Publications by authors named "Wen-xia Zhao"
Article Synopsis
- * A new molecular technique called RPA-LFD combines recombinase polymerase amplification and a lateral flow dipstick, allowing for quick and accurate identification of the beetle with minimal DNA requirements (as little as 10-3 ng).
- * This method is easy to perform without specialized equipment, can be done at varied temperatures (30 to 50 °C), and enables detection of A. mali in just 30 minutes, making it highly useful for pest management and on-site diagnosis in various contexts.
Article Synopsis
- * Traditional estrogen therapy can lower the risk of NAFLD but may increase cardiovascular issues, making it unsuitable for this condition.
- * Phytoestrogens emerge as a safer alternative, with potential benefits in treating postmenopausal NAFLD by improving lipid and glucose metabolism, reducing inflammation and oxidative stress, balancing gut bacteria, and preventing liver fibrosis, though their exact mechanisms remain unclear.
Article Synopsis
- Stachydrine hydrochloride (Sta), an alkaloid from Yimucao, shows cardioprotective effects, but its mechanisms were previously unclear.
- This study aimed to explore how Sta affects transcriptional regulation related to heart hypertrophy using both animal models and cell cultures.
- Results indicated that Sta prevents cardiac hypertrophy by influencing the CaMKII/HDAC4/MEF2C signaling pathway, specifically by regulating the transport of HDAC4 in heart cells.
Article Synopsis
- Scutellaria barbata (SB) and Oldenlandia diffusa (OD) are traditional Chinese herbs used for health benefits like detoxification and promoting blood circulation.
- The study aimed to identify the active ingredients in SB and OD extracts and evaluate their effects on hepatitis B virus-related liver cancer cell growth in lab conditions and in live models.
- Results showed that both extracts inhibited the growth and spread of liver cancer cells and affected certain gene expressions, particularly linked to the active compounds luteolin and apigenin found in SB.
Article Synopsis
- - Mitophagy is a specialized process that helps cells remove and recycle damaged mitochondria, which is vital for maintaining healthy cellular function.
- - Its role in cancer is complex and controversial, as it can either support tumor growth by aiding cell survival or promote cancer cell death by reducing mitochondrial damage.
- - The review discusses recent findings on the molecular pathways involved in mitophagy and their implications for cancer therapy, suggesting that targeting mitophagy could provide new treatment strategies.
Article Synopsis
- G3BP1 is a multifunctional protein linked to various human cancers, including breast cancer, where its role was previously unclear.
- In this study, G3BP1 was found to be upregulated in breast cancer, correlating with poor patient prognosis, and it promotes cancer cell growth by enhancing β-catenin signaling.
- The mechanism involves G3BP1 stabilizing β-catenin by preventing its degradation, which could provide a new therapeutic target for breast cancer treatment.
Article Synopsis
- The study is exploring the effectiveness of pediatric tuina, a traditional Chinese therapy, as a treatment for ADHD symptoms in preschoolers, finding it may be a useful alternative to conventional medications and behavior therapies that have limitations for young children.
- The research involves a pilot randomized controlled trial with 60 children, split into two groups: one receiving tuina training to practice at home, and another learning progressive muscle relaxation techniques.
- Assessments will measure ADHD symptoms, anxiety, sleep habits, and parental stress, using various scales at different points during the two-month treatment period to evaluate the acceptability and feasibility of the interventions.
Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common cause of chronic liver disease in Western countries, and strongly associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Several studies have shown that hypoglycemic agents are effective for NAFLD combined with T2DM. However, there is still controversy over which hypoglycemic agent is the best for NAFLD combined with T2DM patients.
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- * The study analyzed the genetic diversity of 22 populations of the midge in China, revealing that while they had lower diversity than native populations in the US, they still had a significant level of genetic variation.
- * Findings indicated that despite being separated by considerable distances, Chinese populations clustered into two distinct groups, suggesting that genetic adaptation may explain their successful invasion and establishment in new environments.
Article Synopsis
- The study assessed the efficacy of combining adefovir dipivoxil (ADV) with Chinese medicine (CM) in treating hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive patients over 48 weeks, comparing it with ADV alone plus a placebo.
- Out of 605 screened patients, 590 were randomly assigned to either the experimental group (EG) receiving the combination therapy or the control group (CG) receiving ADV and a placebo, with HBeAg and HBV-DNA levels monitored at multiple intervals.
- Results showed that the EG had significantly higher rates of HBeAg loss at 48 weeks without any additional adverse effects, indicating that the combination therapy potentially offers better effectiveness and a favorable safety profile compared to ADV mon
Article Synopsis
- Researchers studied braconid parasitoids found in trees in NW China infested by a specific beetle, Matsumura (Coleoptera, Buprestidae).
- They identified six species of braconid parasitoids, which are considered new records for the area's fauna, although one has been previously recorded in Taiwan.
- The paper includes detailed descriptions of both sexes of the newly observed species and provides an identification key to help with identifying the six braconid parasitoids in NW China.
Article Synopsis
- Stachydrine (Sta) from Houtt shows potential cardioprotective effects against diastolic heart failure in rats, particularly after pressure overload.
- In a study involving transverse aortic constriction, rats treated with Sta showed reduced heart hypertrophy, improved left ventricular function, and decreased fibrosis compared to the control group.
- The protective effects of Sta are linked to the suppression of the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway, which plays a role in heart muscle growth and fibrosis.
Phytophthora pseudopolonica sp. nov., a new species recovered from stream water in subtropical forests of China.
Int J Syst Evol Microbiol
September 2017
Article Synopsis
- A new species called Phytophthora pseudopolonica sp. nov. was discovered in stream water during a survey in subtropical forests in China from 2011 to 2013.
- *This species is unique due to its morphology, producing distinct sporangia and abundant hyphal swellings and chlamydospores when kept in sterile water.
- *It has an optimal growth temperature of 30 °C, with minimal growth at lower (5 °C) and higher (35 °C) temperatures, and is genetically similar to Phytophthora polonica within clade 9.
[Change of NK Cell Number in Peripheral Blood of Patients with Mantle Cell Lymphoma and Its Clinical Significance].
Zhongguo Shi Yan Xue Ye Xue Za Zhi
June 2017
Article Synopsis
- The study aims to determine the clinical relevance of changes in peripheral blood NK cell counts in patients with mantle cell lymphoma (MCL).
- Data was collected from 84 MCL patients treated between November 2003 and November 2011, analyzing various factors including NK cell counts, hemoglobin levels, and the International Prognostic Index.
- Results indicated that higher absolute NK counts (ANKC) significantly correlated with better progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) rates, suggesting ANKC could be a valuable prognostic indicator for MCL patients.
Diagnostic value of the plasmatic ADM level for early ectopic pregnancy.
Int J Clin Exp Pathol
October 2016
Article Synopsis
- The study aimed to analyze the levels of ADM (Adrenomedullin) in early pregnancy to assess its diagnostic value for early ectopic pregnancy (EP).
- In a comparison of 70 EP patients to 155 women with normal pregnancies, it was found that ADM levels did not significantly increase with the length of menopause in the EP group, unlike in the control group where levels rose linearly.
- The research concluded that the ADM level in early EP is significantly lower than in normal intrauterine pregnancies, indicating that while ADM could have potential, more research is needed to establish its reliability as a diagnostic marker for early EP.
[Mannan-Binding Lectin Inhibits Candida Albicans-Induced DC Maturation and Cytokine Secretion].
Zhongguo Shi Yan Xue Ye Xue Za Zhi
April 2015
Article Synopsis
- The study aimed to explore how mannan-binding lectin (MBL) affects the maturation and cytokine secretion of human dendritic cells when exposed to Candida albicans (C. albicans).
- Human dendritic cells from blood samples were cultured with varying concentrations of MBL alongside C. albicans, and various analyses were performed, including FACS and Western blot for immune markers and signaling pathways.
- Results indicated that higher concentrations of MBL reduced the expression of immune markers CD83 and CD86 and inhibited key inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6) in response to C. albicans, suggesting MBL plays a regulatory role in the immune response to fungal infections through NF-κB signaling pathways.
[Clinical value of hCG ratio of blood in peritoneal cavity versus venous blood in diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy].
Zhonghua Fu Chan Ke Za Zhi
March 2013
Article Synopsis
- - The study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the hCG ratio of peritoneal cavity blood to venous blood (RPhCG/VhCG) in diagnosing early ectopic pregnancy (EP) versus intrauterine pregnancy with hemorrhage (hIUP).
- - Data from 321 women (268 with EP and 53 with hIUP) were analyzed, revealing a significant difference in the RPhCG/VhCG ratio, with EP patients having a mean ratio of 4.35 compared to 0.81 in those with hIUP.
- - The findings support that RPhCG/VhCG > 1.0 can reliably distinguish EP from hIUP, demonstrating an impressive sensitivity of
Article Synopsis
- The study examined how olaquindox causes cell death (apoptosis) in HepG2 cells by focusing on the MAPK pathways and reactive oxygen species (ROS).
- Researchers found that olaquindox triggers the phosphorylation of specific proteins (p38 MAPK and JNK), leading to increased apoptosis, which was further enhanced by inhibiting these proteins.
- The production of ROS was linked to this process, as antioxidants reduced both ROS generation and apoptosis, suggesting that ROS play a critical role in activating JNK, while not affecting p38 MAPK in the same way.
Article Synopsis
- Hierarchical alloy nanosheet dendrites (ANSDs) exhibit enhanced catalytic performance due to their unique properties, making them ideal for efficient catalyst use.
- This paper introduces a straightforward method for synthesizing palladium-tin (Pd-Sn) ANSDs with a high surface area, demonstrating their effective electrocatalytic activity, particularly in ethanol oxidation.
- The improved performance of Pd-Sn ANSDs is linked to factors like their alloy composition, dendritic structure, and large number of active sites, suggesting that this synthesis method could be a versatile technique for creating high-performance alloy electrocatalysts.
[Efficacy of peg interferon alpha-2a in combination with ribavirin in treatment of with hepatitis C cirrhosis patients].
Zhonghua Shi Yan He Lin Chuang Bing Du Xue Za Zhi
December 2011
Article Synopsis
- The study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of PEG Interferon alpha-2a combined with ribavirin in treating patients with cirrhosis caused by chronic hepatitis C.
- A total of 41 patients were divided into a treatment group receiving higher doses of ribavirin and a control group with lower doses, and their responses to the treatment were measured over time.
- Results showed the treatment group had a lower sustained virologic response and a higher incidence of side effects like anemia, highlighting the need for careful monitoring of blood and organ function during treatment.
Article Synopsis
- - The study presents the successful synthesis of porous Pt-Ni-P composite nanotube arrays (NTAs) on a conductive substrate using template-assisted electrodeposition, which ensure good solid contact.
- - These NTAs demonstrate significant electrochemical activity and long-term stability specifically for methanol electrooxidation.
- - The high electrocatalytic performance is attributed to their hollow nanotubular and porous nanostructures, along with the synergistic electronic effects from the combination of different elements.
Article Synopsis
- Olaquindox, an antimicrobial compound, is banned in the U.S. and EU, with restrictions in China for its use in livestock and aquaculture feed due to safety concerns.
- The study focuses on how olaquindox increases c-Myc expression and its impact on causing apoptosis (cell death) in HepG2 cancer cells.
- Findings indicate that reduced levels of c-Myc can lessen the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inhibit olaquindox-induced apoptosis, highlighting c-Myc's potential role in cell responses to this compound.
Article Synopsis
- * Out of 1,163 patients, the main categories identified were qi-deficiency type (401 patients) and phlegm-dampness type (371 patients), which made up over 66% of the cases.
- * Patients with the phlegm-dampness type exhibited significantly higher levels of BMI, blood lipids, and liver enzymes compared to other types, indicating a clear correlation with these health markers.
Article Synopsis
- * Various characterization techniques like XRD, FE-SEM, TEM, and UV-vis have been used to analyze the formed microsphere films, highlighting their structure and properties.
- * The research identifies key experimental conditions, including the use of acetylacetone and NH(4)F, that significantly influence the morphology of the SnO(2) microspheres, and proposes a formation process based on time-dependent observations.