Retinoic Acid Promotes Interleukin-4 Plasmid-Dimethylsulfoxide Topical Transdermal Delivery for Treatment of Psoriasis

( Zhong Wen Chen ),( Yin Bing Zhang ),( Xaing Jun Chen ),( Xiao Liu ),( Zhen Wang ),( Xi Kun Zhou ),( Ji Qiu ),( Nan Nan Zhang ),( Xiu Teng ),( Yong Qiu Mao ),( Chang Yong Liu ),( Yu Quan Wei ),( Jion 대한피부과학회 2015 Annals of Dermatology Vol.27 No.2

Background: Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that is caused by a shift in the Th1/Th2 balance toward Th1- dominant immunity. It has been established as an effective treatment to counteract psoriasis by subcutaneous injection of recombinant interleukin (IL)-4, and IL-4 gene therapy by topical transdermal penetration has shown its antipsoriatic effect in mice. Retinoic acid (RA) and dimethylsulfoxide can increase the efficiency of gene transfection in the topical transdermal delivery system. Objective: We investigated whether RA could improve anti-psoriasis efficiency using IL-4 expression plasmid pORF-mIL-4 (pIL-4) via transdermal delivery system in K14-vascular endothelial growth (K14- VEGF) factor transgenic mice. Methods: After pretreatment with RA, plasmid pIL-4 in 10% dimethylsulfoxide was applied to the ear skin by topical transdermal penetration. Hematoxylin- eosin staining and immunohistochemistry were performed with ear samples to evaluate anti-psoriasis efficiency in mice. Results: The psoriasis pathological features were relieved and psoriasis-associated factors were significantly reduced. Conclusion: Our results reveal that topical application of pIL-4 in dimethylsulfoxide by transdermal delivery with RA pretreatment can improve psoriasis significantly.(Ann Dermatol 27(2) 121∼127, 2015)

Retinoic Acid Promotes Interleukin-4 Plasmid-Dimethylsulfoxide Topical Transdermal Delivery for Treatment of Psoriasis

( Zhong Wen Chen ),( Yin Bing Zhang ),( Xaing Jun Chen ),( Xiao Liu ),( Zhen Wang ),( Xi Kun Zhou ),( Ji Qiu ),( Nan Nan Zhang ),( Xiu Teng ),( Yong Qiu Mao ),( Chang Yong Liu ),( Yu Quan Wei ),( Jion 대한피부과학회 2015 Annals of Dermatology Vol.27 No.3

Background: Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that is caused by a shift in the Th1/Th2 balance toward Th1- dominant immunity. It has been established as an effective treatment to counteract psoriasis by subcutaneous injection of recombinant interleukin (IL)-4, and IL-4 gene therapy by topical transdermal penetration has shown its antipsoriatic effect in mice. Retinoic acid (RA) and dimethylsulfoxide can increase the efficiency of gene transfection in the topical transdermal delivery system. Objective: We investigated whether RA could improve anti-psoriasis efficiency using IL-4 expression plasmid pORF-mIL-4 (pIL-4) via transdermal delivery system in K14-vascular endothelial growth (K14- VEGF) factor transgenic mice. Methods: After pretreatment with RA, plasmid pIL-4 in 10% dimethylsulfoxide was applied to the ear skin by topical transdermal penetration. Hematoxylin- eosin staining and immunohistochemistry were performed with ear samples to evaluate anti-psoriasis efficiency in mice. Results: The psoriasis pathological features were relieved and psoriasis-associated factors were significantly reduced. Conclusion: Our results reveal that topical application of pIL-4 in dimethylsulfoxide by transdermal delivery with RA pretreatment can improve psoriasis significantly. (Ann Dermatol 27(2) 121∼127, 2015)

Enhancement of Aggregation-Induced Emission in Dye-Encapsulating Polymeric Micelles for Bioimaging

Wu, Wen-Chung,Chen, Ching-Yi,Tian, Yanqing,Jang, Sei-Hum,Hong, Yuning,Liu, Yang,Hu, Rongrong,Tang, Ben Zhong,Lee, Yi-Ting,Chen, Chin-Ti,Chen, Wen-Chang,Jen, Alex K.-Y. WILEY-VCH Verlag 2010 Advanced Functional Materials Vol.20 No.9

<P>Three amphiphilic block copolymers are employed to form polymeric micelles and function as nanocarriers to disperse hydrophobic aggregation-induced emission (AIE) dyes, 1,1,2,3,4,5-hexaphenylsilole (HPS) and/or bis(4-(N-(1-naphthyl) phenylamino)-phenyl)fumaronitrile (NPAFN), into aqueous solution for biological studies. Compared to their virtually non-emissive properties in organic solutions, the fluorescence intensity of these AIE dyes has increased significantly due to the spatial confinement that restricts intramolecular rotation of these dyes and their better compatibility in the hydrophobic core of polymeric micelles. The effect of the chemical structure of micelle cores on the photophysical properties of AIE dyes are investigated, and the fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) from the green-emitting donor (HPS) to the red-emitting acceptor (NPAFN) is explored by co-encapsulating this FRET pair in the same micelle core. The highest fluorescence quantum yield (∼62%) could be achieved by encapsulating HPS aggregates in the micelles. Efficient energy transfer (>99%) and high amplification of emission (as high as 8 times) from the NPAFN acceptor could also be achieved by spatially confining the HPS/NPAFN FRET pair in the hydrophobic core of polymeric micelles. These micelles could be successfully internalized into the RAW 264.7 cells to demonstrate high-quality fluorescent images and cell viability due to improved quantum yield and reduced cytotoxicity.</P> <B>Graphic Abstract</B> <P>Highly efficient fluorescence probes are achieved through the encapsulation of aggregation-induced emission molecules, 1,1,2,3,4,5-hexaphenylsilole (HPS) and/or bis(4-(N-(1-naphthyl) phenylamino)-phenyl)fumaronitrile (NPAFN) in the core of polymeric micelles. Bright fluorescence cell images are shown with tunable colors of green directly from HPS aggregates and red through efficient fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) from HPS aggregates to NPAFN aggregates. <img src='wiley_img_2010/1616301X-2010-20-9-ADFM200902043-content.gif' alt='wiley_img_2010/1616301X-2010-20-9-ADFM200902043-content'> </P>

Combination of Tumor Volume and Epstein-Barr Virus DNA Improved Prognostic Stratification of Stage II Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma in the Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy Era: A Large-Scale Cohort Study

Qiu-Yan Chen,Shao-Yan Guo,Lin-Quan Tang,Tong-Yu Lu,Bo-Lin Chen,Qi-Yu Zhong,Meng-Sha Zou,Qing-Nan Tang,Wen-Hui Chen,Shan-Shan Guo,Li-Ting Liu,Yang Li,Ling Guo,Hao-Yuan Mo,Rui Sun,Dong-Hua Luo,Chong Zha 대한암학회 2018 Cancer Research and Treatment Vol.50 No.3

Purpose Little is known about combination of the circulating Epstein-Barr viral (EBV) DNA and tumor volume in prognosis of stage II nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients in the intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) era. We conducted this cohort study to evaluate the prognostic values of combining these two factors. Materials and Methods By Kaplan-Meier, we compare the differences of survival curves between 385 patients with different EBV DNA or tumor volume levels, or with the combination of two biomarkers mentioned above. Results Gross tumor volume of cervical lymph nodes (GTVnd, p < 0.001) and total tumor volume (GTVtotal, p < 0.001) were both closely related to pretreatment EBV DNA, while gross tumor volume of nasopharynx (GTVnx, p=0.047) was weakly related to EBV DNA. EBV DNA was significantly correlated with progress-free survival (PFS, p=0.005), locoregional-free survival (LRFS, p=0.039), and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS, p=0.017), while GTVtotal, regardless of GTVnx and GTVnd, had a significant correlation with PFS and LRFS. The p-values of GTVtotal for PFS and LRFS were 0.008 and 0.001, respectively. According to GTVtotal and pretreatment EBV DNA level, patients were divided into a low-risk group (EBV DNA 0 copy/mL, GTVtotal < 30 cm3; EBV DNA 0 copy/mL, GTVtotal  30 cm3; or EBV DNA > 0 copy/mL, GTVtotal < 30 cm3) and a high-risk group (EBV DNA > 0 copy/mL, GTVtotal  30 cm3). When patients in the low-risk group were compared with those in the high-risk group, 3-year PFS (p=0.003), LRFS (p=0.010), and DMFS (p=0.031) rates were statistically significant. Conclusion Pretreatment plasma EBV DNA and tumor volume were both closely correlated with prognosis of stage II NPC patients in the IMRT era. Combination of EBV DNA and tumor volume can refine prognosis and indicate for clinical therapy.

Age and Sex Distribution of Chinese Chronic Cough Patients and Their Relationship With Capsaicin Cough Sensitivity

Kefang Lai,Li Long,Fang Yi,Jiaman Tang,Zhe Chen,Fagui Chen,Jianmeng Zhou,Wen Peng,Liting Zhang,Hu Li,Wenzhi Zhan,Ruchong Chen,Wei Luo,Qiaoli Chen,Kian Fan Chung,Nanshan Zhong 대한천식알레르기학회 2019 Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Research Vol.11 No.6

Purpose: An older female predominance has been reported among chronic cough patients in Western countries, which is considered to be associated with a higher cough sensitivity in females. However, the characteristics of Chinese chronic cough patients remain unclear. This study aimed to explore the age and sex distribution as well as their relationship with cough reflex sensitivity to capsaicin in Chinese chronic cough patients. Methods: We analyzed the demographic features of 1,882 consecutive chronic cough patients who attended our cough clinic in Guangzhou, China. Cough sensitivity to capsaicin, which was defined as the lowest concentration of capsaicin causing 5 coughs or more (C5), was measured in 539 of the 1,882 patients and 68 healthy volunteers. Results: The mean age of the patients was 43.0 ± 13.7 years and patients aged <50 years accounted for more than two-thirds of the study population. Around 87% of the patients were never-smokers. The proportion of females (51.5%) was almost equal to that of males (48.5%). The pattern of the age and sex distribution was consistently reflected within most common causes of chronic cough, while a female predominance was shown in patients with coughvariant asthma and patients aged ≥50 years. Female patients had higher cough sensitivity to capsaicin than male patients (log C5: 1.58 ± 0.84 vs. 2.04 ± 0.84 μmol/L, P = 0.001), and patients aged ≥50 years had higher cough sensitivity to capsaicin than patients aged <50 years. Conclusions: In China, patients with chronic cough have a roughly equal sex distribution and a middle-aged predominance, irrespective of a higher cough sensitivity to capsaicin in females and older patients.

Novel HMW glutenin genes from Aegilops tauschii and their unique structures

Wen-Jie Chen,Zhong-Wei Yuan,Lian-Quan Zhang,Xing Fan,Ze-Hong Yan,Ji-Rui Wang,You-Liang Zheng,Huai-Gang Zhang,Deng-Cai Liu 한국유전학회 2012 Genes & Genomics Vol.34 No.3

A pair of novel high-molecular-weight glutenin subunits (HMW-GS) 1Dx5.3t and 1Dy12.1**t were revealed and characterized from Ae. tauschii accession PI554324. SDS-PAGE band of 1Dx5.3t was between those of 1Bx6 and 1Bx7, while 1Dy12.1**t with slightly faster migration rate than that of 1Dy12. The lengths of 1Dx5.3t and 1Dy12.1**t were 2115 bp and 1986 bp, encoding 703 and 660 amino acid residues,respectively. Their authenticity was confirmed by successful expression of the coding regions in Escherichia coli. 1Dx5.3t is the shortest of the known Dx-type alleles. 1Dy12.1**t is also a special subunit since it has an additional cysteine in the front of the central repetitive domain. This cysteine that is not existed in previously reported Dy-type genes may be useful for improving bread wheat quality. Median-joining Network analysis indicated that 1Dy12.1**t may be a key site in the genealogy of the Glu-Dy.

Mda-9/syntenin Promotes Human Brain Glioma Migration through Focal Adhesion Kinase (FAK)-JNK and FAK-AKT Signaling

Zhong, Dong,Ran, Jian-Hua,Tang, Wen-Yuan,Zhang, Xiao-Dong,Tan, Yun,Chen, Gui-Jie,Li, Xiao-Song,Yan, Yi Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.6

Invasion is usually recognized as the main reason for the high recurrence and death rates of glioma and restricts the efficacy of surgery and other therapies. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the mechanism involved in promotion effects of mda-9/syntenin on human glioma cell migration. The wound healing method was used to test the migration ability of human glioma cells CHG-5 and CHG-hS, stably overexpressing mda-9/syntenin. Western blotting was performed to determine the expression and phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and JNK in CHG-5 and CHG-hS cells. The migration ability of CHG-hS cells was significantly higher than that of CHG-5 cells in fibronectin (FN)-coated culture plates. Phosphorylation of FAK on tyrosine 397, 576, and 925 sites was increased with time elapsed in CHG-hS cells. However, phosphorylated FAK on the tyrosine 861 site was not changed. Phosphorylated Src, JNK and Akt levels in CHG-hS cells were also significantly upregulated. Phosphorylation of JNK and Akt were abolished by the specific inhibitors SP600125 and LY294002, respectively, and the migration ability of CHG-hS cells was decreased, indicating that the JNK and PI3K/Akt pathways play important roles in regulating mda-9/syntenin-induced human brain glioma migration. Our results indicate Mda-9/syntenin overexpression could activate FAK-JNK and FAK-Akt signaling and then enhance the migration capacity of human brain glioma cells.

NEDD4L suppresses PD-L1 expression and enhances anti-tumor immune response in A549 cells

Zhong Bin,Zheng Jie,Wen Huilan,Liao Xinhui,Chen Xingxiang,Rao Yunwei,Yuan Ping 한국유전학회 2022 Genes & Genomics Vol.44 No.9

Background: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) poses a salient threat to public health. E3 ubiquitin ligase commonly functions as an anti-tumor role. Objective: This study probed the effect of E3 ligase NEDD4L on A549 cells. Methods: NEDD4L expression in NSCLC and its correlation with NSCLC patient's prognosis were predicted and verified. PD-L1 protein level was measured, and the correlation between NEDD4L and PD-L1 was analyzed. The effects of NEDD4L overexpression on the binding of NEDD4L to PD-L1 and ubiquitination level of PD-L1 were examined. Xenograft tumor model was established in mice. The volume and weight of xenograft tumors were recorded. The proportion of CD8+ T cells and contents of IL-2 and INF-γ were detected. Results: NEDD4L expression was downregulated in NSCLC tissues and A549 cells, and correlated with poor prognosis of NSCLC patients. PD-L1 was upregulated in NSCLC and negatively correlated with NEDD4L. Overexpression of NEDD4L upregulated ubiquitination level of PD-L1 and reduced protein level of PD-L1. Overexpression of NEDD4L decreased tumor volume and weight and enhanced proportion of CD8+ T cells and contents of IL-2 and INF-γ. Conclusions: Collectively, overexpression of NEDD4L suppressed PD-L1 protein level through ubiquitination, thereby enhancing anti-tumor immune response and retarding NSCLC progression.

Influence of Water Molecules on Polarization Behavior and Time–Frequency Dielectric Properties of Cellulose Insulation

Wen Hao,Cheng Lin,Jiang Yi,Zhu Taiyun,Chen Zhong,Dai Xize,Gao Chenyu 대한전기학회 2021 Journal of Electrical Engineering & Technology Vol.16 No.3

Oil-immersed power transformer plays an important role in power transmission and transformation engineering. Moisture is one of the important factors to determine its insulation performance. Molecular simulation technique is used to study the mechanism of water molecules on the micro polarization behavior of cellulose insulation materials. The number of hydrogen bonds, solubility parameters, total dipole moment and polarizability are analyzed. These characteristics explain the action mechanism of water molecules on cellulose insulation. At the same time, the time domain and frequency dielectric response of cellulose insulation materials with diff erent moisture content are explored. The dielectric modulus spectrum is introduced to replace the traditional frequency dielectric spectroscopy to characterize the micro relaxation process of cellulose insulation under diff erent moisture content. Finally, the characteristic parameters are extracted from the polarization, depolarization current and dielectric modulus spectrum curves to evaluate the moisture content of cellulose insulation materials. The results show that the number of hydrogen bonds, binding energy density, solubility parameter, total dipole moment and polarizability increase with the increase of water content. It should be noted that dielectric modulus spectroscopy can eff ectively characterize the relaxation behavior of cellulose insulation materials. The moisture content of cellulose insulation can be quantitatively evaluated by DC conductivity, insulation resistance, imaginary part relaxation peak of dielectric modulus and integral value of real part and imaginary part of dielectric modulus.

CONSTRUCTIONS OF REGULAR SPARSE ANTI-MAGIC SQUARES

Chen, Guangzhou,Li, Wen,Xin, Bangying,Zhong, Ming Korean Mathematical Society 2022 대한수학회보 Vol.59 No.3

For positive integers n and d with d < n, an n × n array A based on 𝒳 = {0, 1, …, nd} is called a sparse anti-magic square of order n with density d, denoted by SAMS(n, d), if each non-zero element of X occurs exactly once in A, and its row-sums, column-sums and two main diagonal-sums constitute a set of 2n + 2 consecutive integers. An SAMS(n, d) is called regular if there are exactly d non-zero elements in each row, each column and each main diagonal. In this paper, we investigate the existence of regular sparse anti-magic squares of order n ≡ 1, 5 (mod 6), and prove that there exists a regular SAMS(n, d) for any n ≥ 5, n ≡ 1, 5 (mod 6) and d with 2 ≤ d ≤ n - 1.