal-to-zygotic transition; by Qian Wang et al.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Song

2017-03-01

Qian Wang et al. present an interesting framework, named epigenetic game theory, for modeling sex-based epigenetic dynamics during embryogenesis from a new viewpoint of evolutionary game theory [1]. That is, epigenomes of sperms and oocytes may coordinate through either cooperation or competition, or both, to affect the fitness of embryos. The work uses a set of ordinary differential equations (ODEs) to describe longitudinal trajectories of DNA methylation levels in both parental and maternal gametes and their dependence on each other. The insights gained from this review, i.e. dynamic methylation profiles and their interaction are potentially important to many fields, such as biomedicine and agriculture.

Relationship between climate change and wars between nomadic and farming groups from the Western Han Dynasty to the Tang Dynasty period

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Su, Y.; Liu, L.; Fang, X. Q.; Ma, Y. N.

2015-07-01

In ancient China, the change in regional agriculture and animal husbandry productivity caused by climate change led to either wars or peaceful relations between nomadic and farming groups. From the Western Han Dynasty to the Tang Dynasty there were 367 wars between the two groups. The nomadic people initiated 69 % of the wars, but 62.4 % were won by the farmers. On a 30 year-period timescale, warm climates corresponded to a high incidence of wars. The conflicts between the nomadic and farming groups took place in some areas which are sensitive to climate change. During the cold periods, the battlefields were mostly in the southern regions. The main causes which leading to the above results are following: (1) warm climate provided a solid material foundation for nomadic and farming groups, especially contributed to improve the productivity of nomadic group; meanwhile, the excessive desire for essential means of subsistence in nomadic group could led to wars. (2) During the cold periods, people of farming group moved to the south and construct the south, meanwhile, nomadic group occupied the central plains, thus the battlefields also changed. As the background, climate change plays an indirect role in wars between groups.

Simultaneous determination of thirteen flavonoids from Xiaobuxin-Tang extract using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry.

PubMed

Cen, Meifeng; Ruan, Jinxiu; Huang, Lihua; Zhang, Zhenqing; Yu, Nengjiang; Zhang, Youzhi; Cheng, Xuange; Xiong, Xiaohong; Wang, Guixiang; Zang, Linquan; Wang, Sujun

2015-11-10

A simple and reliable high performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MS) analysis method was established to simultaneously determine thirteen flavonoids of Xiaobuxing-Tang in intestine perfusate, namely onpordin, 3'-O-methylorobol, glycitein, patuletin, genistein, luteolin, quercetin, nepitrin, quercimeritrin, daidzin, patulitrin, quercetagitrin and 3-glucosylisorhamnetin. Detection was performed on a quadrupole mass spectrometer equipped with an electrospray ionization (ESI) source operating in negative ionization mode. Negative ion ESI was used to form deprotonated molecules at m/z 315 for onpordin, m/z 299 for 3'-O-methylorobol, m/z 283 for glycitein, m/z 331 for patuletin, m/z 269 for genistein, m/z 285 for luteolin, m/z 301 for quercetin, m/z 477 for nepitrin, m/z 463 for quercimeritrin, m/z 461 for daidzin, m/z 493 for patulitrin, m/z 479 for quercetagitrin, m/z 477 for 3-glucosylisorhamnetin and m/z 609.2 for rutin. The linearity, sensitivity, selectivity, repeatability, accuracy, precision, recovery and matrix effect of the assay were evaluated. The proposed method was successfully applied to simultaneous determination of these thirteen flavonoids, and using this method, the intestinal absorption profiles of thirteen flavonoids were preliminarily predicted. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Validation of Community Models: 2. Development of a Baseline, Using the Wang-Sheeley-Arge Model

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

MacNeice, Peter

2009-01-01

This paper is the second in a series providing independent validation of community models of the outer corona and inner heliosphere. Here I present a comprehensive validation of the Wang-Sheeley-Arge (WSA) model. These results will serve as a baseline against which to compare the next generation of comparable forecasting models. The WSA model is used by a number of agencies to predict Solar wind conditions at Earth up to 4 days into the future. Given its importance to both the research and forecasting communities, it is essential that its performance be measured systematically and independently. I offer just such an independent and systematic validation. I report skill scores for the model's predictions of wind speed and interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) polarity for a large set of Carrington rotations. The model was run in all its routinely used configurations. It ingests synoptic line of sight magnetograms. For this study I generated model results for monthly magnetograms from multiple observatories, spanning the Carrington rotation range from 1650 to 2074. I compare the influence of the different magnetogram sources and performance at quiet and active times. I also consider the ability of the WSA model to forecast both sharp transitions in wind speed from slow to fast wind and reversals in the polarity of the radial component of the IMF. These results will serve as a baseline against which to compare future versions of the model as well as the current and future generation of magnetohydrodynamic models under development for forecasting use.

High-efficiency generation of induced pluripotent stem cells from human foreskin fibroblast cells using the Sagunja-tang herbal formula.

PubMed

Kim, Ki Mo; Heo, Deok Rim; Lee, Joo Young; Seo, Chang-Seob; Chung, Sun-Ku

2017-12-11

Sagunja-Tang (SGT-4) is a traditional herbal formula in Korean medicine that is used to treat anti-metabolic syndrome, and has antioxidant activity. In this study, we evaluated the effects of SGT-4 on the formation efficiency of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from human foreskin fibroblasts (HFFs) by four reprogramming transcription factors: Oct4, Sox2, KIf4, and c-Myc (OSKM). SGT-4 contained four different herbal medicines that are composed of Ginseng Radix, Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, Atractylodis Rhizoma Alba, and Poria Sclerotium. The composition of SGT-4 was analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). HFFs were transfected with episomal vectors contained by four OSKM. Western blotting, RT-PCR, immunofluroescence, and in vitro differentiation were used to assess the pluripotency of the iPSC cells. SGT-4 exhibited antioxidant activity against the generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) as well as promoted the activation of superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1), catalase, gluthathione peroxidase 1 (GPX1), and glutathione (GSH). Moreover, the ATP level was not significantly fluctuated depending on the concentration of SGT-4 in the hiPSCs. Our results indicate that the SGT-4, herbal formula significantly increases the efficiency of human iPSC generation via the transcription factors (Oct4, Sox2, KIf4, and c-Myc).

Si-Wu-tang extract stimulates bone formation through PI3K/Akt/NF-κB signaling pathways in osteoblasts.

PubMed

Wu, Chi-Ming; Chen, Po-Chun; Li, Te-Mao; Fong, Yi-Chin; Tang, Chih-Hsin

2013-10-24

Si-Wu-Tang (SWT), a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) formula, is widely used for the treatment of gynopathies diseases such as menstrual discomfort, climacteric syndrome, dysmenorrhea, and other estrogen-related diseases. Recent studies have shown that SWT can treat primary dysmenorrhea, have anti-pruritic anti-inflammatory effects, and protect against radiation-induced bone marrow damage in an animal model. It has been reported that anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant agents have the potential to treat osteoporosis by increasing bone formation and/or suppressing bone resorption. However, the effect of SWT on bone cell function has not yet been reported. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), bone morphogenetic proteins (BMP)-2, and osteopontin (OPN) mRNA expression was analyzed by qPCR. The mechanism of action of SWT extract was investigated using western blotting. The in vivo anti-osteoporotic effect of SWT extract was assessed in ovariectomized mice. Here, we report that SWT increases ALP, BMP-2, and OPN expression as well as bone mineralization. In addition, we show that the PI3K, Akt, and NF-κB signaling pathways may be involved in the SWT-mediated increase in gene expression and bone mineralization. Notably, treatment of mice with SWT extract prevented bone loss induced by ovariectomy in vivo. SWT may be used to stimulate bone formation for the treatment of osteoporosis.

Study on energy efficiency in Vietnamese row house - case study of Tang Nhon Phu A Ward, District 9, HCMC

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thao, H. T. P.; Nam, N. D.

2018-04-01

District 9 is a new urban development area which is well-known as an industrial city in the rear of Ho Chi Minh City. This area has special characteristics which are different from central downtown. The housing of district 9 is a new urban area so that it is easier to orient particular architectural style accordance with climatic conditions and other conditions. However, at present, these new residential areas are rising with no clear management of architectural form. That is the reason lead to shortcomings such as: increasing the use of electricity, affecting to climate change and creating urban heat island, increasing costs of energy use. Those problems will be difficult to overcome in the future if we don’t have the right attention on it. By using a combination of multiple methods such as: data collection, case study analysis method, GIS, research by design, etc., this research topic will pay attention on analysis the row house in Tang Nhon Phu A Ward of district 9 and trying to propose some solution and management criteria to local government. The analysis results will ensure that the conclusions reflect the realities of the situation, those also become the basis for the proposed solutions to deal with the existence problems. The result of research may become an application research platform for the related research topics.

Application of the Rosner-Wei Risk-Prediction Model to Estimate Sexual Orientation Patterns in Colon Cancer Risk in a Prospective Cohort of U.S. Women

PubMed Central

Austin, S. Bryn; Pazaris, Mathew J.; Wei, Esther K.; Rosner, Bernard; Kennedy, Grace A.; Bowen, Deborah; Spiegelman, Donna

2014-01-01

Purpose We examined whether lesbian and bisexual women may be at greater risk of colon cancer (CC) than heterosexual women. Methods Working with a large cohort of U.S. women ages 25-64 years, we analyzed 20 years of prospective data to estimate CC incidence, based on known risk factors by applying the Rosner-Wei CC risk-prediction model. Comparing to heterosexual women, we calculated for lesbian and bisexual women the predicted one-year incidence rate (IR) per 100,000 person-years and estimated incidence rate ratios (IRR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI), based on each woman’s comprehensive risk factor profile. Results Analyses included 1,373,817 person-years of data from 66,257 women. For each sexual orientation group, mean predicted one-year CC IR per 100,000 person-years was slightly over 12 cases for each of the sexual orientation groups. After controlling for confounders in fully adjusted models and compared to heterosexuals, no significant differences in IRR were observed for lesbians (IRR 1.01; 95% CI 0.99, 1.04) or bisexuals (IRR 1.01; 95% CI 0.98, 1.04). Conclusions CC risk is similar across all sexual orientation subgroups, with all groups comparably affected. Health professionals must ensure that prevention, screening, and treatment programs are adequately reaching each of these communities. PMID:24852207

Hui Wei | NREL

Science.gov Websites

, bioinformatics, and literature analyses. In total, 75 proteins were identified using the in-solution method, and 236 proteins were identified using the in-gel method, among which approximately 10% of proteins were Molecular Biology (2012) "Tracking Dynamics of Biomass Composting by Monitoring the Changes in

Wei Xiong | NREL

Science.gov Websites

University, 2006-2010 M.S., Microbiology, Central China Agricultural University, 2002-2005 B.S., Microbiology , Central China Agricultural University, 1998-2002 Professional Experience Director's Postdoctoral Fellow of Agricultural Biotechnology (2007) "Application of integrative expression of orfX gene in the

Risky choice with heuristics: reply to Birnbaum (2008), Johnson, Schulte-Mecklenbeck, and Willemsen (2008), and Rieger and Wang (2008).

PubMed

Brandstätter, Eduard; Gigerenzer, Gerd; Hertwig, Ralph

2008-01-01

E. Brandstätter, G. Gigerenzer, and R. Hertwig (2006) showed that the priority heuristic matches or outperforms modifications of expected utility theory in predicting choice in 4 diverse problem sets. M. H. Birnbaum (2008) argued that sets exist in which the opposite is true. The authors agree--but stress that all choice strategies have regions of good and bad performance. The accuracy of various strategies systematically depends on choice difficulty, which the authors consider a triggering variable underlying strategy selection. Agreeing with E. J. Johnson, M. Schulte-Mecklenbeck, and M. C. Willemsen (2008) that process (not "as-if") models need to be formulated, the authors show how quantitative predictions can be derived and test them. Finally, they demonstrate that many of Birnbaum's and M. O. Rieger and M. Wang's (2008) case studies championing their preferred models involved biased tests in which the priority heuristic predicted data, whereas the parameterized models were fitted to the same data. The authors propose an adaptive toolbox approach of risky choice, according to which people first seek a no-conflict solution before resorting to conflict-resolving strategies such as the priority heuristic. (c) 2008 APA, all rights reserved

Characterization of CCX140-B, an orally bioavailable antagonist of the CCR2 chemokine receptor, for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and associated complications.

PubMed

Sullivan, Timothy J; Dairaghi, Daniel J; Krasinski, Antoni; Miao, Zhenhua; Wang, Yu; Zhao, Bin N; Baumgart, Trageen; Berahovich, Rob; Ertl, Linda S; Pennell, Andrew; Seitz, Lisa; Miao, Shichang; Ungashe, Solomon; Wei, Zheng; Johnson, Dan; Boring, Landin; Tsou, Chia-Lin; Charo, Israel F; Bekker, Pirow; Schall, Thomas J; Jaen, Juan C

2012-06-05

The following manuscript was published as a Fast Forward article on February 29, 2012: Sullivan TJ, Dairaghi DJ, Krasinski A, Miao Z, Wang Y, Zhao BN, Baumgart T, Berahovich R, Ertl LS, Pennell A, Seitz L, Miao S, Ungashe S, Wei Z, Johnson D, Boring L, Tsou C-L, Charo IF, Bekker P, Schall TJ, and Jaen JC, Characterization of CCX140-B, an orally bioavailable antagonist of the CCR2 chemokine receptor, for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and associated complications. J Pharmacol Exp Ther jpet.111.190918; doi:10.1124/jpet.111.190918 It was later found that the chemical identity of a compound cited in the article, CCX140-B, was not sufficiently disclosed. The authors are unable, at this time, to provide the chemical identity of CCX140-B in accordance with the editorial policies of The Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics. As a result, the authors have voluntarily withdrawn this manuscript from publication. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause JPET's readers.

First-principles studiesy of the order-disorder phase transition in FeCo using Wang-Landau Monte-Carlo method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pei, Zongrui; Eisenbach, Markus; Stocks, G. Malcolm

Simulating order-disorder phase transitions in magnetic materials requires the accurate treatment of both the atomic and magnetic interactions, which span a vast configuration space. Using FeCo as a prototype system, we demonstrate that this can be addressed by combining the Locally Self-consistent Multiple Scattering (LSMS) method with the Wang-Landau (WL) Monte-Carlo algorithm. Fe-Co based materials are interesting magnetic materials but a reliable phase diagram of the binary Fe-Co system is still difficult to obtain. Using the combined WL-LSMS method we clarify the existence of the disordered A2 phase and predict the Curie temperature between it and the ordered B2 phase. The WL-LSMS method is readily applicable to the study of second-order phase transitions in other binary and multi-component alloys, thereby providing a means to the direct simulation of order-disorder phase transitions in complex alloys without need of intervening classical model Hamiltonians. We also demonstrate the capability of our method to guide the design of new magnetic materials. This research was supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, Basic Energy Sciences, Materials Science and Engineering Division and it used Oak Ridge Leadership Computing Facility resources at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

Variations in annual water-energy balance and their correlations with vegetation and soil moisture dynamics: A case study in the Wei River Basin, China

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Huang, Shengzhi; Huang, Qiang; Leng, Guoyong

It is of importance to investigate watershed water-energy balance variations and to explore their correlations with vegetation and soil moisture dynamics, which helps better understand the interplays between underlying surface dynamics and the terrestrial water cycle. The heuristic segmentation method was adopted to identify change points in the parameter to series in Fu's equation belonging to the Budyko framework in the Wei River Basin (WRB) and its sub-basins aiming to examine the validity of stationary assumptions. Additionally, the cross wavelet analysis was applied to explore the correlations between vegetation and soil moisture dynamics and to variations. Results indicated that (1)more » the omega variations in the WRB are significant, with some change points identified except for the sub-basin above Zhangjiashan, implying that the stationarity of omega series in the WRB is invalid except for the sub-basin above Zhangjiashan; (2) the correlations between soil moisture series and to series are weaker than those between Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) series and omega series; (3) vegetation dynamics show significantly negative correlations with omega variations in 1983-2003 with a 4-8 year signal in the whole WRB, and both vegetation and soil moisture dynamics exert strong impacts on the parameter omega changes. This study helps understanding the interactions between underlying land surface dynamics and watershed water-energy balance. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.« less

Using game theory to investigate the epigenetic control mechanisms of embryo development. Comment on: ;Epigenetic game theory: How to compute the epigenetic control of maternal-to-zygotic transition; by Qian Wang et al.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Le; Zhang, Shaoxiang

2017-03-01

A body of research [1-7] has already shown that epigenetic reprogramming plays a critical role in maintaining the normal development of embryos. However, the mechanistic quantitation of the epigenetic interactions between sperms and oocytes and the related impact on embryo development are still not clear [6,7]. In this study, Wang et al., [8] develop a modeling framework that addresses this question by integrating game theory and the latest discoveries of the epigenetic control of embryo development.

A new concept: Epigenetic game theory. Comment on: ;Epigenetic game theory: How to compute the epigenetic control of maternal-to-zygotic transition; by Qian Wang et al.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zheng, Xiu-Deng; Tao, Yi

2017-03-01

The evolutionary significance of the interaction between paternal and maternal genomes in fertilized zygotes is a very interesting and challenging question. Wang et al. developed the concept of epigenetic game theory, and they try to use this concept to explain the interaction between paternal and maternal genomes in fertilized zygotes [1]. They emphasize that the embryogenesis can be considered as an ecological system in which two highly distinct and specialized gametes coordinate through either cooperation or competition, or both, to maximize the fitness of embryos under Darwinian selection. More specifically, they integrate game theory to model the pattern of coordination of paternal genome and maternal genomes mediated by DNA methylation dynamics, and they called this epigenetic game theory.

Bound states for an induced electric dipole in the presence of an azimuthal magnetic field and a disclination

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bakke, K.

2010-09-15

Based on the Wei-Han-Wei setup [H. Wei, R. Han, and X. Wei, Phys. Rev. Lett. 75, 2071 (1995)], where a neutral particle with an induced electric dipole moment interacts with a configuration of crossed electric and magnetic fields, in this paper we study the bound states that arise when we change the Wei-Han-Wei field configuration and consider a field configuration of crossed azimuthal magnetic field and a radial electric field. Moreover, we consider here a spin-half neutral particle and the presence of a linear topological defect called disclination. We obtain the bound states in two distinct cases: in the firstmore » case, we consider that the wave function of the neutral particle is well-behaved at the origin and vanishes at the asymptotic limit; in the second case, we consider the neutral particle confined to a parabolic potential like a quantum dot.« less

Ferulic Acid Orchestrates Anti-Oxidative Properties of Danggui Buxue Tang, an Ancient Herbal Decoction: Elucidation by Chemical Knock-Out Approach.

PubMed

Gong, Amy G W; Huang, Vincent Y; Wang, Huai Y; Lin, Huang Q; Dong, Tina T X; Tsim, Karl W K

2016-01-01

Ferulic acid, a phenolic acid derived mainly from a Chinese herb Angelica Sinensis Radix (ASR), was reported to reduce the formation of free radicals. Danggui Buxue Tang (DBT), a herbal decoction composing of Astragali Radix (AR) and ASR, has been utilized for more than 800 years in China having known anti-oxidative property. Ferulic acid is a major active ingredient in DBT; however, the role of ferulic acid within the herbal mixture has not been resolved. In order to elucidate the function of ferulic acid within this herbal decoction, a ferulic acid-depleted herbal decoction was created and named as DBTΔfa. The anti-oxidative properties of chemically modified DBT decoction were systemically compared in cultured H9C2 rat cardiomyoblast cell line. The application of DBT and DBTΔfa into the cultures showed functions in (i) decreasing the reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation, detected by laser confocal; (ii) increasing of the activation of Akt; (iii) increasing the transcriptional activity of anti-oxidant response element (ARE); and (iv) increasing the expressions of anti-oxidant enzymes, i.e. NQO1 and GCLM. In all scenario, the aforementioned anti-oxidative properties of DBTΔfa in H9C2 cells were significantly reduced, as compared to authentic DBT. Thus, ferulic acid could be an indispensable chemical in DBT to orchestrate multi-components of DBT as to achieve maximal anti-oxidative functions.

Serum metabonomics study of anti-depressive effect of Xiao-Chai-Hu-Tang on rat model of chronic unpredictable mild stress.

PubMed

Xiong, Zhili; Yang, Jie; Huang, Yue; Zhang, Kuo; Bo, Yunhai; Lu, Xiumei; Su, Guangyue; Ma, Jie; Yang, Jingyu; Zhao, Longshan; Wu, Chunfu

2016-09-01

Xiao-Chai-Hu-Tang (XCHT) has been proven to be effective for the clinical treatment of depression. However, the mechanisms of definite antidepressant-like effects and detailed metabolic biomarkers were still unclear in this prior study. Here, we have investigated the metabolic profiles and potential biomarkers in a chronic unpredictable mild stress model after treatment with XCHT. Metabonomics based on ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry was used to profile the metabolic fingerprints of serum obtained from a rat model with chronic unpredictable mild stress with and without XCHT treatment. The model rats showed a significant decrease in sucrose preference and food consumption, and these depression-like symptoms were significantly improved by XCHT. Through principal component analysis (PCA), nine potential biomarkers of tryptophan, uric acid, phenylalanine, cholic acid and lysophosphatidylcholine (C18:0 LPC, C16:0 LPC, C16:1 LPC, C18:1 LPC, C20:4 LPC) were characterized as potential biomarkers involved the pathogenesis of depression. The therapeutic effect of XCHT on depression may involve in amino acid metabolism, lipid metabolism, oxidative stress and inflammation response. The present investigation highlights that metabonomics is a valuable tool for studying the essence of depression as well as evaluating the efficacy of the corresponding drug treatment. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Gamisasangja-tang suppresses pruritus and atopic skin inflammation in the NC/Nga murine model of atopic dermatitis.

PubMed

Park, Bo-Kyung; Park, Yang-Chun; Jung, In Chul; Kim, Seung-Hyung; Choi, Jeong June; Do, Moonho; Kim, Sun Yeou; Jin, Mirim

2015-05-13

Gamisasangja-tang (GST) is a traditional herbal formula prescribed for patients with intractable pruritus in association with various inflammatory skin diseases. To evaluate the effects of GST on pruritic skin inflammation and investigate its cellular and molecular mechanisms. We orally administered GST to NC/Nga (NC) mice, an animal model of atopic dermatitis. Scratching frequency and the dermatitis index were evaluated, and histological examination was performed using hematoxylin and eosin and toluidine blue staining. The levels of interleukin (IL)-31 and T-helper cell type 2 (TH2) cytokines were determined in both the dorsal skin and cultured splenocytes by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), respectively. The serum levels of chemokines and immunoglobulin E (IgE) were determined by ELISA. Changes in the inflammatory cell population were analyzed by a hemocytometer. GST significantly lowered scratching frequency and inhibited increases in dermatitis index, thickness of epidermis/dermis and infiltration of chemokine (C-C motif) receptor 3 (CCR3)(+) and cluster of differentiation (CD)117(+)/FcεRIα (Fc fragment of IgE, high affinity I, receptor for; alpha polypeptide)(+) cells in atopic skin. Both IL-31 mRNA expression and production were significantly reduced by GST, which was accomrease in the levels of IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13. Further, GST treatment suppressed the secretion of eotaxin, TARC (thymus and activation-regulated chemokine), IgE, and increases in the number of basophils and eosinophils in the blood. GST may have potential as an effective treatment for pruritic skin disease such as atopic dermatitis. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Activity-dependent branching ratios in stocks, solar x-ray flux, and the Bak-Tang-Wiesenfeld sandpile model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Martin, Elliot; Shreim, Amer; Paczuski, Maya

2010-01-01

We define an activity-dependent branching ratio that allows comparison of different time series Xt . The branching ratio bx is defined as bx=E[ξx/x] . The random variable ξx is the value of the next signal given that the previous one is equal to x , so ξx={Xt+1∣Xt=x} . If bx>1 , the process is on average supercritical when the signal is equal to x , while if bx<1 , it is subcritical. For stock prices we find bx=1 within statistical uncertainty, for all x , consistent with an “efficient market hypothesis.” For stock volumes, solar x-ray flux intensities, and the Bak-Tang-Wiesenfeld (BTW) sandpile model, bx is supercritical for small values of activity and subcritical for the largest ones, indicating a tendency to return to a typical value. For stock volumes this tendency has an approximate power-law behavior. For solar x-ray flux and the BTW model, there is a broad regime of activity where bx≃1 , which we interpret as an indicator of critical behavior. This is true despite different underlying probability distributions for Xt and for ξx . For the BTW model the distribution of ξx is Gaussian, for x sufficiently larger than 1, and its variance grows linearly with x . Hence, the activity in the BTW model obeys a central limit theorem when sampling over past histories. The broad region of activity where bx is close to one disappears once bulk dissipation is introduced in the BTW model—supporting our hypothesis that it is an indicator of criticality.

Activity-dependent branching ratios in stocks, solar x-ray flux, and the Bak-Tang-Wiesenfeld sandpile model.

PubMed

Martin, Elliot; Shreim, Amer; Paczuski, Maya

2010-01-01

We define an activity-dependent branching ratio that allows comparison of different time series X(t). The branching ratio b(x) is defined as b(x)=E[xi(x)/x]. The random variable xi(x) is the value of the next signal given that the previous one is equal to x, so xi(x)=[X(t+1) | X(t)=x]. If b(x)>1, the process is on average supercritical when the signal is equal to x, while if b(x)<1, it is subcritical. For stock prices we find b(x)=1 within statistical uncertainty, for all x, consistent with an "efficient market hypothesis." For stock volumes, solar x-ray flux intensities, and the Bak-Tang-Wiesenfeld (BTW) sandpile model, b(x) is supercritical for small values of activity and subcritical for the largest ones, indicating a tendency to return to a typical value. For stock volumes this tendency has an approximate power-law behavior. For solar x-ray flux and the BTW model, there is a broad regime of activity where b(x) approximately equal 1, which we interpret as an indicator of critical behavior. This is true despite different underlying probability distributions for X(t) and for xi(x). For the BTW model the distribution of xi(x) is Gaussian, for x sufficiently larger than 1, and its variance grows linearly with x. Hence, the activity in the BTW model obeys a central limit theorem when sampling over past histories. The broad region of activity where b(x) is close to one disappears once bulk dissipation is introduced in the BTW model-supporting our hypothesis that it is an indicator of criticality.

The effects of venting and decompression on Yellow Tang (Zebrasoma flavescens) in the marine ornamental aquarium fish trade

PubMed Central

Tissot, Brian N.; Heidel, Jerry R.; Miller-Morgan, Tim

2015-01-01

Each year, over 45 countries export 30 million fish from coral reefs as part of the global marine ornamental aquarium trade. This catch volume is partly influenced by collection methods that cause mortality. Barotrauma in fish resulting from forced ascent from depth can contribute to post-collection mortality. However, implementing decompression stops during ascent can prevent barotrauma. Conversely, venting (puncturing the swim bladder to release expanded internal gas) following ascent can mitigate some signs of barotrauma like positive buoyancy. Here, we evaluate how decompression and venting affect stress and mortality in the Yellow Tang (Zebrasoma flavescens). We examined the effects of three ascent treatments, each with decompression stops of varying frequency and duration, coupled with or without venting, on sublethal effects and mortality using histology and serum cortisol measurements. In fish subjected to ascent without decompression stops or venting, a mean post-collection mortality of 6.2% occurred within 24 h of capture. Common collection methods in the fishery, ascent without decompression stops coupled with venting, or one long decompression stop coupled with venting, resulted in no mortality. Histopathologic examination of heart, liver, head kidney, and swim bladder tissues in fish 0d and 21d post-collection revealed no significant barotrauma- or venting-related lesions in any treatment group. Ascent without decompression stops resulted in significantly higher serum cortisol than ascent with many stops, while venting alone did not affect cortisol. Future work should examine links in the supply chain following collection to determine if further handling and transport stressors affect survivorship and sublethal effects. PMID:25737809

New View of Distant Galaxy Reveals Furious Star Formation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

2007-12-01

A furious rate of star formation discovered in a distant galaxy shows that galaxies in the early Universe developed either much faster or in a different way from what astronomers have thought. "This galaxy is forming stars at an incredible rate," said Wei-Hao Wang, an astronomer at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) in Socorro, New Mexico. The galaxy, Wang said, is forming the equivalent of 4,000 Suns a year. This is a thousand times more violent than our own Milky Way Galaxy. Location of Distant Galaxy Visible-light, left (from HST) and Infrared, right, (from Spitzer) Images: Circles indicate location of GOODS 850-5. CREDIT: Wang et al., STScI, Spitzer, NASA, NRAO/AUI/NSF Click on image for high-resolution file (1 MB) The galaxy, called GOODS 850-5, is 12 billion light-years from Earth, and thus is seen as it was only about 1.5 billion years after the Big Bang. Wang and his colleagues observed it using the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory's Submillimeter Array (SMA) on Mauna Kea in Hawaii. Young stars in the galaxy were enshrouded in dust that was heated by the stars and radiated infrared light strongly. Because of the galaxy's great distance from Earth, the infrared light waves have been stretched out to submillimeter-length radio waves, which are seen by the SMA. The waves were stretched or "redshifted," as astronomers say, by the ongoing expansion of the Universe. "This evidence for prolific star formation is hidden by the dust from visible-light telescopes," Wang explained. The dust, in turn, was formed from heavy elements that had to be built up in the cores of earlier stars. This indicates, Wang said, that significant numbers of stars already had formed, then spewed those heavy elements into interstellar space through supernova explosions and stellar winds. "Seeing the radiation from this heated dust revealed star formation we could have found in no other way," Wang said. Similar dusty galaxies in the early Universe may contain most of the

Concurrent Use of Hypnotic Drugs and Chinese Herbal Medicine Therapies among Taiwanese Adults with Insomnia Symptoms: A Population-Based Study.

PubMed

Lee, Kuei-Hua; Tsai, Yueh-Ting; Lai, Jung-Nien; Lin, Shun-Ku

2013-01-01

Background. The increased practice of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) worldwide has raised concerns regarding herb-drug interactions. The purpose of our study is to analyze the concurrent use of Chinese herbal products (CHPs) among Taiwanese insomnia patients taking hypnotic drugs. Methods. The usage, frequency of services, and CHP prescribed among 53,949 insomnia sufferers were evaluated from a random sample of 1 million beneficiaries in the National Health Insurance Research Database. A logistic regression method was used to identify the factors that were associated with the coprescription of a CHP and a hypnotic drug. Cox proportional hazards regressions were performed to calculate the hazard ratios (HRs) of hip fracture between the two groups. Results. More than 1 of every 3 hypnotic users also used a CHP concurrently. Jia-Wei-Xiao-Yao-San (Augmented Rambling Powder) and Suan-Zao-Ren-Tang (Zizyphus Combination) were the 2 most commonly used CHPs that were coadministered with hypnotic drugs. The HR of hip fracture for hypnotic-drug users who used a CHP concurrently was 0.57-fold (95% CI = 0.47-0.69) that of hypnotic-drug users who did not use a CHP. Conclusion. Exploring potential CHP-drug interactions and integrating both healthcare approaches might be beneficial for the overall health and quality of life of insomnia sufferers.

Effects of the methylene chloride fraction from modified Boyang-Hwan-o-Tang, a polyherbal medicine on transient middle cerebral artery occlusion-induced ischemia in rats.

PubMed

Oh, Tae Woo; Jung, Hyo Won; Shin, Gil Jo; Park, Yong-Ki

2014-01-28

To study the neuroprotective effect of the methylene chloride fraction from modified Boyang-Hwan-o-Tang (mBHT-MC), especially against neuronal apoptosis. mBHT-MC (10, 25 or 50 mg/kg) was orally administered once per day for 7 days in transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO)-induced ischemic rats. Infarction volumes was measured by 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining, neurological deficit score and the expression of apoptotic proteins such as Bcl-2, Bax and caspase-3 by Western blot in MCAO-induced ischemic brain. Neuronal apoptosis in ischemic phenumbra was also investigated by staining with hematoxylin and eosin, Nissl and Hoechst 33342. mBHT-MC administration in MCAO rats significantly decreased infarction volume and neurological deficit scores. mBHT-MC significantly enhanced Bcl-2 expression, and inhibited Bax and caspase-3 expression in ischemic brain. In addition, mBHT-MC significantly decreased the number of apoptotic neuronal cells in ischemic brains. mBHT-MC administration inhibits neuronal death induced by cerebral ischemia in rats, suggesting that mBHT-MC has a neuroprotective property in brain ischemia.

Simultaneous quantification and inhibitory effect on LDL oxidation of the traditional Korean medicine, Leejung-tang

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Background Leejung-tang (LJT) is a traditional Korean herbal medicine for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders. In this study, we performed quantification analysis of five marker components, liquiritin (1), ginsenoside Rg1 (2), ginsenoside Rb1 (3), glycyrrhizin (4), and 6-gingerol (5) in LJT using a high performance liquid chromatography-photodiode array (HPLC–PDA). In addition, we investigated the inhibitory effect on low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation by the LJT sample. Methods Compounds 1–5 were separated within 35 min using a Gemini C18 column. The mobile phase used gradient elution with 1.0% (v/v) aqueous acetic acid (A) and 1.0% (v/v) acetic acid in acetonitrile (B). The flow rate was 1.0 mL/min and the detector was a photodiode array (PDA) set at 203 nm, 254 nm, and 280 nm. The inhibitory effect on LDL oxidation conduct an experiment on thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) assay, relative electrophoretic mobility (REM) assay, and electrophoresis of ApoB fragmentation of LJT. Results Calibration curves of compounds 1–5 showed good linearity (r2 ≥0.9995) in different concentration ranges. The recoveries of compounds 1–5 were in the range of 98.90–103.39%, with relative standard deviations (RSD) below 3.0%. The RSDs (%) of intra-day and inter-day precision were 0.10–1.08% and 0.29–1.87%, respectively. The inhibitory effect of LJT on Cu2+-induced LDL oxidation was defined by TBARS assay (IC50: 165.7 μg/mL) and REM of oxLDL (decrease of 50% at 127.7 μg/mL). Furthermore LJT reduced the fragmentation of ApoB of oxLDL in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusions The established HPLC-PDA method will be helpful to improve quality control of LJT. In addition, LJT is a potential LDL oxidation inhibitor. PMID:24383717

Using game theory to investigate the epigenetic control mechanisms of embryo development: Comment on: "Epigenetic game theory: How to compute the epigenetic control of maternal-to-zygotic transition" by Qian Wang et al.

PubMed

Zhang, Le; Zhang, Shaoxiang

2017-03-01

A body of research [1-7] has already shown that epigenetic reprogramming plays a critical role in maintaining the normal development of embryos. However, the mechanistic quantitation of the epigenetic interactions between sperms and oocytes and the related impact on embryo development are still not clear [6,7]. In this study, Wang et al., [8] develop a modeling framework that addresses this question by integrating game theory and the latest discoveries of the epigenetic control of embryo development. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Publisher Correction: Protein-altering variants associated with body mass index implicate pathways that control energy intake and expenditure in obesity.

PubMed

Turcot, Valérie; Lu, Yingchang; Highland, Heather M; Schurmann, Claudia; Justice, Anne E; Fine, Rebecca S; Bradfield, Jonathan P; Esko, Tõnu; Giri, Ayush; Graff, Mariaelisa; Guo, Xiuqing; Hendricks, Audrey E; Karaderi, Tugce; Lempradl, Adelheid; Locke, Adam E; Mahajan, Anubha; Marouli, Eirini; Sivapalaratnam, Suthesh; Young, Kristin L; Alfred, Tamuno; Feitosa, Mary F; Masca, Nicholas G D; Manning, Alisa K; Medina-Gomez, Carolina; Mudgal, Poorva; Ng, Maggie C Y; Reiner, Alex P; Vedantam, Sailaja; Willems, Sara M; Winkler, Thomas W; Abecasis, Gonçalo; Aben, Katja K; Alam, Dewan S; Alharthi, Sameer E; Allison, Matthew; Amouyel, Philippe; Asselbergs, Folkert W; Auer, Paul L; Balkau, Beverley; Bang, Lia E; Barroso, Inês; Bastarache, Lisa; Benn, Marianne; Bergmann, Sven; Bielak, Lawrence F; Blüher, Matthias; Boehnke, Michael; Boeing, Heiner; Boerwinkle, Eric; Böger, Carsten A; Bork-Jensen, Jette; Bots, Michiel L; Bottinger, Erwin P; Bowden, Donald W; Brandslund, Ivan; Breen, Gerome; Brilliant, Murray H; Broer, Linda; Brumat, Marco; Burt, Amber A; Butterworth, Adam S; Campbell, Peter T; Cappellani, Stefania; Carey, David J; Catamo, Eulalia; Caulfield, Mark J; Chambers, John C; Chasman, Daniel I; Chen, Yii-Der I; Chowdhury, Rajiv; Christensen, Cramer; Chu, Audrey Y; Cocca, Massimiliano; Collins, Francis S; Cook, James P; Corley, Janie; Corominas Galbany, Jordi; Cox, Amanda J; Crosslin, David S; Cuellar-Partida, Gabriel; D'Eustacchio, Angela; Danesh, John; Davies, Gail; Bakker, Paul I W; Groot, Mark C H; Mutsert, Renée; Deary, Ian J; Dedoussis, George; Demerath, Ellen W; Heijer, Martin; Hollander, Anneke I; Ruijter, Hester M; Dennis, Joe G; Denny, Josh C; Di Angelantonio, Emanuele; Drenos, Fotios; Du, Mengmeng; Dubé, Marie-Pierre; Dunning, Alison M; Easton, Douglas F; Edwards, Todd L; Ellinghaus, David; Ellinor, Patrick T; Elliott, Paul; Evangelou, Evangelos; Farmaki, Aliki-Eleni; Farooqi, I Sadaf; Faul, Jessica D; Fauser, Sascha; Feng, Shuang; Ferrannini, Ele; Ferrieres, Jean; Florez, Jose C; Ford, Ian; Fornage, Myriam; Franco, Oscar H; Franke, Andre; Franks, Paul W; Friedrich, Nele; Frikke-Schmidt, Ruth; Galesloot, Tessel E; Gan, Wei; Gandin, Ilaria; Gasparini, Paolo; Gibson, Jane; Giedraitis, Vilmantas; Gjesing, Anette P; Gordon-Larsen, Penny; Gorski, Mathias; Grabe, Hans-Jörgen; Grant, Struan F A; Grarup, Niels; Griffiths, Helen L; Grove, Megan L; Gudnason, Vilmundur; Gustafsson, Stefan; Haessler, Jeff; Hakonarson, Hakon; Hammerschlag, Anke R; Hansen, Torben; Harris, Kathleen Mullan; Harris, Tamara B; Hattersley, Andrew T; Have, Christian T; Hayward, Caroline; He, Liang; Heard-Costa, Nancy L; Heath, Andrew C; Heid, Iris M; Helgeland, Øyvind; Hernesniemi, Jussi; Hewitt, Alex W; Holmen, Oddgeir L; Hovingh, G Kees; Howson, Joanna M M; Hu, Yao; Huang, Paul L; Huffman, Jennifer E; Ikram, M Arfan; Ingelsson, Erik; Jackson, Anne U; Jansson, Jan-Håkan; Jarvik, Gail P; Jensen, Gorm B; Jia, Yucheng; Johansson, Stefan; Jørgensen, Marit E; Jørgensen, Torben; Jukema, J Wouter; Kahali, Bratati; Kahn, René S; Kähönen, Mika; Kamstrup, Pia R; Kanoni, Stavroula; Kaprio, Jaakko; Karaleftheri, Maria; Kardia, Sharon L R; Karpe, Fredrik; Kathiresan, Sekar; Kee, Frank; Kiemeney, Lambertus A; Kim, Eric; Kitajima, Hidetoshi; Komulainen, Pirjo; Kooner, Jaspal S; Kooperberg, Charles; Korhonen, Tellervo; Kovacs, Peter; Kuivaniemi, Helena; Kutalik, Zoltán; Kuulasmaa, Kari; Kuusisto, Johanna; Laakso, Markku; Lakka, Timo A; Lamparter, David; Lange, Ethan M; Lange, Leslie A; Langenberg, Claudia; Larson, Eric B; Lee, Nanette R; Lehtimäki, Terho; Lewis, Cora E; Li, Huaixing; Li, Jin; Li-Gao, Ruifang; Lin, Honghuang; Lin, Keng-Hung; Lin, Li-An; Lin, Xu; Lind, Lars; Lindström, Jaana; Linneberg, Allan; Liu, Ching-Ti; Liu, Dajiang J; Liu, Yongmei; Lo, Ken S; Lophatananon, Artitaya; Lotery, Andrew J; Loukola, Anu; Luan, Jian'an; Lubitz, Steven A; Lyytikäinen, Leo-Pekka; Männistö, Satu; Marenne, Gaëlle; Mazul, Angela L; McCarthy, Mark I; McKean-Cowdin, Roberta; Medland, Sarah E; Meidtner, Karina; Milani, Lili; Mistry, Vanisha; Mitchell, Paul; Mohlke, Karen L; Moilanen, Leena; Moitry, Marie; Montgomery, Grant W; Mook-Kanamori, Dennis O; Moore, Carmel; Mori, Trevor A; Morris, Andrew D; Morris, Andrew P; Müller-Nurasyid, Martina; Munroe, Patricia B; Nalls, Mike A; Narisu, Narisu; Nelson, Christopher P; Neville, Matt; Nielsen, Sune F; Nikus, Kjell; Njølstad, Pål R; Nordestgaard, Børge G; Nyholt, Dale R; O'Connel, Jeffrey R; O'Donoghue, Michelle L; Olde Loohuis, Loes M; Ophoff, Roel A; Owen, Katharine R; Packard, Chris J; Padmanabhan, Sandosh; Palmer, Colin N A; Palmer, Nicholette D; Pasterkamp, Gerard; Patel, Aniruddh P; Pattie, Alison; Pedersen, Oluf; Peissig, Peggy L; Peloso, Gina M; Pennell, Craig E; Perola, Markus; Perry, James A; Perry, John R B; Pers, Tune H; Person, Thomas N; Peters, Annette; Petersen, Eva R B; Peyser, Patricia A; Pirie, Ailith; Polasek, Ozren; Polderman, Tinca J; Puolijoki, Hannu; Raitakari, Olli T; Rasheed, Asif; Rauramaa, Rainer; Reilly, Dermot F; Renström, Frida; Rheinberger, Myriam; Ridker, Paul M; Rioux, John D; Rivas, Manuel A; Roberts, David J; Robertson, Neil R; Robino, Antonietta; Rolandsson, Olov; Rudan, Igor; Ruth, Katherine S; Saleheen, Danish; Salomaa, Veikko; Samani, Nilesh J; Sapkota, Yadav; Sattar, Naveed; Schoen, Robert E; Schreiner, Pamela J; Schulze, Matthias B; Scott, Robert A; Segura-Lepe, Marcelo P; Shah, Svati H; Sheu, Wayne H-H; Sim, Xueling; Slater, Andrew J; Small, Kerrin S; Smith, Albert V; Southam, Lorraine; Spector, Timothy D; Speliotes, Elizabeth K; Starr, John M; Stefansson, Kari; Steinthorsdottir, Valgerdur; Stirrups, Kathleen E; Strauch, Konstantin; Stringham, Heather M; Stumvoll, Michael; Sun, Liang; Surendran, Praveen; Swift, Amy J; Tada, Hayato; Tansey, Katherine E; Tardif, Jean-Claude; Taylor, Kent D; Teumer, Alexander; Thompson, Deborah J; Thorleifsson, Gudmar; Thorsteinsdottir, Unnur; Thuesen, Betina H; Tönjes, Anke; Tromp, Gerard; Trompet, Stella; Tsafantakis, Emmanouil; Tuomilehto, Jaakko; Tybjaerg-Hansen, Anne; Tyrer, Jonathan P; Uher, Rudolf; Uitterlinden, André G; Uusitupa, Matti; Laan, Sander W; Duijn, Cornelia M; Leeuwen, Nienke; van Setten, Jessica; Vanhala, Mauno; Varbo, Anette; Varga, Tibor V; Varma, Rohit; Velez Edwards, Digna R; Vermeulen, Sita H; Veronesi, Giovanni; Vestergaard, Henrik; Vitart, Veronique; Vogt, Thomas F; Völker, Uwe; Vuckovic, Dragana; Wagenknecht, Lynne E; Walker, Mark; Wallentin, Lars; Wang, Feijie; Wang, Carol A; Wang, Shuai; Wang, Yiqin; Ware, Erin B; Wareham, Nicholas J; Warren, Helen R; Waterworth, Dawn M; Wessel, Jennifer; White, Harvey D; Willer, Cristen J; Wilson, James G; Witte, Daniel R; Wood, Andrew R; Wu, Ying; Yaghootkar, Hanieh; Yao, Jie; Yao, Pang; Yerges-Armstrong, Laura M; Young, Robin; Zeggini, Eleftheria; Zhan, Xiaowei; Zhang, Weihua; Zhao, Jing Hua; Zhao, Wei; Zhao, Wei; Zhou, Wei; Zondervan, Krina T; Rotter, Jerome I; Pospisilik, John A; Rivadeneira, Fernando; Borecki, Ingrid B; Deloukas, Panos; Frayling, Timothy M; Lettre, Guillaume; North, Kari E; Lindgren, Cecilia M; Hirschhorn, Joel N; Loos, Ruth J F

2018-05-01

In the version of this article originally published, one of the two authors with the name Wei Zhao was omitted from the author list and the affiliations for both authors were assigned to the single Wei Zhao in the author list. In addition, the ORCID for Wei Zhao (Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA) was incorrectly assigned to author Wei Zhou. The errors have been corrected in the HTML and PDF versions of the article.

Prescription patterns of Chinese herbal products for patients with sleep disorder and major depressive disorder in Taiwan.

PubMed

Chen, Yi-Lin; Lee, Chien-Ying; Huang, Kuang-Hua; Kuan, Yu-Hsiang; Chen, Ming

2015-08-02

Chinese herbal products (CHPs) are commonly prescribed for sleep disorder and major depressive disorder (MDD). The aim of this study was to investigate the prescription patterns of CHPs and Western medicine for patients with these disorders in Taiwan, and analyze the frequency of using single herbs (SHs) and herbal formulas (HFs). In this retrospective population-based study secondary data analysis was performed using data from Taiwan's Longitudinal Health Insurance Database (LHID) between January 2007 and December 2011. In total, 1000,000 beneficiaries from the LHID were randomly selected from the 2010 registry for beneficiaries of the National Health Insurance Research Database. Patients with sleep disorder and MDD according to the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification codes 307.40 and 311, respectively. Among a total of 11,030 patients with sleep disorder, 9619 used Western medicine, 1334 used CHPs, and 77 used both, Among a total of 11,571 patients with MDD, 11,389 used Western medicine, 131 used CHPs, and 51 used both. Regardless of disorder type, women were predominant The majority of the patients were aged 22-44 years, had a monthly income of NT$17,281-NT$22,800, and lived in an area with Level 1 and Level 2 urbanization. Of the patients with sleep disorder, 1411 had used CHPs and visited a clinic 5298 times on average. Of the patients with MDD, 182 had used CHPs and visited a clinic 755 times on average. The three most commonly used SHs and HFs were Ziziphi Spinosae Semen, Polygoni Multiflori Caulis, and Polygalae Radix, and Jia-Wei-Xiao-Yao-San, Suan-Zao-Ren-Tang, and Chai-Hu-Chia-Lung-Ku-Mu-Li-Tang, respectively. Chinese herbal products including SHs and HFs are prescribed for patients with sleep disorder and MDD. However, the efficacy and safety of CHPs for sleep disorder and MDD need to be further evaluated. Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.

Electron tunneling characteristics of a cubic quantum dot, (PbS){sub 32}

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Gupta, Sanjeev K., E-mail: sanjeevg@mtu.edu, E-mail: haiying.he@valpo.edu; Banyai, Douglas; Pandey, Ravindra

The electron transport properties of the cubic quantum dot, (PbS){sub 32}, are investigated. The stability of the quantum dot has been established by recent scanning tunneling microscope experiments [B. Kiran, A. K. Kandalam, R. Rallabandi, P. Koirala, X. Li, X. Tang, Y. Wang, H. Fairbrother, G. Gantefoer, and K. Bowen, J. Chem. Phys. 136(2), 024317 (2012)]. In spite of the noticeable energy band gap (∼2 eV), a relatively high tunneling current for (PbS){sub 32} is predicted affirming the observed bright images for (PbS){sub 32}. The calculated I-V characteristics of (PbS){sub 32} are predicted to be substrate-dependent; (PbS){sub 32} on themore » Au (001) exhibits the molecular diode-like behavior and the unusual negative differential resistance effect, though this is not the case with (PbS){sub 32} on the Au (110). Appearance of the conduction channels associated with the hybridized states of quantum dot and substrate together with their asymmetric distribution at the Fermi level seem to determine the tunneling characteristics of the system.« less

Huanglian-Jie-Du-Tang Extract Ameliorates Depression-Like Behaviors through BDNF-TrkB-CREB Pathway in Rats with Chronic Unpredictable Stress

PubMed Central

Ye, Yi-Lu; Zhong, Kai; Liu, Dan-Dan; Xu, Jing; Pan, Bei-Bei; Yu, Yue-Ping

2017-01-01

Neuroinflammation is considered as one of the common pathogeneses of depression. Huanglian-Jie-Du-Tang (HJDT) is a traditional Chinese herbal formula. The present study investigates the antidepressant-like effect of HJDT and its possible mechanism in rats. Rats were given HJDT (2, 4, and 8 g/kg, intragastrically), paroxetine (1.8 mg/kg, intragastrically), or an equivalent volume of saline for 42 days. The depression-related behaviors, including sucrose preference test (SPT), open field test (OFT), novel objective recognition task (NORT), and forced swimming test (FST), were detected. 5-Hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and dopamine (DA) contents, microglial activation, proinflammatory cytokines, and brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), tropomyosin receptor kinases B (TrkB), and cAMP-responsive element binding protein (CREB) expression were investigated. The results indicated HJDT (2 and 4 g/kg) dramatically ameliorated the depression-like behaviors. Also HJDT decreased the number of microglia and the proinflammatory cytokines in hippocampus. Western-blotting analysis displayed HJDT upregulated BDNF, TrkB, and pCREB/CREB expression in hippocampus. Particularly, pCREB DNA activity enhanced with HJDT treatment in hippocampus. But there was no difference in the 5-HT and DA contents with HJDT treatment. In conclusion, it was supposed that HJDT might be a potential Chinese medicine decoction for treating or alleviating complex symptoms of depression through BDNF-TrkB-CREB pathway. PMID:28694833

Automatic locking orthotic knee device

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Weddendorf, Bruce C. (Inventor)

1993-01-01

An articulated tang in clevis joint for incorporation in newly manufactured conventional strap-on orthotic knee devices or for replacing such joints in conventional strap-on orthotic knee devices is discussed. The instant tang in clevis joint allows the user the freedom to extend and bend the knee normally when no load (weight) is applied to the knee and to automatically lock the knee when the user transfers weight to the knee, thus preventing a damaged knee from bending uncontrollably when weight is applied to the knee. The tang in clevis joint of the present invention includes first and second clevis plates, a tang assembly and a spacer plate secured between the clevis plates. Each clevis plate includes a bevelled serrated upper section. A bevelled shoe is secured to the tank in close proximity to the bevelled serrated upper section of the clevis plates. A coiled spring mounted within an oblong bore of the tang normally urges the shoes secured to the tang out of engagement with the serrated upper section of each clevic plate to allow rotation of the tang relative to the clevis plate. When weight is applied to the joint, the load compresses the coiled spring, the serrations on each clevis plate dig into the bevelled shoes secured to the tang to prevent relative movement between the tang and clevis plates. A shoulder is provided on the tang and the spacer plate to prevent overextension of the joint.

Ferulic Acid Orchestrates Anti-Oxidative Properties of Danggui Buxue Tang, an Ancient Herbal Decoction: Elucidation by Chemical Knock-Out Approach

PubMed Central

Gong, Amy G. W.; Huang, Vincent Y.; Wang, Huai Y.; Lin, Huang Q.; Dong, Tina T. X.; Tsim, Karl W. K.

2016-01-01

Ferulic acid, a phenolic acid derived mainly from a Chinese herb Angelica Sinensis Radix (ASR), was reported to reduce the formation of free radicals. Danggui Buxue Tang (DBT), a herbal decoction composing of Astragali Radix (AR) and ASR, has been utilized for more than 800 years in China having known anti-oxidative property. Ferulic acid is a major active ingredient in DBT; however, the role of ferulic acid within the herbal mixture has not been resolved. In order to elucidate the function of ferulic acid within this herbal decoction, a ferulic acid-depleted herbal decoction was created and named as DBTΔfa. The anti-oxidative properties of chemically modified DBT decoction were systemically compared in cultured H9C2 rat cardiomyoblast cell line. The application of DBT and DBTΔfa into the cultures showed functions in (i) decreasing the reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation, detected by laser confocal; (ii) increasing of the activation of Akt; (iii) increasing the transcriptional activity of anti-oxidant response element (ARE); and (iv) increasing the expressions of anti-oxidant enzymes, i.e. NQO1 and GCLM. In all scenario, the aforementioned anti-oxidative properties of DBTΔfa in H9C2 cells were significantly reduced, as compared to authentic DBT. Thus, ferulic acid could be an indispensable chemical in DBT to orchestrate multi-components of DBT as to achieve maximal anti-oxidative functions. PMID:27824860

Spatial distribution and source apportionment of water pollution in different administrative zones of Wen-Rui-Tang (WRT) river watershed, China.

PubMed

Yang, Liping; Mei, Kun; Liu, Xingmei; Wu, Laosheng; Zhang, Minghua; Xu, Jianming; Wang, Fan

2013-08-01

Water quality degradation in river systems has caused great concerns all over the world. Identifying the spatial distribution and sources of water pollutants is the very first step for efficient water quality management. A set of water samples collected bimonthly at 12 monitoring sites in 2009 and 2010 were analyzed to determine the spatial distribution of critical parameters and to apportion the sources of pollutants in Wen-Rui-Tang (WRT) river watershed, near the East China Sea. The 12 monitoring sites were divided into three administrative zones of urban, suburban, and rural zones considering differences in land use and population density. Multivariate statistical methods [one-way analysis of variance, principal component analysis (PCA), and absolute principal component score-multiple linear regression (APCS-MLR) methods] were used to investigate the spatial distribution of water quality and to apportion the pollution sources. Results showed that most water quality parameters had no significant difference between the urban and suburban zones, whereas these two zones showed worse water quality than the rural zone. Based on PCA and APCS-MLR analysis, urban domestic sewage and commercial/service pollution, suburban domestic sewage along with fluorine point source pollution, and agricultural nonpoint source pollution with rural domestic sewage pollution were identified to the main pollution sources in urban, suburban, and rural zones, respectively. Understanding the water pollution characteristics of different administrative zones could put insights into effective water management policy-making especially in the area across various administrative zones.

[The influnence of dachengqi tang on acute lung injury and intra abdominal hypertension in rats with acute pancreatitis].

PubMed

Wan, Mei-Hua; Li, Juan; Tang, Wen-Fu; Gong, Han-Lin; Chen, Guang-Yuan; Xue, Ping; Zhao, Xian-Lin; Xia, Qing

2011-09-01

To test the hypothesis "lung and large intestine are interior exteriorly related" through investgating into the effect of Dacheng qi tang (DCQT) on intra abdominal hypertension (IAH) and acute lung injury (ALI) in rats with acute pancreatitis. Male SD rats were randomly divided into three groups with ten rats for each group: rats with sham-operations (SO); rats with acute necrosis pancreatitis (ANP); rats with ANP plus DCQT treatment. ANP was induced by retrograde infusion of 5% taurocholic acid into pancreatic duct. Two hours after operations, 10 mL/kg of normal saline was orally adminstered to the rats in both SO and ANP groups, whereas 10 mL/kg DCQT was adminstered to the rats in the treatment group. Aterial blood, pancreas and lung tissues were collected for biomarkers and histopathology 24 hours after operations. Intra-abdominal pressure and intestinal propulsion rate were also measured. RESULTS; DCQT treatment reduced intra-abdominal pressure and improved intestinal propulsion rate compared with those treated with saline (P < 0.05). The ANP rats treated with DCQT had lower wet to dry weight ratio, and milder myeloperoxidase activity and histopathology changes in pancreas and lung than those treated with saline (P < 0.05). Higher pressure of oxygen (PO2) was found in the rats treated with DCQT, while no difference in PCO2 was found between the DCQT and ANP groups (P > 0.05). Only two rats in the ANP group died. DCQT can effectively relieve IAH and cure ALI at the same time in rats with acute pancreatitis. The result provides evidence to support the hypothesis "lung and large intestine are interior exteriorly related".

Shape Variation in Aterian Tanged Tools and the Origins of Projectile Technology: A Morphometric Perspective on Stone Tool Function

PubMed Central

Iovita, Radu

2011-01-01

Background Recent findings suggest that the North African Middle Stone Age technocomplex known as the Aterian is both much older than previously assumed, and certainly associated with fossils exhibiting anatomically modern human morphology and behavior. The Aterian is defined by the presence of ‘tanged’ or ‘stemmed’ tools, which have been widely assumed to be among the earliest projectile weapon tips. The present study systematically investigates morphological variation in a large sample of Aterian tools to test the hypothesis that these tools were hafted and/or used as projectile weapons. Methodology/Principal Findings Both classical morphometrics and Elliptical Fourier Analysis of tool outlines are used to show that the shape variation in the sample exhibits size-dependent patterns consistent with a reduction of the tools from the tip down, with the tang remaining intact. Additionally, the process of reduction led to increasing side-to-side asymmetries as the tools got smaller. Finally, a comparison of shape-change trajectories between Aterian tools and Late Paleolithic arrowheads from the North German site of Stellmoor reveal significant differences in terms of the amount and location of the variation. Conclusions/Significance The patterns of size-dependent shape variation strongly support the functional hypothesis of Aterian tools as hafted knives or scrapers with alternating active edges, rather than as weapon tips. Nevertheless, the same morphological patterns are interpreted as one of the earliest evidences for a hafting modification, and for the successful combination of different raw materials (haft and stone tip) into one implement, in itself an important achievement in the evolution of hominin technologies. PMID:22216161

Potential ex vivo immunomodulatory effects of San-Huang-Xie-Xin-Tang and its component herbs on mice and humans.

PubMed

Li, Chia-Yang; Hou, Yu-Chi; Lee Chao, Pei-Dawn; Shia, Chi-Sheng; Hsu, Ian C; Fang, Shih-Hua

2010-02-03

San-Huang-Xie-Xin-Tang (SHXXT), an important Chinese medicine formula, contains Rhei Rhizoma (RR), Scutellariae Radix (SR) and Coptidis Rhizoma (CR). RR and SR are abundant in anthraquinone and flavonoid polyphenols. Pharmacokinetic study of SHXXT indicated that glucuronides were the predominant forms of polyphenols in rats. As an extension of pharmacokinetic study, the serum metabolites of SHXXT, RR, SR and CR were prepared from rats and quantitated, then the immunomodulation effects were examined by culturing these serum metabolites with murine and human immune cells. The results indicated that the inhibitions on nitric oxide (NO) and cytokine production from mitogen-activated peritoneal macrophages by the serum metabolites of SHXXT, RR, SR and CR were through reducing the protein expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and the IC(50) were 0.8%, 1.5%, 3.0% and 0.8% of their blood concentrations, respectively. In addition, the serum metabolites of SHXXT, RR, SR and CR significantly decreased the ratios of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) to interleukin (IL)-4 in mitogen-stimulated mice spleen cells and human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Moreover, the serum metabolites of SHXXT and SR significantly arrested the mitogen-stimulated mice spleen cells at G2/M stage. In conclusion, the serum metabolites of SHXXT and the component herbs exerted promising modulation activities on the immune functions and the cell cycle distribution of mice and human immune cells. We suggest that SHXXT is a promising remedy for immunomodulation through Th1/Th2 regulation. Copyright 2009 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Effect of Maxing Shigan Tang on H1N1 Influenza A Virus-Associated Acute Lung Injury in Mice.

PubMed

Zhong, Yanchun; Zhou, Jie; Liang, Ning; Liu, Bihao; Lu, Ruirui; He, Yu; Liang, Chunlin; Wu, Junbiao; Zhou, Yuan; Hu, Miaomiao; Zhou, Jiuyao

2016-01-01

This study is aimed at examining the effects of Maxing Shigan Tang (MST) treatment on H1N1-associated acute lung injury (ALI) and exploring the possible mechanism. Mice were randomly divided into a control group, model group, peroxisomal proliferator activator receptor γ (PPARγ) inhibition group (PPARγ-), PPARγ activation group (PPARγ+), and MST group. Influenza A (H1N1) virus of the Fort Monmouth 1 (FM1) strain was used to induce an ALI mice model. Hematoxylin and eosin staining was performed to investigate the effect of MST treatment on H1N1-associated ALI. Cell apoptosis of lung tissues of each group were conducted through transferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling methods. Moreover, the expression level of caspase 3, activity of caspase 3, and serum level of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α of each group were also analyzed. Finally, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting analysis were carried out to detect angiopoietin-like 4 (ANGPTL4) expression level. We found that mice infected with the FM1 strain of H1N1 influenza A virus developed severe ALI, and MST could improve H1N1-induced ALI. Moreover, MST decreased lung cell apoptosis and reduced the serum content of TNF-α. In addition, MST significantly induced the ANGPTL4 expression in H1N1-induced ALI. MST improves H1N1-associated ALI maybe through targeting ANGPTL4 in mice. © 2017 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Administration of an Herbal Complex, Jakyak-Gamcho-Tang (JGT), for Plantar Fasciitis in Military Medical Service: A Case Report.

PubMed

Kwon, Seungwon; Jung, Woo-Sang; Moon, Sang-Kwan; Cho, Ki-Ho; Shin, Kyoung-Ho

Plantar fasciitis is a common disease affecting the heel and plantar side of the foot. This condition can be improved within 6 months with conservative treatments such as stretching, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), extracorporeal shockwave therapy, and corticosteroid injection. However, soldiers need a faster and safer therapy for symptomatic relief to meet the requirements of their occupation. In this report, we reveal that Jakyak-Gamcho-Tang (JGT), an herbal complex, had a positive effect in a case series of 10 military patients with plantar fasciitis. We treated 10 patients with chronic and acute plantar fasciitis with the JGT herbal complex for 21.00 ± 5.72 days. During JGT administration, the patients continued to perform calf-strengthening exercises. After JGT administration, the average foot function index (FFI) score was reduced from 41.11 ± 7.86 to 1.65 ± 3.60 and the average facial rating scale (FRS) was reduced from 5.65 ± 0.88 to 0.40 ± 0.70. A statistically significant difference was observed between the average FFI and FRS measured before and after treatment (paired t test, P < .001). At the conclusion of JGT treatment, all 10 patients (100%) had reduced symptoms of plantar fasciitis. In 7 out of the 10 patients (70%), no pain was experienced after the treatment. In this case series, we show the clinical effects of JGT on pain control in patients with plantar fasciitis. Further clinical studies investigating the effects of JGT are needed. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

CUDA programs for the GPU computing of the Swendsen-Wang multi-cluster spin flip algorithm: 2D and 3D Ising, Potts, and XY models

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Komura, Yukihiro; Okabe, Yutaka

2014-03-01

We present sample CUDA programs for the GPU computing of the Swendsen-Wang multi-cluster spin flip algorithm. We deal with the classical spin models; the Ising model, the q-state Potts model, and the classical XY model. As for the lattice, both the 2D (square) lattice and the 3D (simple cubic) lattice are treated. We already reported the idea of the GPU implementation for 2D models (Komura and Okabe, 2012). We here explain the details of sample programs, and discuss the performance of the present GPU implementation for the 3D Ising and XY models. We also show the calculated results of the moment ratio for these models, and discuss phase transitions. Catalogue identifier: AERM_v1_0 Program summary URL:http://cpc.cs.qub.ac.uk/summaries/AERM_v1_0.html Program obtainable from: CPC Program Library, Queen’s University, Belfast, N. Ireland Licensing provisions: Standard CPC licence, http://cpc.cs.qub.ac.uk/licence/licence.html No. of lines in distributed program, including test data, etc.: 5632 No. of bytes in distributed program, including test data, etc.: 14688 Distribution format: tar.gz Programming language: C, CUDA. Computer: System with an NVIDIA CUDA enabled GPU. Operating system: System with an NVIDIA CUDA enabled GPU. Classification: 23. External routines: NVIDIA CUDA Toolkit 3.0 or newer Nature of problem: Monte Carlo simulation of classical spin systems. Ising, q-state Potts model, and the classical XY model are treated for both two-dimensional and three-dimensional lattices. Solution method: GPU-based Swendsen-Wang multi-cluster spin flip Monte Carlo method. The CUDA implementation for the cluster-labeling is based on the work by Hawick et al. [1] and that by Kalentev et al. [2]. Restrictions: The system size is limited depending on the memory of a GPU. Running time: For the parameters used in the sample programs, it takes about a minute for each program. Of course, it depends on the system size, the number of Monte Carlo steps, etc. References: [1] K

Tangeretin induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis through upregulation of PTEN expression in glioma cells.

PubMed

Ma, Li-Li; Wang, Da-Wei; Yu, Xu-Dong; Zhou, Yan-Ling

2016-07-01

Tangeretin (TANG), present in peel of citrus fruits, has been shown to various medicinal properties such as chemopreventive and neuroprotective. However, the chemopreventive effect of TANG on glioblastoma cells has not been examined. The present study was designed to explore the anticancer potential of TANG in glioblastoma cells and to investigate the related mechanism. Human glioblastoma U-87MG and LN-18 cells were treated with 45μM concentration of TANG and cell growth was measured by MTT assay. The cell cycle distribution and cell death were measured by flow cytometry. The expression of cell cycle and apoptosis related genes were analyzed by quantitative RT-PCR and western blot. The cells treated with TANG were significantly increased cell growth suppression and cell death effects than vehicle treated cells. Further, TANG treatment increases G2/M arrest and apoptosis by modulating PTEN and cell-cycle regulated genes such as cyclin-D and cdc-2 mRNA and protein expressions. Moreover, the ability of TANG to decrease cell growth and to induce cell death was compromised when PTEN was knockdown by siRNA. Taken together, the chemopreventive effect of TANG is associated with regulation of cell-cycle and apoptosis in glioblastoma, thereby attenuating glioblastoma cell growth. Hence, the present findings suggest that TANG may be a therapeutic agent for glioblastoma treatment. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

New species of cynipid inquilines of the genus Saphonecrus (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae: Synergini) from the Eastern Palaearctic, with a re-appraisal of known species world-wide.

PubMed

Schwéger, Szabina; Melika, George; Tang, Chang-Ti; Yang, Man-Miao; Stone, Graham N; Nicholls, James A; Sinclair, Frazer; Hearn, Jack; Bozsó, Miklós; Pénzes, Zsolt

2015-12-08

Fifteen new species of cynipid inquilines, Saphonecrus chinensis Tang & Schwéger, S. gilvus Melika & Schwéger, S. globosus Schwéger & Tang, S. leleyi Melika & Schwéger, S. lithocarpii Schwéger & Melika, S. longinuxi Schwéger & Melika, S. morii Schwéger & Tang, S. nantoui Tang, Schwéger & Melika, S. nichollsi Schwéger & Melika, S. pachylomai Schwéger, Tang & Melika, S. robustus Schwéger & Melika, S. saliciniai Melika, Tang & Schwéger, S. shanzhukui Melika & Tang, S. symbioticus Melika & Schwéger, and S. taitungi Schwéger, Tang & Melika, from the Eastern Palaearctic are described. Descriptions, diagnoses, biology, and host associations for the new species, and a key to Palaearctic Saphonecrus species are given. All new taxa form distinct units as demonstrated by the molecular phylogenetic analyses of Palaearctic Saphonecrus species. The status of some earlier described Saphonecrus species is discussed also. The Synergini genus Lithonecrus Nieves-Aldrey & Butterill, 2014 is synonymized with Lithosaphonecrus Tang, Melika & Bozsó, 2013. Three Saphonecrus species are transferred to Synergus: Synergus brevis (Weld) comb. nova, Synergus hupingshanensis (Liu, Yang & Zhu) comb. nova, and Synergus yukawai (Wachi, Ide & Abe) comb. nova. Synophrus vietnamensis Abe, Ide, Konishi & Ueno is transferred to Lithosaphonecrus: Lithosaphonecrus vietnamensis Abe, Ide, Konishi & Ueno), comb. nova. The current number of valid Saphonecrus species worldwide is 36.

Immunomodulatory effects of Longdan Xiegan Tang on CD4+/CD8+ T cells and associated inflammatory cytokines in rats with experimental autoimmune uveitis.

PubMed

Tang, Kai; Guo, Dadong; Zhang, Lian; Guo, Junguo; Zheng, Fengming; Si, Junkang; Bi, Hongsheng

2016-09-01

Longdan Xiegan Tang (LXT) is a mixture of herbal extracts commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine that may exert immunomodulatory effects for the treatment of autoimmune diseases. However, the detailed mechanisms that mediate the actions of LXT are unclear. The present study induced an experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU) model in Lewis rats via injection of IRBP1177‑1191 emulsion. The model was used to investigate the effects of LXT on EAU rats and assess the efficacy of LXT by measuring clinical manifestations and histopathological changes caused by EAU. Additionally, alterations in the ratio of CD4+/CD8+‑T cells were determined by flow cytometry, and the expression of interferon (IFN)‑γ, interleukin (IL)‑17, IL‑10 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‑α were measured using reverse transcription‑quantitative polymerase chain reaction and enzyme‑linked immunosorbent assay analysis. The results of the present study demonstrate that LXT can efficiently alleviate the symptoms of EAU, inhibit the differentiation of uveitogenic CD4+ T cells and reduce the expression of proinflammatory cytokines, including IFN‑γ, IL‑17 and TNF‑α. Furthermore, LXT promotes the production of IL‑10 and accelerates the recovery of EAU, indicating that the immunomodulatory effects of LXT may potentially be used for the treatment of uveitis.

Differential regulation by Seogak Jihwang-Tang on cytokines production in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from the cerebral infarction patients presenting with altered consciousness.

PubMed

Jeong, Hyun-Ja; Chung, Hwan-Suck; Kim, Yo-Han; Moon, Byung-Soon; Sung, Kang-Keyng; Bai, Sun-Joon; Cho, Kwang-Ho; Kim, Yun-Kyung; Hong, Seung-Heon; Shin, Taekyun; Kim, Hyung-Min

2004-10-01

Seogak Jihwang-Tang (SJT) has been widely used to treat patients suffering from cerebral infarction. However, very little scientific investigation has been carried out. We investigated the effect of SJT on the production of various cytokines using peripheral blood mononuclear cells from the cerebral infarction patients presenting with altered consciousness. The cytokines production was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The amount of IL-4, IL-10 and TGF-beta1 in culture supernatant significantly increased in the SJT, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or PHA-treated cells compared to unstimulated cells (P < 0.05). We also showed that increased IL-4 and IL-10 levels by LPS or phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) were significantly inhibited by SJT in a dose-dependent manner. Maximal inhibition rate of IL-4 and IL-10 production by SJT was 45.6 +/- 3.3% and 61 +/- 4.7% for LPS-stimulated cells and 27.3 +/- 1.2% and 83.6 +/- 2% for PHA-stimulated cells, respectively (P < 0.05). On the other hand, SJT significantly increased the LPS or PHA-induced TGF-beta1 production (P < 0.05). These data suggest that SJT has a regulatory effect on the cytokines production, which might explain its beneficial effect in the treatment of cerebral infarction.

Evaluation of the grand-canonical partition function using expanded Wang-Landau simulations. III. Impact of combining rules on mixtures properties

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Desgranges, Caroline; Delhommelle, Jerome

2014-03-14

Combining rules, such as the Lorentz-Berthelot rules, are routinely used to calculate the thermodynamic properties of mixtures using molecular simulations. Here we extend the expanded Wang-Landau simulation approach to determine the impact of the combining rules on the value of the partition function of binary systems, and, in turn, on the phase coexistence and thermodynamics of these mixtures. We study various types of mixtures, ranging from systems of rare gases to biologically and technologically relevant mixtures, such as water-urea and water-carbon dioxide. Comparing the simulation results to the experimental data on mixtures of rare gases allows us to rank themore » performance of combining rules. We find that the widely used Lorentz-Berthelot rules exhibit the largest deviations from the experimental data, both for the bulk and at coexistence, while the Kong and Waldman-Hagler provide much better alternatives. In particular, in the case of aqueous solutions of urea, we show that the use of the Lorentz-Berthelot rules has a strong impact on the Gibbs free energy of the solute, overshooting the value predicted by the Waldman-Hagler rules by 7%. This result emphasizes the importance of the combining rule for the determination of hydration free energies using molecular simulations.« less

Angiogenic T cell expansion correlates with severity of peripheral vascular damage in systemic sclerosis.

PubMed

Manetti, Mirko; Pratesi, Sara; Romano, Eloisa; Bellando-Randone, Silvia; Rosa, Irene; Guiducci, Serena; Fioretto, Bianca Saveria; Ibba-Manneschi, Lidia; Maggi, Enrico; Matucci-Cerinic, Marco

2017-01-01

The mechanisms underlying endothelial cell injury and defective vascular repair in systemic sclerosis (SSc) remain unclear. Since the recently discovered angiogenic T cells (Tang) may have an important role in the repair of damaged endothelium, this study aimed to analyze the Tang population in relation to disease-related peripheral vascular features in SSc patients. Tang (CD3+CD31+CXCR4+) were quantified by flow cytometry in peripheral blood samples from 39 SSc patients and 18 healthy controls (HC). Circulating levels of the CXCR4 ligand stromal cell-derived factor (SDF)-1α and proangiogenic factors were assessed in paired serum samples by immunoassay. Serial skin sections from SSc patients and HC were subjected to CD3/CD31 and CD3/CXCR4 double immunofluorescence. Circulating Tang were significantly increased in SSc patients with digital ulcers (DU) compared either with SSc patients without DU or with HC. Tang levels were significantly higher in SSc patients with late nailfold videocapillaroscopy (NVC) pattern than in those with early/active NVC patterns and in HC. No difference in circulating Tang was found when comparing either SSc patients without DU or patients with early/active NVC patterns and HC. In SSc peripheral blood, Tang percentage was inversely correlated to levels of SDF-1α and CD34+CD133+VEGFR-2+ endothelial progenitor cells (EPC), and positively correlated to levels of vascular endothelial growth factor and matrix metalloproteinase-9. Tang were frequently detected in SSc dermal perivascular inflammatory infiltrates. In summary, our findings demonstrate for the first time that Tang cells are selectively expanded in the circulation of SSc patients displaying severe peripheral vascular complications like DU. In SSc, Tang may represent a potentially useful biomarker reflecting peripheral vascular damage severity. Tang expansion may be an ineffective attempt to compensate the need for increased angiogenesis and EPC function. Further studies are

A galenical produced from Ba-Wei-Die-Huang-Wan (THC-002) provides resistance to the cold stress-induced detrusor overactivity in conscious rats.

PubMed

Imamura, Tetsuya; Ishizuka, Osamu; Sudha, Gautam Silwal; Lei, Zhang; Hosoda, Tomoka; Noguchi, Wataru; Yamagishi, Takahiro; Yokoyama, Hitoshi; Kurizaki, Yoshiki; Nishizawa, Osamu

2013-06-01

We determined if THC-002, a galenical produced from Ba-Wei-Die-Huang-Wan, could increase skin temperature and inhibit detrusor overactivity induced by sudden whole body cooling. Further, we determined if THC-002 could decrease expression of transient receptor potential melastatin 8 (TRPM8) channels associated with the cold responses. Hind leg skin temperature of female 10-week-old Sprague-Dawley rats was measured by thermal imaging. Experimental rats (n = 12) were given oral 100 mg/kg THC-002 daily for one week, and controls (n = 12) were similarly treated with THC-002-free solution. Afterwards, thermal imaging and cystometric investigations of the freely moving conscious rats were performed at room temperature (RT, 27 ± 2°C) for 20 min. The rats were then transferred to a low temperature (LT, 4 ± 2°C) environment during which thermal imaging and cystometric measurements were taken at 5, 10, 20, 30, and 40 min. Afterward, the skin tissues were harvested to estimate expression levels of TRPM8 channels by immunohistochemistry and real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. The RT skin temperature of THC-002-treated rats was significantly higher than controls. During the first 20 min under LT, the control rats exhibited cold stress-induced detrusor overactivity such as decreased voiding interval and bladder capacity. THC-002 partially inhibited the detrusor overactivity patterns. During the second 20 min, skin temperature was relatively stable, and the detrusor overactivity of both groups slowly disappeared. THC-002 significantly reduced expression of TRPM8 channel protein and mRNA. THC-002 inhibited cold stress-induced detrusor overactivity resulting from decreasing skin temperature. Therefore, THC-002 might provide resistance to cold stress-exacerbated lower urinary tract symptoms. Copyright © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Simultaneous determination of five components in rat plasma by UPLC-MS/MS and its application to a comparative pharmacokinetic study in Baihe Zhimu Tang and Zhimu extract.

PubMed

Li, Guolong; Tang, Zhishu; Yang, Jie; Duan, Jinao; Qian, Dawei; Guo, Jianming; Zhu, Zhenhua; Liu, Hongbo

2015-04-15

Baihe Zhimu Tang (BZT) is a famous traditional Chinese medicine recipe to treat dry coughing due to yin deficiency and for moisturizing the lungs. Zhimu is an essential ingredient in BZT used to treat inflammation, fever and diabetes. The most important active components in Zhimu are flavonoids such as neomangiferin, mangiferin, and steroid saponins (e.g., timosaponin BII, anemarsaponin BIII, timosaponin AIII). The aim of this study was to compare the pharmacokinetics of mangiferin, neomangiferin, timosaponin BII, anemarsaponin BIII and timosaponin AIII in rat plasma after oral administration of BZT and Zhimu extract (ZME). A sensitive, reliable and robust LC-MS/MS method to simultaneously determine steroid saponins and flavonoids in rat plasma was successfully validated. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were found in the pharmacokinetic parameters of timosaponin BII, anemarsaponin BIII and timosaponin AIII between BZT and ZME. It was surmised that formula compatibility could significantly influence the pharmacokinetics of BZT and our study is the first to study the administration of BZT based on pharmacokinetic studies.

Retracted: Addition of a single methyl group to a small molecule sodium channel inhibitor introduces a new mode of gating modulation, by L Wang, SG Zellmer, DM Printzenhoff and NA Castle. British Journal of Pharmacology, volume 172(20): 4905-4918, published in October 2015; DOI 10.1111/bph.13259.

PubMed

2018-07-01

The above article, published by the British Journal of Pharmacology in October 2015 (https://bpspubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/bph.13259), has been retracted by agreement between the authors, the journal Editor in Chief and John Wiley & Sons Limited. The retraction has been agreed owing to the discovery of errors in the chemical structure of the synthetic compounds generated. The corrected structure is now available in the article PF-06526290 can both enhance and inhibit conduction through voltage gated sodium channels by L Wang, SG Zellmer, DM Printzenhoff and NA Castle, 2018, https://bpspubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/bph.14338. Reference Wang L, Zellmer SG, Printzenhoff DM, Castle NA (2015). Addition of a single methyl group to a small molecule sodium channel inhibitor introduces a new mode of gating modulation. Br J Pharmacol 172: 4905-4918. https://doi.org/10.1111/bph.13259. © 2018 The British Pharmacological Society.

Neuroprotection by the Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tao-Hong-Si-Wu-Tang, against Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion-Induced Cerebral Ischemia in Rats

PubMed Central

Wu, Chih-Jen; Chen, Jui-Tai; Yen, Ting-Lin; Jayakumar, Thanasekaran; Chou, Duen-Suey; Hsiao, George; Sheu, Joen-Rong

2011-01-01

Tao-Hong-Si-Wu-Tang (THSWT) is a famous traditional Chinese medicine (TMC). In the present study, oral administration of THSWT (0.7 and 1.4 g kg−1day−1) for 14 days before MCAO dose-dependently attenuated focal cerebral ischemia in rats. MCAO-induced focal cerebral ischemia was associated with increases in hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and active caspase-3 expressions in ischemic regions. These expressions were obviously inhibited by 0.7 g kg−1day−1 THSWT treatment. In addition, THSWT inhibited platelet aggregation stimulated by collagen in washed platelets. In an in vivo study, THSWT (16 g kg−1) significantly prolonged platelet plug formation in mice. However, THSWT (20 and 40 μg mL−1) did not significantly reduce the electron spin resonance (ESR) signal intensity of hydroxyl radical (OH•) formation. In conclusion, the most important findings of this study demonstrate for the first time that THSWT possesses potent neuroprotective activity against MCAO-induced focal cerebral ischemia in vivo. This effect may be mediated, at least in part, by the inhibition of both HIF-1α and TNF-α activation, followed by the inhibition of inflammatory responses (i.e., iNOS expression), apoptosis formation (active caspase-3), and platelet activation, resulting in a reduction in the infarct volume in ischemia-reperfusion brain injury. PMID:21076527

STAR: an integrated solution to management and visualization of sequencing data

PubMed Central

Wang, Tao; Liu, Jie; Shen, Li; Tonti-Filippini, Julian; Zhu, Yun; Jia, Haiyang; Lister, Ryan; Whitaker, John W.; Ecker, Joseph R.; Millar, A. Harvey; Ren, Bing; Wang, Wei

2013-01-01

Motivation: Easily visualization of complex data features is a necessary step to conduct studies on next-generation sequencing (NGS) data. We developed STAR, an integrated web application that enables online management, visualization and track-based analysis of NGS data. Results: STAR is a multilayer web service system. On the client side, STAR leverages JavaScript, HTML5 Canvas and asynchronous communications to deliver a smoothly scrolling desktop-like graphical user interface with a suite of in-browser analysis tools that range from providing simple track configuration controls to sophisticated feature detection within datasets. On the server side, STAR supports private session state retention via an account management system and provides data management modules that enable collection, visualization and analysis of third-party sequencing data from the public domain with over thousands of tracks hosted to date. Overall, STAR represents a next-generation data exploration solution to match the requirements of NGS data, enabling both intuitive visualization and dynamic analysis of data. Availability and implementation: STAR browser system is freely available on the web at http://wanglab.ucsd.edu/star/browser and https://github.com/angell1117/STAR-genome-browser. Contact: wei-wang@ucsd.edu PMID:24078702

Network pharmacology-based prediction of active compounds and molecular targets in Yijin-Tang acting on hyperlipidaemia and atherosclerosis.

PubMed

Lee, A Yeong; Park, Won; Kang, Tae-Wook; Cha, Min Ho; Chun, Jin Mi

2018-07-15

Yijin-Tang (YJT) is a traditional prescription for the treatment of hyperlipidaemia, atherosclerosis and other ailments related to dampness phlegm, a typical pathological symptom of abnormal body fluid metabolism in Traditional Korean Medicine. However, a holistic network pharmacology approach to understanding the therapeutic mechanisms underlying hyperlipidaemia and atherosclerosis has not been pursued. To examine the network pharmacological potential effects of YJT on hyperlipidaemia and atherosclerosis, we analysed components, performed target prediction and network analysis, and investigated interacting pathways using a network pharmacology approach. Information on compounds in herbal medicines was obtained from public databases, and oral bioavailability and drug-likeness was screened using absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) criteria. Correlations between compounds and genes were linked using the STITCH database, and genes related to hyperlipidaemia and atherosclerosis were gathered using the GeneCards database. Human genes were identified and subjected to Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis. Network analysis identified 447 compounds in five herbal medicines that were subjected to ADME screening, and 21 compounds and 57 genes formed the main pathways linked to hyperlipidaemia and atherosclerosis. Among them, 10 compounds (naringenin, nobiletin, hesperidin, galangin, glycyrrhizin, homogentisic acid, stigmasterol, 6-gingerol, quercetin and glabridin) were linked to more than four genes, and are bioactive compounds and key chemicals. Core genes in this network were CASP3, CYP1A1, CYP1A2, MMP2 and MMP9. The compound-target gene network revealed close interactions between multiple components and multiple targets, and facilitates a better understanding of the potential therapeutic effects of YJT. Pharmacological network analysis can help to explain the potential effects of YJT for treating dampness phlegm

Amelioration of cerebral infarction and improvement of neurological deficit by a Korean herbal medicine, modified Bo-Yang-Hwan-O-Tang.

PubMed

Choi, Yookeum; Kim, Seul-Ki; Choi, In-Young; Ju, Chung; Nam, Kung-Woo; Hwang, Sunyoung; Kim, Byung-Woo; Yoon, Min Ji; Won, Moo-Ho; Park, Yong-Ki; Kim, Won-Ki

2011-05-01

Modified Bo-Yang-Hwan-O-Tang (mBHT) is an improved herbal formula of BHT, which has been widely used to treat ischaemic stroke in East Asia, by the addition of five herbs having anti-ischaemic properties. In this study, we investigated whether mBHT would reduce cerebral ischaemic injury in rats. Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to a 90-min middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) and subsequent 22-h reperfusion. mBHT was administered either intraperitoneally twice 15 min before and 15 min after, or orally once 30 min or 120 min after the onset of MCAO (50 or 200 mg/kg each). Intraperitoneal administration of mBHT markedly reduced the cerebral infarct size and neurological deficit caused by MCAO/reperfusion. mBHT treatment also significantly improved long-term survival rate after cerebral ischaemic injury. Oral administration of mBHT 30 min after ischaemia also markedly reduced the infarct size after cerebral ischaemia. The anti-ischaemic effect of mBHT was significantly, but not fully, reduced when mBHT-induced hypothermia was abolished. In cultured cortical neurons, we further found that mBHT decreased oxygen-glucose deprivation/re-oxygenation-evoked neuronal injury by inhibiting production of reactive oxygen species, decrease in mitochondrial transmembrane potential, and activation of caspase-3. However, mBHT did not inhibit N-Methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor-mediated excitotoxicity. Taken together, our data suggest that mBHT has multiple anti-ischaemic properties and would be a good therapeutic herbal prescription for the treatment of cerebral ischaemic stroke. © 2011 The Authors. JPP © 2011 Royal Pharmaceutical Society.

Qing Gan Zi Shen Tang alleviates adipose tissue dysfunction with up-regulation of SIRT1 in spontaneously hypertensive rat.

PubMed

Zhu, Yao; Huang, Jing Jing; Zhang, Xiao Xiao; Yan, Yu; Yin, Xiao Wei; Ping, Gu; Jiang, Wei Ming

2018-05-30

Qing Gan Zi Shen Tang (QGZST) is a famous traditional Chinese medicine formula in the Jiangsu Province Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine for its efficacy in treating hypertension, obesity, hyperlipidemia and insulin resistance. The current study further evaluated the effects and possible mechanisms of QGZST on epididymal white adipose tissue (eWAT) dysfunction in a high-fat-diet (HFD)-fed-spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) model. Results showed that QGZST significantly decreased the systolic blood pressure (SBP), mean arterial blood pressure (MAP), body weights and adipocyte size of HFD-fed SHRs. Moreover, QGZST remarkably reduced the serum levels of cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, fasting glucose, fasting insulin and HOMA-IR index, increased serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and improved glucose intolerance in HFD-fed SHRs. Furthermore, QGZST dramatically attenuated HFD-fed-induced hypersecretion of proinflammatory cytokines and hypoproduction of adiponectin in SHRs. Mechanistically, QGZST stimulated the activity of Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) and Forkhead box protein O1 (FOXO1) and suppress the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ), CCAAT-enhancer-binding proteins-α(C/EBP-α), fatty acid binding protein 4 (FABP4), acetylated nuclear factor-kappa-B-p65 (acetyl-NF-кB-p65) and protein-tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B). More than that, QGZST also prevented acetyl-NF-кB-p65 nuclear accumulation. Collectively, our research demonstrated for the first time that QGZST is able to alleviate eWAT dysfunction with up-regulation of SIRT1 in HFD-fed SHRs, which might supply further insight into QGZST-mediated anti-hypertension and anti-obesity effects. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Herb-drug pharmacokinetic interaction of a traditional chinese medicine jia-wei-xiao-yao-san with 5-Fluorouracil in the blood and brain of rat using microdialysis.

PubMed

Chiang, Meng-Hsuan; Chang, Li-Wen; Wang, Ju-Wen; Lin, Lie-Chwen; Tsai, Tung-Hu

2015-01-01

According to a survey from the National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD), Jia-Wei-Xiao-Yao-San (JWXYS) is the most popular Chinese medicine for cancer patients in Taiwan. 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is a general anticancer drug for the chemotherapy. To investigate the herb-drug interaction of JWXYS on pharmacokinetics of 5-FU, a microdialysis technique coupled with a high-performance liquid chromatography system was used to monitor 5-FU in rat blood and brain. Rats were divided into four parallel groups, one of which was treated with 5-FU (100 mg/kg, i.v.) alone and the remaining three groups were pretreated with a different dose of JWXYS (600, 1200, or 2400 mg/kg/day for 5 consecutive days) followed by a combination with 5-FU. This study demonstrates that 5-FU with JWXYS (600 mg/kg/day or 1200 mg/kg/day) has no significant effect on the pharmacokinetics of 5-FU in the blood and brain. However, JWXYS (2400 mg/kg/day) coadministered with 5-FU extends the elimination half-life and increases the volume of distribution of 5-FU in the blood. The elimination half-life of 5-FU in the brain for the pretreatment group with 2400 mg/kg/day of JWXYS is significantly longer than that for the group treated with 5-FU alone and also reduces the clearance. This study provides practical dosage information for clinical practice and proves the safety of 5-FU coadministered with JWXYS.

Herb-Drug Pharmacokinetic Interaction of a Traditional Chinese Medicine Jia-Wei-Xiao-Yao-San with 5-Fluorouracil in the Blood and Brain of Rat Using Microdialysis

PubMed Central

Chiang, Meng-Hsuan; Chang, Li-Wen; Wang, Ju-Wen; Lin, Lie-Chwen; Tsai, Tung-Hu

2015-01-01

According to a survey from the National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD), Jia-Wei-Xiao-Yao-San (JWXYS) is the most popular Chinese medicine for cancer patients in Taiwan. 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is a general anticancer drug for the chemotherapy. To investigate the herb-drug interaction of JWXYS on pharmacokinetics of 5-FU, a microdialysis technique coupled with a high-performance liquid chromatography system was used to monitor 5-FU in rat blood and brain. Rats were divided into four parallel groups, one of which was treated with 5-FU (100 mg/kg, i.v.) alone and the remaining three groups were pretreated with a different dose of JWXYS (600, 1200, or 2400 mg/kg/day for 5 consecutive days) followed by a combination with 5-FU. This study demonstrates that 5-FU with JWXYS (600 mg/kg/day or 1200 mg/kg/day) has no significant effect on the pharmacokinetics of 5-FU in the blood and brain. However, JWXYS (2400 mg/kg/day) coadministered with 5-FU extends the elimination half-life and increases the volume of distribution of 5-FU in the blood. The elimination half-life of 5-FU in the brain for the pretreatment group with 2400 mg/kg/day of JWXYS is significantly longer than that for the group treated with 5-FU alone and also reduces the clearance. This study provides practical dosage information for clinical practice and proves the safety of 5-FU coadministered with JWXYS. PMID:25861367

Comparing the effects of kamikihito in Japan and kami-guibi-tang in Korea on memory enhancement: working towards the development of a global study.

PubMed

Watari, Hidetoshi; Shigyo, Michiko; Tanabe, Norio; Tohda, Michihisa; Cho, Ki-Ho; Kyung, Park Su; Jung, Woo Sang; Shimada, Yutaka; Shibahara, Naotoshi; Kuboyama, Tomoharu; Tohda, Chihiro

2015-03-01

Traditional medicine is widely used in East Asia, and studies that demonstrate its usefulness have recently become more common. However, formulation-based studies are not globally understood because these studies are country-specific. There are many types of formulations that have been introduced to Japan and Korea from China. Establishing whether a same-origin formulation has equivalent effects in other countries is important for the development of studies that span multiple countries. The present study compared the effects of same-origin traditional medicine used in Japan and Korea in an in vivo experiment. We prepared drugs that had the same origin and the same components. The drugs are called kamikihito (KKT) in Japan and kami-guibi-tang (KGT) in Korea. KKT (500 mg extract/kg/day) and KGT (500 mg extract/kg/day) were administered to ddY mice, and object recognition and location memory tests were performed. KKT and KGT administration yielded equivalent normal memory enhancement effects. 3D-HPLC showed similar, but not identical, patterns of the detected compounds between KKT and KGT. This comparative research approach enables future global clinical studies of traditional medicine to be conducted through the use of the formulations prescribed in each country. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Review of Cycadophila Xu, Tang & Skelley (Coleoptera: Erotylidae: Pharaxonothinae) inhabiting Cycas (Cycadaceae) in Asia, with descriptions of a new subgenus and thirteen new species.

PubMed

Skelley, Paul; Xu, Guang; Tang, William; Lindström, Anders J; Marler, Thomas; Khuraijam, Jibankumar Singh; Singh, Rita; Radha, P; Rich, Stephen

2017-05-12

The genus Cycadophila Xu, Tang & Skelley (Coleoptera: Erotylidae: Pharaxonothinae) associated with Cycas L. (Cycadacaeae) in Asia is reviewed. Strobilophila, new subgenus, with five species is described: Cycadophila (Strobilophila) assamensis new species, C. (S.) hiepi new species, C. (S.) kwaiensis new species, C. (S.) tansachai new species and C. (S.) yangi new species, all associated with Cycas. For the nominate subgenus Cycadophila eight new species are described, Cycadophila (Cycadophila) abyssa new species, C. (C.) collina new species,C. (C.) samara new species, C. (C.) convexa new species, C. (C.) cyclochasma new species, C. (C.) eurynota new species, C. (C.) papua new species, and C. (C.) torquata new species and four new generic combinations are proposed: C. (C.) vittata (Arrow) new combination, C. (C.) discimaculata (Mader) new combination, C. (C.) intermedia (Chûjô) new combination, and C. (C.) lata (Grouvelle) new combination. Only the first three listed species of the nominate subgenus have known associations with Cycas. Species are distinguished on the basis of morphology and/or by analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences. The larva of subgenus Strobilophila is described based on individuals collected together with adults and matched with analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences. Keys to subgenera and species of known adults and larvae are provided.

Dai-Huang-Fu-Zi-Tang Alleviates Intestinal Injury Associated with Severe Acute Pancreatitis by Regulating Mitochondrial Permeability Transition Pore of Intestinal Mucosa Epithelial Cells

PubMed Central

Kang, Xin; Liang, Zhengkai; Zhan, Libin; Song, Jianbo; Wang, Yi; Yang, Yilun; Fan, Zhiwei; Bai, Lizhi

2017-01-01

Objective The aim of the present study was to examine whether Dai-Huang-Fu-Zi-Tang (DHFZT) could regulate mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP) of intestinal mucosa epithelial cells for alleviating intestinal injury associated with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). Methods A total of 72 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 3 groups (sham group, SAP group, and DHFZT group, n = 24 per group). The rats in each group were divided into 4 subgroups (n = 6 per subgroup) accordingly at 1, 3, 6, and 12 h after the operation. The contents of serum amylase, D-lactic acid, diamine oxidase activity, and degree of MPTP were measured by dry chemical method and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The change of mitochondria of intestinal epithelial cells was observed by transmission electron microscopy. Results The present study showed that DHFZT inhibited the openness of MPTP at 3, 6, and 12 h after the operation. Meanwhile, it reduced the contents of serum D-lactic acid and activity of diamine oxidase activity and also drastically relieved histopathological manifestations and epithelial cells injury of intestine. Conclusion DHFZT alleviates intestinal injury associated SAP via reducing the openness of MPTP. In addition, DHFZT could also decrease the content of serum diamine oxidase activity and D-lactic acid after SAP. PMID:29403537

Wang-Landau density of states based study of the folding-unfolding transition in the mini-protein Trp-cage (TC5b)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Singh, Priya; Sarkar, Subir K.; Bandyopadhyay, Pradipta

2014-07-01

We present the results of a high-statistics equilibrium study of the folding/unfolding transition for the 20-residue mini-protein Trp-cage (TC5b) in water. The ECEPP/3 force field is used and the interaction with water is treated by a solvent-accessible surface area method. A Wang-Landau type simulation is used to calculate the density of states and the conditional probabilities for the various values of the radius of gyration and the number of native contacts at fixed values of energy—along with a systematic check on their convergence. All thermodynamic quantities of interest are calculated from this information. The folding-unfolding transition corresponds to a peak in the temperature dependence of the computed specific heat. This is corroborated further by the structural signatures of folding in the distributions for radius of gyration and the number of native contacts as a function of temperature. The potentials of mean force are also calculated for these variables, both separately and jointly. A local free energy minimum, in addition to the global minimum, is found in a temperature range substantially below the folding temperature. The free energy at this second minimum is approximately 5 kBT higher than the value at the global minimum.

Ma Huang Tang ameliorates asthma though modulation of Th1/Th2 cytokines and inhibition of Th17 cells in ovalbumin-sensitized mice.

PubMed

Ma, Chun-Hua; Ma, Zhan-Qiang; Fu, Qiang; Ma, Shi-Ping

2014-05-01

Ma Huang Tang (Ephedra decoction, MHT) is a famous classical formula from Shang Han Lun by Zhang Zhongjing in the Han Dynasty. The anti-asthmatic effects of MHT and the possible mechanisms were tested. An asthma model was established by ovalbumin (OVA)-induction in mice. A total of forty-eight mice were randomly assigned to six experimental groups: control, model, dexamethasone (2 mg·kg(-1)) and MHT (5, 10, and 20 mg·kg(-1)). Airway resistance (Raw) was measured by the forced oscillation technique, histological studies were evaluated by hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining, Th1/Th2 and Th17 cytokines were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and Th17 cells were evaluated by flow cytometry (FCM). This study demonstrated that MHT inhibited OVA-induced increases in Raw and eosinophil count; interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-17 levels were recovered in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, increased IFN-γ level in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Histological studies demonstrated that MHT substantially inhibited OVA-induced eosinophilia in lung tissue. Flow cytometry studies demonstrated that MHT substantially inhibited Th17 cells. These findings suggest that MHT may effectively ameliorate the progression of asthma, and could be further investigated for potential use as a therapy for patients with allergic asthma. Copyright © 2014 China Pharmaceutical University. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Development and validation of a HPLC-UV-ESI-MS method for the simultaneous quantitation of ten bioactive compounds in Dahuang Fuzi Tang.

PubMed

Guo, Hui; Li, Huan; Liu, Xiao; Cai, Hao; Wu, Li; Cai, Bao-Chang

2014-12-01

To develop a high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) and ultraviolet (UV) detector method for the acid-alkaline simultaneous determination of ten bioactive compounds, and analyze the effect of compatible medicinal plants on the concentration of components in Dahuang Fuzi Tang (DFT). The chromatographic separation was performed on a Hypersil BDS C18 analytical column by gradient elution with acetonitrile and formate buffer (containing 0.15% formic acid, V/V) at 25 °C with a flow rate of 1.0 mL·min(-1) and UV detection at 280 nm. Four of the ten compounds in DFT were identified and their MS fragments were elucidated by HPLC-ESI-MS, and the contents of the six compounds were determined by HPLC-UV. All calibration curves showed good linear regression (r(2) ≥ 0.9990). The limits of detection and limits of quantification were 0.021-0.155 -g·mL(-1) and 0.076-0.520 -g·mL(-1), respectively. Overall precision RSD (intra-day and inter-day) were less than 2.96%, and the average recoveries were 98.35%-101.45%, with RSD ranging from 1.54% to 3.01% for the analytes. The developed method can be applied for the quality control and provide analytical evidence on the chemical basis and combinational principles of DFT. Copyright © 2014 China Pharmaceutical University. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A Systems Biology-Based Investigation into the Pharmacological Mechanisms of Sheng-ma-bie-jia-tang Acting on Systemic Lupus Erythematosus by Multi-Level Data Integration.

PubMed

Huang, Lin; Lv, Qi; Liu, Fenfen; Shi, Tieliu; Wen, Chengping

2015-11-12

Sheng-ma-bie-jia-tang (SMBJT) is a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) formula that is widely used for the treatment of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) in China. However, molecular mechanism behind this formula remains unknown. Here, we systematically analyzed targets of the ingredients in SMBJT to evaluate its potential molecular mechanism. First, we collected 1,267 targets from our previously published database, the Traditional Chinese Medicine Integrated Database (TCMID). Next, we conducted gene ontology and pathway enrichment analyses for these targets and determined that they were enriched in metabolism (amino acids, fatty acids, etc.) and signaling pathways (chemokines, Toll-like receptors, adipocytokines, etc.). 96 targets, which are known SLE disease proteins, were identified as essential targets and the rest 1,171 targets were defined as common targets of this formula. The essential targets directly interacted with SLE disease proteins. Besides, some common targets also had essential connections to both key targets and SLE disease proteins in enriched signaling pathway, e.g. toll-like receptor signaling pathway. We also found distinct function of essential and common targets in immune system processes. This multi-level approach to deciphering the underlying mechanism of SMBJT treatment of SLE details a new perspective that will further our understanding of TCM formulas.

Rhein 8-O-β-D-Glucopyranoside Elicited the Purgative Action of Daiokanzoto (Da-Huang-Gan-Cao-Tang), Despite Dysbiosis by Ampicillin.

PubMed

Takayama, Kento; Tabuchi, Norihiko; Fukunaga, Masahito; Okamura, Nobuyuki

2016-01-01

Sennoside A (SA), the main purgative constituent of Daiokanzoto (da-huang-gan-cao-tang; DKT), is generally regarded as a prodrug that is transformed into an active metabolite by β-glucosidase derived from Bifidobacterium spp. It has been suggested that antibiotics would promote dysbiosis, and thereby inhibit the purgative activity of DKT. In this study, ampicillin was administered to mice for 8 d, and the changes in the SA metabolism of SA alone and of DKT were investigated. The results showed that the SA metabolism of SA singly continued to be inhibited by ampicillin, but that of DKT was activated from day 3 under the same conditions. In order to investigate the mechanism of SA metabolism activated by DKT in the mice administered ampicillin, changes in the SA metabolism were observed in the presence of rhein 8-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (RG) in rhubarb and liquiritin in glycyrrhiza, both of which accelerated the SA metabolism. In fact, RG achieved an activation of SA metabolism similar to that by DKT. The purgative action of DKT, which was continued treatment of the ampicillin, was significantly greater than that by SA alone, and it was shown that RG was involved in this effect. We also analyzed changes in the intestinal microbiota before and after administration of ampicillin. No Bifidobacteria were detected throughout the treatment, but the population of Bacteroides was significantly increased after 3 d under the same conditions. Taken together, these results strongly suggested that the RG in DKT changed the function of Bacteroides and thereby allowed DKT to metabolize SA.

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of a traditional herbal formula, Yukmijihwang-tang in elderly subjects with xerostomia.

PubMed

Han, Gajin; Ko, Seok-Jae; Kim, Juyeon; Oh, Ja-Young; Park, Jae-Woo; Kim, Jinsung

2016-04-22

Yukmijihwang-tang (YMJ) is a typical herbal formula to treat Yin-deficiency (YD) syndrome by enriching the fluid-humor of the body. YMJ has been used to treat dry mouth symptoms for hundreds of years in traditional East Asian medicine. Xerostomia, a subjective oral dryness, is common in the elderly and results in impaired quality of life. Many conventional treatments for xerostomia provide only temporary symptom relief, and have side effects. The aim of this study is to investigate the efficacy and safety of YMJ for the treatment of xerostomia in the elderly. This study was designed as a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded, two center trial. Ninety-six subjects aged 60-80 years who had experienced xerostomia for at least 3 months and presented with score>40 on the visual analog scale (VAS) for subjective oral dryness were recruited and randomly allocated to YMJ and placebo groups. YMJ or placebo was administered to each group for 8 weeks (3g of YMJ or placebo, three times per day). The primary outcome was change of VAS for xerostomia from 0 to 8 weeks. VAS for xerostomia was decreased by 22.04±22.76 in the YMJ group and 23.58±23.04 in the placebo group. YMJ had no effect on xerostomia. However, participants with BMIs lower than 29.37kg/m(2) showed improvement of xerostomia after 8 weeks of treatment with YMJ compared to placebo. In addition, YMJ improved oral moisture, which is associated with subjective oral dryness in the YMJ group, and the relationship between VAS for xerostomia and YD was significant. A trend was observed in which YMJ improved oral moisture status and subjective oral dryness in elderly subjects with lower BMI and greater tendency toward YD. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Comment on "Density functional theory analysis of structural and electronic properties of orthorhombic perovskite CH3NH3PbI3" by Y. Wang et al., Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2014, 16, 1424-1429.

PubMed

Even, J; Pedesseau, L; Katan, C

2014-05-14

Yun Wang et al. used density functional theory (DFT) to investigate the orthorhombic phase of CH3NH3PbI3, which has recently shown outstanding properties for photovoltaic applications. Whereas their analysis of ground state properties may represent a valuable contribution to understanding this class of materials, effects of spin-orbit coupling (SOC) cannot be overlooked as was shown in earlier studies. Moreover, their discussion on optical properties may be misleading for non-DFT-experts, and the nice agreement between experimental and calculated band gap is fortuitous, stemming from error cancellations between SOC and many-body effects. Lastly, Bader charges suggest potential problems during crystal structure optimization.

Teacher Agency in the Performance of Inquiry-Oriented Science Curriculum Reform

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Oliveira, Alandeom W.

2012-01-01

In this commentary, I consider several theoretical and analytical aspects of Tang Wee Teo and Margery Osborne's case study. I begin by identifying structuralist and cultural themes in Tang Wee and Margery's theoretical model of human activity. Next, I offer an alternative interpretation for Tang Wee and Margery's reported findings in terms of the…

The relationship between climate change and wars waged between nomadic and farming groups from the Western Han Dynasty to the Tang Dynasty period

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Su, Y.; Liu, L.; Fang, X. Q.; Ma, Y. N.

2016-01-01

In ancient China, shifts in regional productivity of agriculture and animal husbandry, caused by climate change, either led to wars or peaceful relations between nomadic and farming groups. During the period spanning the Western Han Dynasty to the Tang Dynasty, 367 wars were waged between these groups. While 69 % of the wars were initiated by nomads, 62.4 % were won by the farming groups. On a centennial timescale, the battlegrounds were mostly in northern areas (at an average latitude of 38.92° N) during warm periods, moving southward (at an average latitude of 34.66° N) during cold periods. On a decadal timescale, warm climates corresponded to a high incidence of wars (a correlation coefficient of 0.293). While farming groups were inclined to initiate wars during dry and cold periods, their chances of achieving victory were reduced at such times. The main reasons for this are, first, that a warm climate provided a solid material foundation for nomadic and farming groups, contributing especially to enhanced productivity among the former. However, the overriding desire of nomadic groups to expand essential subsistence means led to wars. Second, during cold periods, farming groups moved to and settled in the south, while nomadic groups occupied the Central Plain. Thus, the locations of the battlefields also changed. While other factors also influenced these wars, climate change served as a backdrop, playing an indirect role in wars between these groups.

Daesiho-Tang Is an Effective Herbal Formulation in Attenuation of Obesity in Mice through Alteration of Gene Expression and Modulation of Intestinal Microbiota.

PubMed

Hussain, Ahtesham; Yadav, Mukesh Kumar; Bose, Shambhunath; Wang, Jing-Hua; Lim, Dongwoo; Song, Yun-Kyung; Ko, Seong-Gyu; Kim, Hojun

2016-01-01

Obesity has become a major global health challenge due to its increasing prevalence, and the associated health risk. It is the main cause of various metabolic diseases including diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, stroke and certain forms of cancer. In the present study we evaluated the anti-obesity property of Daesiho-tang (DSHT), an herbal medicine, using high fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice as a model. Our results showed that DSHT ameliorated body weight gain, decreased total body fat, regulated expression of leptin and adiponectin genes of adipose tissue and exerted an anti-diabetic effect by attenuating fasting glucose level and serum insulin level in HFD-fed animals. In addition, DSHT-treatment significantly reduced total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG) and increased high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL), glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) and glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) levels in serum and reduced deposition of fat droplets in liver. DSHT treatment resulted in significantly increased relative abundance of bacteria including Bacteroidetes, Bacteroidetes/Firmicutes ratio, Akkermansia Bifidobacterium., Lactobacillus, and decreased the level of Firmicutes. Using RT2 profiler PCR array, 39 (46%) genes were found to be differentially expressed in HFD-fed mice compared to normal control. However, normal gene expressions were restored in 36 (92%) genes of HFD-fed mice, when co-exposed to DSHT. The results of this study demonstrated that DSHT is an effective herbal formulation in attenuation of obesity in HFD-fed mice through alteration of gene expressions and modulation of intestinal microbiota.

Simultaneous determination of bioactive constituents in Danggui Buxue Tang for quality control by HPLC coupled with a diode array detector, an evaporative light scattering detector and mass spectrometry.

PubMed

Yi, Ling; Qi, Lian-Wen; Li, Ping; Ma, Yi-Han; Luo, Yong-Jing; Li, Hai-Yun

2007-09-01

Danggui Buxue Tang (DBT), a classical traditional Chinese formula comprising Radix Angelicae Sinensis (RAS) and Radix Astragali (RA), has been widely used to treat menopausal irregularity in Chinese women for nearly 800 years. In this study, a comprehensive analytical method of simultaneously determining the main types of bioactive constituents, eighteen in all from the formula, involving flavonoids, saponins, organic acid and some volatile compounds, was developed. This method was based on HPLC coupled to a diode array and evaporative light scattering detectors (HPLC-DAD-ELSD) on a common reverse-phase C(18) column. Liquid chromatography coupled with on-line electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS) was also used to further validate and analyze the constituents. It was found that 0.3% aqueous formic acid and acetonitrile was the optimum mobile phase for gradient elution. This method, which showed good precision and accuracy, was successfully used to quantify the bioactive constituents in six products. As a result, the validated HPLC method, together with the LC-ESI-MS analysis, provided a new basis for assessing the quality of traditional Chinese medicinal compound preparations (TCMCPs) consisting of many bioactive components.

PREFACE: IUPAP C20 Conference on Computational Physics (CCP 2011)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Troparevsky, Claudia; Stocks, George Malcolm

2012-12-01

McCurdy (Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, US) Ingrid Mertig (Martin Luther University, Germany) Alejandro Muramatsu (Universitat Stuttgart, Germany) Richard Needs (Cavendish Laboratory, UK) Giuseppina Orlandini (University of Trento, Italy) Martin Savage (University of Washington, US) Thomas Schulthess (ETH, Switzerland) Dzidka Szotek (Daresbury Laboratory, UK) Hideaki Takabe (Osaka University, Japan) William M. Tang (Princeton University, US) James Vary (Iowa State, US) Enge Wang (Chinese Academy of Science, China) Jian-Guo Wang (Institute of Applied Physics and Computational Mathematics, China) Jian-Sheng Wang (National University, Singapore) Dan Wei (Tsinghua University, China) Tony Williams (University of Adelaide, Australia) Rudy Zeller (Julich, Germany) Conference Administrator: Ann Strange (ORNL)

Lunar and seasonal patterns in fecundity of an indeterminate, multiple-spawning surgeonfish, the yellow tang Zebrasoma flavescens.

PubMed

Bushnell, M E; Claisse, J T; Laidley, C W

2010-04-01

Reproduction was investigated in relation to lunar and annual cycles in a population of yellow tang Zebrasoma flavescens, a popular aquarium species commercially harvested in Hawaii. Lunar periodicity was determined to be an inherent characteristic of reproduction; peaks in mean daily egg production, female gonado-somatic index (I(G)) and the fraction of females with eggs were observed at the full moon of each sampled month. An increase in the fraction of late-stage vitellogenic oocytes within the ovaries was also observed at the full moon. Reproductive effort peaked in the late spring and summer as indicated by high values of mean daily egg production, female I(G) and the recorded incidence of females spawning for at least two consecutive days. Mean daily egg production and I(G) of monthly samples were lowest in November to February, although some level of egg production continued throughout the year. Large individual variation in batch fecundity was observed, with a range from 44 to > 24,000 eggs per female produced on a single sampling date. Smaller females, 80-120 mm standard length (L(S)), produced limited numbers of eggs, while females > or = 120 mm L(S) were capable of maximal egg production (> 20,000 eggs per batch). In contrast to trends observed in many fish species, no significant relationship between batch fecundity and adult L(S) > 120 mm was observed in female Z. flavescens. An estimate of annual fecundity (mean +/-S.E. 1,055,628 +/- 120,596 eggs) was also generated using a simple model of the lunar variability in egg production. This study illustrates the importance of accounting for potential variation in egg production over time, especially with respect to diel and lunar cycles, in the design of reproductive studies of multiple-spawning fishes. Greater insight into the environmental factors that regulate reproductive activity may be gained by determining the relative reproductive investment allocated at each spawning event. The ability to estimate

Game theory in epigenetic reprogramming. Comment on: ;Epigenetic game theory: How to compute the epigenetic control of maternal-to-zygotic transition; by Qian Wang et al.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hsu, Fei-Man; Chen, Pao-Yang

2017-03-01

Von Neumann and Morgenstern published the Theory of Games and Economic Behavior in 1944, describing game theory as a model in which intelligent rational decision-makers manage to find their best strategies in conflict, cooperative or other mutualistic relationships to acquire the greatest benefit [1]. This model was subsequently incorporated in ecology to simulate the ;fitness; of a species during natural selection, designated evolutionary game theory (EGT) [2]. Wang et al. proposed ;epiGame;, taking paternal and maternal genomes as ;intelligent; players that compete, cooperate or both during embryogenesis to maximize the fitness of the embryo [3]. They further extended game theory to an individual or single cell environment. During early zygote development, DNA methylation is reprogrammed such that the paternal genome is demethylated before the maternal genome. After the reset, the blastocyst is re-methylated during embryogenesis. At that time, the paternal and maternal genomes have a conflict of interest related to the expression of their own genes. The proposed epiGame models such interactive regulation between the parental genomes to reach a balance for embryo development (equation (2)).

An authentication scheme for secure access to healthcare services.

PubMed

Khan, Muhammad Khurram; Kumari, Saru

2013-08-01

Last few decades have witnessed boom in the development of information and communication technologies. Health-sector has also been benefitted with this advancement. To ensure secure access to healthcare services some user authentication mechanisms have been proposed. In 2012, Wei et al. proposed a user authentication scheme for telecare medical information system (TMIS). Recently, Zhu pointed out offline password guessing attack on Wei et al.'s scheme and proposed an improved scheme. In this article, we analyze both of these schemes for their effectiveness in TMIS. We show that Wei et al.'s scheme and its improvement proposed by Zhu fail to achieve some important characteristics necessary for secure user authentication. We find that security problems of Wei et al.'s scheme stick with Zhu's scheme; like undetectable online password guessing attack, inefficacy of password change phase, traceability of user's stolen/lost smart card and denial-of-service threat. We also identify that Wei et al.'s scheme lacks forward secrecy and Zhu's scheme lacks session key between user and healthcare server. We therefore propose an authentication scheme for TMIS with forward secrecy which preserves the confidentiality of air messages even if master secret key of healthcare server is compromised. Our scheme retains advantages of Wei et al.'s scheme and Zhu's scheme, and offers additional security. The security analysis and comparison results show the enhanced suitability of our scheme for TMIS.

Work environment impact scale: testing the psychometric properties of the Swedish version.

PubMed

Ekbladh, Elin; Fan, Chia-Wei; Sandqvist, Jan; Hemmingsson, Helena; Taylor, Renée

2014-01-01

The Work Environment Impact Scale (WEIS) is an assessment that focuses on the fit between a person and his or her work environment. It is based on Kielhofner's Model of Human Occupation and designed to gather information on how clients experience their work environment. The aim of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of the Swedish version of the WEIS assessment instrument. In total, 95 ratings on the 17-item WEIS were obtained from a sample of clients with experience of sick leave due to different medical conditions. Rasch analysis was used to analyze the data. Overall, the WEIS items together cohered to form a single construct of increasingly challenging work environmental factors. The hierarchical ordering of the items along the continuum followed a logical and expected pattern, and the participants were validly measured by the scale. The three occupational therapists serving as raters validly used the scale, but demonstrated a relatively high rater separation index, indicating differences in rater severity. The findings provide evidence that the Swedish version of the WEIS is a psychometrically sound assessment across diagnoses and occupations, which can provide valuable information about experiences of work environment challenges.

Volatiles emitted by Carya illinoinensis (Wang.) K. Koch as a prelude for semiochemical investigations to focus on Acrobasis nuxvorella Nuenzig (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae).

PubMed

Corella-Madueño, Maria A; Harris, Marvin K; Fu-Castillo, Agustin A; Martínez-Téllez, Miguel A; Valenzuela-Soto, Elisa M; Gálvez-Ruiz, Juan C; Vargas-Arispuro, Irasema

2011-12-01

Plant volatiles have complex intra- and interspecific effects in the environment that include plant/herbivore interactions. Identifying the quantity and quality of volatiles produced by a plant is needed to aid the process of determining which chemicals are exerting what effects and then examining whether these effects can be manipulated to benefit society. The qualitative characterization of volatile compounds emitted by pecan, Carya illinoinensis (Wang.) K. Koch, was begun in order to establish a database for investigating how these volatiles affect Acrobasis nuxvorella Nuenzig, a monophagous pest of pecan. Headspace solid-phase microextraction combined with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was used for the analysis of the volatile constituents of pecan during three phenological stages (dormant buds, intact new shoot growth and intact nutlets) of the Western Schley and Wichita cultivars. About 111 distinct compounds were identified from the two cultivars, accounting for ∼99% of the headspace volatiles. The chromatographic profiles of both varieties revealed variations in the volatile composition and proportion between cultivars, with a predominance of terpene hydrocarbons, of the sesquiterpenes class, as well as monoterpenes. The significantly higher responsiveness recorded for the larvae of A. nuxvorella to C. illinoinensis shoots indicates that the larvae may be activated by terpenes emanating from the new shoot growth. This is the first study that has examined volatiles of pecan in Mexico. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry.

Potentiation of the anticoagulation effect of warfarin by the herbal remedy Shu-Jing-Hwo-Shiee-Tang in rats: The dosing regimen and pharmacokinetic interaction.

PubMed

Ueng, Yune-Fang; Lu, Chung-Kuang; Yang, Sien-Hung; Wang, Hong-Jaan; Huang, Chiung-Chiao

2017-02-01

The herbal remedy Shu-Jing-Hwo-Shiee-Tang (SJHST) has been used in traditional Chinese medical care for the treatment of osteoarthritis. This study aims to examine the influence of SJHST on the oxidation and anticoagulation effect of warfarin in male rats. In three SJHST preparations (S1-S3), hesperidin, gentiopicrin, and paeoniflorin were identified as chemical marker ingredients. The inhibition of liver microsomal warfarin 7-hydroxylation (WOH) activity by 50% methanolic extracts of SJHST was potentiated by β-glucosidase pretreatment, but not by NADPH-fortified microsomal preincubation. Among various ingredients and their β-glucosidase-hydrolyzed products, hesperetin caused the most potent inhibition of WOH. Oral administration of S2 to rats at 2 h after warfarin treatment (WS2 2-h post ), but not co-treatment (WS2 co ), decreased warfarin clearance and increased the maximal plasma concentration and the area under the curve (AUC 0-t , AUC 0-∞ ) of plasma concentration versus time of warfarin administration. S2 and S3 did not change the coagulation parameters. At 24 h after warfarin administration, the WS2 2-h post and WS3 2-h post groups had a prothrombin time longer than that of the warfarin group. These results demonstrate that a 2-h post-treatment of rats with SJHST caused pharmacokinetic interaction with warfarin, resulting in prothrombin time prolongation. Copyright © 2016 The Japanese Society for the Study of Xenobiotics. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Notes on the Stenus cirrus group of Zhejiang, East China, with descriptions of two new species (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae).

PubMed

Liu, Sheng-Nan; Tang, Liang; Luo, Rong-Ting

2017-01-01

Two new Stenus species of the cirrus group collected from Zhejiang Province, East China, are described, S. wuyanlingus Liu, Tang & Luo, sp. n. , S. yuyimingi Liu, Tang & Luo, sp. n. and a new distributional locality for S. ovalis Tang, Li & Zhao, 2005 was discovered. The diagnostic characters of the new species are illustrated, and a key to species of the group from Zhejiang Province is provided.

Photo-Healable Metallosupramolecular Polymers

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-01-09

doi: 10.1038/nmat2891 Mark Burnworth, Liming Tang , Justin R. Kumpfer, Andrew J. Duncan, Frederick L. Beyer, Gina L. Fiore, Stuart J. Rowan...Mark Burnworth, Liming Tang , Stuart J. Rowan, Christoph Weder. Reinforcement of Self- Healing Polymer Films with Cellulose Nanowhiskers, ACS PMSE...Macromolecules (08 2011) Mark Burnworth, Liming Tang , Justin R. Kumpfer, Andrew J. Duncan, Frederick L. Beyer, Stuart J. Rowan, Christoph Weder

Two new species of Megacanthaspis Takagi (Hemiptera, Sternorrhyncha, Coccoidea, Diaspididae) from China

PubMed Central

Wei, Jiu-Feng; Feng, Ji-Nian

2012-01-01

Abstract Two new species of armored scale, Megacanthaspis hangzhouensis Wei & Feng, sp. n. and Megacanthaspis hainanensis Wei & Feng, sp. n. are described and illustrated from specimens collected from China. A key to adult female of Megacanthaspis species is provided. PMID:22859893

Zhen-wu-tang ameliorates adenine-induced chronic renal failure in rats: regulation of the canonical Wnt4/beta-catenin signaling in the kidneys.

PubMed

La, Lei; Wang, Lili; Qin, Fei; Jiang, Jian; He, Songqi; Wang, Chunxia; Li, Yuhao

2018-06-12

Zhen-wu-tang (ZWT), composed of Radix Aconiti lateralis, Rhizoma Atractylodis macrocephalae, Poria, Radix Paeoniae alba and ginger, is a classic Chinese herbal formula for the treatment of chronic kidney diseases that may cause chronic renal failure (CRF). To better understand its clinical use, this study investigated the effects and underlying mechanisms of action of ZWT on CRF. CRF was induced by adenine. ZWT was given via an oral gavage method. The serum biochemical parameters were measured enzymatically or by ELISA. The kidneys were examined pathohistologically. The gene expression was analyzed by real time PCR and Western blot. Similar to the positive control losartan, ZWT extract inhibited adenine-induced increase in serum concentrations of creatinine, BUN and advanced oxidation protein products in rats. These effects were accompanied by attenuation of proteinuria and renal pathological changes and suppression of renal mRNA and protein overexpression of Collagen IV and fibronectin, two of the key components of fibrosis. Mechanistically, renal mRNA and protein expression of Wnt4, a Wnt signaling ligand, was increased in the adenine-treated group, compared to the vehicle-treated control. Consistently, Wnt4 downstream genes beta-catenin and Axin were also overexpressed. Treatment with ZWT extract and losartan suppressed adenine-stimulated overexpression of these mRNAs and proteins. The present results demonstrate that ZWT extract ameliorates adenine-induced CRF in rats by regulation of the canonical Wnt4/beta-catenin signaling in the kidneys. Our findings provide new insight into the underlying renoprotective mechanisms of the ancient formula. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Evaluation of Androgen Receptor Function in Prostate Cancer Prognosis and Therapeutic Stratification

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-10-01

presentations 1) American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting April6-10, 2013, Washington, DC Albert Dobi, Denise Young, Wei Huang, Lakshmi ...Network (EDRN) Scientific Workshop March 13-15, Bethesda, MD Albert Dobi, Gyorgy Petrovics, Denise Young, Wei Huang, Lakshmi Ravindranath, Shashwat

Notes on the Stenus cirrus group of Zhejiang, East China, with descriptions of two new species (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae)

PubMed Central

Liu, Sheng-Nan; Tang, Liang; Luo, Rong-Ting

2017-01-01

Abstract Two new Stenus species of the cirrus group collected from Zhejiang Province, East China, are described, S. wuyanlingus Liu, Tang & Luo, sp. n., S. yuyimingi Liu, Tang & Luo, sp. n. and a new distributional locality for S. ovalis Tang, Li & Zhao, 2005 was discovered. The diagnostic characters of the new species are illustrated, and a key to species of the group from Zhejiang Province is provided. PMID:28769734

Study on Inhibitory Effect of MaiMenDong Decoction and WeiJing Decoction Combination with Cisplatin on NCI-A549 Xenograft in Nude Mice and Its Mechanism.

PubMed

Xiong, Fei; Jiang, Miao; Chen, Meijuan; Wang, Xiaoxia; Zhang, Shiping; Zhou, Jing; Li, Ke; Sheng, Yan; Yin, Lian; Tang, Yuping; Ye, Lihong; Wu, Mianhua; Fu, Haian; Zhang, Xu

2017-01-01

MaiMenDong Decoction and WeiJing Decoction (Jin formula) is a traditional Chinese medication that consists of 8 medicinal plants, which recorded in the classical TCM literature Jin Kui Yao Lue and has been utilized in the treatment of lung diseases for hundreds of years in China. The present study aimed to determine the anti-tumor activity and the underlying mechanisms of Jin formula combined with cisplatin in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Xenograft model of NCI-A549 was established in Balb/c nude mice. Five groups, including normal, MOCK, Jin, cisplatin (DDP), and Jin+DDP were included in the study. We found that Jin formula ameliorated the body weight loss caused by DDP 15 days after drug administration. Moreover, the combination of Jin with DDP enhanced the anti-tumor function of DDP. Microarray analysis showed that Jin suppressed gene expression of certain pathways which regulating cell cycle and apoptosis. Furthermore, DDP mainly decreased the gene expression level of angiogenesis associated factors, such as VEGFA, TGF-β and MMP-1. Moreover, co-treatment with Jin and DDP not only down-regulated Bcl-2 and E2F1, but also decreased the expression of MYC, MET, and MCAM. In addition, co-formula decreased the levels of p-AKT (thr308) and p-PTEN, increased Bax/Bcl-2 value, and resulted in apoptosis of tumor cells. Taken together , Jin+DDP significantly inhibited the growth of A549 cell transplanted solid tumor with slight side effect compared to the treatment by DDP only, and had a better effect than the Jin group. The mechanisms may be mainly associated with inactivation of PI3K/AKT pathway and apoptosis induction.

Herbal medicine (Hyeolbuchukeo-tang or Xuefu Zhuyu decoction) for treating primary dysmenorrhoea: protocol for a systematic review of randomised controlled trials.

PubMed

Jo, Junyoung; Leem, Jungtae; Lee, Jin Moo; Park, Kyoung Sun

2017-06-15

Primary dysmenorrhoea is menstrual pain without pelvic pathology and is the most common gynaecological condition in women. Xuefu Zhuyudecoction (XZD) or Hyeolbuchukeo-tang, a traditional herbal formula, has been used as a treatment for primary dysmenorrhoea. The purpose of this study is to assess the current published evidence regarding XZD as treatment for primary dysmenorrhoea. The following databases will be searched from their inception until April 2017: MEDLINE (via PubMed), Allied and Complementary Medicine Database (AMED), EMBASE, The Cochrane Library, six Korean medical databases (Korean Studies Information Service System, DBPia, Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System, Research Information Service System, Korea Med and the Korean Traditional Knowledge Portal), three Chinese medical databases (China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wan Fang Database and Chinese Scientific Journals Database (VIP)) and one Japanese medical database (CiNii). Randomised clinical trials (RCTs) that will be included in this systematic review comprise those that used XZD or modified XZD. The control groups in the RCTs include no treatment, placebo, conventional medication or other treatments. Trials testing XZD as an adjunct to other treatments and studies where the control group received the same treatment as the intervention group will be also included. Data extraction and risk of bias assessments will be performed by two independent reviewers. The risk of bias will be assessed with the Cochrane risk of bias tool. All statistical analyses will be conducted using Review Manager software (RevMan V.5.3.0). This systematic review will be published in a peer-reviewed journal. The review will also be disseminated electronically and in print. The review will benefit patients and practitioners in the fields of traditional and conventional medicine. CRD42016050447. © Article author(s) (or their employer(s) unless otherwise stated in the text of the article) 2017

Chronic exposure to air pollution particles increases the risk of obesity and metabolic syndrome: findings from a natural experiment in Beijing.

PubMed

Wei, Yongjie; Zhang, Junfeng Jim; Li, Zhigang; Gow, Andrew; Chung, Kian Fan; Hu, Min; Sun, Zhongsheng; Zeng, Limin; Zhu, Tong; Jia, Guang; Li, Xiaoqian; Duarte, Marlyn; Tang, Xiaoyan

2016-06-01

Epidemiologic evidence suggests that air pollution is a risk factor for childhood obesity. Limited experimental data have shown that early-life exposure to ambient particles either increases susceptibility to diet-induced weight gain in adulthood or increases insulin resistance, adiposity, and inflammation. However, no data have directly supported a link between air pollution and non-diet-induced weight increases. In a rodent model, we found that breathing Beijing's highly polluted air resulted in weight gain and cardiorespiratory and metabolic dysfunction. Compared to those exposed to filtered air, pregnant rats exposed to unfiltered Beijing air were significantly heavier at the end of pregnancy. At 8 wk old, the offspring prenatally and postnatally exposed to unfiltered air were significantly heavier than those exposed to filtered air. In both rat dams and their offspring, after continuous exposure to unfiltered air we observed pronounced histologic evidence for both perivascular and peribronchial inflammation in the lungs, increased tissue and systemic oxidative stress, dyslipidemia, and an enhanced proinflammatory status of epididymal fat. Results suggest that TLR2/4-dependent inflammatory activation and lipid oxidation in the lung can spill over systemically, leading to metabolic dysfunction and weight gain.-Wei, Y., Zhang, J., Li, Z., Gow, A., Chung, K. F., Hu, M., Sun, Z., Zeng, L., Zhu, T., Jia, G., Li, X., Duarte, M., Tang, X. Chronic exposure to air pollution particles increases the risk of obesity and metabolic syndrome: findings from a natural experiment in Beijing. © FASEB.

UPLC-MS/MS determination of ephedrine, methylephedrine, amygdalin and glycyrrhizic acid in Beagle plasma and its application to a pharmacokinetic study after oral administration of Ma Huang Tang.

PubMed

Yan, Tianhua; Fu, Qiang; Wang, Jing; Ma, Shiping

2015-02-01

An ultra performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometric (UPLC-MS) method was developed to investigate the pharmacokinetic properties of ephedrine, methylephedrine, amygdalin, and glycyrrhizic acid after oral gavage of Ma Huang Tang (MHT) in Beagles. Beagle plasma samples were pretreated using liquid-liquid extraction, and chromatographic separation was performed on a C18 column using a linear gradient of water-formic acid mixture (0.1%). The pharmacokinetic parameters of ephedrine, methylephedrine, amygdalin, and glycyrrhizic acid from MHT in Beagles were quantitatively determined by UPLC with tandem mass detector. The qualitative detection of the four compounds was accomplished by selected ion monitoring in negative/positive ion modes electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). Detection was based on multiple reaction monitoring with the precursor-to-product ion transitions m/z 166.096-116.983 (ephedrine), m/z 179.034-146.087 (methylephedrine), m/z 456.351-323.074 (amygdalin), and m/z 821.606-351.062 (glycyrrhizic acid). The selectivity, sensitivity, linearity, accuracy, precision, extraction recovery, ion suppression, and stability were within the acceptable ranges. The method described was successfully applied to reveal the pharmacokinetic properties of ephedrine, methylephedrine, amygdalin, and glycyrrhizic acid after oral gavage of MHT in Beagles. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

77 FR 25538 - Quarterly Publication of Individuals, Who Have Chosen To Expatriate

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-04-30

... CHARLES FJELD SONJA NORENE FLEMING JAY LYNNE FLOUTY ANTOINE NICHOLAS FOO ANGELA WEI-QIN FORD GLENORA... KELLER PATRICIA DORIS KELLY ALEXANDER ANTHONY KELLY VIRGINIA RAE KEMPE TOBY NICHOLAS KESSLER CHRISTIAN... CHRISTIAN MARTIN SYZ ISABEL SUSAN TAN CHUAN LIONG TAN WEI-EE BEVERLY [[Page 25544

Data Report for an Extensive Store Separation Test Program Conducted at Supersonic Speeds.

DTIC Science & Technology

1979-12-01

PBn)/IDPI3/PBnil (Note: T PHIT ) 203 ALPLn - Flow angle based on total angle of attack and rolln angle, deg ALPLn TAN-[Tan(aT) * cos(T)] + [TANG(n...PB)yaw - CCORR1 - ACORR2 • SIN( PHIT n )] + TANG(n)yaw CCORRI = CIDP24/PBni 2.5 and C = (0.5)2.5 • 318.5 M 5 • (DP2 4/PBn )/IDP24/PBn TANG(n)yaw = Angle

Amelioration of inflammatory responses by Socheongryong-Tang, a traditional herbal medicine, in RAW 264.7 cells and rats

PubMed Central

Kim, Youn Sook; Jung, Ji Yun; Park, Chung A.; Jegal, Kyung Hwan; Ku, Sae Kwang; Kim, Jae Kwang; Lee, Chul Won; Kim, Young Woo; Cho, Il Je; An, Won G.; Kim, Sang Chan

2018-01-01

Socheongryong-Tang (SCRT) is a natural medicine prescription that has been mainly used in East Asia for the treatment of inflammatory disorders, including asthma and allergic rhinitis. The present study evaluated the anti-inflammatory effects of SCRT on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells and in a rat model of carrageenan (CA)-induced paw edema. Levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6 and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in the culture supernatant were quantified and nitric oxide (NO) production was monitored. In addition, the effect of SCRT on the protein expression of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) was assessed by western blot analysis. Furthermore, the effects of SCRT on acute inflammation in vivo and changes in the histomorphometry and histopathology of paw skin were observed using CA-treated rats. SCRT (1 mg/ml) inhibited the LPS-induced changes in the protein expression of NF-κB, JNK, ERK1/2, iNOS and COX-2, as well as the production of NO, PGE2 and cytokines. In the rat paw edema assay, administration of 1 g/kg of lyophilized powder obtained from the aqueous extracts of SCRT for 3 consecutive days inhibited the CA-induced increases in skin thickness, mast cell degranulation, and infiltration of inflammatory cells in the ventral and dorsal pedis skin within 4 h. These results demonstrated that SCRT exerts its anti-inflammatory activities in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells through decreasing the production of inflammatory mediators, including PGE2, NO and cytokines, via suppression of the NF-κB and JNK and ERK1/2 signaling pathways. In addition, the data of the CA-induced paw edema indicated an anti-edema effect of SCRT. SCRT (1 g/kg) reduced acute edematous inflammation through inhibition of mast cell degranulation and infiltration of inflammatory cells. Therefore, the present study provided scientific evidence for the

In Vitro and In Vivo Effects of Jia-Wei-Xiao-Yao-San in Human Breast Cancer MCF-7 Cells Treated With Tamoxifen.

PubMed

Chen, Jiun-Liang; Chang, Chun-Ju; Wang, Jir-You; Wen, Che-Sheng; Tseng, Ling-Ming; Chang, Wen-Chi; Noomhorm, Nattanant; Liu, Hui-Ju; Chen, Wei-Shone; Chiu, Jen-Hwey; Shyr, Yi-Ming

2014-05-01

There is epidemiological evidence that Jia-Wei-Xiao-Yao-San (JWXYS) is the most common Chinese medicine decoction coprescribed with tamoxifen (Tam) when breast cancer is treated by hormonal therapy. However, whether there is interaction between JWXYS and Tam remains to be clarified. The aim of this study was to investigate the in vitro and in vivo effects of JWXYS on human breast cancer MCF-7 cells treated with Tam. In vitro cultured MCF-7 cells were cotreated with JWXYS and Tam. This was followed by MTT ([4,5-cimethylthiazol-2-yl]- 2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) assays and cell cycle analysis to assess cell proliferation; Western blot analysis was used to analyze the expression of various proteins involved in growth-related signal pathways. In addition, immunohistochemistry was used to detect autophagy among the cancer cells. In vivo analysis used female athymic nude mice implanted with MCF-7 cells; these mice were randomly assigned to 6 groups. All mice were killed humanely after 21 days of treatment; body weight, tumor volume, and tumor weight were then measured. JWXYS was not cytotoxic to MCF-7 cells, based on the fact that there were no statistically significant changes between the JWXYS + Tam groups and the Tam-alone group in cell numbers, cell cycle progression, and cell proliferation signals, the latter including the expression levels of AKT, ERK, P38, p27(Kip1), and light chain (LC3)-I, II. Furthermore, using the MCF-7 xenograft mouse model, there were no significant changes between the JWXYS (1.3-3.9 gm/kg) + Tam groups and the Tam-alone group in terms of tumor weight and the protein expression levels of AKT, ERK, P38, and p27 (Kip1). However, there was a significant decrease in LC3-II protein expression with the low-dose JWXYS + Tam group but not with the middle- or high-dose JWXYS + Tam groups compared with the Tam-alone group. Based on in vitro studies and in vivo functional studies, there is no obvious interaction between JWXYS and Tam. However

The Military & Political Succession in China: Leadership, Institutions, Beliefs

DTIC Science & Technology

1992-01-01

Xinjiang MD Political Commissar Tang Guangcai is most likely a veteran of the Fifth FA system who has served in Xinjiang since at least 1979. He was a...28th GA (Shanxi Province) Tang Liehui Commander Guo Weixin Political Commissar 38th GA (Hebei Province) Zhang Meiyuan WuRunzhong 63rd GA...po1itical department director of the same unit in June 1989. Both men served with Martial Law Forces during the Tiananmen crisis. Commander Tang Liehui of

Polysaccharide of Danggui Buxue Tang, an Ancient Chinese Herbal Decoction, Induces Expression of Pro-inflammatory Cytokines Possibly Via Activation of NFκB Signaling in Cultured RAW 264.7 Cells.

PubMed

Gong, Amy Gw; Zhang, Laura Ml; Lam, Candy Tw; Xu, Miranda L; Wang, Huai Y; Lin, H Q; Dong, Tina Tx; Tsim, Karl Wk

2017-02-01

Danggui Buxue Tang (DBT) is an ancient Chinese herbal decoction containing two herbs, Astragali Radix (AR) and Angelicae Sinensis Radix (ASR): this herbal decoction serves as dietary supplement for women during menopause. DBT has been known to modulate immune responses, and its polysaccharide is proposed to be one of the active components. However, the polysaccharide-induced signaling in immune activation is not revealed. Here, we are identifying that the immune activation, triggered by DBT, could be mediated by polysaccharide. In cultured macrophages (RAW 264.7 cells), the application of polysaccharide-enriched extract of DBT significantly increased the expressions of mRNA and protein levels of interleukin-1β, interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor. The induction was much stronger than the polysaccharide extract generated singly from AR, or from ASR, or from their simple mixture. The induced cytokine release in cultured macrophage was revealed to be triggered by activation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling, including (i) degradation of IkBα; (ii) translocation of NF-κB p65 from cytosol to nuclei; and (iii) activation of NF-κB transcriptional elements. These results verified the possible role of DBT polysaccharide in modulating immune responses. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Changes in urinary Cu, Zn, and Se levels in cancer patients after treatment with Sha Shen Mai Men Dong Tang

PubMed Central

Lai, Tung-Yuan; Kuo, Hsien-Wen

2015-01-01

Sha Shen Mai Men Dong Tang (SMD-2; 沙參麥冬湯 shā shēn mài dōng tāng) is a Chinese medicinal herb (CMH; 中草藥 zhōng cǎo yào) used to treat symptoms associated with cancer therapy. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of SMD-2 on the levels of urinary copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and selenium (Se) in lung cancer patients and head and neck cancer patients receiving chemoradiotherapy. Forty-two head and neck cancer patients and 10 lung cancer patients participated in our clinical trial. Each patient received chemoradiotherapy for 4 weeks. In addition, each patient was treated with SMD-2 for 8 weeks, including 2 weeks prior to and after the chemoradiotherapy treatment. Comparison of urinary Cu, Zn, and Se levels and the ratios of Zn to Cu and Se to Cu at three time points in the two types of cancer were assessed using the generalized estimating equations (GEEs). After the patients received chemoradiotherapy for 4 weeks, SMD-2 treatment was found to be associated with a significant decrease in urinary Cu levels, whereas urinary Zn and Se levels increased significantly. In addition, the ratios of Zn to Cu and Se to Cu in the urine samples of these patients also increased significantly. Both the urinary Zn levels and the ratio of Zn to Cu in head and neck cancer patients were significantly higher than in lung cancer patients. Urinary Zn and Se levels and the ratios of Zn to Cu and Se to Cu, but not urinary Cu levels, increased significantly during and after treatment when assessed using the GEE model. The SMD-2 treatments significantly increased Zn and Se levels in the urine of head and neck cancer patients. Increased Zn and Se levels in urine strengthened immune system. PMID:27114935

Pharmacokinetics difference of multiple active constituents from decoction and maceration of Fuzi Xiexin Tang after oral administration in rat by UPLC-MS/MS.

PubMed

Zhang, Qian; Ma, Yue-ming; Wang, Zheng-tao; Wang, Chang-hong

2014-04-01

Fuzi Xiexin Tang (FXT) is a classic traditional Chinese medicine formula which has been employed in clinical for more than 1800 years. The distinctive preparation method (maceration) recorded in ancient time is different from one in modern clinical practice (decoction). Aim of this study is to investigate the pharmacokinetic difference of alkaloids, flavones and anthraquinones in rats after oral administration of decoction of FXT (DFXT, 30gkg(-1)), maceration of FXT (MFXT, 30gkg(-1)) and decoction of Aconiti Lateralis Radix Preparata (DAR, 6gkg(-1)) by a validated UPLC-MS/MS method. Plasma concentrations and pharmacokinetic parameters of 16 active constituents (aconitine, hypaconitine, mesaconitine, benzoylaconine, benzoylhypaconine, benzoylmesaconine, berberine, palmatine, jatrorrhizine, coptisine, baicalin, wogonin, wogonoside, emodin, aloe-emodin, rhein) in rat were quantified and compared. Different preparative methods resulted in significant difference on exposure and pharmacokinetic characteristics of alkaloids, flavones and anthraquinones from FXT, especially protoberberine alkaloids. Concentrations of monoester-diterpenoid alkaloids were below the LOD in rat plasma after administration of DFXT and MFXT because of the existence of other three herbs from FXT. Maceration could decrease the absorption of flavones while increased the absorption of anthraquinones. Cmax of emodin and rhein were 3.1 and 10.3 times increased, while eliminations of these two constituents were 8.0 and 19.0 times slower after administration of MFXT. Bioavailability of both flavones and anthraquinones increased after administration of MFXT, especially emodin and rhein increasing as much as 13.5 and 20.7 times. Herb-herb interaction between DAR and other three herbs from FXT significantly influenced the exposure of aconitum alkaloids. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Survey of the distribution of red tide toxins (okadaic acid and dinophytoxin-1) in the Dalian Bay sea area of China by micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography.

PubMed

Li, D; Sun, L; Chen, Z; He, X; Lin, B

2001-10-01

Two kinds of diarrhoetic shellfish toxins, okadaic acid (OA) and dinophytoxin-1 (DTX-1) were determined by micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography (MEKC) with ultraviolet detection. A detection limit of 3.25 microg/mL for both of them was achieved. The UV absorbance of these toxins measured at 200 nm showed good linearity in the range of 6.25-200 microg/mL with R = 0.992 for OA and 0.997 for DTX-1. Three kinds of shellfish (Chlamys farreri, Mytilus edulis and Ruditaps philippinarum) collected from eight locations (sampling in the intertidal zone) along the Dalian Bay sea area of China were surveyed in February and May of 2000. Results indicated that three kinds of shellfish were contaminated by OA and DTX-1. Based on per gram of hepatopancreas in February, the contamination contents ranged from 0 to 1.26 microg for OA and from 0 to 1.82 microg for DTX-1, and in May, the contents ranged from 0 to 1.45 microg for OA and 0 to 2.56 microg for DTX-1. Among the eight locations, Hei Shi Jiao and Long Wang Tang were the most contaminated areas. Of the three kinds of shellfish, Mytilus edulis was the most significant species in accumulating OA and DTX-1.

Preconditioning with the traditional Chinese medicine Huang-Lian-Jie-Du-Tang initiates HIF-1α-dependent neuroprotection against cerebral ischemia in rats.

PubMed

Zhang, Qichun; Bian, Huimin; Li, Yu; Guo, Liwei; Tang, Yuping; Zhu, Huaxu

2014-06-11

Huang-Lian-Jie-Du-Tang (HLJDT) is a classical heat-clearing and detoxicating formula of traditional Chinese medicine that is widely used to treat stroke. The present study was designed to investigate the effects of HLJDT preconditioning on neurons under oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD) and rats subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). A stroke model of rats was obtained through MCAO. Following HLJDT preconditioning, the cerebral infarction volume, cerebral water content, and neurological deficient score were determined. Cerebral cortical neurons cultured in vitro were preconditioned with HLJDT and then subjected to OGD treatment. The release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) from neurons was detected. The levels of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) and PI3K/Akt signaling were analyzed by western blotting, and the levels of erythropoietin (EPO) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the supernatant of the neurons and the plasma of MCAO rats were measured through a radioimmunological assay. The apoptosis and proliferation of neurons were analyzed by immunohistochemistry. HLJDT preconditioning significantly reduced the cerebral infarction volume and cerebral water content and ameliorated the neurological deficient score of MCAO rats. In addition, HLJDT preconditioning protected neurons against OGD. Increased HIF-1α, EPO, and VEGF levels and the activation of PI3K/Akt signaling were observed as a result of HLJDT preconditioning. Furthermore, HLJDT preconditioning was found to inhibit ischemia-induced neuron apoptosis and to promote neuron proliferation under conditions of ischemia/reperfusion. Both rats and neurons subjected to HLJDT preconditioning were able to resist ischemia/reperfusion or hypoxia injury through the inhibition of apoptosis and the enhancement of proliferation, and these effects were primarily dependent on the activation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway and HIF-1α. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights

Effects of So-cheong-ryong-tang and Yeon-gyo-pae-dok-san on the common cold: randomized, double blind, placebo controlled trial.

PubMed

Byun, Jun-Seop; Yang, Su-Young; Jeong, In-Cheol; Hong, Kwon-Eui; Kang, Weechang; Yeo, Yoon; Park, Yang-Chun

2011-01-27

So-cheong-ryong-tang (SCRT) and Yeon-gyo-pae-dok-san (YPS) extracts are widely used in treatment of the common cold. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of SCRT and YPS on the common cold. Four hundred eighty participants with symptoms of the common cold within 48 h were recruited for this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. SCRT extract and YPS extract were put in gelatin capsules and orally administered 3 times a day. The pattern of participants was determined according to the Questionnaire for Common Cold Pattern Identification (QCCPI), and the severity of illness was assessed by Wisconsin Upper Respiratory Symptom Survey-21 Korean version (WURSS-21-K) every 7 days. The test and control groups were not significantly different in gender, age, smoking history, and baseline score of WURSS-21-K at the time of enrollment. SCRT treatment significantly decreased the total WURSS-21-K score on the 6th and 7th day (p<0.05) of the enrollment compared with the placebo group. YPS treatment decreased the total WURSS-21-K score on the 5th and 6th day (p<0.05 vs. the placebo group) of the enrollment. In the patients with Wind-cold pattern cold, SCRT significantly decreased the total WURSS-21-K score from 4th to 8th day (p<0.05), and YPS significantly decreased the total WURSS-21-K score from 4th to 6th day (p<0.05). For the Wind-heat pattern cold, neither SCRT nor YPS group showed significant difference from the placebo group. SCRT and YPS did not significantly decrease the time to complete resolution of the cold symptoms. SCRT and YPS have beneficial, albeit limited, effects on common cold patients, especially those with the Wind-cold pattern cold. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Measuring Student Perceptions of Blackboard Using the Technology Acceptance Model

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Landry, Brett J. L.; Griffeth, Rodger; Hartman, Sandra

2006-01-01

Web Enhanced Instruction (WEI) is not intended to replace the traditional classroom setting, but rather to supplement the traditional lecture with course content that can be accessed from campus or the Internet. WEI has the potential to extend the boundaries of traditional classrooms by providing new opportunities for communication and interaction…

Developing an Understanding of the Nature of Accessibility and Usability Problems Blind Students Face in Web-Enhanced Instruction Environments

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Babu, Rakesh

2011-01-01

The central premise of this research is that blind and visually impaired (BVI) people cannot use the Internet effectively due to accessibility and usability problems. Use of the Internet is indispensable in today's education system that relies on Web-enhanced instruction (WEI). Therefore, BVI students cannot participate effectively in WEI. Extant…

Taxonomic review on the subgenus Tripodura Townes (Diptera: Chironomidae: Polypedilum) from China with eleven new species and a supplementary world checklist.

PubMed

Zhang, Ruilei; Song, Chao; Qi, Xin; Wang, Xinhua

2016-07-05

The subgenus Tripodura Townes of Polypedilum Kieffer from China including 26 species is reviewed. Eleven new species, named P. (T.) absensilobum Zhang & Wang sp. n., P. (T.) apiculusetosum Zhang & Wang sp. n., P. (T.) arcuatum Zhang & Wang sp. n., P. (T.) bilamella Zhang & Wang sp. n., P. (T.) conghuaense Zhang & Wang sp. n., P. (T.) dengae Zhang & Wang sp. n., P. (T.) mengmanense Zhang & Wang sp. n., P. (T.) napahaiense Zhang & Wang sp. n., P. (T.) parallelum Zhang & Wang sp. n., P. (T.) pollicium Zhang & Wang sp. n. and P. (T.) trapezium Zhang & Wang sp. n. are described and illustrated based on male imagines. Three species, P. (T.) quadriguttatum Kieffer, P. (T.) unifascia (Tokunaga) and P. (T.) udominutum Niitsuma are firstly recorded in China. A key to known male imagines of Chinese species and an updated world checklist of subgenus Tripodura are presented.

Metamorphic and tectonic evolution of the Greater Himalayan Crystalline Complex in Nyalam region, south Tibet

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Jia-Min; Zhang, Jin-Jiang; Rubatto, Daniela

2016-04-01

timing along the South Tibetan detachment (27-16 Ma) but precedes that along the MCT (16-10 Ma). Comparison between the obtained P-T-t data and model predictions implies that a lateral crustal flow process dominated the exhumation of the high-grade upper GHC migmitites during 25-16 Ma, whereas a critical taper thrusting process dominated the exhumation of the MCT zone nonmigmatites and cooled migmatites in the lower GHC at 16-10 Ma. In other words, at different temporal and spatial scale, both propagating thrusting along large tectonic boundaries and a low-viscosity melting crust could contribute to the exhumation of high-grade metamorphic rocks in Himalaya-like large hot collisional orogens. KEY WORDS: Greater Himalayan Crystalline Complex; P-T path; U-Pb geochronology; channel flow; tectonic discontinuity References: Wang, J.M., Rubatto, D., Zhang, J.J., 2015a. Timing of partial melting and cooling across the Greater Himalayan Crystalline Complex (Nyalam, central Himalaya): in-sequence thrusting and its implications. Journal of Petrology, 56, 1677-1702. Wang, J.M., Zhang, J.J., Wei, C.J., Rai, S.M., Wang, M., Qian, J.H., 2015b. Characterizing the metamorphic discontinuity across the Main Central Thrust Zone of eastern-central Nepal. Journal of Asian Earth Sciences 101, 83-100. Wang, J.M., Zhang, J.J., Wang, X.X., 2013. Structural kinematics, metamorphic P-T profiles and zircon geochronology across the Greater Himalayan Crystalline Complex in south-central Tibet: implication for a revised channel flow. Journal of Metamorphic Geology 31, 607-628.

Amelioration of inflammatory responses by Socheongryong-Tang, a traditional herbal medicine, in RAW 264.7 cells and rats.

PubMed

Park, Sang Mi; Lee, Tae Hoon; Zhao, Rongjie; Kim, Youn Sook; Jung, Ji Yun; Park, Chung A; Jegal, Kyung Hwan; Ku, Sae Kwang; Kim, Jae Kwang; Lee, Chul Won; Kim, Young Woo; Cho, Il Je; An, Won G; Kim, Sang Chan

2018-05-01

Socheongryong-Tang (SCRT) is a natural medicine prescription that has been mainly used in East Asia for the treatment of inflammatory disorders, including asthma and allergic rhinitis. The present study evaluated the anti-inflammatory effects of SCRT on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells and in a rat model of carrageenan (CA)-induced paw edema. Levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6 and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in the culture supernatant were quantified and nitric oxide (NO) production was monitored. In addition, the effect of SCRT on the protein expression of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) was assessed by western blot analysis. Furthermore, the effects of SCRT on acute inflammation in vivo and changes in the histomorphometry and histopathology of paw skin were observed using CA-treated rats. SCRT (1 mg/ml) inhibited the LPS-induced changes in the protein expression of NF-κB, JNK, ERK1/2, iNOS and COX-2, as well as the production of NO, PGE2 and cytokines. In the rat paw edema assay, administration of 1 g/kg of lyophilized powder obtained from the aqueous extracts of SCRT for 3 consecutive days inhibited the CA-induced increases in skin thickness, mast cell degranulation, and infiltration of inflammatory cells in the ventral and dorsal pedis skin within 4 h. These results demonstrated that SCRT exerts its anti-inflammatory activities in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells through decreasing the production of inflammatory mediators, including PGE2, NO and cytokines, via suppression of the NF-κB and JNK and ERK1/2 signaling pathways. In addition, the data of the CA-induced paw edema indicated an anti-edema effect of SCRT. SCRT (1 g/kg) reduced acute edematous inflammation through inhibition of mast cell degranulation and infiltration of inflammatory cells. Therefore, the present study provided scientific evidence for

Evaluation on the concentration change of paeoniflorin and glycyrrhizic acid in different formulations of Shaoyao-Gancao-Tang by the tri-level infrared macro-fingerprint spectroscopy and the whole analysis method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Aoxue; Wang, Jingjuan; Guo, Yizhen; Xiao, Yao; Wang, Yue; Sun, Suqin; Chen, Jianbo

2018-03-01

As a kind of common prescriptions, Shaoyao-Gancao-Tang (SGT) contains two Chinese herbs with four different proportions which have different clinical efficacy because of their various components. In order to investigate the herb-herb interaction mechanisms, we used the method of tri-level infrared macro-fingerprint spectroscopy to evaluate the concentration change of active components of four SGTs in this research. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and Second derivative infrared spectroscopy (SD-IR) can recognize the multiple prescriptions directly and simultaneously. 2D-IR spectra enhance the spectral resolution and obtain much new information for discriminating the similar complicated samples of SGT. Furthermore, the whole analysis method from the analysis of the main components to the specific components and the relative content of the components may evaluate the quality of TCM better. Then we concluded that paeoniflorin and glycyrrhizic acid were the highest proportion in active ingredients in SGT-12:1 and the lowest one in SGT-12:12, which matched the HPLC-DAD results. It is demonstrated that the method composed by the tri-level infrared macro-fingerprint spectroscopy and the whole analysis can be applicable for effective, visual and accurate analysis and identification of very complicated and similar mixture systems of traditional Chinese medicine.

Notes on the Chinese species of Dianous group I (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae)

PubMed Central

Tang, Liang; Li, Li-Zhen

2013-01-01

Abstract Dianous zhujianqingi Tang & Li, 2011 syn. n. is synonymised with Dianous cyaneovirens (Cameron, 1930). Additional records of Dianous yao Rougemont, 1981, Dianous haraldi Puthz, 2000 and Dianous huanghaoi Tang & Li, 2011 are provided. PMID:24194652

Comment on 'Three-dimensional numerical investigation of electron transport with rotating spoke in a cylindrical anode layer Hall plasma accelerator'[Phys. Plasmas 19, 073519 (2012)

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ellison, C. L.; Parker, J. B.; Raitses, Y.

The oscillation behavior described by Tang et al.[Phys. Plasmas 19, 073519 (2012)] differs too greatly from previous experimental and numerical studies to claim observation of the same phenomenon. Most significantly, the rotation velocity by Tang et al.[Phys. Plasmas 19, 073519 (2012)] is three orders of magnitude larger than that of typical 'rotating spoke' phenomena. Several physical and numerical considerations are presented to more accurately understand the numerical results of Tang et al.[Phys. Plasmas 19, 073519 (2012)] in light of previous studies.

Three-dimensional Numerical Investigation of Electron Transport with Rotating Spoke in a Cylindrical Anode Layer Hall Plasma Accelerator

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ellison, C. Leland; Matyash, K.; Parker, J. B.

The oscillation behavior described in [Tang et. al, Phys. Plasmas 19, 073519 (2012)] di ers too greatly from previous experimental and numerical studies to claim observation of the same phenomenon. Most signi cantly, the rotation velocity in [Tang et. al, Phys. Plasmas 19, 073519 (2012)] is three orders of magnitude larger than that of typical \\rotating spoke" phenomena. Several physical and numerical considerations are presented to more accurately understand the numerical results of [Tang et. al, Phys. Plasmas 19, 073519 (2012)] in light of previous studies.

Pay Attention to the Phrasal Structures: Going beyond T-Units--A Response to Weiwei Yang

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Biber, Douglas; Gray, Bethany; Poonpon, Kornwipa

2013-01-01

WeiWei Yang, in her forum piece, raises two main criticisms of the authors' "TQ" article on grammatical complexity: "The study the authors conducted [1] is not capable of answering development-related questions and [2] is mathematically questionable" (Yang, 2013, p. 190). In addition, Yang's article has a third goal that is not explicitly…

Conduct Disorders: Are Boot Camps Effective?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jeter, LaVaughn V.

2010-01-01

Youth diagnosed with "conduct disorder" are often placed in programs using forced compliance and coercive control. One type of intervention used to treat conduct disorder is the boot camp. The basic idea is that disruptive behaviors can be corrected by strict behavioral regulation and an emphasis on skills training (Weis & Toolis 2009; Weis,…

Identification of green pigments from fragments of Roman mural paintings of three Roman sites from north of Germania Superior

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Debastiani, Rafaela; Simon, Rolf; Goettlicher, Joerg; Heissler, Stefan; Steininger, Ralph; Batchelor, David; Fiederle, Michael; Baumbach, Tilo

2016-10-01

Roman mural green pigment painting fragments from three Roman sites in the north of the Roman province Germania Superior: Koblenz Stadtwald Remstecken (KOSR), Weißenthurm " Am guten Mann" (WEIS) and Mendig Lungenkärchen (MELU), dating from second and third centuries AD were analyzed. The experiments were performed nondestructively using synchrotron-based scanning macro-X-ray fluorescence (SR-MA-XRF), synchrotron-based scanning micro-X-ray fluorescence (SR-μ-XRF), synchrotron-based X-ray diffraction (SR-XRD) and Raman spectroscopy. Correlation between SR-MA-XRF, SR-μ-XRF elemental map distributions and optical images of scanned areas was mainly found for the elements Ca, Fe and K. With XRF, Fe and K were identified correlated with green pigment, but in samples from two sites, Mendig Lungenkärchen and Weißenthurm " Am guten Mann", also Cu was detected in minor concentration. The results of SR-XRD and Raman spectroscopy were limited to one sample from Weißenthurm " Am guten Mann". In this sample, green earth and calcium carbonate were identified by SR-XRD and, additionally, malachite by Raman spectroscopy.

Xiao-Qing-Long-Tang shows preventive effect of asthma in an allergic asthma mouse model through neurotrophin regulation

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Background This study investigates the effect of Xiao-Qing-Long-Tang (XQLT) on neurotrophin in an established mouse model of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Der p)-induced acute allergic asthma and in a LA4 cell line model of lung adenoma. The effects of XQLT on the regulation of nerve growth factor (NGF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), airway hyper-responsiveness (AHR) and immunoglobulin E were measured. Methods LA4 cells were stimulated with 100 μg/ml Der p 24 h and the supernatant was collected for ELISA analysis. Der p-stimulated LA4 cells with either XQLT pre-treatment or XQLT co-treatment were used to evaluate the XQLT effect on neurotrophin. Balb/c mice were sensitized on days 0 and 7 with a base-tail injection of 50 μg Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Der p) that was emulsified in 50 μl incomplete Freund’s adjuvant (IFA). On day 14, mice received an intra-tracheal challenge of 50 μl Der p (2 mg/ml). XQLT (1g/Kg) was administered orally to mice either on days 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 as a preventive strategy or on day 15 as a therapeutic strategy. Results XQLT inhibited expression of those NGF, BDNF and thymus-and activation-regulated cytokine (TARC) in LA4 cells that were subjected to a Der p allergen. Both preventive and therapeutic treatments with XQLT in mice reduced AHR. Preventive treatment with XQLT markedly decreased NGF in broncho-alveolar lavage fluids (BALF) and BDNF in serum, whereas therapeutic treatment reduced only serum BDNF level. The reduced NGF levels corresponded to a decrease in AHR by XQLT treatment. Reduced BALF NGF and TARC and serum BDNF levels may have been responsible for decreased eosinophil infiltration into lung tissue. Immunohistochemistry showed that p75NTR and TrkA levels were reduced in the lungs of mice under both XQLT treatment protocols, and this reduction may have been correlated with the prevention of the asthmatic reaction by XQLT. Conclusion XQLT alleviated allergic inflammation including AHR, Ig

Risk analysis of heavy metal concentration in surface waters across the rural-urban interface of the Wen-Rui Tang River, China.

PubMed

Qu, Liyin; Huang, Hong; Xia, Fang; Liu, Yuanyuan; Dahlgren, Randy A; Zhang, Minghua; Mei, Kun

2018-06-01

Heavy metal pollution is a major concern in China because of its serious effects on human health. To assess potential human health and ecological risks of heavy metal pollution, concentration data for seven heavy metals (As, Pb, Cd, Cr, Hg, Cu, Zn) from 14 sites spanning the rural-urban interface of the Wen-Rui Tang River watershed in southeast China were collected from 2000 to 2010. The heavy metal pollution index (HPI), hazard index (HI) and carcinogenic risk (CR) metrics were used to assess potential heavy metal risks. Further, we evaluated the uncertainty associated with the risk assessment indices using Monte Carlo analysis. Results indicated that all HPI values were lower than the critical level of 100 suggesting that heavy metal levels posed acceptable ecological risks; however, one site having an industrial point-source input reached levels of 80-97 on several occasions. Heavy metal concentrations fluctuated over time, and the decrease after 2007 is due to increased wastewater collection. The HI suggested low non-carcinogenic risk throughout the study period (HI < 1); however, nine sites showed CR values above the acceptable level of 10 -4 for potential cancer risk from arsenic in the early 2000s. Uncertainty analysis revealed an exposure risk for As at all sites because some CR values exceeded the 10 -4 level of concern; levels of Cd near an old industrial area also exceeded the Cd exposure standard (2.6% of CR values > 10 -4 ). While most metrics for human health risk did not exceed critical values for heavy metals, there is still a potential human health risk from chronic exposure to low heavy metal concentrations due to long-term exposure and potential metal interactions. Results of this study inform water pollution remediation and management efforts designed to protect public health in polluted urban area waterways common in rapidly developing regions. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Inhibitory effects of Cheongsangbangpoong-tang on both inflammatory acne lesions and facial heat in patients with acne vulgaris: A randomized controlled trial protocol.

PubMed

Kim, Kyuseok; Kim, Kwan-Il; Lee, Junhee

2016-01-22

Due to increasing interest from acne patients concerned about the side effects associated with conventional therapies, complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has been suggested as a new therapeutic modality for acne vulgaris. Herbal medicine is one of these CAM treatments. Cheongsangbangpoong-tang (CBT) is a common herbal formula used in patients with acne vulgaris in the clinical practice of Korean Medicine (KM). However, despite the common use of CBT in clinical practice, the current level of evidence is insufficient to support an inhibitory effect of CBT on inflammatory acne lesions and facial heat. Therefore, this study was designed to assess the inhibitory effect of CBT on both inflammatory acne lesions and facial heat. A randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, and placebo-controlled trial will be conducted. Fifty-six participants with acne vulgaris will be randomized into one of two groups: the CBT or placebo groups. After randomization, participants will be prescribed either CBT or placebo three times a day at a dose of 5 g after meals for 8 weeks. The following outcome measurements will be used in the examination of subjects: the mean percentage change and the count change of the inflammatory and non-inflammatory acne lesions, the temperature of facial points on digital infrared thermal imaging (DITI), serum cortisol, serum dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (DHEA-S), visual analogue scale (VAS), investigator global assessment (IGA), and severity score on the Korean Acne Grading System (KAGS) from baseline to the end of the trial. This trial will provide evidence regarding the inhibitory effect of CBT on inflammatory acne lesions and facial heat. The findings of this trial may have important implications for the more widespread use of CBT for the treatment of acne vulgaris. The trial is registered with the Clinical Research Information Service (CRiS), Republic of Korea: KCT0001468 .

Crack-Inclusion Interaction: A Review

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-03-01

research on the problem. fracture mechanics, inclusion, crack, dislocation, Erdogan , Dundurs, integral equation, Green’s function 58 Christopher S. Meyer...14 Figure 9. Geometry for the crack-inclusion problem, adapted from Erdogan and Wei (21) . . . 23 Figure 10. The...crack-inclusion problem geometry, adapted from Erdogan and Wei (21): figure 9 is repeated here in the text for convenience

Reactive nitrogen chemistry in aerosol water as a source of sulfate during haze events in China

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cheng, Yafang; Zheng, Guangjie; Wei, Chao; Mu, Qing; Zheng, Bo; Wang, Zhibin; Gao, Meng; Zhang, Qiang; Wang, Kebin; Carmichael, Gregory; Pöschl, Ulrich; Su, Hang

2017-04-01

Fine-particle pollution associated with winter haze threatens the health of more than 400 million people in the North China Plain. Sulfate is a major component of fine haze particles. Record sulfate concentrations of up to 300 μg m-3 were observed during the January 2013 winter haze event in Beijing. State-of-the-art air quality models that rely on sulfate production mechanisms requiring photochemical oxidants cannot predict these high levels because of the weak photochemistry activity during haze events. We find that the missing source of sulfate and particulate matter can be explained by reactive nitrogen chemistry in aerosol water. The aerosol water serves as a reactor, where the alkaline aerosol components trap SO2, which is oxidized by NO2 to form sulfate, whereby high reaction rates are sustained by the high neutralizing capacity of the atmosphere in northern China. This mechanism is self-amplifying because higher aerosol mass concentration corresponds to higher aerosol water content, leading to faster sulfate production and more severe haze pollution. Reference: Cheng, Y., Zheng, G., Wei, C., Mu, Q., Zheng, B., Wang, Z., Gao, M., Zhang, Q., He, K., Carmichael, G., Pöschl, U., and Su, H.: Reactive nitrogen chemistry in aerosol water as a source of sulfate during haze events in China, Science Advances, 2, 10.1126/sciadv.1601530, 2016.

Reactive Nitrogen Chemistry in Aerosol Water as a Source of Sulfate during Haze Events in China

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Su, H.; Zheng, G.; Wei, C.; Mu, Q.; Zheng, B.; Wang, Z.; Zhang, Q.; Gao, M.; He, K.; Carmichael, G. R.; Poeschl, U.; Cheng, Y.

2017-12-01

Fine particle pollution associated with winter haze threatens the health of over 400 million people in the North China Plain. Sulfate is a major component of fine haze particles. Record sulfate concentrations up to 300 μg m-3 were observed during the January 2013 winter haze event in Beijing. State-of-the-art air quality models relying on sulfate production mechanisms that require photochemical oxidants, cannot predict these high levels due to the weak photochemistry activity during haze events. We find that the missing source of sulfate and particulate matter can be explained by reactive nitrogen chemistry in aerosol water. The aerosol water serves as a reactor where the alkaline aerosol components trap SO2, which is oxidized by NO2 to form sulfate, whereby high reaction rates are sustained by the high neutralizing capacity of the atmosphere in northern China. This mechanism is self-amplifying because higher aerosol mass concentration corresponds to higher aerosol water content leading to faster sulfate production and more severe haze pollution. Reference: Cheng, Y., Zheng, G., Wei, C., Mu, Q., Zheng, B., Wang, Z., Gao, M., Zhang, Q., He, K., Carmichael, G., Pöschl, U., and Su, H.: Reactive nitrogen chemistry in aerosol water as a source of sulfate during haze events in China, Science Advances, 2, 10.1126/sciadv.1601530, 2016.

Adjunctive traditional Chinese medicine therapy improves survival of liver cancer patients.

PubMed

Liao, Yueh-Hsiang; Lin, Cheng-Chieh; Lai, Hsueh-Chou; Chiang, Jen-Huai; Lin, Jaung-Geng; Li, Tsai-Chung

2015-12-01

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is an alternative treatment for cancer with its effect by stimulating host immune response for cytotoxic activity against liver cancer. No studies evaluated TCM treatment on survival of liver cancer patients. This study determined whether the combination of TCM and conventional cancer treatment affects the survival of liver cancer patients. A retrospective cohort study was conducted in 127 237 newly diagnosed liver cancer patients from 2000 to 2009 in the National Health Insurance Program database. Among these patients, 30 992 (24.36%) used TCM for liver cancer care. All patients were followed up until 2011. The mean follow-up was 5.67 years (SD 1.47) for TCM users and 5.49 years (SD 3.64) for non-TCM users. Compared with patients without TCM use, patients with TCM use were significantly associated with a decreased risk of death [hazard ratio (HR) = 0.65, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.64-0.66] with multivariate adjustment. A similar significant protective effect of TCM use across various subgroups of chronic liver diseases was also observed. Jia Wei Xiao Yao San (HR = 0.89, 95% CI = 0.81-0.96) and Chai Hu Shu Gan Tang (HR = 0.86, 95% CI = 0.78-0.95) were the most effective TCM agents that improved survival. This cohort study provided information that adjunctive therapy with TCM may improve the survival in liver cancer patients. Further studies are needed to confirm the potential role of TCM in HCC. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Improved Survival With Integration of Chinese Herbal Medicine Therapy in Patients With Acute Myeloid Leukemia: A Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study.

PubMed

Fleischer, Tom; Chang, Tung-Ti; Chiang, Jen-Huai; Sun, Mao-Feng; Yen, Hung-Rong

2017-06-01

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is the most deadly subtype of leukemia, and many patients with this disease seek other complementary therapies, one of which is Chinese medicine. We set out to provide reliable data regarding the benefit of Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) for AML patients, using mortality as the main outcome measure. We also characterized the herbal prescriptions of patients. Using the Taiwanese National Health Insurance Research Database, we performed a nationwide population-based cohort study among AML patients from 1997 to 2010. The Cox regression model was used to adjust for comorbidities and other variables, and the hazard ratios (HRs) of CHM users and non-CHM users were compared. After 1:1 matching, 498 patients were included into the study. The HR of the CHM group was 0.41 (95% CI = 0.26-0.65; P = .0001) compared with the non-CHM group. This decrease in HR was also shown to be dose dependent ( P < .001). The 3 single-herbs most commonly prescribed were Salvia miltiorrhiza (Dan Shen), Astragalus membranaceus (Huang Qi), and Spatholobus suberectus (Ji Xue Teng). The 3 mutli-herb products most commonly prescribed were Jia Wei Xiao Yao San, Gui Pi Tang, and Qi Ju Di Huang Wan. Prospective controlled clinical data is still needed, however, this study provides real-world data regarding the benefit AML patients may have from CHM. This study suggests that all AML patients, regardless of age or other prognostic factors, may achieve longer survival times when receiving CHM in addition to standard therapy.

[Preliminary investigation on the materia medica of the Zhuang ethnic group].

PubMed

Rong, Xiao-Xiang; Li, Gui

2013-09-01

By Zhuang materia medica, it refers to application of medicines under the instructions of medical theory of Zhuang ethnic group. By studying the pronunciation of the Zhuang language for the terms "zhu yu", "bai jiu", and "mi gu" included in the shan hai jing nan shan jing (The Classic of Southern Mountain in Classic of Seas and Mountains) carried out by the Zhuang scholar Qin Bao-lin, it was concluded that the Zhuang minority already applied medicines early in the pre-Qin period. Through extensive cultural communication in different regions in the Wei-Jin-Southern-Northern Dynasties, the medicinal experiences of the Zhuang ethnic group appeared in ancient literature. The antidotes in Zhou hou fang (Handbook of Prescriptions for Emergency), for instance, were mostly coming from the Southern Ridge area. Since the Sui-Tang Dynasties, many materia medica recorded in the herbal works and regional gazetteers, and Annals such as the Guangxi Annals, Gazetteer of Nanning County, and Gazetteer of Liuzhou County, Gazetteer of Binzhou County etc., also carry medicines such as Cinnamom twigs and bark, and mangosteen etc., which are similar to those of the Zhuang medicines. In the Republican period, many manuscripts of Zhuang medicines appeared. After 1949, many institutions of Zhuang medicine were set up successively, including The Nanning Medical Institute, The Medical Institute of Wuzhou, The Medical Institute of Guilin. Systematic researches were also done, with publication of a series of works on Zhuang materia medica. Reformation of part of the prescription forms of Zhuang medicine were also accomplished.

The genus Microserangium Miyatake (Coleoptera, Coccinellidae) from China.

PubMed

Wang, Xingmin; Slipiński, Adam; Ren, Shunxiang

2013-01-01

The genus Microserangium Chapinfrom China is reviewed. Nine species are recognized, including seven new species: M. erythrinum Wang & Ren, sp. n., M. fuscum Wang & Ren, sp. n., M. glossoides Wang & Ren, sp. n., M. shennongensis Wang & Ren, sp. n., M. semilunatum Wang & Ren, sp. n., M. deltoides Wang & Ren, sp. n., M. dactylicum Wang & Ren, sp. n. Male genitalia of M. hainanensis Miyatake, 1961 are described for the first time. All species are described and illustrated. A key and distribution map to the known species from China are given.

The genus Microserangium Miyatake (Coleoptera, Coccinellidae) from China

PubMed Central

Wang, Xingmin; Ślipiński, Adam; Ren, Shunxiang

2013-01-01

Abstract The genus Microserangium Chapinfrom China is reviewed. Nine species are recognized, including seven new species: M. erythrinum Wang & Ren, sp. n., M. fuscum Wang & Ren, sp. n., M. glossoides Wang & Ren, sp. n., M. shennongensis Wang & Ren, sp. n., M. semilunatum Wang & Ren, sp. n., M. deltoides Wang & Ren, sp. n., M. dactylicum Wang & Ren, sp. n. Male genitalia of M. hainanensis Miyatake, 1961 are described for the first time. All species are described and illustrated. A key and distribution map to the known species from China are given. PMID:24363587

Bottle appeal drifts across the Pacific

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ebbesmeyer, Curtis; Ingraham, W. James, Jr.; McKinnon, Richard; Okubo, Akira; Wang, Dong-Ping; Strickland, Richard; Willing, Peter

Pacific drift currents were used by a group of oceanographers to estimate the path of a drift bottle that was found on a beach of Barkley Sound in Vancouver Island by Richard Strickland on June 10, 1990. The Chinese rice wine bottle, which remained unopened until December 18, 1991, contained six leaflets, one appealing for the release of China's well-known dissident, Wei Jingsheng. The bottle was one of thousands set adrift as part of a propaganda effort from the islands of Quemoy and Matsu off mainland China shortly after Wei was sentenced in 1979 to 15 years in prison (see Figure 1 for locations). Wei was in poor health and still in prison when the bottle made its way across the Pacific Ocean.

Baclofen effects on alcohol seeking, self-administration and extinction of seeking responses in a within-session design in baboons

PubMed Central

Duke, Angela N.; Kaminski, Barbara J.; Weerts, Elise M.

2012-01-01

Baclofen, a GABAB receptor agonist, is currently under investigation as a potential treatment to prevent relapse to drinking in alcohol dependent persons. In the current study, two groups of baboons were trained under a chained schedule of reinforcement (CSR), with 3 linked components, which were each correlated with different response requirements and cues. Fulfilling the requirement in the 2nd link initiated the 3rd link where either alcohol (n=4) or a preferred non-alcoholic beverage (Tang, n=5) was available for self-administration; failure to complete the response requirement in Link 2 ended the session (no access to alcohol or Tang). Seeking responses in Link 2 were used as indices of the motivational processes thought to be involved in relapse. The effects of baclofen (0.1 – 2.4 mg/kg) were examined under conditions with alcohol or Tang access and under extinction. Under the CSR baclofen (1.8 and 2.4 mg/kg) significantly decreased (p<0.05) alcohol self-administration responses and total g/kg alcohol intake. In contrast, only the highest dose of baclofen (2.4 mg/kg) reduced Tang self-administration and consumption. Under within-session extinction conditions, baclofen (1.8 and 2.4 mg/kg) facilitated extinction of responding for both alcohol and Tang, particularly during the first 10 min of extinction. Baclofen may be effective in reducing craving and alcohol drinking, although the facilitation of extinction and suppression of both alcohol and Tang self-administration by baclofen suggests these effects may be related to a more general suppression of consummatory and conditioned behaviors. PMID:22458648

Efficacy and Safety of the Traditional Herbal Medicine, Gamiguibi-tang, in Patients With Cancer-Related Sleep Disturbance: A Prospective, Randomized, Wait-List-Controlled, Pilot Study.

PubMed

Lee, Jee Young; Oh, Hye Kyung; Ryu, Han Sung; Yoon, Sung Soo; Eo, Wankyu; Yoon, Seong Woo

2018-06-01

Sleep disturbance is the second most bothersome symptom in patients with cancer, and it can significantly impair their quality of life. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of the traditional herbal medicine Gamiguibi-tang (GGBT) in patients with cancer-related sleep disturbance. We conducted a prospective, randomized, wait-list-controlled, open-label pilot clinical trial on cancer-related sleep disturbance. Patients with cancer experiencing poor sleep quality with a Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index of at least 6 were randomly assigned to the GGBT and wait-list groups to receive GGBT and conventional care, respectively, for 2 weeks. The primary endpoint was the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) score. Fatigue, depression, and cognitive impairment were assessed as the secondary endpoints by using the Brief Fatigue Inventory (BFI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Thirty participants who met the eligibility criteria were enrolled. Sleep disturbance assessed using the ISI improved significantly more in the GGBT group than in the wait-list group (-5.5 ± 4.4 vs 0.1 ± 1.1, P < .001). Fatigue level determined using the BFI also improved significantly more in the GGBT group than in the wait-list group (-0.8 ± 0.8 vs 0.0 ± 0.3, P = .002). The BDI and MoCA scores showed no significant changes. Adverse events were reported in two patients in the GGBT group and consisted of mild dyspepsia and mild edema. GGBT may be a potential treatment option for cancer-related sleep disturbance. Further research is needed to investigate the efficacy and safety of GGBT.

A Chinese Herbal Decoction, Shaoyao-Gancao Tang, Exerts Analgesic Effect by Down-Regulating the TRPV1 Channel in a Rat Model of Arthritic Pain.

PubMed

Sui, Feng; Zhou, Hai-Yu; Meng, Jing; Du, Xin-Liang; Sui, Yun-Peng; Zhou, Zhi-Kun; Dong, Cheng; Wang, Zhu-Ju; Wang, Wei-Hao; Dai, Li; Ma, Hai; Huo, Hai-Ru; Jiang, Ting-Liang

2016-01-01

Shaoyao-Gancao Tang (SGT) is one of the most frequently used compound formulas in the treatment of pain-related diseases in the medical practice of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). To investigate the anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects, as well as to uncover the molecular mechanism of SGT, the rat pain model of arthritis was experimentally induced by single unilateral injection of rats' left hind paw with Freund's complete adjuvant (FCA). SGT was orally administered to the rats daily at three doses individually for a period of 16 days post-model induction. Swollen degrees and pain thresholds of the rats in different groups were measured for evaluation of the anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive effects of SGT. Furthermore, the mRNA and protein expression levels of transient receptor potential ion channel protein vanilloid receptor 1 (TRPV1) channel as well as its calcium-mediating function in the isolated DRG neurons were further detected to provide indexes for exploration of the molecular mechanisms mediating anti-arthritic activities of SGT. As a result, FCA injection induced significant allodynia, inflammation and edema, accompanied by a significant increase in both expression and calcium-mediating function of the TRPV1 channel. Pharmacologically, oral administration of SGT at a high or middle dose demonstrated a significant relief from the above-mentioned pathological conditions in a dose-dependent manner. Simultaneously the mRNA and protein expressional levels of TRPV1 channel, as well as its calcium-mediating function, were down-regulated greatly. These findings suggest that SGT possesses a significant analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect on arthritis rats; its therapeutic activities might be achieved through reversing the elevated expression and function of TRPV1 channel evoked by FCA.

Walsh, Da Silva, and Wei Reply

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Walsh, A.; Da Silva, J. L. F.; Wei, S. H.

2009-04-17

This is a reply to Stefano Sanvito and Chaitanya Das Pemmaraju's, Comment on Theoretical Description of Carrier Mediated Magnetism in Cobalt Doped ZnO, Phys. Rev. Lett. 102, 159701 (2009); and the original article is Theoretical Description of Carrier Mediated Magnetism in Cobalt Doped ZnO, Phys. Rev. Lett. 100, 256401 (2008).

Deciphering the Mechanism of Alternative Cleavage and Polyadenylation in Mantle Cell Lymphoma (MCL)

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-10-01

also has human firefly luciferase cloned within the same reporter system allowing for intra-plasmid normalization of transfection eliminating problems...collaboration with Dr. Wei Li, a Bioinformaticist from Baylor College of Medicine whose lab specializes in developing complex algorithms to analyze genome...wide sequencing data. Dr. Wei Li and his postdoctoral fellow, Dr. Zheng Xia developed a customized algorithm that is able to detect and quantify

Genotoxicity Evaluation of an Urban River on Freshwater Planarian by RAPD Assay.

PubMed

Zhang, He-Cai; Liu, Tong-Yi; Shi, Chang-Ying; Chen, Guang-Wen; Liu, De-Zeng

2017-04-01

The aim of this study was to evaluate the genotoxic potential of an urban river - the Wei River in Xinxiang, China using randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) assay in planarians. The results showed that the total number of polymorphic bands and varied bands in RAPD patterns of treated planarians decreased with the water sample site far away from the sewage outlet of a factory. In addition, the genome template stability of treated groups decreased and the degree of the decline was negatively related to the distance between the sample site and the sewage outlet, suggesting that the Wei River water had genotoxicity effects on planarians and strengthening the management of the Wei River was necessary. Furthermore, this work also indicated that RAPD assay in planarians was a very promising test for environmental monitoring studies.

Topological phase transition in the two-dimensional anisotropic Heisenberg model: A study using the Replica Exchange Wang-Landau sampling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Figueiredo, T. P.; Rocha, J. C. S.; Costa, B. V.

2017-12-01

Although the topological Berezinskii-Kosterlitz-Thouless transition was for the first time described by 40 years ago, it is still a matter of discussion. It has been used to explain several experiments in the most diverse physical systems. In contrast with the ordinary continuous phase transitions the BKT-transition does not break any symmetry. However, in some contexts it can easily be confused with other continuous transitions, in general due to an insufficient data analysis. The two-dimensional XY (or sometimes called planar rotator) spin model is the fruit fly model describing the BKT transition. As demonstrated by Bramwell and Holdsworth (1993) the finite-size effects are more important in two-dimensions than in others due to the logarithmic system size dependence of the properties of the system. Closely related is the anisotropic two dimensional Heisenberg model (AH). Although they have the same Hamiltonian the spin variable in the former has only two degrees of freedom while the AH has three. Many works treat the AH model as undergoing a transition in the same universality class as the XY model. However, its characterization as being in the BKT class of universality deserve some investigation. This paper has two goals. First, we describe an analytical evidence showing that the AH model is in the BKT class of universality. Second, we make an extensive simulation, using the numerical Replica Exchange Wang-Landau method that corroborate our analytical calculations. From our simulation we obtain the BKT transition temperature as TBKT = 0 . 6980(10) by monitoring the susceptibility, the two point correlation function and the helicity modulus. We discuss the misuse of the fourth order Binder's cumulant to locate the transition temperature. The specific heat is shown to have a non-critical behavior as expected in the BKT transition. An analysis of the two point correlation function at low temperature, C(r) ∝r - η(T), shows that the exponent, η, is consistent

Baclofen effects on alcohol seeking, self-administration and extinction of seeking responses in a within-session design in baboons.

PubMed

Duke, Angela N; Kaminski, Barbara J; Weerts, Elise M

2014-01-01

Baclofen, a gamma-aminobutyric acidB receptor agonist, is currently under investigation as a potential treatment to prevent relapse to drinking in alcohol-dependent persons. In the current study, two groups of baboons were trained under a chained schedule of reinforcement (CSR), with three linked components, which were each correlated with different response requirements and cues. Fulfilling the requirement in the second link initiated the third link where either alcohol (n = 4) or a preferred non-alcoholic beverage (Tang, n = 5) was available for self-administration; failure to complete the response requirement in Link 2 ended the session (no access to alcohol or Tang). Seeking responses in Link 2 were used as indices of the motivational processes thought to be involved in relapse. The effects of baclofen (0.1-2.4 mg/kg) were examined under conditions with alcohol or Tang access and under extinction. Under the CSR, baclofen (1.8 and 2.4 mg/kg) significantly decreased (P < 0.05) alcohol self-administration responses and total g/kg alcohol intake. In contrast, only the highest dose of baclofen (2.4 mg/kg) reduced Tang self-administration and consumption. Under within-session extinction conditions, baclofen (1.8 and 2.4 mg/kg) facilitated extinction of responding for both alcohol and Tang, particularly during the first 10 minutes of extinction. Baclofen may be effective in reducing craving and alcohol drinking, although the facilitation of extinction and suppression of both alcohol and Tang self-administration by baclofen suggests these effects may be related to a more general suppression of consummatory and conditioned behaviors. © 2012 The Authors, Addiction Biology © 2012 Society for the Study of Addiction.

Petrochemistry and zircon U-Pb geochronology of granitic rocks in the Wang Nam Khiao area, Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand: Implications for petrogenesis and tectonic setting

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fanka, Alongkot; Tsunogae, Toshiaki; Daorerk, Veerote; Tsutsumi, Yukiyasu; Takamura, Yusuke; Sutthirat, Chakkaphan

2018-05-01

Carboniferous biotite granite, Late Permian hornblende granite, and Triassic biotite-hornblende granite, all of which belong to the Eastern Granite Belt, expose in the Wang Nam Khiao area, Nakhon Ratchasima, northeastern Thailand. The Carboniferous biotite granite is dominated by quartz, K-feldspar, plagioclase, and biotite. The Late Permian hornblende granite contains dominant assemblages of plagioclase, quartz, K-feldspar, hornblende, and minor amount of biotite, while the Triassic biotite-hornblende granite consists of quartz, plagioclase, K-feldspar with small amounts of biotite, and hornblende. The REE patterns with steep decrease from light to heavy REE together with the LILE (e.g. K, Sr) enrichment and depletion of some particular HFSE (e.g. Nb, Ti) indicate low degree of partial melting. Mineral chemistry of biotite and hornblende in the granites reflects crystallization from hydrous calc-alkaline arc-derived magmas possibly formed by subduction. Amphibole-plagioclase thermometry and Al-in-hornblende barometry indicate that the Late Permian hornblende granite and the Triassic biotite-hornblende granite may have equilibrated at 3.0-5.8 kbar/700-820 °C and 2.0-3.2 kbar/600-750 °C, respectively, in the middle-upper crust (about 10-15 km depth). Zircon U-Pb geochronology of the Carboniferous biotite granite, Late Permian hornblende granite and Triassic biotite-hornblende granite yielded intrusion ages of 314.6-284.9 Ma, 253.4 Ma, and 237.8 Ma, respectively, which implies multiple episodes of arc-magmatism formed by Palaeo-Tethys subduction beneath Indochina Terrane during Late Carboniferous/Early Permian, Late Permian and Middle Triassic.

CRISPR/Cas9-mediated 2-sgRNA cleavage facilitates pseudorabies virus editing.

PubMed

Tang, Yan-Dong; Guo, Jin-Chao; Wang, Tong-Yun; Zhao, Kuan; Liu, Ji-Ting; Gao, Jia-Cong; Tian, Zhi-Jun; An, Tong-Qing; Cai, Xue-Hui

2018-03-06

Several groups have used CRISPR/Cas9 (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/CRISPR-associated protein 9) for DNA virus editing. In most cases, one single-guide RNA (sgRNA) is used, which produces inconsistencies in gene editing. In this study, we used a swine herpesvirus, pseudorabies virus, as a model to systematically explore the application of CRISPR/Cas9 in DNA virus editing. In our current report, we demonstrated that cotransfection of 2 sgRNAs and a viral genome resulted in significantly better knockout efficiency than the transfection-infection-based approach. This method could result in 100% knockout of ≤3500 bp of viral nonessential large fragments. Furthermore, knockin efficiency was significantly improved by using 2 sgRNAs and was also correlated with the number of background viruses. We also demonstrated that the background viruses were all 2-sgRNA-mediated knockout mutants. Finally, this study demonstrated that the efficacy of gene knockin is determined by the replicative kinetics of background viruses. We propose that CRISPR/Cas9 coupled with 2 sgRNAs creates a powerful tool for DNA virus editing and offers great potential for future applications.-Tang, Y.-D., Guo, J.-C., Wang, T.-Y., Zhao, K., Liu, J.-T., Gao, J.-C., Tian, Z.-J., An, T.-Q., Cai, X.-H. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated 2-sgRNA cleavage facilitates pseudorabies virus editing.

Sip-jeon-dea-bo-tang, a traditional herbal medicine, ameliorates cisplatin-induced anorexia via the activation of JAK1/STAT3-mediated leptin and IL-6 production in the fat tissue of mice.

PubMed

Woo, Sang-Mi; Choi, Youn Kyung; Kim, Ah-Jeong; Yun, Yee Jin; Shin, Yong Cheol; Cho, Sung-Gook; Ko, Seong Gyu

2016-04-01

Despite its therapeutic advantages, chemotherapy can also cause adverse effects, including anorexia and loss of appetite. Although numerous patients with cancer have been reported to suffer from anorexia during or following chemotherapy, treatment options for anorexia remain to be determined. In Asian countries, traditional medicines are widely used to treat problems with appetite; sip-jeon-dea-bo-tang (SJDBT) is one of those medicines used for the treatment of anorexia. The present study demonstrated that SJDBT ameliorated cisplatin-induced anorexia. In a mouse model of chemotherapy-induced anorexia, oral administration of SJDBT prevented the cisplatin-induced reduction of food intake, inhibiting weight loss. The results of multiplex assays showed that SJDBT only altered the levels of interleukin (IL)-6 and leptin in the serum and fat tissue. In addition, SJDBT maintained the serum leptin level and increased the serum IL-6 level, whereas cisplatin reduced the levels of both serum leptin and IL‑6. Furthermore, SJDBT was revealed to increase the levels of leptin and IL-6 in the fat tissue by activating the JAK1/STAT3 signaling pathway. In conclusion, the present results revealed that SJDBT ameliorated cisplatin-induced anorexia, suggesting its usefulness in the prevention of anorexia during chemotherapy.

Sip-jeon-dea-bo-tang, a traditional herbal medicine, ameliorates cisplatin-induced anorexia via the activation of JAK1/STAT3-mediated leptin and IL-6 production in the fat tissue of mice

PubMed Central

WOO, SANG-MI; CHOI, YOUN KYUNG; KIM, AH-JEONG; YUN, YEE JIN; SHIN, YONG CHEOL; CHO, SUNG-GOOK; KO, SEONG GYU

2016-01-01

Despite its therapeutic advantages, chemotherapy can also cause adverse effects, including anorexia and loss of appetite. Although numerous patients with cancer have been reported to suffer from anorexia during or following chemotherapy, treatment options for anorexia remain to be determined. In Asian countries, traditional medicines are widely used to treat problems with appetite; sip-jeon-dea-bo-tang (SJDBT) is one of those medicines used for the treatment of anorexia. The present study demonstrated that SJDBT ameliorated cisplatin-induced anorexia. In a mouse model of chemotherapy-induced anorexia, oral administration of SJDBT prevented the cisplatin-induced reduction of food intake, inhibiting weight loss. The results of multiplex assays showed that SJDBT only altered the levels of interleukin (IL)-6 and leptin in the serum and fat tissue. In addition, SJDBT maintained the serum leptin level and increased the serum IL-6 level, whereas cisplatin reduced the levels of both serum leptin and IL-6. Furthermore, SJDBT was revealed to increase the levels of leptin and IL-6 in the fat tissue by activating the JAK1/STAT3 signaling pathway. In conclusion, the present results revealed that SJDBT ameliorated cisplatin-induced anorexia, suggesting its usefulness in the prevention of anorexia during chemotherapy. PMID:26936678

JiangTang XiaoKe granule attenuates cathepsin K expression and improves IGF-1 expression in the bone of high fat diet induced KK-Ay diabetic mice.

PubMed

Guo, Yubo; Wang, Lili; Ma, Rufeng; Mu, Qianqian; Yu, Na; Zhang, Yi; Tang, Yuqing; Li, Yu; Jiang, Guangjian; Zhao, Dandan; Mo, Fangfang; Gao, Sihua; Yang, Meijuan; Kan, Feifei; Ma, Qun; Fu, Min; Zhang, Dongwei

2016-03-01

To assess the beneficial effects of JiangTang XiaoKe (JTXK) granule on the bone metabolism in high fat diet (HFD) fed KK-Ay diabetic mice. The KK-Ay mice were used as a diabetic model, while C57BL/6 mice were utilized as the non-diabetic control. The left tibia was used for determining bone mineral density (BMD) and bone ash coefficient. The HE and alizarin red S staining of femur were employed to evaluate bone pathology and calcium deposition. The expressions of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), insulin growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and cathepsin K were assessed by western blotting and immunohistochemical staining. JTXK granule significantly improved the bone ash coefficient, the distribution of trabecular bone and the calcification nodules deposition in KK-Ay mice with diabetes. IGF-1 and ALP expressions were significantly decreased, and cathepsin K expression was dramatically increased in the HFD fed KK-Ay diabetic model mice, which can be reversed by JTXK granule treatment. JTXK granule at medium or high dosage was more efficient in improving diabetic bone quality when compared with that in mice with a low dosage. However, the BMD values in each group of KK-Ay diabetic mice were not significantly different. We demonstrate that cathepsin K expression is increased in KK-Ay diabetic mouse model. JTXK granule treatment inhibits osteoclastic bone resorption and promotes the new bone formation by decreasing cathepsin K activity and increasing IGF-1 and ALP levels. These changes may contribute to the increase of bone strength and thus reducing the risk of bone fractures. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The membrane permeability of Astragali Radix-derived formononetin and calycosin is increased by Angelicae Sinensis Radix in Caco-2 cells: a synergistic action of an ancient herbal decoction Danggui Buxue Tang.

PubMed

Zheng, Ken Yu-zhong; Choi, Roy Chi-yan; Guo, Ava Jiang-yang; Bi, Cathy Wen-chuan; Zhu, Kevin Yue; Du, Crystal Ying-qing; Zhang, Zhen-Xia; Lau, David Tai-wai; Dong, Tina Ting-xia; Tsim, Karl Wah-keung

2012-11-01

Danggui Buxue Tang (DBT), a herbal decoction contains Astragali Radix (AR) and Angelicae Sinensis Radix (ASR), has been used as a health food supplement in treating menopausal irregularity in women for more than 800 years in China. Several lines of evidence indicate that the synergistic actions of AR and ASR in this herbal decoction leading to a better pharmacological effect of DBT. Here, the role of different herbs in directing the transport of active ingredients of DBT was determined. A validated RRLC-QQQ-MS/MS method was applied to determinate the permeability of ingredients across the Caco-2 cell monolayer. AR-derived chemicals, including astragaloside IV, calycosin and formononetin, as well as ASR-derived chemicals, including ferulic acid and ligustilide, were determined by RRLC-QQQ-MS/MS. The pharmacokinetic results showed that the membrane permeabilities of calycosin and formononetin, two of the major flavonoids in AR, could be markedly increased in the presence of ASR extract: this induction effect could be mediated by ferulic acid deriving from ASR. In contrast, the extract of AR showed no effect on the chemical permeability. The current results suggested that the ingredients of ASR (such as ferulic acid) could enhance the membrane permeability of AR-derived formononetin and calycosin in cultured Caco-2 cells. The possibility of herb-drug synergy within DBT was proposed here. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Shared Modular Build of Warships: How a Shared Build Can Support Future Shipbuilding

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-01-01

design (CAD) files used for the design were not shared through this environment (Tang and Molas -Gillart, 2009). As the case studies show, shipyards...undated web page. As of December 20, 2010: http://www.fas.org/programs/ssp/man/uswpns/navy/submarines/ssn774_virginia.html Tang, Puay, and Jordi Molas

China Report, Political, Sociological and Military Affairs, No. 412.

DTIC Science & Technology

1983-04-18

b - Cadre Support for Reform Encouraged (Xue Song ; QUNZHONG, 5 Jan 83) 66 Need to Understand, Implement New Constitution Stressed (LIAONING...Hong Peilin [3163 3099 7207] as Honorary President, Wei Yongyi [7279 3057 5030] as President"] [Text] The inaugural meeting of the Jiangsu Law...of directors of the society and chose Hong Peilin as its honorary president. At the first plenary session of its first board meeting, Wei Yongyi

Spent Nuclear Fuel Transport Reliability Study

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Wang, Jy-An John; Wang, Hong; Jiang, Hao

This conference paper was orignated and shorten from the following publisehd PTS documents: 1. Jy-An Wang, Hao Jiang, and Hong Wang, Dynamic Deformation Simulation of Spent Nuclear Fuel Assembly and CIRFT Deformation Sensor Stability Investigation, ORNL/SPR-2015/662, November 2015. 2. Jy-An Wang, Hong Wang, Mechanical Fatigue Testing of High-Burnup Fuel for Transportation Applications, NUREG/CR-7198, ORNL/TM-2014/214, May 2015. 3. Jy-An Wang, Hong Wang, Hao Jiang, Yong Yan, Bruce Bevard, Spent Nuclear Fuel Vibration Integrity Study 16332, WM2016 Conference, March 6 10, 2016, Phoenix, Arizona.

The Role of the Chinese Military in National Security of Policymaking.

DTIC Science & Technology

1996-01-01

California Press, 1992, pp. 95-124; Wei Li , The Chinese Staff System: A Mechanism for Bureaucratic Control and Integration, Berkeley: Institute of East...representatives, etc. They reportedly continue to perform these roles today. For details, see Wei Li and Lucian W. Pye, "The Ubiquitous Role of the Mishu in...strategic objectives. These included Ye Jianying , Xu Xiangqian, Nie Rongzhen, Yang Shangkun, Zhang Aiping, Yang Dezhi, Yu Qiuli, and Hong Xuezhi. Ye, Xu

RLE (Research Laboratory of Electronics) Progress Report Number 130

DTIC Science & Technology

1988-07-01

Ippen, James G. Fujimoto, Wei-Zhu Lin, Beat Zysset, Robert W. Schoenlein, 4 Michael J. Lagasse The investigation of transient carrier dynamics in GaAs...G. Fujimoto, Wei-Zhu Lin, Reginald Birngruber, Beat Zysset, Robert W. Schoenleln Working in collaboration with researchers at the Massachusetts Eye... Binaural Hearing National Institutes of Health (Grant 5 RO 1 NS 10916) H. Steven Colburn, Nathaniel 1. Durlach, Patrick M. Zurek 17 Brooklyn College14 141

Moving the Enemy: Operational Art in the Chinese PLA’s Huai Hai Campaign (Leavenworth Paper, Number 22)

DTIC Science & Technology

2003-01-01

Nationalist commanders such as Huang Wei , who commanded the Nationalist Twelfth Army during the campaign. I also traveled to Xuzhou, the main city in the...faculty. CCP members are appointed to important administrative positions within the Huangpu Military Academy and attend as students. 1925 Sun Yat-sen...Twelfth Army], Huang Wei commanding, have been drawn into the Tongbai Mountains by the CPFA 2d and 6th columns and local forces. For quite some time

New Models for Protocol Security

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-06-18

Rafael Pass, Alon Rosen , Eylon Yogev: One- Way Functions and (Im)Perfect Obfuscation. FOCS 2014: 374-383 14. Joseph Y. Halpern, Rafael Pass, Lior Seeman...Conservative belief and rationality. Games and Economic Behavior 80: 186-192 (2013) 21. Rafael Pass, Alon Rosen , Wei-Lung Dustin Tseng: Public-Coin...Pass, Wei-Lung Dustin Tseng: The Knowledge Tightness of Par- allel Zero-Knowledge. TCC 2012: 512-529 44. Boaz Barak , Ran Canetti, Yehuda Lindell, Rafael

Benchmarks for Evaluation of Distributed Denial of Service (DDOS)

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-01-01

publications: [1] E. Arikan , Attack Profiling for DDoS Benchmarks, MS Thesis, University of Delaware, August 2006. [2] J. Mirkovic, A. Hussain, B. Wilson...Sigmetrics 2007, June 2007 [5] J. Mirkovic, E. Arikan , S. Wei, S. Fahmy, R. Thomas, and P. Reiher Benchmarks for DDoS Defense Evaluation, Proceedings of the...Security Experimentation, June 2006. [9] J. Mirkovic, E. Arikan , S. Wei, S. Fahmy, R. Thomas, P. Reiher, Benchmarks for DDoS Defense Evaluation

New taxa of Meconematini (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae: Meconematinae) from Guangxi, China.

PubMed

Wang, Hanqiang; Liu, Xianwei; Li, Kai

2015-04-02

The following new taxa of Meconematini from Guangxi province were described: Sinothaumaspis damingshanicus Wang, Liu, Li gen. & sp. nov., Aphlugiolopsis punctipennis Wang, Liu, Li gen. & sp. nov., Eoxizicus (Eoxizicus) curvicercus Wang, Liu, Li sp. nov., Meconemopsis paraquadrinotata Wang, Liu, Li sp. nov., Neocrytopsis? unicolor Wang, Liu, Li sp. nov., Xiphidiopsis (Dinoxiphidiopsis) expressa Wang, Liu, Li sp. nov. Xiphidiopsis (Xiphidiopsis) fischerwaldheimi Gorochov, 1993, a synonym of Xiphidiopsis (Xiphidiopsis) jinxiuensis Xia & Liu, 1990 was described. The opposite gender of Sinocyrtaspis truncate Liu, 2000 and Abaxinicephora excellens Gorochov & Kang, 2005 were firstly described.  Xiphidiopsis (Dinoxiphidiopsis) jacobsoni Gorochov, 1993 was also firstly recorded from China. Two new combinations,  Meconemopsis quadrinotata (Bey-Bienko, 1971) Wang, Liu, Li comb. nov. and Xiphidiopsis (Dinoxiphidiopsis) fanjingshanensis (Shi & Du, 2006) Wang, Liu, Li comb. nov., as well as a synonym of the former Xizicus (Axizicus) xizangensis Jiao & Shi 2013 syn. nov. which respectively relate to M. paraquadrinotata sp. nov. and X. (D.) expressa sp. nov., were also noted.

Ba-Wei-Die-Huang-Wan (Hachimi-jio-gan) can ameliorate cyclophosphamide-induced ongoing bladder overactivity and acidic adenosine triphosphate solution-induced hyperactivity on rats prestimulated bladder.

PubMed

Lee, Wei-Chia; Wu, Chia-Ching; Chuang, Yao-Chi; Tain, You-Lin; Chiang, Po-Hui

2016-05-26

Ba-Wei-Die-Huang-Wan (BWDHW) is the traditional Chinese medicine formula containing eight ingredients, namely Rehmannia glutinosa (Gaetn.) DC., root, steamed & dried; Cornus officinalis Siebold & Zucc., fructus, dried; Dioscorea oppositifolia L., root, dried; Alisma plantago-aquatica, subsp. orientale (Sam.) Sam., tuber, dried; Poria cocos (Fr.) Wolf., sclerotium, dried; Paeonia×suffruticosa Andrews, bark, dried; Cinnamomum cassia (Nees & T.Nees) J. Presl, bark, dried; Aconitum carmichaeli Debeaux, lateral root, dried & processed. It has been used for diabetes and urinary frequency treatments. We investigate effects of BWDHW on cyclophosphamide (CYP)-induced ongoing bladder overactivity and acidic adenosine triphosphate (ATP) solution-induced hyperactivity on rat's prestimulated bladder. Female Wistar rats were injected with intraperitoneal CYP (100mg/kg) or saline respectively. Rats were treated with BWDHW (90mg/kg/day) or vehicle for the next five days. After treatments animals were evaluated both in metabolic cage model and then by cystometry. Acidic ATP solution (5mM, pH 3.3) was instilled to provoke bladder hyperactivity. Bladder mucosa and muscle proteins were assessed by Western blotting. As compared to the controls, the CYP group showed significantly decreased mean cystometric intercontractile interval and increased micturition frequency, whereas the CYP/BWDWH group did not. The CYP group had significant protein overexpression in mucosal M2, M3, P2X2, and P2X3 receptors as well as detrusor M2 and M3 receptors. However, the CYP/BWDWH group had insignificant changes from controls. In the provoking test, the control/BWDHW and CYP/BWDHW groups were less affected by acidic ATP stimulation of intercontractile interval changes than the control group. Compared to the control group, the control/BWDHW group showed significantly lower mucosal P2X3 protein expression and the CYP group showed significant mucosal TRPV1 protein upregulation after the provoking test

Intracellular Protein Delivery for treating Breast Cancer

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-06-01

paraformaldehyde, and rocessed for staining using the In Situ Cell Death Detection it. The stained tumor slides were observed under micro - cope, and...treating Breast Cancer PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Yi Tang CONTRACTING ORGANIZATION ...Tang 5d. PROJECT NUMBER 5e. TASK NUMBER E-Mail: yitang@ucla.edu 5f. WORK UNIT NUMBER 7. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES

Two additional new species of the Stenus indubius group (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae) from China

PubMed Central

Tang, Liang; Li, Li-Zhen; Wang, Jun-Wang

2012-01-01

Abstract Two new species of the Stenus indubius group from China are described: Stenus huapingensis sp. n. from Guangxi Province and Stenus zhujianqingisp. n. from Zhejiang Province. Habitus photos and illustrations of diagnostic characters of the new species and two described species, Stenus paradecens Tang & Li, 2005 and Stenus guniujiangense Tang & Li, 2005, are provided. PMID:22936870

Genetics Home Reference: IRAK-4 deficiency

MedlinePlus

... Gallin J, Holland SM, Roifman C, Ehl S, Smart J, Tang M, Barrat FJ, Levy O, McDonald D, Day-Good NK, Miller R, Takada H, Hara T, ... L, Al-Muhsen S, Al-Hajjar S, Al-Ghonaium A, Day-Good NK, Holland SM, Gallin JI, ... H, Nonoyama S, Domachowske J, Issekutz AC, Tang M, Smart J, Zitnik SE, ...

Lightweight Portable Plasma Medical Device - Plasma Engineering Research Laboratory

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-12-01

Wang, W. Zheng, and Y. N. Wang, "Optical study of radicals (OH, O, H, N) in a needle-plate negative pulsed streamer corona discharge ," Plasma...needle- plate bi-directional pulsed corona discharge ," European Physical Journal D, vol. 38, pp. 515-522, Jun 2006. 155 [35] W. Wang, S. Wang...F. Liu, W. Zheng, and D. Wang, "Optical study of OH radical in a wire-plate pulsed corona discharge ," Spectrochimica Acta Part A: Molecular and

Scale disparity and spectral transfer in anisotropic numerical turbulence

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zhou, YE; Yeung, P. K.; Brasseur, James G.

1994-01-01

To study the effect of cancellations within long-range interactions on local isotropy at the small scales, we calculate explicitly the degree of cancellation in distant interactions in the simulations of Yeung & Brasseur and Yeung, Brasseur & Wang using the single scale disparity parameter 's' developed by Zhou. In the simulations, initially isotropic simulated turbulence was subjected to coherent anisotropic forcing at the large scales and the smallest scales were found to become anisotropic as a consequence of direct large-small scale couplings. We find that the marginally distant interactions in the simulation do not cancel out under summation and that the development of small-scale anisotropy is indeed a direct consequence of the distant triadic group, as argued by Yeung, et. al. A reduction of anisotropy at later times occurs as a result of the isotropizing influences of more local energy-cascading triadic interactions. Nevertheless, the local-to-nonlocal triadic group persists as an isotropizing influence at later times. We find that, whereas long-range interactions, in general, contribute little to net energy transfer into or out of a high wavenumber shell k, the anisotropic transfer of component energy within the shell increases with increasing scale separations. These results are consistent with results by Zhou, and Brasseur & Wei, and suggest that the anisotropizing influences of long range interactions should persist to higher Reynolds numbers. The residual effect of the forced distant group in this low-Reynolds number simulation is found to be forward cascading, on average.

Economic Recession and Obesity-Related Internet Search Behavior in Taiwan: Analysis of Google Trends Data.

PubMed

Wang, Ho-Wei; Chen, Duan-Rung

2018-04-06

Obesity is highly correlated with the development of chronic diseases and has become a critical public health issue that must be countered by aggressive action. This study determined whether data from Google Trends could provide insight into trends in obesity-related search behaviors in Taiwan. Using Google Trends, we examined how changes in economic conditions-using business cycle indicators as a proxy-were associated with people's internet search behaviors related to obesity awareness, health behaviors, and fast food restaurants. Monthly business cycle indicators were obtained from the Taiwan National Development Council. Weekly Taiwan Stock Exchange (TWSE) weighted index data were accessed and downloaded from Yahoo Finance. The weekly relative search volumes (RSV) of obesity-related terms were downloaded from Google Trends. RSVs of obesity-related terms and the TWSE from January 2007 to December 2011 (60 months) were analyzed using correlation analysis. During an economic recession, the RSV of obesity awareness and health behaviors declined (r=.441, P<.001; r=.593, P<.001, respectively); however, the RSV for fast food restaurants increased (r=-.437, P<.001). Findings indicated that when the economy was faltering, people tended to be less likely to search for information related to health behaviors and obesity awareness; moreover, they were more likely to search for fast food restaurants. Macroeconomic conditions can have an impact on people's health-related internet searches. ©Ho-Wei Wang, Duan-Rung Chen. Originally published in JMIR Public Health and Surveillance (http://publichealth.jmir.org), 06.04.2018.

76 FR 19033 - Action Affecting Export Privileges; Credit International Trading Co. Ltd; In the Matter of...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-04-06

... Wang's conviction. The 10-year denial period will end on May 2, 2015. Accordingly, it is hereby Ordered... Denying Export Privileges of Ruo Ling Wang Applicable to Related Person Credit International Trading... individual Ruo Ling Wang (``Wang'') on April 18, 2006 (71 Fed. Reg. 23897, April 25, 2006) applicable to...

Novel biotransformation process of podophyllotoxin to 4 β-sulfur-substituted podophyllum derivates with anti-tumor activity by Penicillium purpurogenum Y.J. Tang.

PubMed

Bai, J-K; Zhao, W; Li, H-M; Tang, Y-J

2012-01-01

According to the structure-function relationship of podophyllotoxin (PTOX) and its analogue of 4'- demethylepipodophyllotoxin (DMEP), the 4 β-substitution of sulfur-containing heterocyclic compounds with a carbon-sulfur bond at 4 position of PTOX or DMEP is an essential modification direction for improving the anti-tumor activity. So, four novel 4 β-sulfursubstituted podophyllum derivatives (i.e., 4β -(1,2,4-triazole-3-yl)sulfanyl-4-deoxy-podophyllotoxin (4-MT-PTOX), 4β-(1,3,4- thiadiazole-2-yl)sulfanyl-4-deoxy-podophyllotoxin (4-MTD-PTOX), 4β-(1,2,4-triazole-3-yl)sulfanyl-4-deoxy-4' -demethylepipodophyllotoxin (4-MT-DMEP), and 4β-(1,3,4-thiadiazole-2-yl)sulfanyl-4-deoxy-4'-demethylepipodophyllotoxin (4-MTD-DMEP)) were designed and then successfully biosynthesized in this work. In the novel sulfur-substituted biotransformation processes, PTOX and DMEP was linked with sulfur-containing compounds (i.e., 3-mercapto-1,2,4-triazole (MT) and 2-mercapto-1,3,4-thiadiazole (MTD)) at 4 position of cycloparaffin to produce 4-MT-PTOX (1), 4-MTD-PTOX (2), 4-MT-DMEP (3), and 4-MTD-DMEP (4) by Penicillium purpurogenum Y.J. Tang, respectively, which was screened out from Diphylleia sinensis Li (Hubei, China). All the novel compounds exhibited promising in vitro bioactivity, especially 4-MT-PTOX (1). Compared with etoposide (i.e., a 50 % effective concentration [EC(50)] of 25.72, 167.97, and 1.15 M), the EC(50) values of 4-MT-PTOX (1) against tumor cell line BGC-823, A549 and HepG2 (i.e., 0.28, 0.76, and 0.42 M) were significantly improved by 91, 221 and 2.73 times, respectively. Moreover, the EC(50) value of 4-MT-PTOX (1) against the normal human cell line HK-2 (i.e., 182.4 μM) was 19 times higher than that of etoposide (i.e., 9.17 μM). Based on the rational design, four novel 4 β-sulfur-substituted podophyllum derivatives with superior in vitro anti-tumor activity were obtained for the first time. The correctness of structure-function relationship and rational drug

Investigation on Chinese herbal medicine for primary dysmenorrhea: implication from a nationwide prescription database in Taiwan.

PubMed

Chen, Hsing-Yu; Lin, Yi-Hsuan; Su, Irene H; Chen, Yu-Chun; Yang, Sien-Hung; Chen, Jiun-Liang

2014-02-01

Primary dysmenorrhea is a common gynecological condition, for which Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) has been widely used in addition to western medicine. The aim of this study is to explore CHM commonly used to treat dysmenorrhea in young Chinese women. Observational retrospective study. The National Health Insurance Research Database in Taiwan. Women aged from 13 to 25 years with single diagnosis of primary dysmenorrhea. CHM prescriptions made for primary dysmenorrhea women during 1998-2008 were extracted to build up CHM prescription database. Association rule mining was used to explore the prevalent CHM combination patterns in treating primary dysmenorrhea. Prevalence and mechanisms of CHM combinations. Totally 57,315 prescriptions were analyzed and, on average, 5.3 CHM was used in one prescription. Dang-Gui-Shao-Yao-San (DGSYS) was the most commonly used herbal formula (27.2%), followed by Jia-Wei-Xiao-Yao-San (JWXYS) (20.7%) and Wen-Jing-Tang (WJT) (20.5%). Corydalis yanhusuo and Cyperus rotundus were the most commonly used single herb, found in 33.1% and 29.2% of all prescriptions. Additionally, C. yanhusuo with C. rotundus is the most commonly used two CHM in combination, accounting for 14.24% of all prescriptions, followed by DGSYS with C. yanhusuo (10.47%). Multi-target effects on primary dysmenorrhea, such as analgesia, mood modifying and hormone adjustment, were found among commonly prescribed CHM in this study. This study discovered the potential importance of C. yanhusuo, C. rotundus and DGSYS in treating primary dysmenorrhea. Further clinical trials or bench studies are warranted based on the results. Crown Copyright © 2013. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Unique mechanisms of sheng yu decoction ( shèng yù tang) on ischemic stroke mice revealed by an integrated neurofunctional and transcriptome analysis.

PubMed

Hou, Yu-Chang; Lu, Chung-Kuang; Wang, Yea-Hwey; Chern, Chang-Ming; Liou, Kuo-Tong; Wang, Hsei-Wei; Shen, Yuh-Chiang

2013-10-01

Sheng Yu Decoction ( Shèng Yù Tang; SYD) is a popular traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) remedy used in treating cardiovascular and brain-related dysfunction clinically; yet, its neuroprotective mechanisms are still unclear. Here, mice were subjected to an acute ischemic stroke to examine the efficacy and mechanisms of action of SYD by an integrated neurofunctional and transcriptome analysis. More than 80% of the mice died within 2 days after ischemic stroke with vehicle treatment. Treatments with SYD (1.0 g/kg, twice daily, orally or p.o.) and recombinant thrombolytic tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA; 10 mg/kg, once daily, intravenously or i.v.) both significantly extended the lifespan as compared to that of the vehicle-treated stroke group. SYD successfully restored brain function, ameliorated cerebral infarction and oxidative stress, and significantly improved neurological deficits in mice with stroke. Molecular impact of SYD by a genome-wide transcriptome analysis using brains from stroke mice showed a total of 162 out of 2081 ischemia-induced probe sets were significantly influenced by SYD. Mining the functional modules and genetic networks of these 162 genes revealed a significant upregulation of neuroprotective genes in Wnt receptor signaling pathway (3 genes) and regulation of cell communication (7 genes) and downregulation of destructive genes in response to stress (13 genes) and in the induction of inflammation (5 genes), cytokine production (4 genes), angiogenesis (3 genes), vasculature (6 genes) and blood vessel (5 genes) development, wound healing (7 genes), defense response (7 genes), chemotaxis (4 genes), immune response (7 genes), antigen processing and presenting (3 genes), and leukocyte-mediated cytotoxicity (2 genes) by SYD. Our results suggest that SYD could protect mice against ischemic stroke primarily through significantly downregulating the damaging genes involved in stress, inflammation, angiogenesis, blood vessel formation, immune

Supplementary catalogue of the Anthomyiidae (Diptera) of China

PubMed Central

Wang, Mengmeng; Michelsen, Verner; Li, Kai; Zhu, Weibing

2014-01-01

Abstract The present catalogue of Anthomyiidae attempts to list all species (173) described or recorded from mainland China (165) and Taiwan (8) that for various reasons are not treated in “Flies of China” from 1998. The catalogue further lists Chinese species that are presently standing in new generic combinations compared to those of “Flies of China”, species that have changed name because of synonymy or misidentification, and species upgraded from subspecies to species. Regional distribution by province is specified for all species. Literature sources to descriptions or records of anthomyiid species from China are only given for those 173 species not covered by “Flies of China”. Four new combinations are proposed: Enneastigma fulva (Malloch, 1934), Enneastigma henanensis (Ge & Fan, 1982), Enneastigma lengshanensis (Xue, 2001) and Hylemya qinghaiensis (Fan, Chen & Ma, 1989). Eremomyia turbida Huckett, 1951 is revived from synonymy with Chortophila triticiperda Stein, 1900 (current name Eutrichota turbida). One subspecies is upgraded to species: Adia asiatica Fan, 1988. The following eight new synonymies are proposed: Delia pectinator fuscilateralis Fan in Fan & Zheng, 1992 with Delia pectinator Suwa, 1984; Eremomyia pilimana pilimarginata Fan & Qian in Fan, Chen, Ma & Ge, 1982 with Eremomyia turbida Huckett, 1951 (current name Eutrichota turbida); Lopesohylemya Fan, Chen & Ma, 1989 with Hylemya Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830; Deliomyia Fan in Fan et al., 1988 with Subhylemyia Ringdahl, 1933; Hydrophoria disticrassa Xue & Bai, 2009 with Hydrophoria pullata Wu, Liu & Wei, 1995 (current name Zaphne pullata); Heteroterma Wei, 2006 with Scathophaga Meigen, 1803; Heteroterma fanjingensis Wei, 2006 with Scathophaga curtipilata Feng, 2002; Scatomyza fansipanicola Ozerov in Ozerov & Krivosheina, 2011 with Scathophaga curtipilata Feng, 2002. The genus Heteroterma Wei, 2006 and species Heteroterma fanjingensis Wei, 2006 are reassigned from Anthomyiidae to

EDITORIAL: High performance under pressure High performance under pressure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Demming, Anna

2011-11-01

low donor concentrations. Back in 19th Century France, observations of the reverse piezoresistive effect inspired Pierre Curie to investigate similar symmetry in other physical processes. These endeavours led to significant progress in the theories of magnetism, such as the discovery of the Curie point at which temperature the magnetic properties of materials change. As an avid scientist, he is remembered as happiest in the lab, where he spent most of his time with his wife with whom he shares the 1903 Nobel Prize for physics [9]. As he once said to his wife, "[In science] we can aspire to accomplish something...every discovery, however small, is a permanent gain" [10]. His life was cut short in a traffic accident in 1906 but the truth in his words are evident as his work continues to inspire research and progress in the understanding and application of the piezoelectric effect and other physical phenomena. References [1] Minary-Jolandan M and Yu M-F 2009 Nanotechnology 20 085706 [2] Castellanos-Gomez A, Agraït N and Rubio-Bollinger G 2009 Nanotechnology 20 215502 [3] Mile E et al2010 Nanotechnology 21 165504 [4] Romano G, Mantini G, Di Carlo A, D'Amico A and Falconi C 2011 Nanotechnology 22 465401 [5] Martin A J P 1941 Proc. Phys. Soc. 53 186 [6] CYang Y, Qi J, Liao Q, Li H, Wang Y, Tang L and Zhang Y 2009 Nanotechnology 20 125201 [7] Lin S S, Song J H, Lu Y F and Wang Z L 2009 Nanotechnology 20 365703 [8] Xu S, Qin Y, Xu C, Wei Y, Yang R and Wang L Z 2010 Nanotechnology 5 366-73 [9] The Nobel Prize in Physics Nobelprize.org [10] Pasachoff N 2000 Pierre Curie Marie Curie and the Science of Radioactivity

Prescription Pattern of Chinese Herbal Products for Diabetes Mellitus in Taiwan: A Population-Based Study

PubMed Central

Huang, Chung-Yu; Lai, Jung-Nien; Hsu, Feng-Lin

2013-01-01

Background. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), when given as a therapy for symptom relief, has gained widespread popularity among diabetic patients. The aim of this study is to analyze the utilization of TCM among type 2 diabetic patients in Taiwan. Methods. The use of TCM for type 2 diabetic patients were evaluated using a randomly sampled cohort of 1,000,000 beneficiaries recruited from the National Health Insurance Research Database. Results. Overall, 77.9% (n = 31,289) of type 2 diabetic patients utilized TCM and 13.9% (n = 4,351) of them used TCM for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Among the top ten most frequently prescribed herbal formulae, four remedies, Zhi-Bo-Di-Huang-Wan, Qi-Ju-Di-Huang-Wan, Ji-Sheng-Shen-Qi-Wan and Ba-Wei-Di-Huang-Wan are derivative formulae of Liu-Wei-Di-Huang-Wan. In other words, Liu-Wei-Di-Huang-Wan and its derivatives were found to be the most common herbal formulae prescribed by TCM doctors for the treatment of diabetes in Taiwan. Conclusion. Although some evidence does support the use TCM to treat diabetes, the results from the current study may have been confounded by placebo effect, which emphasize the need for well conducted, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled studies in order to further evaluate the efficacy of Liu-Wei-Di-Huang-Wan on patients with type 2 diabetes. PMID:23843864

Investigation on the spectrum-effect relationships of Da-Huang-Fu-Zi-Tang in rats by UHPLC-ESI-Q-TOF-MS method.

PubMed

Liu, Xiao; Wang, Xiao-li; Wu, Li; Li, Huan; Qin, Kun-ming; Cai, Hao; Pei, Ke; Liu, Ting; Cai, Bao-chang

2014-07-03

Da-Huang-Fu-Zi-Tang (DHFZT) is a crucial TCM formula commonly used for the treatment of acute pancreatitis in Chinese clinical application. Our previous work found that DHFZT could act against pancreatic injury in rats with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). The goal of this paper was to study the underlying correlations between the chemical spectra and the protective effect of DHFZT on pancreatic acinar cell to reveal the real bioactive compounds in DHFZT. The fingerprint chromatograms of rat serum after oral administration of DHFZT were established by UHPLC-ESI-Q-TOF-MS technique. At the same time, the model of anti-acute pancreatitis on cells was established by adding 10(-7) mol/L cerulein to AR42J cell line, and the protective effects of the serum on pancreatic acinar cell from injury was evaluated by detecting the efficacy of amylase. Then, the spectrum-effect relationships between UHPLC fingerprints and anti-acute pancreatitis activities were evaluated using canonical correlation analysis (CCA) statistical method. The chromatogram separation was performed on a C18 reversed phase UHPLC column (2.1 mm × 100 mm, 3.5 μm, Agilent), the column temperature was set at 35°C. The mobile phase consisted of 0.1% formic acid and acetonitrile with gradient elution. The serum samples were analyzed both in negative and positive ion mode. The mother and productive ions were scanned within the mass range of m/z 100-1200 and 50-1200, respectively. A thorough analysis of a great deal of information of the constituents in the rat serum was undertaken. The structure identification of the detected compounds was achieved by using high resolution MS values as well as the MS/MS fragments. Eighteen peaks in rat serum after oral administration of DHFZT were detected within only 30 min recorded chromatograms. The structure of the 18 compounds were then given out, of which 10 were the original form of compounds absorbed from DHFZT, 8 were the metabolites of the compounds existed in rat

About neighborhood counting measure metric and minimum risk metric.

PubMed

Argentini, Andrea; Blanzieri, Enrico

2010-04-01

In a 2006 TPAMI paper, Wang proposed the Neighborhood Counting Measure, a similarity measure for the k-NN algorithm. In his paper, Wang mentioned the Minimum Risk Metric (MRM), an early distance measure based on the minimization of the risk of misclassification. Wang did not compare NCM to MRM because of its allegedly excessive computational load. In this comment paper, we complete the comparison that was missing in Wang's paper and, from our empirical evaluation, we show that MRM outperforms NCM and that its running time is not prohibitive as Wang suggested.

Toward High Performance Photovoltaic Cells based on Conjugated Polymers

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-12-26

AFRL-AFOSR-JP-TR-2016-0103 Toward High Performance Photovoltaic Cells based on Conjugated Polymers Kung-Hwa Wei National Chiao Tung University Final...Conjugated Polymers 5a.  CONTRACT NUMBER 5b.  GRANT NUMBER FA2386-15-1-4113 5c.  PROGRAM ELEMENT NUMBER 61102F 6. AUTHOR(S) Kung-Hwa Wei 5d.  PROJECT...gap polymer with good packing order as the active layer for a single-junction photovoltaic device. The light absorptions for the small molecule and the

Regulation of BRCA1 Function by DNA Damage-Induced Site-Specific Phosphorylation

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-06-01

3. Hamaguchi, M., Meth, J.L., von Klitzing, C., Wei, W., Esposito, D., Rodgers, L., Walsh, T., Welcsh, P., King, M.- C., and Wigler, M.H. (2002...Jongmans, W., Vuillaume, M., Chrzanowska, K., Smeets, D., Sperling , K., and Hall, J. (1997). Nijmegen breakage syndrome cells fail to induce the p53-mediated...target for overcoming endocrine resistance. Clin Cancer Res 10:331S–336S 18. Hamaguchi M, Meth JL, von Klitzing C, Wei W, Esposito D, Rodgers L, Walsh T

Ssanghwa-tang, an oriental herbal cocktail, exerts anti-melanogenic activity by suppression of the p38 MAPK and PKA signaling pathways in B16F10 cells

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Background Ssanghwa-tang (SHT) is a widely used medication for the treatment of fatigue, pain, inflammation, hypothermia, erectile dysfunction, cancer, and osteoporosis in Asia, however, role of SHT on the melanin synthesis has not been checked previously. Thus, the present study was designed to determine the effect of SHT on α-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH)-induced melanogensis and its mechanisms of action in murine B16F10 melanoma cells. Method Cellular melanin content and tyrosinase activity in murine B16F10 melanoma cells were determined after α-MSH stimulation with or without pre-treatment of SHT at the concentration of 250 and 500 μg/ml. Expression level of tyrosinase, tyrosinase-related protein 1 (TRP-1), TRP-2, microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF), and activation of c-AMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA), c-AMP-related element binding protein (CREB), and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) were examined by Western blot analysis. Results SHT significantly inhibited α-MSH-induced melanin synthesis and tyrosinase activity, and also decreased α-MSH-induced expression of MITF, tyrosinase, and TRP-1. In addition, SHT remarkably suppressed tyrosinase, CRE, and MITF luciferase reporter activity in a resting state as well as in α-MSH-stimulating condition. Phosphorylation of p38 MAPK by α-MSH stimulation was efficiently blocked by SHT pre-treatment. Moreover, SHT as an herbal cocktail showed synergistic anti-melanogenic effect compared with that of each single constituent herb. Conclusion SHT efficiently inhibited c-AMP-induced melanin synthesis in B16F10 cells via suppression of PKA and p38 MAPK signaling pathways and subsequently decreased the level of CREB phosphorylation, MITF, and melanogenic enzymes. These results indicate that SHT may be useful as herbal medicine for treating hyperpigmentation and cosmetics as a skin-whitening agent. PMID:23981281

Fake "Returnee" Earns 4 Million through Fraudulent Marriages: More than Ten Women Fall for His Claims of Being a Boss and Possessing a House and Car

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chinese Education and Society, 2005

2005-01-01

This article discusses the case of Wang Ruiliang. Ms. Huang filed a case against Wang Jun, alleging that he had defrauded her. Ms. Huang met a man named Wang Jun in April 2002 through a certain matrimonial agency. Before they had been together for very long, Wang Jun asked to borrow money from Ms. Huang, claiming that he was having difficulties in…

Remote drill bit loader

DOEpatents

Dokos, J.A.

1997-12-30

A drill bit loader is described for loading a tapered shank of a drill bit into a similarly tapered recess in the end of a drill spindle. The spindle has a transverse slot at the inner end of the recess. The end of the tapered shank of the drill bit has a transverse tang adapted to engage in the slot so that the drill bit will be rotated by the spindle. The loader is in the form of a cylinder adapted to receive the drill bit with the shank projecting out of the outer end of the cylinder. Retainer pins prevent rotation of the drill bit in the cylinder. The spindle is lowered to extend the shank of the drill bit into the recess in the spindle and the spindle is rotated to align the slot in the spindle with the tang on the shank. A spring unit in the cylinder is compressed by the drill bit during its entry into the recess of the spindle and resiliently drives the tang into the slot in the spindle when the tang and slot are aligned. 5 figs.

Remote drill bit loader

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Dokos, James A.

A drill bit loader for loading a tapered shank of a drill bit into a similarly tapered recess in the end of a drill spindle. The spindle has a transverse slot at the inner end of the recess. The end of the tapered shank of the drill bit has a transverse tang adapted to engage in the slot so that the drill bit will be rotated by the spindle. The loader is in the form of a cylinder adapted to receive the drill bit with the shank projecting out of the outer end of the cylinder. Retainer pins prevent rotationmore » of the drill bit in the cylinder. The spindle is lowered to extend the shank of the drill bit into the recess in the spindle and the spindle is rotated to align the slot in the spindle with the tang on the shank. A spring unit in the cylinder is compressed by the drill bit during its entry into the recess of the spindle and resiliently drives the tang into the slot in the spindle when the tang and slot are aligned.« less

Remote drill bit loader

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Dokos, J.A.

A drill bit loader is described for loading a tapered shank of a drill bit into a similarly tapered recess in the end of a drill spindle. The spindle has a transverse slot at the inner end of the recess. The end of the tapered shank of the drill bit has a transverse tang adapted to engage in the slot so that the drill bit will be rotated by the spindle. The loader is in the form of a cylinder adapted to receive the drill bit with the shank projecting out of the outer end of the cylinder. Retainer pinsmore » prevent rotation of the drill bit in the cylinder. The spindle is lowered to extend the shank of the drill bit into the recess in the spindle and the spindle is rotated to align the slot in the spindle with the tang on the shank. A spring unit in the cylinder is compressed by the drill bit during its entry into the recess of the spindle and resiliently drives the tang into the slot in the spindle when the tang and slot are aligned. 5 figs.« less

Qualitative and quantitative characterization of secondary metabolites and carbohydrates in Bai-Hu-Tang using ultraperformance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry and ultraperformance liquid chromatography coupled with photodiode array detector.

PubMed

Zhong, Wei-Fang; Tong, Wing-Sum; Zhou, Shan-Shan; Yip, Ka-Man; Li, Song-Lin; Zhao, Zhong-Zhen; Xu, Jun; Chen, Hu-Biao

2017-10-01

Bai-Hu-Tang (BHT), a classic traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula used for clearing heat and promoting body fluid, consists of four traditional Chinese medicines, i.e., Gypsum Fibrosum (Shigao), Anemarrhenae Rhizoma (Zhimu), Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma Praeparata cum Melle (Zhigancao), and nonglutinous rice (Jingmi). The chemical composition of BHT still remains largely elusive thus far. To qualitatively and quantitatively characterize secondary metabolites and carbohydrates in BHT, here a combination of analytical approaches using ultraperformance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry and ultraperformance liquid chromatography coupled with photodiode array detector was developed and validated. A total of 42 secondary metabolites in BHT were tentatively or definitely identified, of which 10 major chemicals were quantified by the extracting ion mode of quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Meanwhile, polysaccharides, oligosaccharides, and monosaccharides in BHT were also characterized via sample pretreatment followed by sugar composition analysis. The quantitative results indicated that the determined chemicals accounted for 35.76% of the total extract of BHT, which demonstrated that the study could be instrumental in chemical dissection and quality control of BHT. The research deliverables not only laid the root for further chemical and biological evaluation of BHT, but also provided a comprehensive analytical strategy for chemical characterization of secondary metabolites and carbohydrates in traditional Chinese medicine formulas. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier B.V.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Barton, G.W., Downey, R.

This manual covers what the beginner needs to know in order to transfer files between an Apple's Microcomputer and a Wang's OIS Word Processor. We have also tried to indicate where the experienced user might want to look for additional details. We cover the use of Apple Writer )(, VisiTerm, VisiCalc, and EasyWriter Professional. For us, the two most useful connections are from Applewriter to Wang and from Visicalc to Wang. From Wang to Apple Writer via Visiterm may have some value. Files can be transferred by VisiTerm to Wang, but they arrive with RETURNS in the middle of words,more » which have to be edited out, so we do not recommend it. We describe how to go from EasyWriter to Wang, but we do not know how to go from Wang to EasyWriter. We see no reason to go from Wang to VisiCalc, so we haven't thought about it. All instructions are given for a typical configuration of the Apple, namely the one on which this manual was composed. It is detailed in the section on Hardware and Software.« less

Effect of Chinese patent medicine Si-Mo-Tang oral liquid for functional dyspepsia: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

PubMed

Hu, Yunxia; Bai, Yu; Hua, Zhiyun; Yang, Jie; Yang, Huahui; Chen, Wenjun; Xu, Junwei; Zhao, Zhiqiang

2017-01-01

Si-Mo-Tang oral liquid (SMT) has been widely used to treat functional dyspepsia (FD), but the effectiveness is still controversial. A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were performed to assess the efficacy and adverse effects of SMT for FD. Investigators searched for articles with publication dates to June 21, 2016, from 9 English and Chinese electronic databases. Comparisons were SMT alone or SMT in combination with western medicine as experimental intervention, and western medicine or placebo as the control. We used the Cochrane collaboration tool for assessing risk of bias to evaluate methodologies. Data were synthesized with RevMan 5.3 software. (PROSPERO Registration #CRD42016042003). Twenty-seven RCTs were included in the review, involving 2,713 participants: 1,383 subjects were in the experimental group and 1,330 in the control group. SMT showed a significant improvement in clinical efficacy (RR 1.14; 95% CI 1.09, 1.20; P<0.00001), but the heterogeneity was also significant (P = 0.0002, I2 = 56%). Because of the different interventions in the 2 groups, we performed subgroup and sensitivity analyses to investigate potential sources of heterogeneity. The heterogeneity was smaller after subgroup analysis and the exclusion of a study by Zhu from 2009. The corresponding pooled RR has no obvious change (RR 1.17; 95% CI 1.13, 1.21; P<0.00001). Subgroup analysis by age and drugs administered in control interventions between SMT and western medicine also showed improvement in the efficacy rate. But a data synthesis that excluded high risk of bias in the blinding of participants and personnel showed no significant difference (RR 1.14; 95% CI 0.97, 1.35; P = 0.12). Three studies measured gastric emptying. Two of these studies reported no significant difference between the experimental and control groups, while 1 study showed that SMT reduced the time of gastric emptying. The relapse rate and adverse effects had no difference

Chemical profile analysis and comparison of two versions of the classic TCM formula Danggui Buxue Tang by HPLC-DAD-ESI-IT-TOF-MSn.

PubMed

Zhang, Ya-Zhou; Xu, Feng; Yi, Tao; Zhang, Jian-Ye; Xu, Jun; Tang, Yi-Na; He, Xi-Chen; Liu, Jing; Chen, Hu-Biao

2014-04-30

Danggui Buxue Tang (DBT) is a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) formula primarily used to treat symptoms associated with menopause in women. Usually, DBT is composed of one portion of Radix Angelicae Sinensis (RAS) and five portions of Radix Astragali (RA). Clinically, Radix Hedysari (RH) is sometimes used by TCM physicians to replace RA in DBT. In order to verity whether the chemical constituents of the DBT1 (RA:RAS = 5:1, w/w) and DBT2 (RH:RAS = 5:1, w/w) share similarities the chemical profiles of the two DBTs crude extracts and urine samples were analyzed and compared with the aid of HPLC-DAD-ESI-IT-TOF-MSn, which determines the total ion chromatogram (TIC) and multi-stage mass spectra (MSn). Then, the DBT1 and DBT2 were identified and compared on the basis of the TIC and the MSn. In the first experiment (with crude extracts), 69 compounds (C1-C69) were identified from the DBT1; 46 compounds (c1-c46) were identified from the DBT2. In the second experiment(with urine samples), 44 compounds (M1-M44) were identified from the urine samples of rats that had been administered DBT1, and 34 compounds (m1-m34) were identified from the urine samples of rats that had been administered DBT2. Identification and comparison of the chemical compositions were carried out between the DBT1 and DBT2 of the crude extracts and urine samples respectively. Our results showed that the two crude extracts of the DBTs have quite different chemical profiles. The reasons for their differences were that the special astragalosides in DBT1 and the isoflavonoid glycosides formed the malonic acid esters undergo single esterification and acetyl esters undergo acetylation in DBT1. In contrast, the urine from DBT1-treated rats strongly resembled that of DBT2-treated rats. These metabolites originate mainly from formononetin, calycosin and their related glycosides, and they were formed mainly by the metabolic process of reduction, deglycosylation, demethylation, hydrogenation and sulfation. The

Tang-Nai-Kang Alleviates Pre-diabetes and Metabolic Disorders and Induces a Gene Expression Switch toward Fatty Acid Oxidation in SHR.Cg-Leprcp/NDmcr Rats

PubMed Central

Li, Linyi; Yoshitomi, Hisae; Wei, Ying; Qin, Lingling; Zhou, Jingxin; Xu, Tunhai; Wu, Xinli; Zhou, Tian; Sun, Wen; Guo, Xiangyu; Wu, Lili; Wang, Haiyan; Zhang, Yan; Li, Chunna; Liu, Tonghua; Gao, Ming

2015-01-01

Increased energy intake and reduced physical activity can lead to obesity, diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Transcriptional modulation of metabolic networks has become a focus of current drug discovery research into the prevention and treatment of metabolic disorders associated with energy surplus and obesity. Tang-Nai-Kang (TNK), a mixture of five herbal plant extracts, has been shown to improve abnormal glucose metabolism in patients with pre-diabetes. Here, we report the metabolic phenotype of SHR.Cg-Lepr cp/NDmcr (SHR/cp) rats treated with TNK. Pre-diabetic SHR/cp rats were randomly divided into control, TNK low-dose (1.67 g/kg) and TNK high-dose (3.24 g/kg) groups. After high-dose treatment for 2 weeks, the serum triglycerides and free fatty acids in SHR/cp rats were markedly reduced compared to controls. After 3 weeks of administration, the high dose of TNK significantly reduced the body weight and fat mass of SHR/cp rats without affecting food consumption. Serum fasting glucose and insulin levels in the TNK-treated groups decreased after 6 weeks of treatment. Furthermore, TNK-treated rats exhibited obvious improvements in glucose intolerance and insulin resistance. The improved glucose metabolism may be caused by the substantial reduction in serum lipids and body weight observed in SHR/cp rats starting at 3 weeks of TNK treatment. The mRNA expression of NAD+-dependent deacetylase sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) and genes related to fatty acid oxidation was markedly up-regulated in the muscle, liver and adipose tissue after TNK treatment. Furthermore, TNK promoted the deacetylation of two well-established SIRT1 targets, PPARγ coactivator 1α (PGC1α) and forkhead transcription factor 1 (FOXO1), and induced the phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) in different tissues. These observations suggested that TNK may be an alternative treatment for pre-diabetes and metabolic syndrome by inducing a gene expression switch toward

Progerin sequestration of PCNA promotes replication fork collapse and mislocalization of XPA in laminopathy-related progeroid syndromes.

PubMed

Hilton, Benjamin A; Liu, Ji; Cartwright, Brian M; Liu, Yiyong; Breitman, Maya; Wang, Youjie; Jones, Rowdy; Tang, Hui; Rusinol, Antonio; Musich, Phillip R; Zou, Yue

2017-09-01

Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS) is a rare genetic disorder that is caused by a point mutation in the LMNA gene, resulting in production of a truncated farnesylated-prelamin A protein (progerin). We previously reported that XPA mislocalized to the progerin-induced DNA double-strand break (DSB) sites, blocking DSB repair, which led to DSB accumulation, DNA damage responses, and early replication arrest in HGPS. In this study, the XPA mislocalization to DSBs occurred at stalled or collapsed replication forks, concurrent with a significant loss of PCNA at the forks, whereas PCNA efficiently bound to progerin. This PCNA sequestration likely exposed ds-ssDNA junctions at replication forks for XPA binding. Depletion of XPA or progerin each significantly restored PCNA at replication forks. Our results suggest that although PCNA is much more competitive than XPA in binding replication forks, PCNA sequestration by progerin may shift the equilibrium to favor XPA binding. Furthermore, we demonstrated that progerin-induced apoptosis could be rescued by XPA, suggesting that XPA-replication fork binding may prevent apoptosis in HGPS cells. Our results propose a mechanism for progerin-induced genome instability and accelerated replicative senescence in HGPS.-Hilton, B. A., Liu, J., Cartwright, B. M., Liu, Y., Breitman, M., Wang, Y., Jones, R., Tang, H., Rusinol, A., Musich, P. R., Zou, Y. Progerin sequestration of PCNA promotes replication fork collapse and mislocalization of XPA in laminopathy-related progeroid syndromes. © FASEB.

Evaluation of Resuspension from Propeller Wash in Pearl Harbor and San Diego Bay

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-07-01

water cleanup plans, or total maximum daily loads (TMDLs) must be developed to bring the water body back into compliance. Under the Comprehensive...Waterways Experiment Station ( Johnson et. al., 1991) to simulate physical processes in bays, rivers, lakes and estuaries (Wang and Martin, 1991...Wang, 1992; Wang and McCutcheon, 1993; Wang et al., 1997, 1998; Johnson et al., 1995). The model simulates hydrodynamic currents in four dimensions (x

Induction of apoptosis by Dae-Hwang-Mok-Dan-Tang in HCT-116 colon cancer cells through activation of caspases and inactivation of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt signaling.

PubMed

Park, Cheol; Hong, Su Hyun; Choi, Yung Hyun

2017-06-01

Dae-Hwang-Mok-Dan-Tang (DHMDT), a traditional Korean medicine, contains five species of medicinal plants and has been used to treat patients with digestive tract cancer for hundreds of years; however, its anticancer mechanism is poorly understood. In the present study, we investigated the proapoptotic effects of DHMDT in human colon cancer HCT-116 cells. Cytotoxicity was evaluated using the 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2 H -tetrazolium bromide assay. Apoptosis was detected using 4,6-diamidino-2-phenyllindile staining, agarose gel electrophoresis, and flow cytometry. The protein levels were determined using Western blot analysis. Caspase activity was measured using a colorimetric assay. Treatment with DHMDT resulted in a growth inhibition coupled with apoptosis induction, which was associated with the downregulation of members of IAP (inhibitor of apoptosis protein) family, including XIAP and survivin, and the activation of caspase-9 and -3 accompanied by proteolytic degradation of poly(ADP-ribose)-polymerase and phospholipase C-γ1. DHMDT treatment also showed a correlation with the translocation of proapoptotic Bax to mitochondria, the loss of mitochondrial membrane permeabilization, and the cytochrome c release from the mitochondria to the cytosol. Moreover, DHMDT increased the levels of death receptor-associated ligands and enhanced activation of caspase-8 and cleavage of its substrate, Bid. However, the pan-caspase inhibitor could reverse DHMDT-induced apoptosis. In addition, DHMDT suppressed the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathway, and treatment with a potent inhibitor of PI3K further increased the apoptotic activity of DHMDT. Our data showed that DHMDT induces HCT-116 cell apoptosis by activating intrinsic and extrinsic apoptosis pathways and by suppressing the PI3K/Akt signal pathway; however, further studies are needed to identify the active compounds.

Computation and Modeling of Insect Flight

DTIC Science & Technology

2005-08-23

Andersen, U. Pesavento , and Z. J. Wang, J. Fluid Mech., 2005. A. Andersen, U. Pesavento , and Z. J. Wang, J. Fluid Mech., 2005. U, Pasavento and Z. J...Wang (P.I.) "* Umberto Pesavento , PhD Physics (2005), Cornell University "* Anders Andersen, 2002-2005, Postdoctoral Fellow "* Sheng Xu, 2003-2006...press. 3. Anders Andersen, Umberto Pesavento , and Z. Jane Wang, ’Unsteady Aerodynamics of Fluttering and Tumbling Plates’, Journal of Fluid Mechanics

Comment on ``Numerics of the lattice Boltzmann method: Effects of collision models on the lattice Boltzmann simulations''

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Karlin, I. V.; Succi, S.; Chikatamarla, S. S.

2011-12-01

Critical comments on the entropic lattice Boltzmann equation (ELBE), by Li-Shi Luo, Wei Liao, Xingwang Chen, Yan Peng, and Wei Zhang in Ref. , are based on simulations, which make use of a model that, despite being referred to as the ELBE by the authors, is in fact equivalent to the standard lattice Bhatnagar-Gross-Krook equation for low Mach number simulations. In this Comment, a concise review of the ELBE is provided and illustrated by means of a three-dimensional turbulent flow simulation, which highlights the subgrid features of the ELBE.

Mathematisches Bewusstsein

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kaenders, Rainer; Kvasz, Ladislav

Wenn jemand sagt, dass ein Bus um 9 Uhr abfährt - weiß man es dann? Angenommen, man ist darüber unterrichtet, dass die Busse unter der Woche immer zur vollen Stunde abfahren - von 7 Uhr morgens bis 7 Uhr abends, weiß man es dann mit dem Wissen um diese allgemeine Regel besser, dass der Bus um 9 Uhr abfährt? Macht es einen Unterschied, ob man den Fahrplan erstellt, den Bus lenkt oder nur mitfährt, um sich dieser Tatsache bewusst zu sein?

Utilization of BIA-Derived Bone Mineral Estimates Exerts Minimal Impact on Body Fat Estimates via Multicompartment Models in Physically Active Adults.

PubMed

Nickerson, Brett S; Tinsley, Grant M

2018-03-21

The purpose of this study was to compare body fat estimates and fat-free mass (FFM) characteristics produced by multicompartment models when utilizing either dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) or single-frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis (SF-BIA) for bone mineral content (BMC) in a sample of physically active adults. Body fat percentage (BF%) was estimated with 5-compartment (5C), 4-compartment (4C), 3-compartment (3C), and 2-compartment (2C) models, and DXA. The 5C-Wang with DXA for BMC (i.e., 5C-Wang DXA ) was the criterion. 5C-Wang using SF-BIA for BMC (i.e., 5C-Wang BIA ), 4C-Wang DXA (DXA for BMC), 4C-Wang BIA (BIA for BMC), and 3C-Siri all produced values similar to 5C-Wang DXA (r > 0.99; total error [TE] < 0.83%; standard error of estimate < 0.67%; 95% limits of agreement [LOAs] < ±1.35%). The 2C models (2C-Pace, 2C-Siri, and 2C-Brozek) and DXA each produced similar standard error of estimate and 95% LOAs (2.13%-3.12% and ±4.15%-6.14%, respectively). Furthermore, 3C-Lohman DXA (underwater weighing for body volume and DXA for BMC) and 3C-Lohman BIA (underwater weighing for body volume and SF-BIA for BMC) produced the largest 95% LOAs (±5.94%-8.63%). The FFM characteristics (i.e., FFM density, water/FFM, mineral/FFM, and protein/FFM) for 5C-Wang DXA and 5C-Wang BIA were each compared with the "reference body" cadavers of Brozek et al. 5C-Wang BIA FFM density differed significantly from the "reference body" in women (1.103 ± 0.007 g/cm 3 ; p < 0.001), but no differences were observed for 5C-Wang DXA or either 5C model in men. Moreover, water/FFM and mineral/FFM were significantly lower in men and women when comparing 5C-Wang DXA and 5C-Wang BIA with the "reference body," whereas protein/FFM was significantly higher (all p ≤ 0.001). 3C-Lohman BIA and 3C-Lohman DXA produced error similar to 2C models and DXA and are therefore not recommended multicompartment models. Although more advanced multicompartment models (e

The genus Scaphidium Olivier in East China (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Scaphidiinae)

PubMed Central

Tang, Liang; Li, Li-Zhen; He, Wen-Jia

2014-01-01

Abstract A review of 21 species of Scaphidium Olivier from East China is presented, including 6 new species: S. jinmingi sp. n. (Zhejiang, Anhui, Chongqing), S. crypticum sp. n. (Zhejiang, Fujian, Jiangxi, Guangxi), S. varifasciatum sp. n. (Zhejiang, An’hui), S. robustum sp. n. (Fujian, Guizhou, Chongqing, Guangxi, Yunnan), S. connexum sp. n. (Zhejiang, Fujian, Guangxi), and S. bayibini sp. n. (An’hui). New province records for S. comes Löbl, S. grande Gestro, S. sauteri Miwa & Mitono, S. formosanum Pic, S. carinense Achard, S. sinense Pic, S. delatouchei Achard, S. biwenxuani He, Tang & Li, S. klapperichi Pic, S. stigmatinotum Löbl, S. wuyongxiangi He, Tang & Li, and S. direptum Tang & Li as well as some biological notes are reported. Habitus and diagnostic characters of all species are photographed and a key to Scaphidium species of East China is provided. PMID:24843266

Rapid and sensitive screening and characterization of phenolic acids, phthalides, saponins and isoflavonoids in Danggui Buxue Tang by rapid resolution liquid chromatography/diode-array detection coupled with time-of-flight mass spectrometry.

PubMed

Qi, Lian-Wen; Wen, Xiao-Dong; Cao, Jun; Li, Chang-Yin; Li, Ping; Yi, Ling; Wang, Yu-Xia; Cheng, Xiao-Lan; Ge, Xiao-Xiao

2008-08-01

A novel rapid resolution liquid chromatography (RRLC) method coupled with diode-array detection (DAD) and time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TOFMS) in both positive and negative modes has been developed for quick and sensitive identification of the major compounds in Danggui Buxue Tang (DBT) preparation. Significant advantages of the use of RRLC with 1.8-microm porous particles include the much higher speed of chromatographic separation and great enhancement in sensitivity, compared with the conventional high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). With dynamic adjustment of the key role as fragmentor voltage in TOFMS, an efficient transmission of the ions was achieved to obtain the best sensitivity for providing the molecular formula for each analyte, and abundant fragment ions for structural information. The structural characterization of the major compounds in DBT was elucidated with authentic standards by DAD-TOF/MS, including phenolic acids, phthalides, saponins and isoflavonoids. The targets were rapidly screened from the complicated DBT matrix using a narrow mass window of 0.01 Da to restructure extracted ion chromatograms. By accurate mass measurements within 3 ppm error for each molecular ion and subsequent fragment ions, ten phenolic acids and phthalides including three groups of isomers, thirteen major saponins with a 20,24-epoxy-9,19-cyclolanostane-3,6,16,25-tetrol skeleton, sixteen isoflavonoids, corresponding glycosides, malonylglycosides, and acetylglycosides were identified in DBT preparation. The appropriate fragmentation pathways for them were also proposed based on definite elemental composition of the fragment ions. Copyright (c) 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

On the use of COSMO-SkyMed time series for the identification of Archaeological traces dating from the Eastern-Han to Northern-Wei Dynasties in Luoyang city.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Fulong; Masini, Nicola; Yang, Ruixia; Feng, Dexian; Lasaponara, Rosa

2015-04-01

The availability of Very High Resolution (VHR) Synthetic Aperture SAR (SAR) data (Lasaponara and Masini 2013, Tapete et al. 2013), such as TerraSAR-X and Cosmo Sky Med launched in 2007, opened a new era in the spaceborne SAR remote sensing, including archaeology remote sensing previous mainly based on optical data (see for example Lasaponara and Masini 2012, Ciminale et al. 2009, Masini and Lasaponara 2006). They provide powerful tools, based on active sensors from space operating in the microwave frequency range, which are useful to extract information about the contemporary landscape and make possible, in some conditions, to infer changes in the former environment and to detect archaeological remains. Nevertheless, the capability of satellite radar technology in archaeology has so far not been fully assessed. This paper (Chen et al 2015) is a pioneering effort to assess the potential of satellite SAR X-band data in the detection of archaeological marks. We focus on the results obtained from a collaborative contribution jointly carried out by archaeologists and remote sensing experts in order to test the use of COSMO-SkyMed data in different contexts and environmental conditions. The methodological approach we adopted is based on multi-temporal analysis performed to reduce noise and highlight archaeological marks. Results from multi-temporal data analysis, conducted using 40 scenes from COSMO-SkyMed X-band Stripmap data (27 February to 17 October 2013), enable us to detect unknown archaeological crop, soil, and shadow marks representing Luoyang city, dating from the Eastern-Han to Northern-Wei Dynasties. Reference Chen F., Masini N., Yang R., Milillo P., Feng D., Lasaponara R., 2015 A Space View of Radar Archaeological Marks: First Applications of COSMO-SkyMed X-Band Data. Remote Sens. 2015, 7, 24-50; doi:10.3390/rs70100024. Lasaponara R., Masini N. 2013, Satellite Synthetic Aperture Radar in Archaeology and Cultural Landscape: An Overview. Archaeological

Protein kinase Cβ activates fat mass and obesity-associated protein by influencing its ubiquitin/proteasome degradation.

PubMed

Tai, Haoran; Wang, Xiaobo; Zhou, Jiao; Han, Xiaojuan; Fang, Tingting; Gong, Hui; Huang, Ning; Chen, Honghan; Qin, Jianqiong; Yang, Ming; Wei, Xiawei; Yang, Li; Xiao, Hengyi

2017-10-01

Protein kinase Cβ (PKCβ) is a serine-threonine kinase associated with obesity and diabetic complications; its activation contributes to weight gain, and deletion of its gene results in resistance to genetic- and diet-induced obesity. Fat mass and obesity-associated (FTO) protein is a recently identified RNA demethylase, and its overexpression in mice leads to increased body weight as well as fat mass. Although sharing some features in anabolism regulation, PKCβ and FTO have not been investigated together; therefore, their relationship has not been established. We report that PKCβ positively regulates FTO on the posttranslation level, evidenced by the facts that PKCβ activation contributes to high-glucose-induced FTO up-regulation, and overexpression of PKCβ suppresses ubiquitin-proteasome degradation of FTO, whereas PKCβ inactivation acts in the opposite manner. It was also found that PKCβ can phosphorylate FTO on threonine, and this phosphorylation requires both catalytic and regulatory domains of PKCβ. Moreover, PKCβ inhibition can suppress 3T3-L1 cell differentiation in normal and FTO-overexpressing cells but not in FTO-silenced or -inhibited cells. We propose that PKCβ acts to suppress the degradation of FTO protein and reveals the associated role of PKCβ and FTO in adipogenesis, suggesting a new pathway that affects the development of obesity and metabolic diseases.-Tai, H., Wang, X., Zhou, J., Han, X., Fang, T., Gong, H., Huang, N., Chen, H., Qin, J., Yang, M., Wei, X., Yang, L., Xiao, H. Protein kinase Cβ activates fat mass and obesity-associated protein by influencing its ubiquitin/proteasome degradation. © FASEB.

Inhibitory effects of Atractylodis lanceae rhizoma and Poria on collagen- or thromboxane A2-induced aggregation in rabbit platelets.

PubMed

Nasu, Yuiko; Iwashita, Masaya; Saito, Masaki; Fushiya, Shinji; Nakahata, Norimichi

2009-05-01

Kami-shoyo-san (Jia-Wei-Xiao-Yao-San), Toki-shakuyaku-san (Dang-Gui-Shao-Yao-San) and Toki-shigyaku-ka-goshuyu-shokyo-to (Dang-Gui-Si-Ni-Jia-Wu-Zhu-Yu-Sheng-Jiang-Tang) are Kampo (traditional Chinese) medicines which are traditionally and effectively used for the treatment of chilly sensation (Hiesho) in Japan, but the active components and their detailed mechanisms have not yet been clarified. Etiologies of Hiesho include poor peripheral blood circulation and platelet aggregability contributes to peripheral blood circulation; therefore, we investigated the effect of Kampo medicines on platelet aggregation using rabbit platelets in vitro. Collagen and U46619, a thromboxane A(2) receptor agonist, caused rabbit platelet aggregation, which was potently inhibited by pretreatment of platelets with Kami-shoyo-san and Toki-shakuyaku-san in vitro. Toki-shigyaku-ka-goshuyu-shokyo-to, however, did not significantly inhibit collagen- or U46619-induced platelet aggregation. Therefore, we examined the effect on platelet aggregation of two herbal medicines, Atractylodis Lanceae Rhizoma and Poria, both of which are contained in Kami-shoyo-san and Toki-shakuyaku-san but not in Toki-shigyaku-ka-goshuyu-shokyo-to. As the results indicate, Atractylodis Lanceae Rhizoma inhibited platelet aggregation induced by collagen but not by U46619. Poria effectively inhibited U46619-induced platelet aggregation and it partially inhibited collagen-induced platelet aggregation. On the other hand, Atractylodis Lanceae Rhizoma and Poria did not inhibit adrenaline/adenosine diphosphate- or adrenaline/serotonin-induced platelet aggregation. These results suggest the possibility that the inhibition of platelet aggregation by two Kampo medicines, Kami-shoyo-san and Toki-shakuyaku-san, is one of the mechanisms underlying the improvement of Hiesho. Furthermore, Atractylodis Lanceae Rhizoma and Poria are possible herbal medicines for the inhibition of platelet aggregation.

Effect of Chinese patent medicine Si-Mo-Tang oral liquid for functional dyspepsia: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

PubMed Central

Hu, Yunxia; Bai, Yu; Hua, Zhiyun; Yang, Jie; Yang, Huahui; Chen, Wenjun; Xu, Junwei; Zhao, Zhiqiang

2017-01-01

Background Si-Mo-Tang oral liquid (SMT) has been widely used to treat functional dyspepsia (FD), but the effectiveness is still controversial. A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were performed to assess the efficacy and adverse effects of SMT for FD. Methods Investigators searched for articles with publication dates to June 21, 2016, from 9 English and Chinese electronic databases. Comparisons were SMT alone or SMT in combination with western medicine as experimental intervention, and western medicine or placebo as the control. We used the Cochrane collaboration tool for assessing risk of bias to evaluate methodologies. Data were synthesized with RevMan 5.3 software. (PROSPERO Registration #CRD42016042003) Results Twenty-seven RCTs were included in the review, involving 2,713 participants: 1,383 subjects were in the experimental group and 1,330 in the control group. SMT showed a significant improvement in clinical efficacy (RR 1.14; 95% CI 1.09, 1.20; P<0.00001), but the heterogeneity was also significant (P = 0.0002, I2 = 56%). Because of the different interventions in the 2 groups, we performed subgroup and sensitivity analyses to investigate potential sources of heterogeneity. The heterogeneity was smaller after subgroup analysis and the exclusion of a study by Zhu from 2009. The corresponding pooled RR has no obvious change (RR 1.17; 95% CI 1.13, 1.21; P<0.00001). Subgroup analysis by age and drugs administered in control interventions between SMT and western medicine also showed improvement in the efficacy rate. But a data synthesis that excluded high risk of bias in the blinding of participants and personnel showed no significant difference (RR 1.14; 95% CI 0.97, 1.35; P = 0.12). Three studies measured gastric emptying. Two of these studies reported no significant difference between the experimental and control groups, while 1 study showed that SMT reduced the time of gastric emptying. The relapse rate and adverse

Ionospheric Characteristics for Archiving at the World Data Centers

DTIC Science & Technology

1990-12-01

for the application and programs written to generate these database files using as input Digisonde 256 ARTIST [Reinisch and Huang, 1983; Reinisch et al...1983; Tang et al., 19891 data, post processed by the ULCAR ADEP [Zhang, 1989; Zhang et al., 19881 ( ARTIST Data Editing Program) system. The...Digisonde ARTIST [Tang et al. 19891. FORTRAN records i+lI to k give the Dimensions corresponding to the characteristics list (see 3 Table 2), these are in

Effects of a Herbal Medicine, Yukgunja-Tang, on Functional Dyspepsia Patients Classified by 3-Dimensional Facial Measurement: A Study Protocol for Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind, Randomized Trial.

PubMed

Kim, Juyeon; Park, Jae-Woo; Ko, Seok-Jae; Jeon, Soo-Hyung; Kim, Jong-Won; Yeo, Inkwon; Kim, Jinsung

2017-01-01

Introduction . Functional dyspepsia (FD), a common upper gastrointestinal disease, is difficult to manage because of the limitations of current conventional treatments. Yukgunja-tang (YGJT) is widely used to treat FD in clinical practice in Korea, Japan, and China. However, YGJT significantly improves few symptoms of FD. In Korean medicine, FD is a well-known functional gastric disease that shows difference in the effect of herbal medicine depending on constitution or type of Korean medicine diagnosis. This study aims to investigate the efficacy of YGJT on FD patients classified by 3-dimensional facial measurement using a 3-dimensional facial shape diagnostic system (3-FSDS). Methods . A placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized, two-center trial will be performed to evaluate the efficacy of YGJT on FD patients. Eligible subjects will be initially classified as two types by 3-dimensional facial measurement using the 3-FSDS. Ninety-six subjects (48 subjects per each type) will be enrolled. These subjects will be randomly allocated into treatment or control groups in a 2 : 1 ratio. YGJT or placebo will be administered to each group during the 8-week treatment period. The primary outcome is total dyspepsia symptom scale, and the secondary outcomes include single dyspepsia symptom scale, proportion of responders with adequate symptom relief, visual analog scale, Nepean dyspepsia index-Korean version, functional dyspepsia-related quality of life, and spleen qi deficiency questionnaire. Discussion . This is the first randomized controlled trial to assess the efficacy of the YGJT on FD patients classified by 3-dimensional facial measurement. We will compare the treatment effect of the YGJT on FD patients classified as two types using the 3-FSDS. The results of this trial will help the FD patients improve the symptoms and quality of life effectively and provide objective evidence for prescribing the YGJT to FD patients in clinical practice. Trial Registration . This

Validation of MODIS-derived bidirectional reflectivity retrieval algorithm in mid-infrared channel with field measurements.

PubMed

Tang, Bo-Hui; Wu, Hua-; Li, Zhao-Liang; Nerry, Françoise

2012-07-30

This work addressed the validation of the MODIS-derived bidirectional reflectivity retrieval algorithm in mid-infrared (MIR) channel, proposed by Tang and Li [Int. J. Remote Sens. 29, 4907 (2008)], with ground-measured data, which were collected from a field campaign that took place in June 2004 at the ONERA (Office National d'Etudes et de Recherches Aérospatiales) center of Fauga-Mauzac, on the PIRRENE (Programme Interdisciplinaire de Recherche sur la Radiométrie en Environnement Extérieur) experiment site [Opt. Express 15, 12464 (2007)]. The leaving-surface spectral radiances measured by a BOMEM (MR250 Series) Fourier transform interferometer were used to calculate the ground brightness temperatures with the combination of the inversion of the Planck function and the spectral response functions of MODIS channels 22 and 23, and then to estimate the ground brightness temperature without the contribution of the solar direct beam and the bidirectional reflectivity by using Tang and Li's proposed algorithm. On the other hand, the simultaneously measured atmospheric profiles were used to obtain the atmospheric parameters and then to calculate the ground brightness temperature without the contribution of the solar direct beam, based on the atmospheric radiative transfer equation in the MIR region. Comparison of those two kinds of brightness temperature obtained by two different methods indicated that the Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) between the brightness temperatures estimated respectively using Tang and Li's algorithm and the atmospheric radiative transfer equation is 1.94 K. In addition, comparison of the hemispherical-directional reflectances derived by Tang and Li's algorithm with those obtained from the field measurements showed that the RMSE is 0.011, which indicates that Tang and Li's algorithm is feasible to retrieve the bidirectional reflectivity in MIR channel from MODIS data.

Space Wei QI: The Launch of Shenzhou V

DTIC Science & Technology

2004-01-01

the anticipated plans to reinvigorate the U.S. manned space exploration program. What the United States plans to do is important, but in the context of...announcing unilateral plans and forcing China into a pace it likely cannot afford. Or the United States can initiate an incremental program of space... planning for the fu- ture. As the only country of sufficient size and resources to become potentially a peer competitor, and the largest remaining communist

Multifractal analysis of 2D gray soil images

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

González-Torres, Ivan; Losada, Juan Carlos; Heck, Richard; Tarquis, Ana M.

2015-04-01

Soil structure, understood as the spatial arrangement of soil pores, is one of the key factors in soil modelling processes. Geometric properties of individual and interpretation of the morphological parameters of pores can be estimated from thin sections or 3D Computed Tomography images (Tarquis et al., 2003), but there is no satisfactory method to binarized these images and quantify the complexity of their spatial arrangement (Tarquis et al., 2008, Tarquis et al., 2009; Baveye et al., 2010). The objective of this work was to apply a multifractal technique, their singularities (α) and f(α) spectra, to quantify it without applying any threshold (Gónzalez-Torres, 2014). Intact soil samples were collected from four horizons of an Argisol, formed on the Tertiary Barreiras group of formations in Pernambuco state, Brazil (Itapirema Experimental Station). The natural vegetation of the region is tropical, coastal rainforest. From each horizon, showing different porosities and spatial arrangements, three adjacent samples were taken having a set of twelve samples. The intact soil samples were imaged using an EVS (now GE Medical. London, Canada) MS-8 MicroCT scanner with 45 μm pixel-1 resolution (256x256 pixels). Though some samples required paring to fit the 64 mm diameter imaging tubes, field orientation was maintained. References Baveye, P.C., M. Laba, W. Otten, L. Bouckaert, P. Dello, R.R. Goswami, D. Grinev, A. Houston, Yaoping Hu, Jianli Liu, S. Mooney, R. Pajor, S. Sleutel, A. Tarquis, Wei Wang, Qiao Wei, Mehmet Sezgin. Observer-dependent variability of the thresholding step in the quantitative analysis of soil images and X-ray microtomography data. Geoderma, 157, 51-63, 2010. González-Torres, Iván. Theory and application of multifractal analysis methods in images for the study of soil structure. Master thesis, UPM, 2014. Tarquis, A.M., R.J. Heck, J.B. Grau; J. Fabregat, M.E. Sanchez and J.M. Antón. Influence of Thresholding in Mass and Entropy Dimension of 3-D

Representing macropore flow at the catchment scale: a comparative modeling study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, D.; Li, H. Y.; Tian, F.; Leung, L. R.

2017-12-01

Macropore flow is an important hydrological process that generally enhances the soil infiltration capacity and velocity of subsurface water. Up till now, macropore flow is mostly simulated with high-resolution models. One possible drawback of this modeling approach is the difficulty to effectively represent the overall typology and connectivity of the macropore networks. We hypothesize that modeling macropore flow directly at the catchment scale may be complementary to the existing modeling strategy and offer some new insights. Tsinghua Representative Elementary Watershed model (THREW model) is a semi-distributed hydrology model, where the fundamental building blocks are representative elementary watersheds (REW) linked by the river channel network. In THREW, all the hydrological processes are described with constitutive relationships established directly at the REW level, i.e., catchment scale. In this study, the constitutive relationship of macropore flow drainage is established as part of THREW. The enhanced THREW model is then applied at two catchments with deep soils but distinct climates, the humid Asu catchment in the Amazon River basin, and the arid Wei catchment in the Yellow River basin. The Asu catchment has an area of 12.43km2 with mean annual precipitation of 2442mm. The larger Wei catchment has an area of 24800km2 but with mean annual precipitation of only 512mm. The rainfall-runoff processes are simulated at a hourly time step from 2002 to 2005 in the Asu catchment and from 2001 to 2012 in the Wei catchment. The role of macropore flow on the catchment hydrology will be analyzed comparatively over the Asu and Wei catchments against the observed streamflow, evapotranspiration and other auxiliary data.

Metabolic Regulation of Caspase 2 in Breast Cancer

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-04-01

Darbandi, Sook-Young Yoon, Judy Q. Wu, Yuko J. Miyamoto2 Jennifer A. Gibbon, Josh L. Andersen, Christopher D. Freel, Wanli Tang, Changli He, Manabu...Darbandi1, Sook-Young Yoon3, Judy Q. Wu1, Yuko J. Miyamoto2, Jennifer A. Gibbon1, Josh L. Andersen1, Christopher D. Freel1, Wanli Tang1, Changli He3...Altman, B.J., Coloff, J.L., Herman, C.E., Jacobs, S.R., Wieman, H.L., Wofford , J.A., Dimascio, L.N., Ilkayeva, O., Kelekar, A., et al. (2007

Comment on "Effects of Magnetic Field Gradient on Ion Beam Current in Cylindrical Hall Ion Source

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Raitses, Y.; Smirnov A.; Fisch, N.J.

It is argued that the key difference of the cylindrical Hall thruster (CHT) as compared to the end-Hall ion source cannot be exclusively attributed to the magnetic field topology [Tang et al. J. Appl. Phys., 102, 123305 (2007)]. With a similar mirror-type topology, the CHT configuration provides the electric field with nearly equipotential magnetic field surfaces and a better suppression of the electron cross-field transport, as compared to both the end-Hall ion source and the cylindrical Hall ion source of Tang et al.

Whole Genome DNA Methylation Analysis of Obstructive Sleep Apnea: IL1R2, NPR2, AR, SP140 Methylation and Clinical Phenotype

PubMed Central

Chen, Yung-Che; Chen, Ting-Wen; Su, Mao-Chang; Chen, Chung-Jen; Chen, Kuang-Den; Liou, Chia-Wei; Tang, Petrus; Wang, Ting-Ya; Chang, Jen-Chieh; Wang, Chin-Chou; Lin, Hsin-Ching; Chin, Chien-Hung; Huang, Kuo-Tung; Lin, Meng-Chih; Hsiao, Chang-Chun

2016-01-01

commentary on this article appears in this issue on page 723. Citation: Chen YC, Chen TW, Su MC, Chen CJ, Chen KD, Liou CW, Tang P, Wang TY, Chang JC, Wang CC, Lin HC, Chin CH, Huang KT, Lin MC, Hsiao CC. Whole genome DNA methylation analysis of obstructive sleep apnea: IL1R2, NPR2, AR, SP140 methylation and clinical phenotype. SLEEP 2016;39(4):743–755. PMID:26888452

Current ambient ozone in China has threatened the health of farmland ecosystem

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Feng, Z.

2017-12-01

Ground-level Ozone (O3) has been one of global environmental issues as a result of rising concentration at most parts of the earth causing significant biological and economic damage to both agricultural and native species. Although the rising trends in O3 concentration have leveled off or decreased slightly in North America and Europe, the trends are increasing in developing countries such as India and China. Here, the impacts of ozone on crops in China are reviewed from studies during the last two decades. The field experimental methods include open-top chambers (OTC), free-air concentration enrichments (FACE) and chemical protectant EDU application. The experimental crops are winter wheat, rice, soybean, and oilrape. At a regional scale, yield loss in Yangtze River Delta by O3 was estimated to be 17%, 3% and 6% for wheat, rice and oil rape, respectively, and the corresponding economic losses were estimated to be 86 M US , 116 M US and 39 M US $ at the rate of 2007 (Yao et al., 2008). In four years' FACE studies, a mean 25% enhancement above the ambient O3 concentration significantly reduced the grain yield by, on average, 20% and 12% for winter wheat and rice, respectively, but there were significant differences in O3 sensitivity among the cultivars studied (Shi et al., 2009; Zhu et al., 2011). Both flux and concentration -based dose-response relationships indicated that FACE system induced larger yield loss of crops than OTCs, suggesting that O3 effects on crop yield were underestimated. Therefore, it can be inferred that food security will be seriously threatened by rising O3 concentration due to the intensive rate of urbanization in China. However, the impacts of O3 on local food crops need to be investigated more thoroughly in different parts of China, and the combined effects of elevated O3 and other factors like warming and CO2 should be considered. ReferencesFeng, Z. Z., Tang, H.Y., Uddling, J, et al. (2012). Environ Pollut, 164, 16-23. Shi, G.Y., Yang, L

Epigenetic game theory and its application in plants. Comment on: ;Epigenetic game theory: How to compute the epigenetic control of maternal-to-zygotic transition; by Qian Wang et al.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Yuan-Ming; Zhang, Yinghao; Guo, Mingyue

2017-03-01

Wang's et al. article [1] is the first to integrate game theory (especially evolutionary game theory) with epigenetic modification of zygotic genomes. They described and assessed a modeling framework based on evolutionary game theory to quantify, how sperms and oocytes interact through epigenetic processes, to determine embryo development. They also studied the internal mechanisms for normal embryo development: 1) evolutionary interactions between DNA methylation of the paternal and maternal genomes, and 2) the application of game theory to formulate and quantify how different genes compete or cooperate to regulate embryogenesis through methylation. Although it is not very comprehensive and profound regarding game theory modeling, this article bridges the gap between evolutionary game theory and the epigenetic control of embryo development by powerful ordinary differential equations (ODEs). The epiGame framework includes four aspects: 1) characterizing how epigenetic game theory works by the strategy matrix, in which the pattern and relative magnitude of the methylation effects on embryogenesis, are described by the cooperation and competition mechanisms, 2) quantifying the game that the direction and degree of P-M interactions over embryo development can be explained by the sign and magnitude of interaction parameters in model (2), 3) modeling epigenetic interactions within the morula, especially for two coupled nonlinear ODEs, with explicit functions in model (4), which provide a good fit to the observed data for the two sexes (adjusted R2 = 0.956), and 4) revealing multifactorial interactions in embryogenesis from the coupled ODEs in model (2) to triplet ODEs in model (6). Clearly, this article extends game theory from evolutionary game theory to epigenetic game theory.

Cake: Enabling High-level SLOs on Shared Storage Systems

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-11-07

Cake: Enabling High-level SLOs on Shared Storage Systems Andrew Wang Shivaram Venkataraman Sara Alspaugh Randy H. Katz Ion Stoica Electrical...Date) * * * * * * * Professor R. Katz Second Reader (Date) Cake: Enabling High-level SLOs on Shared Storage Systems Andrew Wang, Shivaram Venkataraman ...Report MIT-LCS-TR-667, MIT, Laboratory for Computer Science, 1995. [39] A. Wang, S. Venkataraman , S. Alspaugh, I. Stoica, and R. Katz. Sweet storage SLOs

Comment on “the ground-state structures of Au10-, Au8Ni and Au9Ni clusters”

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zheng, Ben-Xia; Die, Dong; Li, Qian-Qian; Dai, Ming-Liang; Li, Zhi-Qin; Yang, Ji-Xian

2017-09-01

The lowest energy structures of Aun+1- and AunNi (n = 2-9) clusters have been researched using the CALYPSO structure searching method in conjunction with the density functional theory. It is found that the most stable structures of Au10-, Au8Ni and Au9Ni clusters reported by Tang et al. [C. M. Tang, X. X. Chen and X. D. Yang, Int. J. Mod. Phys. B 28, 1450138 (2014)] are low-lying isomers. The correct ground states and vibrational spectra are given in this paper.

Comment on 'Effects of magnetic field gradient on ion beam current in cylindrical Hall ion source' [J. Appl. Phys. 102, 123305 (2007)

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Raitses, Y.; Smirnov, A.; Fisch, N. J.

It is argued that the key difference in the cylindrical Hall thruster (CHT) as compared to the end-Hall ion source cannot be exclusively attributed to the magnetic field topology [Tang et al., J. Appl. Phys. 102, 123305 (2007)]. With a similar mirror-type topology, the CHT configuration provides the electric field with nearly equipotential magnetic field surfaces and a better suppression of the electron cross-field transport, as compared to both the end-Hall ion source and the cylindrical Hall ion source of [Tang et al., J. Appl. Phys. 102, 123305 (2007)].

Ultrafast Optics: Vector Cavity Fiber Lasers - Physics and Technology

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-06-14

with a quasi- vector cavity both numerically and experimentally. It is expected that through the study a deep and comprehensive understanding on the...799-801, Jun. 1997. 31. L. M. Zhao, D. Y. Tang, J. Wu, X. Q. Fu, and S. C. Wen , "Noise-like pulse in a gain-guided soliton fiber laser," Opt...solitons in a ring fiber laser," Optics Communications 281 (22), 5614 (2008). 110. L. M. Zhao, D. Y. Tang, J. Wu, X. Q. Fu, and S. C. Wen , "Noise-like

Ultrafast Optics: Vector Cavity Laser - Physics and Technology

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-06-14

with a quasi- vector cavity both numerically and experimentally. It is expected that through the study a deep and comprehensive understanding on the...799-801, Jun. 1997. 31. L. M. Zhao, D. Y. Tang, J. Wu, X. Q. Fu, and S. C. Wen , "Noise-like pulse in a gain-guided soliton fiber laser," Opt...solitons in a ring fiber laser," Optics Communications 281 (22), 5614 (2008). 110. L. M. Zhao, D. Y. Tang, J. Wu, X. Q. Fu, and S. C. Wen , "Noise-like

Ultrafast Optics - Vector Cavity Lasers: Physics and Technology

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-06-14

with a quasi- vector cavity both numerically and experimentally. It is expected that through the study a deep and comprehensive understanding on the...799-801, Jun. 1997. 31. L. M. Zhao, D. Y. Tang, J. Wu, X. Q. Fu, and S. C. Wen , "Noise-like pulse in a gain-guided soliton fiber laser," Opt...solitons in a ring fiber laser," Optics Communications 281 (22), 5614 (2008). 110. L. M. Zhao, D. Y. Tang, J. Wu, X. Q. Fu, and S. C. Wen , "Noise-like

MiR-338 controls BPA-triggered pancreatic islet insulin secretory dysfunction from compensation to decompensation by targeting Pdx-1.

PubMed

Wei, Jie; Ding, Dongxiao; Wang, Tao; Liu, Qiong; Lin, Yi

2017-12-01

Bisphenol A (BPA) can disrupt glucose homeostasis and impair pancreatic islet function; however, the mechanisms behind these effects are poorly understood. Male mice (4 wk old) were treated with BPA (50 or 500 μg/kg/d) for 8 wk. Whole-body glucose homeostasis, pancreatic islet morphology and function, and miR-338-mediated molecular signal transduction analyses were examined. We showed that BPA treatment led to a disruption of glucose tolerance and a compensatory increase of pancreatic islets insulin secretion and pancreatic and duodenal homeobox 1 ( Pdx1 ) expression in mice. Inhibition of Pdx1 reduced glucose-stimulated insulin secretion and ATP production in the islets of BPA-exposed mice. Based on primary pancreatic islets, we also confirmed that miR-338 regulated Pdx1 and thus contributed to BPA-induced insulin secretory dysfunction from compensation to decompensation. Short-term BPA exposure downregulated miR-338 through activation of G-protein-coupled estrogen receptor 1 (Gpr30), whereas long-term BPA exposure upregulated miR-338 through suppression of glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor (Glp1r). Taken together, our results reveal a molecular mechanism, whereby BPA regulates Gpr30/Glp1r to mediate the expression of miR-338, which acts to control Pdx1-dependent insulin secretion. The Gpr30/Glp1r-miR-338-Pdx1 axis should be represented as a novel mechanism by which BPA induces insulin secretory dysfunction in pancreatic islets.-Wei, J., Ding, D., Wang, T., Liu, Q., Lin, Y. MiR-338 controls BPA-triggered pancreatic islet insulin secretory dysfunction from compensation to decompensation by targeting Pdx-1. © FASEB.

Flapping Wing Flight Dynamic Modeling

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-08-22

cases. Pesavento and Wang [24] solved the two dimensional Navier-Stokes equations in relation to a piece of free falling paper at Reynolds number near...von Karman, T. and Burgers, J. M., Gerneral Aerodynamic Theory - Perfect Fluids , Vol. II, Julius Springer, Berlin, 1935. [24] Pesavento , U. and Wang...2004, pp. 14. [25] Andersen, A., Pesavento , U., and Wang, Z. J., Unsteady aerodynamics of uttering and tumbling plates, Journal of Fluid Mechanics

Strike-slip Tectonics in the Schouten Basin: Western Branch of the Bismarck Sea Seismic Lineation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Llanes Estrada, P.; Hoffmann, G.; Silver, E.; Day, S.; Olaiz Campos, A.

2007-12-01

The Schouten Basin is located offshore the north-western coast of Papua New Guinea, approximately between longitudes 144° and 145°. The major tectonic feature in the area is the Bismarck Sea Seismic Lineation (BSSL), a sinistral strike-slip fault that bounds the north side of the basin and separates the North and South Bismarck Sea Plates. We collected bathymetry and backscatter data in the Schouten Basin and elsewhere in the Bismarck volcanic arc in 2004 aboard the research vessel Kilo Moana. In the area of the Schouten Islands, the BSSL changes its orientation from WNW east of Wei Island (144°21.5) to ENE west of Wei. The predominant structural geometry is a pattern of in-line structures, where several faults are parallel to the strike- slip zone. This geometry could be a result of strain partitioning to accommodate oblique shortening. The fault zone crosses less than 2 km off Wei's south coast and has probably affected the island itself. Our data reveals a major contrast offshore north and south of Wei, with a well developed insular slope and apron on the north side, eroded by a radial system of submarine canyons, and an extremely steep and uncommon insular slope on the south side, that also lacks the presence of an insular apron. We suggest that this south part of the island has been cut off and displaced left-laterally by the BSSL a distance of 45 km. In addition to the main structural direction, approximately E-W, the other predominant direction is given by a set of NE-SW faults. The latter are controlling the orientation of a set of submarine canyons off-shore from the Sepik and the Ramu rivers. These faults may also control local volcanism through the alignment of seamounts.

Geologic and hydrologic controls on the economic potential of hydrothermal systems associated with upper crustal plutons

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Weis, Philipp; Driesner, Thomas; Scott, Samuel; Lecumberri-Sanchez, Pilar

2016-04-01

Heat and mass transport in hydrothermal systems associated with upper crustal magmatic intrusions can result in resources with large economic potential (Kesler, 1994). Active hydrothermal systems can form high-enthalpy geothermal reservoirs with the possibility for renewable energy production. Fossil continental or submarine hydrothermal systems may have formed ore deposits at variable crustal depths, which can be mined near today's surface with an economic profit. In both cases, only the right combination of first-order geologic and hydrologic controls may lead to the formation of a significant resource. To foster exploration for these hydrothermal georesources, we need to improve our understanding of subsurface fluxes of mass and energy by combining numerical process modelling, observations at both active and fossil systems, as well as knowledge of fluid and rock properties and their interactions in natural systems. The presentation will highlight the role of non-linear fluid properties, phase separation, salt precipitation, fluid mixing, permeability structure, hydraulic fracturing and the transition from brittle to ductile rock behavior as major geologic and hydrologic controls on the formation of high-enthalpy and supercritical geothermal resources (Scott et al., 2015), and magmatic-hydrothermal mineral resources, such as porphyry copper, massive sulfide and epithermal gold deposits (Lecumberri-Sanchez et al., 2015; Weis, 2015). References: Kesler, S. E., 1994: Mineral Resources, economics and the environment, New York, McMillan, 391. Lecumberri-Sanchez, P., Steele-MacInnis, M., Weis, P., Driesner, T., Bodnar, R.J. (2015): Salt precipitation in magmatic-hydrothermal systems associated with upper crustal plutons. Geology, v. 43, p. 1063-1066, doi:10.1130/G37163.1 Scott, S., Driesner, T., Weis, P. (2015): Geologic controls on supercritical geothermal resources above magmatic intrusions. Nature Communications, 6:7837 doi: 10.1038/ncomms8837 Weis, P. (2015): The

Effect of spineless cactus intake (Opuntia ficus-indica) on blood glucose levels in lactating sows and its impact on feed intake, body weight loss, and weaning-estrus interval.

PubMed

Ordaz-Ochoa, Gerardo; Juárez-Caratachea, Aureliano; Pérez-Sánchez, Rosa Elena; Román-Bravo, Rafael María; Ortiz-Rodríguez, Ruy

2017-06-01

The effect of spineless cactus intake (Opuntia ficus-indica) on blood glucose (BG) levels in lactating sows and its impact on daily and total feed intake (dFI -1 and TFI, respectively), body weight loss (BWL), and weaning-estrus interval length (WEI) were evaluated. Thirty-four hybrid (Yorkshire × Landrace × Pietrain) sows in lactation phase were used. Sows were divided into two groups: G1 (n = 17) where they received commercial feed and G2 (n = 17) provided with commercial feed plus an average of 2.0 ± 0.5 kg spineless cactus, based on a sow's body weight. The variables evaluated were BG, dFI -1 , TFI, BWL, and WEI. Statistical analysis was performed by using a fixed and mixed model methodology, under a repeated measurements experiment. Group effects were found on all analyzed variables (P < 0.05). The BG was lower in G2 (55.2 and 64.5 mg/dL pre- and post-prandial, respectively), compared to that in G1 (70.9 and 80.1 mg/dL pre- and post-prandial, respectively) (P < 0.05). G2 showed better performance than G1 for dFI -1 , BWL, and WEI (P < 0.05) whose averages were 5.5 ± 1.8 kg, 7.4 ± 4.5%, and 5.3 ± 1.2 days, respectively. Averages for these variables in G1 were 4.7 ± 1.5 kg, 16.8 ± 4.6%, and 6.1 ± 1.6 days, respectively. Intake of spineless cactus reduced BG levels in lactating sows, generating greater dFI -1 , lower BWL at the end of lactation, and a lower WEI.

Hybrid Chaos Synchronization of Four-Scroll Systems via Active Control

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Karthikeyan, Rajagopal; Sundarapandian, Vaidyanathan

2014-03-01

This paper investigates the hybrid chaos synchronization of identical Wang four-scroll systems (Wang, 2009), identical Liu-Chen four-scroll systems (Liu and Chen, 2004) and non-identical Wang and Liu-Chen four-scroll systems. Active control method is the method adopted to achieve the hybrid chaos synchronization of the four-scroll chaotic systems addressed in this paper and our synchronization results are established using Lyapunov stability theory. Since the Lyapunov exponents are not required for these calculations, the active control method is effective and convenient to hybrid synchronize identical and different Wang and Liu-Chen four-scroll chaotic systems. Numerical simulations are also shown to illustrate and validate the hybrid synchronization results derived in this paper.

Efficiency and security problems of anonymous key agreement protocol based on chaotic maps

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yoon, Eun-Jun

2012-07-01

In 2011, Niu-Wang proposed an anonymous key agreement protocol based on chaotic maps in [Niu Y, Wang X. An anonymous key agreement protocol based on chaotic maps. Commun Nonlinear Sci Simulat 2011;16(4):1986-92]. Niu-Wang's protocol not only achieves session key agreement between a server and a user, but also allows the user to anonymously interact with the server. Nevertheless, this paper points out that Niu-Wang's protocol has the following efficiency and security problems: (1) The protocol has computational efficiency problem when a trusted third party decrypts the user sending message. (2) The protocol is vulnerable to Denial of Service (DoS) attack based on illegal message modification by an attacker.

Reusable captive blind fastener

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Peterson, S. A. (Inventor)

1981-01-01

A one piece reusable fastener capable of joining materials together from one side (blind backside) comprises a screw driven pin ending in a wedge-shaped expander cone. The cone cooperates within a slotted collar end which has a number of tangs on a cylindrical body. The fastener is set by inserting it through aligned holes in the workpieces to be joined. Turning the pin in one direction draws the cone into the collar, deforming the tangs radially outward to mate with tapered back-tapered hold in the workpiece, thus fastening the two pieces together. Reversing the direction of the pin withdraws the cone from the collar, and allows the tangs to resume their contracted configuration without withdrawing the fastener from the insertion hole. The fastener is capable of joining materials together from only one side with substantial strength in tension and shear over many resue attachment cycles, with no special operations on the main assembly parts other than the tapering of the back end of the insertion hole.

Comments on "The multisynapse neural network and its application to fuzzy clustering".

PubMed

Yu, Jian; Hao, Pengwei

2005-05-01

In the above-mentioned paper, Wei and Fahn proposed a neural architecture, the multisynapse neural network, to solve constrained optimization problems including high-order, logarithmic, and sinusoidal forms, etc. As one of its main applications, a fuzzy bidirectional associative clustering network (FBACN) was proposed for fuzzy-partition clustering according to the objective-functional method. The connection between the objective-functional-based fuzzy c-partition algorithms and FBACN is the Lagrange multiplier approach. Unfortunately, the Lagrange multiplier approach was incorrectly applied so that FBACN does not equivalently minimize its corresponding constrained objective-function. Additionally, Wei and Fahn adopted traditional definition of fuzzy c-partition, which is not satisfied by FBACN. Therefore, FBACN can not solve constrained optimization problems, either.

Organization of the 1991 Society of America Photonic Science Topical Meeting Held in Monterey, California on September 26 - 28, 1991. 1991 Technical Digest Series, Volume 16, Conference Edition

DTIC Science & Technology

1992-05-01

Yuxin Ni, Duoyuan Wang, Lingzhi Hu, Huizhu He, Jie Xie. 532 nm. (p. 122) Junyi Zhing, Academy of Sciences of China. Photon-gated persistent spectral hole...cal hole-burning, Duoyuan Wang, Lingzhi Hu, Huizhu He, Lizeng Zhao, Xin Mi, Yuxin Ni, Academy of Sciences, China. FES Marker mode structure in the...Dongxiang, Mi Xin, Nie Yuxin Institute of Physics, Academia Sinica Beijing 100080, China, Fax:(86-1)2562605 Wang Duoyuan, Hu Lingzhi , He Huizhu, Xie

Thermomechanical Fatigue Behavior of a Silicone Carbide Fiber-Reinforced Calcium Aluminosilicate Glass-Ceramic Matrix Composite

DTIC Science & Technology

1991-01-01

Fibers," Journal of Materials Science Letters, Chapman & Hall, Ltd., London, England, 2, [9], 1983, pp. 80-82. Wang, S-W, and Parvizi- Majidi , A...cross-plied [0/9012s material and found behavior similar to that seen by Rousseau, and Wang & Parvizi- Majidi . 17 References - CHAPTER I1: BACKGROUND...eds., American Society for Testing and Materials, Philadelphia, PA, 1990, pp. 136-151. 63 Wang, S-W, and Parvizi- Majidi , A., "Mechanical Behavior of

Evaluation of the grand-canonical partition function using expanded Wang-Landau simulations. IV. Performance of many-body force fields and tight-binding schemes for the fluid phases of silicon

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Desgranges, Caroline; Delhommelle, Jerome

We extend Expanded Wang-Landau (EWL) simulations beyond classical systems and develop the EWL method for systems modeled with a tight-binding Hamiltonian. We then apply the method to determine the partition function and thus all thermodynamic properties, including the Gibbs free energy and entropy, of the fluid phases of Si. We compare the results from quantum many-body (QMB) tight binding models, which explicitly calculate the overlap between the atomic orbitals of neighboring atoms, to those obtained with classical many-body (CMB) force fields, which allow to recover the tetrahedral organization in condensed phases of Si through, e.g., a repulsive 3-body term thatmore » favors the ideal tetrahedral angle. Along the vapor-liquid coexistence, between 3000 K and 6000 K, the densities for the two coexisting phases are found to vary significantly (by 5 orders of magnitude for the vapor and by up to 25% for the liquid) and to provide a stringent test of the models. Transitions from vapor to liquid are predicted to occur for chemical potentials that are 10%–15% higher for CMB models than for QMB models, and a ranking of the force fields is provided by comparing the predictions for the vapor pressure to the experimental data. QMB models also reveal the formation of a gap in the electronic density of states of the coexisting liquid at high temperatures. Subjecting Si to a nanoscopic confinement has a dramatic effect on the phase diagram with, e.g. at 6000 K, a decrease in liquid densities by about 50% for both CMB and QMB models and an increase in vapor densities between 90% (CMB) and 170% (QMB). The results presented here provide a full picture of the impact of the strategy (CMB or QMB) chosen to model many-body effects on the thermodynamic properties of the fluid phases of Si.« less

[Textual research on the time of completion of XU Shuwei' books on exo-pathogenic cold diseases].

PubMed

Lu, Mingxin

2015-11-01

Shang han bai zheng ge (Poets of Syndromes of Exo-pathogenic Cold Disease), Shang han fa wei lun (Discourse on Elucidation of Exo-pathogenic Cold Disease), Shang han jiu shi lun (90 Discourses on Exo-pathogenic Cold Disease) were the three extant books on exo-pathogenic cold disease written by Xu Shuwei among his other works of its kind. Although there were carved editions of the Yuan and Ming Dynasties, these books were gradually paid attention for citations by other physicians till the Qing Dynasty. Through comparison of its texts, it can be found that the title of Shang han bai zheng ge was mentioned in his other medical works. While Shang han fa wei lun and Shang han jiu shi lun contained some overlapping contents, some even carrying concept contradictory to each other. According to historical materials, Xu Shuwei began to write the above-mentioned 3 books in the Northern Song Dynasty. In the several early years of the Southern Song Dynasty after crossing the Yangtze River, he collected the remained manuscripts and continued to write. Among them, Shang han bai zheng ge was completed first, followed by Shang han fa wei lun, with Shang han jiu shi lun came as the last.

Remote drill bit loader

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Dokos, J.A.

1996-12-31

A drill bit loader is described for loading a tapered shank of a drill bit into a similarly tapered recess in the end of a drill spindle. The spindle has a transverse slot at the inner end of the recess. The end of the tapered shank of the drill bit has a transverse tang adapted to engage in the slot so that the drill bit will be rotated by the spindle. The loader is in the form of a cylinder adapted to receive the drill bit with the shank projecting out of the outer end of the cylinder. Retainer pinsmore » prevent rotation of the drill bit in the cylinder. The spindle is lowered to extend the shank of the drill bit into the recess in the spindle and the spindle is rotated to align the slot in the spindle with the tang on the shank. A spring unit in the cylinder is compressed by the drill bit during its entry into the recess of the spindle and resiliently drives the tang into the slot in the spindle when the tang and slot are aligned. In typical remote drilling operations, whether in hot cells or water pits, drill bits have been held using a collet or end mill type holder with set screws. In either case, to load or change a drill bit required the use master-slave manipulators to position the bits and tighten the collet or set screws. This requirement eliminated many otherwise useful work areas because they were not equipped with slaves, particularly in water pits.« less

75 FR 25863 - Proposed Collection; Comment Request; The Framingham Heart Study (FHS)

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-05-10

... studying the determinants of cardiovascular disease. Examinations will be conducted on the original, [[Page... data collection plans and instruments, contact Dr. Gina Wei, Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, NHLBI...

[Comparative study of theoretical literature on cold pathogenic disease in Wai tai mi yao fang (Arcane Essentials from the Imperial Library) and Tai ping sheng hui fang (Taiping Holy Prescriptions for Universal Relief)].

PubMed

Zhang, Huirui; Liang, Yongxuan

2014-09-01

In the Wai tai mi yao fang (Arcane Essentials from the Imperial Library) compiled in 752, its portion on cold pathogenic disorders embodies the achievements before the mid Tang Dynasty, whereas that in the Tai ping sheng hui fang (Taiping Holy Prescriptions for Universal Relief), compiled in 992 embodies those before the early Song Dynasty. Comparison on the theory of cold disorders in both books reveal that, during the 2 centuries period from mid Tang to early Song Dynasties, the texts as a carrier for the transmission of such theory in both show no distinct changes, but only with minor revisions and improvements.

Evolution of Zinc Oxide Nanostructures from Non-Equilibrium Deposition Conditions

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-07-11

pressure and temperature in the chamber by a rough estimation using PV = nRT. The deposition area is the internal surface of the tubular chamber, D...J. Wang, L. Zhang, T.L. Andrew, M.S. Arnold, X.D. Wang “Development of Lead Iodide Perovskite Solar Cells Using Three-Dimensional Titanium Dioxide...Andrew, M.S. Arnold, X.D. Wang "Development of Lead Iodide Perovskite Solar Cells Using Three-Dimensional Titanium Dioxide Nanowire Architectures" ACS